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PRESS RELEASE : One stop shop for tech could save taxpayers £1.2 billion and overhaul how government buys digital tools [June 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 June 2025.

A first-of-its-kind digital marketplace is being built to help shake up how the UK public sector buys technology – hoping to unlock £1.2 billion in annual savings, save time and give public servants the power to rate suppliers.
- New platform to allow public sector to rate and review tech products, helping hospitals, schools and government departments avoid costly mistakes and make smarter, faster decisions on which tech to buy.
- Currently in early development, the platform is set to unlock £1.2 billion a year in savings and modernise how the public sector invests £26 billion-a-year on tech.
- The National Digital Exchange will support the government’s Plan for Change – giving the UK public sector faster access to better deals, while boosting small business involvement by 40% within 3 years.
A first-of-its-kind digital marketplace is being built to help shake up how the UK public sector buys technology – hoping to unlock £1.2 billion in annual savings, save time and give public servants the power to rate suppliers.

By making it faster and easier to buy the right technology, the National Digital Exchange (NDX) will aim to drive forward the government’s Plan for Change – helping to deliver simpler, smarter, and more responsive public services for the people who rely on them, while ensuring better value for taxpayers.

In a major shift, the platform hopes to allow teams across the public sector to access pre-approved tech deals at nationally negotiated prices, with an AI-powered engine that matches them with suppliers based on what they actually need – all in a matter of hours, not months.

The platform is designed to open the market to more UK tech firms, with a target to boost small business involvement in government contracts by 40% within 3 years.

It follows the State of Digital Government report which warned that 209 NHS secondary care organisations and 320 local councils go it alone when negotiating tech contracts, despite widely using similar tools – missing out on essential bargaining power. Only 28% of public sector leaders said their organisations were able to track and make sure that their tech suppliers were delivering proper value for their services.

Users will be able to rate and review what they’ve bought, lifting the lid on which tools have delivered, and where promises haven’t matched performance – creating a platform comparable to an app store for the technology that underpins the British state and essential public services.

The announcement comes ahead of London Tech Week, where the role of digital innovation in transforming public services will be in the spotlight.

Minister for AI and Digital Government, Feryal Clark said:

We’ve all heard the stories – months of red tape, tech that doesn’t deliver, and money wasted. That’s not good enough for the people we serve.

The National Digital Exchange aims to change that. It will make it faster, fairer, and focused on what works – with real reviews, upfront pricing and smart AI to match buyers with the right suppliers in hours.

It’s a clear example of our Plan for Change in action: cutting waste, boosting innovation, and backing British tech to deliver better public services.

The platform, which will be created under the revised Procurement Regulations to help shape a smarter, more open future for digital procurement, and is being developed alongside a ‘digital playbook’ to guide officials responsible for buying technology towards best practice – making sure the long-term impacts of their decisions, and the social value of contracts are considered.

Today’s news also follows the government announcing plans to test new ways of funding AI and tech projects, aiming to bring a start-up mindset to testing the application and use of AI experiments on small budgets, and then building on proof of success.

DSIT is also working closely with organisations like techUK helping to ensure the platform reflects the needs of both buyers and suppliers.
June 15, 2025
John Healey – 2025 Speech on the D-Day 81 Anniversary

The speech made by John Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 6 June 2025.

Bonjour tout le monde.

81 years ago today, tyranny bowed when the courage of free men forced open the gates of liberation.

Within hours, the people of Sainte-Mère-Église had control of their destiny again.

Within three months, the Tricolor once again flew from the Eiffel Tower.

Within a year the continent of Europe would once again know peace.

It is a rare thing to have changed the course of history, but that is what the veterans of Normandy did.

They fought for a future that they knew they may not live to see.

And through their valour we inherited a free world.

We are humbled to be in your company. We give eternal thanks for your sacrifice.

And I’m also grateful to the Comité du Débarquement, as the stewards of our shared history. With every year that passes, your work becomes more important.

And 81 years on, we return to Normandy to ask:

What principle guided 150,000 souls across that body of water?

What belief compelled the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st to thunder through the skies above us?

What force drove the ‘Ivy’ men to charge these dunes at Utah?

…all to liberate people they had never known in a land they had never seen.

And that is the power of unity, the power of friendship, the faith in democracy and freedom.

And through the sacrifices made on these shores we learn the true strength of alliances.

The strength of our war-fighters standing together as they continue to do on operations today – personnel from Manchester, from Marseilles, from Minnesota.

The strength of our nations standing together in NATO to deter current conflicts and adversaries.

The responsibility to safeguard D-Day’s legacy and freedom rests today with us.

So, let us give everlasting honour to our Normandy veterans… for whom the Longest Day never ended.

And let us find the strength to carry on in their names and to carry forward their cause.

Thank you.

June 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan [June 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 June 2025.

Joint statement from the UK and 29 other donor countries on attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan.

Joint donor statement condemning attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan by the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on a humanitarian convoy of 15 trucks from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Al Koma, North Darfur, on the night of 2 June, which resulted in the death of five members of the convoy and injuring several others. Four of the 15 trucks in the convoy were destroyed in the attack and five more sustained partial damage. These trucks were carrying about 100 metric tons of essential nutrition, health, education, and WASH supplies, intended to support children and families in El Fasher town.

The deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel is a violation of international law. Civilians and humanitarian workers must not be targeted by parties to the armed conflict. We urge all parties to allow civilians to safely exit areas with ongoing hostilities, and to guarantee immediate, unconditional, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver assistance to those in urgent need throughout Sudan.

We repeat our call to the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and their militias to immediately cease hostilities and uphold their obligations towards international humanitarian law, which includes the obligation to protect civilians and civilian objects – as also reiterated in the UN Security Council resolution 2730 (2024). Once again, we stress the civilian character of humanitarian agencies, the neutral and impartial nature of their life-saving operations, and the need for them to operate across all of Sudan, regardless of area of control.

This attack represents yet another deadly and unacceptable attack on civilians and humanitarian workers since the beginning of this armed conflict two years ago, in blatant disregard of international humanitarian law. We remind the parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and their assets.

Last April, the international community strongly condemned the attacks on Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps which resulted in the killing of hundreds of civilians and at least 12 aid workers. Just last week, a hospital was targeted in El Obeid, North Kordofan. On several occasions, UN and NGOs offices throughout the country have been directly hit, including WFP’s office in El Fasher only last week. These are just some of the many attacks over the past two years targeting civilians, aid workers and facilities, hospitals, and critical civilian infrastructure, which constitute direct violations of international humanitarian law.

We deplore all loss of civilian life resulting from acts of war throughout this conflict. The continuous attacks on humanitarian aid workers cannot be normalised. These serious and continued violations of international humanitarian law committed by the warring parties are unacceptable and must cease immediately.

We support the UN Secretary General’s call for an immediate and independent investigation into this attack and accountability of the perpetrators.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of those killed and those who have been injured while working to deliver humanitarian assistance under extremely dangerous conditions.”

June 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Scotland Office partnership with Scottish Chambers of Commerce [June 2025]

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 6 June 2025.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, joined by his sleeping baby daughter, and Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Liz Cameron sign the deal in Edinburgh.

A partnership agreement to launch a Brand Scotland overseas trade missions initiative was signed today (Friday) by the Scotland Office and Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC).

This collaboration will be supported by a UK Government grant of up to £100,000 for 2025/26 aimed at promoting Scottish trade and attracting foreign direct investment into Scotland.

As part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, Brand Scotland is boosting economic growth by promoting Scottish products and services while attracting international inward investment.

The initiative will include a series of trade missions focused on showcasing Scottish businesses globally.

Ian Murray and Liz Cameron signed the agreement at the UK Government’s Queen Elizabeth HQ in Edinburgh.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

This agreement will help give Scotland a global platform to sell everything our brilliant country has to offer – from whisky and seafood to our world class services.

The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks is a huge opportunity for Scotland’s economy – with the most populous country in the world, the richest country in the world and our most important market. This partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce will create valuable opportunities for Scottish firms and help kickstart economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

I have already been to Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States to bang the drum for Scotland and with this partnership we will take businesses to even more markets. The Scotland Office will be Scotland’s window to the world.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive and Director Dr Liz Cameron CBE said:

Delivering impactful trade missions that will sell Brand Scotland and our innovative and dynamic businesses will strengthen our global presence. This partnership with the Scotland Office is vital for economic growth and will help more businesses trade internationally and encourage more inward investment.

The world wants our quality products and services and this significant investment in Brand Scotland will create even more opportunities to sell our nation internationally. Our businesses continue to successfully engage with SCC overseas missions and now by combining forces between SCC and the Scotland Office, we can drive our economy further by providing valuable platforms and alliances for more exporters to sell their fantastic products and services to new global markets.

Scotland is open for business and we welcome Brand Scotland’s support to allow us to trade with confidence on a world stage.

Leading entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors have also welcomed the agreement.

Founder & CEO of Greenock-based PG Paper Dr Poonam Gupta OBE said:

At PG Paper, international trade is the backbone of our business. We have built a multi-million pound business by connecting with over 60 countries. This partnership between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office sends a clear message: Scotland is ambitious, outward-looking, and ready to lead. The Scotland Office initiative will help businesses like ours expand our international reach, forge high-value connections, and drive economic impact both at home and abroad. This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative action Scotland needs to accelerate exports and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

CEO of Aberdeen-based PCL Group Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE said:

As a global IT and energy tech company operating in over 27 countries, we know first-hand how critical international trade is to business growth and innovation. Trade missions are strategic enablers that unlock new markets, foster long-term relationships, and elevate Scotland’s global standing. The collaboration between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office is exactly the type of public-private partnership needed to amplify Scotland’s voice on the world stage and grow our economies.

Details of trade missions will be confirmed in due course.

June 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Western Balkans culture ministries adopt growth declaration to place creativity at the heart of growth [June 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 June 2025.

Culture ministries from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia met today under the Berlin Process and, together with UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans Dame Karen Pierce, adopted a Joint Declaration that puts the region’s creative economy at the centre of its economic and European future.

Kotor, Montenegro, 28 May 2025 – Culture ministries from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia met today under the Berlin Process and, together with UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans Dame Karen Pierce, adopted a Joint Declaration that puts the region’s creative economy at the centre of its economic and European future.

Long championed by the United Kingdom, the creative economy of the Western Balkans has taken centre stage in Berlin Process discussions for the very first time, reflecting its growing contribution to inclusive growth, social cohesion and regional cooperation.

Co-hosted by Montenegro’s Minister of Culture and Media Dr Tamara Vujović, British Council Deputy CEO Kate Ewart Biggs and the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans Dame Karen Pierce, the forum explored how creative industries can generate skilled jobs, retain talented young people and deepen cross-border cooperation. Creative businesses already outpace many traditional sectors and are natural partners for the green and digital transitions the Western Balkans must complete on their path to EU membership.

At the close of the meeting, the six ministers committed to embed creativity in national growth agendas. The Declaration pledges governments to treat the creative economy as a strategic sector, align the work of culture, education and economy ministries, create stable public-finance lines and incentives that crowd-in private investment, and open access to EU and international funds such as the Western Balkans Growth Plan and Horizon Europe. Ministries aim to turn the region’s cultural richness into a lasting engine of prosperity and regional cohesion.

UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce said:

“The UK’s hosting of the Berlin Process this year underlines our commitment to strengthen cooperation with our partners in the Western Balkans. The discussions we’ve had today, focused on the creative economy, highlight the importance of regional collaboration and the need for long-term investments in areas that will drive sustainable growth, foster social cohesion, and deepen ties across the region.”

“The creative economy can be a driver for growth for all communities. It has immense potential in the Western Balkans. By working together, we can unlock the full potential of this sector, not just for economic benefits, but also as a means of strengthening cultural identity and heritage across the region.

“Today’s adoption of the joint declaration by the Ministries of Culture from the Western Balkans is an important step forward in shaping the future of the creative economy in the region. It’s a clear statement of our shared vision for fostering innovation, promoting sustainable development, and supporting our creative industries as vital contributors to the region’s growth. While each country has its own requirements and ideas, by working together, governments and creative industry across the region can bring even more benefits to their citizens across each and every community.

“We reaffirm our commitment to operationalising the creative economy as a strategic sector for growth. By strengthening collaboration between Ministries of Culture, Education, and Economy, we will ensure that culture and creativity are embedded in national economic plans, innovation strategies, and skills development. This is an investment in the future of the region and its citizens.”

British Council programmes such as Culture & Creativity for the Western Balkans have trained thousands of cultural professionals and financed scores of start-ups, while links with UK institutions have opened new export markets for film, music and design. Building on today’s commitments, the British Council will launch a regional fund later this year to help creative entrepreneurs scale their ideas and reach international audiences, reinforcing the people-to-people ties at the heart of the Berlin Process.

June 15, 2025
NEWS STORY : Stephen Wills’s Sentence Increased to 14 Years After Organised Cocaine Trafficking

STORY

Stephen Wills, 36, from Bridford, Exeter, has had his prison sentence extended from nine to fourteen years under the government’s Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, following intervention by Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP. Wills was originally convicted on 13 March 2025 at Exeter Crown Court for conspiring to supply and possessing with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, and for possession of a prohibited firearm. The court heard that between 2019 and 2020, he acted as a key member of multiple organised crime groups that trafficked significant quantities of cocaine across the Southwest. Wills is said to have stored and packaged drugs at a rented farmhouse he shared with his family, and was using outbuildings to cultivate cannabis. His arrest on 1 May 2020 followed a vehicle stop, which led investigators to uncover firearms, ammunition, and over 250 g of cocaine which was valued at more than £46,000 wholesale. Notably, Wills carried a criminal record of 33 previous convictions, including firearm offences. In 2018 he was banned from possessing firearms, yet was later caught in 2021 with an air rifle and ammunition.

The increased sentence was handed down on 5 June 2025 after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient. Under the scheme, designed to enable swift correction of sentences deemed insufficient, Wills’s term rose by five years and the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby stated: “This offender was part of two organised crime gangs which trafficked significant quantities of drugs across the country. We know that the impact of organised crime on our communities is devastating and I welcome the Court’s decision to increase Wills’ sentence following my intervention.”

June 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Organised drug trafficker has sentence increased [June 2025]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 6 June 2025.

A member of an organised crime operation that trafficked cocaine across the Southwest has had his sentence increased, after the Solicitor General intervened.

Stephen Wills, 36, from Bridford, Exeter, has had his sentence increased by five years under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, following an intervention by the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP.

The court heard that between 2019 and 2020, Wills was part of two organised crime groups that trafficked tens of thousands of pounds-worth of cocaine across the country.

The group delivered drugs from a foreign crime group operating in London to drug dealers around Exeter.

Wills played a significant role operating from the rented farmhouse where he lived with his family, using the outbuildings to store and package cocaine and to harvest and produce cannabis.

Police discovered this when the offender was stopped in his vehicle and arrested on 1 May 2020.

A subsequent investigation of the property found several firearms, ammunition and more than a quarter kilogram of cocaine, with a wholesale value of over £46,000.

The court also heard that Wills had 33 previous convictions, including for firearm offences. Wills was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition for five years in 2018. In 2021, he was convicted for three offences relating to possession of an air rifle and ammunition

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

This offender was part of two organised crime gangs which trafficked significant quantities of drugs across the country.

We know that the impact of organised crime on our communities is devastating and I welcome the Court’s decision to increase Wills’ sentence following my intervention.”

On 13 March 2025, Stephen Wills was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment at Exeter Crown Court after he was sentenced for conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and possession of a prohibited firearm.

On 5 June 2025, Wills’ sentence was increased from nine years to 14 years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence.

June 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee Statement [June 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 6 June 2025.

Summary of a joint statement following the second meeting of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee on 3 June 2025.

Alongside the OECD 2025 Ministerial Council Meeting held in Paris, Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Honourable Don Farrell and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, met on 3 June 2025, for the second meeting of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee.

The Ministers celebrated the strong trade and investment relationship between the UK and Australia.  Two-way trade between our economies reached AUD36bn or GBP23bn in 2024.

As of 2024, the stock of UK Foreign Direct Investment in Australia reached AUD156bn or GBP77bn, and Australian Foreign Direct Investment in the UK rose to AUD210bn or GBP104bn – an increase of 6.5% and 11.5% respectively on the previous year.

The strong uptake of the Agreement’s benefits is resulting in real savings for businesses, workers and consumers.

Since entry into force on 31 May 2023, AUD4.7 bn or GBP2.4bn worth of traded goods benefited from preferential tariff access, i.e. around 70% of goods traded between the UK and Australia made use of available preferences.

Between June 2023 and December 2024:
- AUD3.4bn or GBP1.8bn (65%) of eligible goods imports into Australia from the UK made use of an FTA tariff preference.
Had this trade occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, up to an additional GBP89m or AUD172m in duties would have been collected.
- GBP662m or AUD1277m (77%) of eligible goods imports into the UK from Australia made use of FTA tariff preferences.
Had these occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, up to an additional GBP139m or AUD269m in duties would have been paid.

The Ministers noted that free and inclusive trade is a cornerstone of prosperity in both countries.

Recognising that open markets, and reliable legal and regulatory frameworks are essential for trade, the Ministers committed to strengthening the rules-based trading system.

Ministers also noted progress on recognition of professional qualifications in key sectors through the FTA’s Professional Services Working Group, and the ongoing work under the FTA’s Innovation Chapter to explore the potential for a ‘biobridge’ between our countries to expedite new and innovative medicines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to market.

The Ministers agreed to continue working together to strengthen the role that free trade plays in increasing prosperity and reinforcing resilience against economic turbulence and share the benefits of trade to all including through the World Trade Organization, OECD and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Note to editors:

Figures reported are from UK Official Statistics and Australian official sources.

Australian trade data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/international-trade/international-trade-supplementary-information-calendar-year/2024

UK trade data sourced from the ONS publication of UK total trade: all countries seasonally adjusted October to December 2024 data.

Trade asymmetries exist between the UK and Australia official trade statistics, but this does not mean that either country is inaccurate in their estimation. Differences can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries.

Investment data is sourced from the Australia Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/international-trade/international-investment-position-australia-supplementary-statistics/2024

The underlying data for the imports into the UK preference utilisation figures were sourced from HM Revenue and Custom’s (HMRC) UK goods imports by tariff regime, April 2025 data. This data is provided on a country of origin basis.

The methodology used to calculate UK preference utilisation rates can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-technical-annex/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-official-statistics-technical-annex#methodology-note-for-preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods

Estimated duty savings are based on exchanged country tariff schedules and preference utilisation data. For UK imports, these are all calculated using the Ad Valorem, Specific, or Compound tariffs applied at the CN8 level. Where appropriate, Ad Valorem Equivalent tariffs were used (source: MacMap). The Bank of England spot exchange rates (June 2023-December 2024) was used to convert from GBP to AUD.

Estimates of Australia’s preference utilisation and duty savings for the June 2023 to December 2024 period are drawn from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade calculations using ABS trade data and DFAT tariff schedule data.

Investment data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

UK-AUS total goods trade values may not equal the sum of UK goods imports and AUS goods imports due to rounding and methodological differences in calculating preference eligible imports.
June 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government’s new law sees unfair bonuses banned for six water companies with immediate effect [June 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 6 June 2025.

Government bans unfair bonuses for water companies that don’t meet high standards.
- Unfair bonuses now banned for water companies that don’t meet high standards.
- Water bosses awarded themselves over £112 million in bonuses and incentive payments in the last decade.
- Strengthened enforcement is just one part of the Government’s strategy to reform the water sector and attract investment as part of its Plan for Change.
Unfair bonuses have been banned for senior executives at six water companies, as new measures in the Water (Special Measures) Act come into force today (Friday, 6th June).

The government is clear that transformative change across the water sector is needed to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas, and modernise the sector for decades to come.

Under new rules, companies are not permitted to pay bonuses to water bosses that oversee poor environmental and customer outcomes. This delivers on a key manifesto commitment and has been backdated to apply to any bonuses relating to the financial year from April last year.

This applies to Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Wessex Water, United Utilities, and Southern Water, where bosses are not permitted to receive bonuses with immediate effect.

Water companies have awarded over £112 million in bonuses and incentives over the last decade. Last year alone, £7.6 million in bonuses were paid to water bosses in England.

It’s crucial that companies attract the best talent to deliver essential upgrades to the water system. Companies that do meet Ofwat’s standards will still be eligible to pay executives bonuses – a powerful incentive for them to deliver immediate environmental improvements, better customer outcomes, and improve financial resilience.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:

Water company bosses, like anyone else, should only get bonuses if they’ve performed well, certainly not if they’ve failed to tackle water pollution.

Undeserved bonuses will now be banned as part of the Government’s plan to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Promise made, promise delivered.

Today’s ban holds water bosses to account and ensures they can no longer cash in while their companies pollute rivers, neglect customers, or mismanage finances.

Strengthened enforcement is just one part of the government’s strategy to reform the water sector, which also includes working with the companies and their investors to make the water industry one of growth and opportunity, attracting investment and ensuring its stable financial footing for years to come.

The government is determined to reform the sector in a way that continues to attract high quality, long-term investors to rebuild our water infrastructure. Following the publication of the Independent Water Commission’s interim report, Ministers will look at proposals carefully, and outline further action in due course.

While it is for water companies to set their own remuneration, new standards published by Ofwat that come into force today mean bonuses will not be permitted be handed out in specific cases when a water company:
- Fails to meet core environmental standards and presides over serious pollution offences
- Fails to meet basic financial resilience standards (e.g. meet minimum credit rating requirements)
- Fails to meet core consumer standards (e.g. failure to operate and maintain sewage networks)
- Is convicted of a criminal offence (e.g. criminal convictions for serious environmental failings including illegal spills)
Under new rules published by Ofwat today, any company failing to meet key standards will automatically lose the right to award bonuses. If a company pays a bonus while banned, Ofwat has the powers under the Water (Special Measures) Act to direct the company to claw back the money. Any company that does not comply with Ofwat’s directions will face enforcement action.

To further protect customers and clean up our waterways, the government has secured a record £104 billion of private investment – the largest ever since privatisation to cut sewage discharges by nearly half over the next five years. This money will now be ringfenced for new pipes and treatment works, not shareholder payouts.
June 15, 2025
NEWS STORY : Amazon Commits to Clamp Down on Fake Reviews Following CMA Intervention

STORY

Amazon has agreed to a series of legally binding undertakings with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) aimed at tackling the persistent problem of fake reviews and misleading product listings on its platform. The move comes under the new powers granted to the CMA by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, and marks a significant escalation in the regulator’s efforts to clean up online marketplaces. As part of the agreement, Amazon will strengthen its internal systems for detecting and removing fake reviews. This includes deploying more advanced tools to identify misleading content and to ensure that positive reviews for one product are not wrongly attributed to others. The company also committed to removing incentivised or paid-for reviews that violate its policies, as well as banning repeat offenders from using the site. This includes permanently banning individuals who post fake reviews and removing all of their existing content from the platform.

Amazon will also improve its reporting mechanisms, making it easier for customers and businesses to flag suspicious activity. The CMA said the changes will allow people to make better-informed decisions, free from manipulation by dishonest sellers or review mills. Online reviews are now a major influence on consumer behaviour, with research suggesting they affect around £23 billion of annual UK spending. With fake reviews now explicitly banned under the Digital Markets Act, the CMA has new powers to issue fines of up to 10 percent of a firm’s global turnover and demand direct redress for consumers—without the need to go to court.

This agreement follows a similar commitment from Google earlier in the year. The CMA is now conducting a wider review of major platforms to assess compliance with new guidance on fake reviews. That may lead to further action, including enforcement measures or financial penalties. CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell welcomed the move, saying it would ensure shoppers could trust what they see online and know that those attempting to mislead them will be dealt with swiftly.

June 15, 2025