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NEWS STORY : Integrity Concerns Mount Over Seat Unique’s ‘Dynamic Pricing’ Model Exposed by The Guardian

STORY

An investigation by the Guardian newspaper has cast serious doubts on the integrity of sports hospitality provider Seat Unique after its use of a controversial “dynamic pricing” model saw fans charged exorbitant sums for FA Cup final packages only to witness dramatic price drops days later. The story reveals that Seat Unique, backed by high-profile athletes including England captain Harry Kane and former cricket captain Ben Stokes, sold two VIP hospitality tickets for over £1,500 each, before slashing the same package to £399 less than a fortnight later. In email exchanges seen by The Guardian, a company employee admitted the pricing structure could be “confusing”, likening it to airline fare fluctuations.

Fans describe the practice as indistinguishable from ticket-touting. One purchaser, identified only as Gabrielle, told The Guardian she felt “exploited” when she realised a package bought to cheer up her football-mad nephew had plunged in price—yet Seat Unique declined her request for a partial refund or upgrade and ceased responding to her follow-ups. Consumer group Which? warned that obscuring dynamic pricing is “unacceptable” especially for flagship events such as the FA Cup Final, calling on Seat Unique to be “upfront about its pricing practices so fans can make informed decisions”. Despite the flak, Seat Unique maintains it is an “official platform” offering “fair, transparent and accessible” bookings, insisting that “prices are always clearly advertised with no hidden booking fees” and pledging to “rectify” any unfulfilled promises. However, sceptics argue that undisclosed price volatility undermines consumer trust and demands for regulatory scrutiny are mounting.

May 17, 2025
NEWS STORY : UK Reaffirms Commitment to Red Sea Maritime Security at UN Security Council

STORY

In a statement to the UN Security Council today, Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK Deputy Permanent Representative, underlined Britain’s determination to restore freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea, describing it as “essential in upholding stability in the region.” He welcomed recent de-escalation efforts around Yemen and urged that they serve as a pathway to sustainable peace, while warning that “the risk of escalation remains” given continued threats and worrying military posturing on the frontlines.

Highlighting practical support, Ambassador Kariuki announced that the UK continues to back the Yemen Coast Guard in safeguarding maritime borders and confirmed plans to launch the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership in June, alongside the Yemeni government and international partners. Turning to the humanitarian dimension, he drew attention to the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women, noting that 4.8 million internally displaced people are women, and 6.2 million women and girls remain at risk of gender-based violence—statistics drawn from the UN’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

He also highlighted that UK funding in 2024 provided lifesaving services to nearly 1.5 million women and children and enabled 15,000 to access protection and gender-based violence response services, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to championing women’s roles in peacebuilding. Ambassador Kariuki condemned the ongoing detention of aid workers by the Houthis, calling for their “immediate and unconditional release” and warned that such actions further constrict humanitarian access at a time when nearly 20 million Yemenis are in dire need of assistance. Finally, he expressed gratitude to Dr Ahmad bin Mubarak, the outgoing Yemeni Prime Minister, and welcomed the new Prime Minister, Salem Bin Breik, pledging continued UK support for Yemen’s ambitious reform programme under the new administration.

May 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea: UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

First, the UK remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea.

We welcome recent efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and we hope these efforts can help provide the pathway to sustainable peace in Yemen in line with the Special Envoy’s efforts.

As we have seen with continued threats against neighbouring countries and worrying posturing on the frontlines in Yemen, the risk of escalation remains.

Through a coordinated international approach, the UK will continue to work towards effectively containing Houthi capabilities.

Maritime security is essential in upholding stability in the region.

The UK continues to support the Yemen Coast Guard in protecting their maritime borders, and we look forward to launching the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership alongside the Government of Yemen and international partners in June.

Second, as highlighted by Ms El Mamoun, women face a disproportionate impact from the conflict in Yemen.

In 2023, Yemen ranked second-to-last in the Georgetown Institute’s Women, Peace and Security Index, and we have not seen progress since then.

According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, most of the 4.8 million internally displaced people are women, and 6.2 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence.

Last year, UK funding supported nearly 1.5 million women and children with essential lifesaving services and enabled 15,000 to receive protection and gender-based violence response services.

The UK continues to champion the important role that women can play in both ending the conflict in Yemen and upholding sustainable peace.

In November 2024, the UK hosted a group of Yemeni women leaders and experts on the women, peace and security agenda to provide a vital platform for these important voices.

The UK also remains committed to supporting the UN Special Envoy’s work to meaningfully engage women activists and women-led organisations to deliver inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen.

Third, President, as USG Fletcher has said, the humanitarian situation is severe.

The UK continues to condemn the ongoing detentions of aid workers by the Houthis, and we reiterate our clear call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.

The Houthis’ unjustified detention of aid workers continues to shrink the humanitarian operating environment in a context where nearly 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

And finally, we are grateful for the efforts of Dr Ahmad bin Mubarak, the former Prime Minister of Yemen, and we welcome the new Prime Minister, Salem Bin Breik.

We look forward to working together with the new Prime Minister and continuing our support to the Government of Yemen’s ambitious reform programme.

May 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 14 May 2025.

The government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report.
- Government’s final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report highlights progress delivering Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.
- Progress includes nearly £100 million so far in compensation to victims and over £1.2 billion in interim payments, committing £500,000 to advocacy charities, and greater support for patients with liver damage.
- Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will also continue his role for another 18 months.
Nearly £100 million in compensation has been paid to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal so far, alongside over £1.2 billion in interim payments, as the government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report – highlighting progress delivering the Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.

Recognising the unspeakable suffering of victims, the government accepts all twelve of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with some accepted in full, and others accepted in principle. There are no recommendations that the government has not accepted.

Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said:

Today is an important milestone, nearly one year on from the publication of the Inquiry’s report.

The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably. We remain fully committed to cooperating with the Inquiry, are acting on its twelve recommendations, and are grateful for its work to date.

We have paid nearly £100 million in compensation so far, and have set aside £11.8 billion to deliver what is one of the most comprehensive compensation schemes in modern history.

The government is delivering Recommendation 1, to set up a compensation scheme. Compensation is paid through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an independent organisation that was set up on the Inquiry’s recommendation in its Second Interim Report. IBCA has paid out £96.6 million in compensation so far to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal, building on over £1.2 billion already paid out by the government in interim payments.

Government is delivering Recommendation 10, to empower the voices of infected blood patients, by paying £500,000 to patient advocacy charities. These funds will be paid to specific charities that have been recommended by the Inquiry, and meetings are underway to agree on awards.

Government is also delivering Recommendation 6, to monitor patients with liver damage, by ensuring that all patients with liver damage will have their care overseen by a medical consultant. Patients with a Hepatitis C diagnosis will receive greater follow-up and monitoring, and NHS England will also be proactively identifying patients with bleeding disorders to ensure they receive appropriate testing, treatment and ongoing monitoring.

Today, the Government is also announcing that Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will remain in his role for another 18 months. The decision to extend his term was taken to provide continuity for the organisation and the infected blood community, and ensure compensation continues to be delivered without delay.

The Inquiry has set out its intention to publish a further report on compensation, and the Government remains committed to cooperating with the Inquiry.

Commenting on his extension, Sir Robert Francis KC said:

I am honoured to continue serving as Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

My priority remains to ensure that we pay compensation to those impacted by the scandal as quickly as possible, while maintaining transparency and compassion throughout our work.
May 16, 2025
David Lammy – 2025 Speech in Lviv on the Special Tribunal

The speech made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, in Lviv on 9 May 2025.

It is a fitting time and place for this discussion.

It is remarkable that eighty years ago, Allied governments were dealing with detained Nazis, and thinking about accountability for the atrocities.

Some considered simple revenge.   But others favoured a different approach.

Holding those criminals accountable under international law.

Drawing in part on work by two great sons of this great city, Rafael Lemkin Sir Hersch Lauterpacht.

The resulting Nuremberg trials were a milestone in building a global order rooted in the rule of law and human rights.

Today, the pursuit of such a global order again seems a tall order.

Russia is waging a war of aggression, with mounting evidence that Russian soldiers are committing atrocities we would have hoped to consign to history – attacks which rain down on civilians, the deportation of children, torture and sexual abuse of civilians and prisoners of war.

Russian leaders show not the slightest concern for the lives of individuals or the laws of war.

But we need to remember figures like Lemkin were not naïve idealists.  Indeed, Sir Hersch wrote about anchoring his philosophy of international law in the ‘realities of international life’.

Precisely our task today.

We have it in our hands to hold those responsible for the invasion of Ukraine to account.  The UK is proud to have supported the idea of a Special Tribunal since the outset.

A Tribunal is an essential part of the armoury of justice, alongside the efforts of Ukrainian authorities to bring prosecutions inside Ukraine, and the work of the ICC.

As the country where Sir Hersch made his home, we are proud to support the Lviv Joint Statement and endorse the legal foundations for this Tribunal.

It will take time for a Tribunal to become operational. We support using the framework of the Council of Europe. But also believe we must expand the Core Group to more partners from beyond Europe.

The whole world is outraged at Russian crimes. The whole world should now come together to hold Russia to account. We must rally all countries in support of justice.

Our friends in Ukraine are staying true to the legacy of VE Day.

The legacy of Lemkin and Sir Hersch.

Thank you.

May 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury appointed [May 2025]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 May 2025.

Jim O’Neil has been appointed as a new Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury.

Jim brings a wealth of experience from investment banking and corporate finance to the Treasury, after a long career at Bank of America. He also has experience in the public sector, spending three years at UK Financial Investments. As Chief Executive of UKFI, he managed the government’s holdings in Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group, and UK Asset Resolution.

His appointment is part of the government’s plan to deliver its number one mission to kickstart economic growth as part of the Plan for Change, and follows the Chancellor’s commitment to lead the most pro-growth Treasury in the country’s history.

Jim’s experience will help the government to secure private investment, boost the economy, and ultimately put more pounds in people’s pockets. His deep knowledge of the private sector will help the government to rip out the barriers to growth, provide support for the key industries at home, and work to secure open and fair trade abroad.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

I’m very pleased to welcome Jim as our new Second Permanent Secretary, his extensive knowledge of the private sector will be vital in helping us deliver our number one mission to grow the economy. It’s fantastic to have him join the Treasury’s top team.

Jim O’Neil said:

I am delighted to have been appointed Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury at this important time for our country and our economy. We are living through a time of great change globally, making the need for an economy of stability, resilience, and growth all the more important. I look forward to working with the Chancellor, her ministers, and officials across the department to deliver on these missions so the Treasury can bring positive change to the lives of people right across the country.

Jim is expected to start in his new position in July and will work alongside the two other Second Permanent Secretaries in HM Treasury, Beth Russell who is based at the Darlington Economic Campus and Sam Beckett who is also Chief Economic Adviser. As well as overseeing tax and spending, Beth will continue to be responsible for devolution and regional growth including engagement with regional and local government and others in the north.

Jim was appointed through a fair and open competition and has completed all of the necessary declarations of interest.

May 16, 2025
NEWS STORY : CMA Urges Overhaul of Water Sector Appeals, Calls for Shift from Redeterminations to Judicially Managed Appeals

STORY

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today urged government reform of the water sector’s regulatory accountability mechanisms, advocating a consistent appeal process in place of the current “redetermination” system and proposing that appeals be heard by a specialist judicial body such as the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). In its response to the Independent Water Sector Regulatory System Commission’s call for evidence, the CMA highlighted two key recommendations: first, that all regulatory decisions—including Ofwat’s price controls—be subject to an appeal on defined legal grounds rather than a full redetermination; and second, that the function of hearing these appeals be transferred from the CMA to an appropriately resourced judicial body.

Under the existing regime, Ofwat price control decisions can be “redetermined” by the CMA—a process that effectively requires the authority to retake decisions within a six- to twelve-month window, despite Ofwat’s multi-year review cycle. The CMA pointed to the growing scale and complexity of these reviews: its redetermination of PR19 spanned a 12-month process, culminating in a 1,239-page report and costing approximately £31.8 million in combined expenses for the CMA, Ofwat and disputing companies.

By contrast, an appeal framework would focus strictly on identifying legal errors in Ofwat’s original determinations, with the appellate body empowered to quash or remit decisions rather than substitute its own findings. The CMA argued this would deliver greater efficiency, reduce duplicative costs ultimately borne by consumers, and align water regulation with other sectors—such as energy and communications—where appeals are already judicially managed.

The CMA further noted that its core mission is competition enforcement rather than adjudication, and that the unpredictable timing and resource demands of regulatory redeterminations have become a diversion from its primary duties. Vesting appellate functions in the CAT, which possesses dedicated judicial expertise, would better serve both technical scrutiny and legal interpretation. Concluding its submission, the CMA welcomed the opportunity to assist the Commission and stands ready to engage with government on implementing these reforms to reduce regulatory complexity and bolster investor confidence in the water sector.

May 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Alexandra Jones, Sally McInnes, Sally Sheard, James Strachan, Aruna Verma and Simon Wessely appointed to the ACNRA Board [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 May 2025.

The Secretary of State has appointed 6 Board Members to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives for four years from 10 March 2025 to 09 March 2029.

Alexandra Jones

Alexandra Jones, the Director of Anti-Money Laundering at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, brings a wealth of experience in governance, compliance, and leadership to her role. At the SRA, Alexandra leads the development and implementation of AML policies, ensuring regulatory compliance across the legal sector. Her career spans diverse sectors, including finance and regulation, providing her with a unique perspective on risk management and ethical considerations.

Before joining the SRA, Alexandra served as CEO of the Registry Trust, where she gained deep insight into legal and ethical issues related to data access, copyright, and privacy. She also held senior roles at the Financial Ombudsman Service and HSBC Bank, where she managed teams while upholding confidentiality and compliance standards. Her leadership experience is complemented by her commitment to professional development, including studying data ethics at the London School of Economics.

Alexandra’s career reflects a dedication to promoting transparency and integrity. She is motivated by the vision of safeguarding collective heritage and leveraging it as a resource for education and public engagement.

Sally McInnes

Sally McInnes was formerly Head of Unique and Contemporary Content at the National Library of Wales. A professionally trained archivist, she has extensive experience in promoting, preserving and providing access to unique content of national significance, as well as policy development within the Welsh cultural sector.

Sally has a particular interest in managing digital content, as well as improving professional competence in digital preservation, for which she has earned international recognition. As a former Director of the Digital Preservation Coalition, she worked to raise public and institutional awareness of digital preservation issues in Wales and beyond.

She has played a leading role in a number of national and international professional networks. In recognition of her contribution to recordkeeping, she was awarded an MBE in 2024 for Services to Documentary History. She is a Fellow of the Archives and Records Association.

Sally Sheard

Professor Sally Sheard is Executive Dean of the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, where she also holds the Andrew Geddes and John Rankin Chair of Modern History. She is a health policy analyst and historian, with a research focus on the interface between expert advisers and policymakers.

Sally has extensive experience of using history in public and policy engagement, including working with national and local government organisations and health authorities. She has written for and appeared in numerous television and radio programmes. In 2018 she wrote and presented the twenty-part BBC Radio 4 series National Health Stories, to mark the seventieth anniversary of the NHS. Her books include The Passionate Economist: how Brian Abel-Smith shaped global health and social welfare (Policy Press, 2013); Making Genetics and Genomics Policy in Britain: from Personal to Population Health (co-authored with Philip Begley; Routledge, 2022) and NICE: A Contemporary History of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (co-authored with Paul Atkinson; Routledge, 2025).

James Strachan

James is Chief Executive of Eastleigh Borough Council in south Hampshire, and has been a senior leader in Hampshire local government for 16 years. In addition to overseeing local services such as waste collection, planning, homelessness support and elections, James is ultimately responsible for information governance at the Council. Prior to moving to Hampshire, James was Director of Public Services and Marketing at The National Archives, and served as Secretary to the official review of the 30-year rule, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

James has also worked at the Cabinet Office, and had a career in publishing prior to joining the civil service. He oversaw the online launch of Encyclopaedia Britannica in Europe and was among the first employees of the mobile network ‘3’, negotiating the first ever mobile highlights deal with the Premier League. James lives in Salisbury and serves as a magistrate on the West Hampshire Bench, based in Southampton.

Aruna Verma

Aruna Verma is a distinguished lawyer, associate professor, and Campus Dean at The University of Law, Moorgate. With a strong background in legal education and practice, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of legal professionals. As an academic leader, she combines her expertise in law with a passion for teaching, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the legal profession.

Her career spans legal practice, academia, and educational leadership, making her a respected figure in the field. At The University of Law, she oversees academic programs, fosters student engagement, and works closely with industry professionals to bridge the gap between law school and legal practice.

Beyond academia, Aruna is known for her contributions to legal scholarship, mentorship, and commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. Her leadership ensures that the Moorgate campus remains a hub for aspiring solicitors and barristers, preparing them for the challenges of the ever-evolving legal Landscape.

With her wealth of experience and dedication to legal education, Aruna Verma continues to make a lasting impact on both students and the legal community. Aruna also sits as a Chair at The Valuation Tribunal and the Chair of Governors at a local school. Aruna is a trained mediator and online dispute resolution specialist.

Simon Wessely

Sir Simon Wessely FRS is the Regius Chair of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), part of King’s College London (KCL), the first such chair in the United Kingdom. He is also a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at the Maudsley and King’s College Hospitals.

After studying medicine and History of Art at Cambridge, he finished his medical training at Oxford. He is an active clinical academic psychiatrist with >1000 publications, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He is a Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Society of Medicine. He was Dean of the IOPPN (2022-23) and is now a Non Executive Director of NHS-England.

In 2003 he founded the King’s Centre for Military Health Research, which is now ranked 1st globally for publications on military health. He remains the Honorary Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry to the British Army, and works with several charities for Veterans. He was knighted in 2013 for services to military health and psychological medicine. He continues to have a broad interest in how people and populations react to adversity, past present and future.

He chaired the government’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act (2017-19), which should receive Royal Assent at Easter. He also was a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (2017-23). His amateur interests revolve around history, and he is proud of having written some papers in “proper” history journals. Finally, if you are a follower of “Desert Island Discs” you will know his favourite occupation is arguing in Viennese cafes , perhaps reflecting the fact that his father was born in Central Europe, coming over to the UK in 1939.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members will be remunerated at a rate of £386 per day. James Strachan requested not to be remunerated for this role. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. None of the candidates have declared any significant political activity.

May 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of Civil Service roles moved out of London in latest reform to the state [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 14 May 2025.

Civil servant roles, including senior leadership, will be relocated to 13 locations across the UK to develop and deliver policy closer to communities.
- Thousands of Civil Servants – including senior leaders – will be based in towns and cities across the UK to work with frontline workers and local leaders.
- New digital and AI campus in Manchester and energy campus in Aberdeen to turbocharge local talent and expertise in these communities.
- As part of our Plan for Change to re-wire the state, 11 central London offices will be closed including one of the largest Whitehall buildings – saving £94m per year – as the number of roles in the capital is reduced by 12,000.
Thousands of civil service jobs will be relocated to 13 towns and cities across the country as part of our Plan for Change.

The shake up will require more senior and policy roles to be based outside London. This will deliver and develop government policy closer to the communities it affects as part of a more productive and agile state.

The plans will see officials working closely with frontline workers, facilitating greater understanding of the real issues facing local services and people, and how central government policy can support them.

Changes will be introduced so talented young people from across the UK are able to progress straight from school or university into the Civil Service and rise all the way up to the most senior roles, without ever having worked in Whitehall.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, said:

To deliver our Plan for Change, we are taking more decision-making out of Whitehall and moving it closer to communities all across the UK.

By relocating thousands of Civil Service roles we will not only save taxpayers money, we will make this Government one that better reflects the country it serves. We will also be making sure that Government jobs support economic growth throughout the country.

As we radically reform the state, we are going to make it much easier for talented people everywhere to join the Civil Service and help us rebuild Britain.

As part of the spending review, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has written to all departments requiring them to relocate key roles and strengthen the Government’s presence around the UK.

Government departments now will submit plans for how many roles they plan to move to each of the locations as part of the spending review.

Departments will be assessed on their commitments to the programme as part of the spending review. As well as increasing the number of officials working in Greater Manchester and Aberdeen, where two new government campuses will be created, roles will be created in Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow, Darlington, Newcastle and Tyneside, Sheffield, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and York.

The changes are projected to bring £729m in local economic benefits to these areas between 2024 and 2030.

New Regional Government Campuses

Under the plans and to accelerate the delivery of the Missions, three major new Government campuses will be created.

Government campuses involve departments moving skilled roles to the same town or city to boost collaboration – bringing civil servants with different skills and expertise but the same policy or delivery focus, to solve issues and improve services for working people across the country.

The first two of these, the new Government Digital and AI Innovation Campus and Energy Campus, will be in Manchester and Aberdeen.

Manchester is already home to the second HQs of DSIT and DCMS, as well as a key base for GCHQ. The new campus will harness the city’s reputation as a global digital hub.

Aberdeen is the site of DESNZ’s second HQ, and the new HQ for Great British Energy.

The new campuses will partner with local government and universities to deliver the government’s missions, improve the talent pipeline into Government and boost growth and opportunity.

Supporting Senior Civil Service Careers Outside London

To ensure those based outside of London have equal professional growth and development opportunities, with full end-to-end careers, the Government will locate 50% of UK-based Senior Civil Servants in regional offices by 2030.

This will be supported by a new ambition for the Fast Stream programme to have 50% of placements offered outside of London by 2030, making it increasingly possible for future leaders and managers to progress in their careers without ever needing to work in the capital.

A new ‘Career Launch Apprenticeship’ programme will also open for applications this Summer, starting in 2026. The Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship programme will train up future civil servants based in Birmingham and Manchester, as well as London.

A new secondment scheme will also be developed and launched, in partnership with the Local Government Association, with Civil Servants placed directly with local authorities, building links within regions, and ensuring those delivering policy, experience first hand the work of local government and the services they provide.

Making Savings in London

Alongside the relocation of jobs, 11 London office buildings will be closed over the next five years and the number of London based civil servants will reduce by 12,000 by 2030 – down from 95,000 FTE staff to 83,000 – as the government focuses on saving taxpayer money and delivering better public services across all parts of the UK.

The move is set to deliver £94 million in savings annually by 2032, by getting rid of large, expensive London real estate. The plans include the closure of two major Westminster government buildings – 102 Petty France, one of the largest government buildings in London and home to 7,000 FTE staff, and 39 Victoria Street – which together cost tens of millions of pounds a year.
May 16, 2025
NEWS STORY : Regulator of Social Housing Downgrades Swindon Borough Council to C3 over Consumer Standards Failings

STORY

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) today issued a C3 grading to Swindon Borough Council after an inspection found “serious failings” in its delivery of consumer standards relating to tenant safety, repairs and resident engagement. RSH’s accelerated inspection, triggered by the council’s own self-referral over health and safety and repairs concerns, identified multiple breaches of statutory requirements. Inspectors found that Swindon Borough Council:

– Could not accurately report on the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

– Failed to track or monitor faults uncovered by electrical safety checks.

– Held more than 800 overdue fire-safety actions—most outstanding for over a year.

– Did not actively monitor or report open damp and mould cases, despite effective follow-up once reported.

– Lacked evidence of involving tenants’ views in decision-making or encouraging participation from under-represented groups.

While the council has demonstrated awareness of these shortcomings and is taking steps to address them, RSH confirmed it will continue close engagement to ensure swift remedial action is taken. Separately, RSH published C2/G1-V1 gradings for three housing associations—Housing 21, Torus62 and Sovereign Network Group—indicating they meet governance and viability standards but require improvements in delivering consumer outcomes. An interim G1/V1 grading was also issued for Bromford Flagship following its merger with Bromford Housing Group in February.

Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said:

“We take health and safety very seriously and expect all landlords to make sure tenants are not at risk in their homes. We also want to see better data management to demonstrate landlords understand their homes and tenants. Self-referrals show accountability and a willingness to improve.”

Under RSH’s framework, a C3 grading denotes “serious failings” in delivering consumer standards, obliging landlords to implement significant improvements or face further regulatory action.

May 16, 2025