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PRESS RELEASE : Government fraud squad hunts down Covid loan scams [June 2026]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 23 June 2026.

A new government counter-fraud squad has launched investigations against those who defrauded the public during the Covid pandemic.
- New enforcement unit pursues billions lost to British taxpayers during pandemic
- Recovery efforts intensify as nearly 2,000 company directors banned and 86 criminals prosecuted
- Investigators will be able to search properties, seize assets, and recover money directly from the bank accounts and wages of those who cheated the system
The Public Authorities Fraud Investigation and Enforcement Service (PAFIES) has begun pursuing suspected fraudsters, armed with the strongest investigatory tools in a generation.

Now, new powers will give investigators the ability to search the premises of suspected fraudsters and seize money directly from fraudsters’ bank accounts if they do not pay back what they owe. On top of that the window to pursue Covid fraudsters has been doubled from six to twelve years with all new powers becoming available to the government fraud squad this autumn.

The further action comes as measures introduced at the 2024 and 2025 Budgets are calculated to have protected £7.5 billion of public money from fraud over two years.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

“In contrast to the last government, who left the door open to £10.9 billion of pandemic era fraud and error, we have taken action to protect £7.5 billion of public money.

“My message to those who owe the public purse money is clear – those who profited, will pay.”

Satvir Kaur, Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office said:

“Those who chose to exploit a national crisis to line their own pockets now have nowhere left to hide.
“Our decision to go after those who have cheated the system as part of our wider crackdown on fraud against public services has already helped save £7.5 billion. We will use every tool at our disposal to protect public money and fund the frontline services the British people rely on.”

The crackdown comes as the Chancellor announced the government’s response to the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner’s final report, which laid bare the full scale of pandemic fraud. £10.9 billion— money that should have funded the NHS and our schools — was initially lost to fraud.

Nearly 2,000 company directors have already been banned and 86 criminals prosecuted to date.

Powers from the PAFER Act 2025 extended the limitation period for civil claims relating to Covid fraud against public authorities from six years to twelve, meaning that suspected fraudsters can be pursued until 2032.

The Act will also give the government fraud squad powerful new tools to tackle fraud, including enhanced investigation, search-and-seizure, and information-gathering powers, with the authority to compel information from third parties.

It also introduces civil financial penalties to accelerate enforcement and enables the direct recovery of fraud-related debts from earnings and bank accounts following a PSFA investigation.

Those who did not respond to Voluntary Repayment Scheme last year will now face the full force of the new powers in the autumn.

A Covid fraud reporting website, set up in September last year, has received over 1,000 reports of suspected fraud.
25/06/2026
Rachel Reeves – 2026 Comments on Jonathan Haskel

The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 23 June 2026.

Jonathan Haskel is an outstanding nominee for Chair. His depth of expertise in economics and his track record of independent, rigorous analysis make him exactly the right person to lead the OBR – supporting the credibility of our fiscal framework and ensuring our economy is underpinned by sound public finances.

25/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor Announces Jonathan Haskel as Preferred Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility [June 2026]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 23 June 2026.

Professor Jonathan Haskel CBE has been nominated as candidate for the Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Today, the Chancellor has announced Professor Jonathan Haskel CBE as her nominated candidate for the Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)

Professor Haskel is a Professor of Economics at Imperial College London. His research focuses on productivity and growth, and he has held senior roles across academia, public policy and independent oversight.

He served as an External Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2018 to 2024, a non-Executive Director of the UK Statistics Authority from 2016 to 2022, and an External Member of the Reporting Panel of the Competition and Markets Authority from 2001 to 2009.

The Treasury Committee approves all appointments to the Budget Responsibility Committee, including the Chair. Professor Haskel will appear before the committee for a pre-appointment hearing in due course and it is anticipated he can could take up his post in good time to oversee the OBR produce its forecast alongside the Budget later this year.

In the interim, Budget Responsibility Committee members Professor David Miles and Tom Josephs will continue to lead the OBR.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

Jonathan Haskel is an outstanding nominee for Chair. His depth of expertise in economics and his track record of independent, rigorous analysis make him exactly the right person to lead the OBR – supporting the credibility of our fiscal framework and ensuring our economy is underpinned by sound public finances.

Professor Jonathan Haskel said:

I am honoured to be nominated as the next Chair of the OBR. The OBR plays an indispensable role in maintaining the transparency and integrity of the UK’s public finances, and I am committed to upholding that. I would thank the Imperial College staff and students I have worked with over the past years. I also want to thank Professor David Miles and Tom Josephs for their outstanding leadership of the OBR during this period.

The OBR has executive responsibility for producing the official UK economic and fiscal forecasts, assessing the Government’s performance against its fiscal rules, and reporting on the sustainability of and risks to the public finances. As an independent institution, the OBR is committed to providing objective, transparent and impartial analysis.

As with all Treasury appointments, the recruitment process was designed to ensure the most qualified candidate was appointed from the broadest possible pool of applicants.

Further information
- Professor Haskel’s appointment will be confirmed subject to the Treasury Select Committee’s pre-appointment scrutiny and consent, in line with the requirements of the Governance Code for Public Appointments.
- Jonathan Haskel has been Professor of Economics at Imperial College Business School since 2008. His research focuses on productivity and growth. He served as an External Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2018 to 2024, a non-Executive Director of the UK Statistics Authority from 2016 to 2022, and an External Member of the Reporting Panel of the Competition and Markets Authority from 2001 to 2009. He has held academic positions in both the UK and the United States.
25/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Plans for prominence of trusted news sources on social media alongside measures to reform Public Service Media in the UK [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 23 June 2026.

Media Green Paper published by Government today sets out plans to improve access to reliable news sources in online apps.
- Reform of the UK’s Public Service Media system to ensure it delivers for the public and give BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 and others more flexibility to attract audiences online
- Options for a managed transition to internet-based TV in either 2034 or 2044 with support to ensure no one is left behind
- On-demand rights for major sporting events to be added to the Listed Events Regime – protecting fans’ free access to the World Cup and Olympics
The Government has outlined plans to make it easier for people to discover trusted news sources on social media, as part of wider reforms to protect the long-term future of the UK’s media ecosystem, including our public service broadcasters.

There has been a shift in how people consume news, with figures from Ofcom showing that social media services remain the main way to access news for three-quarters of all young people aged 16-24. More than half of adults in the UK now include social media as one of the ways they get updates. While this allows access to a greater range of news from around the world, it increases the risk of mis- and disinformation, with the potential for less accurate material to replace trustworthy sources as content is increasingly shaped by algorithms and AI.

Today (23 June) the government has published a Green Paper, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, to consult on options to require social media companies and video sharing platforms to make sure that news content from public service media (PSM), which includes the BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, S4C and 5, and other trustworthy providers, is prominent and easy to find on their platforms. It could include, for example, a range of national and local news publishers all being more likely to be at the top of people’s social media feeds when they search for news. This will be key for helping to tackle mis- and disinformation, particularly during times of social unrest or crisis.

The government is also looking at options to ensure PSM content – the beloved shows and valued services that the nation’s trusted and regulated broadcasters provide – is prominent, discoverable and promoted wherever audiences are watching TV, including on third-party platforms, such as video sharing sites.

These measures are being considered as part of a wider package of reforms aimed at reforming the UK’s PSM system to give the sector more flexibility and allow public service broadcasters to lean into the opportunities of new technologies and better align with the ways audiences are viewing video content online.

Changes are being considered to make the system more flexible – this could mean that other broadcasters and YouTube channels could be designated as PSM providers in the future.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

It is vital that we make sure that people have better access to trusted and accurate news and that our regulated public service media is seen and heard in the fierce battle against mis and disinformation.

As the media landscape moves further and further online away from traditional broadcasting we must act so that our world-leading TV sector continues to thrive and top quality UK content keeps being produced.

TV remains at the heart of our society. It is key to supporting social cohesion and is a cornerstone of our democracy, which is why, as the technology underpinning it changes, we are making sure it is protected for generations to come.

Alongside this, options for improving media literacy are also being considered to make sure that people of all ages have the skills they need to critically think about the content they are consuming online and on social media. The government is exploring the possibility of introducing a new duty on PSM providers to deliver and report on media literacy activity, allowing best practice to be shared more widely, with the aim of building on work already being done under the Media Literacy Action Plan.

Sports fans are also set to enjoy new protections that will prevent increasingly popular streaming and catch-up rights to some of the world’s biggest fixtures such as the World Cup, Olympics and Wimbledon being put behind a paywall. The Green Paper confirms that the government intends to add on-demand rights to the free-to-air Listed Events regime. Bringing on-demand rights in scope of the regime will make sure these sporting moments continue to be provided for free in the future by PSM on digital and online platforms – rather than just traditional TV channels.

Television remains one of few places where the nation comes together to share major milestones, such as royal occasions, sporting events, breaking news and series finales. It is essential for maintaining a sense of belonging and making sure that society is well-informed.

However, more people are now switching from traditional terrestrial broadcasting to watching TV over the internet, where they can view live and on-demand content across devices with greater choice, flexibility and accessibility. The government remains committed to the continuity of digital terrestrial television (DTT) until at least the end of 2034, but must now consider long-term models for the future of TV distribution in the UK to ensure the sector thrives for decades to come and continues to be sustainable as technology advances.

This Green Paper sets out the government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind as services move online. Any transition will be supported by a package of measures developed with industry, including public service media providers, charities and platform operators to help the public. This will provide targeted support, practical assistance and clear information on what people need to do and when.

Major work is already underway to strengthen the UK’s digital infrastructure, including progress towards near-universal access to high-quality broadband by 2032. Enabling people to access TV over the internet could also support wider digital participation, from healthcare and financial management to communication and job applications.

The government is seeking views on two potential timelines for a managed transition to internet-based TV services: 2034 and 2044. While the government sees a strong case for a 2034 transition, it recognises the challenges involved and is consulting on both options to ensure the process is handled in a way that protects all audiences. Responses to the consultation will inform the final decision on the preferred timeline, which the government intends to set out later this year.

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive at ITV, said:

UK viewers still love original British content from the PSBs and trust and value PSB News which helps to underpin our democracy. It’s the PSBs that also underpin the wider creative economy, commissioning original British content right across the UK. But the way people watch content has changed radically in recent years and brought challenges to sustaining these investments. We therefore welcome a Green Paper that will help enable PSBs to continue to effectively serve the UK public interest through trusted, high quality, easily accessible content delivered on the platforms and services that people use both now and in future.

Vicki Sellick, CEO at the Good Things Foundation, said:

Ensuring that no one is left behind as services move online is at the heart of our mission at Good Things Foundation. We welcome the government’s commitment to this goal today and its proposals to tackle the growing challenge of mis and dis-information online.

If TV distribution moves solely online then every home will need affordable, reliable internet access. Done well this is a once in a generation opportunity to connect the millions of households in the UK who are either not online or digitally confident, and give them the skills to navigate the digital world. With the right package of training and support from trusted local providers, millions could access healthcare, banking and essential public services alongside their favourite TV shows.

Nobody must be left behind in any transition. We look forward to responding to the government’s consultation with tried and tested solutions from our 4,000+ partners around the UK on how to make this happen.

Azzurra Moores, Associate Director (Information Ecosystems), at Demos said:

At a time of democratic backsliding and deepening polarisation, the government is right to ensure the visibility and discoverability of public interest news online is a real policy priority.

Today, most people get their news on social media and video-sharing platforms, yet unlike on traditional linear TV, there are no rules and no transparency governing how platforms curate and rank the content that appears in their feeds. The result is a media environment where trust is eroding and misinformation is spreading unchecked.

Extending prominence requirements to social media platforms will be a critical step towards strengthening our information environment and building democratic resilience. We look forward to working with the government on a regime that supports trustworthy journalism, promotes informed public debate, and puts our democracy first.
25/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Commons to consider employment support for disabled people

STORY

The House of Commons business list for 25 June includes a select committee statement on the Work and Pensions Committee report into employment support for disabled people and the Connect to Work programme. The statement is due to be made by Debbie Abrahams, the Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth.

The issue falls within the Department for Work and Pensions’ wider reform agenda, including attempts to increase employment among disabled people and people with health conditions. The Connect to Work programme has been presented as part of the Government’s approach to personalised employment support.

The statement gives MPs an opportunity to raise questions about implementation, funding and the evidence behind the programme. It also comes as ministers face wider scrutiny over welfare policy, disability support and the relationship between employment targets and claimant protections.

25/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Government says degree choice has major effect on earnings

STORY

The Department for Education has published new data showing that graduates earn on average around £100,000 more over their lifetime than comparable non-graduates, although the financial return varies sharply by subject. The Government said medicine and economics had some of the highest returns, while some courses offered little or negative financial benefit.

Ministers said the data would support plans to limit growth in some courses at some providers where outcomes are consistently poor. The Government also said it would consult in the autumn on a minimum English language requirement for some students accessing student finance.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said young people should choose carefully and should not enter higher education by default. The announcement links university policy with the Government’s wider skills agenda, including apprenticeship expansion and the Youth Guarantee.

25/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Children’s Commissioner warns Home Office asylum plans could harm children

STORY

The Children’s Commissioner for England has warned that Home Office proposals affecting refused asylum seekers could cause significant harm to children. The Guardian reported that Rachel de Souza raised concerns about proposals including the removal of support from some families and the use of physical interventions during enforced removals.

The Home Office proposals were set out in a consultation launched in March and form part of the Government’s wider approach to increasing removals of people whose asylum claims have been refused. De Souza said ministers should ensure children’s best interests are central to decision-making and questioned whether parts of the plan were compatible with the Children Act 1989.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has defended a tougher approach to immigration enforcement, arguing that the system must command public confidence. The intervention adds further scrutiny to the Government’s asylum policy at a moment when the Labour leadership transition is already placing pressure on departments to justify major decisions.

25/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Trump describes Burnham as “extremely liberal”

STORY

Donald Trump has described Andy Burnham as “extremely liberal” in his first public comments on the Labour frontrunner since Keir Starmer announced his resignation. The US President made the remarks after Burnham emerged as the clear favourite to become the next Prime Minister.

The comments come as British ministers and officials prepare for a change of Labour leader at a time of continued international pressure over Ukraine, the Middle East and defence spending. Starmer met European allies in Berlin this week as he sought to maintain diplomatic continuity before leaving office.

Burnham has not yet set out a detailed foreign policy programme as the leadership process has not formally begun. His first weeks in office, if he succeeds Starmer, are likely to include early decisions on defence, relations with Washington and the shape of the next Cabinet.

25/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Darren Jones backs Burnham after talks on economic policy

STORY

Darren Jones has said he will not stand in the Labour leadership contest and has backed Andy Burnham after holding talks with him on economic policy. Jones, who has been closely associated with Keir Starmer’s Treasury operation, said Burnham had reassured him that any additional borrowing would need to be targeted and credible.

Burnham remains the only declared candidate and that Labour expects the leadership process to begin on 9 July. If no other candidate secures enough support, Burnham could enter Downing Street by the middle of July, completing another change of Prime Minister during this Parliament.

The intervention is politically significant because Jones had been viewed as one of the most plausible internal alternatives to Burnham. His support may help Burnham reassure Labour MPs concerned about fiscal policy, bond market reaction and the relationship between the next Government and the Treasury.

25/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Government steps up action to tackle illegal deforestation [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 23 June 2026.

New rules will ensure everyday products sold in the UK including coffee and cocoa do not contribute to illegal deforestation around the world.

The world’s rainforests are to be better protected from deforestation as the government will confirm today (Tuesday 23 June), during London Climate Action Week, that plans to take forward new rules in Great Britain including using powers in the Environment Act alongside legislation strengthening the UK Timber Regulation.

Under the proposals UK businesses who trade in commodities sourced from rainforests such as soy, palm oil, cocoa and rubber will need to check that their supply chains are not contributing to illegal deforestation. These products are commonly found in everyday supermarket products including chocolate, cooking oils, shampoo and cosmetics.

UK companies have been at the forefront of global efforts to tackle deforestation within their supply chains, but voluntary action alone cannot tackle this global challenge, and several major supermarkets have been calling for stronger regulation.

This move will protect the habitats of some of the world’s most precious and endangered species, while giving British consumers confidence that the products in their shopping baskets are not contributing to illegal deforestation.

Rainforests and other forests are vital for storing carbon and sustaining biodiversity, yet they are increasingly threatened by deforestation. Around 90% of global deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion, much of it linked to the production of internationally traded commodities. In 2023, the UK’s consumption of these goods was associated with approximately 29,000 hectares of deforestation worldwide – around one and a half times the size of Manchester – and 9.4 million tonnes of related carbon emissions.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

“Tackling global deforestation is one of the most effective ways we can address climate change and protect some of the world’s most unique and precious wildlife.

“That is why we are leading by example and scrutinising our own supply chains. Eliminating products linked to illegal deforestation not only helps to protect precious ecosystems but is good for our collective resilience and long-term prosperity.”

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the BRC, said:

“Retailers welcome today’s announcement. We have long called for UK deforestation regulation as an important step in driving forest conservation across retail supply chains in line with business commitments, while supporting alignment with the EU where possible to avoid unnecessary costs and complexity for retailers and their customers.

“However, with the EU regulation due to take effect in Northern Ireland at the end of the year, it is important that the Government takes a pragmatic approach to enforcement to minimise disruption for businesses and consumers.”

Gavin Crowden, Director of Advocacy at WWF, said:

“The UK Government has warned that the collapse of tropical forests in places like the Amazon and Indonesia is a national security risk, not just an environmental one. We rely on these forests for food and climate stability, and they’re home to extraordinary wildlife. With new rules finally coming into force in Northern Ireland at the end of the year, there is no excuse for further delay that would leave shoppers in the rest of the UK still unwittingly driving the destruction of the rainforest.”

These new measures will help businesses better identify and reduce the risk that their imported products are linked to illegal deforestation and land clearing. The government will consult businesses, civil society and international partners later this year on the details of the proposed GB deforestation policy. This will include consulting on the introduction of these mandatory due diligence requirements for businesses in Great Britain including using powers such as under the Environment Act which target illegal deforestation, and by strengthening the existing UK Timber Regulation.

To maintain Northern Ireland’s unique dual market access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market, the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) will apply in Northern Ireland in phases starting 30 December 2026.

Crucially, to protect the UK Internal Market and streamline compliance, the upcoming consultation will propose that the GB regime covers the same core commodities and underlying information requirements as the regulation in Northern Ireland. This aligned approach is designed to prevent administrative duplication across the UK while helping British exporters to the EU meet consistent data and traceability standards. Businesses in Northern Ireland are encouraged to begin preparations now.

In due course, the Government’s ambition is to transition to a deforestation-free standard which will require relevant products to be produced free from any deforestation, building on stakeholder efforts globally to decouple supply chains from forest loss and land conversion.

These changes help deliver on the UK’s commitment under the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, agreed at COP26, to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. It also supports the cross-government 2035 International Climate, Nature & Energy Strategic Framework.

The changes will improve the transparency, traceability and resilience of UK agricultural commodity and timber supply chains, and support smooth trade with the EU through delivering on our Windsor Framework commitments.

Further details on the GB deforestation regulations consultation process will be announced in due course.

24/06/2026