Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Government begins process seeking business views on response to US tariffs [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 3 April 2025.

Government begins process seeking business views on response to US tariffs.
- UK Government launches next stage in process asking UK businesses to comment on options to shape UK’s potential response to US tariffs.
- Business and Trade Secretary tells Parliament UK is disappointed at US tariffs and will continue constructive discussions with US on wider deal.
- Tariffs remain the last resort, with options kept open.
UK businesses will shape the UK’s response to US tariffs announced overnight, as part of plans announced by the Business and Trade Secretary today.

Following the 10% reciprocal tariffs on a range of products announced by the Trump administration yesterday, UK companies are being invited to give their views on what any future UK response should look like by providing feedback to questions asking them the average value of their US imports, the impact of any possible UK tariffs and how they would adjust to them.

The Business and Trade Secretary has also today published an indicative list of goods imported from the US that may be considered in a future UK response. This makes it clear to businesses that the Government would not consider products in the wider public interest issues such as medical supplies and military equipment. It marks the next stage in the government’s ongoing preparations and negotiations with the US on our economic relationship.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

The best interests of British business has shaped our approach throughout as we prepare for all scenarios, which is why we are asking them for their views on how these tariffs impact their operations and day-to-day lives.

Our cool-headed, pragmatic approach means that talks with the US will continue to reflect our mandate to deliver economic stability, as we press the case for a trading relationship that supports businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, and reflects our Plan for Change and the best interests of the UK public.

The Business Secretary and Ministers across government have been engaging widely with business organisations and companies from across the economy, including sectors like steel, automotive and food, and other companies who export a high number of goods to the US and stand to be affected by any tariffs. They will continue to meet a broad range of businesses in the coming days to provide support and set out the Government’s priority of defending the interests of UK industry.

The four-week Request for Input launched today and open until Thursday 1 May continues the Government’s engagement with a wide range of UK sectors in response to tariffs, its commitment to working in the national interest and delivering economic stability, and its support of the UK public and businesses as part of its Plan for Change.

Once the Request for Input closes, the Government will reflect on the feedback and consider how best to respond.

While preparing for all scenarios, this Government’s priority remains strengthening its relationship with the US through an economic prosperity deal, and both countries will continue to have constructive discussions in the coming weeks to agree this.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : 22 days after Ukraine agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Russia continues to distract and delay – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2025.

Ambassador Holland questions Russia’s seriousness about peace when it continues to attack Ukraine with hundreds of drones and refuses to commit to a full, immediate ceasefire.

Thank you, Mister Chair. It is now a full 22 days since Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire. The only condition that Ukraine attached was that Russia should agree to it too. Rather than grasp this opportunity for peace, Russia has chosen to continue to fight, a decision whose consequence is the needless sacrifice of more lives of soldiers and civilians on both sides. The indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas has shown no sign of slowing down. Last week, Russia sent over a thousand drones towards Ukraine. In Kharkiv, a military hospital was targeted. A kindergarten was damaged. At least, 25 people were hurt, including a 15-year-old girl left in a serious condition.

This is the price that Ukrainians pay for the Kremlin’s game playing with the peace process. Rather than engaging seriously with the US-led peace initiative, President Putin is resorting to his old playbook and looking to distract and delay. His attempt last week to question the credibility of President Zelenskyy was nothing more than a transparent ploy to deflect from the real matter at hand: Russia’s failure to get more seriously to the table, and commit to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Regrettably, we see no evidence that President Putin is seriously preparing for peace. Published readouts of the US convened ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia confirmed a naval ceasefire and prevention of use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea. The UK welcomed this important step, but Russia immediately backtracked and placed conditions on the agreement – despite good faith commitment from Ukraine. Just this week, President Putin has ordered the largest conscription drive since the war began.

We do not need to look far for reminders as to why this war must end. This week marks the third anniversary of the appalling acts by the invading Russian forces in Bucha. The gruesome images of bodies lying in the streets shocked the world. Russia’s armed forces acted with total contempt and disregard for civilian life and the most fundamental principles of the laws of war.

However, rather than reckoning with these atrocities, we see continued Russian efforts in this council and others, to spread disinformation in an effort to absolve themselves of responsibility for these illegal and inhumane actions. This is despite the litany of evidence, including witness testimonies, independently verified satellite imagery, photos and videos. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has categorically documented attacks on civilians, including conflict-related sexual violence, and summary executions.

Mister Chair, we must emphasise the need for accountability for these actions and renew our commitment to collaborating towards enduring peace. Distortions of the historical record will not help in this endeavour. Rather we need the Russian state to commit to peace and demonstrate the sincerity of its words. Thank you, Mister Chair.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Major reforms to environmental regulation to boost growth and protect nature [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 April 2025.

Government reforms will streamline and modernise regulation to unlock growth, deliver 1.5 million homes and do more for nature under the Plan for Change.

A more dynamic, streamlined approach to environmental regulation will drive economic growth and safeguard nature under the Plan for Change, with reforms announced today (Wednesday 2 April) by the Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

It comes as a new review, commissioned by Steve Reed and led by Dan Corry, finds the current system of environmental regulation is outdated, inconsistent and highly complex – delivering for neither nature nor growth. The review concludes that a “bonfire” of regulations is not the solution; rather, it makes 29 recommendations for streamlining regulation, all of which the government is actively considering.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

Nature and the economy have both been in decline for too long. That changes today.

As part of the Plan for Change, I am rewiring Defra and its arms-length bodies to boost economic growth and unleash an era of building while also supporting nature to recover.

Dan Corry’s essential report gives us a strong set of common-sense recommendations for better regulation that will get Britain building.

Nine key measures with the greatest impact for growth and nature recovery will be fast-tracked. Work has already begun on:
- Lead regulator: A single, lead regulator for major infrastructure projects will end the merry-go-round of developers seeking planning approvals from multiple authorities who often disagree with each other – speeding up approvals and saving businesses millions in time and resource. This could include the recently approved Lower Thames Crossing, as well as future schemes like Heathrow expansion. Pilot projects trialling the approach will begin this year.
- Revamping environmental guidance: Rapidly reviewing the existing catalogue of compliance guidance, including on protecting bats, will identify opportunities to remove duplication, ambiguity, or inconsistency.
- Streamlined permits and guidance: Speeding up work to update the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 will allow regulators to make more sensible, risk-based decisions on which activities should be exempt from environmental permits, in some cases removing them altogether for low-risk and temporary projects. This will slash red tape for businesses, putting an end to delays that can slow down the decisions needed to get spades in the ground.
- Planning permit portal: Defra will convene the environmental regulators to set out the work required to upgrade their digital systems for planning advice, including a single planning portal for all agencies. This will speed up planning applications, while building trust and transparency into the process.
- New Defra Infrastructure Board: This will accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects by facilitating greater collaboration and stronger oversight within Defra and its arm’s-length bodies – unblocking barriers to development at an early stage.
- More autonomy: Trusted nature groups will benefit from new freedoms to carry out conservation and restoration work without needing to apply for multiple permissions at every step of a project. A pilot collaboration between Natural England and the National Trust will allow Europe’s largest conservation charity to cut down on the high volume of applications for consents, permits and licences they must currently submit. This will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, bringing their ambitious nature recovery programmes to life at scale, more quickly and easily than ever before.
- Green finance boost: A new industry-funded Nature Market Accelerator will bring much needed coherence to nature markets, boosting investment into our natural habitats and driving growth. This will give businesses greater confidence to invest, unlocking a range of environmental benefits – from improved biodiversity to better water quality.
- Strategic policy statements for regulators: Clearer guidance and measurable objectives for all Defra’s regulators, starting with Natural England and the Environment Agency, will drive performance improvements and focus delivery on government priorities. Progress will be closely monitored and reported on publicly – increasing transparency and accountability so the public can be confident that regulators are supporting, not blocking, development and nature restoration.
- Rolling regulatory reform: A continuous programme of reform will be established to pinpoint rapid actions, quick wins, and longer-term areas for improvements to regulation.
Economist and former charity leader Dan Corry, who led the review, said:

Our current system for environmental regulation lets down both nature and growth; we must focus on good outcomes and nature enhancement, not on rigidly preserving everything at any cost.

This review clearly shows that simply scrapping regulations isn’t the answer – instead, we need modern, streamlined regulation that is easier for everyone to use. While short-term trade-offs may be needed, these reforms will ultimately deliver a win-win for both nature and economic growth in the longer run.

Currently, nature groups, developers and farmers are forced to navigate and comply with a complex patchwork of over 3,500 regulations – many of which are out of date and duplicative – as well as multiple overlapping regulators, all while shelling out vast sums in legal costs. This rigid and archaic approach not only stunts growth but impedes large-scale nature recovery, holds up the delivery of homes and infrastructure and creates an unnecessary financial and administrative burden.

This government will no longer accept this as the status quo; regulators and regulation must work for the people of Britain, not get in the way of progress. Reforms will streamline and modernise the regulatory process to reduce bureaucracy and focus on outcomes at scale, rather than delays and paperwork. Measures which require spend will be considered in the context of the Spending Review; those requiring legislative changes will be reviewed in the round as part of the government’s wider legislative priorities. Further engagement with environmental groups, homebuilders, and a range of organisations across society where necessary will take place to ensure that any changes ensure development, growth, and nature restoration work hand-in-hand.

Today’s announcement is the latest step in Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s drive, under the Plan for Change, to reform and rewire Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to unleash economic growth and protect the environment.

Planning reforms and a new Nature Restoration Fund will unlock much needed housing delivery and infrastructure whilst supporting nature recovery at scale. It will help developers meet their environmental obligations more efficiently, making it easier to build vital infrastructure like wind farms, railways, and roads, gigafactories and data centres.

More widely, in recognition of nature’s decline in Britain, this Government has launched a rapid review to deliver on our legally binding environment targets, including halting the decline of species by 2030.

Notes to Editors
- ‘Delivering economic growth and nature recovery: An independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape’ by Dan Corry can be found here.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Members of the Consumer Council for Water reappointed [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 April 2025.

Rachel Onikosi and Bev Keogh have today (3 April 2025) been reappointed as Board Members of the Consumer Council for Water. Rachel Onikosi and Bev Keogh will be reappointed for a four-year term commencing on 1 June 2025.

The reappointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.

Biographies

Rachel Onikosi
- Rachel Onikosi is a Panel Chair with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), where she leads quasi-judicial hearings. She also holds a similar role at the UK Council for Psychotherapy. In addition to her regulatory work, Rachel is an elected [since 2014] Councillor in the London Borough of Lewisham, representing residents of the Bellingham ward.
- Previously, Rachel worked as a civil servant in the then Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS), where she advised ministers on consumer policy.
- Locally, Rachel is a school governor and a presiding magistrate.
Bev Keogh
- Bev is an experienced utility executive whose career spans over 35 years in the regulated electricity and water industries. Having led operational engineering, customer experience and business assurance teams, she has a diverse knowledge of utility regulation, legislation, customer and people transformation, compliance, audit, and risk.
- Bev contributed to the UK’s first skills strategy paper for Energy and Utilities addressing gaps in future skills to support UK Net Zero targets and ambitions.
Notes to editors:
- The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is the independent, statutory body that represents all water and sewerage consumers across England and Wales. It provides advice and information on water matters and investigates complaints. It is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Duff’s term on UK Government Investments Board extended for 12 months [April 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 3 April 2025.

HM Treasury has today (3 April) announced the extension of Andrew Duff’s term as Senior Independent Director on the UK Government Investments (UKGI) Board for 12 months, from July 2025 to July 2026.

UKGI is the government’s centre of expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance.

Andrew Duff was first appointed to the UKGI Board as a non-Executive Director in July 2019, and was reappointed for a second term in July 2022. Alongside this he is also Chair of Sage Group Plc. Andrew spent most of his executive career in the energy industry, including as Chief Executive Officer of global energy company, RWE Npower.

Emma Reynolds, The Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, welcomed the extension:

I am pleased to announce the extension of Andrew Duff’s term as a non-Executive Director on the UK Government Investments Board. UKGI provides invaluable advice and support to the government on complex corporate governance and corporate finance matters.

Andrew’s significant executive experience including in the energy sector will help UKGI continue its important work supporting the government’s growth and clean energy missions.

Vindi Banga, Chair of UKGI, said:

Andrew has made significant contributions across the organisation, and I am delighted that his term on the UKGI Board has been extended for a further 12-month period. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the Board in supporting UKGI to deliver its strategy and objectives.

This reappointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public appointments (OCPA) and is made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.

This reappointment is made on merit and political activity played no part in the decision process. In accordance with the code, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Andrew Duff did not declare any political activity.

Further information
- UKGI is the government’s centre of expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance. It provides expert advice and leading solutions that inform and translate government’s decisions into effective outcomes in the national interest.
- UKGI acts as shareholder representative for, and leads the establishment of, UK government most complex and commercial arm’s length bodies on behalf of sponsor departments. It advises on major UK government corporate finance matters, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations; it analyses and advises on the UK government’s contingent liabilities and  advises on major UK government corporate finance matters, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations.
- UKGI is owned by HM Treasury and independently managed with a Board comprised predominantly of independent non-executive directors. UKGI works closely with both the private and public sectors, advising and interacting with ministers, Parliament and Whitehall departments.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Allies to build on momentum in efforts to enhance Ukraine’s security, uphold international law and protect human rights – UK Statement to the OSCE [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2025.

UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says a lasting peace in Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and offer real and credible security assurances to deter Russia from further threatening European Security.

Thank you, Mr Chair. The UK strongly condemns Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine. We are committed to providing extensive economic, humanitarian, and defensive military assistance to Ukraine. The UK remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, ensuring that Russia faces consequences for its actions. Ukraine has shown it is ready and willing to work towards peace. The ball is now in Russia’s court, and President Putin must prove he is serious about peace and sign up to a ceasefire with immediate effect. The Kremlin’s procrastination and game-playing with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea, despite good faith participation from all sides, show Russian promises to be hollow.

We welcome President Trump’s readiness to increase the pressure on Russia if President Putin does not agree to a ceasefire soon. The Institute for the Study of War and others assess that Russia is using the temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea as leverage to stall efforts toward a general ceasefire and extract additional concessions from the West. This is unacceptable.

We must remain committed to the US and Ukraine’s proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. British, French, and Ukrainian military leaders are set to meet in the coming days to build on recent momentum in efforts to enhance Ukraine’s security. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the meeting aims to drive forward the next stage of detailed planning, following a call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Last week in the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters, Britain and France led over 200 planners from ‘a group of nations politically aligned to the defence, security and sovereignty of Ukraine’. These military planning meetings have focused on how we keep the skies, the seas and the border of Ukraine safe. To be clear, a lasting peace in Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and offer real and credible security assurances to deter Russia from further threatening European Security.

And what is Russia’s contribution to peace and negotiations? We have seen no sign of Putin abandoning his war of aggression and his disregard of international law is being realised on the ground in Ukraine. Russian forces shelled a frontline settlement in Ukraine’s south-east Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in the death of a 66-year-old woman and injuries to five others. In the early hours of today, Russian attacks left 45,000 in Kherson without power, and this is despite Russia’s alleged agreement to a partial ceasefire on strikes against energy facilities following technical discussions in Riyadh in March.

The Report of the independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine published on 11 March, highlighted a sharp increase in criminal cases concerning Russian troops executing wounded, captured or surrendering Ukrainian soldiers. In most situations, soldiers targeted ‘were in a vulnerable situation: unarmed, lying on the ground, kneeling, and some were partly naked’.

On 26 March, Russia convicted 23 captured Ukrainians on terrorism charges in a trial widely denounced by the international community as a sham and a gross violation of international law. The defendants received sentences ranging from 13 to 23 years in maximum security forced labour camps. The trial’s proceedings were marred by numerous irregularities and violations of fair representation. Defendants were reportedly denied access to independent legal counsel and subjected to coerced confessions obtained under duress.

Our position has not changed. We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. President Putin must stop playing games and agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions. Only through a concerted and sustained effort can we hope to bring an end to this egregious campaign of violence and pave the way for a just and lasting peace. Efforts to support Ukraine and its pursuit of justice must be intensified to ensure our commitment to upholding international law and protecting human rights.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : NATO must be ‘stronger, fairer, and more lethal’ Foreign Secretary to say [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2025.

UK to highlight ironclad support for Alliance and push Allies to increase defence spending.

• UK says NATO must stay strong and united to boost our collective defence in face of generational threat from Russia

• Foreign Ministers’ summit follows biggest sustained increase in UK defence spending since the Cold War, delivering security for hardworking British people

• Allies set out their ironclad support for Ukraine in NATO-Ukraine Council

The UK will encourage NATO Allies to step up defence spending to support Euro-Atlantic security as the Foreign Secretary arrives in Brussels for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting today (Thursday 3 April).

He will say that making NATO stronger, fairer, and more lethal is key to protecting the conditions for growth at home.

As the Alliance steps up to face long-term and interconnected threats from Russia and its enablers , the UK will tell Allies that it’s our collective duty to boost defence spending and deter our adversaries. Increases in defence spending mean more and better capabilities, keeping us safe.

While Russia and other actors work to destabilise Euro-Atlantic societies, the UK is playing its part, with the largest sustained increase to defence spending since the Cold War, hitting 2.5% from April 2027 and rising to 3% in the next parliament.

Increasing defence spending by £11.8bn between now and 2027/28 will protect the conditions for growth and security at home, putting money back into the pockets of hard-working British people. Between 2023-24 the defence sector supported more than 430,000 jobs across the UK.

In the NATO-Ukraine Council, the Foreign Secretary will discuss the practical planning undertaken by the UK, France, and other Allies to prepare and deploy as a Coalition of the Willing in the event of a peace deal.

While Putin continues to delay and obstruct on a move to a ceasefire, the UK and Allies have doubled down to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s barbaric invasion. Ukraine has shown its strong commitment to peace, yet Russia’s on-going bombardment of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure has not ceased.

The Foreign Secretary will tell Allies that now is the time to maximise pressure on Putin, through every economic lever possible, to force him to the negotiating table.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Keeping our country safe is the Government’s first duty, and NATO is the cornerstone of our security, both at home and abroad.

That’s why we have announced the biggest investment to defence spending since the Cold War.

Allies must spend more, produce more and deliver more on defence so NATO can become stronger, fairer and more lethal – boosting our collective defence ensures that NATO is ready for the threats and challenges we face.

At the meeting David Lammy will discuss shared security threats and challenges with counterparts from NATO, as well as the EU and NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners – Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. This includes the challenges China poses to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security, especially its enablement of Russia’s illegal war.

The NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting follows a week of meetings on regional security with Allies and partners across Europe.

On Sunday the Foreign Secretary visited STRIKFORNATO, the naval command centre for the Allied Command Operations outside of Lisbon, before heading to the Weimar Plus Foreign Ministers Meeting in Madrid on Monday, where he urged partners to take a united approach to the global challenges posed by Russia’s war machine. He also visited British and other NATO troops stationed in Kosovo to maintain stability in the Western Balkans.

On Tuesday, the UK added Russia to the UK’s Foreign Influence Registration Scheme to expose interference attempts on British soil.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Half a million appointments and operations saved by ending resident doctor strikes [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 3 April 2025.

Ending doctor strikes saved 500,000 appointments and operations, and cut waiting lists by 193,000.
- 500,000 appointments and operations saved as a result of government action to resolve painful strikes within 4 weeks of office
- Strikes contributed to an extra 140,000 increase to waiting list, causing pain and misery to patients across the country
- Patients feeling the benefits with government delivering 2 million more appointments 7 months early and cutting waiting lists by 193,000 through Plan for Change
An estimated half a million appointments and operations avoided being cancelled in the second half of last year thanks to swift action from the government to end resident doctor strikes within 4 weeks of office.

Data shows a total of 507,000 appointments and operations were cancelled and rescheduled between July 2023 and February 2024 during periods of disruptive strike action, causing pain and misery to patients across the country, and hitting an already broken NHS with more damage. This put huge pressure on hardworking staff, with NHS England analysis showing that this added 140,000 more to the waiting lists this government inherited.

On his very first day in government, the Health and Social Care Secretary got round the table with resident doctors, securing a fair deal for patients and staff after 4 weeks, getting doctors back on the frontline treating patients.

The progress the government has made in starting to fix the NHS after 14 years of decline shows the transformatory effect of the Plan for Change.

Since July, over 2 million extra appointments have been delivered – 7 months early – and the waiting list slashed by 193,000. Patients up and down the country are beginning to feel a real difference after a decade of neglect – and in some cases after waiting years to get the care they need.

Cutting waiting lists is one of the government’s top priorities through its Plan for Change, which is driving forward reform of the health service to put patients first, rebuild our NHS and improve living standards, which are growing at their fastest rate in 2 years.

Making up around 50% of the medical workforce, resident doctors play a pivotal role for patients. When staff stood on the picket lines, waiting lists soared, leaving people in pain and out of work as a result of not being able to get the care they need. By bringing to an end months of devastating strikes, patients have significantly felt the benefits, getting the care they need without disruption.

Since July, the government has made it a priority to get 92% of patients seen within 18 weeks by the end of this Parliament. Through the recently published elective reform plan, patients will begin to have more control over their care, to end the needless suffering of those stuck on a waiting list.

The plan also makes it easier for patients to access the appointments they need, through the opening of more community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, in more convenient locations closer to their homes, keeping them out of hospital. And through bringing the NHS App into the digital era, individuals will be able to take control of their personal health plans, by accessing key documentation and appointment data online, in a timeline that works around their lives.

With over 2 million extra NHS appointments including for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy and diagnostic tests already being delivered 7 months early, and through its Plan for Change, the government is on its way to ending the misery felt by millions of patients up and down the country who are waiting for the appointments they need.

Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary, said:

Half a million operations stopped because of strike action weren’t just an inconvenience. They meant hundreds of thousands of patients living through more pain, more stress and more disappointment.

That’s exactly why within days of coming into office, I got round the table with resident doctors and put an end to these crippling strikes.

It was a tough negotiation, but we came out with a fair offer, and patients immediately started seeing the benefit.

Thanks to this government putting doctors back on the frontline, we’ve cut waiting lists by 193,000. We are fixing the broken foundations of our NHS through our Plan for Change so patients can get back to work and doing what they love.

Data on industrial action in the NHS is available on the NHS website.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : London Luton Airport Expansion development consent decision announced [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 April 2025.

The London Luton Airport Expansion application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.

The application comprises the expansion of London Luton Airport from its current permitted cap of 18 million passengers per annum (mppa) up to 32 million mppa, including: new terminal capacity; additional taxiways and other transport infrastructure; the construction of landside support buildings; surface access adjustments; mitigation works and other associated development.

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by London Luton Airport Limited on 27 February 2023 and accepted for examination on 27 March 2023.

Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 10 May 2024.

This is the 57th transport application out of 152 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.

The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.

The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government kickstarts £100 million fusion investment [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 3 April 2025.

A first of its kind partnership between the government and private sector could see over £100 million invested into the UK’s growing fusion energy industry.
- Government invests £20 million into “Starmaker One” – a British fusion investment fund which is expected to leverage £100 million into the UK
- world first government partnership with fusion private venture capital fund – keeping Britain at the forefront of the global fusion race
- fusion has potential to help make Britain a clean energy superpower as part of the Plan for Change – driving economic growth and creating skilled jobs in support of the industrial strategy
Today (3 April) the government has announced £20 million to kickstart ‘Starmaker One’ – a British private fusion investment fund that will help fusion businesses and start-ups in the sector grow and commercialise at scale.

It is expected the upfront investment will unlock further investment from the private sector as the fusion industry grows – helping cement the UK as a world leader in the technology and creating highly-skilled jobs.

Fusion uses the same process that powers the sun by combining two forms of hydrogen and heating them at extreme temperatures, releasing vast amounts of energy.

Companies in the UK have often identified lack of access to capital as a barrier to scaling up and commercialising their businesses. An injection of cash from government will give the private sector confidence to invest in fusion, developing its vast potential as an unlimited source of energy and ensuring the UK continues to compete in the global fusion race.

The funding boost will help small fusion companies provide training for their workforce in key areas such as physics, engineering and chemistry. It will also support companies to develop technologies and capitalise on the opportunities of fusion energy in markets such as magnetics, industrial AI, robotics, healthcare, transportation and energy storage.

Fusion already supports thousands of jobs in the UK, in regions such as Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and South Yorkshire, with thousands more to follow as the technology advances. Fusion is a key industry sector in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor with independent research from London Economics showing that every £1 invested in fusion it benefits the economy by nearly £4.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

This government is taking back control of Britain’s energy by driving for clean homegrown power through our Plan for Change.

Fusion has the potential to provide us with energy security, whilst attracting the best technologies to our shores and training up the next generation of British scientists and engineers.

We are backing both nuclear and fusion power, and today we take a step forward in growing this exciting industry.

Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion, Lord Vallance said:

Fusion energy is a technology with enormous potential, and an industry in which the UK is already well established. This investment will help to unlock the funding the fusion industry needs to grow, which will boost regions across the UK such as Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, and in Culham in Oxfordshire, the epicentre of UK fusion.

Energy Minister Kerry McCarthy, said:

This investment is our Plan for Change in action – we are backing British pioneers to secure the clean energy of the future while supporting jobs today, from scientists and welders to engineers and construction managers.

As countries around the world recognise the huge potential of fusion, breakthroughs in this technology are happening thick and fast, and we want to keep the UK at the forefront of the global race by helping projects to innovate and grow here, in turn driving economic growth.

Investment in Starmaker One signals the first early-stage fusion energy venture capital fund outside the US and the first of its kind to partner with government as an investor. Investing in fusion technology will pave the way to delivering a clean safe, secure and abundant baseload energy, helping to meet rising energy demand in the years ahead.

This investment will give industry cash upfront to grow their businesses and supply chains. It follows on from a government commitment for a record level of £410 million, announced in January, for UK fusion research and collaboration with other countries to develop clean, unlimited power and drive economic growth.

Successful deployment of fusion energy would be globally transformative and allow the UK to export the technology to a global fusion market expected to be worth trillions of pounds in the future.

This notice is for information only and does not constitute an invitation to invest. The fund is not available to retail investors.

Notes for editors
- Starmaker One is a limited partnership in which the government is a cornerstone investor. The fund has potential to raise between £100 million and £150 million overall (including the £20 million from DESNZ) for investment into fusion-related technology
- East X Ventures will act as fund manager. Government will receive a share of any returns made by the partnership
- East X Ventures is the venture capital arm of East X, a London based quantitative systematic research and investment firm operating across global commodity markets. East X Ventures invests in early-stage, science-led companies with high-growth, world-scale potential
- The funding comes from the government’s existing Research and Development budget for 2024/2025.
April 6, 2025