Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Arrest made & vehicle seized in waste investigation in Merseyside [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 6 February 2026.

Multi-agency operation into suspected illegal waste dumping in Liverpool results in arrest and vehicle seizure.

An arrest has been made and heavy goods vehicle seized during an investigation into suspected illegal waste dumping in Merseyside.

On Monday 2 February, following allegations of illegal dumping, the Environment Agency joined forces with the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) and Merseyside Police in the operation at an alleged illegal waste site in Liverpool.

Jennifer Brittlebank, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

We’ve taken immediate action following suspected illegal waste activity in Liverpool.

We share the public’s disgust with illegal dumping and the significant harm it causes to the environment and communities.

Waste crime will not be tolerated and we continue to work tirelessly with our partners to take action against those suspected of being involved.

Phil Davies, Joint Unit for Waste Crime manager, added:

This arrest is another fantastic example of the combined and co-ordinated law enforcement capabilities being used in the fight against waste crime.

We continue to work hard to protect communities and the environment, and we would encourage people to report incidents of waste crime and information about those who are responsible.

Merseyside Police Neighbourhood Inspector Michelle Ingram said:

It is pleasing to see this investigation progress with an arrest. Merseyside Police will continue to support our Environment Agency and local authority partners to tackle the harm caused by waste crime.

Expanding the Joint Unit for Waste Crime
The JUWC is hosted by the Environment Agency and involves 12 partner agencies. It has led or attended 361 multi-agency days of action, which resulted in 186 associated arrests by other agencies by September 2025.

The JUWC recently expanded, doubling in size increasing its resource and skillset to shut down serious and organised waste criminals. With experienced Environment Agency enforcement and investigation officers and ex-police officers bringing a wealth of crime-fighting knowledge and tactics.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should report it to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

February 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK provides vital humanitarian support as Ukraine suffers through brutal winter [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 February 2026.

The UK government has been supporting more than 1 million Ukrainians affected by the energy crisis this winter.
- As Ukraine suffers its worst winter in a decade, UK-funded deliveries of generators, hygiene kits and other vital components are providing urgently-needed assistance in response to the dire humanitarian situation
- With the latest trilateral peace talks set to begin in the UAE, the UK has partnered with UNICEF and Ukrainian energy and water suppliers to restore the supply of water and heating to those that need it most in display of our unwavering support for Ukraine
As temperatures drop below -20C across Ukraine, the UK government has been supporting more than 1 million vulnerable civilians affected by the energy crisis this winter.

The UK’s latest delivery of generators comes ahead of peace talks in the UAE as Russia continues to step up its barbaric attacks, brutally launching 70 missiles at vital Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Monday night – the largest missile attack in more than a year.

The UK Government is working closely with UNICEF and Ukrainian energy and water suppliers, to help provide generators, pipes, cables, and other items to restore the crucial supply of water and heating to Ukrainian homes, schools and villages affected by the Russian attacks.

Amid freezing temperatures with strikes hitting residential buildings, many people including the elderly population have been stuck in cold, dark homes without running water or the ability to cook a hot meal. Schools and hospitals have also been affected, with severe disruption to medical services and some schools unable to provide in-person learning for students, denying children the basic right to a safe, warm classroom and the opportunity to see teachers and friends.

This week, 28 UK-funded generators have been urgently dispatched to water and heating companies across Ukraine, where they will provide hundreds of thousands of residents with emergency utility supplies. This is in addition to the 21 generators that were dispatched from December 2025.

Last month, 730,000 Ukrainians in Zaporizhzhia City and Oblast plunged into darkness without water, electricity or heating also had their water supply restored within just 90 minutes by switching to reserve power, thanks to UK-funded high-capacity diesel generators.

A further 10 generators are expected to arrive over the next week to ensure the continuity of water supply and district heating in priority locations across Ukraine.

Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty said:

Russia’s savage tactics will not work - their relentless efforts to deny innocent Ukrainians basic necessities like heating, electricity and water in the brutal cold of winter will not break their resolve.

Despite the efforts for peace by Ukraine – Putin is continuing to hit innocent women, men and children – even in the middle of a brutal winter.

The UK is proud to stand with Ukraine and continue this lifesaving work with UNICEF.

The UK has provided over £1 billion in humanitarian and energy support since the start of the full-scale invasion, which is helping to keep the lights on and Ukrainian homes warm when vulnerable civilians need it most.

Rapid on-the-ground assistance has been provided to hundreds of thousands of people across the country, including:
- UK support to local authorities in Mykolaiv Oblast has funded the installation of independent heating systems for two schools, Mykolaiv Lyceum Vidrodzhennia and Oleksandrivskyi Lyceum. Solid fuel boilers now allow in-person education to continue for 780 students, meaning the schools can focus on providing vital learning and care for children.
- In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, UK support is helping to install a new water unit to make heating services more resilient for around 42,000 residents, while elsewhere in Kherson City we have helped deliver valves and pipes to repair heating and power after a Russian attack in December left 40% of the city without heating. A nearby boiler house serving 8,000 people has been completely rehabilitated, with stabilised heating expected to be restored for a further 30,000 people this month.
- Distribution of hygiene kits in Kharkiv City following Russian attacks in January alongside the delivery of pre-insulated pipes and cables to Kharkiv’s municipal heating company to restore heating services for the population.
- Thermal insulation materials for the district heating networks rehabilitation for 89,000 village residents in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, improving efficiency and lowering fuel costs.
- UNICEF water trucks that have delivered 75m³ of water to several large reservoirs within Odesa city, 25m³ of water to Kherson.
In total, the UK is one of Ukraine’s leading bilateral donors and has committed over £577 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion.

This is alongside over £470 million of in-kind, grant and loan financing committed to the repair, protection and recovery of Ukraine’s energy sector and its long-term reconstruction and clean transition. This includes £153 million in contributions to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund for grid level repairs, protection and additional power generation.

In addition to the humanitarian response, the UK has committed to delivering £3 billion of military aid to Ukraine every year until the end of the decade, for as long as it takes. Together with our ERA loan, we will provide Ukraine with £4.5bn in military aid this year – more than ever before.

Despite the efforts of the UK and likeminded international partners in responding to Russia’s callous attacks, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire. It is more important than ever than Putin ceases to stall and delay, and engages meaningfully in discussions in Abu Dhabi to bring about a just and lasting peace and end the relentless suffering for the people of Ukraine.
February 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Cost of TV licence fee set for 2026/27 [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 6 February 2026.

The annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180 from 1 April 2026, as required by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, in line with inflation.
- TV licence fee to rise in line with inflation to provide the BBC with stable financial footing to deliver for audiences and support the wider creative industries
- The government continues the Charter Review Green Paper public consultation on options for BBC future funding
- Support for households in severe financial difficulty is available and free licences for over-75s on Pension Credit
The increase follows the methodology of calculating the licence fee in line with the consumer price index (CPI) until the end of the BBC Charter Period.

This means the cost of an annual colour TV licence will rise by £5.50, or the equivalent of an extra 46p a month.

The increase in the cost of the TV licence will help keep the BBC on a stable financial footing, enabling it to continue to deliver on its Mission and Public Purposes. The BBC is the UK’s number one media brand, with 94% of UK adults using the BBC each month last year and it remains the UK’s most widely used and trusted news outlet.

The government recognises the financial pressures on households and is committed to ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable, fair and affordable. The government has committed to the licence fee for the remainder of this Charter Period. To support the public with the cost of the TV licence, we will also continue to support the Simple Payment Plan to spread payments through smaller instalments. Free licences remain available for over-75s on Pension Credit, with reduced fees for care home residents and blind individuals.

This comes alongside the ongoing Charter Review, which will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded to provide value for licence fee payers, commands the public’s trust with impartial editorial standards and drives growth, opportunity and good jobs across the country.

The BBC has recently announced a series of initiatives with the aim of bringing trusted public service content to more young people and families where they are. This includes a new content partnership with YouTube, with a CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel launching later this year, as well as six themed channels featuring content from CBBC shows. The BBC is also partnering with the British Library to provide storytelling for pre-schoolers and their parents at library events across the UK.

S4C, which receives all its public funding from the licence fee, will also see its revenue increase proportionately, receiving approximately £100 million in 2026/27 to support the growth of the Welsh creative industries.
February 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister appoints expert Cost of Living Champion [February 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 February 2026.

The Prime Minister has directly appointed Lord Richard Walker as the Government’s Cost of Living Champion today.

Lord Richard Walker will work across Government while enhancing partnerships with businesses, regulators, and a broad range of organisations to consider how the whole of Government can go further to deliver on its priority of easing the cost of living for families.

Lord Richard Walker said:

“I’ve taken on this role for one reason: to get real results for families on the cost of living. Not to talk about it, but to help government focus on the things that genuinely make a difference.

“I’ll be bringing real-world business experience and a sense of urgency to this work, looking at the everyday areas that eat into household budgets and where consumers get a rough deal. Regulators are trying, but we need to be bolder in standing up for consumers and turning intent into action.”

Lord Walker brings a wealth of experience as a British entrepreneur and business leader. He has been a social advocate creating the Iceland Food Club: a unique interest-free microcredit scheme that has lifted tens of thousands out of food poverty. He is Chair of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, which has donated over £38m to good causes.

The appointment builds on practical support already designed and delivered to ensure household budgets go further.

These include £150 off energy bills, with a further £150 off the poorest households, removing the two-child benefit cap, the roll out of free breakfast clubs, and further measures on childcare funding.

He will work closely with the No10 Policy Unit to provide ideas, advice and challenge on cost-of-living interventions, leveraging expertise and industry networks.

This role will sit alongside existing Government policy development, adding further expertise to ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to ensuring a fair deal for consumers.

Lord Walker will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid voluntary role.

February 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : The meaningful participation of women in UN policing is an operational necessity – UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 February 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UN Peacekeeping Operations: Police Commissioners.

The United Kingdom pays tribute to the UN Police who bravely serve in peacekeeping missions around the world.

UN policing is fundamental to effective peacekeeping in many contexts. To sustain impact, it must continue to adapt.

To that end, technology, including new digital tools, should be used to enhance the effectiveness of UN policing, supported by strong digital competency within missions.

New technologies can make missions more effective by enhancing operational awareness and deepening community engagement, but only if peacekeepers have the right skills and training to use them.

Second, it is vital that, like all peacekeepers, UN police uphold and reinforce the highest human rights, conduct, and accountability standards.

These principles form the basis of trust with local populations and are critical for mission effectiveness.

Any form of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, is unacceptable.

This requires timely and transparent accountability processes, with consistent national follow-up and publicly accessible reporting on disciplinary results.

Third, we must be clear that the meaningful participation of women in UN policing is an operational necessity, not an optional extra.

As we have heard clearly today, women police strengthen community engagement, broaden access, and improve reporting of conflict-related sexual violence.

For our part, the United Kingdom remains committed to tackling barriers to women’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping, including through our long-standing support for the Elsie Initiative Fund, to which we have pledged a further $685,000 in 2025.

Together, these efforts will help ensure UN policing remains capable, trusted, and effective.

February 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with President Trump of the United States [February 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 February 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke with the President of the United States, Donald Trump today.

On Ukraine, the leaders discussed the ongoing peace negotiations. The Prime Minister expressed his deep concern about Putin’s continued barbaric attacks on innocent civilians, particularly in freezing temperatures.

They also agreed on the importance of the deal to secure the joint UK–US base on Diego Garcia, which remains vital to shared security interests. The UK and US will continue to work closely on the implementation of the deal, they agreed.

February 9, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New prison houseblocks under construction to keep streets safe [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 February 2026.

HMP Northumberland will gain four new houseblocks, boosting its capacity by 240 places, in the latest Government step to make streets safer.
- Four new houseblocks under construction at HMP Northumberland. 
- New workshop with six classrooms to steer prisoners away from crime.
- Latest milestone in Government’s plans to build 14,000 prison places by 2031, as part of the Plan for Change 
The new cells will be fully operational by 2027 and help ensure there is always enough space for dangerous offenders.

The major project will also include the construction of a new workshop containing six classrooms and industry areas – delivering punishment that cuts crime by giving prisoners the skills they need to stop reoffending.

Today’s news is a significant milestone in the Government’s aims to build 14,000 additional prison places by 2031 – with around 2,900 of these having already been built since July 2024. 

Minister for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson said: 

We inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and have wasted no time getting shovels in the ground to fix this – with 2,900 new prison places already opened – which also creates jobs for communities like those in the North East.

Alongside sentencing reform, this will create prisons that cut crime, reduce reoffending, and ensure there are fewer victims in the future.

The build will also create jobs in the North East, with around 70 new permanent roles expected at the prison once the houseblocks are complete.   

The project is being delivered by Kier, a leading provider of infrastructure services, construction and property developments. 
 
The construction follows the opening of the around 1,500-capacity prison in Yorkshire, HMP Millsike, last year. The Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver these prison builds, whilst investing £500 million over two years in prison and probation service maintenance to improve conditions across the estate.  The prison building programme will work alongside sentencing reform, to ensure there is always a cell to lock up the most dangerous offenders.

Background 
- The Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver these prison builds over this spending review period (2026/27 – 2029/30).
February 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous extremists face “supermax” style restrictions behind bars [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 February 2026.

Dangerous extremists will face tougher ‘supermax’ style restrictions behind bars under Government plans to keep frontline staff safer.

‘Supermax’ style restrictions for the most dangerous prisoners

Reforms to protect decisions from litigation and limit payouts to terrorists

Overhaul of separation centres to tackle terror threat behind bars

Updating Parliament today (3 February), the Deputy Prime Minister set out a major overhaul of separation centres to better tackle the unique threat terror offenders pose. This includes exploring ‘supermax’ style controls on the most violent and extreme prisoners, improving how intelligence is collected and used, and reforms to better protect against litigation and limit perverse payouts to terrorists.

The intervention follows the publication of Jonathan Hall KC’s independent review of separation centres, launched in the wake of the horrific attack on staff at HMP Frankland last year. The Government has today published its response, accepting Mr Hall’s recommendations in full and in some areas going further to improve staff safety, bolster the operation of separation centres, and address the growing complexity of radicalised individuals in custody. Key measures include:

A commitment to create a new tiered separation centre system, with the most dangerous extremists facing stricter conditions.

An expert-led review of training for staff working in these units, to ensure it is tailored to the uniquely dangerous environments in which they work.

Strengthening internal processes and considering whether new legislation is required to better protect decisions taken by experienced staff in separation centres from litigation on Article 8 grounds.

Further improving intelligence collection practices to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure intelligence directly informs operational decisions.

This builds on recent Government action to boost protections for officers working in the high-risk settings, investing £15 million into safety equipment including 10,000 stab-proof vests and rolling out Tasers to 500 staff.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:
The horrific attack at HMP Frankland was a stark reminder of the dangers our prison staff face every day…Mr Hall’s review makes serious and wide-reaching recommendations, and our response will be decisive and determined.

Taken together, they will strengthen security, better protect our brave prison staff and reinforce the resilience of our counter-terrorism infrastructure within the estate.

This Government will always stand behind those who stand between the public and danger. We will not shy away from reform and we will never lose sight of our first duty: to keep the British public safe.

Separation centres were created in 2017 to isolate the most pernicious and influential extremist offenders from the mainstream population where they could spread their dangerous ideologies and radicalise others.

The new measures announced today include the commitment to redesign this model, with the creation of tiered separation centres – placing the most violent and disruptive extremists in higher-control conditions inspired by tough restrictions seen in ‘Supermax’ prisons in the United States. Movement between the tiers will only be possible following rigorous risk assessments. Further details will be set out in due course.

The Government is also acting to safeguard separation centre decisions from legal challenges, ensuring staff can focus on managing risk and protecting the public. This includes revising policy to make clear equivalence with the main regime is not required and establishing a new dedicated expert team responsible for drafting and analysing prisoner referrals to the units.

Crucially, as recommended by Mr Hall, this also includes looking at whether new legislation is required to limit the impact of litigation brought on European Convention of Human Rights Article 8 grounds. While the Government remains committed to the Convention, it will explore the full range of options to better protect staff managing terrorists and other dangerous offenders.

February 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : West Midlands to become Government centre for Transport and Infrastructure with new Campus to accelerate regional growth and delivery [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 February 2026.

Communities across the West Midlands will benefit from new high-skilled career opportunities after the government announced a new Transport and Infrastructure Campus, harnessing local expertise to deliver better public investment and services.
- New government campus in the West Midlands to bring together expertise in transport, property, and housing and deliver regional economic growth.
- The hub will support the Government’s commitment to invest at least £725 billion in public infrastructure over the next decade.
- The move brings senior decision-making closer to local communities, creating high-quality career pathways for civil servants in the region.
Communities across the West Midlands will benefit from new high-skilled career opportunities after the government announced a new Transport and Infrastructure Campus, harnessing local expertise to deliver better public investment and services.

The campus will bring together transport, property and housing infrastructure expertise from across multiple departments throughout the West Midlands, a region home to over 35,000 civil servants. This builds on the success of established Government campuses, such as the Darlington Economic Campus, which has led to around 1,000 new high-skilled jobs.

Cabinet Office Minister Anna Turley will announce the campus during a keynote speech at the launch of non-profit initiative The Forward Institute in Birmingham on Monday 2nd February.

Cabinet Office Minister, Anna Turley, said:

The West Midlands is Britain’s transport heartland, and this new campus will harness that regional strength to accelerate the infrastructure projects that communities need.

I am a firm believer that the best ideas often come from those on the frontline. By moving decision-making out of Whitehall and into the West Midlands, we are ensuring decisions are informed by local expertise and deliver real, tangible benefits for every part of the UK.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said:

The West Midlands is a fantastic home for this new Transport and Infrastructure Campus, with a real strength in delivering major projects like the Midland Metro, the expanding SPRINT bus network, and the opening of five new rail stations later this year.

By basing the campus here, we’re backing local expertise and bringing decision‑making closer to communities, helping deliver the infrastructure needed to drive growth across the country.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

We’ve promised to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament, and that means doing things differently. This campus brings together the people and expertise we need to cut through the barriers and help us get Britain building.

Local knowledge, local talent. That’s what I mean when I said build, baby, build.

The campus will bring together expertise from across the region from the Department for Transport, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office to accelerate infrastructure projects, and support the investment of at least £725 billion in public infrastructure over the next decade under the National Infrastructure Strategy.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will support the development of the Campus. They will nominate a senior leader, based in Birmingham, where they will work with the local area and government departments to grow the campus and spread opportunity throughout the West Midlands.

By uniting departments around shared priorities and working alongside frontline workers and local government, the campus will drive national renewal, supporting the building of 1.5 million new homes and fast-tracking 150 major infrastructure projects.

Alongside the recent launch of a new management apprenticeship scheme based in Birmingham – it will allow people to move up through a civil service career right to the most senior levels, without ever having to move away from the West Midlands.

The West Midlands is already one of the largest hubs of civil servants outside of London, with over 35,000 professionals working across the region. Since March 2020, more than 3,200 roles have been relocated to the West Midlands through Places for Growth, including nearly 1,800 to Birmingham.

This announcement builds on the success of existing thematic campuses, such as the recently launched Digital and AI Innovation Campus in Manchester and the Energy Campus in Aberdeen.

The Places for Growth programme is about bringing the civil service closer to the communities it serves, with 34% of UK-based Senior Civil Servants now based outside of London, with the goal for 50% of UK-based Senior Civil Service and Fast Stream roles to be located outside of London by 2030.
February 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : £1 billion resilience fund and next step towards removal of two-child limit provide safety net for families [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 3 February 2026.

Historic legislation to end the two-child limit and lift hundreds and thousands of children out of poverty has moved a step closer to reality today.
- Legislation to end the two-child limit which would deliver the biggest reduction in child poverty in a single parliament on record, has second reading today.
- Comes as Local Authorities receive £1 billion Crisis and Resilience funds which will prevent families from falling into poverty and crisis.
- All part of the landmark Child Poverty Strategy set to tackle the root causes of poverty and deliver security, opportunity, and respect for families across the UK.
Historic legislation to end the two-child limit and lift hundreds and thousands of children out of poverty has moved a step closer to reality today.

As the bill to scrap the two-child limit reaches second reading stage in Parliament, Local Authorities are preparing to deliver the new £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) – the most significant investment in local crisis support in a generation, giving families a genuine safety net to help families with the cost of living.

Launching in April and split across Local Authorities throughout England, the Crisis and Resilience Fund is the first time a multi-year settlement will be in place for crisis support, replacing the annual cliff-edge funding cycle with the long-term certainty councils need to plan ahead and deliver lasting change.

The £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund and brings together Discretionary Housing Payments into a single, streamlined grant. This simplified approach will reduce administrative burden on councils while ensuring families can access the support they need when they need it.

This will allow the fund to act as a genuine safety net to prevent families from falling into poverty by giving Local Authorities the certainty they need to run long-lasting initiatives targeted at the needs of their local area.

Both measures form part of the government’s Child Poverty Strategy, the most ambitious plan to tackle child poverty in a generation. The two-child limit is the biggest single driver of growth in child poverty levels, removing it is the quickest and most cost-effective way to lift 450,000 children out of poverty in the final year of this parliament.

Including measures such as expanded free school meals and free childcare hours, the strategy aims to break the cycle of children growing up in poverty facing worse outcomes in health, education and employment, in turn building a stronger Britain for the future.

Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson, said:

“Families deserve support before a crisis hits, not after. By scrapping the two-child limit and launching a £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund, we’re giving councils the tools to help families build real financial security.

“Growing up in poverty has a significant impact on health, education and employment and lifting 550,000 children out of these circumstances isn’t just about fairness today, it’s about building a stronger Britain for the future.”

Co-designed with Councils and charities, the Government has released guidance on how the funding could be spent including initiatives to join up local services like debt advice and help to access financial support, helping those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and programmes to ensure children do not go hungry during school holidays.

The Minister for Employment will today (3 February) visit Hope4All in Sunderland, where a community-led food club and advice service has cut local food bank reliance by 40% – demonstrating the importance of local initiatives, run by those who understand the needs of their communities.

Sabine Goodwin, Director of the Independent Food Aid Network, said:

“The eagerly awaited Crisis and Resilience Fund is set to be groundbreaking for households living on low incomes in English local authorities. Its newly published guidance outlines the delivery of effective crisis support via prioritised cash payments enabling choice and dignity as well as the need to help residents build financial resilience through bolstered community support.

“Taking a cash-first approach to poverty, this multi-year funding pot has the capacity to reduce the number of people having to turn to charitable food providers and to help fulfil the Government’s commitment to end mass dependence on emergency food parcels.”

Funding for the CRF has been confirmed until 31 March 2029, a significant shift from short-term emergency pots that limited Councils ability to plan ahead and build joined-up services that that would have a meaningful impact on their local community and result in genuine poverty prevention. The £1 billion package replaces the Household Support Fund and incorporates Discretionary Housing Payments, streamlining support into a single grant. Alongside the guidance, provisional allocations have already been shared with all councils.

Emma Revie, co-chief executive at Trussell, said:

We are delighted to see the Crisis and Resilience Fund launched this year, and to have been able to work with the government and our partners to ensure it is designed to provide effective support for people at risk of needing a food bank. Every day, food banks see how people living on the lowest incomes can be quickly tipped into crisis by an unexpected cost or financial shock such as illness or a job loss. Effective crisis support is crucial to prevent people from falling into severe hardship, so they can still afford the essentials we all need.

The new Crisis and Resilience Fund is a vital step towards ensuring no-one is forced to turn to a food bank to get by, and represents important progress on the government’s manifesto commitment to ending the need for emergency food. We welcome its development, which is based on the evidence and insights from our community of food banks and other experts in the Crisis Support Working Group and we look forward to continuing this work in partnership to help end the need for food banks for good.

The government is also taking wider action to help families by driving down the cost of living with measures including increasing the National Living Wage, cutting an average £150 from household energy bills and freezing rail and prescription charges.
February 6, 2026