Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UK provides emergency aid to Afghanistan earthquake victims [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 September 2025.

The UK has announced emergency funding to support families affected by the devastating earthquake which hit Afghanistan.
- Afghan families to receive UK emergency funding following earthquake in eastern Afghanistan which has killed over 800 people
- funding will provide emergency assistance to affected people, including the provision of essential healthcare to women
- support demonstrates UK’s longstanding commitment to the Afghan people
The UK has, today, announced emergency funding to support families affected by the devastating earthquake which hit Afghanistan on Sunday. Victims of the earthquake, which killed over 800 people and injured thousands, will receive immediate humanitarian support.

These funds will be split equally between the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Red Cross (IFRC) to deliver critical healthcare and emergency supplies to Afghans in the most affected regions.

All UK assistance is channelled through experienced partners, ensuring aid reaches those in need and does not go to the Taliban.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

News of the earthquake in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan is truly tragic. The UK remains committed to the people of Afghanistan, and this emergency funding will help our partners to deliver critical healthcare and emergency supplies to the most hard-hit.

The UK remains grateful to the aid workers on the ground, who help us to provide support to Afghanistan’s most vulnerable people.

The £1 million in emergency funding will contribute to UNFPA’s earthquake response, including mobile health teams, emergency medical kits, dignity kits and shelters for displaced families. UNFPA teams will also provide maternal healthcare and psychological support at existing facilities in Kunar – the worst-affected province.

Meanwhile funding to the IFRC will support their mobilisation of local volunteers for search and rescue operations, and deployment of ambulances to transport wounded Afghans to health centres.

Mountainous terrain and recent flooding have restricted access to many areas hit by the earthquake, adding to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, where over 23 million people already require assistance.

This emergency response builds on the UK’s substantial humanitarian commitment to Afghanistan. The UK allocated £171 million in 2024 to 2025 to support Afghanistan’s most vulnerable people, particularly women and girls.

The UK works with international partners to strengthen global safety and security, and safeguard human rights. Fostering stability overseas ensures our security in the UK too, helping us deliver our Plan for Change.

Background
- women and girls accounted for at least 50% of beneficiaries reached by FCDO’s support to Afghanistan in financial year 2024 to 2025
- in financial year 2024 to 2025, UK support to Afghanistan provided at least:
  - 2,715,000 people with humanitarian assistance, including water and sanitation, food, nutrition, health and cash/voucher, of which 1,782,000 were women and girls
  - 1,274,000 people with cash or voucher transfers, of which 615,000 were women & girls. This includes cash for food, health, shelter repair, agricultural support, essential household items (eg blankets) and winterisation
September 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Justice Secretary introduces democratic lock over Sentencing Council [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 September 2025.
- New legal requirement for Sentencing Council guidelines to be agreed by the Justice Secretary before they are issued
- Lady Chief Justice will also need to explicitly approve any new guidelines
- Part of Government’s Plan for Change to build public confidence in the justice system
The Sentencing Council will be unable to issue new guidelines without the explicit approval of the Justice Secretary, strengthening democratic oversight of the body. The approval of the Lady Chief Justice will also be required before new guidelines are issued.

Today’s news follows a disagreement between the Justice Secretary and Sentencing Council earlier this year over planned new guidelines which the Justice Secretary argued would result in “a clear example of differential treatment” and risked “undermining public confidence in a justice system that is built on the idea of equality before the law”.

While a new law introduced in June blocked these sentencing guidelines, the Justice Secretary is clear the Council should not be allowed to stray into setting policy without the direction of Parliament and committed to “right the democratic deficit that has been uncovered”.

As part of the Sentencing Bill, introduced in the House of Commons today, both the Justice Secretary and the Lady Chief Justice will be given individual – and separate – powers requiring them to approve any future guidelines before they can be issued.

Enshrined in law, this means any new directive issued by the Sentencing Council will require the explicit approval of both. If the either oppose the guidance, it will not be issued.

The new powers will end a historic democratic deficit, ensuring Parliament’s legitimate role in setting the sentencing framework is recognised and upheld, while maintaining and strengthening judicial and democratic oversight.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood said:

Individual sentencing decisions will always be the responsibility of the independent judiciary – and this is something I will staunchly defend.

However, policy must be set by parliamentarians, who answer to the people.

Government and Parliament have a legitimate role in setting the sentencing framework. It is right that we now have greater democratic and judicial oversight of the direction of the Council’s work and the final guidelines they publish.

The move forms part of wider reforms to sentencing policy as set out in today’s Sentencing Bill. This landmark legislation also includes measures to ensure prisons never run out of space again, including Texas-style earned release sentences and bold new action to toughen up community punishment.

This comes alongside the Government’s prison building programme, the largest expansion in the estate since the Victorian era. The Government has already opened 2,500 new places since taking office, and has invested £7bn in construction, on track to deliver 14,000 places by 2031.

Tens of thousands more offenders will also be tagged and monitored thanks to a huge boost in investment for the Probation Service, with an increase of up to £700 million by 2028/29, up 45 percent from the current budget.

There will also be a requirement for the Council to seek approval from the Justice Secretary of its annual business plan. The reforms do not interfere with the independence of judges in making individual sentencing decisions.
September 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Supermarket staff receive industry leading pay rise as Minister celebrates businesses going above and beyond to support their workers [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 1 September 2025.

Employment Rights Minister visits an Aldi supermarket in Watford following the retailer’s decision to make its staff the best paid in the UK.
- Store assistants at Aldi to receive a big pay boost from today as the retailer becomes among the first to pay at least £13.02 per hour to all staff.
- Minister visits store to celebrate businesses putting money back in the pockets of working people in line with the government’s Plan for Change.
- Move builds on existing steps to support around 3 million working people and their families through April’s minimum wage increases, including record rises for younger workers.
One of the UK’s leading supermarkets has introduced a big pay boost for its store assistants today as Aldi becomes the first supermarket to pay staff over £13 per hour.

The move builds on Aldi’s status as the only retailer to offer all workers paid breaks, worth approximately £1,425 per year for the average store colleague and demonstrates how forward-thinking businesses are recognising that good pay and strong rights are key factors in retaining and increasing productivity in their workforce.

During a visit this morning to Aldi’s branch in Watford, Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders joined workers and executives in celebrating this latest investment by Aldi, a decision which demonstrates how businesses can lead the way in Making Work Pay. The Minister discussed the contribution this, and other businesses increasing pay, will have on raising living standards across the country alongside the government’s Plan for Change.

Aldi’s new minimum rate of £13.02 nationwide, rising to £14.35 within the M25, and increasing to £14.66 with length of service, is above the recently uplifted National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour. This will also be paid to staff regardless of age, a move in step with the government’s ambition to end discriminatory age bands which allow 18-20 year olds from being paid less than their older peers, and the Low Pay Commission is to consult on removing following its new remit.

Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said:

Paying workers a good wage isn’t just the right thing to do; it creates a strong workplace culture and saves businesses money through better productivity and staff retention.

Our Plan for Change has already put thousands back in the pockets of workers through our increases the minimum wage, and it’s great to see businesses like Aldi going above and beyond to deliver higher pay that truly shows how they value their workforce.

The changes to the National Minimum Wage come as part of the plan to Make Work Pay, working alongside the Employment Rights Bill to deliver the biggest uplift to workers’ rights in a generation.

15 million, or half of all, workers are set to benefit from new entitlements such as improved access to flexible working, the end of exploitative zero hours contracts through a right to guaranteed hours, and day one rights to sick pay, parental leave and protection against unfair dismissal.

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said:

Our colleagues are at the heart of our success, and we’re committed to ensuring they are fully rewarded for the outstanding work they do.

This higher than planned pay rise is part of our promise to never be beaten on pay.

The Minister’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to working with the millions of businesses that recognise the value of investing in their workforce and supporting employees with fair pay that reflects the hard work they put in every day.

NOTES TO EDITORS
- When setting the minimum wage rates, the Low Pay Commission also factors in costs to businesses and whether rises to the National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage are affordable.
- Earlier this year:
- The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over rose from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour.
- The National Minimum Wage for 18- to 20-year-olds rose from £8.60 to £10.00 per hour.
- The apprenticeship rate, and for 16- to 17-year-olds rose from £6.40 per hour to £7.55 per hour.
September 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : MP Paul Waugh visits Littleborough Flood Scheme as construction continues [September 2025]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 1 September 2025.

MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh, has viewed progress of the scheme during a site visit. Once complete, the scheme will better protect 337 homes and 185 businesses.

Work on the Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme continues to progress in 2025, with construction activity under way across key sites. The scheme is designed to reduce flood risk to homes, businesses, and community facilities that have been previously affected by severe flooding.

As part of his visit, Rochdale MP Paul Waugh toured several active construction areas and met with project staff to see first-hand how the scheme is developing.

He was shown the advancing works on the Gale West reservoir outlet structure, where the concrete outlet is taking shape and protective trash screens are being installed to maintain a steady flow of water and prevent blockages.

Mr Waugh also viewed the development of the new River Roch diversion, a channel designed to carry water from the existing river course into the reservoir once complete. Here, the construction of robust clay embankments along Greenvale Business Park and the railway line is also taking place, which will form the key boundaries of the reservoir and play a vital role in its long-term resilience.

Paul Waugh, Rochdale’s MP, said:

We know all too well in Rochdale and Littleborough the devastation caused by floods like the one we had in 2015.

So it was encouraging to see firsthand the progress made on this huge engineering project, which will protect so many homes and vital local businesses from future floods.

The EA team and VolkerStevin engineers explained the complexities of the project but also their commitment to try to protect local residents as much as possible from the noise of the works and the loss of amenities such as footpaths and trees.

Neil Johnson, Project Manager at the Environment Agency Said:

The Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme is making good progress and it was a pleasure to show Mr Waugh the latest construction works.

Once complete, the scheme will better protect homes and businesses in the area from flooding, while also improving resilience to future climate challenges.

For more information and updates on the scheme, visit the Flood Hub or download the Volker Engage app, which allows residents and businesses to receive regular construction updates and share feedback directly with the project team.

September 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Regulator opens next phase of investigation into 105 charities connected to company cashing cheques [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Charity Commission on 1 September 2025.

The Charity Commission has announced the next 10 charities entering a class inquiry it opened in May 2025.

Earlier this year, the Charity Commission for England and Wales announced a statutory class inquiry into a group of charities where there is evidence that they have issued cheques which were then exchanged for cash.

Following an unannounced visit by HMRC to a company in Hackney, 105 charities were found to have cashed cheques with it to a value of £22 million between December 2021 and March 2023.

In May 2025 the Commission announced the inquiry and the details of first 10 charities entered into it.

The Commission has now extended this inquiry to include the following 10 charities:
Using powers available to the Commission during an inquiry, the regulator will determine the facts around how these charities have transferred funds. It will also investigate how trustees had oversight of what happened to funds exchanged for the cheques, and if this cash has been used properly to support what the charities were set up to do. The Commission will seek to establish how trustees determined that these financial transactions were in their charity’s best interests.

The regulator has issued an immediate order to temporarily stop any of the charities under inquiry from issuing cheques without its prior consent.

The scope of the inquiry may also be extended if additional regulatory issues emerge during the Commission’s investigation.

Notes to editors:
1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Find out more: About us – The Charity Commission – GOV.UK
2. A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity, or class of charities and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation. An inquiry will investigate and establish the facts of the case so that the Commission can determine the extent of any misconduct and/or mismanagement; the extent of the risk to the charity, its work, property, beneficiaries, employees or volunteers; and decide what action is needed to resolve the concerns.
3. The Commission published a press release on gov.uk to announce the first tranche of charities which entered the class inquiry.
4. The latest charities entered the inquiry in July and August 2025.
September 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : War against tree beetle sees eradications around England [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Forestry Commission on 1 September 2025.

Killer spruce tree pest has now been successfully eradicated from all 13 outbreak sites in England identified in 2021.

The government’s world-leading eradication programme has successfully eradicated the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle from all outbreak sites in England that were identified in 2021, it has been revealed today (Monday 1 September).

The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle known as Ips typographus is a serious pest of spruce trees in Europe which was first identified in the UK in 2018. It prefers stressed or dying trees but under the right conditions it can attack healthy trees.

Successful elimination by the Forestry Commission at the 13 outbreak sites follows three years of monitoring on site for beetle presence, gathering data and carrying out regular surveillance to determine eradication and prevent the establishment of breeding beetles. This illustrates that the policy approach and operational activity led by the Forestry Commission and Forest Research is proving successful in limiting the risk of the pest establishing in the UK. If left unmanaged, the pest could significantly threaten Great Britain’s forestry and timber industries putting an estimated 725,000 hectares of spruce, with a value of £2.9 billion, at risk of infestation and damage. 725,000 hectares is an area the size of Cumbria.

Continued vigilance is urged, however, following a new very small finding in July which has been identified in Lincolnshire. This was identified as part of continued surveillance to identify outbreaks. Current evidence suggests outbreaks are the results from blow over of the pest from the European mainland where it is endemic. There is no evidence of spread – or of impacts on healthy spruce – in the UK. We’re urging landowners and land managers to report any Ips typographus sightings immediately via Tree Alert to help reduce the risk of the pest spreading.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said:

“We are very encouraged by the fact that our world-leading programme has successfully eradicated the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle from 2021 outbreak sites.

“We are seeing with a changing climate an ever increasing risk from pests and diseases and it requires a huge effort by the Plant Health Service to manage outbreaks.”

Forestry Commission Director of Forest Services Dr Anna Brown said:

“The success of our eradication and monitoring programme shows that we are managing to keep this pest from establishing in England, but this takes a huge amount of effort and the continued support of the woodland and forestry sector.

“Spruce is important for our current timber security, and it is vital that we remain vigilant, especially with this warm weather which results in a heightened risk of trees becoming stressed and more vulnerable to pest and disease threats. There is no evidence of spread within the UK, but all landowners and land managers should continue to check the health of spruce trees on their land.”

Woodland managers, landowners and the forestry sector are urged to remain on guard following recent weather conditions which mean there is an increased risk of an Ips typographus infestation, and to continue to comply with ongoing restrictions for movement of spruce material and methods of forest operations in the Demarcated Area.

Additional information:
- After eradication, outbreak sites are monitored for beetle presence over three years, gathering data and carrying out regular surveillance activities. Extensive surveillance on these sites shows no ongoing presence of breeding Ips typographus, following exhaustive removal of susceptible spruce on each site to prevent establishment and onward spread.
- All outbreak sites are subject to robust eradication action in line with the Ips typographus contingency plan.
- Landowners, land managers and timber processors are encouraged to report any sightings immediately via Tree Alert to help reduce the risk of the pest spreading.
- A grant is available within the Proactive Spruce Removal Area as part of the Tree Health Pilot.
- A map indicating the ‘Proactive Spruce Removal area’ is available via this link.
- An updated Outbreak Sites Summary Map is available via this link
- Defra will host a workshop later this year, to continue to exchange knowledge with the international plant health community on innovative and technological solutions for managing bark beetle pests.
- Volunteers from England, Wales and Scotland who have spruce growing in woodland that they own or manage, and who are willing to host and collect samples by installing a spruce bark beetle trap, are wanted for a national monitoring project to help prevent the potential spread of Ips typographus. This project is run by Forest Research, Forestry Commission and the Sylva Foundation. By taking part in this project, you can become part of an early warning system and help prompt action to be taken to limit the impacts of this pest.
- A new Spruce Site Assessment grant is set to be launched to accelerate the removal of susceptible spruce across the highest risk areas to support landowners through the process of removing spruce from their land. This will help landowners gather information on what spruce is on their land, its condition and the associated costs of removing it as well as any grant funding they may be eligible for.
- More details will be announced in the autumn.
September 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister appoints Chief Secretary and Chief Economic Advisor [September 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 September 2025.

Today the Prime Minister is bolstering the Downing Street operation as this government delivers on the country’s priorities: growth people feel in their pockets, secure borders, and getting the NHS back on its feet.

The return of parliament marks a new term and a ramping up of the next phase of this government’s domestic agenda– relentless delivery on our Plan for Change.

The Prime Minister has today appointed Rt Hon Darren Jones MP as the Chief Secretary (Minister of State) to the Prime Minister and No10 Downing Street.

The Chief Secretary role is a new appointment which will work collaboratively across UK Government to drive forward progress in key policy areas, reporting directly to the Prime Minister.

The Ministerial role, based within No10 Downing Street, will directly oversee work across Government to support the delivery of the Prime Minister’s priorities and the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister (Minister of State) will attend Cabinet.

In addition, the Prime Minister has directly appointed Baroness Shafik as his Chief Economic Advisor to support the Prime Minister on economic affairs. This role and the additional expertise will support the Government to go further and faster in driving economic growth and raising living standards for all.

Baroness (Minouche) Shafik is a world leading economist, whose career has straddled public policy and academia.

She served as the Permanent Secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, where she sat on the monetary, financial and prudential policy committees.

She was also President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Columbia University and taught at the Wharton Business School and Georgetown University.

She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2015 and became a crossbench peer in the House of Lords in 2020.

September 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Ministerial Appointments [September 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 September 2025.

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
- The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP as Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) at the Cabinet Office.
- James Murray MP as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
- Daniel Tomlinson MP as a Parliamentary Secretary (Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury) in His Majesty’s Treasury.
Background:

Darren Jones and James Murray will attend Cabinet.
September 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor appoints growth adviser Professor John Van Reenen [September 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 September 2025.

Professor John Van Reenen has been appointed by the Chancellor as an adviser on economic growth.
- John Van Reenen will help deliver the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and raise living standards right across the country, under the Plan for Change.
- London School of Economics Professor will advise the Chancellor, as a productivity expert.
- Part-time unpaid appointment starts in September and will last for 12 months.
He previously worked as Chair of the Chancellor’s Council of Economic Advisers before returning to his role as Ronald Coase School Professor at the London School of Economics. John will now report directly to the Chancellor as a direct ministerial appointment, continuing to focus on the Plan for Change’s growth mission.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

We have fixed the foundations by securing economic stability, delivering three major trade deals and becoming the fastest growing economy in the G7 – but we still have work to do to build an economy that works for working people.

John’s continued commitment will help us deliver the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and raise living standards right across the country.

He brings extensive experience from his background in academia where he has focussed on productivity, how companies perform, and the impact of innovation, as well as from his year supporting the government’s growth mission in his prior tole.

John Van Reenen said:

I am delighted to continue working with the Chancellor in this advisory role – utilising my research and experience to help drive forward productivity, investment and ultimately growth into the UK.

John will work one day a week without pay. The appointment will begin in September and last for 12 months. (The appointment may be extended.)

Established processes for the declaration and management of interests have been followed in respect of this appointment. The Terms of Reference for this appointment can be found here: Terms of reference: John Van Reenen (PDF, 41.3 KB, 1 page).
September 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Over half a million children to benefit from funded childcare [September 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 1 September 2025.

The government has delivered its pledge to fund childcare for 30 hours a week – saving parents £7,500 a year per child, and putting more money in their pockets.

Take-up is expected to be over and above initial projections, with over half a million kids on track to be more school ready by age 5 as we give every child the best start in life.

This also delivers a boost to economic growth as exclusive new government polling finding nearly a third (29%) of parents say the support will enable them to up their work hours.

The economic benefits will be felt more widely, helping businesses keep skilled staff and widen the talent pool available to boost productivity and raise living standards – two critical parts of the government’s mission to grow the economy.

Welcomed by business leaders like the British Chambers of Commerce, this is an investment in the next generation, breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every child, regardless of where they are from, gets the best start in life so they can go on to succeed at school, enter high-quality jobs, and contribute to the country’s future prosperity.

For grandparents who provide childcare support during the working week, the expansion is making a difference – allowing them to step back from daily duties and enjoy quality time with their grandchildren, while parents return to work with confidence.

This comes as polling shows over 9 in 10 families have secured one of their top three preferred providers, backed by our support for the sector to ensure it can keep up with the increased uptake in places, with total funding rising to £9 billion next year.

As we unblock the barriers that have held children back, today parents will be able to access an all-new Best Start in Life website to offer support beyond the nursery door, with everything they need to give their children the best start in their early years and beyond.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Launching 30 hours of free childcare is a promise made and a promise delivered. It’s a landmark moment for working families across the country, and a clear sign that our Plan for Change is not just words – it’s action.

We said we’d put money back in working parents’ pockets and give children the best start in life, and today we’re doing just that.

And we’re not stopping here. With the launch of beststartinlife.gov.uk, we’re giving families the tools, advice and confidence they need to raise happy, healthy children – wherever they’re born and whatever their background.

The Best Start in Life website brings together trusted information, guidance, and support into one place where parents will be able to check what childcare help they’re eligible for, find their local family services, sign up for tailored weekly updates, and access advice from everything from pregnancy to preparing a child for school.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

Today shows what change looks like – mums, dads and carers with pounds back in their pockets, children getting the best start in life, and the British economy given a huge boost.

It was never going to be easy, but against all odds we’ve delivered through our Plan for Change.

And this is just the beginning. My vision for early years goes beyond this milestone. I want access to high-quality early years for every single family that needs it, without strings and without unfair charges.

Over the next few years, that is my commitment to parents.

We know more hours spent in formal early years education means more children are ready to start school. This leads to better outcomes for children, more opportunities to lift their life chances and stronger social cohesion that binds us all together. It’s vital that we get this right, so the government is determined to go further and faster – making access to high-quality childcare a right, where previously it was either unaffordable or out of reach.

A recent Coram survey shows the real difference these reforms are already making – with costs for families accessing 15 hours more than halved.

And with government championing the High Court’s ruling that access to the 30 hours must be without mandatory additional unfair charges, experiences for parents are only set to keep improving.

Victoria, from Gloucester, credits the 30 hours for her ability to balance being a single mother, and full-time headteacher:

The impact of the government-funded hours on women is huge.

I work five days a week without any family support. The government-funded hours are going to save me about £600 a month, but they also mean I can continue my career.

Without them, I’d likely have to cut my working hours. This rollout is a significant step forward in women’s rights and workplace participation.

In the months ahead, the Best Start in Life website will expand with new guidance and content, becoming a go-to destination for families navigating the early years and beyond – so they can play their vital role in getting their children school-ready.

Helen Donohoe, Head of Coram PACEY comments:

We welcome the Government’s expansion of the funded early years offer, which from September will enable more working families to access high-quality early education and childcare for children from nine months right up until school.

Childminders, in particular, are a fantastic choice for our youngest children and babies, providing a flexible and nurturing “home from home” environment that supports children’s early learning, wellbeing and development. That early support goes beyond education – childminders often become a lifeline offering care, advice and support to families when it’s needed most.

This expansion is a positive step towards giving every child the best start in life and improving access and affordability for families, while creating opportunities for early years providers to grow and strengthen their role in the community.

Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

The further rollout of free childcare in England is a welcome development for businesses, employees and the wider economy.

Our research shows too many people feel they have missed out on career progression because of the difficulty in finding affordable quality childcare. Others have quit their jobs, because of the pressures of juggling family and work life.

Removing barriers to employment is a crucial ingredient to help businesses drive forward economic growth.

Ensuring parents can access childcare where and when they need it, will help firms recruit and retain skilled employees, who are at the heart of thriving businesses.

September 1, 2025