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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Further housing credits for nutrient mitigation scheme announced [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Further housing credits for nutrient mitigation scheme announced [October 2023]

    The press release issued by Natural England on 2 October 2023.

    Next steps for the nutrient mitigation scheme confirmed, adding to the 50,000 new homes nationwide already with mitigation agreed.

    New opportunities for developers in the Tees catchment to unlock new housing whilst protecting the environment are now available, Natural England has announced today (2 October).

    The third round of credit sales under the national Nutrient Mitigation Scheme will enable development to take place by supporting efforts to reduce nutrient pollution across freshwater sites.

    Excess nitrate and phosphate pollution from livestock farming, sewage treatment works and septic tanks causes serious damage to waterways, negatively impacting wildlife and the quality of life for those who live nearby.

    Wastewater from new developments exacerbates this issue, placing additional pressure on fragile freshwater ecosystems, but if development takes place alongside suitable mitigation, the additional damage can be avoided.

    Developers in the Tees catchment will be able to purchase credits to offset the impact of development and create new areas for wildlife, such as wetlands. Previous rounds of credits unlocked 3,500 homes, with credits sourced for another 4,500 homes before April 2024 which has seen over 260 hectares – or 184 football pitches – created for wildlife.

    Marian Spain, Chief Executive at Natural England, said:

    This next tranche of credits provides the certainty needed to enable homes to be built while protecting a wide variety of internationally important species including wading birds, insects and special plants.

    If we are to meet our legally binding obligations to halt the decline in nature, it is vital we take concerted action to protect these habitats with all sectors needing to reduce their impact to help protect the environment. We will continue to work with government to deliver practical solutions that help nature recovery.

    The Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, first announced in July 2022, is led by Natural England in partnership with Defra and DLUHC. The scheme is being supported by up to £30 million investment from the government to speed up delivery.

    Since being directed by the government to create the mitigation scheme in July 2022, Natural England has so far provided advice and the provision of credits to other enabled mitigation schemes which, in total, will allow over 50,000 homes to be built.

    This has enabled local authorities and developers to bring forward the housing that is right for their area, while protecting fragile rivers, lakes, estuaries and wildlife from any further damage as the result of nutrient pollution.

    The government has said that in the near term, it is important that planning decision-making continues in the areas affected on the basis of the current legal framework meaning that where mitigation is available, local authorities and developers should seek to progress sites.

    Work continues to identify future sites which will be suitable for mitigation schemes to drive nature recovery while providing the homes the country needs.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister Rutley to emphasise safety and security on visit to Turks and Caicos [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister Rutley to emphasise safety and security on visit to Turks and Caicos [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2023.

    The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister for the Americas & Caribbean visits UK Overseas Territory Turks and Caicos Islands.

    UK Minister for the Americas & the Caribbean, David Rutley MP, has arrived in Turks and Caicos for a 3-day visit.

    During his visit, Minister Rutley will meet the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Premier of Turks and Caicos, Honourable Charles Washington Misick, to share concerns about ongoing gang violence on the island and emphasise the UK’s continued commitment to providing security measures and resources to protect residents.

    In light of the particularly high levels of irregular migration the Turks and Caicos Islands face from Haiti, the minister will also visit the Maritime Operations Centre. Here he will see first-hand how the radar station is being used to aid the detection of illegal sloop boats.

    The minister will then visit the Marine Branch headquarters in Long Bay where he will be met by Assistant Superintendent Everet Warrican and Superintendent Mat Newton to hear about the headquarters’ vital work.

    UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, David Rutley said:

    The safety of residents in Turks and Caicos has always been of paramount importance to the UK government. During my visit, I will be meeting with the Premier and Governor to reiterate the UK’s support for reducing the ongoing gang violence.

    I also look forward to meeting the local law enforcement officials who are at the frontline of keeping residents safe and protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.

    During his visit, the minister will meet staff at the Serious Crimes Investigation Unit, which is funded through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The expert unit provides analytical support to the local police force to tackle serious crime. He will also visit the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force’s Tactical Response Unit and be given a tour of the Dock Yard and Five Cay area on board an armoured response vehicle.

    Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, welcomed the minister’s arrival and commented:

    I’m delighted to welcome the Minister to Turks and Caicos Islands. During his visit, he will be visiting some of our core security facilities and meeting teams that are working hard to keep our residents safe from violence. Our goal continues to be to create a safe, secure and prosperous Turks and Caicos for all.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Consultation to launch on minimum service levels in universities [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Consultation to launch on minimum service levels in universities [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 2 October 2023.

    Consultation launched in response to concerns about the impact of strike action on university students and providers.

    The government will launch a consultation on minimum service levels in universities, the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced today.

    Students and universities will be encouraged to share their views on the impact of strike action.

    The consultation will focus on stronger protections for final year students, key cohorts or those studying specialist subjects. If introduced, the minimum service level could ensure students get the education they pay for, protecting them from strike action, for example looking at how to guarantee continued services such as teaching contact hours and marking their work during walkouts.

    Previous strike action has resulted in lost learning at critical times during students’ education.

    The move builds on reforms announced earlier this year to improve the quality of university degrees for students by making sure universities are accountable for how students are progressing through their courses and what they will earn after graduation.

    The Office for Students has been asked to limit the number of students universities can recruit onto courses that have high drop-out rates, don’t lead to good jobs and leave young people with poor pay and high debts.

    Today’s announcement is another step in a series of long-term decisions to ensure a bright future for all children and young people, whether it be starting school, through to going to university or undertaking an apprenticeship.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 2 October 2023.

    Mobile phone use to be banned during the school day, including at break times, new guidance recommends.

    Mobile phone use should be banned in schools across England to improve behaviour, the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced today.

    New guidance from the Department for Education will back head teachers in banning mobile phone use throughout the school day, including at break times, to tackle disruptive behaviour and online bullying while boosting attention during lessons. It aims to support the wider work the government is doing to raise standards in schools by increasing students’ focus and reducing distractions.

    This ban supports the hard work of teachers and education staff – and continues to build on government’s reforms backed up by the highest level of funding for schools in history, in real terms, of nearly £60 billion by 2024-25.

    The move will bring England in line with other countries that have already implemented a ban, including France, Italy and Portugal. It follows warnings from the United Nations on the risks of smartphones in schools and government data that found around a third (29%) of secondary school pupils reported mobile phones being used when they were not supposed to in most, or all, lessons.

    If schools fail to implement the new guidance, the government will consider legislating in the future to make the guidance statutory.

    Tom Bennett, school behaviour advisor said:

    This is a fantastic move forward for ensuring that students are able to work, learn and grow in a place free from the distracting influence of mobile phones. Schools that have already banned them report that students are safer, happier and able to focus far more than they were before- and it’s popular with them too.

    And heads should now be reassured that their efforts to keep schools mobile-free will be backed by the DfE. This is a positive and progressive step forward.

    The guidance will set out limited exemptions where necessary – for example, where children require their phones for medical reasons.

    The ban builds on a £10 million investment in behaviour hubs which support up to 700 schools to improve behaviour alongside the appointment of a new behavioural taskforce led by DfE’s behaviour tsar Tom Bennett.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Seven Scottish towns to share £140 million to improve long-term future [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Seven Scottish towns to share £140 million to improve long-term future [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 October 2023.

    Prime Minister announces 55 UK towns each to be given £20m endowment-style funds each over 10 years to invest in local people’s priorities.

    Seven Scottish towns have been named by the Prime Minister as part of £1.1 billion levelling up investment being provided to 55 towns across the UK.

    Clydebank, Coatbridge, Dumfries, Elgin, Irvine, Greenock and Kilmarnock will each receive £20 million from the UK Government as part of a long-term investment plan for towns that have been overlooked and taken for granted.

    The money will be provided directly by the UK Government to the relevant local authority and we will work with them and the Scottish Government to take a place-centred approach which maximises investment and opportunity.

    Under the new approach, local people will be put in charge, and given the tools to change their town’s long-term future. They will:

    • Receive a ten-year endowment-style fund to be spent on local people’s priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety.
    • Set up a Town Board to bring together community leaders, employers and local authorities to deliver the Long-Term Plan for their town and put it to local people for consultation.

    More than half the UK population live in towns, but half-empty high streets, run-down town centres and anti-social behaviour undermine towns in every part of the UK. Today’s announcement marks a change in approach that will put an end to people feeling like their town is ignored and empower communities to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people.

    This plan builds on the UK Government’s central mission to level up the UK by putting more power and money in the hands of people who know their areas best to build a brighter future for their community, creating bespoke initiatives that will spark the regeneration needed.

    Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

    Towns are the place most of us call home and where most of us go to work. But politicians have always taken towns for granted and focused on cities.

    The result is the half-empty high streets, run-down shopping centres and anti-social behaviour that undermine many towns’ prosperity and hold back people’s opportunity – and without a new approach, these problems will only get worse.

    That changes today. Our Long-Term Plan for Towns puts funding in the hands of local people themselves to invest in line with their priorities, over the long-term. That is how we level up.

    Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove said:

    We know that in our towns the values of hard work and solidarity, common sense and common purpose, endeavour and quiet patriotism have endured across generations. But for too long, too many of our great British towns have been overlooked and undervalued.

    We are putting this right through our Long-Term Plan for Towns backed by over £1bn of levelling up funding. This will empower communities in every part of the UK to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people. It will mean more jobs, more opportunities and a brighter future for our towns and the people who live and work in them.

    Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

    I wholeheartedly welcome the launch of the UK Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns. It’s great to see that seven Scottish towns will benefit from £20 million each from the latest round of levelling up funding which so far has seen us invest more than £2.4 billion right across Scotland to help grow our economy and level up the country.

    I look forward to seeing these towns – and the communities within them – use this investment to breathe new life into the places where they live, work and play.

    ‘Our Long-Term Plan for Towns’, published today, is carefully designed to complement the wider levelling up programme, working alongside funding for specific projects across the UK, our targeted support to the places most in need through Levelling Up Partnerships, and initiatives supporting economic growth in wider city regions like investment zones.

    The Long-Term Plan for Towns will require town boards to develop their own long-term plan for their town, with funding over 10 years and aligned to the issues that research shows people want the most, such as:

    • Improving transport and connections to make travel easier for residents and increase visitor numbers in centres to boost opportunities for small businesses and create jobs.
    • Tackling crime and anti social behaviour to keep residents safe and encourage visitors through better security measures and hotspot policing
    • Enhancing town centres to make high streets more attractive and accessible, including repurposing empty shops for new housing, creating more green spaces, cleaning up streets or running market days

    Local people will be at the heart of decisions, through direct membership of a new Towns Board, which will include community groups, MPs, businesses, cultural and sports organisations, public sector agencies and local authorities for each town and through a requirement to engage local people on the long-term plan for each town.

    The Government has also announced a new ‘Towns Taskforce, sitting in the Department for Levelling Up and reporting directly to the Prime Minister and Levelling Up Secretary. This will help town boards to develop their plans, and advise them on how best to take advantage of government policies, unlock private and philanthropic investment and work with communities.

    A new ‘High Streets and Towns Task Force’ will also be established, building on the success of the existing version, providing each selected town with bespoke, hands-on support.

    Further information

    Towns have been allocated funding according to the Levelling Up Needs Index which takes into account metrics covering skills, pay, productivity and health, as well as the Index of Multiple Deprivation to ensure funding goes directly to the towns which will benefit most, without new competitions or unnecessary hurdles. A full methodology note will be published.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches review of regulators to cut red tape and bureaucracy [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches review of regulators to cut red tape and bureaucracy [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 October 2023.

    Review set up to cut burdens for businesses in new post-Brexit regulatory framework and improve customer outcomes.

    • Cut burdens for businesses in new post-Brexit regulatory framework and improve customer outcomes
    • Seeking to establish what works well, what needs improving and boost performance
    • Around 90 regulators in the UK covering most sectors cost around £5 billion a year

    The UK Government is today announcing an in-depth review into all regulators across the country. The 12 week call for evidence will seek to capitalise on our post-Brexit freedoms to bring about Smarter Regulation to the economy. The review will seek to ensure regulators are working efficiently and delivering on reforms needed to help grow the economy and protect consumers.

    The 12 week call for evidence will seek views of businesses, consumers and regulators to establish areas that are working well as well as where regulators could improve. It comes as part of the wider Smarter Regulation Programme, which aims to bring about more effective and less burdensome regulations across the economy.

    There are 90 regulators in the UK, and 39 per cent of small businesses say red tape holds them back. This review will identify the changes to the regulatory landscape that will really make a difference to economic growth, as well as improving the outcomes for consumers and our environment.

    Businesses have made clear that burdensome regulations have hampered growth, which is why we are taking this action – the UK government is firmly backing business.

    Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said:

    “I want us to use our Brexit freedoms to scrap unnecessary regulations that hold back firms and hamper growth. It’s clear that the regulators that enforce the rules can also sometimes be a blocker to businesses, so our review will seek to root out the bad practices with the aim of making companies’ lives easier and reducing costs for consumers.”

    The principal focus of this call for evidence is to understand what works well and what could be improved in how regulators operate to deliver for the sectors they serve.

    It seeks views on regulatory agility; proportionality; predictability and consistency of approach. It will also consider whether there are any further steps we can take to reform the existing stock of regulation on the UK Statute book (both Retained EU Law and wider regulations).

    Regulators play a crucial role in protecting consumers rights,  workers’ rights and the environment which is why no reforms will come at the expense of the UK’s already high standards.

    It comes as many businesses, consumer groups and other industry leaders have expressed their concern over the operation and enforcement of regulation by independent regulators. Broadly, these criticisms fall into three categories:

    • The regulatory landscape is a crowded space, with too many regulators having too many duties to trade-off against each other meaning consistency across regulators and a clear direction on what good looks like is essential.
    • Regulator behaviour, risk appetite and overall performance is not as it should be. Businesses/industry groups argue that regulators are overly risk averse and focus too heavily on process, and that this is at the expense of delivering the best outcomes.
    • Regulator powers and accountability have not moved in tandem, in part because of the increased decision-making power of some regulators now that decisions are taken at a UK- (not EU-) level.

    This work is complementary to existing work in train, including the more specific review of Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom – which also forms part of the Smarter Regulation Programme.

    This is the next step in the government’s programme of Smarter Regulation and deregulation. We have already launched a series of consultations and reviews into the growth duty for larger regulators, the UK’s product safety review and fire safety for domestic appliances – these have all been aimed at improving safety, cutting business burdens and improving regulations for the economy.

    Across the UK, there are 90 regulators, and 39 per cent of small businesses say red tape holds them back. Which is why this review will work to identify the changes to the regulatory landscape that will really make a difference to economic growth, as well as improving the outcomes for consumers and our environment.

    The findings will help to improve regulators right across government to ensure they are more accountable, effective and responsive to the needs of the sectors they represent.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government takes action to back small businesses and tackle late payments [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government takes action to back small businesses and tackle late payments [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 October 2023.

    Government announces measures to tackle late payment of invoices to support small businesses and grow the economy.

    • Paying small businesses on time could boost the economy by £2.5 billion annually
    • Measures form part of wider government review on Cash Flow and Prompt Payment

    The government has today announced tougher measures to tackle the issue of late payments to small businesses. These new measures will be included in the upcoming Prompt Payment & Cash Flow Review, due to be published shortly and will improve delivery and enforcement of policies, enabling more small businesses to get paid on time.

    Late payment of invoices and long payment terms are key issues that businesses, especially SMEs, highlight as a barrier to their growth. Owners and managers are forced to spend disproportionate time chasing payments; resulting cash flow problems cause even good, viable firms to struggle.

    In 2022, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) were owed on average an estimated £22,000 in late payments. Improving payment culture in the UK will support smaller businesses, many of which do not have the resources to accommodate long or late payments from their business customers and could boost the economy by £2.5 billion annually.

    That is why the Government is extending and improving the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations and conducted the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow Review.

    New measures to be announced in the review will include:

    • Extending the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017. Following consultation, Government will take forward legislation to extend payment performance reporting obligations. We will include new metrics for reporting, including a value metric, so businesses and commentators can see the value of invoices, including invoices paid late, and a disputed invoices metric. We will also introduce reporting on retention payments for businesses in the construction sector.
    • Providing greater advice to small businesses on negotiating payment terms that better suit them, and on how going digital can help them get paid quicker and manage their cash flow.
    • Broadening the powers of the Small Business Commissioner: Introducing broader responsibilities, enabling the Commissioner to undertake investigations and publish reports where necessary on the basis of anonymous information and intelligence. This will require primary legislation, so will be subject to the legislative timetable.

    The stronger measures will benefit UK businesses by fostering a stronger payment culture and providing businesses with more predictable and reliable cash flow, allowing businesses to spend and invest with greater certainty.

    It will reduce the time spent by businesses chasing payments, freeing up more time for other activities that will help them to grow. Tackling late and long payments provides an opportunity to increase investment and productivity across the economy.

    This will improve payment culture in the UK to support smaller businesses, many of whom do not have the resources to accommodate long or late payments from their business customers.

    Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch said:

    SMEs make up 99 per cent of firms in the UK and are the lifeblood of our economy. I know that late payments are a massive barrier to growth and I am determined to fix that.

    The measures we’re announcing will take a big step towards making sure SMEs get their payments on time, helping firms to grow and prosper.

    Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    Small businesses form a crucial part of large companies’ supply chains. Without them, they couldn’t do business. It’s only right that they should be paid promptly for their services.

    SMEs that are paid on time can do more business, scale up and make more profits, delivering growth for the economy.

    Background

    • The Government will work with partners (such as business representative organisations) and other existing initiatives (Growth hubs, Help to Grow) to help deliver an improved payment culture which will include guides on negotiating payment terms.
    • The powers of the Small Business Commissioner will be broadened, enabling it to undertake investigations and publish reports where necessary on the basis of anonymous information and intelligence.
    • There will be closer integration of the Small Business Commissioner with other late payment functions.
    • We will strengthen the Prompt Payment Code so that business signatories must reaffirm their commitment every two years to stay on it.
    • We will extend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, taking forward legislation to extend payment performance reporting obligations. This will include new metrics for reporting, including a value metric, so businesses and commentators can see the value of invoices, including invoices paid late, and a disputed invoices metric.
    • There will be an effective and proportionate compliance regime to help ensure that businesses required by law to report their payment data, do so.
    • We will promote the benefits of digital payment technologies and of embedding prompt payments as part of firms’ ESG (environmental, social, governance) programmes, if they have them.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government holds first taskforce for the UK Battery Strategy [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government holds first taskforce for the UK Battery Strategy [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 October 2023.

    The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launches the UK Battery Strategy Taskforce made up of leaders from academia and industry.

    • The Department for Business and Trade launches new expert UK Battery Strategy Taskforce.
    • The Taskforce is made up of industry and academic experts from across the battery eco-system.
    • The UK Battery Strategy is due to be published in the coming months.

    Today (Monday 2 October) the UK Battery Strategy Taskforce had its inaugural meeting.  The group brings together industry experts and academics from across the battery ecosystem to support development of the UK’s first battery strategy.

    The Government plans to publish the UK’s battery strategy in the coming months, setting out a joined-up government-industry approach to deliver a battery ecosystem that unleashes economic prosperity, delivers on our net zero ambitions and ensures our access to technologies and applications that are vital to our security.

    Membership list:

    • Dame Professor Clare Grey, University of Cambridge (co-chair)
    • Professor Julia Sutcliffe, Department for Business and Trade Chief Scientific Advisor (co-chair)
    • Jacqui Murray, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
    • Craig Wilson, WAE Technologies
    • Carol Rose Burke, Unipart Manufacturing
    • David Bailey, Birmingham University
    • Merlin Hyman OBE, Regen
    • Nicholas Beatty, Zenobe
    • Simon Moores, Benchmark Minerals
    • Robin Brundle, Technology Minerals
    • Kunal Sinha, Glencore Recycling
    • Gavin Graveson, Veolia
    • Mike Hawes, SMMT
    • Professor David Greenwood, WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult
    • Jeff Pratt, Envision, AESC
    • Anna Wise, Nyobolt
    • Professor Patrick Grant, Oxford University
  • PRESS RELEASE : Action to support rural communities announced [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action to support rural communities announced [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 October 2023.

    100,000 homes and businesses in rural parts of the UK will be further supported to access improved broadband connections.

    100,000 homes and businesses in the most remote and rural parts of the UK will be further supported to access substantially improved broadband connections, under plans outlined by the Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey today (Monday 2 October).

    The government is committed to ensuring rural communities have access to reliable gigabit-capable broadband connection across the UK, with a target of reaching 85% of premises by 2025 and to reach as close to 100 per cent as soon as possible after.

    However, a small minority of premises in rural and remote areas of the UK – known as ‘Very Hard to Reach Premises’ – are unlikely to benefit directly from the substantial activity across the telecoms industry to deliver gigabit-capable broadband services. This can be caused by their isolated location, low population density or limited existing telecoms infrastructure – all of which can make them challenging to connect.

    Consultations published today outline plans to review and update the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which already gives homeowners and businesses the legal right to request an affordable, decent broadband connection, and to develop and assess future policy to improve broadband connectivity for Very Hard to Reach Premises.

    Alongside the measures to improve rural connectivity, the Secretary of State set out the government’s plans to level up rural communities by unlocking new homes in rural areas and investing in new technology to improve local transport links.

    The ‘Future of Transport: Helping local authorities to unlock the benefits of technology and innovation in rural transport’ will support local authorities, transport planners, bus operators and transport companies explore how emerging technologies could be deployed in non-urban areas.

    Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey said:

    “Our countryside, home to millions of people, is rich in potential and we want to make sure that everyone can develop their skills and reach the opportunities for success.

    “So whether through improved connectivity, housing or transport I’m championing rural communities as we seek to grow our economy – so that every part of our country gets the support it needs to thrive.”

    Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey announced:

    • A consultation on reviewing and updating the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which already gives homeowners and businesses the legal right to request an affordable, decent broadband connection.
    • A consultation on further proposals to improve broadband provision for Very Hard to Reach Premises, which are unlikely to receive a gigabit-capable connection via either a commercial or government funded intervention. This will ensure communities with the most limited connectivity experience a step-change in their digital connectivity as soon as possible, fuelling the economy and supporting jobs growth for decades to come.
    • A statement from Homes England setting out its work to support rural communities and families by enabling the delivery of more good quality, affordable homes. The statement includes case studies of successful rural housing schemes currently operating within Cornwall and the Yorkshire Dales.
    • The publication of ‘Future of Transport: Helping local authorities to unlock the benefits of technology and innovation in rural transport’ to help rural local authorities, their communities and other stakeholders to harness transport innovation, helping to improve access to services, tackle isolation and increase access to jobs in rural and remote areas.

    The announcements build on the Unleashing Rural Opportunity paper published in June, which outlines how government will deliver the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity across the country.

    Defra also continues its rural proofing work whereby all government policy is examined to ensure it is delivering for rural communities. The next rural proofing report will be published later this year.

    This follows a decade of action that has boosted rural connectivity and opportunity, from our flagship Project Gigabit programme that has already helped to deliver high-speed, reliable and future-proof broadband to more than 75 per cent of the nation, to improving access to doctors in underserved areas, fixing millions of potholes and resurfacing thousands of miles of road on which our rural communities rely.

    Further information

    • This a broad range of steps the government is taking to boost rural communities on housing, transport, digital connectivity and jobs as set out in Unleashing Rural Opportunity.
    • Rural areas already contribute over 15% to England’s economy, which amounts to over £270 billion of our national GDP, but the programme seeks to unlock further growth.
    • This builds on significant government action since 2010 to support rural communities including in March it announced the grant awards of the Rural England Prosperity Fund, a £110 million rural top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support levelling up across the UK. It will support initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost tourism, and community infrastructure projects such as electric vehicle charging stations.
    • Huge improvements have also been made over the last decade to support connectivity in rural areas. Over 75% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, [up from 6% at the beginning of 2019], and over 730,000 premises have already been upgraded in hard-to-reach rural areas as part of our £5 billion Project Gigabit investment.
    • Investing, jointly with industry, £1 billion in the Shared Rural Network to improve 4G mobile coverage throughout the UK to reach 95% geographic coverage by the end of 2025.
    • Help for rural low-income households to move to cheaper heating. Up to £378 million is being made available in grants, ring-fenced for rural areas, to fund energy efficiency and clean heating upgrades for low-income households living off the gas grid in England.

    On the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:

    • Our Boiler Upgrade Scheme is supporting families across the country with costs, with over £81 million in vouchers issued in the first year. The scheme recently received a 50% increase in funding from £5,000 to £7,500 – making it one of the most generous support schemes of its kind in Europe.
    • The Prime Minister recently set out proposals to make it easier and cheaper for households to install heat pumps. We remain fully focused on meeting our aim of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028.
    • While most off-grid properties will ultimately switch to heat pumps, not all buildings are suitable for one – instead, these properties will need a range of technologies and approaches to help decarbonise their heating and reach our net zero goals. We are currently looking into whether these could include high temperature heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, solid biomass, and renewable liquid fuels, like HVO – and we will publish our recommendations on this in due course.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches new crackdown on parents who refuse to pay child maintenance [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches new crackdown on parents who refuse to pay child maintenance [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 2 October 2023.

    Parents who refuse to pay child maintenance will face accelerated sanctions as Ministers announce the introduction of new powers to speed up strong enforcement action and other reforms to make the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) fairer.

    • Government introducing long-term changes to make the system fairer for children and parents
    • Enforcement process to be made almost four times faster and non-compliance will be detected and dealt with more quickly
    • Application fee will be removed to ensure the service is accessible to all

    Today (02/10/2023) the Government is announcing a Liability Orders consultation to speed up enforcement action, the removal of the application fee to the CMS and longer-term changes.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said:

    Parents need to take financial responsibility for their children. It’s completely unfair that it can take so long to get children support they are due. I am determined to go after those parents who are refusing to pay up when we know they can.

    Child maintenance makes a real difference to the life chances of many thousands of children. The CMS can and does enforce compliance, but we want to enable it to act much faster.

    DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

    We always act fairly and carefully to protect children in separated families so they are supported by both their parents to have a good start in life.

    These new powers will improve how the Child Maintenance Service supports children of separated parents, helping families receive child maintenance faster and preventing further arrears.

    Liability Orders consultation

    A consultation published today lays the groundwork for new regulations that will accelerate tough sanctions on non-paying parents – such as forcing the sale of property – by modernising the enforcement process.

    Families will be paid faster as the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will be able to use an administrative liability order to recover unpaid child maintenance instead of applying to the courts and waiting up to 22 weeks. It’s anticipated this change could reduce the wait for further action to around six to eight weeks.

    Around 10,000 parents a year who wilfully refuse to pay maintenance are estimated to be affected by the new liability order regulations, to the benefit of thousands of children and parents for whom child maintenance is a key source of financial security.

    Removal of the £20 application fee

    There is currently a £20 application fee to apply to the CMS for assistance securing the financial support a parent is owed, although victims of domestic abuse and applicants aged under 19 are exempt.

    The Government will remove this application fee for all parents so that children in the poorest families are not unfairly disadvantaged if their parent cannot afford the £20.

    Changes to maintenance calculations

    The Government will legislate to ensure unearned income, such as savings, investment, dividend and property income, is taken into account automatically when the maintenance calculation is made. This will make it more difficult for the small number of parents who avoid paying the correct amount.

    Improvements to collection of payments

    The Government has also committed to consulting on the way the CMS collects and makes payments so it can act on non-compliance more quickly.  Changes will mean the CMS can use its strong enforcement powers more quickly to go after those who wilfully avoid their financial obligations to their children.

    This follows the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 and The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023 receiving royal assent in the summer. These Acts provide the basis for the CMS to act swiftly, progressing enforcement action faster with the aim of getting money to children more quickly, establishing compliance, preventing further arrears and bolstering domestic abuse protections for parents.

    The CMS helps around 930,000 children get the financial support they are entitled to and between June 2022-2023 arranged a record £1.2 billion on their behalf. Overall, child maintenance payments help to keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year.

    The liability order consultation is published here www.gov.uk/government/consultations/child-maintenance-accelerating-enforcement and closes on 24 November.