UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Central African Republic should continue working with MINUSCA to ensure free, fair and safe elections – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Central African Republic should continue working with MINUSCA to ensure free, fair and safe elections – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 October 2025.

    Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on MINUSCA.

    I join others in expressing condolences to the families of the five peacekeepers from the Republic of Congo who lost their lives in service last month. The United Kingdom commends their dedicated service and the service of all MINUSCA’s personnel, under SRSG Rugwabzia’s leadership in support of the government and people of the CAR.

    I will make three points:

    First, the upcoming elections in the Central African Republic represent a significant milestone. The United Kingdom welcomes the publication of the final voter list by the National Electoral Authority, which shows an increase in registered voters and improved gender representation.

    We encourage the government of the CAR to continue working with MINUSCA to ensure inclusive, free, fair and safe elections.

    Second, the United Kingdom welcomes progress made by the government of CAR, with MINUSCA’s support, on the national disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and rehabilitation programme.

    This programme can play an important role in supporting lasting peace and stability for the people of the CAR. We note that the programme has already contributed to the identification of 202 children for reintegration, and we encourage further such efforts.

    Third, we welcome the progress made so far in improving the security situation in CAR but we note that more is needed. We particularly note the continuing impact of the conflict in Sudan on CAR and its neighbours.

    We urge the government of the CAR to enhance its border management with Sudan to support refugees and prevent their exploitation by armed elements.

    We also encourage the government of CAR to tackle human rights violations and abuses by armed groups including ‘Wagner Ti Azande,’ and ensure perpetrators are held to account.

    We encourage the government of CAR to further consider its security partners, to ensure that the people of CAR achieve the sustainable and lasting peace they deserve. 

    The upcoming elections represent a critical point for the CAR. We look forward to working intensively with all Council members in the coming weeks to secure a renewed mandate for MINUSCA that best supports the realisation of our shared ambitions for long-term peace, stability, and security for the people of the Central African Republic.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Erdoğan of Türkiye [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Erdoğan of Türkiye [October 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 October 2025.

    The Prime Minister visited the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Ankara today.

    The leaders began their discussions by reflecting on the strength of the relationship between the two countries. 

    The deal signed today to support Türkiye’s air force with UK Typhoons further underlined that strength, they agreed.

    It would boost NATO’s collective defences on the south eastern flank, support highly skilled jobs in the UK, and knit the UK and Türkiye’s air force together for years to come, allowing for greater interoperability, the Prime Minister added.

    The Prime Minister then turned to the wider bilateral relationship between the two countries. Both leaders underlined the untapped opportunity to grow the trading relationship between the two countries.

    In that spirit, the leaders agreed to relaunch Tatli Dil, the flagship UK-Turkey bilateral forum to bring together government, business and scientists to forge new relationships between the two countries.

    Discussing shared challenges, including combatting terrorism and stability in the Middle East, the leaders reiterated the need to ensure the ceasefire in Gaza held and there was an acceleration of aid. They also underlined the importance of securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. 

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon, and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to visiting again for the NATO Summit in Türkiye next year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Independent investigation and immediate reforms to prevent future releases in error [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Independent investigation and immediate reforms to prevent future releases in error [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 October 2025.

    Dame Lynne Owens will lead the independent investigation to determine how Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday 24 October, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has announced today.

    • Dame Lynne Owens will chair independent investigation to get answers public deserve
    • Mandatory new, stronger checks also brought in from today for releases to keep our streets safe
    • Deputy Prime Minister pledges immediate action to prevent another mistaken release

    The investigation will establish the full facts of the incident, which shocked the public, and look at the serious issue of releases in error across the prison estate. The Deputy Prime Minister has asked for Dame Lynne Owens to report back within eight weeks.    

    Speaking in the House of Commons today, David Lammy set out how the investigation will get to the bottom of what happened and stop similar unacceptable mistakes in future.   

    It will ask what went wrong, consider whether appropriate protocols were followed, assess whether staff had sufficient experience, training and resources, and make recommendations to reduce further releases in error.  

    The Deputy Prime Minister has also confirmed immediate measures to strengthen release checks across all prisons – making them the strongest release checks to ever be in place. From today, the Duty Governor must be physically present for the release of any foreign criminal who is being removed from prison early to be immediately deported and there will be a clear checklist with governors required to confirm every step has been followed before any release takes place.  

    Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:  

    I am livid on behalf of the victims and the public that this mistake was allowed to happen.   

    Any release in error is one too many. That is why I have taken immediate action to introduce the strongest release checks ever and launched an independent investigation to get to the bottom of what went wrong and to tackle the rise in accidental releases which began rising under the previous government. 

    We’re ending the prison crisis we inherited – investing billions, reforming sentencing and building the prison places needed to keep the public safe. This Government will not rest until our jails deliver the safety and security the British people deserve.

    Dame Lynne Owens is a former Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and former Director General of the National Crime Agency, bringing her extensive expertise to the investigation.   

    Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was set to be transferred to an Immigration Removal Centre and deported back to Ethiopia. Instead, he was mistakenly released into the community. 

    Following an intensive manhunt involving the Metropolitan, Essex, and British Transport Police, he was arrested and returned to custody on Sunday 26 October. He will now be deported to Ethiopia as quickly as possible.  

    Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government, with jails dangerously full and close to collapse.   

    The Government is taking decisive action to address this crisis, building 14,000 additional prison places and reforming sentencing to make sure we have enough prison places to lock up dangerous criminals and keep the public safe.   

    The Government has already delivered 2,500 new places in just over a year, as part of the biggest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation [October 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 October 2025.

    Thousands of skilled UK jobs have been secured for years to come as the UK and Türkiye sign a deal worth up to £8 billion for 20 UK Typhoon fighter jets – the biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation.

    • £8 billion deal struck with Türkiye for first new orders for UK Typhoons since 2017, as the Prime Minister visits Ankara for the first time. 
    • Deal strengthens NATO’s collective deterrence and ties between UK and Türkiye.  
    • Skilled jobs on production lines sustained across the UK for years to come, including in Warton, Salmesbury, Bristol and Edinburgh, delivering on this government’s Plan for Change.

    Thousands of skilled UK jobs have been secured for years to come as the UK and Türkiye sign a deal worth up to £8 billion for 20 UK Typhoon fighter jets – the biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation.

    The multi-billion pound deal was signed as the Prime Minister was hosted by the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during his first visit to Ankara today. 

    The deal will help to sustain a 20,000 strong UK wide workforce, with production lines in Edinburgh, Warton, Salmesbury and Bristol.  

    The Turkish agreement is a major boost for the British order book, representing the biggest fighter jet deal in almost 20 years and saving the Warton production line. 

    It will also strengthen Türkiye’s advanced combat capabilities, bolstering NATO’s strength in a key region and enhancing interoperability between both our air forces. 

    The deal comes just weeks after the UK’s Type 26 frigates were selected by Norway, adding a further £10 billion to Britain’s economy and securing 4,000 jobs.

    Both deals underline the government’s work to make defence an engine for growth, delivering highly skilled jobs and putting money in the pockets of working people through the Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

    This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security. 

    At either ends of Europe, the UK and Türkiye are vital to tackling the challenges of our time and this will allow our Armed Forces to work even closer together as we deter threats and protect our national interests. 

    Delivering highly skilled, well-paid jobs, including in Warton, Edinburgh and Bristol for years to come, this is yet another example of our Plan for Change in action, driving renewal and opportunity up and down the country.

    The deal also follows the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signing a new agreement in July to boost world-class UK defence exports such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon. 

    During the Prime Minister’s visit today, he also met Turkish military and RAF Typhoon pilots to hear firsthand how the jets will contribute to European security. 

    The Prime Minister also laid a wreath at the Anitkabir Ataturk Mausoleum, before finalising the Typhoon deal at the Presidential Palace. 

    The Typhoon workshare agreement sees more than a third (37%) of each aircraft manufactured in the UK; the rest of each aircraft would be produced by the Eurofighter Partner Nations. The UK jobs include:   

    • Nearly 6,000 jobs directly support the Typhoon programme at BAE Systems sites in Warton and Samlesbury, where production and final assembly of each Typhoon fighter jet takes place.  
    • The Typhoon programme supports more than 1,100 jobs in the South West region. That includes Rolls-Royce in Bristol producing critical modules and components for Typhoon’s EJ200 jet engines and acting as main hub for maintenance of the engines.  
    • The Typhoon programme supports more than 800 jobs in Scotland. That includes Leonardo in Edinburgh manufacturing the fighter jet’s cutting-edge radar for identifying enemies.

    Defence Secretary John Healey, who travelled with the Prime Minister to Ankara to finalise the deal, said:  

    This is another major export deal for the UK and is the biggest jet exports deal in a generation. It will pump billions of pounds into our economy and keep British Typhoon production lines turning long into the future. This deal goes far beyond the procurement of aircraft. It is the leading edge of the growing defence and industrial partnership between our two nations.

    Türkiye is an important NATO ally and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea. By equipping them with top-of-the-range Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will strengthen NATO deterrence and help make us all safer.  

    I’m determined this government will make defence an engine for growth across the UK.

    The first delivery to Türkiye is expected to take place in 2030.

    Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems said:   

    Türkiye’s procurement of Typhoon marks the start of a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally and reinforces the outstanding operational support the aircraft delivers across Europe and the Middle East as a fundamental pillar of defence and security.

    Typhoon is an export success story and demonstrates how investment in defence can fuel significant economic growth and returns across the UK. Today’s announcement extends Typhoon production and preserves crucial sovereign skills which underpin the UK’s defence and security.

    Typhoon jets continue to demonstrate their formidable capabilities as the mainstay of RAF combat air operations. Deployments include:   

    • NATO Air Policing: Securing NATO’s eastern border and reinforcing collective defence.   
    • Quick Reaction Alert: Providing 24/7 protection of UK airspace for homeland security.   
    • Operation Shader: Supporting counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK national statement on signing the UN Convention against Cybercrime [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK national statement on signing the UN Convention against Cybercrime [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2025.

    The UK national statement was given at a signing ceremony for the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi on 25 and 26 October 2025.

    Thank you, Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     We thank Vietnam for their hospitality and for hosting us here in Hà Nội.

    The agreement by consensus, of the text of the of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, just under a year ago, signalled a landmark moment for international cooperation on this critical and complex issue.

    I am proud that the United Kingdom has signed the Convention here in Hà Nội, in line with our international efforts to combat cybercrime.

    Cybercrime poses a serious and growing threat to every part of society, from private citizens to public institutions. It often targets our most vulnerable.

    The UK’s vision is clear: by 2030, we aim to significantly reduce the risk posed by cybercrime to our citizens and national interests.

    In a globalised and interconnected world, we cannot do it alone. Tackling cybercrime globally requires a joined-up response, that brings together governments, law enforcement, civil society organisations, the tech industry and private sector partners. Together they play a critical role in effectively addressing the complex, transnational, and rapidly evolving challenges posed by cybercrime, and are often at the frontline of detecting and responding to cyberattacks.

    The UK stands ready to engage with States who respect the letter and the spirit of the Convention. Let us be clear, any attempt to misuse the Convention would undermine its viability. The human rights safeguards sit at the heart of this Convention and are vital for building trust and unlocking a greater level of international cooperation.

    The UK will play close attention to the implementation of, and adherence to, the safeguards and we will not cooperate with any country that does not comply with the safeguards required by this Convention.

    The UK has already seen the practical benefits of cooperation on this area under the Budapest Convention. The UN Convention against Cybercrime complements existing international instruments and includes much needed provisions on online fraud, a global scourge, which urgently needs our focus and attention.

    The Global Fraud Summit hosted by UNODC and Interpol will add valuable momentum to States efforts to tackle online scams. We invite you all to join these discussions in Vienna in March 2026.

    We also welcome the opportunity to work together to fight the heinous proliferation of child sexual abuse material online, and for the first time, this Convention facilitates international action to tackle the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images. This is a historic achievement and opportunity for the multilateral system to be a powerful force for the rights of our most vulnerable citizens.

    But States cannot do this alone. The UK is indebted to civil society experts for their significant contributions including the Southwest Grid for Learning, who have joined us here in Hanoi.

    We continue to harness and share the expertise of tried and tested methods to protect the most vulnerable, and the UK is heartened by the wide level of participation and the active discussions underway.

    The UK stands ready to work with international partners to build resilience, share intelligence, and uphold a secure and open digital environment for all. We will support the effective establishment of the Conference of State Parties, working with Member States and expanding our close work with global stakeholders.

    Cybercrime is a global challenge. We can only tackle these crimes if we work together. We look forward to making a start today. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Millions of tenants safe from black mould through Awaab’s Law [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Millions of tenants safe from black mould through Awaab’s Law [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 27 October 2025.

    New laws are now in force protecting social housing tenants from emergency hazards and damp and mould. The changes are a lasting legacy to Awaab Ishak.

    • New rules will protect tenants and force social landlords to urgently fix dangerous homes. 
    • Emergency hazards to be addressed within 24 hours under landmark changes.
    • Reforms are a legacy to two-year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died from prolonged exposure to mould. 

    Millions of tenants across the country will benefit from safer homes thanks to new rules coming into force today (Monday 27 October). 

    The first phase of Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to take urgent action to fix dangerous homes or face the full force of the law, improving lives for tenants and families living in all four million of England’s social rented homes. 

    The new legal duties will finally put tenants’ safety first with landlords forced to fix emergency health and safety hazards within 24 hours of reporting. They must also investigate significant damp and mould within 10 working days of being notified and then make properties safe in five working days. For both types of hazards, they must also write the findings to tenants within three working days of inspection.   

    As part of the reforms, landlords now must also consider the circumstances of tenants which could put them at risk – including young children and those with disabilities or health conditions. Alternative accommodation must also be offered if homes cannot be made safe within the required timeframes. 

    These vital reforms will not only keep tenants safer in their homes, but hold landlords to account. Those who fail to comply with the rules face being taken to court, where they could be issued enforcement orders, forced to pay compensation and legal costs – as well as loss of rent if homes were uninhabitable.

    Awaab’s Law is a lasting legacy to two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died after being exposed to mould at his Rochdale home in December 2020. In the wake of this tragedy, Awaab’s family has fought to secure justice, not only for their son but for all those who live in social housing. 

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:   

    Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death. 

    Awaab’s family has fought hard for change and their work to protect millions of tenants’ lives will live on as a legacy to their son.  

    Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.

    More of Awaab’s Law will be phased in next year and in 2027 to make homes safer from more hazards, alongside work to build 1.5 million new homes, including the biggest boost of social and affordable housing in a generation. 

    To bring further transformative and lasting change in the safety and quality of social housing and give tenants a stronger voice, a new £1 million fund has been launched by the government today to create new ways of helping tenants engage with their landlords and have more influence over decisions that affect them. 

    Up to £100,000 will be granted to successful bidders who propose strong ideas for improving communication between landlords and tenants and help tenants have more of a say in how their homes are managed.

    Examples of innovative ideas could include online platforms, marketing campaigns or recruiting specialist personnel who can support tenants to improve their experiences in social housing. 

    This will help replace the outdated, inefficient ways of communicating that leave tenants feeling unheard and waiting too long to get issues resolved by their landlord. 

    ENDS  

    Notes to editors

    Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing said:

    “We welcome Awaab’s Law as a significant step in ensuring that all social housing tenants live in safe and decent homes.

    “It is the culmination of committed efforts by Awaab Ishak’s family and provides an important new framework for addressing serious health and safety concerns, beginning with damp and mould.

    “Social landlords have been preparing for this change and have new processes in place to respond to these new requirements.

    “We also welcome the new funding to enhance tenant engagement, a vital investment to help build cultures of trust, accountability, and safety in social housing.”

    Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:

    “The quality and safety of residents’ homes is housing associations’ top priority, and today represents an important milestone in our sector’s drive to ensure all our homes are the standard residents deserve.

    “Since 2020 housing associations have increased spending on repairs and maintenance by 55%, with plans to spend a further £50bn over the next five years. This is why 90% of our homes meet the decent homes standard, more than all other tenures.

    “But as landlords rooted in social purpose, we want all of our residents to enjoy the highest standards of comfort, safety and quality. This is why, following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, we have supported this law from the beginning and have worked closely with the government to ensure its introduction will provide the most positive outcomes for residents. 

    “These reforms, alongside the government’s 10-year funding settlement and commitment to a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing, put housing associations on the sure footing needed to both continue investing in existing homes while having the confidence to build new ones. This will ease overcrowding pressures, which are a major contributor to damp and mould, and get to the root of addressing the housing crisis once and for all.”

    More background:

    • More details on the £1 million Social Housing Innovation Fund will be available on gov.uk from Monday 27 October.
    • Phase two of Awaab’s Law next year will expand tenant protections to cover more hazards like excess cold and heat, fire and electrical risks and hygiene hazards – and phase 3 in 2027 will extend it to all remaining hazards covered by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, except overcrowding.    
    • The government has also committed to extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector to ensure all renters in England are empowered to challenge dangerous conditions. This will be made law through the Renters’ Rights Bill which completed its passage through Parliament on 22 October.  
    • Landlord failure to comply with Awaab’s Law could result in legal action, empowering tenants to hold landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions. New guidance on gov.uk from Monday 27 October will help tenants understand and implement their new rights under Awaab’s Law.
    •  A refreshed guidance for landlords on Awaab’s Law is now also available on gov.uk, to help them understand their new legal duties: Awaab’s Law: Guidance for social landlords – Timeframes for repairs in the social rented sector – GOV.UK  
    • The Make Things Right campaign helps social housing tenants understand their rights and escalate when they have an issue with their home or landlord. The campaign will now feature new information on Awaab’s Law to reach social housing residents and ensure they understand their landlord’s new legal duties to them.   
    • Awaab’s Law forms part of wider social housing reforms introduced through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which aims to rebalance the relationship between tenants and landlords and improve housing standards in England.  
    • New regulations ensuring all landlords meet robust standards of electrical safety will also come into force on 1 November 2025 for new tenancies and then in 2026 for all existing tenancies.   
    • To help tenants feel safe in their homes, these new laws will require social landlords to carry out electrical safety checks at least every five years, as well as mandatory appliance inspections on all electrical appliances that are provided by the landlord.   
    • The electrical safety regulations also increase the maximum fine for non-compliance – for all landlords, private and social – from £30k to £40k.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Better protection for victims at risk of violence as fee scrapped [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Better protection for victims at risk of violence as fee scrapped [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 October 2025.

    From next month, survivors of violence and domestic abuse will no longer have to pay over £300 to ensure their abuser cannot track them down via public records.

    • Person at Risk of Violence (PARV) Order fees will be scrapped, saving victims hundreds of pounds
    • Changes will remove costs as a barrier to safety and protect survivors facing debt and financial hardship 
    • Move part of Government’s Plan for Change to stand up for victims and halve violence against women and girls

    Ministers have today confirmed plans to scrap the Person at Risk of Violence Order fee. The move means from November, vulnerable people involved in debt proceedings will no longer have to pay £318 to have their personal details – including name and address – removed from the Insolvency Register and the official public record, the Gazette.

    For women fleeing domestic abuse, having the peace of mind that their abuser can’t search public records to find their new address is invaluable – yet the steep cost is a barrier to many. Today’s announcement will mean this cost will no longer be an obstacle to their safety.

    The abolition of this unnecessary fee is the latest measure in the Government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade – and a key part of the Plan for Change to protect victims and restore faith in the justice system.

    Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC, said:

    Women who experience domestic abuse can spend their lives on the run. They deserve protection. The publication of victims’ personal details on the Insolvency Register must not be another tool perpetrators can use to torment their victims.

    This simple change can be the difference between a life of peace and one of fear. I hope that abolishing this fee gives some degree of relief to the people who need it.

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to protect more victims from abuse and halve Violence Against Women and Girls in the next decade.

    The move builds on the actions the government has already taken to meet its commitment to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade.

    These include a National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection; Raneem’s Law which embeds domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms in the first five police forces to improve the police response to domestic abuse; and the rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders – the strongest order of its kind yet to protect victims from perpetrators.

    Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse said:

    We welcome the government’s decision to abolish the fee for Persons at Risk of Violence Orders when applying for insolvency solutions.

    Until now, survivors have been forced to pay extra just to stay safe and avoid having their names and addresses published on a public insolvency database. This blocked many from accessing vital insolvency options because the perpetrator’s economic abuse left them unable to afford the fee. Removing this cost is an important step towards ensuring survivors can seek protection without taking on yet more financial burden when trying to resolve coerced debts. 

    We commend Money Wellness for their work in securing this vital change but it does not stop here. SEA will continue to advocate for systemic changes that tackle economic abuse at the root and ensure victim-survivors are better protected.

    Adam Rolfe, Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Money Wellness, said:

    We are delighted the government has listened to our campaign and taken this important step to protect survivors of abuse. Scrapping the PARV order fee removes a huge financial barrier for people already facing unimaginable hardship. It means survivors can focus on rebuilding their finances and moving forward without the fear that seeking debt help could put them at risk.

    We now hope to build on this progress to make sure the entire insolvency system truly supports people to recover from an abusive relationship safely and with dignity.

    ENDS

    Further information

    • When someone applies for an insolvency debt solution, such as bankruptcy, a debt relief order, or an individual voluntary arrangement, their name and address are published on the Insolvency Register as a statutory requirement.
    • A PARV Order is the only legal route to prevent personal details from being published.
    • Individuals must demonstrate that disclosure of their address would reasonably expect to lead to violence. Currently, to apply for a PARV Order, individuals must complete an application form which is accompanied by a witness statement, attend court, and paying the applicable court fee.
    • They do not have to prove that they have experienced violence, only that they reasonably believe they may.
    • On its mission to halve VAWG in a decade, the government has also actioned:

    o   Nearly £20 million in funding for specialist VAWG services which support victims of abuse including a range of vital helplines.

    o   A new criminal offence for spiking and new spiking training for thousands of pub, club and bar staff to ensure they have the skills to support victims and prevent incidents.

    o   New measures to tackle stalking, including giving police guidance on a victim’s right to know the identity of online stalkers for the first time and widening the use of Stalking Protection Orders.

    o   The roll out of The Drive Project across England and Wales which, backed by £53 million, will target high-harm, high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators – taking the responsibility for the abuse away from the victim and putting it firmly on the perpetrator where it belongs.

    o   Criminalising pornography that depicts acts of strangulation through the Crime and Policing Bill.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Beaulieu Park station pulls in ahead of schedule thanks to £141 million government investment [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Beaulieu Park station pulls in ahead of schedule thanks to £141 million government investment [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 October 2025.

    New station will unlock thousands of new houses and create over 2,000 jobs in the East of England.

    • brand-new Beaulieu Park rail station opens to passengers ahead of schedule, backed by £141 million government investment and marks first new station on the Great Eastern Mainline in more than 100 years
    • landmark development will support 2,500 new jobs, connect hundreds of thousands of people across the East and deliver thousands of new homes, supporting government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years   
    • new station to be operated by newest publicly-owned operator Greater Anglia, one of the UK’s best performing operators, helping deliver a railway that is more accountable, efficient and reliable for passengers

    Hundreds of thousands of people across the east of England now have access to faster, more reliable services as Beaulieu Park Station opens to the public ahead of schedule (27 October 2025).

    It is the first new station on the Great Eastern Mainline in more than 100 years and is set to generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.

    Funded by £141 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, this milestone marks a significant step in its commitment to unify track and train under Great British Railways, ensuring that new infrastructure delivers maximum benefit for passengers and communities.

    It offers passengers up to 4 trains per hour during peak times and 2 trains per hour during off-peak periods, as well as direct rail access to London Liverpool Street in just 40 minutes and Colchester in 25 minutes, cutting car journeys and reducing pollution for local communities. It is also set to generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.

    The station will be operated by Greater Anglia, opening just 2 weeks after Greater Anglia became a publicly-owned operator, marking a major step towards a simpler, unified railway under Great British Railways.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    With over £140 million of government investment, the opening of Beaulieu Park station marks a major milestone for economic growth in the East of England, unlocking thousands of new houses, creating over 2000 jobs and driving prosperity across the region.

    Under the trusted services of publicly-owned Greater Anglia, we’re delivering on our Plan for Change by building a simpler, more modern rail network that supports communities and powers the UK’s economy.

    With half of all rail operators now publicly owned, the government is delivering a network that prioritises accountability, efficiency and reliability, putting passengers at its heart.

    Greater Anglia, consistently rated among the UK’s best-performing operators, will continue to thrive under public ownership – engaging with local communities, sharing best practice and driving improvements across the network.

    The new station is also a cornerstone of the Chelmsford Garden Community project, which will deliver 10,000 new homes alongside vital infrastructure such as shops, healthcare facilities and schools.

    Backed by government investment, the station supports its pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years, helping to create thriving communities and better connectivity for generations to come.

    Martin Beable, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said:

    Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers. Services will be operated by our fleet of new, comfortable, air-conditioned class 720 trains, which also offer plug/USB points and free wifi and have helped us deliver annual punctuality of over 95% on the Great Eastern Main Line in Essex over the last 3 years.

    The new station will be staffed from the first train to the last train, 7 days a week. Staff will be on hand at all times to answer questions, help passengers buy tickets and support customers requiring assistance. Located right next to the Beaulieu housing development and the A12, we expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.

    This opening was the latest in a wider range of transport improvements in the area, with thousands of motorists set to benefit from faster, smoother and safer journeys following an upgrade to a key junction of the M25.

    The government-funded scheme to improve Junction 28 between London and Essex saw the opening of a new section of road connecting the M25 to the A12 eastbound.

    It will help ease congestion in Brentwood, Chelmsford and the surrounding areas, as well as reducing the chances of collisions, improving connectivity and helping to boost economic growth.

    Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said:

    Beaulieu Park station will both unlock economic development in the surrounding areas and transform travel in and around Chelmsford. As well as our own investment, at Essex County Council, we worked with partners to secure the additional funding needed to make the project a reality.

    In Essex, we are leading the way by making sure new developments are built in the right way, by providing the infrastructure that residents, visitors and businesses need. We are being bold and ambitious to future-proof the county and put investment where it’s most needed.

    It is fantastic to see Beaulieu Park station open and I thank everyone involved for their hard work in helping deliver it ahead of schedule.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Kent builder, Wayne Miller, hid bankruptcy from customer who paid for home improvements he did not complete [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Kent builder, Wayne Miller, hid bankruptcy from customer who paid for home improvements he did not complete [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 21 October 2025.

    • Wayne Miller hid his bankrupt status from a customer who he convinced to pay £30,000 for home renovations 
    • The home improvements, which included a new kitchen and two-storey extension, were never completed despite numerous promises by Miller 
    • Miller was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to pay compensation following investigations by the Insolvency Service 

    A bankrupt builder who persuaded a customer to pay him more than £30,000 for home improvements he never completed has been sentenced. 

    Wayne Miller deliberately concealed his status as a bankrupt from his victim and abandoned the building project in Canterbury when it was nowhere near finished. 

    Miller was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday 15 October. 

    The 55-year-old, of Romney Road, Lydd, Kent, was also ordered to repay £18,000 in compensation to his victim and a further £1,000 in costs. 

    Miller also made a payment of £7,500 to the victim at an earlier date. 

    Chris Wood, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Wayne Miller convinced a customer to pay him more than £30,000 for home renovations which he did not complete. 

    His actions in concealing his bankrupt status involved a significant amount of deception which caused a great deal of distress and inconvenience to his victim. 

    The public deserves protection from those who have been unable to pay their debts previously. That is why those declared bankrupt are required to inform would-be creditors of their status so they can make informed decisions on whether to hand money over to them or not. 

    The customer in this case was not afforded this opportunity and would never have engaged his services or handed over such substantial sums of money if he had known about Miller’s financial history.

    Work on the project which was supposed to include a new kitchen and two-storey extension was due to start in March 2018 and Miller told the customer it would take around eight weeks to complete. 

    Miller and the customer agreed that the total cost of £43,528 would be paid in five equal instalments of £8,705.60, with the first payment made in December 2017, prior to any work on the property starting. 

    Just weeks before work began on the project, Miller arranged for the customer to speak with a kitchen designer. Miller told the customer he could order the kitchen on his behalf as he had a trade account with the company. 

    The victim paid Miller a further £7,823 directly into his account. Miller never made any payments to the kitchen company for the purchase.  

    Work on the project ground to a halt by April 2018. Miller made a number of excuses and did not carry out any further building work on the property. 

    In total, the victim made payments of £36,190 to Miller. 

    Miller had been previously declared bankrupt in January 2016 following a petition from HM Revenue and Customs. His bankruptcy remains ongoing as he failed to make all the payments required of him under the terms of an income payment agreement with the Official Receiver. 

    Individuals subject to a bankruptcy order must disclose their status if they borrow or obtain credit of £500 or more. Those declared bankrupt who are self-employed or are going to start their own business as a sole trader must use the same name the bankruptcy order was made in.   

    Further information  

    • Wayne Miller is of Romney Road, Lydd, Kent. His date of birth is 6 October 1970 
  • PRESS RELEASE : Growth placed at the heart of regulators’ remit alongside new measures to boost scrutiny and transparency [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Growth placed at the heart of regulators’ remit alongside new measures to boost scrutiny and transparency [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 October 2025.

    Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth.

    • Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth 
    • New public dashboard will allow businesses to review how regulators are performing and give direct feedback to government, holding regulators to account  
    • Independent reviews to scrutinise key regulators and recommend improvements  

    A major shake-up of accountability and transparency for UK regulators will be set out today (Tuesday 21 October) to support businesses and remove obstacles to economic growth. 

    A key part of this will be a stronger growth duty, cementing growth as a guiding principle for regulators, encouraging proportionate, business friendly regulation. Today, the Government will set out how these changes will ensure investment and innovation can thrive without compromising essential protections at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham. 

    A new dashboard which will allow the public to scrutinise regulator’s performance will also be announced.   

    The new Gov.uk site will be updated every quarter to empower firms, improve scrutiny, and create more responsive enforcement of regulation. It will collate performance data across key regulators in one place, as well as enabling direct feedback on regulator performance and service delivery.  

    Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

    “We will use every lever we have to grow the UK economy to boost business, create jobs, put money back in people’s pockets and pay for good public services. 

    “By stripping back unnecessary rules and pointless paperwork we will free business to grow while ensuring vital protections are enforced. Creating a stronger growth a duty for regulators is a key part of this while greater transparency will ensure that they can be held to account.  

    “Getting the balance of regulation right is key to achieving economic growth. This will help to back the UK’s businesses, creating jobs and growing the economy as part of our Plan for Change.”  

    Government has been working with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to put the competition watchdog on a more pro-growth footing, setting out a strategic steer on how the government expects the CMA to support and contribute to growth. Government has heard how changes such as this and their new “4Ps” approach are helping to increase business confidence to invest in the UK. 

    The reforms announced will help ensure that all key regulators have more clarity from government about how to align with its overriding mission to deliver economic growth, and stronger accountability to the government and the public.  

    In the coming weeks, the Business Secretary / Ministers will also meet with watchdog bosses, including the likes of Ofcom, Ofgem and the CMA, as part of a Regulator Council to develop a shared understanding of how regulators can support growth.  

    This week, the Treasury and Department for Business and Trade will be outlining further measures as part of its Regulatory Action Plan to reduce business burdens.