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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK space sector bolstered with government reforms to boost growth and cut red tape [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK space sector bolstered with government reforms to boost growth and cut red tape [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 20 August 2025.

    UK Space Agency to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry.

    • Move is part of the government’s Plan for Change to cut red tape and make Whitehall more agile and efficient.
    • Over 60 new industry-led recommendations published today show how smarter regulation can unlock major opportunities – from tackling space junk to building and repairing satellites in orbit.

    People and businesses across the UK will benefit from new changes that will see the UK Space Agency become part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – cutting duplication, reducing bureaucracy, and putting public accountability at the heart of decision-making.

    In a major step to boost support for the UK’s space sector, the change will bring together the people who shape space policy and those who deliver it. This will cut any duplication that exists and ensure decisions are made with clear ministerial oversight.

    Taking place by April 2026, the new unit will keep the UK Space Agency (UKSA) name and brand and will be staffed by experts from both organisations. This will drive up efficiency in line with the government’s Plan for Change, cutting red tape and making Whitehall more agile.

    Today also sees the publication of over 60 recommendations from industry leaders on how to improve regulation for space missions, including Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) – where spacecraft work together in orbit. These missions are key to unlocking a future market worth £2.7 billion by 2031 (according to the UKspace IOSM Priorities Paper), and the UK is well placed to lead the way. It is a prime example of the joined-up working that will benefit from the merge of UKSA into DSIT.

    With the right support, UK space firms could capture a quarter of the global market for in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing. This will help to clean up space, extend the life of satellites, and build new infrastructure above Earth.

    Every Arms Length Body across government is being reviewed with a view to rooting out unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication, and to put public accountability first. Ministers have already announced that NHS England, the largest quango in the world, will be abolished as part of this process.

    Space Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see the importance of space to the British economy. This is a sector that pulls investment into the UK, and supports tens of thousands of skilled jobs right across the country, while nearly a fifth of our GDP is dependent on satellites. The aims for growth and security at the heart of our Plan for Change can’t be met without a vibrant space sector.

    Bringing things in house means we can bring much greater integration and focus to everything we are doing while maintaining the scientific expertise and the immense ambition of the sector.

    UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate said:

    I strongly welcome this improved approach to achieving the government’s space ambitions. Having a single unit with a golden thread through strategy, policy and delivery will make it faster and easier to translate the nation’s space goals into reality.

    In coming together, the UK Space Agency and space policy colleagues are building on the firm foundations of economic growth and capability development laid in recent years, including cutting-edge missions, major national programmes, and the regulations that enable UK launch and leadership in space sustainability.

    We will continue to deliver, while reducing duplication and ensuring we work even more closely with Ministers to support the UK space sector, and the country.

    The UK Space Agency was founded in 2010 and currently operates as an executive agency of DSIT. It catalysed investment and revenue of at least £2.2 billion for the UK space sector in 2024/2025. DSIT and the Agency will continue to work closely together over the coming months to support the UK space sector and ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements. Further practical details on the merger will be announced in due course.

    This RPO Sandbox report has been delivered by 3 firms with leading expertise in the field: Astroscale, ClearSpace and D-Orbit, working in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK Space Agency and DSIT. Publishing the Stage 1 Report on the Regulatory Sandbox for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) delivers a key recommendation from the Space Regulatory Review and further demonstrates the strength of the sandbox model to support wider innovation, taking advantage of these safe spaces for establishing ‘what works’ for regulating cutting-edge new technologies.

    By tackling bottlenecks and uncertainties that UK firms in this field and beyond currently face, and ensuring regulation keeps up with the fast pace of innovation in this area, we will help encourage investment in nascent space activities like space junk removal, in-orbit refuelling and repair services that are expected to be highly lucrative in the decades ahead.

    By stress-testing the regulatory framework for novel space missions, the report’s recommendations provide important clarity for the UK’s space industry, their clients and investors, which ultimately encourages the growth of and investment in British space businesses working on RPO missions. This work is supported by the Regulatory Innovation Office’s (RIO) mission to reform regulation across emerging technologies.

    Delivery on these recommendations is already underway, as is Stage 2 of the Sandbox, which will examine issues unique to RPO missions in greater detail. The Stage 1 report sets a model for future sandboxes to follow. Its findings will support the delivery of the UK’s first ever active debris removal mission, planned to launch by 2028 to prove the tech needed to safely remove defunct satellites from orbit. This is technology that will protect the safe, secure and sustainable access to space upon which the UK’s economy and national security depend.

    Nick Shave, Managing Director, Astroscale UK:

    Astroscale UK is proud to have jointly led the industry delivery of Stage 1 of the RPO Regulatory Sandbox. Rendezvous and Proximity Operations are the foundation of all in-orbit servicing, from life-extension and refuelling to active debris removal – and with the right regulatory framework, the UK can be a global leader in this transformative sector.

    The recommendations in this report tackle the real bottlenecks industry faces today, providing clarity, proportionality and the confidence investors need. We look forward to working with government, regulators, and our fellow innovators to turn these proposals into action, ensuring the UK captures the economic and sustainability opportunities of a truly serviceable space sector.

    Rory Holmes, ClearSpace COO and UK Managing Director, said:

    Together with partners, ClearSpace has been at the forefront of delivering Stage 1 of the RPO Regulatory Sandbox, an important step towards a safe, sustainable, and commercially dynamic space sector. This stage has been pivotal in fostering collaboration between government, regulators, insurers, and operators, enabling stakeholders to address knowledge gaps and reduce uncertainty around licensing in-orbit servicing missions in the UK.

    Through the RPO Operators Consortium, we have contributed to comprehensive recommendations on safety, sustainability, security, and liability measures to strengthen the UK’s regulatory framework and benefit all satellite operators. By establishing a clear, transparent, proportionate, and predictable approach, these proposals position the UK to become a global leader in this strategically vital domain. We remain committed to turning this framework into action, supporting its implementation, and advancing the vision of secure, resilient, and sustainable space operations.

    D-Orbit’s UK Legal Counsel, Lauren Payne, said:

    Stage 1 successfully highlighted a range of challenges associated with the licensing of RPO missions under the current regulatory framework, allowing key stakeholders in licensing to work through these real-life challenges in a focussed, neutral forum.  For Stage 2 we will build on the work in Stage 1 and zero in on implementation, where we hope to translate these issues into a better regulatory environment for RPO operators, customers, and regulators.

    Colin Macleod, Head of the Space Regulator at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

    The regulatory sandbox on RPO allows us to work with industry and government on cutting edge ideas in a fast-paced, collaborative and safe environment.

    RPO is vital for sustainable space but operating satellites at thousands of miles per hour in close proximity brings big challenges. Getting this right unlocks new ways of operating in space, helping the UK space sector grow while operating safely and responsibly.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains determined to work with partners to end conflict-related sexual violence – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains determined to work with partners to end conflict-related sexual violence – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 August 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Women, Peace and Security.

    President, conflict-related sexual violence shatters lives and undermines peace.

    Impunity remains the norm, and resources to support survivors are increasingly stretched.

    We heard from Ms Ahmed about the scale and brutality of this violence in Sudan.

    We call on the warring parties to comply with their Jeddah commitments and cooperate with investigations by both the International Criminal Court and the UN-mandated Fact-Finding Mission.

    Heightened conflict in eastern DRC has caused an unprecedented spike in sexual violence.

    Mass displacement and food insecurity have left women and girls vulnerable to forced prostitution as a means of survival.

    In Ukraine, there is mounting evidence of Russian-perpetrated sexual violence against both civilians and detainees.

    UN reports suggest more than 2 in 3 detainees are affected.

    We have seen reporting of sexual violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and we continue to call for all reports of abuses by all parties to be fully investigated.

    And we have heard harrowing reports of widespread, systematic, and deliberate acts of sexual and reproductive violence in conflict-affected parts of Ethiopia.

    The United Kingdom remains committed to this agenda.

    In the last year, the UK appointed a new Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and convened multiple UN discussions on sexual violence in Sudan, DRC, Ukraine, and other contexts.

    I will outline three priorities.

    First, we call for greater action to support survivors, ensuring their voices are at the heart of any response.

    The UK-founded International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict drives survivor-centred international action.

    I commend Ukraine’s chairpersonship of the Alliance this year.

    Second, we must work together to end impunity, ensuring that survivors can access justice without fear or shame.

    The UK is supporting efforts to deliver accountability, including through our work with the UN Action network and UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    Third, there must be adequate and sustained resourcing to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.

    The UK has continued to provide vital funding, enabling thousands of survivors to access medical, legal and psychosocial support.

    25 years on from the landmark Security Council resolution 1325, we urge members to make strides in fully implementing this resolution and the subsequent resolution 2467 on a survivor-centred approach.

    President, the UK remains resolute in our determination to work with partners to end the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence, support survivors, deliver justice and end impunity once and for all.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment to Cabinet Office Board [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment to Cabinet Office Board [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 19 August 2025.

    Greg Jackson has been appointed as a Non-Executive Member of the Cabinet Office Board for a period of three years.

    His term started on 21st July 2025 and will conclude in 2028.

    The Cabinet Office Board provides strategic leadership for the department, comprising Cabinet Office ministers, senior executives, and non-executives from outside government.

    The Non-Executive Board Members are responsible for providing support and challenge to the department’s ministers and senior officials on the delivery of key policies and programmes.

    Greg Jackson is the CEO of Octopus Energy Group. He has previously worked as the Co-founder and Chairman of Consultant Connect Ltd (2015-2022), Managing Director of HomeService Alliance (2013-15), Non Executive Director at Zopa (2010-18), CEO of Tangent Labs (2008-10) and CEO/Founder of C360 UK Ltd.

    Greg is also an Honorary Fellow at Pembroke College Cambridge, and holds an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Teesside.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister virtual meeting with the Coalition of the Willing [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister virtual meeting with the Coalition of the Willing [August 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 August 2025.

    The Prime Minister co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing this morning with over 30 international leaders to update on the talks in Washington last night.

    The Prime Minister began by reflecting on the constructive meeting, saying it was clear there was a real sense of unity and shared goal of securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

    Turning to next steps, the Prime Minister outlined that Coalition of the Willing planning teams would meet with their US counterparts in the coming days to further strengthen plans to deliver robust security guarantees and prepare for the deployment of a reassurance force if the hostilities ended.

    The leaders also discussed how further pressure – including through sanctions – could be placed on Putin until he showed he was ready to take serious action to end his illegal invasion.

    The Prime Minister said he looked forward to updating the group again soon, as further work progressed in the coming days and weeks.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment to House of Lords Appointments Commission [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment to House of Lords Appointments Commission [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 19 August 2025.

    Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL has been appointed as an Independent Member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC).

    The appointment will be for a period of five years, with her term beginning on 1 September 2025.

    Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL has over 35 years experience of working in the voluntary sector and has held several ministerial and non-ministerial appointments at local, regional and national level. She is the Deputy Chief Executive of QED Foundation.

    A former High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, her current public service roles includes Member of a State Honours Committee; External Expert Advisor to the Home Office Strategic Race Advisory Board and Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

    HOLAC recommends individuals for appointment as non-party-political life peers and vets nominations for life peers to ensure the highest standards of propriety.

    It is an advisory non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Cabinet Office.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK partners with Uttar Pradesh Government to provide scholarships [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK partners with Uttar Pradesh Government to provide scholarships [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 August 2025.

    The UK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to offer the prestigious Chevening Scholarship Programme in the state.

    Under the agreement signed today [19 August] in Lucknow in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, up to 15 scholars from the state will be eligible for full financial support to pursue a one-year master’s in the UK.

    The Chevening programme in India is the largest in the world, benefitting over 3,900 scholars and fellows since 1983, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow. Chevening alumni use their world-class education and global networks gained in the UK to create meaningful, lasting change when they return home, whether by tackling global challenges or making a tangible impact in their own communities.

    Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said:

    The UK is a fantastic place to study, and I am delighted that our new partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh will help even more talented young people from the state experience our world-class education.

    Chevening alumni in India include some of the brightest minds, working on everything from cyber, science and innovation to policy and development. They are a fundamental part of how the UK and India work together to solve global challenges and the unique living bridge that connects our countries.

    The High Commissioner is currently on a one-day visit to Lucknow to explore deeper links with the state as part of UK-India Vision 2035. She held wide ranging discussions with the Chief Minister covering higher education and trade and investment opportunities following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India in July 2025.

    Further information:

    • The ‘Chevening Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sarkar Scholarships Yojana’ will run for three academic years, from 2026-2029. Applications for the inaugural year are currently open from now until 7 October 2025. Five scholars will be selected every year. For details and to apply, visit https://www.chevening.org/apply
    • The Government of Uttar Pradesh will contribute 50% of the total cost of the scholar that will be match-funded by the UK Government. A representative from the Government of Uttar Pradesh will be invited to join the interview panel for scholar selection.
    • The Chevening programme in India is the largest in the world, benefitting over 3,900 scholars and fellows since 1983. Over 40% of Chevening scholars come from outside metro cities, are first generation learners and belong to lesser privileged groups.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK recognises aid workers for life-saving work after deadliest year on record [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK recognises aid workers for life-saving work after deadliest year on record [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 August 2025.

    On World Humanitarian Day (19 August), Minister for Development Baroness Chapman pays tribute to humanitarian workers who have lost their lives while delivering vital aid.

    • 2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian aid workers, with 2025 set to be as bad or worse due to the ongoing crises in Gaza and Sudan.
    • Around 100 more aid workers are set to be honoured for life-saving relief efforts in Gaza, where humanitarian need has reached new depths.

    Around 100 more aid workers are set to be recognised for life-saving relief efforts in Gaza, Minister for Development Baroness Chapman has announced on World Humanitarian Day (19 August).

    2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarians, with 383 aid workers losing their lives around the world, including British citizens.

    2025 is set to be as bad or worse due to the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places for humanitarians, with over 450 aid workers killed since the beginning of the conflict.

    In January, the Government announced the first recipients of the new Humanitarian Medal. The national honour recognises the courage and dedication of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help others as part of the UK’s humanitarian responses in the world’s most dangerous places.

    The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is now recommending around 100 more aid workers receive the honour for their efforts responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Among the recipients will be brave humanitarians deployed with organisations like UK-MED who, backed by UK Government funding, have treated over 500,000 Gazans in field hospitals over the course of the conflict and aid workers who have urgently tried to reach Gazans with food, water and shelter.

    Minister for Development Baroness Chapman said:

    “Today, World Humanitarian Day, is a day to celebrate brave and inspiring humanitarian workers across the world. These remarkable people do untold good in places like Gaza, Myanmar and Sudan where hideous preventable conflict costs an obscene loss of life. What aid workers do for humanity needs to be recognised and celebrated.

    “This World Humanitarian Day, alongside our work with the international community to provide support and relief to the people of Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, we are preparing to award around 100 more aid workers with the Humanitarian Medal, for their efforts to alleviate suffering in Gaza.

    “Our funding to the world’s worst humanitarian crises is delivering real hope on the ground.”

    UK aid groups are also recognised globally as leaders in delivering lifesaving aid. Last week (13 August) the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) based in Manchester, were awarded the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. This is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award, presented to organisations that have made an extraordinary contribution to the alleviation of human suffering.

    MAG, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, remove the threat of landmines and unexploded bombs from places affected by conflict. Since 1989, MAG has helped over 20 million people in 70 countries rebuild their lives and livelihoods after war.

    No nation can tackle global challenges alone. In a world where security threats are growing and humanitarian crises are multiplying, the UK is sharpening its focus, helping to protect aid workers and promote international humanitarian law.

    The UK has suspended relevant export licences to Israel following concerns about International Humanitarian Law violations, hosted the London Sudan Conference to address humanitarian access, and increased investment in critical organisations like the International NGO Safety Organisation and the Aid Worker Security Database that help keep aid workers safe wherever they are.

    The UK is working with partners to strengthen global safety, security and prosperity. Fostering stability overseas supports our security in the UK too, helping us deliver our Plan for Change.

    Notes to editors:

    • We expect to be able to award the additional humanitarian medals by early 2026.
    • The UK intends to continue our proud history of helping those in need, including in Gaza. The UK’s support to date has meant:
    • UK funding to UK-Med has supported over 500,000 patient consultations across Gaza.
    • At least 647,000 have received food.
    • Almost 300,000 people have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
    • 14,000 children have access to education materials and welfare support. The UK has provided 1.3 million items of life-saving medicines, over 50,000 shelter items and over 70,000 wound care packs.
    • The Prime Minister released a statement on 8 August calling for a ceasefire and a surge in humanitarian aid, urging Israel to reconsider its decision to take further military action in Gaza.
    • In April, the Foreign Secretary hosted a conference to discuss the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The UK announced £120 million in humanitarian support, to deliver lifesaving food and nutrition supplies, including for vulnerable children and to provide emergency support to survivors of sexual violence.
    • The UK provided over £120 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in 2024 to 2025, bringing our total humanitarian contribution to over £477 million for Ukraine and the region from the start of the full-scale invasion to the end of the previous financial year.
  • PRESS RELEASE : £120 million regeneration boost to transform Newcastle’s last major brownfield site into new neighbourhood with up to 2,500 homes [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : £120 million regeneration boost to transform Newcastle’s last major brownfield site into new neighbourhood with up to 2,500 homes [August 2025]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 19 August 2025.

    Government has approved funding package to accelerate the creation of new homes, public realm and commercial space at Forth Yards.

    A new funding package worth £121.8 million has brought the transformation of Quayside West at Forth Yards in the heart of Newcastle another step closer for people of the city.

    The package will fund vital remediation, groundworks and infrastructure activity, fixing complex land issues that have long acted as a barrier to investment at the site, which despite its prime location near Newcastle Central Station and the city centre, has lain derelict for decades.

    Government has approved the business case for the package, developed by Homes England, working in partnership with the North East Mayor and Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council and Network Rail.

    Matthew Pennycook, Housing and Planning Minister, said:

    This government has a brownfield first approach to development, and we want to see previously used land prioritised wherever possible.

    We are acting to make it easier to build homes on abandoned, disused and neglected urban brownfield sites across the country – boosting housing supply, regenerating communities, and delivering economic growth.

    Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said:

    This derelict land is in a great location on the banks of the Tyne yet has stood mostly unused for 20 years, which is a huge waste of potential.

    That’s why we promised to transform areas like this and now that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’ve secured funding so we can get the last brownfield site in Newcastle city centre ready to start building the homes that local people need.

    This won’t be a vast estate, where people can’t access the services they need, but a thriving community with great transport links, green spaces and shops.

    We’re driving the transformation our region needs – from brownfield to beautiful – and today we’re announcing a huge step towards achieving that here at Forth Yards.

    The new funding package will pave the way for a new development platform and subsequent appointment of a private sector delivery partner, with the procurement process due to start in the coming months, while public sector partners will continue to accelerate progress across the whole Forth Yards site.

    Quayside West, a parcel of land with capacity for around 1,100 homes alone, was brought into public ownership in 2024 after being acquired by Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency.

    It’s one of the largest parcels of land at the centre of Forth Yards, which is set to become a new, sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood next to the city’s central station and Quayside, giving the city a new, well connected western gateway.

    The site is a strategic priority for Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority, which last year strengthened ties further with Homes England through a Strategic Place Partnership.

    Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Karen Kilgour, said:

    This is fantastic news and shows the Government share our vision for the area.

    Forth Yards is arguably Newcastle’s most exciting development site that in time will provide thousands of new homes and create hundreds of jobs.

    The funding will act as catalyst for development, allowing us to bring forward infrastructure improvements that will open up the site to attract much-needed private sector investment.

    In about 15 years it will have created a whole new part of the city to the west and provided a new community for our residents while adding significantly to our economy.

    Pat Ritchie, Chair of Homes England, said:

    This significant investment in Forth Yards demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to transforming previously undeveloped brownfield sites into thriving communities. By working in partnership with Newcastle City Council, the North East Combined Authority and Network Rail, we’re addressing the complex challenges that have held back this strategically important site for decades.

    The new funding package will unlock the potential for thousands of new homes right in the heart of Newcastle, supporting the government’s mission of building 1.5 million homes this parliament.

    The news today follows the recent government announcement on Forth Goods Yard, another parcel of land at Forth Yards, being one of the first regeneration opportunities to be brought forward as part of the creation of Platform4, a new property company focused on transforming rail-led land through the creation of new homes and neighbourhoods.

    Robin Dobson, Group Property Director, Network Rail said:

    As Network Rail Property bring forward planning submission for the first phase of Forth Yards with up to 600 homes this year, we welcome this financial commitment to unlock the wider Forth Yards estate delivering a further 2,500 homes.

    Forth Goods Yard has been landlocked for decades and the combined efforts of Network Rail Property, Homes England and the Newcastle City Council we will enable the transformation of this strategically important site for generations to come.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Environmental reforms to break planning system gridlock [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Environmental reforms to break planning system gridlock [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 August 2025.

    Britain’s broken planning and development system is rewired to accelerate infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while safeguarding the environment

    First-time home buyers and local communities will reap the benefits as Britain’s broken planning and development system is rewired to accelerate infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while safeguarding the environment under the Plan for Change.

    Environmental planning reforms will be backed by £500 million, which includes funding for the government’s flagship Nature Restoration and Marine Recovery Fund schemes and funding to build capacity in the planning system. This will help to process planning applications faster and help developers bring their projects to life, without compromising on environmental protections – ensuring we build 1.5 million homes and fast-track 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.

    The Lower Thames Crossing – set to cut congestion for motorists and drive growth across the country – will become the first major UK infrastructure project to have one lead environmental body in charge. A clear, single point of contact will cut the time it takes to secure planning permissions and approvals for large-scale developments, boosting project certainty and minimising costs and delays.

    Moreover, communities across Britain will benefit from new transport, energy and housing schemes sooner, thanks to a new dedicated body that will address planning issues early to keep critical projects on track.

    The Defra Group Infrastructure Board will help accelerate the planning process for at least 50 major infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point C, East West Rail and Heathrow expansion.

    Early oversight will help to identify challenges such as those faced by HS2 in building the bat tunnel, meaning that for future similar situations alternative solutions to meet environmental obligations can be explored earlier in the process – ensuring proportionate decisions are made and reducing costs and delays.

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

    “People can’t find affordable homes to live in because Britain’s broken planning system has blocked building work, and that’s pushed up prices.

    “These changes will get spades in the ground quicker so developers can build the homes families need.

    “This is all part of the Government’s Plan for Change that will boost the economy and create jobs by building more homes and also provide new funding from developers to benefit nature.”

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

    “We have been stuck with a status quo that has stopped us building the homes we need, and has done nothing for nature’s recovery.

    “Communities deserve better, that’s why we’re pushing ahead with our pro-growth reforms to not only deliver vital homes and infrastructure, but drive real, lasting recovery for the environment.

    “This is another step towards our 1.5 million homes Plan for Change target which will restore the dream of homeownership, end the housing crisis, and boost economic growth across the country.”

    The measures announced today build on a £500 million funding package announced as part of the government’s 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy. This funding will give the planning system a boost to help build the homes families need whilst supporting nature recovery on land and at sea at scale. As recommended by the Corry Review, it will increase the capacity of Natural England and the Environment Agency to process planning applications faster, through the use of spatial planning and digital technologies. This will not only help to improve our natural environment but also enable delivery of vital national infrastructure such as wind farms, railways, gigafactories and data centres.

    The new Lead Environmental Regulator approach will end the merry-go-round of developers dealing with multiple, overlapping authorities. Instead, one environmental regulator will deliver a coordinated response on behalf of all regulators. Natural England will take on this role for the Lower Thames Crossing, working seamlessly with the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation to provide joined-up advice.

    This government is clear; we will no longer accept Britain’s rigid system of regulation as the status quo. Regulators and regulation must work for the people of Britain, not get in the way of progress.

    By facilitating greater collaboration and stronger oversight within Defra and its arm’s-length bodies, the new Infrastructure Board will overcome bureaucratic barriers and keep projects moving at pace. It will closely monitor an evolving list of significant infrastructure projects, including renewable energy projects critical to meeting the 2030 clean power mission. These could include offshore wind and solar farms, electricity transmission lines, and other nationally significant infrastructure projects.

    This package demonstrates rapid delivery of high-impact recommendations from a landmark review of environmental regulation, led by former Head of the No10 Policy Unit Dan Corry and commissioned by Steve Reed. Of the 29 recommendations published in April 2025, 9 are already being fast-tracked by Defra, with the government actively considering next steps on the remaining 20.

    This represents a significant step forward in delivering on the government’s Plan for Change commitment to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament and fast-track 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure – more than double the number decided in the previous Parliament.

    Notes to editors:

    • The Nature Restoration Fund will enable infrastructure builders to meet their environmental obligations faster and at greater scale by pooling contributions from developers to fund larger strategic interventions for nature. This approach will mean the burden of individual site-level assessments and delivering mitigation and compensation is reduced. Further information is on gov.uk.
    • The Marine Recovery Fund will deliver industry-funded, strategic measures to compensate for adverse effects of offshore wind developments on marine protected areas – supporting the Clean Power Mission.

    Lead Environmental Regulator

    Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:

    Infrastructure, housing and nature are not competing interests. Sustainable development and nature recovery must go hand in hand, and urgent action is needed to restore our depleted nature and build desperately needed homes and infrastructure.

    That’s why we’re proud to be the Lead Environmental Regulator delivering the Lower Thames Crossing. This model brings developers and all the regulators together to agree how to avoid environmental harm and plan opportunities for nature recovery, so streamlining the approvals process.

    Matt Palmer, Executive Director, Lower Thames Crossing, said:

    As one of the Britain’s most important economic infrastructure projects we are delighted to be the first to work with a Lead Environmental Regulator. Driving economic growth and enhancing nature are at the heart of the Lower Thames Crossing. As we gear up to start construction, this new approach will help us to move at pace, while ensuring we protect the natural environment and meet our environmental commitments.”

    On Lower Thames Crossing:

    • The Lower Thames Crossing will be a new road crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) in length, it will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels (one southbound and one northbound) running beneath the River Thames.
    • The Lead Environmental Regulator pilots will test a new operating model for how environmental regulators support major development projects. The project team is working with developers and regulators to identify suitable projects on which to pilot the approach. These pilots will test new ways of working and team structures including:
    • Better coordination – through clear named contacts for developers, who will coordinate all input, push work ahead at an appropriate speed and resolve issues.
    • Ensuring coherent advice across regulators to give developers a single view.
    • Streamlined processes sharing data, information and expert advice across all regulators to build a shared project understanding, improve coordination and accelerate decisions.
    • Resolving issues to escalate quickly where there is disagreement or divergence, by identifying causes, resolving them and reaching consensus before involving developers or other stakeholders. Proposed innovative solutions will be resolved at working level or escalated quickly, including to the Infrastructure Board. Defra will consider the use of Ministerial powers to unblock issues if necessary.
    • Set a proactive, energetic and “can-do” culture across regulators which is focused on enabling development whilst protecting and improving the environment.

    On Infrastructure Board:

    • The Board will not pre-empt or influence the consenting process, which will continue to be overseen by the Planning Inspectorate.
    • The measures announced today support many of the commitments in the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy. For example, the Defra Infrastructure Board will help support fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Millions to receive essential benefit payments ahead of August bank holiday [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Millions to receive essential benefit payments ahead of August bank holiday [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 August 2025.

    Millions of people will receive their essential financial support before the August bank holiday weekend, as the Government has confirmed that benefit payments will be brought forward to Friday 22 August.

    • Change to benefits payment date for millions of people will help them with their financial planning and providing peace of mind for those on low incomes.
    • It comes ahead of the new school year, which will allow families and carers to plan their spending with confidence, knowing their support is already in place.
    • This proactive measure demonstrates the Government’s commitment through its Plan for Change to raising living standards, breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring growth is felt by everyone, everywhere.

    The early payment arrangement will apply to all major benefits including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, State Pension, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and Disability Living Allowance, ensuring that payments originally scheduled for the weekend of 23-25 August reach recipients on time.

    This proactive measure will provide financial certainty for families as they prepare for the new school year, allowing parents and carers to plan their spending with confidence knowing their support is already in place during what can be an expensive time for households.

    Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said:

    We know how much families rely on these payments, and by bringing them forward ahead of the bank holiday we’re ensuring no one has to worry about whether their support will be there when they need it most.

    This is especially important ahead of the new school year – no family should have to choose between buying school supplies and putting food on the table.

    This is what our Plan for Change is all about – putting working families and the most vulnerable first and ensuring every family has the security they need to plan for the future.

    The early payment policy ensures recipients receive their funds before banks and government offices close for the holiday weekend, maintaining the continuity of support that millions depend upon.

    This announcement comes as the Government continues to deliver on its Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity and raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom.

    For the first time ever, the Universal Credit standard allowance will permanently rise above inflation, delivering £725 by 2029/30 in cash terms for a single person aged 25 or over. This represents the highest permanent real terms increase to the main rate of out-of-work support since 1980, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and will benefit nearly four million households.

    These reforms will change the lives of people across the country as part of the Government’s mission-led approach to kickstart economic growth. By putting more money into working people’s pockets and ensuring those seeking employment have the support they need, these changes will drive productivity, prosperity and higher living standards across the UK.

    Additional Information:

    • Benefit payments originally due on Saturday 23, Sunday 24, and Monday 25 August 2025 will be paid early on Friday 22 August 2025.
    • Applies across the entire United Kingdom (Scotland follows the same principle despite different bank holiday arrangements).
    • Affects multiple benefits: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, State Pension, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Pension Credit.