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PRESS RELEASE : Parents prioritising primary schools with free breakfast clubs [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 2 February 2026.

Over 300,000 children are set to benefit from Best Start free breakfast clubs in April, as the government prioritises support to tackle the cost of living and help parents juggle work and family life.

Schools already enrolled on the programme have served up 7 million meals to date and saved families up to £450 per year, while giving them up to 95 hours of precious time back each morning. Meanwhile, children are benefitting from healthy breakfasts and being in school earlier, with evidence showing improved attendance, attainment and behaviour.

With the government’s free breakfast clubs already proving to be a lifeline for so many, it is now calling on more primary schools to sign up, as new polling reveals nearly half (45%) of parents prioritise schools offering them.

Crucially, the clubs are also helping to cut stigma which still exists, with six in ten (60%) parents more likely to access support when it’s available to everyone.

This comes as data reveals nearly four in ten (38%) single parents feel guilt when accessing free support, compared to 28% of parents raising a family with a partner.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

Free breakfast clubs are revolutionising morning routines up and down the country, becoming an essential part of modern-day life for working families.

From settling a child into the school day to helping parents get to work, free breakfast clubs are giving every child the best start in life – delivering on our plan for national renewal.

I was raised by a single parent, so I know first-hand the struggles facing parents trying to make ends meet and how important it is to tackle outdated stigmas with practical support that people can feel every day.

Applications open today for 1,500 schools to join in September, so that 680,000 children will benefit by September.

Backed by £80 million targeting the most disadvantaged areas, the scheme builds on the government’s decisions to prioritise investment to help families with the cost of living, including:
- Delivering 30 hours a week of free childcare, saving parents up to £7500
- Expanding free school meals to half a million more children
- Building school-based nurseries, creating thousands more places
- Cutting the cost of branded school uniforms
- Scrapping the two-child limit. lifting 450,000 children out of poverty
Diane Newton, Head Teacher, Field Road Academy, West Midlands said:

For our school, a free breakfast club will enormously improve attendance and set our pupils up for a day of learning.

The fact this club is free and open to everyone will help break down any stigma attached to accessing free meals, ending the perception support should only be for those most in need.

Everyone, from every type of family, has something to gain from using a free breakfast club – from putting some extra money back in parents’ pockets, helping them get to work easier, to improving children’s wellbeing.

Maria Carnevale is a single mum of three living in Eastwood in Rotherham, balancing work, family life, and caring for a newborn. Reflecting on the difference breakfast club makes, she says:

My kids absolutely love breakfast club – it gives them such a fun, positive start to their day and the chance to chat, play and engage with their friends before school begins.

It’s become something they genuinely look forward to each morning, and it sets them up in such a good mood for the day ahead.

For me, it’s made a huge difference too; it helps our mornings run smoothly, takes away the rush and stress, and means I can get to work on time or spend those precious moments with my newborn that I’d otherwise miss.

The government has also secured industry partnerships with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Weetabix and Magic Breakfast, continuing until July 2026 to provide discounts, free deliveries and healthier meals. This will ensure top British brands can help schools benefit from discounts and free deliveries and kids to have access to healthier, varied meals.

Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind said:

This is good news for parents and especially parents juggling the pressures of work and school drop offs.

We know that parents want breakfast clubs and it helps them to get children to school and hold down jobs.

It’s particularly important for children to start their day well and get ready for school. Parents will applaud this news.
February 3, 2026
NEWS STORY : Foreign Secretary Unveils Plans to Reduce Migration from Africa

STORY

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a new cooperation agreement with Ethiopia aimed at curbing illegal migration from the Horn of Africa during a diplomatic visit to Addis Ababa. During her visit on 2 February 2026, Cooper met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos to establish partnerships intended to disrupt criminal gangs and provide economic alternatives to irregular migration.

The new partnership involves direct support from the UK’s Border Security Command, which will provide funding and expertise to help Ethiopian law enforcement tackle the smuggling networks operating in the region. Cooper emphasised that the UK must increase international cooperation with both source and transit countries to address the rising number of migrants attempting to reach Britain.

As part of a broader effort to address the root causes of migration, the Foreign Secretary also signed agreements to support job creation and infrastructure. These include two energy-transmission projects led by the UK investment group Gridworks, which are expected to boost regional economic stability. Additionally, the UK pledged £17 million in funding to address local humanitarian issues, including malnutrition assistance for 68,000 children, support for displaced persons and initiatives to combat violence against women and girls.

February 3, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary sets out new cooperation on illegal migration from Horn of Africa on visit to Ethiopia [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 February 2026.

Foreign Secretary sets out how she is strengthening FCDO action to tackle illegal migration on her first visit to Africa in the role.
- Foreign Secretary says UK must increase international partnerships with source and transit countries to tackle the drivers of migration and accelerate returns
- follows changing patterns in small boat arrivals, with an increasing proportion of total arrivals across the Channel and across the Mediterranean coming from the Horn of Africa
- new co-operation includes job creation partnerships backed by UK investment to tackle the economic drivers of illegal migration as well as stronger partnerships to tackle criminal smuggler gangs in the Horn of Africa, and speeding up returns
- modern partnerships are at the heart of the UK’s new Africa Approach, unlocking growth, investment, and opportunities on both sides
The UK is deepening its partnerships across Africa to tackle the factors that drive people into the hands of smuggling gangs – following the Horn of Africa becoming a key source region for illegal migration towards the UK, with around 30% of small boat arrivals over the past 2 years being nationals from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan.

On her first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper will set out how she is strengthening FCDO action to tackle illegal migration – increasing prevention, law enforcement and returns along key routes.

She will meet telecoms firm Safaricom, backed by a British consortium including including and British International Investment (BII). They are one of the UK-supported companies who are increasing opportunities for Ethiopians to find work at home, support themselves and contribute to their economy, rather than making the long and dangerous journey to seek a new life overseas.

On her visit, the Foreign Secretary will put job creation at the heart of this effort – cutting off push factors driving people to migrate. She will sign a Joint Development Agreement to take forward 2 energy transmission projects totalling over $400 million developed by Gridworks – a British International Investment company that delivers UK investment across Africa.

This will cement the UK’s position as one of Ethiopia’s most trusted economic partnerships, positioning the UK as a key partner on COP32 which will take place in Ethiopia in 2027, the same year that the UK chairs the G20. She will also sign a MoU with the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance on the Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility II (EIAF2), the UK’s flagship economic partnership with Ethiopia.

The Foreign Secretary will also set out the work that the UK is doing to strengthen cooperation with the Ethiopian authorities to tackle the brokers and criminal gangs organising illegal migration from the Horn of Africa into Europe and the UK, and to speed up the return of Ethiopian nationals with no right to stay in the UK.

This partnership includes Border Security Command funding and support for Ethiopian law-enforcement agencies to help them carry out more effective investigations and improve information-sharing on criminal networks and their activities.

As part of the visit the Foreign Secretary will also be discussing greater cooperation with the African Union along with African foreign ministers on conflict prevention and resolution across the region to prevent people being forced to leave their homes by war and persecution.

The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

We are forging new partnerships with countries across Africa and delivering long term solutions. We are working together to tackle the economic drivers of illegal migration and the criminal gangs who operate globally, profiting from trading in people.

That includes new partnerships to improve trade and create thousands of good jobs in Ethiopia so people can find a better life back home instead of making perilous journeys

And it means new law enforcement cooperation between the Ethiopian authorities and the UK National Crime Agency to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks who exploit vulnerable people and put their lives at risk. This follows a rising trend of organised people smuggling from the Horn of Africa towards the UK.

Criminal smuggler gangs operate across borders around the world – so we are working together with countries right along the transit routes. This cooperation in Africa follows new partnerships with countries like Iraq, the Balkan states and Europe.

The Foreign office is making international partnerships to tackle illegal migration a major priority because the partnerships we build abroad are crucial to making us stronger back at home.

In meetings with the Ethiopian Government, the Foreign Secretary discussed the important role which Ethiopia can play in resolving regional security challenges peacefully and diplomatically.

With conflict in the Horn of Africa displacing millions of people, and acting as a further driver of illegal migration, the Foreign Secretary has emphasised throughout her visit that achieving regional stability and sustainable growth in the region is crucial to reduce migratory pressures from Africa into Europe.

The Government’s recently published Africa Approach sets out a vision for modern partnerships between the UK and a continent of growth, ambition, and opportunity. From trade and investment to security and stability, these partnerships are intended to build shared prosperity, back African leadership and create the conditions for business and growth on both sides.

Additional information

In Ethiopia, the Foreign Secretary will also announce:
- £5 million of humanitarian funding to tackle violence against women and girls, particularly in conflict-affected areas. This will reach approximately 110,000 people
- £4 million funding for UNICEF for life saving assistance to 68,000 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition
- £8 million funding towards ICRC’s annual appeal, ensuring access to clean water for 62,500 displaced people, increasing food production for 40,000 people, and supporting 4 medical centres, 5 hospitals, and 1 centre for violence against women and girls (VAWG) services
February 3, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New powers for Defence personnel to defeat drones following doubling of incidents near bases [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 February 2026.

The security of key military sites will be strengthened as Defence personnel will be given stronger powers to defeat drones near bases as part of new measures being introduced in the Armed Forces Bill.
- More than 250 drone incidents near UK military sites in 2025, double the number in 2024.
- Defence personnel will be given new powers through the Armed Forces Bill to defeat drones threatening Defence sites.
- New legislation will also allow personnel to take action against land and maritime drones posing a threat.
The security of key military sites will be strengthened as Defence personnel will be given stronger powers to defeat drones near bases as part of new measures being introduced in the Armed Forces Bill.

It comes as newly confirmed figures demonstrate the growing threat rogue drones are posing to Ministry of Defence sites throughout the UK. In 2025, there were 266 reported Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle incidents near Defence sites, a rise from the 126 incidents reported in 2024.

The legislation will give authorised personnel the power to take out drones deemed to be posing a threat to any Defence site without the need for assistance from police.

The Armed Forces Bill will also allow personnel to destroy land drones or those that can be operated on or under water, in addition to aerial drones.

Current legislation that enables interference with drones for the purpose of preventing crime can only be used by the police and certain other agencies. The new measures allow defence personnel to protect their own sites and operations.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

The doubling of rogue drones near military sites in the UK in the last year underlines the increasing and changing nature of the threats we face.

Through the Armed Forces Bill, we’re giving our military greater powers to take out and shoot down threatening drones near bases. And stepping up investment in counter-drone technology to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

The new powers will add to the significant measures introduced by this government to increase the security of military sites, reversing years of under-investment and ensuring bases meet the highest security standards.

The Government has quadrupled its spending on Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems since taking office, allocating over £200 million this year alone, reflecting the priority of autonomy and counter-drone technology as a key deliverable throughout the Strategic Defence Review.

Recent months have seen the introduction of restricted airspace at 40 defence sites, the deployment of new drones to guard military bases, investment in advanced CCTV and integrated threat monitoring systems to strengthen base security, and £20 million in digital transformation to modernise security systems.

Advanced technology like automated track-and-detect systems are now operational at multiple key sites, delivering 24/7 surveillance and enabling rapid response to threats.

The Armed Forces Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 15 January 2026 and had its second reading on 26 January.
February 3, 2026
NEWS STORY : UK Foreign Secretary condemns “deepening crisis” on fifth anniversary of Myanmar coup

STORY

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has marked the five-year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar by warning that the country remains in a “deepening crisis”. In an official statement released on 1 February 2026, Cooper highlighted that the military’s overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government five years ago overturned the will of the people and stripped them of their political freedom.

The Foreign Secretary’s address drew attention to the increasingly dire conditions on the ground, noting that half of Myanmar’s children are now out of school and women and girls face persistent violence. Cooper also pointed out the international impact of the crisis, stating that illegal activities such as drug production and cyber scams have flourished in the region, with direct consequences for the United Kingdom.

Addressing the recent political situation, the statement dismissed military-run elections as neither free nor fair. This follows reports from the Union Election Commission that the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won a majority of seats in a poll widely condemned by international observers. Cooper reiterated the UK’s commitment to standing by those most affected and urged all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians.

February 3, 2026
Yvette Cooper – 2026 Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Military Coup in Myanmar

STORY

Five years on from the military’s coup, the people of Myanmar face a deepening crisis.

By overthrowing Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government, the will of the people was overturned and their political freedom taken away.

Amidst this crisis, the UK remains committed to supporting a stable future for the people of Myanmar.

In the past year we have supported over 1.4 million people with humanitarian assistance and provided 1.3 million people with essential health services. We will continue to stand by those most affected.

Yet conditions on the ground remain dire.

Half of Myanmar’s children are now out of school, while women and girls face persistent violence.

Crimes that affect us in the UK, like drug production and cyber scams, have flourished.

The recent military-run elections were neither free nor fair.

For the aspirations of the Myanmar people to be met, there is much that still needs to be done.

We continue to urge all parties to protect civilians.

We call on the military regime to end its airstrikes; to allow unhindered humanitarian access; to release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to engage in genuine dialogue towards a democratic and peaceful transition.

Today and always, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar.

February 3, 2026
NEWS STORY : X Paris headquarters raided by cybercrime unit

STORY

French authorities conducted a search of X’s Paris offices on 3 February 2026 as part of a widening criminal investigation. The operation was led by the cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office, with support from Europol. This search is a continuation of an inquiry first opened in January 2025 into the platform’s algorithms and data handling.

The investigation has recently expanded to include seven alleged criminal offences, many linked to the platform’s artificial intelligence tool, Grok. These include possible “complicity” in the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as the dissemination of sexually explicit deepfakes. Authorities are also investigating claims that Grok generated content denying the Holocaust, which is a criminal offence in France.

In addition to the physical search, Paris prosecutors have summoned X owner Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino for “voluntary interviews” on 20 April 2026. Yaccarino served as CEO until July 2025. Several current X employees have also been called as witnesses for that same week.

February 3, 2026
NEWS STORY : Peter Mandelson Quits Lords in Disgrace

STORY

Peter Mandelson has formally notified the House of Lords of his resignation from the chamber following serious allegations of personal misconduct, potential manipulation of financial markets and leaking privileged information. The seriousness of the allegations led to Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, saying he must be removed from the Lords and the police have confirmed an investigation into potential criminal behaviour.

February 3, 2026
NEWS STORY : Pet owners to gain from major vet sector overhaul

STORY

Millions of households across the country are set to benefit from the most significant modernisation of the veterinary sector in over sixty years. The Government has announced a sweeping set of reforms designed to lower costs, increase transparency and give pet owners greater confidence in the care their animals receive.

These proposals come as a direct response to a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation which revealed that vet fees have been rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation. The watchdog estimated that these market inefficiencies could be costing British pet owners as much as £1 billion over a five-year period. With sixty per cent of practices now owned by large corporate chains rather than independent vets, the Government is moving to ensure that the commercial side of the industry does not compromise fair pricing or consumer choice.

The new measures aim to remove what is increasingly an opaque nature of veterinary billing and ownership through several key changes. Practices will be required to publish clear price lists for common treatments, allowing owners to compare costs and find the best value before committing to care. Additionally, vet businesses must disclose who owns them, making it clear whether a local surgery is independent or part of a larger corporate network. For the first time, every veterinary practice will require an official operating licence, similar to the regulations governing GP surgeries and care homes.

Beyond consumer protection, the reforms seek to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which has remained largely unchanged since 1966. Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman noted that while pets are cherished members of the family, the regulatory framework must keep pace with modern commercial realities. The plans include better legal recognition for veterinary nurses and a modernised disciplinary process that focuses on current competence, ensuring a more resilient workforce. The government has launched an eight-week public consultation on these proposals, which is set to run until 25 March 2026.

January 31, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Pet owners to benefit from biggest vet sector reforms in 60 years [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2026.

Clearer pricing will help pet owners compare costs and shop around, saving families money.

Millions of pet owners and vet professionals across the country will benefit from major reforms to the veterinary sector – the first overhaul in sixty years.

The reforms help households understand what they are paying for, avoid unexpected costs and choose the best value care for their pets.

They come after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found problems in the veterinary market could be costing households up to £1 billion over five years. The CMA found that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation – which is why this government is taking action.

The proposals will make the system clearer, fairer and more transparent for owners – while supporting veterinary professionals alike.

Benefits for pet owners:
- Clearer prices easing the ability to look around: Vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments, and be transparent about options and changes allowing pet owners to choose the best treatment for their animals. Knowing key prices beforehand helps owners to choose the best value.
- More competition to lower costs over time: Vet businesses must disclose who owns them so pet owners know if their local practice is part of a larger chain or independent. This knowledge and price transparency helps owners to decide which practice to use which increases competition and bring down costs over time.
- Greater confidence in care: Every vet practice will need an official operating licence – similar to GP surgeries and care homes.
- Fairer treatment complaints process: Stronger rules on how veterinary businesses must operate with an easier and more effective route for customers to raise concerns along with more support offered to allow vets and vet nurses to carry out their roles successfully; benefitting animal health and welfare.
- Better access to quality care: New measures will bring veterinary nurses and certain allied veterinary professionals into regulation, freeing up veterinary surgeons to focus on more specialist care, improving access and reducing delays.
Benefits for veterinary professionals:
- Legal recognition for veterinary nurses to strengthen professional identity, helping improve job satisfaction and boosting retention rates.
- Regulatory oversight of veterinary businesses, not just individual vets, so the responsibility for upholding standards is shared and clearer.
- Modernised processes for registration and “fitness to practice”, focusing on current competence rather than past mistakes.
- A modern governance model for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), whose current structure has remained largely unchanged since 1966 and now lags behind other healthcare regulators. Proposals will reduce potential conflicts of interest and strengthen public and professional trust.
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said:

“Pets are part of the family, and owners deserve clear information, fair treatment and confidence in the care their animals receive.

“We’re focused on making vet services work better for families by improving transparency, increasing choice and helping people make informed decisions, while continuing to support the professionals who care for our animals.”

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

“Updating these rules will help build a modern veterinary service that is easier for the public to understand and navigate, while strengthening animal health outcomes and supporting a skilled, resilient workforce.

“Reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more resilient profession. This consultation gives pet owners and professionals the chance to help shape a system that works better for everyone.”

British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said:

“Veterinary teams play a vital role in society, from caring for the nation’s animals and supporting our farmers and food production, through to assisting international trade, disease control and public health. If we’re to continue delivering this work effectively, we need reformed veterinary legislation, and those changes will impact how we go about all aspects of our work; it’s therefore imperative that colleagues engage with Defra’s proposals, ensure their voices are heard and grasp this opportunity to shape a veterinary sector that’s fit for the 21st century.”

Martin Coleman, Chair of the CMA Inquiry Group said:

“We welcome the government’s consultation to update this vital regulation and protect pet owners. Our vets investigation is ongoing, but we have already set out our strong concern that the current rules are not fit for purpose and need reforming to keep pace with commercial practice and further build pet owner trust in veterinary businesses.”

Why change is needed:

60% of vet practices are owned by non-vets, with many operating under unclear ownership structures. The reforms propose a new licencing system requiring businesses to meet clear standards – with enforcement action, including potential loss of licence, where they fail to do so.

A modern disciplinary process will accompany the reforms, with a wider range of sanctions to ensure customer concerns are properly addressed and support veterinary professionals to safely carry out their roles. This will work to improve care whilst reducing punitive outcomes and will benefit both owners and professionals alike.

Veterinary professionals are essential to the UK’s high animal health and welfare standards. These reforms strengthen professional recognition, modernise outdated regulation and help safeguard the profession’s ability to continue to protect the UK from the threats to disease and food security.

This announcement follows the publication of the Animal Welfare Strategy, and is part of this Government’s ambitious reforms to animal welfare – improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK.

The consultation will run for 8 weeks.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

“For years, Which? has been exposing unclear pricing and poor practice in the vet industry so it’s good to see the government taking steps to modernise the sector and ensure it treats pet owners fairly.

“The current regulation is decades out of date and oversight of veterinary businesses, not just individual vets, is urgently needed. The government needs to ensure that its new licensing system has the right sanctions in place for businesses which break the rules.

“The government must ensure these changes are introduced as soon as possible to restore consumer confidence in the sector. As part of these reforms, it should also legislate to establish a mandatory Ombudsman scheme with the power to make binding judgements about customer complaints and take action against any vets or vet practices falling short.”

Additional information:
- The consultation can be accessed here: Consultation: Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 – Defra – Citizen Space.
President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Professor Tim Parkin BVSc FRCVS said:

“We’re delighted to see the launch of this consultation and are very grateful to Defra’s veterinary policy team, and all stakeholders, for the hard work and close collaboration over the last year to get us to this point. This really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all of us to help shape the future of the veterinary professions and animal healthcare industry, and to introduce a modern regulatory framework that’s fit for purpose in the 21st century. At nearly 60 years old, the Veterinary Surgeons Act is in urgent need of reform – it’s time for change.”

BVNA President Sarah Holliday commented:

“At BVNA we are delighted that this consultation is now underway, representing an important step towards a potential reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. BVNA has welcomed the opportunity to represent the veterinary nursing profession throughout the entirety of the sprint process, which has demonstrated meaningful and effective collaboration between each of our respective organisations. We thank the team at Defra for their sustained efforts in arriving at this stage, and we look forward to continuing to work together towards legislation which truly reflects the veterinary landscape of today and the future.”

Charlotte Beckett, interim Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA, added:

“This is really positive news for the veterinary profession, pet owners and animal welfare.

“We know costs are a real concern for pet owners – and our Animal Kindness Index found more than half (52%) are worried about how to afford vet bills. That’s why clearer pricing is such an important step forward – bringing greater transparency to the sector, and helping current and future pet owners understand the potential financial implications of responsible pet ownership.

“These reforms can equip pet owners with knowledge and confidence to deal with health and welfare concerns their pets may have promptly – protecting animals and ensuring many welfare issues do not escalate.

“But we know these have been tough times for the veterinary profession too – so moves to modernise governance, legally recognise hardworking veterinary nurses, and provide better oversight are critical to a sector that does such vital work in communities across the country.

“We now look forward to working with the UK Government, and the veterinary profession, to help inform and contribute towards these vital reforms, and keep building a better world for every kind.”

Paul Manktelow, Veterinary Director at Blue Cross, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Baroness Hayman to our Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London. We spoke with her about the work our veterinary team do, treating pets whose owners are amongst the most vulnerable in society and struggle with the cost of private vet fees.

“We highlighted the pressures on the sector and welcomed Defra’s review of the outdated Veterinary Service Act and recognition of the vital role veterinary nurses play.”

Karen Reed, Veterinary and Welfare Director at Dogs Trust, said:

“Dogs Trust welcomes the decision to consult on reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which the professions have been long calling for. We work closely with the veterinary professions and rely on their support so we particularly welcome the announcement to review the regulations governing RVNs and other allied professions.

“We recognise that clear information, transparent pricing and high professional standards are essential to protecting animal welfare. Pets are family members, and owners need confidence that they can make informed decisions about their care. Improving owner satisfaction while supporting veterinary professionals would be a positive step towards a system that works better for both animals and the people who care for them.”
January 31, 2026