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  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on Southport

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on Southport

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 20 January 2025.

    Our thoughts are with the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar – and the families of everyone affected – who will be saved the ordeal of a protracted trial.

    The news that the vile and sick Southport killer will be convicted is welcome.

    It is also a moment of trauma for the nation and there are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls.

    Britain will rightly demand answers. And we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.

    At the centre of this horrific event, there is still a family and community grief that is raw; a pain that not even justice can ever truly heal.

    Although no words today can ever truly convey the depths of that pain, I want the families to know that our thoughts are with them and everyone in Southport affected by this barbaric crime. The whole nation grieves with them.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 48 – UK Statement on Italy [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 48 – UK Statement on Italy [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 January 2025.

    Statement at Italy’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We welcome Italy’s commitment to human rights, including its candidacy for the Human Rights Council.

    We commend Italy’s efforts to implement its National Action Plan against Trafficking and Serious Exploitation of Human Beings, and welcome the adoption of the Strategic Plan on Male Violence Against Women.

    However, we note the persistence of racial and discriminatory attitudes in society. We encourage greater protections for LGBT+ individuals, including tackling discrimination against same-sex couples and families.

    We recommend that Italy:

    1. Implement the recommendations of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, particularly around prevention and prosecution.
    2. Implement the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance recommendation to set up an independent equality body.
    3. Follow up on recommendations in the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, to ensure continued progress to stop violence against women and girls.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor ramps up engagement with financial services leaders to bolster plans to grow the economy [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor ramps up engagement with financial services leaders to bolster plans to grow the economy [January 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 January 2025.

    Financial services sector set for key role in designing first-ever Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy.

    • Chancellor to host series of Industry Forums with key sub-sectors such as banking, insurance, and asset management leaders over coming months.
    • Strategy will set out support for the financial services sector to innovate, grow and finance investment across the country, as part of Plan for Change to put more money in people’s pockets.

    The financial services sector is set to play a key role in designing the first ever Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy.

    The Chancellor will host a series of Industry Forums with industry – covering the entire breadth of the financial services sector – to seek views about the best way to deliver long-term in the sector and across the country.

    The Strategy, set to be published in the spring, aims to develop policies that foster growth in the financial services sector, as part of the Plan for Change to grow the economy and put more money in people’s pockets.

    Recognising its importance, financial services has been identified as one of the eight key growth-driving sectors in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

    The Industry Forums, alongside extensive further engagement at official and ministerial levels, will ensure that industry and senior stakeholders are closely involved in the development of the upcoming Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, so that it tackles the key issues that matter most to the industry.

    This will ensure that policy is informed by financial services professionals who know first-hand what is needed to deliver growth in each of the significant areas of financial services.

    Over the coming weeks, the Chancellor and the Economic Secretary will chair the first of these Industry Forums bringing in leaders from retail banking, wholesale and international banking, insurance and reinsurance, asset management, fintech, and the mutuals and co-operatives sector.

    These sessions will build on the government’s Call for Evidence to inform the Strategy, which closed in December 2024.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    Growth is my number one mission. It’s the only way to put more money in people’s pockets and key to our Plan for Change.

    The financial services sector is at the heart of this mission, supporting economic activity and financing investment across the country.

    I am committed to working hand-in-hand with the industry to make sure that our plans are informed by those who both provide and utilise financial services, including those who know first-hand what is needed to unlock growth in, and drive prosperity through, our world-leading financial services sector.

    The first meetings of the Industry Forums will run throughout January and February, reconvening ahead of the government’s publication of the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy as part of the Industrial Strategy later this year.

    The government will continue to work closely with industry following the publication of the Strategy, to ensure that it is implemented effectively.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Parents to receive day one right to neonatal care leave and pay [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Parents to receive day one right to neonatal care leave and pay [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 20 January 2025.

    Thousands of working families with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time off as a day one right.

    • New right to neonatal care leave and pay confirmed from 6 April, expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents.
    • Measures ensure employed parents can focus on supporting their new family without worrying about choosing between keeping their job and spending time with their baby.
    • The Government is delivering our Plan for Change by supporting working families and protecting working people’s payslips

    Thousands of working families with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time off as a day one right, the government has confirmed today (Monday 20 January).

    Currently, many working families across the UK are having to return to work while their babies are sick in hospital, and these measures aim to address some of the difficulties that thousands of parents face when their baby is in neonatal care.

    The Government is committed to providing the support families need to allow them to be by their child’s side without having to work throughout or use up their existing leave.

    Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer. These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave (and, if eligible, pay) on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.

    The government has today laid regulations to implement the change, which subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6 April 2025 and follows the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023.

    This measure comes alongside the Employment Rights Bill and delivers on the government’s commitment to support families and protect the payslips of working people as part of the Plan for Change.

    Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said:

    Parents of children in neonatal care have more than enough to worry about without being concerned about how much annual leave they have left or whether they’ll be able to make ends meet.

    This entitlement will deliver certainty to them and their employers, setting baseline protections that give them the peace of mind to look after the one thing that matters most – their newborn baby.

    Like many measures included in the government’s other employment rights reforms, neonatal care leave will be a day one right, meaning that it will be available to an employee from their first day in a new job.

    Alongside the leave entitlement, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.

    Founder of The Smallest Things, Catriona Ogilvy, said:

    The Smallest Things is delighted to see Neonatal Leave and Pay move one step closer to being available to thousands of parents whose babies are born sick or premature.

    The stress and trauma experienced by families during a neonatal stay cannot be underestimated. In an instant, their world is turned upside down. No parent or carer should be sitting beside an incubator worrying about pay or work.

    This much-needed additional leave and pay means parents and carers can be with their baby or babies in hospital. We know the journey doesn’t end when it’s time to go home. The new law will give families essential time at home to bond, begin to recover from trauma and to care for a fragile baby or babies without the pressure of finances or returning to work too soon.

    This legislation is long-overdue and The Smallest Things is overjoyed that – after tirelessly campaigning for 10 years to bring the power of parent voices to change-makers – we are finally on the brink of seeing this vital support become a reality.

    Chief Executive at Bliss, Caroline Lee-Davey, said:

    At Bliss we know just how important it is that babies born premature or sick have both parents at their side in neonatal care during their challenging first weeks and months of life, playing a hands-on role in their care. By contrast, the lack of additional parental leave rights for parents to date has forced many to make the unimaginable choice to return to work in order to pay their bills while their baby is desperately ill in hospital. That is why Bliss is so proud to have led campaigning for the introduction of the Neonatal Care (Leave & Pay) Act, which will provide thousands of employed parents every year with the assurance that they can take the time to be with their sick baby when they need it most.

    We are delighted that the Act will be implemented from 6 April this year and look forward to working with the Government and employers to ensure that all parents who are eligible know about this new entitlement, as well as the wider information and support that they can access from Bliss throughout their neonatal journey.

    Since coming to power, this Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill to upgrade workers’ rights across the UK, tackle poor working conditions and benefit businesses and workers alike. This includes bringing forward 28 individual employment reforms, from ending exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices to establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for millions of workers.

    The Government is also bringing forward measures to help make the workplace more compatible with people’s lives, with flexible working made the default where practical, large employers required to create action plans on addressing gender pay gaps, support for employees through the menopause, and strengthened protections against dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers.

  • NEWS STORY : Led By Donkeys Project Image of Elon Musk Following Nazi Salute

    NEWS STORY : Led By Donkeys Project Image of Elon Musk Following Nazi Salute

    STORY

    Led by Donkeys, the British campaign group, have projected an image of controversial business leader Elon Musk with the Nazi salute he allegedly gave earlier this week whilst at a rally at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the President. The image was projected outside the Tesla gigafactory in Berlin, Germany. Musk refused to apologise or explain the incident, instead issuing a statement stating:

    “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 10 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 10 January 1925

    10 JANUARY 1925

    The efforts of the German chancellor to form a cabinet have failed in the face of gathering obstacles, the last of them the attitude of the People’s party. President Ebert has been informed of the situation, and it is thought probable that he will ask Dr. Luther, the finance minister, to take up the task.

    There was no full session of the inter-allied finance conference, but conversations between the heads of the principal delegations took place during the day. It is believed that satisfactory progress was made towards an Anglo-American understanding on reparation claims and towards a compromise with Belgium on the latter’s priority claim.

    Marked “urgent and important,” the N.U.R. have forwarded a circular to all branches advising members not to join the proposed supplementary army reserve until satisfactory guarantees are obtained that under no circumstances will the reserve be used during a dispute between the railway companies and their employees.

    A communist plot was discovered in Italy, where the police are continuing their campaign against all “subversive centres.”

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 9 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 9 January 1925

    9 JANUARY 1925

    Private conversations took place in Paris between Mr Churchill, Colonel Logan, and M. Clementel on various questions connected with war claims. A plenary sitting of the Allied Finance Conference afterwards took place. There is hope of agreement on the main questions before the Conference.

    Dr Marx has been asked by the President of the Reich to form a Government as speedily as possible. If he has difficulty in filling the posts Dr Marx will fill them with Under Secretaries.

    In a letter to the Naval Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr Hughes, Secretary of State, expressed the view that the elevation of guns in American capital ships would not constitute a violation of the Washington Treaty, although such action might have an unfortunate effect in tending to promote competition in naval armaments.

    In a letter to the Postmaster-General, the Union of Post Office Workers states the grounds on which it asks that a joint committee be formed to go into the new wage claim of the Union in respect of all grades of the service.

    At the sitting of the Royal Commission on Food Prices the question of cold storage in Britain was raised, and it was contended that the present London rates were a great tax on the meat business.

    An Egyptian who has given himself up to the police is expected to prove of considerable assistance in connection with certain lines of inquiry now being followed up for the murderers of the Sirdar.

     

     

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 8 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 8 January 1925

    8 JANUARY 1925

    The Conference of Allied Finance Ministers was opened at Paris. Replying to a speech of welcome by M. Clementel, Mr Winston Churchill emphasised the limited and technical character of the work ahead. Important as
    were the issues involved in the Conference, they were not issues comparable with those settled at many previous inter-Allied gatherings. The interest of the Conference lay in the prospect opened out in London of sure and
    reasonable advance towards a better state of things in Europe. The discussion would be complicated, and the interests were conflicting; but above and beyond the special claims of any Power represented stood the need for
    harmony in mood and for simplicity in method.

    The German reply to the Allied Note on the evacuation of Cologne complains of the hardship of the occupation, and insists on her military weakness. The Note further declares that if the Allied Governments in their further dealing with the question of evacuation as well as of disarmament would be guided by the spirit shown at the London Conference, it would be possible to come to a speedy settlement.

    A declaration of Liberal principles and aims to be submitted for approval of the forthcoming party Convention has been issued.

    Sir Philip Proctor, giving evidence before the Royal Commission on Food Prices, stated that of the nation’s total consumption of meat 27 per cent. was mutton and 73 per cent. beef.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK firms boosted by new qualifications agreement with Switzerland [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK firms boosted by new qualifications agreement with Switzerland [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 January 2025.

    UK-qualified professionals to find it easier to work in Switzerland, as new permanent agreement ensures professional qualifications can be recognised.

    • New agreements make it easier for UK-qualified people in professions from law and veterinary to ski instructing to work in Switzerland
    • Agreement comes into force ahead of Business Secretary flying to Davos to promote UK as one of the world’s top investment destinations for global firms
    • Talks continue on an upgraded UK-Switzerland trade deal to further strengthen services trade, already worth £27 billion a year.

    UK-qualified businesspeople will now find it easier to work in Switzerland and vice versa, as a new permanent agreement ensures professional qualifications can be recognised in both countries, supporting businesses to grow oversees and driving forward economic growth.

    The UK-Switzerland Recognition of Professional Qualifications Agreement, which replaces the now expired arrangements under the Citizens’ Rights Agreement, will ensure UK-qualified professionals in regulated sectors have a smooth and transparent route for their qualifications to be recognised in Switzerland.

    This will help to put money back in working people’s pockets by making it easier for employers to work between both countries, increasing trade and strengthening economies on both sides.

    The agreement applies to over 200 UK professions ranging from lawyers and auditors to driving instructors and cabin crew, and also includes anaesthetists for the first time.

    For regulated professions, the ability to sell services overseas is often dependant on their qualifications being recognised by foreign regulators. The agreement could therefore help boost UK-Swiss trade, already worth £46 billion a year, particularly in professional and business services, worth £8 billion.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    As a former trainee solicitor, I know the challenges faced by UK professionals when working abroad and innovative agreements like this will make a real difference to our world-class services sectors.

    As a resolutely pro-business Government, we want to make it as seamless as possible for UK businesses to operate abroad. With the UK and Switzerland being two global leaders in services trade, this agreement is testament to our unwavering commitment to economic growth.

    The agreement also includes a bespoke route to recognition for certain legal professionals, so lawyers can become qualified in the other country after practising for three years. This is vital as Switzerland is one of the largest and most important export markets for UK legal services in Europe.

    It will make it easier for businesses to deploy their qualified staff between UK and Swiss locations and safeguard the autonomy of UK and Swiss professional regulators to set standards and decide who is fit to practise the profession.

    A separate recognition of qualifications deal has also been signed making it easier for UK-qualified ski instructors to work in Switzerland, one of the world’s leading snowsports destinations, thanks to the work of the British Association of Snowsports Instructors and Swiss Snowsports.

    This welcome news comes as negotiations continue at pace on an enhanced UK-Swiss Free Trade Agreement, aimed at further strengthening UK-Swiss ties in services, investment and digital trade and delivering economic growth and jobs across the UK.

    Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC said:

    Our lawyers are some of the best in the world and this agreement will provide exciting opportunities for them to work and practice in Switzerland.

    Legal services contributed £37 billion to the UK economy in 2023 and this positive step builds on that, strengthening the UK’s legal ties around the globe and boosting our economy.

    RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:

    We’re pleased to see this agreement come into effect. Close trading ties with our European neighbours are crucial to British architecture’s global success and this agreement helps smooth the path for practices to export their professional services and expand beyond borders.

    By exchanging talent, expertise and ideas, both countries have much to gain. We hope to see architects based in the UK and Switzerland make the most of this opportunity.

    Financial Reporting Council CEO Richard Moriarty:

    Securing mutual recognition agreements with global partners is good for the future skills and resilience of the UK audit profession which plays an important role in supporting UK growth.

    This UK-Switzerland Recognition of Professional Qualifications Agreement will support UK audit firms to export their services and enhance the profession’s ability to trade across the globe.

    Notes to editors

    • UK-Switzerland services trade was worth £27 billion in the 12 months to June 2024 .
    • UK professional and business services exports were worth £8 billion in the 12 months to June 2024.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Emergency cash tripled for rough sleepers this winter [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Emergency cash tripled for rough sleepers this winter [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 20 January 2025.

    The government is tripling the Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding from £10 million to £30 million.

    • Winter funding tripled to protect more rough sleepers from cold weather
    • An extra £20 million for over 280 councils to provide warm beds for those sleeping rough long term
    • Supporting the government’s Plan for Change to deliver safe and secure housing for all

    More rough sleepers will be helped off the streets and provided warm beds this winter thanks to new emergency funding given to local councils today.

    The Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding, a government scheme to increase the use of emergency accommodation for rough sleepers, will be tripled from £10 million to £30 million. The cash will go directly into areas with record levels of rough sleeping, ultimately saving lives and supporting thousands of vulnerable people in society facing the cold weather.

    Those experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping are 8 to 12 times more likely to die prematurely, particularly from chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and those sleeping rough during winter are at even greater risk of ill health and long-term sickness.

    Over 280 councils, including all London boroughs, will now have extra resources at their disposal to support frontline workers providing vital services on the ground, which will see more people sleeping rough into safe and secure accommodation with warm beds, hot meals and medical treatment.

    The new funding will also continue supporting specialist programmes for vulnerable groups sleeping rough including veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse. This is alongside giving lifechanging support to people who have slept rough long-term, with critical outreach staff helping to address substance abuse and provide employment opportunities.

    Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali said:

    “Behind every sad rough sleeping statistic, there is a person who has been let down by the system for far too long. This government is more determined than ever to turn the tide on years of failure to properly invest in our frontline services.

    “That is why I am tripling the emergency funding from £10 million to £30 million for councils to help the most vulnerable into safe and secure housing with warm beds, hot meals, and specialist care.

    “Through our Plan for Change we are already taking urgent action to tackle the worst housing crisis in living memory, delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation and getting us back on track to end homelessness for good.”

    A sharp rise in rough sleeping in recent years represents a complete failure in the housing crisis inherited by the government, with almost 360,000 households approaching their council for help with homelessness over the last year.

    Today’s emergency cash injection is just one branch of the government’s Plan for Change to raise living standards for working people and families, deliver the biggest boost in affordable and social housing in a generation, and strengthen rights and protections for tenants.

    It builds on the largest-ever investment in homelessness prevention services of almost £1 billion for this year, including over £185 million for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, so councils can better prioritise when providing warm beds and shelter for people at risk, or experiencing, rough sleeping.

    This is alongside more than £37 million for the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme that will cover ongoing costs to help rough sleepers into longer term housing and secure more specialist staff supporting their mental health and substance abuse problems.

    A new dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group is also bringing together ministers to develop a long-term strategy across the healthcare, justice and education systems, as part of the government’s wider drive to tackle the root causes of rough sleeping and get the country back on track to ending homelessness for good.

    One of the leading causes of homelessness, Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, will be abolished for new and existing tenancies through the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill which is now another step closer to becoming law following last week’s third reading.

    Through overdue reforms to the Right to Buy scheme councils can now retain all receipts from sales to build and buy more homes as well as receiving an additional £450 million last year to secure and create homes for families at risk of homelessness.

    Government investment in housing has now increased to £5 billion for this year, including an extra £500 million for the existing Affordable Homes Programme to build tens of thousands of affordable homes across the country.

    Further information

    The government previously announced an emergency £10 million package for the Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding last November.