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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary sets timeline for RAAC removal in schools [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary sets timeline for RAAC removal in schools [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 28 October 2025.

    Bridget Phillipson wants all schools and colleges to be RAAC-free as she sets timelines for complete removal.

    Every single child in England to be learning in classrooms free from RAAC as the Education Secretary sets out timelines for removing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from all schools and colleges- calling time on the crumbling school estate. 

    The government is rebuilding pride in our education system, setting out plans to permanently remove the dangerous concrete from all schools and colleges with RAAC, except those in the School Rebuilding Programme, ahead of the next general election. 

    For schools with RAAC being rebuilt through the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), all will be in delivery in the same timeframe, with more than half already underway. 

    The move, part of the government’s plans for national renewal, will help break down barriers to opportunity by removing RAAC for good, with more than 42,000 pupils already learning in RAAC free classrooms. 

    Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:    

    We inherited a crumbling education estate, but I won’t let that be our legacy. 

    After years of neglect we are giving every child a safe and high-quality classroom where they can focus on learning – by setting clear timelines for the permanent removal of RAAC from schools and colleges. It’s what parents expect, it’s what children deserve and it’s what we are delivering.    

    It’s about more than just buildings – it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life. 

    There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England and 237 had confirmed RAAC, all of which are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. One hundred and twenty three schools with RAAC will be rebuilt through the School Rebuilding Programme and 108 schools and colleges are getting government grants for RAAC removal, with works delivered through their responsible body – usually the local authority or Trust. Six schools and colleges have alternative arrangements, including buildings not being part of their estate in the longer term. 

    Last month, the Department for Education updated on progress on RAAC removal in schools and colleges in England. Today, the government has confirmed that RAAC has been permanently removed from 62 schools and colleges.   

    It comes following the Department for Education announcing £38 billion in education capital investment over the next 5 years, taking it to levels not seen since 2010.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems said:   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ENDS

    Further information

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments on Stabbings on Train

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments on Stabbings on Train

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister on 1 November 2025.

    The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning.

    My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response.

    Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Martin Beable, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments After Labour Loses Caerphilly

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments After Labour Loses Caerphilly

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 24 October 2025.

    We must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see.

    Now, this week, we received another reminder of just how urgent that task is. A bad result in Wales, I accept that, but a reminder that people need to look out their window and see change and renewal in their community, opportunities for their children, public services rebuilt, the cost of living crisis tackled.

    Renewal is the only answer to decline, to grievance and to division and we have to keep going on that. It is the offer we must make to the people of Scotland, Wales and England next year.

    And that means we must come together. We must unite. We must keep our focus on what is, in my view, the defining battle for the soul of our nation.