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  • PRESS RELEASE : New blueprint for AI regulation could speed up planning approvals, slash NHS waiting times, and drive growth and public trust [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New blueprint for AI regulation could speed up planning approvals, slash NHS waiting times, and drive growth and public trust [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 21 October 2025.

    A new blueprint for AI regulation is being announced by the Technology Secretary today (Tuesday 21st October) to help drive innovation and growth.

    • AI Growth Labs will unlock new ways to accelerate innovation and cut bureaucracy in a safe environment
    • More new homes, better outcomes for patients, and world-leading innovations for professional services among potential wins for the public
    • This new approach to regulation will help drive forward growth and national renewal under the government’s Plan for Change

    More new homes, better outcomes for patients, and world-leading innovations are among the benefits people can expect to see from a new blueprint for AI regulation being announced today, as the government slashes bureaucracy and ramps up the safe adoption of AI to unlock its full potential.  

    At the Times Tech Summit today (21st October), the Technology Secretary will announce plans to look at how companies and innovators can test new AI products in real-world conditions, with some rules and regulations temporarily relaxed under strict supervision.

    Known as sandboxes, individual regulations are temporarily switched off or tweaked for a limited period of time in safe, controlled testing environments. They would initially be set up for key sectors of the economy like healthcare, professional services, transport, and the use of robotics in advanced manufacturing, to accelerate the responsible development and deployment of AI products.

    The announcement comes as the Chancellor also details progress made towards delivering on the government’s vision for a regulatory system that better supports growth and innovation. At today’s Regional Investment Summit, the Chancellor will announce a range of pro-growth reforms that will help deliver that vision set out March’s Regulation Action Plan, including a plan to save businesses across the country nearly £6 billion a year by 2029 by cracking down on pointless admin tasks.

    AI applications hold the potential to make the lives of citizens better, faster. The AI Growth Lab will pilot responsible AI which can otherwise be held back by certain regulation, and generate real-world evidence for the impact they can deliver. This will ramp up adoption of AI and deliver opportunities for people across the country, cutting bureaucracy that can choke innovation and supporting businesses to flourish to deliver tangible national renewal.

    For example, a testing ground focused on building AI tools could support health workers deliver better patient care on an accelerated timeline. This would also help reduce NHS waiting lists and time demands on frontline NHS staff, as well as ensure that public services are working around the lives of the British public.

    Currently, a typical housing development application racks up 4,000 pages of documentation and takes as long as 18 months from submission to approval. By reviewing regulations to explore how AI could support officials, those times could be slashed – speeding up decision making and putting the government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current Parliament in the fast lane.

    Close working between businesses and regulators are already delivering transformations for the public. A sandbox led by the Information Commissioner’s Office has supported age verification company Yoti to fine tune their age estimation technology to help keep young people safe online, while another trial has helped FlyingBinary to develop online services which support mental health patients.

    Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    To deliver national renewal, we need to overhaul the old approaches which have stifled enterprise and held back our innovators. 

    We want to remove the needless red tape that slows progress so we can drive growth and modernise the public services people rely on every day. 

    This isn’t about cutting corners – it’s about fast-tracking responsible innovations that will improve lives and deliver real benefits.

    In a further push to unlock benefits for the wider public through AI, a pot of £1 million is being set aside to support the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to pilot AI-assisted tools. These would support scientific expertise, speed up drug discovery and clinical trial assessments, and licensing to improve efficiency and consistency – while keeping all decisions firmly in human hands.   

    The continued safe and responsible development of AI would be central to the government’s plans for its proposed AI Growth Lab. It would not be a testing ground where regulations could be switched on or switched off at will, but would see strict, time limited restrictions being put in place to set out which specific regulatory hurdles could be avoided or modified under close supervision.  

    It will be overseen by tech and regulatory experts and backed up by a strict licensing scheme with strong safeguards, meaning any breaches of individual agreements, or the emergence of unacceptable risks would stop testing in its tracks and open users who have breached their terms up to potential fines. 

    While this would mark new ground in terms of AI, other regulatory testing grounds have already been put to effective use across the economy.  

    The Digital Securities Sandbox for example is helping finance firms and innovators by giving them the ability to test innovative tech solutions for some of the most urgent challenges in the financial sector. It is helping to deliver a more secure and efficient financial system by focusing on Distributed Ledger Technology, which creates a single bank of data on financial transactions to speed up efficiencies and help tackle fraud. 

    Internationally, countries are already using sandboxes to speed safe deployment. Jurisdictions such as the EU, USA, Japan, Estonia and Singapore have announced or implemented some form of regulatory sandbox for AI. The UK pioneered the global sandbox model with the launch of the FCA’s 2016 fintech sandbox – with transformative AI approaching, the UK must stay at the vanguard of international best practice in regulatory innovation – and the benefits this brings for UK innovation and jobs. 

    The government will now move ahead with a public call for views on its AI Growth Lab proposals. At the heart of that process will be considerations over whether the programme should be run in-house by the government, or overseen by regulators themselves. 

    The adoption of AI is the defining economic opportunity of the coming decade, but currently only 21% of UK firms are using the technology. The OECD currently estimates that AI could improve UK productivity by as much as 1.3 percentage points every year – worth the equivalent of £140 billion. The AI Growth Lab will provide a route to test and pilot responsible AI innovations hindered by regulation – driving AI adoption and economic growth.

    Further Information

    Exclusions from the sandbox would include consumer protection and safety provisions, fundamental rights, workers’ protections and intellectual property rights.

    Industry and stakeholder reaction

    David Wakeling, Head of AI, A&O Shearman, said:

    This call for evidence contemplates an agile approach to regulation, removing red-tape where it serves no purpose and breaking down silos between regulators.  These steps will be crucial for UK businesses, investors and capital providers to stay globally competitive in the AI race.

    Leo Ringer, Partner, Form Ventures, said:

    This is a strong signal of ambition to ensure the UK is a world leading place to start and scale an AI business. Existing regulatory frameworks weren’t created with AI in mind, and the sheer pace of tech progress means it’s no surprise that they risk slowing down innovation and adoption. 

    We have incredible talent and growing amounts of capital for AI startups in the UK – flexible, pro-innovation regulation is the third ingredient we need to really unlock investment and growth.

    Luther Lowe, Head of Public Policy, Y Combinator, said:

    The AI Growth Lab addresses a critical challenge: enabling AI startups to launch innovative products without waiting years for regulatory clarity.

    For Y Combinator companies, faster time to market matters—and if the Lab delivers on its promise while maintaining appropriate oversight, it sets a strong model for how governments can keep pace with AI innovation.

    Paul Murphy, General Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, said:

    As investors in many of the world’s leading AI labs, we know regulatory speed impacts where breakthrough companies scale. The UK can be a major player in this race with fast, fair, and globally competitive sandbox access.

    Vinous Ali, Deputy Executive Director at Start-Up Coalition:

    Startup Coalition has long campaigned for a cross-economy sandbox to help speed up startups’ route to market. The UK has historic strengths in sandboxing and this latest proposal takes it into the future helping bring regulators and businesses together to collaborate in a nimble and open way. 

    It is great to see government take a leaf out of the startup manual by adjusting their risk appetite to win the race.

    Vishal Marria, Founder and CEO, Quantexa, said:

    The UK has an incredible foundation in AI research and innovation, and to truly unlock its economic and societal potential, we need to accelerate how ideas are turned into reality to make tangible impact. An AI Growth Lab has the potential to provide the bridge between world-class research and real-world application, helping organizations of all sizes adopt AI responsibly, confidently, and at scale. 

    By combining trusted data, contextual understanding, and collaboration across industry, academia, and government as part of its broader set of strategic AI initiatives, the UK will continue to position itself as a world leader in turning AI from promise into performance.

    Antony Walker, Deputy CEO at TechUK, said:

    TechUK welcomes the launch of AI Growth Lab, which represents a strong, positive step towards a pro-growth regulatory approach that will help companies to safely develop, scale, and deploy AI in key sectors of the UK economy. 

    If we get this right, the AI Growth Lab can add real value by drawing on learnings from existing AI sandboxes and working closely with AI businesses to deliver tangible results and deliver real-world impact.

    Finn Stevenson, CEO at Flok Heathcare, said:

    The potential for AI to transform healthcare is enormously exciting, but good regulation is required to ensure that these novel technologies are safe and effective for patients. As we’ve shown with our Class IIa medical device clearance for AI physiotherapy, it is absolutely possible to certify products like this, but many more innovations could get to market faster if the rules were modernised for a software-driven world. 

    Regulators like the MHRA, and the notified bodies that assess AI products on their behalf, currently have the unenviable task of applying rules designed for physical products to advanced software systems that are radically different than anything that existed when the regulations were written. In revisiting those regulations, the AI Growth Lab is a valuable opportunity to make the UK a global destination for healthcare AI.

    Dr Hammad Jeilani, Medical Director and Co-Founder, Apian, said:

    Apian is helping the NHS focus on what matters most: humans caring for humans. 

    Our AI-powered autonomous robots increase productivity and cut costs – handling routine logistics so healthcare staff can dedicate more time to patient care. A cross-economy sandbox will let innovators like Apian safely test and scale these systems, making NHS logistics invisible, resilient and truly patient-centred.

    Rafie Faruq, Co-Founder & CEO at Genie, said:

    Genie has built the autonomous legal department for businesses by enabling them to create their personalised legal agents that can auto-draft, negotiate and review legal documents and deals. In one recent case, Cambridge Utd Football Club signed the first ever football player through Genie AI without a lawyer. But providing AI-generated legal advice, particularly for regulated legal areas like securities, employment, or housing – may constitute unauthorised practice of law.

    The AI Growth Lab would allow Genie to trial an autonomous legal agent in live commercial environments. We believe this sandbox could be transformative – both in reducing startup costs and helping UK businesses scale faster through AI-enabled contracting.

    Andrew Bennett, Centre for British Progress, said:

    Britain must move quickly to grow and secure our stake in the next industrial revolution. Yet too often, economic opportunities and British startups are held back by regulatory bottlenecks. 

    The AI Growth Lab can provide a safe, accelerated pathway for using AI to deliver better outcomes across the country.

    Karl Havard, Chief Commercial Officer, Nscale, said:

    Nscale is super supportive of the AI Growth Labs. The creation of safe sandbox environments will be a much needed catalyst to develop and test new products and services that will directly benefit the people of the UK. 

    It’s great to see the UK government leading the way on such an initiative, and Nscale is looking forward to playing a supporting role in making this a reality.

    Nigel Toon, Graphcore founder, said:

    Graphcore welcomes the launch of the AI Growth Lab as a means of encouraging innovators to push the boundaries of this transformative technology. 

    We hope that the UK’s forward-looking approach to AI will drive AI adoption and deliver the same sort of success stories that the financial technology regulatory sandbox did in the past.

    Michael Sellitto, Head of Global Affairs, Anthropic, said:

    We are really encouraged the UK government is looking in this direction, to create space for experimentation and promote innovation.

    Hugh Milward, Vice President External Affairs, Microsoft, said:

    Widespread AI diffusion across the economy is fundamental to delivering the UK’s economic growth ambition and we welcome the government’s continued progress on the AI Opportunities Plan towards this goal. 

    The AI Growth Lab is an interesting and creative initiative to provide the flexible regulatory approach that will support faster UK AI innovation and we look forward to hearing more.

    Matthew Wright, Head of U.K., Delian Alliance Industries, said:

    AI and autonomous systems will be integral to the future of defence and civil protection, but startups leveraging these technologies face considerable regulatory barriers today. 

    We therefore welcome the AI Growth Lab’s ambition to minimise these hurdles. In doing so, the Lab will help such startups to drive economic growth while enhancing national security.

    Dr. Tim Bazalgette, Chief AI Officer at Darktrace, said:

    Darktrace welcomes the government’s ambition for monitored AI sandboxes. 

    Allowing innovators to test transformative applications of AI in safe conditions and demonstrate that they have genuine real-world value will help to accelerate the deployment of effective AI solutions across critical areas of the British economy, supporting the public good and driving growth.

    Jon J. Paull, COO, Octopus Energy Group, said:

    At Octopus, we’ve shown how responsible AI can supercharge innovation, from forecasting renewable generation to transforming customer service.  

    Outdated rules can too often slow progress so we welcome government’s proposal for an AI Growth Lab, a safe, collaborative space where UK innovators and regulators can test responsibly, and evolve the frameworks that govern new technology.

    Aidan Gomez, Co-Founder and CEO, Cohere, said:

    Today’s announcement will accelerate the speed that AI can improve people’s lives, especially in critical, regulated areas like healthcare. 

    The UK government’s leadership on policies that enable quick, but responsible, development and deployment of transformative, cutting edge technology is why Cohere has consistently invested in the country since our founding.

    Nik Storonsky, CEO and Co-Founder, Revolut, said: 

     >Accelerating AI adoption is critical for the UK banking sector and the entire economy. This initiative will give innovators like Revolut the clarity and speed we need to build and deploy groundbreaking AI services, reinforcing the UK’s leadership and delivering real value to millions of customers.

    Dr Marc Warner, CEO and founder, Faculty AI said:

    The UK AI sector is growing 30 times faster than the rest of the economy and has world-leading companies – yet there are no guarantees the next DeepMind will found and grow here.

    If ministers want more domestic AI success stories, they must make conscious choices today about how they support our start ups and scale ups.

    Removing red tape to allow safe testing and iterating of AI products is a welcome step in backing the sector to build the faster, cheaper, more efficient public services we need.

    Max Jamilly, co-founder and CEO, Hoxton Farms, said:

    At Hoxton Farms, we’ve seen both sides of the innovation equation. Our AI-enabled control software for manufacturing biologic medicines is held back by outdated AI rules, yet our positive experience in the FSA’s Cell Cultivated Products Sandbox for Novel Foods shows that forward-thinking regulation can unlock markets and accelerate new technology.

    Sandboxes work: they enable fast, efficient collaboration between innovators and policymakers while minimising risk. Pragmatic and efficient rules for AI will help to turn UK start-ups into global leaders.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Regional Investment Summit delivers almost £800m boost to West Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Regional Investment Summit delivers almost £800m boost to West Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs [October 2025]

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

    Hundreds of jobs in the West Midlands are set to be created after almost £800m of investment was announced at today’s Regional Investment Summit.

    • £635 million of private investment for West Midlands announced at Regional Investment Summit, with huge boost to sectors including AI, pharma, dairy and real estate.
    • New £125m skills and housing package from Combined Authority, to train 12,000 construction workers and to deliver 1,000 social homes.
    • Birmingham Sports Quarter investment to deliver transformational 14,000 new jobs and £700 million boost to the region’s economy, updated data shows.

    Hundreds of jobs in the West Midlands are set to be created after almost £800m of investment was announced at today’s Regional Investment Summit, cementing the West Midlands as a powerhouse for investment and turbocharging growth into the region.

    The huge announcement follows the Regional Investment Summit held in Birmingham today where over 350 business leaders, investors and local mayors met to announce £10 billion of new investment for key growth sectors around the UK, delivering on the Plan for Change to create new jobs and opportunities for people in every region.

    Investments in the West Midlands include Hines and Woodbourne Group announcing a £400 million investment to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, a centrepiece of the West Midlands Investment Zone, driving innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region. Blackstone will invest £200m to ensure the NEC remains the UK’s leading live events business with world class venues across exhibitions, conventions and arenas.

    Building on the UK-India free trade agreement, Indian parent company of Freshway Dairy will also invest £25 million in building a new processing facility in West Bromwich, creating at least 200 new jobs and allowing them to process 25% more milk.

    In a boost to the Industrial Strategy, the Government is also announcing that Sterling Pharmaceuticals will receive a share of £30m of Life Sciences funding, which will help them build a 60,000 sq ft centre in Birmingham, creating 48 jobs and boosting UK production of medicines  for the NHS and sales overseas. To boost the digital sector, Atos is announcing £10m for AI centres, cementing the Midlands role as a key hub and creating 50 jobs.

    In further good news for the region, the West Midlands Combined Authority has confirmed a £75m skills package to train over 12,000 people in construction trades and technical roles over three years. Backed by WMCA and government funding, the initiative supports a regional construction boom driven by major housing, transport, retrofit, and regeneration projects.

    £40 million will also be made available by the WMCA to accelerate delivery of 1,000 new social rent homes across the region. The funding unlocks properties ready or under construction, building on 750 affordable homes already secured.

    Earlier success for the region this year includes Knighthead announcing plans to invest at least £3 billion in a new Sports Quarter in Birmingham, which will feature a new 62,000-capacity stadium, new sporting facilities as well as entertainment and residential spaces and create 14,000 jobs – up from initial projections of 10,000. New data shows the Quarter will transform the region’s economy, with a £700 million boost to growth. Birmingham Airpor t will invest £300 million over four years to upgrade baggage, immigration, retail, and airfield infrastructure, boosting growth.

    This latest vote of confidence follows Britain becoming the most attractive place to invest in the world according to a survey from Deloitte.

    Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary said:

    The West Midlands is a thriving business hub, and these funding announcements are a major vote of confidence in our economy and demonstrate how our modern Industrial Strategy is helping to secure the investment we need to deliver growth in the West Midlands.

    This huge boost to the region shows our Plan for Change is working in encouraging more companies to invest here, creating new jobs and exciting opportunities for local communities in the West Midlands.

    Jason Stockwood, Minister for Investment said:

    The West Midlands is a powerhouse for foreign direct investment, and today’s announcements at the Summit cements the region’s position as a top destination to do business.

    Our modern Industrial Strategy is giving investors the confidence they need to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond – helping to create economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said:

    The first-ever Regional Investment Summit in the West Midlands has been a huge success. It’s given us the platform to showcase our innovation, talent, and can-do approach – and it’s already paying off, with world-class businesses like Knighthead Capital, Freshways and Atos choosing to invest, drive growth and create jobs.

    The Government is backing us with new funding and new powers to go further and faster. I’m determined to make sure everyone shares in the opportunities this brings – building prosperity that reaches every community. The time to invest in the West Midlands is now.

    Today’s announcements at the Regional Investment Summit builds on recent landmark trade deals struck with the US and India and the launch of the modern Industrial Strategy in the summer, helping to hardwire stability for investors looking to invest in the UK.

    Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off as part of our Plan for Change.  

    Bali Nijjar, Freshways Managing Director said: 

    Our £25m investment in West Bromwich will deliver 200 new jobs, from engineers to food safety technicians, and deliver one of the most efficient dairy processing plants in Europe, capable of processing 500 million litres of fresh British milk a year.

    The West Midlands is a key strategic location for Freshways, providing access to national transport networks and skilled job seekers. It’s also good news for our British dairy farmers and our customers as we’ll be able to process 25% more fresh milk from the new site, helping us keep up with growing demand. We’re working around the clock to get things ready and hope to have the site fully operational by the end of the year.

    Michael Herron, Head of Atos UK&I, said:

    Atos is delighted to invest in the Midlands, establishing new technology centres that will help drive digital innovation and create opportunities for local talent. Our commitment reflects the region’s growing reputation as a national hub for AI and digital transformation, and we look forward to supporting businesses and communities as they embrace the benefits of new technology.

    List of West Midlands investments announced in today’s Regional Investment Summit:

    • Hines, a global real estate firm, in partnership with Woodbourne Group, have announced a £400 million investment to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, a centrepiece of the West Midlands Investment Zone, driving innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region.
    • Blackstone owned National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham has announced a new public commitment to invest £200 million over the next decade. The investment will support a modernisation programme to ensure that it remains the UK’s leading live events business with world class venues across exhibitions, conventions and arenas.
    • Atos, a leading provider of AI-powered digital transformation, has announced a new £10 million investment in the Midlands, unveiling two flagship technology centres that will cement the region’s role at the heart of the UK’s AI-led digital future and creating 50 jobs.
    • Freshways is investing £25 million in a cutting-edge dairy hub in West Bromwich, creating at least 200 jobs. The facility will process 500 million litres of British milk annually, making it one of the UK’s most advanced and efficient dairy operations.
    • Sterling Pharmaceuticals will build a 60,000 sq ft centre in Birmingham, creating 48 jobs and boosting UK production of generic medicines for the NHS and export, following a share of £30m from the Government’s Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund.
    • The West Midlands Combined Authority has unveiled a £75 million skills package to train over 12,000 people in construction trades and technical roles over three years. Backed by WMCA and government funding, the initiative supports a regional construction boom driven by major housing, transport, retrofit, and regeneration projects.
    • The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a £40 million Social Housing Accelerator Fund to deliver 1,000 new social rent homes across the West Midlands. The funding unlocks properties ready or under construction, building on 750 affordable homes already secured.

    Recent Investments in the region:

    • Knighthead will invest at least £3 billion in a new Sports Quarter in Birmingham which will feature a 62,000-capacity stadium with a retractable pitch, a dedicated women’s stadium, indoor arena, training grounds, and residential and entertainment spaces. The development is expected to create around 14,000 jobs, transforming the derelict site into a major sporting and cultural hub and generate £700m of growth for the region.
    • Birmingham Airport will invest £300 million over four years to upgrade baggage, immigration, retail, and airfield infrastructure. Millions will also be directed toward sustainable growth, including solar energy and efficient terminal systems. A new Masterplan process will forecast growth beyond 2040, building on strong passenger demand.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK removes Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from terrorist organisation list [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK removes Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from terrorist organisation list [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 October 2025.

    An order has been laid in Parliament to deproscribe Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), enabling closer engagement with the new Syrian government.

    The government’s decision to remove Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations will mean closer engagement with the new Syrian government and support UK foreign and domestic priorities, from counter-terrorism to migration and chemical weapons destruction.  

    Deproscribing HTS is part of the UK’s response to the significant developments in Syria since forces led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa toppled the Assad regime last December. HTS was originally listed as an alias of proscribed organisation Al-Qa’ida in 2017.   

    The former Foreign Secretary’s visit to Syria in July renewed the diplomatic relationship between the UK and Syria. The UK will continue to press for genuine progress and hold the Syrian government accountable for its actions in fighting terrorism and restoring stability in Syria and the wider region. We will continue to judge the new Syrian government on their actions not on their words. 

    Daesh remains a significant threat in Syria. The deproscription of HTS will support this government’s engagement on the counter-Daesh mission in Syria, in turn reducing the threat to the UK. 

    Deproscription will also support closer working with Syria to eliminate the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme. This government welcomes the Syrian President’s commitment to destroy these weapons once and for all.  

    This decision aligns with the announcement made by the United States earlier this year to remove HTS from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations.  

    This government will always put the safety and security of the British people first, which is why any deproscription decision is not taken lightly. The decision to remove HTS from the proscribed list has been made following detailed consultation with operational partners and other departments, and a robust assessment by the cross-government Proscription Review Group.  

    The government reserves the right to reassess proscription decisions in response to any emerging threats and will always take swift and decisive action in the interests of national security. 

    The deproscription of HTS will mean that the proscription offences set out in the Terrorism Act 2000, including the offences of membership and inviting support for proscribed organisations, will no longer apply to HTS. On completion of this deproscription, a total of 83 organisations will be proscribed by the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of children protected from abuse under victim reforms [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of children protected from abuse under victim reforms [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 October 2025.

    Thousands more children will be protected from vile sex offenders under amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill tabled in Parliament today (Monday 20 October).

    • Parental responsibility to be automatically restricted where a child is born of rape
    • Reforms to also apply to parents convicted of serious sexual offences against any child – not just their own
    • Amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill part of Government’s Plan for Change to protect children and restore faith in justice system

    Thousands more children will be protected from vile sex offenders under amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill tabled in Parliament today (Monday 20 October).

    The new measures will see parental responsibility automatically restricted in cases of children born of rape, and when a parent is convicted of serious sex offences against any child. This means a parent can no longer take active steps in their child’s life, including making decisions over their schooling, medical care or trips abroad.

    The move delivers on the long-term campaign of Natalie Fleet MP, Baroness Harman and Jess Asato MP and will provide greater protection for vulnerable children.  

    Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, said: 

    These reforms mark a crucial step forward in restoring faith in our justice system. Automatically restricting parental responsibility in cases of rape where it has led to the birth of a child and serious child sexual offences sends a clear message: the rights and safety of children come first.  

    This Government is committed to standing up for victims and ensuring that those who commit the most vile crimes against children are never in a position to cause further harm.

    Natalie Fleet MP said:

    This amendment will finally offer protection for not only children born of rape, but also the mothers, who have until now always lived in fear of their rapists interfering in the lives of their children through their parental responsibility rights. This change will end that fear.

    It puts the rights of survivors above the rights of rapists and signals a landmark shift in how this country’s legal system values safety, dignity, and truth. It will deliver powerful, lasting change for thousands of women and children and I am delighted that this Government has listened to our concerns and acted so swiftly.

    To ensure swift protection for families, restriction will happen immediately following sentencing, removing the necessity to apply through the family court. 

    Restricting parental responsibility for children born of rape protects two victims – the mother and the child – from the influence of abusive and undeserving fathers, whereas removing the right for those convicted of serious sex offences against any child builds on the existing measure to restrict responsibility for those who have abused their own child.

    Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Minister Davies-Jones, said: 

    These reforms will shield both mothers and children from the heinous actions of predatory parents as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade under our Plan for Change.  

    I’m proud to support these amendments, which build on the tireless campaigning of Natalie Fleet MP, Baroness Harman, and Jess Asato MP who have been unwavering in their advocacy for the protection of children and women.” 

    This move follows the expansion of the government’s innovative Pathfinder pilot, which aims to improve the court experience and outcomes for children and parents involved in private family law proceedings – including those who have experience of domestic abuse. 

    ENDS 

    Further information 

    • At the introduction of the Bill Clause 3 required the Crown Court to make a prohibited steps order restricting the exercise of an offender’s parental responsibility where they have committed a serious child sexual abuse offence (this includes crimes such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault) against a child for whom they hold parental responsibility and have been sentenced to four our more years in prison. The restriction will apply in respect of any child for whom the offender holds it. 
    • Where it appears to the Crown Court that an automatic restriction would not be in the interests of justice they must not make an order.
    • The Government’s amendment to Clause 3 will mean that the provision will now apply to offences committed against any child, not only a child for whom the perpetrator holds parental responsibility. The wider drafting of the provision will remain the same.
    • The Government will also table a separate amendment to provide for the restriction of a perpetrator’s parental responsibility where they have been convicted and sentenced for a rape that resulted in the birth of a child. In these instances the restriction would only apply to the specific child that has been born.
    • This amendment will require the Crown Court to make a prohibited steps order, at the point of sentencing for rape where the court is satisfied that a child for whom the offender holds parental responsibility was conceived as a result of that rape, unless it appears to the court that it would not be in the ‘interests of justice’ to do so.
    • Where it has not been established in criminal proceedings that the child was conceived by rape, the Crown Court must refer the case to the relevant local authority when:
      • An offender is convicted of rape
      • The court considers that the child may have resulted from the rape The offender has parental responsibility for that child.
    • If the Crown Court is satisfied that the child may have been conceived from rape then they must refer the case to the local authority within 30 days. In these circumstances the local authority will have 6 months in which to obtain the consent of the mother for them to initiate family court proceedings. The local authority will have 30 days from receipt of consent to apply to the family court who will then consider whether any orders (including prohibited steps orders) should be made in the best interests of the child.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s biggest pension funds back regional growth drive [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s biggest pension funds back regional growth drive [October 2025]

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

    Billions will be unlocked to build affordable homes, power communities and connect the countryside, as the Chancellor joins forces with pension providers and insurers to drive growth in every region.

    • 20 of Britain’s largest pension providers and insurers set to launch Sterling 20 group at first-ever Regional Investment Summit on Tuesday. 
    • Investment drive kicks off with Legal & General (L&G) and Nest committing billions to build more affordable housing, improve broadband connections in rural areas and provide scale-up finance for growing businesses. 
    • Chancellor set to meet providers and Australia’s biggest fund in Birmingham as government ramps up efforts to drive regional growth and put more money into people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    The Sterling 20 – a new investor-led partnership between 20 of the UK’s largest pension funds and insurers – will be established at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham on Tuesday, working with the government and City of London Corporation to channel the nation’s savings into key infrastructure and fast growing businesses in key modern Industrial Strategy sectors like AI and fintech. 

    L&G have kicked off this investment drive with a £2 billion commitment by 2030, delivering around 10,000 more affordable homes for hardworking families and supporting the creation of 24,000 jobs nationwide.  

    Nest, who represent a third of the UK workforce, will also provide Schroders Capital with £500 million – of which £100 million is expected to be channelled into UK investments in the coming years. In addition, Nest will invest £40 million to deliver gigabit-capable fibre broadcast to remote areas in Scotland and Norther England – delivering high-speed reliable broadband to rural homes and businesses in hard-to-reach communities. 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:   

    This is about getting Britain building again – bringing our savings, our investors and our regions together to deliver the homes, infrastructure and industries that will drive growth and create good jobs in every corner of the country.   

    Our country’s pension funds are some of the biggest in the world. When they invest in Britain, everyone benefits – from the construction worker on site, to the small business on the high street, to the saver seeing their pension grow. Sterling 20 shows what can be achieved when we all pull in the same direction to build a stronger economy that works for, and rewards, working people. 

    António Simões, Group Chief Executive, Legal & General, said:  

    As a long-term investor in the UK economy, L&G has a proud history of using pension capital to develop assets that deliver strong financial returns and lasting social impact. Our £2 billion commitment, targeted at housing, infrastructure, and urban regeneration, will help unlock the investment needed in productive assets across the country – creating jobs, strengthening communities, and driving both regional and national growth. 

    Ian Cornelius, CEO of Nest, said:

    Every decision we make puts our members and their long-term outcomes first. We believe private assets can play a key role in delivering strong, consistent returns for them.  

    That’s why the UK, with its exceptional investment opportunities, is a cornerstone of our strategy. From major infrastructure projects to ambitious small businesses, our investments are helping support economic growth across the country. We have already committed around £4 billion to UK private markets, and by 2030 we expect this to rise to around £12 billion. A strong pipeline of opportunities will be essential to realising this growth for the benefit of our members and the UK economy. 

    Alastair King, Lord Mayor of London, said:   

    The Mansion House Accord marked a pivotal step in pension investment reform – building on the foundations of the Mansion House Compact and signalling a clear industry commitment to channel investment directly into UK growth. 

    This next stage transforms commitment into deployment by uniting the UK’s leading investors around a shared vision and coordinated strategy with government. British enterprise, from AI to renewable energy and infrastructure, is primed for investment. The Mansion House Accord signatories have stated their intent to deliver on the Accord’s promise to give British savers a meaningful stake in Britain’s growth while increasing returns.

    The Regional Investment Summit will also see the AustralianSuper, Australia’s largest pension fund and 17th largest in the world, increase its investment into the UK housing market.   

    The fund will meet with the Chancellor at the Regional Investment Summit, as the Government seeks to reinforce the UK as an attractive investment destination for the billions of pounds it will deploy outside of Australia in the coming years. Ahead of this, AustralianSuper has announced a new UK living investment platform dedicated to investment in rental homes as part of its ambition to invest £8 billion of new capital into the UK over the next five years 

    Damian Moloney, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at AustralianSuper:  

    The Superannuation Mission offers a valuable opportunity to share insights, deepen collaboration and build on the strong investment ties that exist between Australia and the UK. 

    As the launch of our new £500m UK Living Platform demonstrates, AustralianSuper continues to view the UK as a key global investment destination. With the Fund on track to grow its UK assets to £18 billion by 2030, we look forward to further facilitating investment between the two countries for the benefit of members.” 

    Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said:

    Our pensions system is one of the UK’s great strengths. We’re stepping up the pace of pension reform to support not just British pension savers but the British economy, supporting investment to deliver the growth of communities up and down the country.” 

    Tom Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, Rothesay said:

    The Sterling 20 is a fantastic initiative which will enable the UK’s largest asset owners to deploy capital more effectively into the critical infrastructure and national priorities which are so vital to our economic growth. As the UK’s largest specialist pensions insurer, Rothesay invests at scale across the country and we are committed to working with the government to deliver the innovative solutions which will unlock even greater volumes of domestic investment from our sector.

    Andrea Rossi, CEO of M&G Plc, said:

    “UK pension providers have a great opportunity to drive economic growth and give savers the returns they need for retirement. The Sterling 20 Group offers a powerful platform for institutional investors to shape the country’s future from long-term investment in housing, infrastructure or strategic national projects. As a UK-listed savings and investment company investing £100 billion domestically, we are proud to be playing our part.

    Andy Briggs, CEO, Phoenix Group, said:

    Through the Sterling 20 we are helping to unlock billions in long-term investment that will support communities, build critical regional infrastructure, and fuel innovation across the UK. This is about putting our customers’ savings to work in ways that grow their pensions and grow the economy. This landmark initiative brings together the scale and strength of the UK’s pension and insurance sector to invest in Britain’s future.

    The formation of the Sterling 20 comes as pension providers ramp up their investment in Britain. It builds on July’s Mansion House Accord, which saw 17 providers representing 90% of active defined contribution scheme savers, commit to invest at least 5% of their main default funds in UK private markets. This commitment will unlock over £25 billion for new UK housing infrastructure and high-growth industries.  

    All 17 signatories of the Accord, alongside annuity providers Rothesay and PIC, and the Pension Protection Fund have signed up to form the Sterling 20. 

    Working with the Office for Investment, the Sterling 20 and Australian Superannuation Scheme – who manage a combined £5 trillion in assets – driving growth, creating jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets. Even a small shift towards investing in UK infrastructure would unlock billions. 

    The Office for Investment’s unique position as a bridge between government, investors and local leaders will allow it to match transformational investment opportunities with capital. It will leverage its visibility across the UK landscape to create a pipeline of opportunities that meet the Sterling 20 and Australian Superannuation Scheme’s investment ambitions and drive growth in every region of the country.

    Further information

    • The members of the Sterling 20 are: Aegon; Aon; Aviva; L&G; LifeSight by WTW; Mercer; M&G; NatWest Cushon; Nest Corporation; NOW Pensions; People’s Partnership; Phoenix Group; Royal London; Smart Pension; SEI; TPT; USS – Universities Superannuation Scheme; Rothesay; PIC – Pension Insurance Corporation; PPF – Pension Protection Fund. 
    • The Mansion House Accord is a voluntary pledge by seventeen of the UK’s largest workplace pension providers. Jointly led by the ABI, Pensions UK and the City of London Corporation with the support of the government, signatories agreed to allocate 10% of default defined contribution pension funds into private markets, with 5% committed to the UK.
    • The Mansion House Compact is a voluntary pledge by 11 defined contribution pension providers to allocate at least 5% of default funds to unlisted equities by 2030. For providers signed up to the Accord and Compact, progress under the Compact counts towards meeting the Accord’s goals.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Regulator finds serious financial mismanagement at charity, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International, which had more than 100 bank accounts [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Regulator finds serious financial mismanagement at charity, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International, which had more than 100 bank accounts [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Charity Commission on 20 October 2025.

    Former and current trustees at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International lacked oversight and control over charitable funds, a Charity Commission inquiry has found.

    The charity operates through a large network of individual branches and works to promote Christianity. 

    The Commission opened an inquiry after financial concerns were identified, including the alleged misappropriation of charity funds. 

    Key findings  

    The inquiry found that the charity’s trustees could not demonstrate that they had adequate oversight or control over more than 100 bank accounts operated by individual branches of the charity, with charity money at risk across the organisation’s extensive network. 

    As a result of serious concerns regarding the trustees’ ability to carry out their duties effectively, the Commission appointed an interim manager in 2019 to work alongside the remaining trustees to implement essential financial controls.  

    Many of the charity’s financial issues stemmed from its complex structure, which had grown from a handful of branches to over 90 locations nationwide, without the corresponding governance improvements.  

    Branches operated autonomously, opening bank accounts without central oversight and failing to report income in a timely manner. This created substantial risks to charitable funds and resulted in inaccurate financial reporting. 

    Additionally, branch offices were making significant financial decisions, including property purchases and lease agreements, without trustee knowledge or authorisation. 

    This lack of oversight by trustees led to financial losses for the charity – for example, some branches occupied property without first obtaining the necessary planning permission and one of which was subject to costly legal action by a council. Further losses arose because of the former and current trustees’ failure to regularise employment contracts which resulted in payments to settle employment disputes.  

    Regulatory action 

    As a result of its findings, the Commission took action to freeze the charity’s assets to prevent further loss. 

    An interim manager was appointed to implement robust financial controls at the charity and to improve its governance.  

    The interim manager was discharged in September 2024. The interim manager appointment was lengthy due to the complexity of the reform needed at the charity and the delays caused by legal proceedings. 

    Following the completion of this work, the Commission issued an order directing the charity to follow a regulatory action plan concerning governance and policy changes. The Commission is now satisfied that the trustees have complied with the action plan.   

    Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission said: 

    The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows. 

    In this case, the trustees’ fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network. 

    Following the intervention of the Commission and the interim manager, the trustees were better able to implement essential reforms, meaning the charity can now operate effectively and focus on delivering its charitable objects.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Gemma Aldridge appointed to the Department of Health and Social Care [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Gemma Aldridge appointed to the Department of Health and Social Care [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 20 October 2025.

    Gemma Aldridge has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to undertake a short review of DHSC’s and NHS England’s media and digital work.

    As the former editor of the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, she brings a wealth of journalistic experience and will work across DHSC and NHS England for 3 months. Gemma, previously a features editor and assistant editor at the titles, became editor at the 2 Sunday papers in April 2021 and left in 2024.

    The review will focus on effective communication of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and comes ahead of future plans to integrate the 2 organisations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Trade Envoy in Cambodia to boost trade and investment  [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Trade Envoy in Cambodia to boost trade and investment  [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 October 2025.

    UK Trade Envoy Matt Western MP visits Cambodia to strengthen trade and investment ties and support Cambodia’s sustainable economic development.

    Phnom Penh, 20–21 October 2025 – The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, Matt Western MP, is visiting Cambodia to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties and supporting Cambodia’s sustainable economic development. The visit builds on momentum under the UK–Cambodia Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF), the main platform for bilateral coordination and private-sector engagement.  

    During his visit, Mr Western will attend the inauguration of Techo International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project designed by UK firm Foster + Partners, symbolising the UK’s contribution to Cambodia’s connectivity and long-term growth. 

    He will also meet with Cambodian ministers to follow up on Cambodia’s trade policy and discussions will include regional trade architecture, notably developments around the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership, and how Cambodia and the UK can strengthen cooperation on regional trade integration. 

    Mr Western will meet with British businesses operating in Cambodia to highlight their contribution to job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth. He will also engage UK education institutions active in Cambodia to discuss their role in developing skills, improving employability, social mobility, and supporting inclusive growth.

    Speaking ahead of the visit, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Matt Western MP said:   

    It is a real privilege to be in Cambodia at such a significant moment. Attending the inauguration of Techo International Airport is not only a celebration of progress, it’s a powerful symbol of what UK-Cambodia partnership can achieve. I am delighted that British design and expertise have contributed to a project that will make a lasting impression on every visitor to Cambodia, and which rightly invokes feelings of such national pride among our Cambodian friends.  

    I look forward to building on this momentum, engaging with Cambodian leaders and British businesses during my visit to celebrate our strong commercial partnership and to unlock new opportunities to support sustainable growth and shared prosperity and deliver benefits to the people of both our countries.

    This visit reflects the UK’s enduring partnership to support Cambodia’s transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and its efforts to promote green and inclusive growth. It also aligns with the UK’s broader ambition to deepen economic ties across the Indo-Pacific region, recognising ASEAN’s central role in fostering regional trade and investment.  

    The UK remains committed to working closely with Cambodian partners to promote mutual prosperity and unlock new trade opportunities for both nations.   

    Note to Editors

    • Matt Western MP is the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. His role is to promote UK trade and investment interests and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
    • Mr Western is expected to meet Minister of Commerce, Her Excellency Cham Nimul, during his visit.
    • He will visit a British-owned garment factory, and major employer, Dewhirst.  Dewhirst manufacture clothing for high-profile international brands, including Marks & Spencer and Nike.
    • During the visit, Mr Western will also engage with the CPTPP Taskforce, appointed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, to exchange views on regional trade architecture, including developments around the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and explore opportunities for deeper regional trade integration.
    • Mr Western will attend a UK funded conference on Regulatory Reform and host a networking cocktail with British businesses and senior Cambodian figures.
    • The Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is the UK’s flagship trade preference programme designed to support developing economies by reducing tariffs and simplifying trading rules.
    • Cambodia is one of the key beneficiaries of the scheme, which offers duty-free access to over 99% of goods exported to the UK, helping Cambodian businesses grow, diversify exports, and compete globally.
    • The DCTS reflects the UK’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable trade, supporting economic development, job creation, and poverty reduction in partner countries.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK regions given extra £20 million science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK regions given extra £20 million science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit [October 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 October 2025.

    • Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region backed to the tune of £50 million each to support local innovation priorities from life-saving medicines to clean fuels that can cut bills
    • Further life sciences investment in state-of-the-art West Midlands facilities to create jobs and boost Britain’s health resilience, with valuable medicines made on home shores
    • Comes ahead of Chancellor’s landmark Regional Investment Summit bringing businesses and governments together to turbocharge our economy as part of our Plan for Change.

    New cash boosts of £20 million each for Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region will help to deliver more of the regions’ game-changing local innovations like robotics to unlock new medicines or AI that can spot illnesses earlier, the Science and Technology Secretary has announced today (Sunday 19 October), ahead of this Tuesday’s landmark Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham.

    The funding package will give local leaders in these 3 areas access to a total of £50 million each to fund innovations in science and technology in their local areas, like the next lifesaving medicine or cheaper fuels that can keep bills down.

    The new funding for 3 regions is the latest commitment from the government’s £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) and builds on the initial £30 million earmarked for each place in June’s Spending Review, along with 7 others across the UK, including Cardiff City Region, Belfast-Derry/Londonderry and West Yorkshire.

    We are also inviting further bids of up to £20 million from high potential innovation clusters in all other regions of the UK. This will support local leaders to invest in local innovation strengths – from advanced manufacturing and life sciences to digital technologies and clean energy – and in turn back our Industrial Strategy to boost jobs.

    Taken together, this month’s bumper LIPF funding package will back teams across the country to scale-up and drive forward more discoveries, recognising the benefits they bring to people’s everyday lives – from keeping us healthy, to reducing delays on our commute, to building a greener planet with cheaper bills.

    This additional funding will enable more spinouts like Chemify in Glasgow, which was backed by government funding, to help create the world’s first ‘Chemputation’ facility – merging AI-powered molecular‑design engines with industrial robotics to speed up discovery of medicines and materials.

    Elsewhere, regional funding has boosted Greater Manchester’s growth into a global AI hub, connecting university technical expertise to start-ups and SMEs so they can turn early-stage ideas into viable products – from tech which can predict disease progression earlier to work on net zero innovations to decarbonise buildings.

    And in the West Midlands, the additional funding could enable more projects like Biochar CleanTech, taking organic residues like sawdust or fallen trees and converting them into usable low‑carbon products.

    The projects launched under the predecessor Innovation Accelerators programme has delivered more than £140 million of private investment and hundreds of jobs, creating more opportunities for people to get on.

    This comes ahead of the Regional Investment Summit which will bring together business leaders, major investors, policymakers, regulators, regional mayors and other local leaders to showcase the breadth and depth of opportunities to invest, expand and create jobs right across our nations and regions.

    Ahead of the Summit, the Chancellor has pledged that no region will be locked out of the investment, jobs and growth being delivered as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    The UK is blessed with incredible science and tech talent behind everything from life-saving vaccines to cleaner fuels that could cut bills in the years to come, improving the lives of people up and down the country.

    These prized sectors are also major drivers of economic growth in local communities. By backing those with the knowledge to home in on local strengths and supporting valued businesses in building the facilities that can set our country apart, we can lead the next generation of life-changing discoveries.

    This government’s message ahead of this landmark Regional Investment Summit is loud and clear – the UK is open for business.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    The world’s brightest talents and most innovative businesses can be found in every corner of the UK, but years of chronic underinvestment have held them back.

    Not anymore. We are putting a stop to this unfairness by investing in every part of the country. From Glasgow to Birmingham, we are fuelling innovation through our Plan for Change, delivering skilled jobs, and building an economy that works for, and rewards working people.

    Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

    Greater Manchester has an extensive innovation ecosystem, with outstanding sector strengths in areas like advanced materials, life sciences and AI, and world-leading companies, universities and research institutions. This additional funding is a welcome boost that will help us unlock the potential of our growth-driving sectors and build on our outstanding productivity growth in recent years.

    In piloting the Innovation Accelerator we were able to use local knowledge and understanding to translate research and development funding into business growth, new jobs and private sector investment. We look forward to using the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund to make an even bigger impact.

    To further support innovative growth in the regions, the government is also announcing the first 2 investments to be delivered through round one of the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF), which is set to unlock over £30 million in joint public-private investment.

    Medicines manufacturer Sterling Pharmaceuticals is investing in a 60,000 sq ft state-of-the-art new manufacturing and R&D centre in Birmingham. Medtech company Biocomposites, meanwhile, is bringing forward a new manufacturing facility at Keele. Besides creating and safeguarding dozens of high-skilled jobs, these facilities will ensure that valuable medicines are made here in the UK, bolstering the country’s resilience to health emergencies.

    Backed by major corporations including Eon, Lloyds, KPMG, HSBC and IBM, the Regional Investment Summit will be co-hosted by the Chancellor, the Business and Trade Secretary, and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, with business leaders, international investors, and policymakers from home and abroad in attendance.

    Notes to editors

    The expression of interest for the competition opened on 6 October, and UKRI published further guidance to help potential applicants prepare.

    Up to £520 million is being made available through LSIMF over the next 5 years, with further investments to be announced in due course.

    Ten regions across the UK have already received backing through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. These include 7 innovation hubs in England such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire, alongside Glasgow City Region in Scotland, Cardiff Capital Region in Wales, and an innovation corridor linking Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Each of these areas has been earmarked for at least £30 million to invest in their regional innovation strengths.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Record single flight of illegal migrants returned under new deal [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record single flight of illegal migrants returned under new deal [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 October 2025.

    The number of illegal migrants returned under the UK-France deal has reached 42 after 16 were returned to France in largest group flight yet.

    A record number of 16 illegal migrants have been returned to France this week in the largest group flight yet, bringing the total number of returns to 42. 

    The Home Secretary has pledged to “scale up removals to France” in a stark warning to those attempting to enter the country illegally.   

    The previous government’s Rwanda policy consumed years of effort and hundreds of millions in public funds yet removed only 4 people. Within weeks of our new arrangement with France, the government has successfully removed 42 illegal migrants.  

    The UK-France treaty allows the rapid detention and removal of individuals who enter illegally via small boats. 

    Further flights to France under this pilot scheme are scheduled to take place over the coming days and weeks, as the government looks to work with the French government to scale up the scheme. 

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:  

    For many years, illegal migrants entered our country with no consequence. 

    This is the largest return flight under our historic deal with the French. And it sends a warning to those considering entering this country illegally: if you come here by small boat, you can be sent back. 

    This is just the beginning – I will scale up these removals to France. And I will do whatever it takes to secure our borders.

    This comes after the UK government sent border security officers to the Balkans last week to disrupt illegal migration routes and explore new enforcement techniques that could see UK law enforcement and border security operations alongside Frontex in the Western Balkans to track down and arrest people smugglers. 

    This follows the UK National Crime Agency leading 350 disruptions of immigration crime networks over the last year – its highest level on record and a 40% increase on the previous 12 months.  

    The UK government continues to work with France to operate a tightly controlled legal route for an equal number of eligible individuals to come to the UK, subject to rigorous security checks. This legal pathway reflects the strength of the UK-France relationship.

    This pilot scheme will continue to be ramped up, with both countries having committed to continuously improving the process of this innovative approach.  

    This continued work as part of the government’s Plan for Change demonstrates the comprehensive approach to securing borders through international co-operation, operational enforcement, and decisive action against criminal networks facilitating illegal migration.