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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Families to receive £126 million in early years support [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Families to receive £126 million in early years support [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 January 2025.

    Thousands of parents and children across England will be able to give their child the best start in life thanks to a £126 million government funding boost.

    • £126 million boost for families to give every child the best start of life and deliver on Plan for Change.
    • Funding will go to areas with high levels of deprivation to provide a range of support to parents, including on mental health and infant feeding.

    Thousands of families and children across England will be able to access pregnancy support, infant feeding advice, parenting classes and other support to give their child the best start in life, following a £126 million government funding boost – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

    Around £57 million will be made available to 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation in 2025-26. This will provide a raft of support through Start for Life services to families with babies, from pregnancy up to the age of two. The £57 million for Start for Life services will be given to local authorities and consists of:

    • £36.5 million to improve mental health support for families and promote positive early relationships between babies and caregivers;
    • £18.5 million to improve infant feeding services and provide support with breastfeeding;
    • £2 million to ensure families can access and understand their local Start for Life services and support parents and carers to bring their valuable insight into service design.

    It comes on top of the £69 million announced in the Budget for a network of family hubs, which act as a one-stop-shop for families to get help with infant feeding advice, parenting classes and perinatal mental health support, among other areas.

    Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. Antenatal classes, health visitors, parenting support, baby and toddler groups and access to affordable, high-quality early education and childcare – all are vital to guiding parents and supporting child development. Yet over 80% of parents have said they struggled to access services.

    This lack of support in early years can act as a barrier to development and contributes to too many children not being ready to start school, with over a third of children unable to dress independently and 90% of reception teachers saying they have at least one child in the class not toilet trained.

    That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, we’re committed to strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood and improve long term outcomes for children – including through today’s investment in family hubs and the Start for Life programme.

    By delivering accessible, integrated maternity, baby and family support services, and high-quality early education and childcare, today’s announcement delivers on the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and set every child up for the best start in life.

    To achieve the government’s overall mission objective of closing the opportunity gap, the government has set a milestone as part of the Plan for Change of a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn. Progress will be measured through 75% of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development in the early years foundation stage assessment by 2028 – and today’s announcement marks a first step to delivering this milestone.

    It also delivers on our mission to build an NHS fit for the future by shifting from hospital to community and bringing care closer to where people live. By offering parents extra support, including access to midwifery and health visitor services closer to their home, it will help tackle wider social causes of ill-health, address inequalities and ultimately help ease pressure on hospitals and waiting lists.

    Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:

    This crucial investment provides a strong foundation to deliver our commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, by giving parents the support they need to ensure their baby has the best start in life.

    The first two years of a child’s life lay the building blocks for their physical and emotional wellbeing into adulthood. That’s why we are investing in early years, as part of our Plan for Change, to improve access to services in deprived areas to ensure no-one is left behind.

    Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby said:

    Investment in these crucial services will break down barriers to opportunity, support families and get a record proportion of children ready for school.

    Through our Plan for Change, we’ll ensure tens of thousands more children are hitting key early learning goals on personal, social and physical development as well as communication, literacy and maths. That’s because children growing up in our country deserve the best start in life – nothing less.

    The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme is jointly run by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education. There are over 400 family hubs in England, covering half of all upper-tier councils. The hubs offer a range of services tailored to the local community, including midwifery and health visiting.

    The Department for Education also funds parenting and Home Learning Environment programmes. These services support parents to form strong bonds with their babies and develop better home environments which boost children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

    Staff at family hubs can connect families to a range of health and education services. This includes helping families access information and advice around debt and welfare, housing, domestic abuse, nutrition, and oral health. They have a universal offer while targeting disadvantaged families or those who would benefit most.

    People can get support from a family hub if they are an expectant parent or carer, a parent or carer of a child aged 0 to 19 – or 25 with special educational needs or a disability – or a young person up to the age of 19, or up to 25 with special educational needs or a disability.

    Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:

    We are pleased government has continued investment in Family Hubs and Start for Life services, which play a crucial role in supporting families and giving children the best start in life.

    Long-term, sustainable funding is essential to ensuring all councils can meet local needs effectively and invest in vital staff such as health visitors.

    We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to deliver on its ambition to create the healthiest generation of children.

    Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said:

    The National Children’s Bureau supports the government’s ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, and its mission to increase the number of 5-year-olds reaching a good level of development by the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage, before the next General Election.

    That is why we warmly welcome today’s announcement that funding for the Start for Life programme will be extended until March 2026. This compliments commitments in October’s Budget to fund Family Hubs, improve the quality of early education and childcare, and provide £250 million for local authorities to develop a new Family Help offer for those struggling with the greatest adversity.

    The funding announced today is a much needed down-payment that must pave the way for greater investment in the multi-year Spending Review, so that Start for Life can reach all parts of the country.

    Estimates indicate £45.5 billion could be generated for the national economy by investing in early childhood. Creating the healthiest generation of children ever will increase the number of years individuals spend in good health as adults, generating significant improvements to population health.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    The 75 local authorities receiving family hubs and Start for Life programme funding are as follows, categorised by region:

    • East of England: Bedford; Luton; Norfolk; Peterborough; Thurrock
    • London: Barking and Dagenham; Brent; Camden; Croydon; Enfield; Greenwich; Hackney; Haringey; Hounsow; Islington; Lambeth; Lewisham; Newham; Southwark; Tower Hamlets; Waltham Forest
    • South East: East Sussex; Isle of Wight; Kent; Medway; Portsmouth; Southampton
    • North East: County Duram; Gateshead; Hartlepool; Middlesborough; Newcastle upon Tyne; Northumberland; Redcar and Cleveland; South Tyneside; Sunderland
    • North West: Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bolton; Halton; Knowsley; Liverpool; Manchester; Oldham; Rochdale; Salford; St. Helens; Tameside
    • Yorkshire and The Humber: Barnsley; Bradford; Calderdale; Doncaster; Kingston upon Hull, City of; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; Rotherham; Sheffield; Wakefield
    • East Midlands: Derby; Leicester; Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; Nottingham
    • West Midlands: Birmingham; Coventry; Dudley; Sandwell; Stoke-on-Trent; Telford and Wrekin; Walsall; Wolverhampton
    • South West: Bristol, City of; Cornwall; Plymouth; Torbay

    The Autumn Budget announced £69 million from the Department for Education for a network of family hubs. Of this, the department will provide approximately £53 million in grant payments to the 75 local authorities on the family hubs and Start for Life programme, consisting of:

    • £22.4m for Family Hubs programme and capital funding to consolidate and enhance family hubs and services;
    • £20m for parenting support services to enhance support for expectant parents and those with babies aged 0-2, focusing on promoting bonding and attachment;
    • £10.7m for Home Learning Environment (HLE) services to train practitioners in evidence-based interventions, helping parents create rich home learning environments to support early child development;
    • The remaining approximately £16 million will be used to support the delivery of a network of family hubs.
    • The Start for Life programme has embedded this multicomponent approach to improve infant feeding services. Local authorities are using programme investment to strengthen existing support and introduce new offers to help parents access face-to-face and virtual infant feeding support whenever they need it and in a location that suits them.
    • This includes one-to-one support in hospital wards; proactive offer of support in the immediate post-natal period; peer support in the community and virtually; and training staff to identify complex issues like tongue-tie early.

    The figures below are provisional funding allocations that the 75 programme local authorities will be eligible to receive for the financial year 2025-26. Final figures will be confirmed in due course.

    Local Authority Total
    Hartlepool £939,800
    Middlesbrough £1,102,500
    Redcar and Cleveland £1,010,100
    Halton £1,007,900
    Blackburn with Darwen £1,131,800
    Blackpool £1,038,900
    Kingston upon Hull, City of £1,375,500
    North East Lincolnshire £1,056,700
    North Lincolnshire £1,071,500
    Derby £1,338,300
    Leicester £1,637,100
    Nottingham £1,460,300
    Telford and Wrekin £1,159,300
    Stoke-on-Trent £1,357,600
    Bristol, City of £1,718,900
    Plymouth £1,251,600
    Torbay £965,700
    Peterborough £1,290,600
    Luton £1,402,900
    Thurrock £1,209,000
    Medway £1,415,000
    Portsmouth £1,177,300
    Southampton £1,280,800
    Isle of Wight £956,600
    County Durham £1,684,300
    Cornwall £1,716,500
    Bedford £1,168,000
    Northumberland £1,281,300
    North Northamptonshire £1,519,400
    Bolton £1,474,000
    Manchester £2,115,300
    Oldham £1,381,400
    Rochdale £1,311,300
    Salford £1,423,900
    Tameside £1,251,800
    Knowsley £1,130,600
    Liverpool £1,769,900
    St. Helens £1,115,800
    Barnsley £1,257,000
    Doncaster £1,419,300
    Rotherham £1,322,100
    Sheffield £1,911,100
    Newcastle upon Tyne £1,376,200
    South Tyneside £1,034,200
    Sunderland £1,294,000
    Birmingham £3,664,300
    Coventry £1,583,700
    Dudley £1,441,000
    Sandwell £1,619,700
    Walsall £1,449,400
    Wolverhampton £1,422,800
    Bradford £2,134,200
    Calderdale £1,166,600
    Wakefield £1,505,200
    Gateshead £1,129,100
    Barking and Dagenham £1,417,600
    Brent £1,576,400
    Camden £1,143,000
    Croydon £1,709,000
    Enfield £1,535,700
    Greenwich £1,472,500
    Hackney £1,385,700
    Haringey £1,330,600
    Hounslow £1,443,400
    Islington £1,177,200
    Lambeth £1,342,400
    Lewisham £1,440,400
    Newham £1,744,100
    Southwark £1,379,100
    Tower Hamlets £1,486,800
    Waltham Forest £1,476,800
    East Sussex £1,686,800
    Kent £4,099,400
    Lincolnshire £2,103,000
    Norfolk £2,343,500
  • PRESS RELEASE : Compensation – New Orleans terror attack [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Compensation – New Orleans terror attack [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 January 2025.

    How to apply for compensation if you were a victim of the terrorist attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on 1 January 2025.

    The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has designated the attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on 1 January 2025 as an act of terrorism for the purpose of the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme 2012.

    People injured and the families of those killed in the attack can apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for compensation.

    You may be eligible to claim if you have been directly injured or bereaved by the incident and you are a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who was ordinarily resident in the UK, member of the UK armed forces (or a close relative or family member).

    Other criteria also apply. Our guide to the Scheme has more information on eligibility.

    You can apply using our online form.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment of Commissioners to the Criminal Cases Review Commission [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment of Commissioners to the Criminal Cases Review Commission [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 10 January 2025.

    His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has approved the reappointments of Zahra Ahmed, Joanne Fazakerley and Nicola Cockburn as Commissioners of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

    The reappointments are for 5 years from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2029.

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) was established by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and commenced operation in 1997. The CCRC considers – on application – cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland where a miscarriage of justice is alleged or suspected. The CCRC decides if there is any new evidence or new argument which raises a real possibility that an appeal court would quash a conviction or reduce a sentence.

    The appointment of CCRC Commissioners is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment and reappointment processes comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Appointments of CCRC Commissioners are made by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, who receives advice from the Lord Chancellor.

    Biographies

    Zahra Ahmed is a practising barrister with specialist experience in regulatory, public law, immigration and criminal law, and the court of protection. She has been ranked in the Legal 500 (2024) (category: professional discipline).

    Joanne Fazakerley is a consultant solicitor practising in family and childcare law. She is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and represents both parents and children in public and private law matters. She has been involved in cases heard in the High Court and regularly appears as an advocate within the Family Court. She has recently been appointed a Deputy District Judge in Family and Civil.

    Nicola Cockburn currently sits as a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber, and as a Deputy District Judge (Civil). She qualified as a Solicitor, in 2005, and practised primarily in the not-for-profit sector, specialising in immigration and asylum law.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Top bosses join forces to get thousands of offenders into work [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Top bosses join forces to get thousands of offenders into work [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 10 January 2025.

    Top UK business leaders will spearhead a major new drive to get thousands of offenders into stable jobs and away from a life of crime.

    • New Employment Councils to bring probation, prisons and local businesses together
    • Household UK names including the Co-op and Oliver Bonas backing new initiative
    • Scheme aims to get more offenders into work to cut crime as part of Plan for Change

    Bosses from household names including Greggs, Iceland and COOK will be among those to sit on new Employment Councils supporting offenders serving their sentence in the community into work.

    They will build on the success of prison Employment Advisory Boards, which were created by Lord Timpson before he became a government minister. These have brought local business leaders into jails to improve education and prisoners’ ability to get work when released.

    The new regional Employment Councils will expand this model out to the Probation Service and the tens of thousands of offenders serving their sentences in the community.

    Each council will also have a representative from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help improve links with local job centres.

    The initiative was a manifesto commitment and will play a crucial role in the Government’s mission to make streets safer by tackling reoffending under the Plan for Change.

    Around 80% of all crime is reoffending but latest data shows offenders employed six weeks after leaving prison had a reoffending rate around half of those out of work.

    Alongside breaking the cycle of crime, getting offenders into work helps employers fill vacancies, build their businesses, plug skill gaps and boost the UK economy.

    Minister for Probation, Prisons and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, said:

    Getting former offenders into stable work is a sure way of cutting crime and making our streets safer. That’s why partnering with businesses to get more former offenders into work is a win-win.

    The Employment Advisory Boards I spear-headed have made huge progress and now these Employment Councils will expand that success to steer even more offenders away from crime as part of our Plan for Change.

    Employment Councils will provide support to frontline probation staff already involved in getting offenders into work. They will provide them with a greater understanding of the local labour market and help build better relationships with suitable employers.

    Further support from the DWP will help link offenders with work coaches placed at job centres throughout the country.

    These coaches will be on hand to get offenders job-ready through mock interviews, CV advice and by sharing tips on how to secure further training opportunities in the community.

    DWP Lords Minister, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, said:

    As well as making our streets safer, helping offenders into work will enable employers to fill vacancies and plug our skills gaps.

    This work is vital in our Plan for Change as we begin our task of fixing the fundamentals of the social security system and progress with wider work to reduce poverty, put more money in people’s pockets and keep our streets safe.

    That’s why I am pleased that DWP staff will also be a part of the new regional Employment Councils to directly connect them with the frontline support delivered every day by Jobcentre staff across the country – offering work experience and access to our employment programmes.

    Research from the Ministry of Justice shows that 90% of businesses that employ ex-offenders agreed that they are good attenders, motivated and trustworthy

    Rosie Brown, co-CEO of COOK, said:

    A job provides a key way to help people restore their lives and relationships following a stretch in prison.

    In return, we get committed, loyal team members to help us build our business.  Re-offending is reduced, and families, communities, and society as a whole wins.

    Employment Councils will serve as the successor to regional Employment Advisory Boards and will officially bring together probation, prisons, local employers and DWP under one umbrella for the first time, with a renewed focus on broadening support to offenders in the community.

    The Boards will continue at 93 individual prisons but the addition of regional Employment Councils will help prison leavers look for work across an entire region, not just the immediate vicinity of the last prison they were in.

    Notes to editors

    • The latest data shows offenders unemployed six weeks after leaving prison had a reoffending rate more than double of those in work (35.3% vs 16.8%).
    • Over 90 percent of businesses that employ ex-offenders agreed they are motivated, reliable, good at their job and trustworthy, according to a survey by Kantar Public commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. Total sample size 114 businesses that employ ex-offenders. Fieldwork undertaken between 18-24 March 2022. Online self-completion survey.
    • Employment Councils will be set up in 11 different regions, encompassing all of England and Wales. The regional breakdown is as follows: Bedfordshire, Cambridge & Norfolk and Hertfordshire, Essex & Suffolk; Cumbria & Lancashire; Devon & North Dorset and Avon & South Dorset; East, North & West Midlands; Kent, Surrey & Sussex; Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire; London; the North East; South Central; Wales; Yorkshire.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Plan to tackle greedy ticket touts and give power back to fans [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Plan to tackle greedy ticket touts and give power back to fans [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 January 2025.

    A new cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events are among measures that have been announced by the government today.

    • Consultation will look at new measures to prevent consumers being fleeced by ticket touts as part of government’s Plan for Change
    • Announcement puts music, theatre, comedy and sports fans back at the heart of live events and delivers plan for change to keep more money in the pockets of working people
    • Pricing practices in the live events sector – including so-called ’dynamic pricing’ – also under the spotlight to ensure ticketing works for fans

    A new cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events are among measures that have been announced by the government today, as part of plans to clamp down on ticket touts fleecing the public.

    It comes amid a concerning increase in fans wanting to get tickets for popular tours and events coming up against professional touts hoarding tickets and reselling at heavily inflated prices, while others have been caught out by a lack of transparency over the system of dynamic pricing.

    According to analysis by the Competition and Market Authority (CMA), typical mark-ups on tickets sold on the secondary market are more than 50 per cent and investigations by Trading Standards have uncovered evidence of tickets being resold for up to six times their original cost. According to research by Virgin Media O2, ticket touts cost music fans an extra £145 million per year.

    The CMA has estimated the value of tickets sold in 2019 through secondary ticketing platforms to be about £350 million, with around 1.9 million tickets sold on these platforms. 1.9 million tickets accounted for around 5 to 6% of the number of primary tickets sold in 2019.

    That’s why the government has today launched a public consultation which sets out a range of measures in the ticket resale market that aim to better protect fans, improve access to live events and support the growth of the UK’s world leading live events sector.

    The consultation will explore a range of options to make ticket resales fairer and more transparent, which include:

    • Introducing a cap on the price of ticket resales – with the consultation seeking views on a range from the original price to up to a 30 per cent uplift, and limiting the number of tickets resellers can list to the maximum they are allowed to purchase on the primary market. These measures would prevent organised touts reselling a large number of tickets at vastly inflated prices and disincentivise industrial scale touting.
    • Increasing the accountability of ticket resale websites and apps – creating new legal obligations so that they are held responsible by Trading Standards and the Competition and Market Authority for the accuracy of information they provide to fans.
    • Strengthening consumer enforcement – review of existing legislation to bring it up to date, including stronger fines and a new licensing regime for re-sale platforms to increase enforcement of protections for consumers. Trading Standards can already issue fines of up to £5,000 for ticketing rule breaches. The consultation will look into whether this cap should be increased.

    These measures come as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, with these plans aimed at saving money for consumers and keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking people.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    From sports tournaments to Taylor Swift – all too often big events have been dogged by consumers being taken advantage of by ticket touts.

    These unfair practices look to fleece people of their hard-earned income, which isn’t fair on fans, venues and artists.

    Fans enjoying themselves in the moment are what make concerts and live events the thrilling experiences that they are, which is why as part of our Plan for Change, we are putting them back in control.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    The chance to see your favourite musicians or sports team live is something all of us enjoy and everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets – but for too long fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices.

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking action to strengthen consumer protections, stop fans getting ripped off and ensure money spent on tickets goes back into our incredible live events sector, instead of into the pockets of greedy touts.

    Musician and DJ Fatboy Slim said:

    Great to see money being put back into fans pockets instead of resellers. Fully behind this effort to make sure more people can enjoy incredible arts and music events across the country without being ripped off. It is part of the change this government were elected to make.

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

    For far too long, fans have faced an uphill battle to find face value tickets to see their favourite artist perform or sports team play live so it’s absolutely right the government wants to make ticketing fairer for consumers.

    In recent years, touts have been allowed to charge fans hundreds of pounds extra for secondary tickets, it has been very difficult for resale platforms to be held to account for poor practices and consumers have had to watch out for scam tickets circulating online. The recent Oasis ticket sales also highlighted the flaws of so-called dynamic pricing in this market – with some customers queuing for hours for tickets only to find that prices had risen dramatically and were no longer affordable.

    The government must use this consultation to regulate the industry properly, ensure ticket resales don’t exploit fans and decide when the use of dynamic pricing is unfair and shouldn’t be allowed.

    Jon Collins, chief executive of LIVE, the live music trade body, said:

    LIVE welcomes this positive step to put fans back at the heart of live music by tackling ticket touting. We have been a long-term and vociferous advocate for regulation of the secondary market, supporting the great work of the FanFair Alliance, and are pleased to see government delivering on its manifesto commitment in this area.

    We are delighted that measures which permit responsible and fair fan-to-fan resale, while eliminating third-party profiteering, will be brought forward. This will reduce the incentive for touts to squeeze fans out of the primary sale and highlights the need to set the cap on resales at or near the original price.

    We look forward to continuing to work with government to ensure fans can enjoy our world-class live music sector.

    Alongside the consultation, ministers have launched a call for evidence into pricing practices in the live events sector, such as dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing adjusts ticket prices based on demand, time, and availability, which can lead to increased costs for popular events or prices being brought down where there is increasing availability or reduced demand.

    Often this is done to sell unsold tickets and fill seats but, in some cases, a lack of transparency has meant customers being caught unawares by last minute price rises for high demand events.

    The call for evidence will seek views on how the ticketing system in the live events sector is working for fans and whether the current system provides sufficient protection from unfair practices. It will consider whether there is potential for new harms to consumers to arise from emerging business trends including the use of new technologies and dynamic pricing.

    The ticket resale market plays a valuable role for consumers and needs to work better for fans. It can provide a legitimate and safe way to transfer unwanted tickets to help more people to attend events. It can also ensure revenues flow back to the creative and live events sector, without fans facing inflated prices due to touts. These measures would apply to a range of events covering sport, music, theatre, comedy and beyond.

    Major events and tours are key cultural moments, which is why it is important that consumers experience openness and transparency when buying tickets, allowing a fair process for fans looking to see their favourite artists or sporting stars.

    The move delivers on a manifesto commitment to address the problem of consumers finding it difficult and expensive to attend live events because of ticket touting. The government pledged to put fans back at the heart of events by introducing new consumer protections on ticket resales.

    Naomi Pohl, General Secretary Musicians’ Union said:

    This consultation is very welcome and addresses key issues that affect fans, the artists they love and the wider music industry. Secondary ticketing diverts money away from artists and makes it harder for them to tour and ultimately to make new music. Unfair ticketing pricing and practices can also damage the relationship between artist and fan.

    We believe that the money fans pay for tickets should always go to fund their favourite artists’ careers and the wider music ecosystem; not into the pockets of touts.

    UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said:

    UK Music welcomes this move to support music fans and a music industry which generates £7.6 billion a year for the economy and supports 216,000 jobs.

    Music lovers have been exploited for too long by a secondary ticketing market which is driven by greedy touts and automated bots charging rip-off prices and sucking money out of our sector.

    This announcement should pave the way for greater transparency over ticketing for live events and ensure music fans can see their favourite acts at an affordable price.

    We want to see an end to speculative selling with a clear price cap that means tickets can only be resold under a fair and reasonable system of resale.

    There needs to be far tougher controls on the secondary market and the use of digital bots to protect genuine music fans and put them first to restore the integrity of ticket sales for live events.

    We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure every part of the UK music industry’s eco-system benefits from these changes so we can ensure our sector continues to grow and thrive.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Back and bigger than ever – rail sale offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Back and bigger than ever – rail sale offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 10 January 2025.

    Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys made between 17 January and 31 March 2025 across Great Britain.

    • rail sale returns with more discounted tickets than ever before
    • offers on thousands of popular routes across UK to encourage more people to travel by train
    • comes as government continues biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation putting passengers at the heart of services

    Next week, passengers will be able to get their hands on millions of train tickets at half the price as part of the government’s annual rail sale.

    From 14 to 20 January 2025, selected advance and off-peak fares will go on sale at up to 50% off for travel between 17 January and 31 March 2025.

    As part of this year’s rail sale, thousands of popular routes across almost all UK train operators, including Transport for Wales and ScotRail, will be offering discounted tickets with journeys spreading the length and breadth of Great Britain.

    Passengers in Liverpool could visit London for as little as £7, a journey from Preston to Edinburgh could be as cheap as £8.40 and a ticket from Nottingham to Manchester could cost less than a tenner.

    These offers will not last long and there are only a limited number of tickets, so passengers are being encouraged to snap up these deals quickly if they want to save more on their train fares.

    Following the success of last year’s sale – which saved passengers around £5.8 million in total – the government tasked the rail industry to deliver an even bigger sale to offer cheaper tickets for passengers and encourage more people to travel by train.

    Whether it is connecting with family, friends and loved ones or getting out to explore more of Great Britain, passengers can find thousands of journeys at up to half price.

    The railways play a vital role in connecting people and businesses across the UK, providing opportunities through essential links to jobs and education. Getting more people moving on our rail network is a key part of the government’s mission to build strong foundations through fuelling economic growth.

    The sale delivers on the government’s commitment to put passengers at the heart of rail services and to raise living standards as part of the Plan for Change so working people have more money in their pockets.

    Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, said:

    I’m launching the biggest ever rail sale so more passengers can get big discounts on train tickets to visit destinations across the country.

    Whether you’re planning a getaway or wanting to visit friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys.

    Make the most of this sale, get your tickets while you can!

    This year’s rail sale returns after more than 600,000 tickets were sold in last year’s sale, worth £5.1 million in ticket sales for the industry and resulted in an extra 440,000 journeys taken by train.

    This comes on the 200th anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger train with celebrations expected throughout the year as part of Railway 200. This will honour Britain’s heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway and recognise the role rail continues to play in forming critical infrastructure and boosting local economies throughout the country.

    Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said:

    This year, as we celebrate 200 years of railways in the UK, we’re reminded that rail travel is about much more than simply getting from A to B – it’s about bringing people, communities and opportunities together.

    Over 2 centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions.

    The year’s rail sale will offer over 2 million discounted advance fares starting on 14 January 2025, which is a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections.

    Rail remains one of the quickest and greenest ways to travel, with the government committed to getting more people onto the railways, cutting carbon emissions and freeing up vital space on our roads for emergency services and freight.

    To encourage more people onto the railways, the government is undertaking the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation through the creation of Great British Railways, which will bring track and train together under one directing mind with a relentless focus on improving services for passengers and customers.

    As part of this, the Public Ownership Bill recently became legislation, delivering on a manifesto commitment and allowing the government to get on with improving services by clamping down on unacceptable levels of delays, cancellations and waste under decades of failing franchise contracts.

    It will save up to £150 million a year in fees alone by ensuring every penny is spent on services rather than private shareholders, all while coming at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

    Example fares during the rail sale

    Journey Sale price Full price
    St Pancras to Whitstable £7.20 £11.30
    Ashford to Ramsgate £2.60 £5.20
    Leeds to Manchester Airport £5.90 £11.90
    Newcastle to Carlisle £6.00 £12.00
    Liverpool to London Euston £7.00 £14.00
    Nottingham to Manchester £9.20 £18.50
    Leeds to Sheffield £3.60 £7.20
    London to Edinburgh £26.15 £62.50
    Aberdeen to Edinburgh* £14.50 £29.00
    Glasgow to Inverness* £14.10 £28.10
    Preston to Edinburgh £8.40 £16.80
    London to Newcastle £23.60 £52.10

    *Journeys on ScotRail

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government removes highest number of illegal migrants in 5 years [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government removes highest number of illegal migrants in 5 years [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 January 2025.

    The government’s pledge to deliver the highest rate of removals since 2018 has been surpassed, with a surge in returns activity since the election leading to 16,400 people with no right to be in the UK being removed.

    Since the government came to office, enforced returns are up 24% compared to the same 12 months prior and Britain’s streets have been made safer with the removal of 2,580 foreign criminals – a 23% increase on last year.

    Bespoke charter flights have removed immigration offenders to countries around the world, including 4 of the biggest returns flights in the UK’s history carrying more than 800 people. Individuals removed since the election include criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape and murder.

    By restarting asylum processing to help clear the backlog and redeploying 1,000 staff to work on immigration enforcement, the government has been able to achieve this level of removals within 6 months of coming to office.

    The ramp up reverses the dramatic decline in removals seen over the past 10 years and, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, is working to fix the foundations of a broken immigration system.

    Today, Thursday 9 January, the government also announced the introduction of a new sanctions regime designed to prevent, combat, deter and disrupt irregular migration, holding accountable those making money by putting lives at risk in the Channel.

    The world first regime will allow the UK to target individuals and entities enabling dangerous journeys and disrupt the gangs’ finances to make it harder for them to operate. This will boost our ability to prevent and combat irregular migration.

    To see first-hand how law enforcement leverages public-private partnerships to stop criminals benefitting from dirty money, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited City of London Police today. The new sanctions regime will be an additional tool to target those who law enforcement and criminal justice are not currently able to reach.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This government was elected on a promise of change – and within just 6 months we have redeployed resources for a scheme that returned just 4 volunteers and instead worked to remove 16,400 people with no right to be here.

    Our message to those wanting to come here illegally is clear – you are wasting your money putting your trust in these vile gangs and will be returned swiftly.

    No more gimmicks. This government is delivering for working people as we restore order to the asylum system through our Plan for Change.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    This government inherited a broken asylum and immigration system. We are taking swift action to increase enforcement and returns of those with no right to be here.

    We will continue our crack down on illegal working and make progress with clearing the asylum backlog. We have now exceeded our pledge to get returns to the highest level in half a decade.

    Our priority is to ensure the rules are respected and enforced. As part of the Plan for Change, in 2025 we will go further, introducing new legislation to disrupt criminal smuggling networks and working through the Border Security Command to bring these criminal gangs to justice.

    In addition to the returns target, following a crackdown on dodgy car washes, nail bars and construction sites, illegal working visits and action against exploitative employers has soared since the government came into power, with 32% more visits and 29% more arrests compared to the same period last year. Biometric kits and body worn cameras will be rolled out to frontline Immigration Enforcement teams throughout 2025 to boost arrests and prosecutions.

    Today’s figures follow 6 months of action to restore order to our immigration system, strengthen border security and disrupt smuggling gangs. Since the election we have established the new Border Security Command, announced £150million of game changing investment to fund new technology and hundreds of specialist investigators, and agreed a new anti-smuggling action plan with G7 countries.

    As part of the government’s reset of international relations, we’ve boosted the UK’s presence at Europol and struck a landmark deal on border security with Iraq to disrupt the gangs at source.

    Asylum caseworker productivity is also up, with asylum interviews increasing tenfold, as plans to speed up decision making, clear the backlog and swiftly remove those whose claims are rejected gain pace.

    Looking ahead to this year, the government will also introduce landmark border security legislation to empower law enforcement with the tools they need to dismantle the gangs.

  • PRESS RELEASE : MOD and Trade Unions agree substantial pay rise for key personnel supporting Navy operations [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : MOD and Trade Unions agree substantial pay rise for key personnel supporting Navy operations [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 January 2025.

    Eligible Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employees will receive a substantial pay rise in 2024/25, with agreement including key reforms and modernisation.

    • Eligible Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employees will receive a substantial pay rise in 2024/25.
    • Pay award includes key reforms and modernisation.
    • Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard visits RFA Proteus today (Thursday 9 January) to thank seafarers for supporting Royal Navy operations.

    Staff supporting critical Royal Navy operations around the world will receive a pay boost, ending the long-running pay dispute.

    The pay deal, which has been agreed by the RMT and Nautilus Union, recognises the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s unique contribution to Royal Navy operations, and is accompanied by wider reforms to the organisation, including working terms and conditions.

    This agreement between the government and unions is a significant step in a plan to reform the RFA. These reforms will improve the wider employee offer for those serving in the RFA and ensure that it can continue to perform its vital role supporting the Royal Navy and our allies.

    Today (Thursday 9 January), Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard visited RFA Proteus and her crew, to get a first-hand account of the UK’s first underwater infrastructure surveillance vessel and how its work contributes to maritime security. The minister will also present Command Pins to Captain RFA, Martin Jones and Commodore RFA, Sam Shattock during his visit.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard said:

    We welcome the agreement on this pay award. The RFA makes a vital contribution to keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad, not least our colleagues on the RFA Proteus who I had the privilege of visiting today.

    They excel at supporting our armed forces around the world and it’s only right that they are recognised for their work.

    The pay award represents the first step towards a wider Recovery Programme to ensure current and future seafarers are best supported. This is yet more evidence that our new Government is delivering for defence.

    Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns said:

    Through their crucial work with the Royal Navy and our allies, The Royal Fleet Auxiliary are vital to our national security, keeping us all safe.

    We thank the Maritime Trade Unions for their support in reaching a resolution with RFA members which recognises their unique contribution to Defence.

    The Royal Fleet Auxiliary provides vital logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and is made up of a civilian maritime workforce that benefit from specialist training as part of the Ministry of Defence.

    Proteus is the first of a new generation of survey and surveillance ships that helps to ensure the security of our critical underwater infrastructure.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government Defence and Security Advocate reappointed [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government Defence and Security Advocate reappointed [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 January 2025.

    The Government has reappointed Lord Mark Lancaster as its Defence and Security Advocate, to drive the UK’s defence and security export success until March 2026.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has reappointed Lord Mark Lancaster as the Government’s Defence and Security Advocate, to drive the UK’s defence and security export success until March 2026.

    Lord Lancaster will report directly to the Business and Trade Secretary and will continue his programme of visits both overseas and at home to promote UK defence and security exports.

    By supporting industry to benefit from export opportunities, Lord Lancaster’s work will directly support the defence industry’s position as a growth sector and the Industrial Strategy’s aim to align the imperatives of strong national security with a high growth economy.

    Lord Lancaster was initially appointed in January 2023 and has brought a wealth of specialist defence experience to the role. Major-General, Lord Lancaster, is Director of the Army Reserves and was a Defence Minister between 2015-2019.  He was also previously a Major in the Territorial Army, having served as part of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and Bosnia.

  • PRESS RELEASE : “Telford is at the heart of UK Defence” – Minister visits site behind next generation of tanks and armoured vehicles [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : “Telford is at the heart of UK Defence” – Minister visits site behind next generation of tanks and armoured vehicles [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 January 2025.

    Telford’s skilled manufacturing base is helping equip soldiers with high-tech equipment and drive the government’s growth mission, Defence Minister Maria Eagle has said.

    • State-of-the-art facility in Telford plays a key role in delivering cutting-edge armoured vehicles to the British Army.
    • Investment in defence has attracted over £56 million for defence manufacturing facility in Telford.
    • New Defence Industrial Strategy to help secure Britain’s growth mission and create high value jobs across UK.

    Telford’s skilled manufacturing base is helping equip soldiers with high-tech equipment and drive the government’s growth mission, Defence Minister Maria Eagle has said.

    Her comments came on a visit today to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL)’s Hadley Castle Works Factory in Telford, where she met crucial defence procurement staff and chaired a roundtable with defence industry leaders from the Telford area, as part of consultation for the new Defence Industrial Strategy.

    The site is at the forefront of producing the Army’s newest tank, the Challenger 3, which is at the heart of the Army’s armoured warfighting force and will serve as the most lethal tank ever used by British Armed Forces.

    Under a £950 million contract, Challenger 3 production has generated nearly 300 highly skilled jobs within RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians, as well as an additional 450 roles supported across the UK supply chain.

    Contracts like this are a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, safeguarding national security whilst raising living standards across the UK with good, skilled, productive jobs.

    Defence investment continues to make a substantial contribution to the local economy, supporting over 1,500 skilled jobs and nearly 40 apprentices and graduates in Telford and Wrekin.

    Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:

    Telford is at the heart of UK defence, and I was pleased to witness first-hand how our defence industry is equipping the Armed Forces with 21st-century armoured fighting vehicles.

    In the face of global threats, the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will drive economic growth, boost British jobs, and strengthen national security.

    £5 billion is being invested in equipping the British Army with 148 Challenger 3 tanks and 623 Boxer armoured vehicles, planned to be in service by the end of 2030. These investments continue to solidify the UK’s position as a global leader in defence innovation and manufacturing.

    Will Gibby, Managing Director of RBSL, said:

    We are proud to welcome Maria Eagle MP to our Telford facility. Through programmes like Boxer and Challenger 3, RBSL is committed to providing sovereign capability for the UK, supporting the British Army, and investing in the workforce of tomorrow through our apprenticeship and graduate schemes. Today’s visit highlights the value of UK-based manufacturing and the expertise we bring to the defence industry.

    Nick Taylor, Head of Combat Vehicles at DE&S, the MOD’s procurement agency delivering Challenger 3 and Boxer said:

    This has been a great opportunity for the Minister to experience the close collaboration that exists between RBSL, the Army, and DE&S colleagues to re-establish armoured vehicle manufacturing in Telford and deliver our two major programmes – Challenger 3 and Boxer.

    The Defence Industrial Strategy underlines the government’s commitment to forging long-term partnerships with the defence industry. This strategy will ensure economic growth, regional prosperity, and resilience by supporting skilled jobs and apprenticeships.

    Defence investment continues to make a substantial contribution to the UK economy. Over 1500 (200 RBSL and 1,497 Leidos) businesses across the UK are sustained through the supply chain because of defence investment.

    Findings from the British Army’s Oxford Economic Report highlight the major contributions Armed Forces spending makes to the UK economy. For every £1 directly contributed by the Army, a total of £2.70 is stimulated through multiplier effects.

    There has also been £169 million in R&D investment and the upskilling of over 12,000 recruits through apprenticeship programmes, with 1,400 enrolled in higher education schemes.

    Alongside her visit to the factory and industry talks, Minister Eagle also had the opportunity to tour the cutting-edge Defence Fulfillment Centre (DFC). The £83 million DFC at MOD Donnington plays a crucial role in supporting the UK Armed Forces by ensuring the efficient delivery of critical equipment and supplies across the globe.

    Operated by DE&S in partnership with Leidos, the DFC exemplifies innovation within defence logistics and supports operational readiness. It is one of two major storage and distribution locations for the Ministry of Defence, the other at MOD Bicester, with a new facility at Longtown currently in construction.

    Simon Hutchings, VP Logistics Commodities Services Transformation Programme (LCST) at Leidos, said:

    I am immensely proud of what Leidos has achieved to date on the development of the Defence Fulfilment Centre in Telford and as the prime integrator for LCST. The flexible capacity and strategic network resilience we’ve established have significantly bolstered defence resilience and enhanced our ability to support the war fighters with better, more agile adaptive logistics.

    Since 2015, the LCST, based at the DFC, has delivered over £1 billion worth of products to the UK Armed Forces, getting everything from food rations to boots exactly where they need to be, at the right price and at the right time.

    The LCST contract has helped bring the UK MOD into 21st-century, by identifying how the private sector can be leveraged to support UK Defence in distributing equipment to military personnel so they’re able to carry out their critical duties, all while delivering significant value for money to the taxpayer.