Tag: 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 August 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani this afternoon.

The leaders began by discussing the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Prime Minister underlined the urgent need for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and an immediate influx of aid into Gaza. The Prime Minister thanked His Highness for Qatar’s tireless work on ceasefire negotiations and reiterated the UK’s support.

The leaders agreed there must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza and the Prime Minister set out his work so far with allies on a concrete plan to secure lasting peace in the region as part of a two-state solution.

They agreed to continue to work closely together on this going forward, and that they would stay in touch.

August 12, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures to protect the public [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 August 2025.

New measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures will be introduced by the government.
- Only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be able to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts
- Clinics administering fillers and Botox will need to meet strict standards to obtain a licence
- Kids to be protected from dangerous beauty trends on social media through plans for new age restrictions on treatments
- Robust measures will protect people and save the NHS time and money fixing botched procedures
Tough new measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures that have left people maimed, injured and in need of urgent NHS care will be introduced by the government.

Only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures – such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts.

These must be done by specialised healthcare workers working in providers that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The planned crackdown follows a series of incidents where people have had high-risk treatments from people with little or no medical training, leading to dangerous complications, permanent scarring and even death. These new rules will protect people from unqualified, rogue operators and reduce the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

The new measures follow growing alarm over unqualified individuals performing invasive treatments in unsafe environments – including homes, hotels and pop-up clinics. Many of these procedures are marketed as non-surgical but, in reality, are invasive and carry serious risks.

Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said:

The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures. There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage.

This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change.

This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe. We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

Other lower-risk cosmetic treatments – including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal fillers – will also come under stricter oversight through a new local authority licensing system. Practitioners will be required to meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate. Once regulations are introduced, practitioners who break the rules on the highest-risk procedures will be subject to CQC enforcement and financial penalties.

The government also plans to bring in restrictions for under 18s on high-risk cosmetic procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional.

Through our Plan for Change the government is determined to bolster patient safety. These changes will ensure consumers can be confident the treatment they receive is safe and of a high standard. It will also provide business with better protections, enabling reputable and safe providers to be easily identifiable to patients.

Priority will be given to introducing regulations to restrict the highest-risk procedures first – such as fillers injected into breasts and genitals. A public consultation will be published early next year. This will seek views on the range of procedures which should be covered in the new restrictions.

While the measures are being developed, the government urges anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to check their provider’s qualifications and insurance, and to avoid treatments that appear suspiciously cheap.

Millie Kendall OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the British Beauty Council, said:

The British Beauty Council has worked tirelessly in pushing for increased regulation of the aesthetics sector since its inception. I therefore fully welcome the government’s announcement that it is pushing forward with legislation.

Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector.

We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector. This is the first step forward in raising the reputation of our £30.4 billion industry.

Background information

The new regulations will be subject to public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny before they are introduced.

The government will also work closely with stakeholders to develop further proposals for consultation on introducing the licensing regime for lower-risk procedures to seek views on education, training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.

The government’s commitment follows a consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures launched in September 2023, which received almost 12,000 responses. This was the first consultation on proposals for strengthening regulation in this space. The government will run further consultations, as there are many issues to consider in designing the regulation which were not within the remit of this initial consultation. Read the full response to the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures consultation.

The new measures will also be instrumental in saving the NHS money by reducing the work following failed procedures, helping deliver value for the taxpayer.

The measures come as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), local authorities and the NHS continue to investigate after a number of people had adverse reactions following cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin. This is another reminder for the public to ensure they are receiving products licensed for use in England and only administered by practitioners sufficiently trained. The NHS website has information about choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure.

Additional quotes

Ashton Collins, Director, Save Face, said:

I am delighted that the government has recognised the significant and potentially fatal risks posed by highly dangerous procedures like liquid Brazilian butt lifts, and has made it a priority to implement restrictions to protect public safety.

We have been campaigning tirelessly for nearly 2 years for this critical change and have supported over 750 women who have endured traumatic experiences. I have seen first hand the devastating impact these procedures can have on the lives of victims and their families – none more so than the family of Alice Webb.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and key stakeholders throughout the next stages of this process, to build a safer landscape for the public and promote high standards across the industry.

Professor David Sines CBE PhD, Executive Chair and Registrar at the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), said:

The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners warmly welcomes the UK government’s decision to introduce legislation to regulate and license cosmetic procedures according to the risks they present. Their ‘Plan for Change’ signals a commitment in the strongest terms and it accords with JCCP’s widely publicised call for statutory regulation.

The introduction of standards to ensure that patients are safeguarded and protected from harm, ensuring that all cosmetic practitioners are regulated and licensed to a new national education and training standard, that they are appropriately insured and that they work from safe premises at all times has become imperative. These proposals have our full support and we welcome the opportunity to engage in further consultation.

Diane Hey, Chief Executive Officer of Armonia Health and Beauty, Beauty Professional Trailblazer Apprenticeship steering group chair and Beauty Industry Group Licensing Task and Finish group chair, said:

This long-awaited action is a critical step in protecting the public from the dangers of unregulated and unsafe non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For too long, poorly trained individuals completing short courses have been able to carry out high-risk procedures with little accountability. These new measures will help safeguard the public, uphold professional standards, and reinforce the importance of regulated, high-quality education and training within the sector.

They will provide protection and recognition for reputable, safe practitioners who have spent years developing their knowledge and skills, while also clearly signposting those wishing to enter the sector towards trusted, regulated education pathways.

We look forward to supporting the development of the licensing regime and shaping the wider scope of procedures included, based on proportionate risk. This is crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring only competent, qualified practitioners deliver these procedures, in recognised premises.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

We welcome the introduction of improved regulation and a new scheme of licensing. We look forward to continuing to work with the government in order to achieve a licensing scheme that includes the full range of procedures that were to be covered by the scheme in the original consultation.
August 12, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Six-year directorship ban for construction boss who sold £100,000 of classic cars for just £1 [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 5 August 2025.

The director sold at least £1.5 million of company assets in total.
- Kulbarg Singh has been banned as a director after selling £1.5 million worth of assets for under £500,000 to another company which he also controlled
- The sales in 2021 included seven historic cars – including three Rolls Royces
- Singh’s disqualification means he cannot direct any company until 2031
A Staffordshire businessman who sold seven historic cars including two Jaguars and three Rolls-Royces for just £1 to another company he also controlled has been banned as a director.

Kulbarg Singh, 62, was the director of Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd when he entered into an asset purchase agreement with Ace Earth Solutions Ltd in 2021.

At least £1.5 million of company assets were sold, with Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd entering liquidation the following year.

Among the under-priced sales were two Daimlers from 1936 and 1965; Jaguars from 1969 and 1978; and three Rolls Royces from the 1970s.

Combined, the seven cars had a value of £101,500 but Singh sold them to Ace Earth Solutions Ltd for just £1.

Singh, of Haselour Lane, Harlaston, Tamworth, has been disqualified as a director for six years following Insolvency Service investigations.

Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Kulbarg Singh deliberately sold assets worth £1.5 million for much less than they were worth, putting the money out of the reach of creditors.

Directors who abuse their position will face serious consequences. Selling historic cars worth over £100,000 for just £1 shows the extent of Singh’s misconduct.

Singh’s six-year disqualification sends a clear message that we will pursue those who breach their responsibilities as a director.

Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd was set up in November 2015. Singh said the company was involved in the resurfacing of roads and later installing gas pipes.

In April 2021, Singh sold company assets worth at least £1.5 million for just more than £465,000 to Ace Earth Solutions Ltd, a company he was director of between February 2020 and April 2022.

The sale resulted in Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd losing more than £1 million, leaving it insolvent.

By the time the company went into liquidation in June 2022, it had no assets and total liabilities to HM Revenue and Customs and other companies of more than £1.5 million.

The Official Receiver, as liquidator of Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd, is currently exploring options to pursue recovery action to return money to creditors who lost out as a result of the sales.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Singh, and his ban started on Thursday 24 July.

It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

Further information
- Kulbarg Singh is of Haselour Lane, Harlaston, Tamworth, Staffordshire. His date of birth is 13 July 1963
August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government moves to end discriminatory age bands and unfair pay [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 5 August 2025.

The Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver a genuine living wage for working people took a step closer today as it set out new considerations for the Low Pay Commission when recommending next year’s National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.
- Discriminatory age bands to be removed as new Low Pay Commission remit delivers progress towards a single wage rate for adults.
- Government places cost of living at the heart of the remit a year on from its first inclusion, meaning more money is being put into the pockets of hardworking people – delivering the Plan for Change.
- Low Pay Commission to continue longstanding approach of assessing the impact of wage reforms on different sectors, ensuring recommendations support both economic growth and fair pay.
The Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver a genuine living wage for working people took a step closer today (5 August) as it set out new considerations for the Low Pay Commission (LPC) when recommending next year’s National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

Around 3 million workers benefitted from last year’s decision to include the cost of living in the LPC’s remit for the first time. This led to a record cash increase in the Minimum Wage for apprentices and those under 18, and a £1,400 annual boost for full-time workers on the National Living Wage from April.

Higher wages for the lowest-paid workers not only provide greater financial security for families but also mean more money in the pockets of working people to spend on the things they need – supporting businesses and driving economic growth across the country as part of the Plan for Change.

With younger workers being held back by discriminatory age bands, the updated LPC remit will drive forward the Government’s commitment to delivering a single adult pay band.

The LPC will consult with employers, trade unions and workers on narrowing the gap between the 18–20-year-old rate of the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage and will put forward recommendations on achieving a single adult rate in the years ahead.

The remit will also ensure that the LPC continues to actively consider the cost of living in its recommendations for National Living Wage rates to apply from April 2026.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

Low pay drags down living standards for our workers and in turn hurts our high streets and local businesses.

This Government’s Plan for Change will put money back in people’s pockets, with this new remit marking the next step in considering how we ensure a fair deal for our lowest paid workers while maintaining a competitive economy that boosts businesses and their employees alike.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

We promised to make low pay a thing of the past, and deliver a wage people can live on, and that is exactly what this government is determined to deliver.

We have already taken bold action to Make Work Pay with more than 3 million workers seeing a huge boost in their pay following our increase to National Minimum and Living Wage.

This remit is the next milestone in our plan to get more money in working people’s pockets, raise living standards in every part of the UK, and get our economy growing.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

We are delivering on our promise to make sure every worker receives a fair wage.

Fair pay which supports working families is integral to our Plan for Change, because when working people are properly rewarded with more money in their pockets, businesses thrive and our entire economy benefits.

To ensure the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, business affordability, and the wider economy, the LPC is being asked to consult on several issues before recommending the new rates.

Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the LPC, said:

We are pleased to receive our remit from the Government. Already, since the beginning of the year, we have spent significant time speaking with workers and employers, to understand the pressures in the economy and the effects of the most recent increases in the minimum wage. We have held a successful call for evidence and received detailed submissions from all sides.

Our recommendations on the minimum wage are always finely balanced. More than ever, it is important that we draw on first-hand evidence from those affected by our decisions. I look forward to working with the rest of the Commission over the autumn to reach a shared view on this evidence and deliver our advice to the Government in October.

TUC General Secretary, Paul Nowak said:

Boosting the minimum wage isn’t just good for workers – it’s good for business too. When low-paid workers have more money in their pockets they spend it locally – supporting shops, cafés and high streets.

That’s why the government is right to set out its ambition to raise the floor of the minimum wage and end the outdated and unfair youth rates.

The minimum wage has been one of the big success stories of the last 25 years – lifting pay at the bottom and proving the doom-and-gloom merchants wrong. But it’s important that it keep rising so that it better reflects what it actually costs to get by in Britain today.

A bolder, more ambitious minimum wage isn’t a risk. It’s the next step in building a fairer, stronger economy where hard work is properly rewarded.

Notes to Editors
- The Government sets the minimum wage rates each year following the advice of the LPC. These recommendations are made by the LPC each October – for minimum wage rates to apply from the following April – in line with the parameters set out in the annual remit from the Department for Business and Trade.
- The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is a social partnership, made up of nine Commissioners equally split between those representing employers’ interests, those representing workers’ interests and independent Commissioners.
- The Low Pay Commission (LPC) conducts extensive consultation, analysis and evidence gathering when recommending the minimum wage rates. They talk to a wide range of stakeholders, including both employers and worker representatives. In 2024, the LPC received evidence and stakeholder views from over 100 organisations through written consultation, oral evidence sessions or visits across the UK.
August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Rail boost for the North – Transpennine upgrade one step closer [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 August 2025.

Completed upgrades to Church Fenton to York rail line will bring passengers faster trains and more reliable services.
- electrification and upgrades along the rail line between Church Fenton and York are completed on time and on budget – a major step in rebuilding Britain’s transport infrastructure
- the government’s investment will enable more frequent journeys and boost job and business opportunities for millions of passengers across the region, driving economic growth across the North as part of the Plan for Change
- faster and more reliable journeys across the North as the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) continues
Thousands of passengers are now one step closer to faster, more frequent and reliable trains across the North, as the electrification of the Church Fenton to York rail line is completed today (5 August 2025), part of the £11 billion government-funded Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Faster trains will cut journey times between York and Manchester by 10 minutes and Manchester and Leeds from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, with up to 6 fast services an hour – making it easier for people to get to work, do business and travel across the region.

These upgrades will bring passengers faster trains, whilst a new signalling system and bridge upgrades will make trains more reliable and allow more services to run.

Extensive station improvements along the route will also improve accessibility and facilities at the busiest stations across the North.

During a visit to the region to see completed and ongoing work, the Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, became one of the first people to enjoy the new electrified line, travelling from Leeds to York.

This upgrade is set to create over 5,000 jobs, support the development of 6,500 new homes and unlock commercial space across the North – driving economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.

It comes as part of wider efforts across government to invest in the vital infrastructure the country needs to rebuild Britain and unlock growth across every region.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

Today is a moment of celebration for a project that will transform train travel for millions of passengers across the North. More reliable, efficient trains are now running on 25% of the full TransPennine route.

We are delivering on our Plan for Change by upgrading rail links across the North – slashing journey times between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Electrification between Church Fenton and York was delivered on time and on budget, this government is investing in ambitious projects and seeing them through, delivering change in areas that desperately need it.

This upgrade is about opportunity, not just by expanding and improving people’s travel options, but by creating more than 5,000 new jobs and supporting 6,500 new homes, kickstarting economic growth in the areas that need it most.

Today’s upgrade will enable electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Church Fenton to York – electrifying both ends of the route.

The government is improving employment opportunities across the country, 85% of the Transpennine Route Upgrade workforce is employed within a 40-mile radius of the route, putting more money in the pockets of local people and helping local businesses expand their reach across the North, giving them the confidence to realise their full potential.

New communities will be supported by these new travel options, station redevelopments at York Central and Ravensthorpe will regenerate local areas and provide opportunity for 2,500 homes to be built, alongside one million square feet of commercial space and 18 acres of parkland in York and 4,000 homes at Ravensthorpe.

James Richardson, Managing Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said:

Electric trains running between York and Church Fenton is a significant step forward in the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme.

We have reached a key milestone, as 25% of the route is now electrified, enabling greener, faster, and more reliable journeys between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester in the future. The improvements are already bringing economic and social benefits along the route and wider communities across the North.

It was fantastic to celebrate this with the TRU team today, who have brought together all parts of the rail industry to deliver this success. We remain committed to delivering this transformative programme on time and on budget.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

It’s fantastic to see how the Transpennine Route Upgrade is delivering real improvements for passengers in Yorkshire.

This project, which is currently on time and on budget, will provide more frequent, faster and greener trains, as well as a highly-skilled workforce for future transport projects.

Investment in our rail network helps create new jobs, open up opportunities and unlock much-needed housing as we build a better-connected region that works for all.

The trains will be greener too, as works completed today between York and Church Fenton contribute to the programme’s aim of saving 108,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

For too long, public transport in York and North Yorkshire hasn’t worked well enough. That’s why the completion of the electrified line between Church Fenton and York is such a vital milestone, with a quarter of the route upgrade now complete.

The government’s commitment to connecting people to opportunities through faster, greener, and more reliable rail journeys is incredibly welcome. This crucial part of the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade unlocks opportunities for jobs and regeneration across the region. It’s the kind of investment we need to build the transport system the North deserves.

Steve Plumstead, Director of Curriculum at Kirklees College, said:

Kirklees College, alongside partners Flannery Plant Hire and Kirklees Council, is proud to support the Transpennine Route Upgrade through the new Kirklees Operator Skills Hub.

This facility has allowed adult learners in Huddersfield and surrounding areas to gain vital plant machinery operation skills that directly support the skills needed to implement the Transpeninne Route Upgrade.

Kirklees College will be extending learning opportunities at the Hub to young people in September and we are excited to be empowering local people with the training required to support the work of the TRU.

Kevin Cowap, Commercial and Operations Director at COWAP, said:

COWAP is thrilled to play a key role in the transformative Transpennine Route Upgrade, delivering high-quality steel fabrication and civil engineering solutions.

This landmark project has been a springboard for growth, enabling us to scale our operations and invest in specialist fabrication machinery, plant equipment and a highly skilled workforce. We’ve also secured essential industry accreditations to reinforce our commitment to excellence.

As part of our long-term vision, we are developing a new site facility in the Dewsbury area, further strengthening our capacity to support the project and beyond. These strategic investments position COWAP at the forefront of infrastructure innovation, ready to deliver outstanding service across every phase of the upgrade.
August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister unveils new opportunities for young people to re-connect with their communities [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 5 August 2025.

Prime Minister announces major expansion of youth services and real-world opportunities to re-connect young people with the world around them.
- £88 million investment to support youth clubs and schools to offer more after-school activities, while enabling organisations like the Scouts and Guides to deliver more places in local communities
- Action delivers on Plan for Change and manifesto promise to back young people growing up in a digital-first world, with opportunities to build essential skills for life and work
Young people across the country will benefit from a major new expansion of youth services and activities outside of school, as the government takes action to re-connect young people with their communities.

Far from the default being outdoor activities, young people today are spending more and more of their time detached from the real world, either stuck in their bedrooms or behind a screen, throwing up huge challenges for them and their loved ones to overcome. Today the government takes bold action to give young people a better alternative, so they are supported rather than left behind.

Announcing a new £88 million package of support to transform opportunities for young people across the country, the Prime Minister will make clear that this government is picking this challenge up and seeing it for what it is – a worrying trend – and delivering real-life solutions for the long-term, investing in opportunities for young people.

Applying a grown-up approach to tackling a problem faced by parents and young people up and down the country, this government is investing in children’s futures. From new climbing walls and outdoor adventures to music lessons and volunteering, this package means that youth clubs and schools will now be able to offer more opportunities for young people to get active and connect with others, while building their confidence and broadening their horizons.

For far too long, young people have been locked out of their future, with youth services in England seeing a decade-long decline in investment of over 70%.

This government is turning the page. Backed by nearly £88 million, the package also delivers on the Prime Minister’s promise to support parents and keep children safe – offering more opportunities in structured environments that help encourage young people off the streets.

It builds on wider action through the Plan for Change to back young people’s futures, including by extending voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds, announcing the £500 million Better Futures Fund for young people’s support services, and launching new guidance to protect young people from online harms.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Growing up today is hard for young people. As they navigate their way through the online world, too often they find themselves isolated at home and disconnected from their communities.

As a government, we have a duty to act on this worrying trend. Today’s investment is about offering a better alternative: transformative, real-world opportunities that will have an impact in communities across the country, so young people can discover something new, find their spark and develop the confidence and life skills that no algorithm can teach.

Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing parents by not only protecting our young people online, but giving them the support and opportunities they deserve so no child falls through the cracks.

The Building Creative Futures package announced today includes:
- £22.5 million over three years to create a tailored enrichment offer in up to 400 schools. This will give pupils access to extra-curricular activities such as sport, art and music, outdoor activities, debating or volunteering that support wellbeing and essential skills around the school day.
- The launch of the Better Youth Spaces programme, a £30.5 million fund to improve youth club infrastructure in areas with the highest levels of child poverty. This will go towards smaller capital projects such as new gym equipment and climbing walls.
- The rollout of the Local Youth Transformation pilot, an £8 million programme to support local authorities to deliver a high-quality out-of-school offer. It will provide the tools, guidance and funding, to assess, improve, and invest in impactful local youth offers.
- The third phase of the Million Hours Fund, a £19 million joint investment with The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver over a million additional hours of youth work in areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour.
- £7.5 million for the Uniformed Youth Fund, creating thousands of new places in youth organisations like The Scouts, Guides and Volunteer Police Cadets in areas of unmet demand.
Today’s investment is the latest step towards the government’s National Youth Strategy. Due to be published this autumn, the Strategy will be shaped by insights from over 20,000 young people engaged through the ‘Deliver You’ programme and will set out a long-term vision for youth policy across government.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

We know that strong local youth services are the bedrock of thriving communities that give our young people safe spaces to learn, grow and reach their potential.

Today’s announcement is just the beginning. As we develop our National Youth Strategy ahead of its launch this autumn, we are already delivering on our Plan for Change by putting young people at the heart of our mission-led government ensuring they have the support and opportunities they deserve so that no one is left behind.

The investment today complements and builds on the work already underway to ensure every pupil has equal access to high quality extracurricular activity as well as PE and sport. This includes a new national network to build strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies to identify and break down barriers to sport and dance for children who are less active. New guidance to support schools to offer equal access to high-quality extra-curricular activities will also be published later this year.

Expanding youth provision will also have an impact in tackling child poverty and helping families access great local services. Children affected by poverty can face significant barriers to accessing after school and youth clubs. Today’s announcement will help ensure that every child, no matter who they are, what their circumstances are or where they live, has the opportunity to participate in sports, arts, and other activities.
August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : First car models approved for £1,500 discount to turbocharge the move to electric [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 August 2025.

The Electric Car Grant will make owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.
- the price of 4 Citroën models will be slashed by £1,500 – putting money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change
- first 4 electric vehicles (EVs) confirmed for discounts through the £650 million Electric Car Grant – with more models to follow in the coming days and weeks
- part of government £4.5 billion investment to make it easier and cheaper to own an EV by cutting costs, backing industry, and growing the UK’s charging network by 27% in the last year
Drivers across the UK can save £1,500 on new electric vehicles, with the first eligible models confirmed today (5 August 2025), as government makes owning an EV cheaper and easier for thousands of people.

See a list of eligible cars.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed buyers can enjoy discounts of £1,500 off 4 Citroën models – the Citroën ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo – from today. The discount will be automatically applied in the purchase of the vehicle and customers do not need to complete any paperwork.

The 4 models are the first to be approved for the discounts under the government’s new £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme – which will continue to knock money off the price of new electric cars as more models are approved in the coming days and weeks.

The ECG offers carmakers the chance to apply discounts at the point of sale for new eligible EVs which are measured against the highest manufacturing sustainability standards.

The grant will help carmakers boost their sales, creating jobs and driving investment in the face of global economic headwinds, with £650 million of government funding available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year.

The approval of the first 4 models come as over 17,300 public chargepoints have been added to the UK network since July 2024 – a 27% increase on the year.

With more than 82,000 public chargepoints now available, one chargepoint added every half an hour, and over 100,000 on the way in the coming years, the government is building the infrastructure drivers need to make the switch with confidence, while supporting jobs and saving people money to deliver the Plan for Change.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

With the first four models approved today and more to come over the next few weeks, this summer we’re making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.

Once again we’re delivering our Plan for Change by standing firmly on the side of motorists and manufacturers, driving down costs for consumers, supporting jobs and putting money back in people’s pockets.

Greg Taylor, Managing Director, Citroën UK

We welcome the support of the Electric Car Grant and are delighted to be the first to have our electric range, including the New ë-C3, New ë-C4, New ë -C5 Aircross and ë-Berlingo, approved and eligible. At Citroën we want everyone to have the opportunity to make the switch to an electric car and this support will help make our cars more accessible for our customers.

RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams said:

It’s great to see the first qualifying models announced for the government’s new Electric Car Grant. Not only does this mean more drivers will benefit from the lower cost of running an electric vehicle, but it’s hopefully the sign of more to come from other manufacturers in the weeks ahead. With nearly 1.6 million battery electric vehicles on the road already, it’s a real boost for the switch to electric.

With many drivers citing upfront costs as a key barrier to buying an EV, the discounts will bring down the price of electric cars to more closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts. Drivers can also save up to £1,500 a year in fuel and running costs when switching to an EV.

The move follows the department’s £63 million package to boost charging infrastructure across the UK, including by making it easier to charge at home for people without a driveway. This will help drivers charge on their home electricity rates and run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that’s London to Birmingham for £2.50.

The new Electric Car Grant, which opened to applications from manufacturers last month with discounts of up to £3,750 available, is the latest in a series of moves showing the government is on the side of British drivers. The grant follows a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and fuel duty frozen at 5p until spring 2026, saving the average motorist on average £59 a year.

The government is working closely with the industry to make the discounts available to drivers quickly, with new guidance published by the Department for Transport to help manufacturers apply as easily as possible.

In total, the government is investing £4.5 billion to turbocharge the switch to EVs, securing the UK’s position as a world-leader in electric vehicle adoption – with Britain the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and sales up a fifth on the previous year – while helping put more money in people’s pockets.

This latest move comes alongside the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero emission vehicles each year. Recent changes to the mandate give industry the certainty, stability and support they’ve been asking for, alongside crucial trade deals with the US, India and the European Union to support the UK’s automotive sector and protect jobs following the recent global economic headwinds.
August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has reached new and shocking depths – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 August 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

I’d like to start by thanking ASG Jenča for your briefing. I also want to express my gratitude to Ilay David for his powerful advocacy in support of his brother and for the hostages in Gaza.

I want to reassure Mr David through the Israeli delegation that the UK stands with your family, and the families of all those who have suffered due to Hamas’ inhuman and cruel actions, including British citizen Ditza Or, whose son Avinatan remains in captivity.

This Council has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in all four of its resolutions since October 7th, and I repeat that call today.

As my Foreign Secretary has said, the images of Evyatar and other emaciated hostages paraded in front of cameras for propaganda are depraved.

Hamas and its terrorist ideology can have no place in the future governance of Gaza and should never again threaten Israel’s security.

President, the ceasefire at the beginning of this year was a rare moment of hope, which allowed hostages to be released, and the UN to surge aid into Gaza.

Since the ceasefire ended, the suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has plumbed new and shocking depths.

Israel’s aid restrictions have led to famine now unfolding in Gaza, as reported by the IPC.

Last week, I spoke with doctors who had served in Gaza. They had seen children so malnourished that their wounds festered for months without healing.

They had seen baby formula confiscated by the IDF at the border, depriving newborns of the basic essentials for life.

I call on Israel now to act to alleviate this horrendous suffering.

We need to see restrictions on aid delivery lifted in line with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. And the UN must be able to operate safely and at scale.

We also call for all land routes to be opened for essential supplies, including food, baby formula, medicine, fuel and clean water.

We call for Israel to ensure the protection of civilians, medics and aid workers. And we are appalled that another Palestinian Red Crescent worker was killed this week by an Israeli strike on its headquarters. Israel must investigate this and other similar incidents.

President, as I said, the ceasefire earlier this year showed what can be achieved when there is political will.

And last week’s Two State Solution Conference showed what can be achieved when the international community comes together.

We urge the parties to reinvigorate their efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and an end to the conflict.

As my Prime Minister set out last week, the UK is ready to play its full and historic part in achieving a plan which ends the bloodshed, brings the hostages home and lays the foundations for a Palestinian state.

Statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and is essential to the long-term security of Israel.

August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK provides vital support to over 85,000 Syrians following recent violence [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 August 2025.
- UK to provide vital humanitarian assistance for more than 85,000 Syrians affected by recent violence
- package of medical and other humanitarian support to be sent to help those displaced from their homes in Suwayda, Dara’a and rural Damascus
- UK government is committed to ensuring regional and global security, underpinned by the Plan for Change
A support package provided by the UK government is delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance to Syrian people affected by the recent violence in the south of the country.

The package will see the deployment of mobile medical teams to deliver urgent healthcare to those in need, including those displaced from their homes, as well as the delivery of medicine and trauma care equipment to health facilities, and essential support for pregnant women and new mothers. It will also provide food, clean water, hygiene and sanitation support.

This £1.7 million of assistance will be delivered through UK partnerships with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Medical Corps (IMC), and local Syrian organisations working with the Aid Fund for Syria (AFS). As with all our work, we have robust processes in place to ensure our aid reaches those who need it.

Today’s announcement follows a recent escalation in violence in southern Syria, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Syrians and left thousands injured.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:

The appalling violence in Suwayda has left people without food, water, fuel and medical care. Many have been displaced from their homes. The humanitarian situation is awful, and continued humanitarian access is vital to ensure aid gets to those who desperately need it.

This UK package of support will provide urgently needed healthcare, medicines, food, and clean water to those displaced by the recent violence.

The UK continues to call for a sustainable ceasefire in southern Syria, and for those responsible for recent violence to be held to account. The Minister for the Middle East addressed this in his intervention on Syria at the UN last week.

The UK remains committed to supporting an inclusive and representative political transition, which protects the rights of all Syrians.

The Foreign Secretary also visited Syria last month, during which time he announced new funding to assist with the removal of Assad-era chemical weapons, and reiterated the UK’s commitment to ensuring a more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians – vital for regional and global security, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

The visit to Damascus also marked the UK officially re-establishing diplomatic relations with the Syrian Government, following the fall of the Assad regime last year.

Background
- the UK has provided £4.5 billion of assistance to Syria and countries in the region since 2011
- during his visit to Damascus on 5 July, the Foreign Secretary announced £94.5 million to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syrians, support Syria’s longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods, and support countries hosting Syrian refugees in the region
- the £1.7 million announced today is drawn from part of our existing budget to support humanitarian needs across Syria. It will:
  - deploy 12 mobile medical teams to deliver urgent healthcare services, providing emergency health support to displaced people and include specific support for new mothers, pregnant women, and girls temporarily living in shelters. This includes ante and post-natal care, sanitary supplies, safe deliveries, and support to prevent violence against vulnerable women and girls
  - provide urgent medical supplies, support to blood bank services, and equipment to support trauma and emergency assessments
August 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 August 2025.

The treaty provides a legal basis for the groundbreaking UK-France ‘one-in, one-out’ pilot scheme.

The latest step towards dismantling the criminal trade in small boat crossings was taken today by the ratification of a treaty between the UK and France to help prevent dangerous journeys at sea.

The agreement means that anyone entering the UK on a small boat can be detained immediately on arrival and returned to France by the UK government – with detentions expected to begin within days. Under the ‘one-in, one-out’ scheme, an equal number of migrants will be eligible to come to the UK through a new route if they have not attempted an illegal crossing before – subject to full documentation and security and eligibility checks.

Today’s ratification follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of the landmark pilot scheme just under 4 weeks ago. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau signed the final text last week. The EU Commission, Germany and other partners have given the green light on this innovative approach to deter illegal migration and prevent criminal smuggling networks operating across Europe.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

This government has been fixing the foundations of the broken asylum system we inherited and today we send a clear message – if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France.

This is the product of months of grown-up diplomacy delivering real results for British people as we broker deals no government has been able to achieve and strike at the heart of these vile gangs’ business model.

The days of gimmicks and broken promises are over – we will restore order to our borders with the seriousness and competence the British people deserve.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

For the first time, under this groundbreaking new treaty, people who undertake illegal, dangerous journeys to the UK – putting lives at risk and fuelling organised crime – can be returned to France. In return, we will take people who apply legally with appropriate documentation to be transferred to the UK, subject to clear eligibility criteria and stringent security checks.

This is an important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs that are behind these crossings – undermining their claims that those who travel to the UK illegally can’t be returned to France. Now, as part of our Plan for Change, they can be.

It is also right to make clear that – while the UK will always be ready to play its part alongside other countries in helping those fleeing persecution and conflict – this must be done in a controlled and managed legal way, not through dangerous, illegal and uncontrolled routes.

We will develop the pilot step by step and will trial different approaches as part of it, and alongside this scheme, we will continue to take action at every level to dismantle the criminal enterprise behind this vile trade, boosted by the £100 million in new investment announced this week to support increased enforcement against the gangs.

Under the new UK-France returns treaty, any adult migrant who crosses the Channel will now be at risk of return under the pilot scheme if their claim for asylum is considered inadmissible. Immigration Enforcement have set aside space at Immigration Removal Centres, while Border Force have an operational strategy ready to identify and process groups of inadmissible migrants for removal.

Learning the lessons from the lengthy legal challenges affecting the Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda, the UK government is also prepared to robustly defend any legal challenges to removal within the initial trial phase, as we look to ramp up both the pace and scale of returns over the course of the pilot scheme.

The treaty governing the pilot scheme will remain in force until June 2026, and over this period both countries have committed to continually review and improve the process and effectiveness of this innovative approach, pending decisions on the long-term future of the arrangements after June 2026.

Returns to other countries and immigration enforcement work will continue alongside the treaty. In its first year in office, this government returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK – a 28% increase in returns of failed asylum seekers and a 13% increase in overall returns compared to the previous year. The government also ramped up activity against illegal working, with over 9,000 raids since July 2024, resulting in 6,410 arrests – up 48% and 51% on the previous year.

The French authorities are also increasing their enforcement activity to prevent small boat crossings, disrupt supplies of equipment to the French coast and arrest members of the criminal groups behind the trade.

A new ‘Compagnie de Marche’ of specialist enforcement officers, supported by increased local policing, has been put in place; a specialist intelligence and judicial police unit has been established in Dunkirk to speed up the arrest and prosecution of people-smugglers; and a review of the French maritime approach has been undertaken to allow greater interception of boats in shallow waters.

For migrants in France wanting to come to the UK legally, they will be able to submit an Expression of Interest application for the new legal route online and the Home Office will make a decision. They will need to satisfactorily establish their identity and nationality and will be subject to strict security and eligibility checks.

Anyone who arrives by small boat and is returned to France will not be eligible for the legal route to the UK, while anyone who tries to re-enter the UK having already been returned to France once will be returned again as a matter of priority.

August 11, 2025