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Tag: 2026

  • Helen Maguire – 2026 Speech on the National Cancer Plan

    Helen Maguire – 2026 Speech on the National Cancer Plan

    The speech made by Helen Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom and Ewell, in the House of Commons on 5 February 2026.

    I thank the Minister for advance sight of the statement and for her personal experience that has gone into this plan. After the Conservatives failed to invest in our NHS, it is no surprise that cancer survival in the UK is still around 10 to 15 years behind leading countries, with worse survival rates for some cancers than Romania and Poland. I am therefore pleased that this Government listened to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Clive Jones) and brought this national cancer plan to life, because cancer touches everyone.

    One of my residents, a mum with a young family, discovered a lump in her breast. Despite attending the one stop breast clinic on four separate occasions, it took two horrendous years for her to be diagnosed with breast cancer. When she was finally diagnosed, the cancer was aggressive and required a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. That is why I welcome the Government’s target on meeting all cancer wait time standards by 2029, but the aim to halve the backlog in three years’ time is not ambitious enough. Will the Minister go further and back a Liberal Democrat plan to write into law a guarantee for all cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days from urgent referral?

    The focus on ending delays in cancer care is a step forward, but funding 28 new radiotherapy machines is not enough when the treatment is so cost effective and successful. We need to end radiotherapy deserts, so will the Minister extend her ambition to 200 extra radiotherapy machines?

    The Minister says that the plan will turn the NHS app into a gateway for cancer care, but how will she support older people and the digitally excluded? The plan promises to drive up productivity, end the postcode lottery, expand NHS diagnostic capacity, introduce personalised cancer plans and more. That is optimistic and will require more investment to increase NHS capacity, but without clear funding and capacity building plans, is it realistic?

    Labour was right to put patients at the heart of this plan and incorporate the Liberal Democrat’s calls for a specialist cancer nurse for every patient. We costed for 3,000 extra cancer nurses; how many additional cancer nurses does the Minister believe are needed?

    Finally, will the Minister confirm that the plan’s annual summary of progress will be reported in the House for Members to scrutinise?

    Ashley Dalton

    We listen to a lot of people on the need for a cancer plan. I want to take this opportunity to say that our friend Nathaniel Dye, who sadly died last week from stage 4 bowel cancer, challenged my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to bring forward a cancer plan when we were in opposition. The Secretary of State made that commitment, and we have brought forward the plan 18 months after coming into government.

    The hon. Lady mentions the NHS app, which we understand is not necessarily relevant for people who are digitally excluded. One reason we are bringing that forward is to open up capacity within the rest of the system, so that those who can use digital tools can do so. That will free up capacity for the one-to-one, face-to-face support that many people need, but every cancer patient will get support under this plan, whether that is through the app or through their named lead clinical specialist in their neighbourhood, who will support them throughout the process, including after treatment. We are working with NHS England to identify the appropriate number of people for the cancer workforce, and we will be able to announce more about that as the workforce plan develops.

  • Clive Betts – 2026 Speech on the National Cancer Plan

    Clive Betts – 2026 Speech on the National Cancer Plan

    The speech made by Clive Betts, the Labour MP for Sheffield South East, in the House of Commons on 5 February 2026.

    I really welcome this plan, and the efforts of my hon. Friend the Minister and right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in putting it together. I will just raise one credit and one request to go a bit further.

    First, when I had my cancer treatment eight years ago, I thought I knew my way around the NHS, but it is a completely confusing organisation for anyone involved in it. One thing that really helped me was having a specialist nurse appointed at the beginning. That specialist nurse got my chemotherapy ready on a Monday before I came down to London, and then on a Thursday when I came back. That sort of organisation and help is vital, so I really welcome that proposal.

    Secondly, when I had my stem cell transplant for myeloma, my own stem cells were harvested and used, but many young people with complicated blood disorders need stem cells to be donated. So will the Minister work with the Anthony Nolan trust—I am chair of the all-party parliamentary group on stem cell transplantation and advanced cellular therapies—to ensure that more young people donate their stem cells so that other young people can have a life to look forward to?

    Ashley Dalton

    I thank my hon. Friend for his question, for his expertise and for all that he has shared from his experience to help us develop this plan. I note how important specialist nurses are, but we are also doing more to help people navigate the NHS. I know exactly what it is like; I think I have in my Filofax—I am that retro!—about 38 email addresses and phone numbers of the various people I have to contact in order to project manage my treatment. We are going further and ensuring that the NHS app can handle all that information. Cancer patients will have the ability in their hands, or in their pockets, to manage scans, appointments and test results directly through the NHS app.

    I am delighted to say that my hon. Friend the Minister for Technology, Innovation and Life Sciences is already looking at the issues that my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts) raises around blood products and donations, and is working with the Anthony Nolan trust on those. I will be more than happy to work with my hon. Friend further on those issues.

  • Stuart Andrew – 2026 Speech on the National Cancer Plan

    Stuart Andrew – 2026 Speech on the National Cancer Plan

    The speech made by Stuart Andrew, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the House of Commons on 5 February 2026.

    I thank the Minister for advance sight of her statement. May I say right at the outset that we share the ambition to improve cancer survival and outcomes? Almost every family in Britain has been touched by cancer, and patients deserve timely diagnosis, treatment and proper support. I also recognise the Minister’s personal experience and the commitment that she has clearly brought to this agenda. We on the Opposition Benches wish her every success for the future. I also join her in thanking all those who have taken part in the shaping of this plan. It makes a big difference when we hear the voices of patients and families who have been through these experiences.

    The national cancer plan sets out major commitments, including on early diagnosis, improving performance against cancer waiting time standards, the faster set-up of clinical trials, and the national roll-out of targeted lung screening. It also talks about modernising services through technology and innovation. Cancer Research UK has said there is “much to welcome” in the plan, but it is right for it to say that delivery, funding and accountability will determine whether patients see change. Too often, plans sound impressive on paper but fall short when it comes to clear published delivery milestones and accountability. In many respects, this plan mirrors the ambitions of the 10-year NHS plan: it is strong on aspiration, but light on the detail of how change will actually be delivered on the ground. My first question is Toggle showing location ofColumn 455simple: when will the Government publish clear, funded milestones showing how and when patients will see improvements in the next year or two?

    We welcome investment in diagnostics, technology and innovation. It is also right to recognise that this plan builds on the significant expansion of diagnostic capacity delivered by the last Conservative Government, including the roll-out of more than 160 community diagnostic centres. Earlier diagnosis on this scale is only possible because of that foundation, but technology is only meaningful if it translates into real capacity and quicker treatment for patients. That is why radiotherapy matters. Radiotherapy UK is right that it is a core part of modern cancer care, but it relies on up-to-date equipment and a skilled workforce. My second question is this: will Ministers set out how the plan will expand radiotherapy capacity in practice, including equipment replacement and the workforce, so that patients can benefit in reality, rather than the plan just being something written on paper? Are we learning the lessons from the Danish example? They invested in radiotherapy and saw significant improvements over a period of years.

    That point brings me on to the workforce. The success of this plan depends on cancer nurses, radiographers, pathologists and oncologists who are already under immense pressure. We have heard big promises before, but less clarity on delivery, so my third question is this: where is the fully funded long-term workforce plan to deliver the staffing needed to expand diagnostic and treatment capacity and to make sustained improvements, including in neighbourhood health centres? Will the Government explain clearly who will staff them and how they will be funded? Blood Cancer UK has highlighted the importance of ensuring that blood cancers are properly recognised in planning and that patients receive consistent support from the point of diagnosis, including access to a named healthcare professional. That underlines why delivery and accountability across the system matter so much to patients.

    I also welcome the commitments in this plan to children and young people. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage), who I know did some incredible work in this area. Having worked in children and young people’s hospices, I will never forget the journey that those children and their families go on, and I am really grateful to the Government for having a big section on that in the plan.

    My fourth question is about life after—and at the end of—treatment. The plan rightly talks about improving quality of life and support after treatment, including personalised support and rehabilitation; we all want people to live longer, but for many patients and their families, hospice and palliative care are essential. Yet hospices across the country are under severe pressure, with many now in crisis, exacerbated by recent Government tax rises hitting staffing and running costs. Hospices are also notably absent from today’s statement. Will the Government urgently convene a crisis meeting with the hospice sector and set out what immediate steps they will take to stabilise services and expedite delivery of the palliative care plan?

    We will support any serious, deliverable reforms that improve earlier diagnosis, speed up treatment, strengthen the workforce and improve patient experience. But we will also hold Ministers to account on turning Toggle showing location ofColumn 456long term ambitions into real improvements now, because we want to see patients getting the care that they need.

    Ashley Dalton

    I thank the right hon. Member for his statement and questions, and particularly for his personal wishes.

    Overseeing delivery is absolutely crucial. It is great that we have written a plan, but what matters is delivering it. We started delivery even before we had finished writing this plan; we are not waiting. We have already put £200 million directly into cancer via cancer alliances. We have recruited 2,500 more GPs. We have already put in place 28 cutting edge radiotherapy machines and are rolling out lung cancer screening. We have opened more community diagnostic centres at evenings and weekends. We said we would deliver 2 million more appointments; we have already delivered 5 million more appointments. And we have put £25 million into the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s brain tumour research consortium.

    Steps are already being taken, but it is really important, as the right hon. Member points out, that we are held to account and that people keep our feet to the fire on delivery. That is why we are setting up a brand new cancer board of charities and clinicians, which will oversee the delivery of this plan and keep our feet to the fire.

    On workforce, we know how important it is to make sure that the cancer workforce is grown and developed, not only in terms of numbers but in having the resources and the support to use their skills to the utmost. The workforce plan that the Government are developing will also include cancer and will be published this spring.

    I was delighted to hear the right hon. Member mention rare cancers and children and young people. This is the first ever cancer plan with a chapter on rare cancers, and the first ever cancer plan with a chapter on children and young people, and I am really proud of that.

    On radiotherapy, as I said, we have invested £70 million into 28 new linear accelerator—LINAC—radiotherapy machines. We have also listened to stakeholders in the radiotherapy community. We are investing in new technology, including those radiotherapy machines, and in AI to assist the oncology workforce to reduce the time it takes to plan and then deliver treatment. By April next year, we will streamline the process to make it easier for radiotherapy centres to use cutting edge stereotactic ablative radiotherapy—SABR—which is crucial to many patients. We will also ensure that the payment system associated with this treatment incentivises rapid adoption.

    The right hon. Member mentioned hospices, something that I know is very close to his heart and his experience. We are delivering the biggest investment in hospices in a generation. We have provided £100 million to upgrade buildings, facilities and digital systems, and we are giving a further £26 million to children’s and young people’s hospices, ensuring that they can continue offering specialist, compassionate support. More broadly, we are developing a palliative care and end of life modern service framework for England. That is currently being developed alongside our stakeholders, with a planned publication date of autumn 2026.

    I hope that addresses most of the issues raised by the right hon. Member, but I am more than happy to speak with him further after the debate.

  • Ashley Dalton – 2026 Statement on the National Cancer Plan

    Ashley Dalton – 2026 Statement on the National Cancer Plan

    The statement made by Ashley Dalton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the House of Commons on 5 February 2026.

    With permission, I will make a statement on the Government’s national cancer plan for England.

    A cancer diagnosis changes you forever. When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 18 months ago, I did not know whether I would be alive today, never mind standing at this Dispatch Box announcing a national cancer plan, but one year ago almost to the day, the Prime Minister asked me to do just that. Since the Government took office, over 212,000 more people are getting a cancer diagnosis on time, over 36,000 more are starting treatment on time, and rates of early diagnosis are hitting record highs. Despite those vital signs of recovery, though, the NHS is still failing far too many cancer patients and their families. That is why first and foremost, this plan is a break with the failure of the past 15 years.

    In 2011, the coalition Government published “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”. That strategy was followed in 2016 by “Achieving world-class cancer outcomes: a strategy for England”. In 2019, the long-term health plan for England made cancer a priority and included a headline ambition to diagnose 75% of cancers at stages 1 and 2. However well-intentioned they were, not one of those strategies has lived up to its promises. Cancer mortality rates in the UK are much higher than in other, comparable countries, while survival rates are much lower. Cancer incidence is around 15% higher than when the 62 day standard was last met, and working-class communities are being failed most of all. The most deprived areas, including rural and coastal communities, often have fewer cancer consultants, leaving patients waiting longer. This all adds up to the chilling fact that someone living in Blackpool is almost twice as likely to die young from cancer than someone living in Harrow. Wherever in our country a person lives, they deserve the same shot at survival and quality of life as everyone else. Wealth should not dictate their health, and neither should their postcode.

    Behind these statistics are real people. I have heard from those whose care lacked empathy and dignity, from those whose cancer was missed or whose test results were lost, from those who were passed from pillar to post and kept in the dark about their condition, and from those whose loved ones died before their turn came for surgery because the wait was too long. Those experiences are unacceptable—they are devastating. From day one, I was determined to put their voices front and centre of our plan. Over the past year, we have listened to and learned from cancer charities, clinicians and, most importantly, patients and their families. Every action is a response to someone’s lived experience. Every commitment is a promise to transform someone else’s life. Their stories have become the blueprint to make the biggest improvement in cancer outcomes in a generation.

    Three major themes stood out from the 11,000 responses to our call for evidence, some 9,000 of which came from patients and their carers: core performance standards, improved survival, and quality of life after diagnosis. Those are not radical ideas, but unlike previous strategies, this plan is not limited to incremental improvement. Instead, it is an ambitious, bold plan to save 320,000 more lives by 2035, which will be the fastest rate of improvement this century. We will do that by modernising the NHS, harnessing the power of science and technology, putting our patients at the front of the queue for the latest medicines, and helping them to live well after diagnosis, not least for people diagnosed with stage 4, metastatic and incurable cancers—people like me.

    How do we get there? We are placing big bets on genomics, data and artificial intelligence, as set out in our 10-year plan for health. We will hardwire the three shifts of our 10-year plan into cancer pathways. First, on moving from analogue to digital, we heard from patients about the importance of clinical trials, so we will make the UK one of the best places in the world to run a trial with a new cancer trials accelerator. We will start people’s care earlier using liquid biopsy tests, which can return results up to two weeks faster than conventional testing. We will harness AI to read scans, plan radiotherapy and identify the right path for each patient. We will harness genomics so that every eligible patient has access to precision medicines. We will harness data to make sure that all metastatic disease is counted properly—starting with breast cancer—so that people with incurable cancer are properly recognised and supported. When people are not counted, they feel like they do not count, but we will end that.

    Innovation will also help us fight inequalities and make the shift from sickness to prevention. We will turn the NHS app into a gateway for cancer care. By 2028, it will host a dashboard for cancer prevention, with access to tests and self-referral. By 2035, it will bring together genomic and lifestyle data with the single patient record to advise every patient according to their risk. That will benefit people in rural and coastal communities who can find it difficult to access specialist care simply due to geography.

    Finally, we will use the neighbourhood health service to make the shift from hospital to community. That will mean more care, from prehabilitation to recovery support, delivered closer to home. We will help people live well with cancer through tailored support closer to home. People will be given personal cancer plans, named neighbourhood care leads and clear end-of-treatment summaries so that no one feels abandoned after their treatment.

    For too long, those with rarer cancers have seen little to no progress for many of their conditions. They told us we need a special focus on these cancers, and our plan sets out how they will benefit from the deployment of genomics, early detection and the development of new treatments. That was asked for by patients and will be delivered by this Government. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame Siobhain McDonagh) for her campaigning in memory of her late sister Margaret. We should also remember that the late Tessa Jowell raised this issue in 2018, and her family have campaigned ever since.

    Our plan also gives pride of place for children and young people. We will improve their experience of care at every level, from hospital food to youth worker support and play support. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr Bailey) for his campaigning on that point. Our children and young people cancer taskforce asked for support with travel costs, because when someone’s child has cancer, the last thing they should worry about is how they will pay for their train ticket. Today, I can announce that we will fund those travel costs.

    Alongside rare and less common cancers, we will make research for children and young people a national priority. I take this moment to thank the children, young people and families who made up our children and young people cancer taskforce. It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet them earlier this week. I thank the many families and loved ones of people lost too soon who continue to fight to make change for others. I am so grateful to them, and I want people to hear their voices as they read the plan, because it is rooted in the voices of patients, families, clinicians and charities. It will turn cancer from one of this country’s biggest killers into a chronic condition that is treatable and manageable for three in four patients. It delivers the ambition of the 10-year health plan, embodies this Government’s three shifts and sets a clear path towards earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and world-leading survival rates by 2035.

    This plan does not belong to the NHS, and it does not belong to the Government; it belongs to us all. We all must play a part in making it work. Over the past year, I have met the patients, families, carers, clinicians, researchers, cancer charities and voluntary groups who all contributed to our plan. This Government is on their side. We wrote this with them, and we cannot deliver it without them. Let us do it together. I commend this statement to the House.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New prison houseblocks under construction to keep streets safe [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New prison houseblocks under construction to keep streets safe [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 February 2026.

    HMP Northumberland will gain four new houseblocks, boosting its capacity by 240 places, in the latest Government step to make streets safer.

    • Four new houseblocks under construction at HMP Northumberland.  
    • New workshop with six classrooms to steer prisoners away from crime. 
    • Latest milestone in Government’s plans to build 14,000 prison places by 2031, as part of the Plan for Change  

    The new cells will be fully operational by 2027 and help ensure there is always enough space for dangerous offenders.

    The major project will also include the construction of a new workshop containing six classrooms and industry areas – delivering punishment that cuts crime by giving prisoners the skills they need to stop reoffending. 

    Today’s news is a significant milestone in the Government’s aims to build 14,000 additional prison places by 2031 – with around 2,900 of these having already been built since July 2024.  

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

    We inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and have wasted no time getting shovels in the ground to fix this – with 2,900 new prison places already opened – which also creates jobs for communities like those in the North East.  

    Alongside sentencing reform, this will create prisons that cut crime, reduce reoffending, and ensure there are fewer victims in the future.

    The build will also create jobs in the North East, with around 70 new permanent roles expected at the prison once the houseblocks are complete.    

    The project is being delivered by Kier, a leading provider of infrastructure services, construction and property developments.  
      
    The construction follows the opening of the around 1,500-capacity prison in Yorkshire, HMP Millsike, last year. The Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver these prison builds, whilst investing £500 million over two years in prison and probation service maintenance to improve conditions across the estate.  The prison building programme will work alongside sentencing reform, to ensure there is always a cell to lock up the most dangerous offenders. 

    Background  

    • The Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver these prison builds over this spending review period (2026/27 – 2029/30).
  • PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous extremists face “supermax” style restrictions behind bars [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous extremists face “supermax” style restrictions behind bars [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 February 2026.

    Dangerous extremists will face tougher ‘supermax’ style restrictions behind bars under Government plans to keep frontline staff safer.

    ‘Supermax’ style restrictions for the most dangerous prisoners

    Reforms to protect decisions from litigation and limit payouts to terrorists

    Overhaul of separation centres to tackle terror threat behind bars

    Updating Parliament today (3 February), the Deputy Prime Minister set out a major overhaul of separation centres to better tackle the unique threat terror offenders pose. This includes exploring ‘supermax’ style controls on the most violent and extreme prisoners, improving how intelligence is collected and used, and reforms to better protect against litigation and limit perverse payouts to terrorists.

    The intervention follows the publication of Jonathan Hall KC’s independent review of separation centres, launched in the wake of the horrific attack on staff at HMP Frankland last year. The Government has today published its response, accepting Mr Hall’s recommendations in full and in some areas going further to improve staff safety, bolster the operation of separation centres, and address the growing complexity of radicalised individuals in custody. Key measures include:

    A commitment to create a new tiered separation centre system, with the most dangerous extremists facing stricter conditions.

    An expert-led review of training for staff working in these units, to ensure it is tailored to the uniquely dangerous environments in which they work.

    Strengthening internal processes and considering whether new legislation is required to better protect decisions taken by experienced staff in separation centres from litigation on Article 8 grounds.

    Further improving intelligence collection practices to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure intelligence directly informs operational decisions.

    This builds on recent Government action to boost protections for officers working in the high-risk settings, investing £15 million into safety equipment including 10,000 stab-proof vests and rolling out Tasers to 500 staff.

    Speaking in the House of Commons today, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:
    The horrific attack at HMP Frankland was a stark reminder of the dangers our prison staff face every day…Mr Hall’s review makes serious and wide-reaching recommendations, and our response will be decisive and determined.

    Taken together, they will strengthen security, better protect our brave prison staff and reinforce the resilience of our counter-terrorism infrastructure within the estate.

    This Government will always stand behind those who stand between the public and danger. We will not shy away from reform and we will never lose sight of our first duty: to keep the British public safe.

    Separation centres were created in 2017 to isolate the most pernicious and influential extremist offenders from the mainstream population where they could spread their dangerous ideologies and radicalise others.

    The new measures announced today include the commitment to redesign this model, with the creation of tiered separation centres – placing the most violent and disruptive extremists in higher-control conditions inspired by tough restrictions seen in ‘Supermax’ prisons in the United States. Movement between the tiers will only be possible following rigorous risk assessments. Further details will be set out in due course.

    The Government is also acting to safeguard separation centre decisions from legal challenges, ensuring staff can focus on managing risk and protecting the public. This includes revising policy to make clear equivalence with the main regime is not required and establishing a new dedicated expert team responsible for drafting and analysing prisoner referrals to the units.

    Crucially, as recommended by Mr Hall, this also includes looking at whether new legislation is required to limit the impact of litigation brought on European Convention of Human Rights Article 8 grounds. While the Government remains committed to the Convention, it will explore the full range of options to better protect staff managing terrorists and other dangerous offenders.

  • PRESS RELEASE : West Midlands to become Government centre for Transport and Infrastructure with new Campus to accelerate regional growth and delivery [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : West Midlands to become Government centre for Transport and Infrastructure with new Campus to accelerate regional growth and delivery [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 February 2026.

    Communities across the West Midlands will benefit from new high-skilled career opportunities after the government announced a new Transport and Infrastructure Campus, harnessing local expertise to deliver better public investment and services.

    • New government campus in the West Midlands to bring together expertise in transport, property, and housing and deliver regional economic growth.
    • The hub will support the Government’s commitment to invest at least £725 billion in public infrastructure over the next decade.
    • The move brings senior decision-making closer to local communities, creating high-quality career pathways for civil servants in the region.

    Communities across the West Midlands will benefit from new high-skilled career opportunities after the government announced a new Transport and Infrastructure Campus,  harnessing local expertise to deliver better public investment and services.

    The campus will bring together transport, property and housing infrastructure expertise from across multiple departments throughout the West Midlands, a region home to over 35,000 civil servants. This builds on the success of established Government campuses, such as the Darlington Economic Campus, which has led to around 1,000 new high-skilled jobs.

    Cabinet Office Minister Anna Turley will announce the campus during a keynote speech at the launch of non-profit initiative The Forward Institute in Birmingham on Monday 2nd February.

    Cabinet Office Minister, Anna Turley, said:

    The West Midlands is Britain’s transport heartland, and this new campus will harness that regional strength to accelerate the infrastructure projects that communities need.

    I am a firm believer that the best ideas often come from those on the frontline. By moving decision-making out of Whitehall and into the West Midlands, we are ensuring decisions are informed by local expertise and deliver real, tangible benefits for every part of the UK.

    Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said:

    The West Midlands is a fantastic home for this new Transport and Infrastructure Campus, with a real strength in delivering major projects like the Midland Metro, the expanding SPRINT bus network, and the opening of five new rail stations later this year.

    By basing the campus here, we’re backing local expertise and bringing decision‑making closer to communities, helping deliver the infrastructure needed to drive growth across the country.

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

    We’ve promised to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament, and that means doing things differently. This campus brings together the people and expertise we need to cut through the barriers and help us get Britain building.

    Local knowledge, local talent. That’s what I mean when I said build, baby, build.

    The campus will bring together expertise from across the region from the Department for Transport, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office to accelerate infrastructure projects, and support the investment of at least £725 billion in public infrastructure over the next decade under the National Infrastructure Strategy.

    The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will support the development of the Campus. They will nominate a senior leader, based in Birmingham, where they will work with the local area and government departments to grow the campus and spread opportunity throughout the West Midlands.

    By uniting departments around shared priorities and working alongside frontline workers and local government, the campus will drive national renewal, supporting the building of 1.5 million new homes and fast-tracking 150 major infrastructure projects. 

    Alongside the recent launch of a new management apprenticeship scheme based in Birmingham – it will allow people to move up through a civil service career right to the most senior levels, without ever having to move away from the West Midlands. 

    The West Midlands is already one of the largest hubs of civil servants outside of London, with over 35,000 professionals working across the region. Since March 2020, more than 3,200 roles have been relocated to the West Midlands through Places for Growth, including nearly 1,800 to Birmingham.

    This announcement builds on the success of existing thematic campuses, such as the recently launched Digital and AI Innovation Campus in Manchester and the Energy Campus in Aberdeen.

    The Places for Growth programme is about bringing the civil service closer to the communities it serves, with 34% of UK-based Senior Civil Servants now based outside of London, with the goal for 50% of UK-based Senior Civil Service and Fast Stream roles to be located outside of London by 2030.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £1 billion resilience fund and next step towards removal of two-child limit provide safety net for families [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £1 billion resilience fund and next step towards removal of two-child limit provide safety net for families [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 3 February 2026.

    Historic legislation to end the two-child limit and lift hundreds and thousands of children out of poverty has moved a step closer to reality today.

    • Legislation to end the two-child limit which would deliver the biggest reduction in child poverty in a single parliament on record, has second reading today.
    • Comes as Local Authorities receive £1 billion Crisis and Resilience funds which will prevent families from falling into poverty and crisis.
    • All part of the landmark Child Poverty Strategy set to tackle the root causes of poverty and deliver security, opportunity, and respect for families across the UK.

    Historic legislation to end the two-child limit and lift hundreds and thousands of children out of poverty has moved a step closer to reality today.

    As the bill to scrap the two-child limit reaches second reading stage in Parliament, Local Authorities are preparing to deliver the new £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) – the most significant investment in local crisis support in a generation, giving families a genuine safety net to help families with the cost of living.

    Launching in April and split across Local Authorities throughout England, the Crisis and Resilience Fund is the first time a multi-year settlement will be in place for crisis support, replacing the annual cliff-edge funding cycle with the long-term certainty councils need to plan ahead and deliver lasting change.

    The £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund and brings together Discretionary Housing Payments into a single, streamlined grant. This simplified approach will reduce administrative burden on councils while ensuring families can access the support they need when they need it.

    This will allow the fund to act as a genuine safety net to prevent families from falling into poverty by giving Local Authorities the certainty they need to run long-lasting initiatives targeted at the needs of their local area.

    Both measures form part of the government’s Child Poverty Strategy, the most ambitious plan to tackle child poverty in a generation. The two-child limit is the biggest single driver of growth in child poverty levels, removing it is the quickest and most cost-effective way to lift 450,000 children out of poverty in the final year of this parliament.

    Including measures such as expanded free school meals and free childcare hours, the strategy aims to break the cycle of children growing up in poverty facing worse outcomes in health, education and employment, in turn building a stronger Britain for the future.

    Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson, said:

    “Families deserve support before a crisis hits, not after. By scrapping the two-child limit and launching a £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund, we’re giving councils the tools to help families build real financial security.

    “Growing up in poverty has a significant impact on health, education and employment and lifting 550,000 children out of these circumstances isn’t just about fairness today, it’s about building a stronger Britain for the future.”

    Co-designed with Councils and charities, the Government has released guidance on how the funding could be spent including initiatives to join up local services like debt advice and help to access financial support, helping those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and programmes to ensure children do not go hungry during school holidays.

    The Minister for Employment will today (3 February) visit Hope4All in Sunderland, where a community-led food club and advice service has cut local food bank reliance by 40% – demonstrating the importance of local initiatives, run by those who understand the needs of their communities.

    Sabine Goodwin, Director of the Independent Food Aid Network, said:

    “The eagerly awaited Crisis and Resilience Fund is set to be groundbreaking for households living on low incomes in English local authorities. Its newly published guidance outlines the delivery of effective crisis support via prioritised cash payments enabling choice and dignity as well as the need to help residents build financial resilience through bolstered community support.

    “Taking a cash-first approach to poverty, this multi-year funding pot has the capacity to reduce the number of people having to turn to charitable food providers and to help fulfil the Government’s commitment to end mass dependence on emergency food parcels.”

    Funding for the CRF has been confirmed until 31 March 2029, a significant shift from short-term emergency pots that limited Councils ability to plan ahead and build joined-up services that that would have a meaningful impact on their local community and result in genuine poverty prevention. The £1 billion package replaces the Household Support Fund and incorporates Discretionary Housing Payments, streamlining support into a single grant. Alongside the guidance, provisional allocations have already been shared with all councils.

    Emma Revie, co-chief executive at Trussell, said:

    We are delighted to see the Crisis and Resilience Fund launched this year, and to have been able to work with the government and our partners to ensure it is designed to provide effective support for people at risk of needing a food bank. Every day, food banks see how people living on the lowest incomes can be quickly tipped into crisis by an unexpected cost or financial shock such as illness or a job loss. Effective crisis support is crucial to prevent people from falling into severe hardship, so they can still afford the essentials we all need.

    The new Crisis and Resilience Fund is a vital step towards ensuring no-one is forced to turn to a food bank to get by, and represents important progress on the government’s manifesto commitment to ending the need for emergency food. We welcome its development, which is based on the evidence and insights from our community of food banks and other experts in the Crisis Support Working Group and we look forward to continuing this work in partnership to help end the need for food banks for good.

    The government is also taking wider action to help families by driving down the cost of living with measures including increasing the National Living Wage, cutting an average £150 from household energy bills and freezing rail and prescription charges.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Major international science meeting begins in Manchester  [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major international science meeting begins in Manchester  [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 February 2026.

    Environment Secretary opens international meeting on business and biodiversity.

    A thousand of the world’s leading scientists and policymakers from nearly 150 countries are gathering in Manchester this week for a vitally important summit, supported by the UN and hosted by the UK government.  

    The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) are meeting to discuss action on tackling one of the defining challenges of our time – halting the loss of nature.  

    Often described as the ‘IPCC for biodiversity’, IPBES provides policymakers with objective scientific assessments about the state of the planet’s biodiversity, ecosystems and the contributions they make to people, as well as providing the tools to help us better protect the natural world.

    This year’s meeting, running until 8 February, focuses on the crucial link between business and biodiversity, with the goal of approving a groundbreaking Business & Biodiversity Assessment. This intergovernmental report, if approved, will help businesses understand their relationship with nature and practical steps they can take to protect it. 

    Hosting this landmark intergovernmental meeting in Manchester is expected to deliver a £3.1 million boost to the local economy, bringing delegates from around the world to the city and securing Manchester’s status as hub for nature-positive business and innovation. 

    In a speech at the opening plenary session this morning, the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds relayed a message to delegates on behalf of His Majesty The King, which described the “unprecedented triple crisis” of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. His Majesty’s message reminded delegates they “possess the knowledge to reverse this crisis and transition towards an economy that prospers in harmony with nature” and expressed his wish that the outcome of this week’s meeting “will help shape concrete action for years to come”. 

    Speaking at the opening plenary, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 

    Around the world, momentum is building. Countries are restoring wetlands and forests. Communities are reviving degraded landscapes. Businesses are increasingly investing in nature as they have realised it delivers real returns. The tide for nature is beginning to turn. 

    But we cannot afford to slow down. The window to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 is narrowing. We need to build on that momentum – and we need to do it now. That is why organisations like IPBES matter more than ever. At a time when some are stepping back from international cooperation, the rest of us must step forward. Together we will demonstrate that protecting and restoring nature isn’t just an environmental necessity, it’s essential for our security, our economy, and our future. 

    The UK’s commitment to multilateralism remains steadfast. We believe that by working together – sharing knowledge, aligning policies, and holding one another accountable – we can halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. This week, we come together to approve the Business and Biodiversity Assessment. This is multilateralism in action. This is what global cooperation looks like.” 

    The Environment Secretary went on to address the urgency of multilateral action, the critical role of science, and the opportunities for businesses – noting that nature-positive investments can build resilience into supply chains and drive innovation in biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, and green finance.     

    Louise Heathwaite, Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, said: 

    This meeting marks an important milestone for business and biodiversity. Organisations that understand and manage their impacts on nature are better equipped to secure resilient supply chains, minimise risk, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable economic growth. UK researchers have been central to developing the evidence base that enables businesses to assess and respond to nature‑related risks. UKRI is proud to have supported the UK science that has made this assessment possible.

    Gemma Harper, Chief Executive of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) said:

    IPBES-12 represents a crucial moment for strengthening the science-policy interface on biodiversity. JNCC is proud to contribute our expertise to these important discussions, helping to ensure that the most robust evidence informs decision-making at the highest levels.

    The business case for nature has never been clearer. All businesses depend on nature and the services it provides: from pollination and clean water to climate regulation and fertile soils. Companies that act on their nature-related dependencies and impacts will be better positioned to manage risk, build resilience and seize opportunities in the transition to a nature-positive economy. We look forward to productive discussions that will help translate scientific understanding into practical action for governments, businesses and communities worldwide.

    The UK is committed to taking a leading role on the world stage to tackle the twin threats of climate change and nature loss. We appointed two UK Special Representatives for Climate Change and Nature who work to boost our diplomatic engagement and strengthen our international partnerships.    

    The UK Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis and Nature Minister Mary Creagh will also be attending IPBES this week to support the work of the panel, drive business investment in nature and encourage business to be transparent with full nature related financial disclosures.  

  • PRESS RELEASE : Tech giants meet disability sector to break down barriers at work [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tech giants meet disability sector to break down barriers at work [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 3 February 2026.

    Disabled people are set to benefit from the expertise of some of the world’s tech giants to help make the workplace more accessible to them.

    • Government brings together tech giants and disability charities to improve workplace accessibility.
    • Discussions explored how emerging technologies can create new job opportunities for disabled people.
    • Initiative supports the government’s mission to help people into good jobs.

    Disabled people are set to benefit from the expertise of some of the world’s tech giants to help make the workplace more accessible to them.

    The Department for Work and Pensions hosted a meeting with big tech companies Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon, alongside leading UK disability charities to identify practical ways that cutting-edge technology can remove barriers preventing disabled people from finding and keeping jobs.

    Technologies such as screen readers, real-time captioning, and AI-powered visual description tools are already helping disabled employees perform tasks.

    It marked the first step in a larger conversation the government wants to see take place around assistive technology breaking down barriers to work and complements wider action to help disabled people into work.

    This includes the Connect to Work programme which will help 300,000 sick or disabled people into work by the end of this Parliament, and the government’s engagement with employers following Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

    We must harness the power of technology to open more opportunities for disabled people to work.

    By bringing together the biggest names in tech with those who understand the barriers disabled people face, we can identify the tools and approaches that will help build workplaces that truly support everyone.

    This is part of our wider mission to Get Britain Working – investing in employment support and working with employers to create genuinely inclusive workplaces.

    Vice President Accessibility and Engagement at Meta Maxine Williams said:

    Technology has the power to unlock opportunities for everyone, and we’re committed to building tools that help people live, work, and connect on their own terms.

    Our AI-powered wearables are transforming accessibility by providing real-time support that helps people with disabilities navigate work and public spaces independently, unlocking new possibilities for employment and connection.

    Chief Executive at Scope Mark Hodgkinson said:

    There are a million disabled people who want to work, but many face barriers such as inflexible workplaces, negative attitudes and outdated systems.

    We need government, employers, and others to come together to tackle these barriers. To make it easier for disabled people to get in work and stay in work.

    The current pace of technological development and growth in the availability of accessibility features is an opportunity which cannot be missed.

    The Work and Pensions Secretary brought the groups together to explore how existing accessibility innovations can be more widely adopted in workplaces, and to encourage further collaboration on tools designed specifically for employment settings.

    Many common workplace technologies now include effective assistive features, and new tools – such as AI-powered glasses that describe surroundings for visually impaired users – are coming onto the market. However, awareness of these tools varies, and many workplaces may not yet be fully set up to use them.

    The discussion was about moving beyond tick boxes to explore practical integration of assistive technology in everyday work.

    Director of Workforce Staffing at Amazon Jaqui Sampson said:

    At Amazon, creating an accessible workplace goes far beyond simply doing the right thing. It’s about unlocking talent. When barriers are removed and technology is designed inclusively, people are better able to thrive at work.

    By working with government and disability organisations, we’re helping to ensure innovations are meaningfully embedded in everyday workplaces. This approach strengthens our teams, broadens opportunity and helps build a more inclusive and resilient workforce across the UK.

    Head of Accessibility, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Guide Dogs UK Alex Pepper said:

    It’s encouraging to see major technology companies coming together to open opportunities in the workplace. Assistive technology can remove barriers at work, but it is not a solution on its own. Without accessible recruitment, the right training and affordability, it risks creating new exclusions. At Guide Dogs, we see technology, human expertise and guide dogs as a blended solution – and the same joined-up approach is essential if workplaces are serious about inclusion.

    CEO at Lightyear Foundation Jeff Banks said:

    Today’s roundtable was an incredibly valuable opportunity to move beyond broad commitments and focus on how AI and assistive and accessible technologies can be embedded into real working environments.

    For deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, the issue is not whether the technology exists, but whether employers understand it, adopt it well, and involve disabled people in shaping how it is used. Collaboration between government, tech companies and disabled-led organisations will be essential if we are serious about turning innovation into more inclusive employment opportunities in the future.

    Director of Policy, Policy Connect, Robert McLaren said:

    We know Assistive and Accessible Technology is vital to the success of disabled people – I certainly wouldn’t be able to do my job without these tools. That makes the adoption of this technology, in business and the public sector, one of the great challenges and opportunities for our economy.

    CEO at Ability Net Amy Low said:

    At AbilityNet we have seen tech advancements in the past 5 years alone blow the doors off the art of the possible when it comes to disability inclusion in the workplace.

    This gathering was exciting as in the room we had all the right people – big tech, government departments and third sector representatives, many of us with lived experience of disability and neurodivergence – to mount a collaborative campaign to drive this awareness at every level in an organisation.

    CEO at Business Disability Forum Diane Lightfoot said:

    Technology is moving at pace. Disabled people need to be involved in the design of AI-powered tools from the very beginning to ensure they are designed inclusively.

    Employers must also be at the heart of these conversations to make sure solutions are practical, scalable and meet wider business security and compatibility requirements. By coming together, we can harness the potential of technology to remove barriers in the workplace and beyond.

    Additional information:

    • Attendees included representatives from Meta UK, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Lightyear Foundation, Business Disability Forum, AbilityNet, Disability Rights UK, Regional Stakeholder Network, Scope, Guide Dogs, RNID, Global Disability Innovation Hub, Atech Policy Lab.
    • A £1 billion government investment has already been announced to help disabled people into employment by the end of the decade. This includes the Connect to Work programme which will help 300,000 sick or disabled people into work by the end of this Parliament.
    • The Disability Confident scheme is being overhauled with tougher standards and tailored support for smaller businesses, with 19,000 employers have already signed up.
    • A number of early employer adopters will address issues highlighted in the Keep Britain Working Review have also been launched, and the government announced the national expansion of WorkWell across England, which will support up to 250,000 more people with health conditions.
    • Nine inactivity trailblazers backed by £125 million are also launching across England and Wales. These bring together health, skills and employment support to help people back into work.