Tag: 2026

  • Blair McDougall – 2026 Statement on Companies House Accounts Reform

    Blair McDougall – 2026 Statement on Companies House Accounts Reform

    The statement made by Blair McDougall, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Business and Trade, in the House of Commons on 9 June 2026.

    The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 included measures to reform how companies report information and what information they report when filing their annual accounts with Companies House.

    The reforms include:

    Requiring small companies and micro entities to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House as other companies do;

    removing the option for companies to file abridged accounts;

    a strengthened eligibility statement for all companies claiming an audit exemption;

    the ability for the registrar to require all companies to file accounts via software—using inline extensible business reporting language (iXBRL) format; and

    requiring component parts of the filed accounts and reports to all be filed together.

    We also plan to bring forward secondary legislation to reduce the number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period and introduce annotations to the register where a company has not complied with a notice regarding compliance of its accounts with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

    ECCTA 2023 also included a requirement for small companies to file a directors’ report. However, as part of the Government’s modernising of corporate reporting programme, the Government announced that we will remove the requirement for any company to produce a directors’ report as part of their annual report and accounts. This change will therefore no longer apply.

    The accounts reforms seek to improve the transparency, accuracy and reliability of data on the companies register, to inform business decisions, modernise practices in line with other countries, and tackle economic crime.

    In June 2025, Companies House communicated that the reforms would be implemented in April 2027. This sparked some concern about the impact some of the reforms might have on businesses. As a result, we paused implementation to take time to engage with a range of stakeholders.

    We have listened carefully to stakeholders’ concerns and after some consideration have taken the decision to proceed with the reforms, but with two changes.

    First, we are proceeding with requiring small companies and micro-entities to file profit and loss accounts, but they will be able to opt out of having these published on the public register. We have taken this decision in response to concerns from the business and investment community around the commercial risks for smaller companies of disclosing this information, and the potential impact on investment opportunities.

    Details of how smaller companies can opt out of publication will be confirmed in due course. Companies who wish to enjoy the benefits of publication, such as improved access to finance and enhanced transparency, can still do so.

    Where a company opts out of publishing their profit and loss accounts, Companies House, law enforcement and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will still have access to identify and tackle fraud, economic crime and tax evasion.

    Second, to give companies and software providers more time to prepare, we will postpone implementing these reforms by one year, from April 2027 to April 2028.

    We will also proceed with mandating accounts filing in iXBRL format from April 2028. This will improve the quality of financial data for register users and provide more opportunities over time for companies’ accounts data to be aggregated, compared and subjected to analysis in different ways for use more widely.

    We will continue to engage with stakeholders as we prepare the necessary secondary legislation and proceed to implement these important reforms.

  • Hilary Benn – 2026 Statement on the Belfast Attack

    Hilary Benn – 2026 Statement on the Belfast Attack

    The statement made by Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 10 June 2026.

    In my response to yesterday’s urgent question, I committed to provide the House with a further update on the facts surrounding the horrific attack in north Belfast on 8 June.

    My thoughts remain with the victim and his family, and with the wider community, who have been left shaken by these brutal events.

    The scenes of disorder that we witnessed in some parts of Northern Ireland last night were shameful. It has put innocent lives at risk, injured police officers and caused terror to people—forced to flee their homes by mobs of masked men. I know that the whole House will utterly condemn these attacks, the burning of cars and homes and the other related violence that we have seen. There is no justification at all for this type of thuggery.

    I spoke with the chief constable yesterday and have seen him this morning in Belfast. I have extended my full support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland as it seeks to protect the public, and I have wished the officers injured in last night’s disturbances a speedy recovery.

    The Home Office confirmed yesterday afternoon that the individual is a Sudanese national with leave to remain in the UK until 2028. He entered the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year. The suspect says that he travelled from mainland Europe to Dublin and then on to Belfast, where he claimed asylum.

    The PSNI yesterday stated that it has no information to suggest that this was a terrorist-related incident.

    The suspect was charged last night with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and threats to kill.

    Although nationality, immigration and asylum are excepted matters under the devolution settlement, the Home Office maintains close co-operation with the Northern Ireland Executive. The Home Office operates the same range of immigration functions in Northern Ireland as it does across the rest of the United Kingdom.

    Nearly 70,000 individuals were returned or removed from the UK between July 2024 and the end of March 2026. This represents a 41% increase on the number of returns recorded in the previous 21-month period.

    Of the total returns in the year ending March 2026, nearly 5,900 were of foreign national offenders—an increase of 13% compared to 5,203 FNO returns in the previous year.

    Foreign nationals who commit crimes should be under no illusion: the law will be strictly enforced and, where appropriate, we will pursue deportation.

    This attack was deeply shocking and public concern is understandable, but this moment requires calm leadership. We must stand united in rejecting any attempts to use this incident to incite violence, which, as we saw last night, only harms local communities. There is absolutely no excuse for further disorder and the route to justice will be achieved solely through the work of the PSNI and the legal system. I would encourage anyone with relevant information to contact the police.

  • Angela Eagle – 2026 Statement on Bovine TB Control in England

    Angela Eagle – 2026 Statement on Bovine TB Control in England

    The statement made by Angela Eagle, the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, in the House of Commons on 10 June 2026.

    Today, I can inform the House of the publication of the co-designed bovine tuberculosis control strategy for England, developed and recommended by the steering group of the Bovine TB Partnership. It is now available on the Government-industry TB Hub website.

    We said in our manifesto that we would work with farmers and scientists on measures to eradicate bovine TB, and that is exactly what this process has done. The recommended strategy reflects the contribution of farmers, vets, scientists, industry representatives, and members of the public, brought together through several dedicated working groups and public dialogue workshops.

    I want to place on record my thanks to all those who took part, giving their time, their expertise, and their experience to help shape this work.

    Bovine TB remains one of the most difficult and persistent animal health challenges we face. We know the toll it takes, not only on cattle but on farmers, their families, vets, and rural communities. Too many have lived with that burden for too long.

    We must also recognise that bovine TB is a deeply contested and often polarised issue, particularly around wildlife and the role of badgers in disease spread. Let me be clear: the badger cull is ending, and no new licences can be issued under that policy, as we instead keep the focus on cattle while also protecting wildlife.

    When we announced the co-design of a new strategy in August 2024, this Government committed to end the badger cull by the end of this Parliament, and we have made good on that commitment.

    The 2025 culling season marked the final year of industry-led culling in England’s high risk and edge areas. Today, just one licence remains in Cumbria in the low risk area. However, no decision has been taken by Natural England to authorise culling under that licence in 2026, and I understand that the licence will be formally revoked by it, with a transition to badger vaccination now under way.

    Against that backdrop, I welcome the steering group’s recommended strategy. It sets out a clear direction, and what we now need to deliver: reducing TB in cattle, improving early detection, giving farmers and vets more agency to manage disease risk, strengthening biosecurity, and keeping a firm focus on the long-term prize of achieving officially bovine TB free status for England by 2038.

    This goal matters. It means lifting the shadow of this disease from farming families, restoring confidence for the future, growing the rural economy, and supporting profitable, resilient farm businesses.

    The publication today is an important step forward. It responds directly to the challenge set by Professor Sir Charles Godfray and his panel to increase the pace and urgency of our efforts. Crucially, it also sets a clear ambition to deploy a cattle vaccine and a DIVA—detect infected among vaccinated animals—test by 2030. A licence application for the vaccine has already been submitted to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

    The Government will now consider the steering group’s proposals carefully, and we will do so at pace. We will continue to work closely with farmers, vets, scientists and industry partners to move swiftly from recommendation to delivery, so that the momentum we have begun is not lost.

    Our intention is therefore to translate this strategy into action without delay, through a series of rolling three to five year delivery plans that ensure progress is sustained, transparent, and felt on the ground.

    I will update the House further in due course.

  • Lucy Powell – 2026 Comments on the Death of Roy Hattersley

    Lucy Powell – 2026 Comments on the Death of Roy Hattersley

    The comments made by Lucy Powell on 14 June 2026.

    This is sad news. Roy Hattersley, best known for being Neil Kinnock’s deputy leader, shaped the Labour Party and British politics. He was a giant of our movement and of that generation of politicians. I met him a few times and he was always kind, thoughtful and full of sound advice. RIP.

  • David Gauke – 2026 Comments on Unfairness of Lower Personal Allowances for Young

    David Gauke – 2026 Comments on Unfairness of Lower Personal Allowances for Young

    The comments made by David Gauke on 14 June 2026.

    Why should people of working age have a lower personal allowance than pensioners? Age related allowances were abolished in the 2012 Budget and – even though it provoked a row about ‘the granny tax’ – we stuck to it. They’re unfair, expensive & create additional tax complexity.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2026 Comments on Grenfell Tower

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2026 Comments on Grenfell Tower

    The comments made by Jeremy Corbyn on 14 June 2026.

    Solidarity to Grenfell survivors who suffer the eternal pain of loss, nine years on.

    72 people died because of corporate greed and negligence. We still do not have justice.

    In unity we must defeat austerity and privatisation for good — and defend housing as a human right for all.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Filton Four

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Filton Four

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Conservative Party, on 13 June 2026.

    These thugs fractured the spine of Sgt Kate Evans, who spoke in court of the medical and emotional trauma she still lives with.

    Prison is where they belong.

    Unlike Zack Polanski, I want serious consequences for anyone who attacks police officers risking their lives to protect us.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 14 June 2026.

    I’m old enough to remember when Nigel Farage would hold a press conference at the drop of a hat.

    So why is he now launching his divisive policies in a blog post from the safety of his keyboard?

    I can think of 5 million reasons why…

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on the Death of Roy Hattersley

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on the Death of Roy Hattersley

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 14 June 2026.

    Roy Hattersley was a giant of the Labour movement.

    Through decades of service, including as deputy leader and a minister, he never lost his belief in a more equal Britain.

    My thoughts are with his wife Maggie and his family.

  • Yvette Cooper – 2026 Statement on the Anniversary of Air India Plane Crash

    Yvette Cooper – 2026 Statement on the Anniversary of Air India Plane Crash

    The statement made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, in the House of Commons on 11 June 2026.

    Tomorrow marks one year since Air India flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad en route to London. This tragic accident claimed the lives of 260 people, including 52 British nationals and 113 others who lived in the UK—one of the largest losses of British life in any air accident. The continued heartache of the families and loved ones of those who died is impossible to imagine, not least for those who still have questions about the tragedy and the aftermath.

    The thoughts of the whole Government remain with all those affected by this tragic accident. When I visited New Delhi last week, I joined Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in commemorating the tragedy. I also raised the importance of closure for all those who have been left bereaved, as we continue to wait for the full accident investigation report, and as some families still wait for answers regarding their loved ones’ remains.

    The UK Government response to the crash was both immediate and long lasting. Following the crash, officials initiated our crisis response to provide direct support to bereaved families and address the needs and welfare of all affected British nationals. Our high commissioner, Lindy Cameron, travelled to Ahmedabad on the day of the crash and has continued to support the UK deputy high commission team in the city. Trained consular staff were deployed to Ahmedabad to support families through the immediate period following the crash, along with experts from disaster victim identification, Red Cross and the UK air accidents investigation branch.

    UK police family liaison officers also supported the families of deceased British and foreign nationals who were residents in the UK, and the FCDO continues to provide support to each family in need of help, including through dedicated consular caseworkers to hear feedback from the families and their representatives. As the Indian air accident investigation continues, AAIB family liaison teams have provided support to affected families. We also continue to engage with Air India and Indian Ministries to resolve outstanding issues that families have raised.

    At every level, from family liaison officers to Ministers, what we have heard constantly from those who lost loved ones a year ago is that they want information and answers, to help them understand how a tragedy like this could have happened, and to know for certain what happened to their loved ones remains in the aftermath. Not knowing what caused the crash can only add to their sense of grief and frustration, and I hope that the accident investigation report, when completed and published by the Indian authorities, will answer some of their questions. The UK Government will continue to provide all the help and support we can as they seek answers to the rest.

    In the meantime, my deepest sympathies remain with all those who lost their lives a year ago, and with all those who continue to mourn that loss today.