Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with the leader of the Belarusian opposition [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with the leader of the Belarusian opposition [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister hosted the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, at Downing Street yesterday.

    The Prime Minister began by underlining the UK’s support for a free and democratic Belarus. He condemned Lukashenko’s ongoing attacks on democracy, and the ongoing detention of political prisoners in the country.

    The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s steadfast support for the use of sanctions to apply ongoing pressure to the regime.

    Ms Tikhanovskaya also updated on her recent visit to Kyiv, and the leaders discussed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    Finally, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Ms Tikhanovskaya for her bravery in campaigning for a free and democratic Belarus.

    They looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Greater Cambridge gets regeneration body to accelerate growth [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Greater Cambridge gets regeneration body to accelerate growth [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 2 June 2026.

    A new Development Corporation will give Greater Cambridge the powers and certainty to deliver infrastructure-first growth at scale.

    • New regeneration body will end the cycle of homes coming first and services catching up years later by developing land faster
    • £800 million already committed to accelerate new homes, jobs and infrastructure across Cambridge and Oxford

    A new regeneration body will deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, and long overdue transport links in Greater Cambridge in a major move to unlock growth in the region.

    Working in partnership with local leaders and communities, the region’s biggest Development Corporation will drive faster, more sustainable growth – ensuring transport and services are built alongside new homes, not as an afterthought. It will also rake in millions more in investment, cementing Greater Cambridge’s status as a world-leading centre for science and innovation. 

    The Corporation will bring land together for development, invest in key sites and unlock stalled and derelict land – tackling housing affordability, cutting commuter delays, breaking down barriers to employment, and improving connectivity. 

    Today’s announcement builds on the up to £800 million already committed to kickstarting development around Cambridge and Oxford, which will increase the supply of affordable homes, upgrade transport links, and provide more green spaces for residents. 

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed, said: 

    “Greater Cambridge is an area with huge potential that the new Development Corporation will help turn into more affordable homes, good jobs for local people and infrastructure that supports its communities.”

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves, said:  

    “Greater Cambridge is a powerhouse for regional growth – and we’re unlocking its full potential as part of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.

    “We have the right economic plan – by working with local leaders to unlock stalled sites and invest in infrastructure, this Development Corporation will deliver homes, jobs and opportunity at scale, driving regional growth and supporting our science and innovation strengths in Britain.”

    The Greater Cambridge Development Corporation will be a joint national and local body, with the powers and long-term leadership to turn ambition into delivery.   

    It will bring sites ready for development together quicker, invest in critical infrastructure and bring forward sites that have sat idle for too long – building well-designed communities where people want to live and work. 

    As well as new homes, it will create thousands of jobs for local partners and businesses, state of the art innovation spaces, bolstering Cambridge’s position as a global centre for science and enterprise. 

    Local partners and businesses have backed proposals for the Development Corporation, recognising its role in unlocking growth and new jobs across the city, providing the certainty and momentum needed to bring forward strategic sites and attract private investment.

    Progress is already being made to remove barriers to growth in Greater Cambridge, including government action to provide adequate water supply and wastewater capacity. This has enabled over 9,000 homes and more than 500,000 sqm of commercial space to come forward so far. 

    Cambridge Growth Company Chair, Peter Freeman CBE said: 

    “We welcome the government’s intention to establish a Development Corporation for Greater Cambridge. This provides the long-term certainty, status and coordination needed to deliver infrastructure at the scale Greater Cambridge demands.

    “The real work begins now, and we are determined to deliver – making Greater Cambridge not only more economically vibrant, attracting world-class businesses, but more liveable, better connected and a place that genuinely works for all current and future residents.”

    Chief Executive at Cambridge Ahead, Dan Thorp said: 

    “In the 65+ years of the Cambridge Phenomenon, which is over half a century of world-leading innovation and exceptional economic performance, this could be one of the biggest moments. A Development Corporation can provide strategic direction, delivery capability, and financing in a way not previously possible and through this the Cambridge economy can deliver more for national and local benefit. 

    “With over 80% of Cambridge industry leaders telling us that the UK Government’s commitment to the Ox-Cam Growth Corridor has either increased or maintained business confidence, it is evident that clear and consistent national policy is having a growth-positive impact on the ground in our high-potential region. 

    “It will be vital that the Development Corporation truly works in partnership with local leaders, is set up to deliver good growth with certainty and clarity, and acts in the long-term interest of Cambridge and its region. Cambridge Ahead will continue to work with UK Government to build on today’s announcement and ensure that the momentum Cambridge has built translates into the jobs and homes this region and the country needs.” 

    Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow said: 

    “Our Local Growth Plan is intentionally the most ambitious in the country, and delivering it means tackling infrastructure constraints we’ve put off for too long. 

    “A Development Corporation has the potential to help us deliver that plan, working as genuine partnership between local leaders, government and communities, all focused on the same plan. 

    “As Mayor, I will work closely with a Development Corporation to support delivery at pace and make sure that collaboration translates into real progress on the ground.”

    Further information

    The Cambridge Growth Company was established by government as a subsidiary of Homes England, working closely with local leaders, communities and industry to develop and deliver an ambitious plan to remove barriers to growth in Greater Cambridge.  

    Up to £800 million has already committed to kick‑starting development around Cambridge and Oxford to deliver tangible benefits to residents. These include:  

    • Thousands of new, high-quality homes to meet local demand and tackle the housing shortage.  
    • Creation of good jobs across a range of sectors, supporting economic growth and prosperity.  
    • Improved transport links and infrastructure, making it easier for people to access work, education, and amenities.  
    • Regeneration of key sites, turning long-stalled areas into thriving, sustainable communities.  
    • Opportunities for business expansion and innovation, cementing Cambridge’s status as an engine for growth.
  • Steve Reed – 2026 Business in the Community Speech

    Steve Reed – 2026 Business in the Community Speech

    The speech made by Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 2 June 2026.

    Good afternoon, I’m sorry I’m the third politician you’ve had today but it’s certainly a pleasure for me to be here to speak to all of you about our work.

    So can I first by start by thanking you Sue and everyone at the BITC for all the work you are leading at Business in the Community and the change you are driving in our communities.

    I know that for over 40 years now Business in the Community have promoted responsible business and shown the benefits it can bring to every part on the country.

    We are nation of a thousand neighbourhoods, where our identity and our sense of belonging, all depend on what we see around us.

    When the streets are clean, and our high streets thriving – that’s good. 

    But when shops are empty and crime is rife – those are the time, people ask what’s going wrong. 

    I know that for Britain to get those good times rolling again, we need the public, private, and voluntary sectors to come together.

    So businesses – like yours – are at the heart of our communities.

    You are what make our places thrive, you are why people have pride in their hometown.

    And we know that if we are to match the ambition that people have for their hometown, our government must support more businesses like yours to get behind their community.

    That’s why community businesses are central to our Pride in Place programme. 

    Across nearly 300 of our poorest communities, we are rebuilding trust by handing power and funding to communities that have been ignored for too long.

    In total, nearly £6bn is being given to Neighbourhood Boards, made up of local people, to spend on whatever the local community believes it needs to succeed.  

    This money won’t end up in the pockets of remote consultants like in previous programmes.  

    Instead, led by the communities in charge – we’ll see this money flow directly into the heart of local high streets and towns. 

    As part of the engagement process, places like Scarborough, Mansfield and Runcorn have funded local businesses to find out the priorities of local residents – bringing economic benefits through supply chains. 

    Through the publications of their 10-year plans we are beginning to see how local tradesmen, electricians, and construction companies will be involved in new youth centres, libraries and community CCTV. 

    Just think about some of the projects being designed – like the new play space in Irvine, the new pool in Abroath and the Youth Zone they built in Wrexham. 

    Building each of these will mean more money being spent throughout supply chains and across the economy. 

    We want Pride in Place to support small businesses and we want to see Neighbourhood Boards using local suppliers wherever they can.

    Later this year we will publish guidance to make sure Neighbourhood Boards have our full support to use local suppliers and invest in local businesses.

    Business in the Community’s Place programme shows what is possible when businesses back their communities. In 19 places, they are bringing the community together to make change happen. 

    We want to build on this, and I am delighted that our Pride in Place Programme reaches communities where Business in the Community have already got to work. 

    Some areas – like Redcar and Cleveland – have a local Business in the Community representative sat on their board and I want to see that everywhere.

    And in other neighbourhoods, like Weston in Southampton, the local BITC lead is helping to reach out across the community to get more local people involved. 

    But we don’t want to stop there. 

    We will support every Board to work with local businesses and social enterprises – because those wider partnerships are how we deliver the change local people want to see, and we are already seeing the results of that.

    This programme amounts to £6bn for the most deprived communities in Britain – if we can use that to support community business, we can make this investment go so much further. 

    Working with you, Pride in Place can also be an engine for work and skills – creating a pipeline of employment that will sustain long-term regeneration. 

    Bexhill-on-sea is a great example of how this can work – they are now repurposing a town centre building as a co-working and skills hub.

    In Darwen, the local board are supporting bespoke programmes to bridge the skills gap and support scaling up. 

    And in Carlton, the community are developing a skills programme to improve the employment prospects of offenders. 

    These are only a few examples of the work under way. 

    Every neighbourhood in the programme has been selected because of deprivation – and so often that is because they lack good, decent work. 

    I still remember the day when I was younger that Dad, my Grandparents, my Aunt and my Uncle all lost their jobs when the printing industry collapsed in Watford.

    That pain they felt at being thrown on the scrapheap still lingers right across this nation’s former industrial heartlands. 

    If the Pride in Place programme is going to be a success, it must bring new employment and skills that are the pathway to a better future.

    We need this ‘change you can feel’ in every part of the country, but the Pride in Place programme can only focus on the most deprived neighbourhoods.

    Through a wider focus on these principles of place right across government, we can make sure everyone lives in an area they are proud of and they can thrive.

    Earlier this month we announced plans for a new Neighbourhood Guarantee to set out clear expectations of local, regional and national government, to bring visible improvements right to people’s doorsteps.

    The Guarantee will include clear expectations for keeping streets clean and accessing the full range of public services.

    To deliver this, we will launch a new digital tool which will show our progress in every single neighbourhood.

    The guarantee will benefit every part of the country, and that includes local businesses.

    The point is this – more attractive high streets draw people into town centres, and that means people spend more in local retailers and local hospitality venues.

    Places to be proud of creates consumer confidence, and that pushes more money through local supply chains.

    Improving how every neighbourhood looks is good for the economy, good for business, and good for communities.

    That’s why we need to guarantee minimum standards.

    This is about a recognition that Whitehall alone cannot back the pride people have in their area.

    This time we are putting it in the hands of those who know their area best and that’s the local businesses and local people who live there.

    Alongside the Pride in Place programme, we are devolving radical new powers to Mayors, councils and communities.

    They are the drivers of local economic growth, and they are the ones who create jobs and put money in people’s pockets

    The new right to request process means that Mayors have a direct route to ask for new powers – and we can then more easily devolve them.

    Already we have signed off on more powers to extend public transport and provide innovation funding.

    This will support real economic growth, bringing areas out of generational stagnation, and lifting the strain on welfare budgets.

    Our approach to high streets too will echo the pride people have in their town and their local city centres.

    The state of the local high street is one of the ways people measure whether, not just their area, but the whole country is going backwards or forwards.   

    They feel a profound sense of loss when a place they are proud of and which was thriving is now boarded up, closed down, and covered in graffiti. 

    We all know that the 20th century model of high streets isn’t coming back, but we should never settle for anything less than a future better than the past.

    Our village, town and city centres need to once again become true civic centres – the places where people go to meet friends and family.

    We need to support retail and hospitality, but also turn empty units into public services and community spaces.

    I want our high streets to be thriving – full of people spending time together.

    We need the right mix of retailers and venues on the high street.

    Right now, there are too often vape shops, bookies, and barbers shops that don’t appear to have any customers. 

    The answer to how we can renew our high streets rests in supporting good business, and clamping down on those who don’t play by the rules.

    We’ve already given councils new powers to limit the number of bookies in their areas. 

    And now we’re giving councils further powers to restrict the kind of shops that bring down an area down.

    Everyone can see organised crime has been moving onto our high streets, and yet councils have lacked the power to deal with it.   

    That changes with our new High Street Organised Crime Unit in the Home Office.

    This is about supporting businesses that are good for the community, by taking on those that are not.

    Our high streets are ecosystems – and vacant shops are bad for business.

    Through the high streets rental auctions programme, we are reducing vacancies by helping councils to forcibly take over the lease of long term vacant premises.

    This will open these spaces to new tenants – not just because taking out eyesores, but providing businesses with access to tenancies at below market rent.

    In the first year of the programme, this helped bring down vacancy rates in one of our pilot areas – Harworth & Bircotes – from 11% to just 3%.

    Just imagine if we could replicate that on every high street.

    Today I can announce an expansion of the programme with an additional £10m over the next two years, giving councils access to more refurbishment grants.

    I want all councils to use these powers and tackle vacancies.

    It’s all part of a wider plan to support local businesses to drive change in their area.

    Just this week we announced changes to the planning system to speed up decision-making.

    New regulations will let planning officers – rather than council committees –make the call on minor applications.

    This means that if shopkeepers or pub landlords want to make improvements, they’ll be able to get on with it much quicker.

    Now we have passed the landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, we also have new powers to support the hospitality industry.

    In historic city centre nightlife areas like Soho, businesses are in a constant battle with groups that intentionally try to close down local hospitality businesses and stop new venues from opening

    Through the new powers we’ve just taken, we will give the Mayor, who’s got a London-wide mandate, the ability to overrule important licensing decisions, so that hospitality venues can stay open, create jobs and provide for the millions who just want to go out and enjoy themselves.

    The future of our high streets relies on a partnership, and I know that many of you will have formed that through Business Improvement Districts.

    We want to let BIDs get on and make their area thrive.

    That is why our High Streets Strategy will also include measures to modernise the BID rule book.

    We will simplify voting procedures, strengthen transparency and accountability,  and crucially, include property owners in the process.

    This will unlock huge potential for investment.

    Across the country , businesses and BIDs have shown what they can contribute to revitalising high streets – as a government we need to support that, and show you that we are on your side.

    This is about a politics that respects people enough to back the pride they feel in their community.

    Respect for hometowns and for high streets.

    respect for the roads and the neighbourhoods that people live in.

    Partnering with business is the way that we can build that kind of politics.

    It is central to our Pride in Place programme, our Neighbourhood Guarantee, our devolution and our approach to high street regeneration.

    But it must also be a principle embedded right across government.

    I look forward to working with all of you, as we outline a radical new approach that shares the pride people have in their own community and in their own home town.

  • Kate Osborne – 2026 Comments on Pride Volunteers Being Abused

    Kate Osborne – 2026 Comments on Pride Volunteers Being Abused

    The comments made by Kate Osborne, the Labour MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, on 7 June 2026.

    Overnight, Pride in Hebburn banners were torn down and damaged – less than 24 hours after volunteers had put them up. Volunteers trying to repair the damage were then subjected to abuse, which is absolutely disgraceful.

    At a time when Reform leaderships in South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham have shown indifference, and in some cases disdain, towards Pride, this shows exactly why it matters so much.

    I have already written to Cllr Paul Mackings expressing my disappointment at the decision to remove the Pride flag after just one day.

    Let’s be clear the financial contributions to Prides from Council is minimal – but the signal this rhetoric sends is that the LGBT+ community are not welcome.

    This hate will not win.

    To every LGBT+ person who has seen this and felt unsafe or unwelcome: you are not alone, our community stands with you, and the majority stand with you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russian drone injuring civilians in Romania underscores dangers of its ongoing war against Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026)

    PRESS RELEASE : Russian drone injuring civilians in Romania underscores dangers of its ongoing war against Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026)

    UK Chargé d’Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford, condemns Russia’s armed drone strike on a residential building in Romania, stressing that it violated Romanian sovereignty and NATO airspace, injured civilians, and heightened regional instability. He underlines that such incidents stem directly from Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine – and asks Russia to clarify its intent.

    Mr Chair, I will begin by repeating the remarks made by my Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary in response to this incident, in which a Russian drone struck a residential building in Galați, injuring civilians. The United Kingdom stands in full solidarity with Romania, with Ukraine, and with all those impacted by Russia’s latest attacks, which we unreservedly condemn. 

    This incident represents a dangerous violation of Romania’s sovereignty and a serious violation of NATO airspace. It contravenes key principles of the Helsinki Final Act. It increases instability and heightens the risk of miscalculation. 

    Mr Chair, this incident also appears to be part of a broader pattern. One which stems from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. That war already constitutes a fundamental breach of OSCE principles and commitments. The spillover we are now witnessing into the territory of NATO Allies further endangers regional and Euro-Atlantic security. 

    NATO is a defensive alliance. And, as my Foreign Secretary has stated, NATO’s resolve to safeguard peace and security across our territory remains steadfast. As part of that effort, the United Kingdom continues to coordinate closely with Romania, including through our contribution to Enhanced Air Policing on NATO’s Eastern Flank.  

    Mr Chair, under the OSCE’s politico-military dimension, all participating States have committed to reducing risks, increasing predictability, and avoiding actions that could lead to misunderstandings or unintended confrontation. Russia claims to abide by these commitments, and wants necessary dialogue. In this spirit, we ask the following questions of Russia: 

    Can the Russian Federation confirm to this forum that its armed drone hit Romanian territory, injuring civilians, and does it agree that such an incident is dangerous and an unacceptable violation of sovereign territory? 

    What measures were taken to prevent violations of Romania’s airspace during these drone operations, and what steps will Russia take to ensure that any such incident will not happen again? 

    As we have underlined at previous FSC meetings, we ask these questions with the sincere aim of managing risk: we understand if the Russian delegation prefers to consult on the detail and respond at a future meeting. 

    To conclude, an armed Russian drone injured civilians in Romania. In doing so, it violated the airspace of Romania, a NATO Ally. These are the facts. It is also a fact that this incident would not have happened were Russia not continuing to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine.  

    The best way to prevent any such incidents in future is for Russia to end its illegal aggression against Ukraine, to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire, and to engage seriously in negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. 

    Thank you Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Power of Youth Charter gives young people a voice in government [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Power of Youth Charter gives young people a voice in government [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 2 June 2026.

    DCMS becomes the first central Government department to sign the Power of Youth Charter.

    • Charter will give young people the opportunity to shape how Government programmes are designed and measured from the start.
    • Charter will commit to young people having opportunities to hold the government to account on its National Youth Strategy  through an Annual Hearing. 

    Youth and Civil Society Minister Stephanie Peacock has signed ‘The Power of Youth Charter’, meaning young people will continue their direct role in shaping 

    the £500 million investment in National Youth Strategy ‘Youth Matters’, from sitting on recruitment panels to influencing how youth programmes are designed and evaluated.

    Developed by the #iWill movement and backed by more than 400 organisations including NHS England and the Premier League, the Power of Youth Charter commits signatories to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to influence decisions and drive positive change in their communities. 

    The commitment is the next step in the government’s engagement of young people in its work following a major consultation with over 14,000 young people for the creation of the National Youth Strategy.

    As part of its commitments, DCMS will:  

    • Provide shadowing opportunities for young people within DCMS policy teams to demystify the civil service and its processes
    • Give young people opportunities to hold the Government to account on the National Youth Strategy: Youth Matters through an Annual Hearing
    • Involve young people in grant-making or recruitment panels that relate to Youth Matters
    • Invite young people to speak at DCMS events so they can share their experiences directly with Ministers, staff and other partners

    Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth Stephanie Peacock said:

    The Power of Youth Charter demonstrates our commitment to making sure the voices of young people are heard at every stage of the decisions that shape their lives. 

    Since we began developing the National Youth Strategy, young people have told us clearly what they need: real opportunities, spaces to connect with each other and trusted adults, and their voices heard in government. 

    We’re taking the steps by investing in grassroots sport, and community spaces but we know they need to have a voice in the room where it happens. This charter gives young people that voice

    The signing takes place on Power of Youth Day, held annually during Volunteers’ Week, which this year is themed Common Ground. Minister Peacock was joined at the signing by #iWill co-chair Molly Taylor alongside representatives from the #iWill movement including Volunteering Matters and UK Youth. The event also brought together #iWill ambassadors from across the country to mark Power of Youth Day. 

    #iWill co-chair, Molly Taylor said: 

    DCMS signing the Power of Youth Charter signals the importance of youth social action in building Common Ground amongst young people across the country. 

    We see this in our work supporting young people to build towns and cities of youth social action, where youth power through volunteering and activism changes communities every day.

    The Power of Youth charter signing builds on the Government’s landmark National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, published in December 2025 the first cross-government youth strategy for England in 15 years. 

    ENDS

    • Power of Youth Day is held annually during Volunteers’ Week (1–7 June).
    • The #iWill movement is a cross-sector movement working to make social action part of life for as many young people as possible.
    • The #IWill Movement is co-ordinated by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth 
    • The National Youth Strategy was published in December 2025 following engagement with more than 14,000 young people.
    • Young Futures Hubs are currently open in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets and Brighton & Hove.
  • Shabana Mahmood – 2026 Statement on the Henry Nowak Case

    Shabana Mahmood – 2026 Statement on the Henry Nowak Case

    The statement made by Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, in the House of Commons on 2 June 2026.

    With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement about the murder of Henry Nowak.

    Last December, Henry – aged just 18 – was a first-year university student with his life ahead of him. He was kind, hard-working, loved by his family and friends. His murder – at the hands of Vickrum  Digwa – was a horrifying act.

    Digwa murdered Henry and then lied about him, as he lay dying, falsely accusing him of racism. It was an evil act and I know the thoughts of the whole House will now be with Henry’s family and his friends just as mine are.

    What they have been through is heart-breaking and for most of us, unimaginable. I know nothing can take their pain and loss away, but yesterday, we saw some measure of justice. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum term of 21 years.

    His mother, Kiran Kaur, has been convicted of “assisting an offender”. She is due to be sentenced on 17 July and today, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised further charges against other members of the attackers’ family with further sentencing and possible charges pending. We must be cautious still in what we say about this case so that we do not place any proceedings at risk.

    However,I can and must pay tribute today to the dignified and powerful words of the Nowak family, in the statement they gave after yesterday’s sentencing. They deserve answers. They deserve answers, in particular, about what happened on that awful night and the actions of the police officers who arrived on the scene.

    I expect many in this House and many more across this country have now seen the police officer’s bodycam footage, released last night. It is, without question, a disturbing and tragic thing to see.

    People are rightly asking questions about how the situation was handled and they are shocked, and disquieted, to hear Henry’s words: “I can’t breathe.”

    I know that it is difficult to wait any longer for answers but there is a proper process to assess whether there have been incidents of police misconduct led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct – the IOPC. They will determine what could and should have been done differently. They will determine what action may need to be taken against individual officers.

    The family yesterday called on me and I quote: “To ensure the IOPC has the resources, authority and independence it needs to conduct a full, fearless and transparent investigation.” I can confirm to you today that we will do so. The IOPC will be equipped and encouraged to act, to find the truth and to ensure, if necessary, that there are consequences.

    There have been accusations, I know, of two-tier policing: That one community has been prioritised over another. It will be for the IOPC to determine the facts with regards to this specific case and I cannot and will not comment on them, but let me say this on the question of preferential treatment more widely. The police in this country have a sacred duty: To police without fear or favour.

    Everyone in this country is equal before the law. It is the promise upon which our whole justice system rests and the equality of every citizen is the foundation on which the openness, tolerance and generosity of this country rests.

    Let me also be clear about one other thing – a dangerous undercurrent that I have seen in the reaction to this awful crime. Threats against police officers are utterly unacceptable. There can be no justification for intimidation, abuse or attempts to take the law into one’s own hands.

    A police officer, unrelated to this case, has been misidentified online and subjected to death threats. He has been forced to relocate, to protect himself and his family. Misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse. We must all, together, condemn it and we must allow the facts to be established through the appropriate investigations and the courts. We must do so calmly and responsibly.

    The Nowak family, and Henry’s memory, deserve answers. They have also called on us all to take action: action to address the daily tragedy of knife crime in this country. This government is committed to halving knife crime in this decade.

    Since the start of this Parliament, we have made progress: knife crime has fallen by 10%, Knife homicides are down 27%, at their lowest level in a decade. Clearly, we must do more, while there are still tragedies like this one. For that reason, we have recently published our Halving Knife Crime Plan. It sets out how we will go further to drive sustained reductions in violence. It brings together action across government and across society to stop people from turning to knife crime and to ensure perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.  

    Amongst a range of measures, this will see: Schools and families supported to address the root causes of knife crime through the establishment of 50 Young Futures Hubs; police using new crime mapping tools to target enforcement more precisely; and making better use of Stop and Search and cruel and exploitative drug gangs stopped from criminally exploiting children, preventing the knife violence driven by the county lines trade.

    In relation to knife controls, there have been calls to limit the right of Sikh’s to carry their ceremonial knife, the kirpan – one of the 5 holy items in their faith. The Offensive Weapons Act of 2019, passed under the previous government, clarified and strengthened existing legal protections in relation to long kirpans. This included extending defences so that kirpans can be lawfully possessed for religious reasons and used in religious and ceremonial contexts.

    Let me be clear: carrying a knife for the purpose of religious observance is one thing. Using it, as so tragically occurred in this case, is quite another: it is a vile act. A crime of the utmost severity and it will be met with the severest punishment.

    Yesterday, the Nowak family ended their statement with a powerful call to us all. I quote: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.” They quoted the words of the prosecuting lawyer and I quote again: “This is not a case about Sikhism. This is not a case about racism. This is a case about murder.”

    I echo those words. We cannot allow this murder to turn communities against one another. We must condemn those who seek personal political profit from tragedy.

    Instead, we must show who we really are in this country. This was a murder: a vile and violent crime. The punishment must be reserved for those who are responsible for the act. We do not believe in collective punishment in this country.

    Instead, we stand together against an act of pure evil. We condemn those who committed this heinous crime, not all those who share their faith or their ethnicity.

    Yesterday, a sentence was handed down in court. I know it will never be enough. The loss felt by Henry Nowak’s family and friends will last forever. A wonderful young man will never enjoy the promise of the life that stretched out before him.

    The evil acts of his murderer and accomplice will never be undone. But we can choose to use this moment to pursue positive change. We are still limited in what we can say: there is a sentence to be handed down and further charges may follow and there is an IOPC investigation ongoing.

    I call on everyone here to be responsible in this moment, to allow justice to run its full course. However, while we must be limited in what we say, we must not be limited in how we act.

    I will end with the words of the Nowak family, once more. Last night, they wrote that “no other family should experience the heartbreak and horror of losing a child to knife crime.”

    Let that be the challenge to us all. Across this House, across government and across society.

    It is the very least we can do to honour the memory of Henry Nowak.

    I commend this statement to the House.

  • PRESS RELEASE : End of exploitative zero hours contracts to give people security and predictability at work [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : End of exploitative zero hours contracts to give people security and predictability at work [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 June 2026.

    Changes to end one-sided flexibility and uncertainty for workers through ban on exploitative zero hours contracts set out in consultation.

    • Changes will end one-sided flexibility, help people plan their finances and daily lives, or enjoy benefits of a zero hours contract if they wish to keep one.
    • This will help save workers in some of the most deprived areas up to £600 in lost income from the hidden costs of insecure work.
    • Millions of workers who currently face uncertainty over their weekly hours and earnings will benefit from government reforms that will give them certainty and predictability over their income.

    Ministers have today taken the next step to ending exploitative zero hours contracts by launching a consultation to help deliver reforms to benefit more than 18 million people, some of whom currently face uncertainty over their weekly hours and earnings. 

    Nearly six in ten of workers who have variable hours currently receive less than a week’s notice of their shifts, according to the Living Wage Foundation. That means millions of working people struggling to plan their lives and budgets. In the worst cases it means shifts cancelled the night before or even while people are already on their way to work.  

    This will help save workers in some of the most deprived areas up to £600 in lost income from the hidden costs of insecure work. 

    While those who value the flexibility of a zero hours contract will still be able to choose one, exploitative arrangements, where employers take all the flexibility and workers bear all the risk, will be banned.  

    Workers, who qualify, will also be entitled to receive reasonable notice of their shifts and a payment if their shifts are cancelled, moved, or curtailed at short notice. This will stop workers travelling into work for shifts or arranging care for children and relatives, only for a shift to be cancelled at the last minute without pay. 

    This open consultation, which will close at the end of August, will ask employers and workers about a range of potential hours thresholds to help the Government to strike the right balance between protecting workers from insecure work and retaining flexibility for businesses and workers who benefit from it, while building a more resilient economy and guarding against unintended consequences from this major change to the Labour market. 

    Employers who already provide this security and predictability for their workers will benefit from a level playing field. These measures will help drive up standards and eliminate undercutting. 

    Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

    It’s not right that people can work regular hours but still have no certainty about their pay from week to week. These vital changes will mean more certainty for millions of people and will save the lowest paid workers hundreds of pounds. 

    Banning exploitative zero hours contracts is totemic because this government believes that people should be treated with dignity and respect at work.  

    We’re consulting because we need to get the detail right to ensure these reforms work in practice and guard against unintended consequences from this major change to the labour market.

    Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said:  

    Ending uncertainty over hours and pay is one of the best ways we can boost living standards for millions of people and families across the country. 

    These reforms put workers in the driving seat, giving those who want guaranteed hours the certainty they deserve, whilst protecting others who prefer the flexibility a zero hours contract offers.

    Businesses can reduce staff turnover, improve skills, and boost productivity by improving job quality and workforce wellbeing by giving workers more security. This in turn can provide a boost to growth in the economy. 

    The government wants to hear from workers, employers and other organisations to help shape the final detail of these reforms and ensure they work in practice. 

    Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive, said: 

    These reforms aim to end irresponsible use of zero hours contracts, with guaranteed hours for workers to help give them financial stability and security. Some workers may value the flexibility of a zero hours contract if they are being used fairly and responsibly and this consultation aims to get this balance right. 

    I would encourage employers and workers to respond with evidence on what would work best in practice, alongside any further guidance that would be useful. Acas currently has free advice for employers on how to use zero hours contracts responsibly, which will be updated once these new changes come into effect.” 

    Notes to Editors 

    • The consultation has been published here and will close on 25th August 2026:  Make Work Pay: ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours and similar contracts – GOV.UK
    • Living Wage Foundation data on variable hours workers receiving less than a week’s notice of shifts: Almost one-third of working adults given less than a week’s notice of working hours
    • Right to guaranteed hours – Employers will be required to offer qualifying workers guaranteed hours reflecting the number of hours they work over reference period, which will be further set out in regulations. The Government is consulting on the length of the initial reference period with a Government preference of 12 weeks.  Qualifying workers will be able to reject an offer of guaranteed hours and remain on a zero hours contract if they wish.
    • Right to reasonable notice of shifts – Employers will be required to provide eligible workers with reasonable notice of shifts. If an employer schedules shifts with unreasonable notice, the worker can bring a tribunal claim. The tribunal will decide whether the worker was given reasonable notice of the shift. The Government will use regulations to state how much notice should be ‘presumed reasonable’. This will be the tribunals’ starting point. The Government will also set out the factors the tribunals should look at when determining whether the notice was reasonable or not as part of this consultation.
    • Right to payment for shifts cancelled, curtailed, or moved at short notice – Employers will be required to make payments to eligible workers if they cancel, move or curtail a shift at short notice.
    • Please find below some scenarios which explain the benefits of the policy and how it could affect the lives of everyday workers. These examples are fictional and purely to assist with understanding the policy:
    • Jordan from Middlesbrough is 24 and works as a warehouse operative on a zero hours contract. Some weeks he gets 35 hours, other weeks he gets none. The new reforms could give Jordan an opportunity to qualify for the right to guaranteed hours – a right intended to improve stability and certainty in working hours.
    • Priya from Leicester is 38 and works in a hotel as a housekeeper. She relies on her zero hours contract as her main source of income, but her employer regularly cancels her shifts with less than 24 hours’ notice — sometimes after she’s already arranged childcare for her two children. When that happens, she doesn’t get paid, but she still has to cover the childcare cost. Under the new reforms, Priya could be entitled to a payment when shifts are cancelled at short notice, meaning she’s not bearing the full cost of the flexibilities her employer wants or needs.
    • Amara from Wolverhampton is 32 and works through an agency for a care home while studying part-time for a nursing qualification. She is given very little notice of her shifts, which makes it almost impossible to plan her classes or coursework around her work schedule. She’s had to turn down shifts she could have worked — and miss lectures she wanted to attend — because of last-minute changes. The new reforms could give Amara reasonable notice of her shifts, helping her manage both her career and her studies without having to choose between them.
    • Marcus from Bristol is 58 and works in a local shop on a zero hours contract, which suits him perfectly. Having taken early retirement from a full-time teaching role, he enjoys being able to pick up work when it suits him and turn it down when he wants time to travel or spend with his grandchildren. He’s now worried that reforms might force him onto a contract with set hours that would take away the flexibility he’s built his lifestyle around. In reality, Marcus will be able to stay on a zero hours contract if he chooses.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Major expansion of research and treatment for prostate cancer [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major expansion of research and treatment for prostate cancer [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 2 June 2026.

    Government announces over £20 million to improve prostate cancer research and treatment, including improving access to a major trial for Black men.

    • More Black men to be invited to join major prostate trial to help find best screening strategy for cancer and tackle inequalities
    • Over £20 million to improve prostate cancer research and treatment, including improving access to TRANSFORM trial for Black men
    • Broadening access to less invasive treatments for prostate cancer, to support expansion of the TRANSFORM trial

    Men at highest risk of prostate cancer will benefit from research to find the best screening strategy and more treatment choices under a major new £20 million package announced today (2 June 2026).

    A landmark prostate cancer screening trial will be expanded so that for the first time, all eligible Black men will be invited to take part. The TRANSFORM study – jointly funded by Prostate Cancer UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) – is testing the best ways to detect prostate cancer earlier and save more lives, while avoiding unnecessary treatment and the associated harms.

    The move recognises that Black men face a higher risk of prostate cancer and aims to build the evidence needed to find the best screening strategy and tackle long-standing inequalities.

    To ensure the expansion reaches Black men from all communities, supported by the funding from NIHR, the TRANSFORM investigators are working with Prostate Cancer UK to boost community engagement around the country and encourage Black men to take part in the trial.

    The Secretary of State will also host a roundtable alongside the Deputy Prime Minister with representatives of local community organisations – supported by Prostate Cancer UK and NIHR – this week to hear directly from community organisations about their work supporting Black men to be part of this research.

    The government is also broadening access to focal therapies. These are less invasive treatments that target prostate cancer, giving men greater choice about their options when they receive a new diagnosis.

    Alongside this, the government has accepted a recommendation from the independent UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) to introduce England’s first targeted prostate cancer screening programme.

    Men who carry the BRCA2 gene variant and have a family history of prostate, breast, pancreatic or ovarian cancer will be offered a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test every 2 years between the ages of 45 and 61. The final recommendation follows a public consultation that received nearly 1,000 responses, with the programme expected to be rolling out in 2027.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, James Murray, said:

    This is a major step forward in how we tackle prostate cancer – focusing on those most at risk, improving the treatments available, and backing the research we need to close the evidence gaps and save lives.

    We’re following the science to make sure men get earlier answers and better care, and to avoid doing unnecessary harm.

    By investing in research through trials such as TRANSFORM, we’re building a fairer, more effective prostate cancer screening system for the future.

    Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, said:

    Tackling prostate cancer is personal for me. I’ve got 2 brothers living with the disease, and I’ve seen first-hand the toll it takes on individuals and their loved ones.

    Helping more Black men take part in this research is about saving lives, closing deadly inequalities and making sure we understand what works best for those most at risk.

    Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of NIHR, said:

    Expansion of the TRANSFORM trial to all eligible Black men is a massive step forward in strengthening the evidence to find the best, most effective and safest ways to screen those at highest risk of prostate cancer.

    The investigator team will continue to work closely with Black community leaders and organisations to support meaningful participation in research across all parts of our society.

    Building a screening programme on the strongest possible evidence depends on people from all backgrounds taking part. We encourage anyone invited to take part to take up this opportunity.

    Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said:

    After so much disappointment, this announcement is a truly historic moment. Black men are twice as likely to get the disease and twice as likely to die from it.

    That’s why we’re delighted that the government has more than doubled its support for TRANSFORM and is backing our Black Health Equity Strategy, allowing us to generate the vital evidence needed to ensure those at highest risk are diagnosed earlier, when treatment is most effective.

    This is only possible because of the commitment and leadership of Black communities across the country, bringing us a step closer to a world where no man dies from prostate cancer.

    Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK, Dr Ian Walker, said:

    The government’s decision to accept UK NSC’s recommendation for a targeted prostate cancer screening programme is in line with the currently available evidence. We appreciate this will be disappointing for some, but screening must be evidence-led and we welcome the committee’s assurance to assess any new evidence quickly. Cancer Research UK funded treatments like abiraterone have made a huge difference for men with prostate cancer, and we continue to invest in research for new tests and treatments.

    Meanwhile, we will be working with the government and wider cancer community to improve guidance for GPs to enable them to support men worried about their risk of prostate cancer.

    Actor Colin McFarlane said:

    History has been made with this decision. Black men have been left to fend for themselves against prostate cancer for far too long – in fact, my own diagnosis only came after a chance conversation with another actor who told me I was at risk of getting it.

    Now Black men have been given a lifeline, a solid shot at getting an early diagnosis like I luckily had. I’m proud to have campaigned with Prostate Cancer UK for a number of years to push for change and to raise vital funds for their research like this incredible TRANSFORM trial. We’re now a huge step closer to young men like my son one day getting a lifesaving routine screening programme.

    Matt Green (also known as the Rapping Science Teacher) said:

    Our family has been hit by the fear and heartbreak of prostate cancer. My dad got diagnosed with the disease when it had already spread, and we were devastated to lose him.

    This extra funding is incredible news that really changes the game for Black men everywhere. I’m proud to support Prostate Cancer UK, especially as they lead the groundbreaking TRANSFORM trial. This research represents our biggest opportunity in decades to find the definitive evidence needed to build a much-needed national screening programme and help to save thousands of lives.

    My 2 boys – and all of us – deserve a future where they can be confident that, if there is a problem, they will get an early prostate cancer diagnosis.

    Charles Kwaku-Odoi DL, Chief Executive, Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), said:

    We welcome the renewed commitment to ensure that the TRANSFORM trial has a clear target for Black men: one in 10 invitees at stage 1 and all eligible Black men at stage 2. CAHN will work with government and Prostate Cancer UK to ensure this ambition translates to equitable participation and positive experiences, where feedback is valued.

    The TRANSFORM trial could be critical in directly tackling the disproportionality of prostate cancer in Black men if trust is built at different levels of its governance. Through the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Black Health and partners, we would develop a dedicated independent Black community stakeholder group to ensure accountability and scrutiny over the course of the trial.

    Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said:

    GPs are committed to improving the early detection of prostate cancer and reducing the number of lives lost to the disease.

    Screening programmes should be introduced where there is clear evidence that the benefits outweigh the potential harms. UK NSC’s recommendation reflects the current evidence on PSA-based population screening, including concerns about overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment, and we note the government’s decision to accept this.

    At the same time, we recognise the need for continued progress. We welcome ongoing research, including the expansion of the TRANSFORM trial, to develop more accurate approaches to identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. We hope advances in testing and risk assessment will inform future screening policy and improve outcomes for patients.

    The independent UK NSC recommendation recognises that a national screening programme for all men could lead to large numbers being diagnosed and treated for cancers that would never have caused harm. This targeted approach focuses testing where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

    The government is also working with the UK Cancer Genetics Group (UKCGG) and Cancer Research UK to develop guidance for GPs. This will help them support men who have a suspected family history of prostate cancer but are not eligible for screening and who ask about having a PSA test.

    Guidance for GPs and the public will be updated in line with the new recommendation to make advice clearer and easier to follow, including ensuring that those men who are already offered annual tests under existing clinical guidance will continue to receive them.

    From 2027 men diagnosed with prostate cancer that is being actively monitored or treated will be able to order a PSA test at home or book an in-person blood test locally through the NHS App.

    More widely, the government is making strong progress on cancer, with around 95,000 more patients receiving a diagnosis or the all-clear for suspected cancer on time as compared to last year. The recently published National Cancer Plan for England will ensure patients get a faster diagnosis, quicker treatment and the support to live well.

    As results come in from trials like TRANSFORM and the evidence base develops, UK NSC will keep recommendations under review to ensure screening policy continues to reflect the best available science.

    Karen Robb, Director of Programme Implementation for Cancer at Movember, said:

    Movember are delighted to see the government inject significant funds to ensure the landmark TRANSFORM trial includes all eligible Black men, giving those most at risk of prostate cancer a seat at the table. We’ve proudly contributed funding to the TRANSFORM study from its inception, alongside Prostate Cancer UK, NIHR and the NHS.

    Knowing that funds raised by the grassroots Movember community are now backed by another major government investment is hugely significant.

    Vishwanath Hanchanale, Chair of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Oncology, said:

    We recognise today’s announcement as a positive and important development, and acknowledge DHSC’s further commitment to invest over £20 million towards the expansion of stage 2 of the prostate cancer screening (TRANSFORM) trial.

    We appreciate the government’s commitment to work with UKCGG and Cancer Research UK to better support GPs and strengthen public guidance, while ensuring that secondary care is appropriately recognised and embedded within this approach.

    Today’s commitments represent meaningful progress, and we strongly believe that to realise the full benefits of earlier detection and advances in treatment there must be sustained investment across the diagnostic pathway, including workforce, capacity, infrastructure and robust genetic testing, alongside equitable access to evidence-based treatments across the UK and action to reduce unwarranted variation in care.

    Commitments announced today

    The over £20 million package announced today comprises the following commitments:

    • NIHR is providing up to £18 million in new funding to expand the TRANSFORM trial, enabling all eligible Black men to be invited to stage 2 of the trial, subject to successful stage 1 outcomes
    • the government is investing up to £2.8 million in capital funding to strengthen and expand provision of focal therapy – a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment – in line with the expansion of the TRANSFORM trial
    • NIHR and Prostate Cancer UK, as co-funders of the TRANSFORM trial, are also asking the TRANSFORM investigators to accelerate and increase community engagement – particularly with Black men – using existing trial funding already committed by both organisations
    • the government will be working with Prostate Cancer UK, as they establish a national network as part of their Black Health Equity Strategy, to increase and accelerate engagement of Black men into the TRANSFORM trial. Over the next few years, Prostate Cancer UK will invest £150,000 a year, as well as funds from the trial, to build and utilise this network
    • the government will increase its commitment to the TRANSFORM trial so that invitations to stage 2 can be extended to all eligible Black men, subject to successful stage 1 outcomes

    In stage 1, one in 10 invitees are Black men. In stage 2 all eligible Black men will be invited, including Black men who:

    • are aged 45 to 74
    • are residents in the UK
    • have not had a PSA test or prostate MRI scan in the last 5 years
  • PRESS RELEASE : New laws set to modernise aviation and better protect passengers [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New laws set to modernise aviation and better protect passengers [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 June 2026.

    The Civil Aviation Bill will support airspace modernisation and enhance safety standards for passengers across the UK.

    • new laws will modernise UK aviation – supporting redrawing of flight paths for faster, more efficient flights
    • it means airlines that don’t compensate cancelled flights, support passengers through disruption or look after disabled people could be fined
    • includes measures to fast-track safety rules – keeping pace with new risks, technologies and international developments

    Air passengers will get stronger protection of rights around cancellations, delays and passenger support and will enjoy faster travel, thanks to new government laws.

    The Civil Aviation Bill, now going through second reading and announced in the King’s Speech in May, will support the modernisation of UK airspace, enhance safety standards and give the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) new enforcement powers, including to fine the minority of airlines and airports that fail to deliver for passengers.

    Among the many changes, it means airlines and airports must properly compensate cancelled flights, assist disabled people to travel freely and support flyers through disruption – including with food and accommodation – or face stronger enforcement from the CAA.

    While UK aviation has a world-leading reputation, these transformative new laws go further by supporting the redesign of airspace rules to slash delays and make flights faster for passengers by reducing planes queuing to land.

    Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

    Our new laws will modernise UK aviation, supporting the redesign of our airspace for faster, more efficient flights, while enhancing aviation safety standards and delivering greater passenger protections.

    We’re proud of the strong, reliable experience our sector delivers day-in day-out for passengers and we are clear that no one should be let down when they travel.

    That’s why we are giving the CAA new enforcement powers, including the ability to issue fines on the rare occasion airlines and airports don’t meet passenger rights obligations.

    The aviation industry provides reliable journeys for millions of passengers every year, but the government is clear that when passengers are let down, airlines and airports must be held to account.

    New powers will allow the CAA to take swifter, stronger action when they identify airlines or airports that are not meeting their obligations, such as providing correct information regarding flight disruptions, or providing an accessible service for disabled passengers.

    The recently established UK Airspace Design Service (UK ADS) will be backed by new powers for government to deliver redesigned flight paths alongside industry. These new routes will slash delays for hard-working holidaymakers by creating faster, more efficient routes into airports.

    The Transport Secretary will also be handed new powers to reform rules around aircraft take-off and landing slots, paving the way for a wider review of the current system later this year to ensure it is fit for a modern, growing aviation sector.

    As UK airspace approaches 70 years since its original design, these changes are critical to accommodate growing passenger numbers and reduce avoidable delays.

    Without this reform, passengers could face delays increasing by 200% by 2040, which is why UK ADS has already begun redrawing London routes, with changes planned for the mid-2030s.

    This will mean quicker, more straightforward approaches into airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, driving down average noise emissions per flight and improving air quality for local communities.

    The CAA will also be given new powers to make faster, more efficient aviation safety rules, furthering the UK’s world-leading safety reputation.

    The powers will remove unnecessary red tape, making it easier for industry to react to international developments and emerging risks. These measures all feature in the Civil Aviation Bill, which is now going through second reading in Parliament, following inclusion in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026.

    Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK CAA, said:

    We welcome the government’s proposals set out in the Civil Aviation Bill to give the UK Civil Aviation Authority more flexible regulatory powers.

    The ability to make technical safety rules would mean we can more quickly keep the UK aligned with international standards, improve the proportionality of those rules that already exist and better enable the growth of emerging sectors. In turn, this would support safety, growth and innovation in the sector.

    A wider set of consumer rights enforcement powers would also mean we are better able to give consumers confidence in the sector if their rights are systematically not met.

    Alongside the new powers to act, we welcome the new mechanisms to allow Parliament and government to hold us to account for their use. We are already enhancing our processes and governance mechanisms to make sure we can use any new powers as effectively as possible. Deeper sector engagement will be an essential part of this new framework.

    Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:

    Aviation is a UK success story and we look forward to working with the government on this bill, particularly the provisions that will deliver faster, more resilient airspace, enabling this success to continue.

    This will allow planes to fly better, more fuel efficient routes and reduce the environmental impacts on local communities that live in and around airports.

    Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:

    Air traveller satisfaction is at record highs, proof that airline competition and the UK’s dynamic aviation market work. We welcome legislation that helps regulators keep pace with our growing sector — particularly on driving vital airspace modernisation and safety.

    But new rules must strike the right balance and deliver real consumer benefits; unnecessary burdens help no one. We look forward to shaping this legislation with government as it progresses through Parliament.