Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 May 2026.

    The Pensions Commission has today (19 May) published its interim report on the state of retirement saving in the UK, setting out the key challenges facing the current system and where it will focus its work next.

    • Interim report highlights key challenges in retirement saving across the UK with 15 million people currently undersaving for retirement.
    • Findings sets direction for further work to improve retirement outcomes ahead of final recommendations in 2027.
    • Commission set up as part of government’s wider reforms to pensions system to help more people retire with dignity.

    The Pensions Commission has today (19 May) published its interim report on the state of retirement saving in the UK, setting out the key challenges facing the current system and where it will focus its work next.

    The report highlights that many people are not saving enough for retirement, particularly among low and middle earners, the self‑employed and women, and points to the need for the system to evolve to meet modern working lives.

    There are currently 15 million people under saving for retirement which could reach 19 million without action, leaving large groups across the UK facing a severe cliff-edge when they retire, according to a new report from the Pensions Commission.

    Set up by the Government in July 2025, the Commission aims to address a savings challenge that has been building for decades, examining why tomorrow’s retirees’ risk being worse off than today’s and making recommendations to reverse this.

    This follows the success of the 2002 to 2006 Commission which built a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving, resulting in 89% of eligible employees now saving into their pensions, up from 55% in 2012.

    Its findings include:

    • Low and middle earners are most at risk, with around half saving only at minimum Automatic Enrolment levels with little else to fall back on.
    • 45% of working-age adults – around 18 million people – are not saving into a pension at all, despite nearly half of them being in work.
    • Where employers are contributing about the statutory minimum this is largely benefiting higher earners.
    • Just 4% – one in 25 – of wholly self-employed workers are saving for retirement, and it’s even lower among younger self-employed people.
    • On current trends around 3 in 10 private pension pots are accessed at the earliest possible opportunity with half of all pots taken out in full. Nearly half of these are spent on large expenses like a car, holiday or renovations.

    The Commission examined why tomorrow’s retirees are on track to be poorer than today’s with too many working age adults are saving nothing at all into a pension. A final report with recommendations will follow in early 2027.

    Pensions Commissioner, Baroness Jeannie Drake said:

    Over the past two decades since the Turner Commission there is no doubt pensions reform can be described as a success. Yet the second Pensions Commission is looking forward and seeing many people not saving enough and millions not saving at all.

    This demands a renewed national settlement on pensions.

    Achieving this will require clarity of purpose, but it also offers a moment of opportunity; to renew a social contract that commands confidence across the country.

    The recommendations we present in our final report will address the need to secure adequate income in later life and a pension system that is fit for decades to come.

    The Commission will set out the course to improving future outcomes whilst ensuring the system is fair and sustainable within and between generations.

    Minister for Pensions, Torsten Bell MP, said:

    Britain has got back into the pension saving habit, but the job is only half done with tomorrow’s pensioners still on track to be poorer than today’s.

    The Pensions Commission sets out clearly the scale of the challenge: not enough people are saving for retirement, and many of those that are aren’t saving enough.

    The Commission warns that without action millions more people could be at risk of becoming reliant on state support in retirement.

    It adds that there is much for public policy to do to shape the future of pensions, whilst maintaining the broad political consensus pensions has had since the Turner Commission in the 2000s. The Commission is clear that change must happen in the right way, with any recommendations for change implemented gradually. The Government has ruled out any changes to Automatic Enrolment contributions this Parliament.

    Dr Yvonne Braun, ABI Director of Long-Term Savings Policy said:

    The report makes a powerful case for a new national settlement for pensions. Automatic enrolment is a sturdy foundation, but must evolve to meet the scale of the challenges ahead.

    We and our members stand ready to work with the Commission to deepen saving, extend coverage and support better decisions in retirement, so that everyone can look forward to greater financial security in later life.

    Over the next year the Commission will hear a wide range of views before presenting its final report and recommendations in early 2027. A call for views from all interested parties has also launched today.

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

    Which? welcomes this interim report from the Pensions Commission and the valuable evidence it brings together on the UK’s pension adequacy challenge. It is very encouraging to see recognition of the need to increase private pension saving rates and coverage, while also acknowledging the financial pressures caused by the cost of living crisis.

    The report rightly highlights that too many working people are projected to reach later life without sufficient savings, and that women, carers, the self-employed and many ethnic minority groups continue to face structural barriers. It is also promising to see a strong focus on how to support people to use their pension savings throughout retirement.

    Which? looks forward to continuing to work with the Commission, industry and wider civil society groups to help drive the reforms needed so people are better prepared for retirement.

    Julian Mund, Chief Executive of Pensions UK, said:

    Pensions UK welcomes the breadth and ambition of this report, and shares the Commission’s view that we need a new national settlement on pensions.

    Evidence presented in the report clearly strengthens the case for more pension saving over longer working lives, alongside systemic change that delivers sustainable incomes – building on welcome reforms in the Pension Schemes Act.

    We look forward to working with Government to explore how that diagnosis can be turned into a practical roadmap for reform, well before the next generation fall short of the retirement incomes they expect and deserve.

    Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK:

    We welcome this new report from the Pensions Commission, which provides an excellent analysis of the problems facing our pensions system today. This is the first and necessary step for ensuring the pensions system of the future enables tomorrow’s older people to have a decent standard of living.

    There’s a clear need to improve the way the State Pension and private pension systems work together; otherwise people on low incomes are at risk of falling through the cracks and hurtling towards their retirements without the required funds, or the time to make up the shortfall. We look forward to working with the Commission as it explores the best solutions for future pensioners.

    Aside from the commission, the government is also reforming the pension landscape and improving retirement for today’s workers. The Pension Schemes Act, passed this month, will benefit 22 million workers by up to £29,000 by the time they retire, driving down costs, boosting returns and enabling the automatic consolation of small pension pots to ensure every pound saved works harder for working people.

    Louise Hellem, Chief Economist, CBI, said:

    The publication of the Pensions Commission’s interim report is an important step towards building a long-term framework that delivers adequate living standards in retirement. Getting this right requires the government, businesses and individuals all to play their role in supporting better saving.

    As the debate progresses, it is vital that retirement adequacy is considered hand in hand with the UK’s growth ambitions. Strong economic growth underpins sustainable pension outcomes by supporting employment and higher sustainable wage growth, enabling individuals to save, and driving stronger investment returns over time. It is only growth that can sufficiently reduce difficult trade-offs and maintain political, public and business support for change.

    TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

    Workers deserve a pension system that guarantees against poverty in retirement and enables them to maintain their standard of living.

    Although millions more people are now building up workplace pensions, far too many on low and middle incomes are not heading for a decent retirement – with women, Black and minority ethnic and disabled workers, and those in the gig economy at highest risk.

    The Commission must now develop a bold plan to fix this, which will need to include higher employer contributions and a fair deal for those currently missing out.

    Nausicaa Delfas, Chief Executive of The Pensions Regulator, said:

    The pensions system is still unfinished business with too many people on track for an inadequate retirement income. That is why we welcome the Pensions Commission report, and look forward to continuing to work with the Commission, Government and industry to create a system which delivers what matters most: a sustainable income in retirement for everyone.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Small Businesses

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Small Businesses

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 19 May 2026.

    Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – run by people who take risks, create jobs and keep communities going. This government is firmly on their side.

    Too many small business owners are spending hours chasing money they are owed and when payments don’t come through, the cost is personal. It’s about whether you can pay your staff, keep the lights on, or invest in your future.

    Today we’re changing that with the toughest action on late payments in a generation, so small businesses get paid on time and get the backing they need to grow, create jobs and serve their communities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 May 2026.

    Ministers announce the introduction of legislation to tackle late payments and protect small businesses.

    • Small Business Protections Bill introduced to Parliament to back small businesses with the toughest late payment regime in the G7 
    • Stronger new powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate, adjudicate disputes and fine persistent late payers with potential penalties worth tens of millions 
    • New 60-day cap on payment terms for large firms, mandatory interest on late payments, and action to ban the practice of retentions in construction

    Small businesses will no longer be left chasing money they are already owed, as ministers today [Tuesday 19 May] introduce landmark legislation to end the scourge of late payments and back millions of sole traders, freelancers, and family firms across the country. 

    The Small Business Protections Bill (formally known as the Commercial Payments Bill) delivers the toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation – putting a clear duty on large firms to pay smaller suppliers on time and giving small businesses the certainty they need to keep investing, supporting jobs and growing their communities.

    It comes as the Prime Minister and Business Secretary are expected to welcome small business owners and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) representatives to Downing Street to mark what leaders have called a “historic moment for small firms”.

    Late payments close 38 businesses every single day because they are not paid on time. That’s the equivalent of 266 a week, and well over a thousand in any given month. For business owners, the impact is immediate and personal – forcing them to spend hours chasing invoices instead of running their businesses and putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.

    The Bill fundamentally changes how businesses pay each other, putting an end to excessive delays and unfair practices that hit small firms hardest, through sweeping new reforms.   

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – run by people who take risks, create jobs and keep communities going. This government is firmly on their side.

    Too many small business owners are spending hours chasing money they are owed and when payments don’t come through, the cost is personal. It’s about whether you can pay your staff, keep the lights on, or invest in your future.

    Today we’re changing that with the toughest action on late payments in a generation, so small businesses get paid on time and get the backing they need to grow, create jobs and serve their communities.

    Reforms include a clear 60-day cap on payment terms on all large firms paying smaller suppliers, mandatory interest on late payments, set at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, and a ban on the practice of withholding retention payments under construction contracts.  

    On top of this, the Small Business Commissioner is getting major new powers to investigate poor payment practices, adjudicate disputes, and fine the worst offenders – with potential fines that could be worth tens of millions for persistently late payers.   

    The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has already recovered more money for small firms in the last year than in the previous four years combined.

    By improving cashflow through supply chains, the Bill supports productivity, growth and keeps our small businesses afloat, by giving them the certainty they need to invest and grow.        

    Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:   

    Costing the UK economy £11 billion every single year, late payments choke growth, cost jobs, and force too many good businesses to close. That ends today.  

    Through this landmark bill we are delivering the toughest payment reforms in over a generation, to give the UK the strongest legal framework in the G7, and back small businesses with the certainty they need to grow and thrive.

    Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, Blair McDougall said:  

    I’ve spoken to too many business owners who do everything right and are still left lying awake at night wondering how they’ll pay their staff or cover their bills because they haven’t been paid what they’re owed.  

    Introducing this Bill is about standing up for those people, to restore fairness, dignity and security for small business owners and the self-employed, so they can focus on doing what they do best: growing their businesses and the economy.  

    The Bill builds upon and strengthens legislation first laid out in the 1998 Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act, over 25 years ago, to give us the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7.  

    After working closely with the Federation of Small Businesses, these Bill powers will also ensure boards or audit committees of persistently late‑paying large companies publish clear explanations of poor payment performance and the steps they are taking to improve it. 

    FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said:

    Tackling late payment is one of the biggest things the government can do to help small businesses grow.

    FSB is proud to have worked with ministers on these reforms and it’s encouraging to see the voice of small firms reflected in legislation. Giving audit committees a clear role in payment practices is a vital step in changing late payment culture.

    The legislation forms part of a broader plan to back small businesses and turn the page on years of underinvestment by tackling the pressures they have faced from high inflation, borrowing costs and unnecessary bureaucracy. This includes small business rates relief of up to 100% for the smallest premises, shielding firms from costs,

    Alongside this, the government is cutting costs for working families by halving childcare, introducing £2,000 incentives for SMEs hiring apprentices, boosting access to finance, and cutting red tape for hospitality, high street and cultural venues.

    It also follows the Prime Minister’s Small Business Plan, launched last year to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business. Developed in partnership with small firms, the plan will boost access to finance with £4 billion of additional support, make it easier to win government contracts, and brings together advice and funding through a new Business Growth Service so firms can access the help they need in one place.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government turning the tide for young people in the Midlands with jobs backing from Severn Trent [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government turning the tide for young people in the Midlands with jobs backing from Severn Trent [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 May 2026.

    Young people across the East and West Midlands will have more work opportunities as Severn Trent becomes the latest backer of a government drive to tackle youth unemployment, pledging 400 roles in the water industry.

    • Severn Trent is the latest backer of the Youth Guarantee, the Government’s scheme to give every young person the chance to earn or learn  
    • The company is creating 400 employment opportunities for young people across the Midlands, supporting Government action to tackle the water sector’s skills shortage 
    • Youth Guarantee has already received backing of major employers including McDonald’s and the Premier League 

    Severn Trent, one of the largest water and sewage companies in England and Wales, says the opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds will be created over the next three years as part of a new programme. They will include six-month paid work placements across a wide range of roles within the company, including a variety of operational roles and customer support agents.

    To support those from all backgrounds, 25 of the opportunities each year will be ringfenced for young people who have experience being in care. 

    Severn Trent is the latest major employer to back the Government’s Youth Guarantee, which aims to give every young person the chance to earn or learn. Other supporters include the Premier League, Channel 4, Royal Shakespeare Company and Pinewood Studios.  

    The Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy reforms are backed by £2.5 billion investment, providing employment support for almost a million young people and unlocking up to 200,000 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities. 

    This comes in response to the rise in recent years of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET), which is close to one million.   

    Severn Trent’s commitment also comes as an important step in tackling the serious skills shortage facing the water sector, with 35% of skilled jobs currently going unfilled.  

    To mark the new partnership, the Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith visited Severn Trent’s training academy in Coventry, which opened in 2021, to meet young apprentices developing skills in operations, engineering and other specialist roles. At the site, learners train by practicing real repairs using indoor and outdoor rigs that simulate live water networks. 

    Baroness Jaqui Smith, Minister for Skills said: 

    Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a career they’re proud of and that is exactly what we are making happen through the Youth Guarantee.

    It is great to see Severn Trent joining a growing number of household businesses backing our mission to open doors and deliver real opportunity across the country.

    Their commitment shows how working hand in hand with businesses provides young people with the skills, the confidence and the chances they need to succeed.

    Daniel Jackson, 19 Water technician who led the tour with Minister Smith said:  

    To be asked to lead the tour with the Minister was a real privilege. I started as an apprentice, and the Academy really helped give me the learning and opportunity to do well. I completed my programme and am now part of the leakage team – finding and fixing leaks and supporting our customers, and I love it. I’m excited about where my career will take me. 

    Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent said:  

    We know giving a young person that first opportunity can be game changing, and at Severn Trent we are committed to providing experiences that result in positive outcomes. The Youth Guarantee is a great example on how we can come together to do just that. 

    Welcoming talented young people into our organisation, who bring with them new ideas and fresh perspectives ultimately help us be better as a business. We firmly believe no matter what organisation or business you are, there’s a role to play in unlocking genuine pathways for young people.

    The Government is working to boost opportunities for young people more widely in the water and utilities sector, with conversations ongoing with Anglian Water, the RPS Group and M Group.

    The new placements build on the 500 work experience placements Severn Trent already provide annually, and 100 new apprenticeship opportunities each year, providing a vital route into skilled employment for young people at the start of their careers.

    The Government is working hand in hand with sector leaders to open up early career routes for young people, through both the Youth Guarantee and the Energy & Utility Skills Sector Entry Pilot.

    The pilot is delivered jointly by DWP and Energy & Utility Skills, and offers nine accredited training modules, guaranteed interviews and has an expected 75% progression rate into work. Industry leaders including the National Grid, M Group, Murphy’s and Severn Trent have already committed to the scheme.

    The package of measures under the Youth Guarantee include a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for employers for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on UC for six months, an expanded Jobs Guarantee offering subsidised work for eligible 18 to 24-year-olds, and new foundation apprenticeships in key sectors, including hospitality.

    On top of this, the government is continuing its commitment to delivering Youth Hubs to every local area in Great Britain to establish a national network and address the almost one million young people not earning or learning – a rise of 248,000 between 2021 to 2024 – so that every young person can progress wherever they live.

    Alongside these measures, JobHelp provides young people with free, practical support to navigate their job search from CV tips and interview guidance to training opportunities and government support all in one place.  

  • Peter Kyle – 2026 Speech on Backing Business to Create Economic Growth

    Peter Kyle – 2026 Speech on Backing Business to Create Economic Growth

    The speech made by Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the House of Commons on 18 May 2026.

    Mr Speaker, I heard your call for decency and respect, and I hope those will be the watchwords for today’s debate.

    My right hon. Friend the Chancellor is with her G7 colleagues today, so I am grateful for the opportunity to open the King’s Speech debate on backing British business to create economic growth. That is economic growth for a purpose: not simply to exceed the growth rate of other European members of the G7, which we achieved in the last year; not simply to have the highest growth rate in the G7, which we achieved in the last quarter; and not simply to deliver on the Government’s primary mission; but for the purpose of achieving greater social justice for all.

    Economic growth is the surest path to higher living standards, improved public services and better quality of life for people up and down our country. We know that economic growth is the catalyst for new opportunities, the pathway to greater prosperity, and the vehicle for greater equality and security for working people. That is why it matters so much.

    The growth figures published last week show that, despite the many international headwinds, the UK economy grew by 0.6% in the last quarter—the fastest growth among G7 countries. There is silence from the Opposition Benches. I would have thought that the party that champions Britain and calls for economic growth would be celebrating economic growth when they see it, but no: silence, silence, silence.

    The situation is much better than the one we inherited, continuing to exceed the forecast of the doom-and-gloom mongers on the Opposition Benches and in the right-wing media, and even beating market expectations. When the Conservatives were in government, they and their strangely related first cousins, Reform, let down Britain’s economic future. Now, in opposition, they talk down Britain’s economic present. You can bet your bottom dollar that they will do so again today, ignoring the facts.

    The facts are that the UK experienced the highest GDP growth among European countries in the G7 last year. Just today, the International Monetary Fund has upgraded the UK growth forecast, with the UK projected to have the fastest cumulative growth among European G7 economies over 2026 and 2027. None of this happened by accident, just like the damage done to the economy by the Tories did not happen by accident.

    Alicia Kearns
    (Rutland and Stamford) (Con)
    Does the Secretary of State not concede that GDP per capita is down? Can he tell me that a single one of his constituents, apart from those on welfare, feels better off under this Government?

    Peter Kyle
    The whole purpose of the debate is to emphasise that economic growth matters. In the last full year in which the Conservatives were in office, economic growth stood at 0.4%. In the first full year of this Government, it was 1.4%. The hon. Lady should be apologising for the state in which she left the economy, leaving us to pick up the pieces.

    This growth has been driven by an activist, interventionist Government who back British business—a Government who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and make the big calls when big times demand it. From Jaguar Land Rover in the west midlands to Ineos in Scotland, Agratas in the south-west, Tata Steel in Wales, and Harland & Wolff across the United Kingdom, we step in to invest, modernise and protect British industry when necessary. We step back by reducing unnecessary regulation when that is possible, and step up to modernise our critical national economic infrastructure where that is vital: supporting the third runway at Heathrow that the Conservative party curtailed; expanding the Oxford-Cambridge corridor where the Conservative party hesitated; backing Northern Powerhouse Rail which the Conservative party cancelled. This Government have confirmed £45 billion of funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail to upgrade lines east of the Pennines and to bring forward a brand-new route connecting Liverpool and Manchester.

    Harriet Cross
    (Gordon and Buchan) (Con)
    That was a great list, but what was missing from it was the oil and gas sector, and specifically the £17 billion of investment that was lost as a result of the Government not scrapping the energy profits levy and the £50 billion of investment lost because of their ban on new licences, and other hostile policies. Will the Secretary of State reflect on those, and on the damage that the Government are doing to growth not only in the north-east of Scotland but in the United Kingdom as a whole?

    Peter Kyle
    This Government have invested in industry up and down the country, from Agratas in the south-west, where we are investing in gigafactories, to Ineos in Scotland. We are investing in the industries that are keeping our country going, and we have put growth into the economy.

    Gavin Robinson
    (Belfast East) (DUP)
    The Secretary of State was kind enough to mention Harland & Wolff. Successive Governments have introduced a number of support measures, and have ensured that that company can thrive by itself. However, in taking at face value what the Secretary of State has said, does he recognise that if this Government continue to refuse to designate Programme Euston a defence project and open it to international tender, not only will they not support British business and yards like Harland & Wolff, but the project will be delayed by three years? If the Secretary of State wants to inject business growth and economic growth, he should designate it a UK defence project, and keep the work and the investment in the UK.

    Peter Kyle
    The right hon. Gentleman knows full well the commitment that I personally have to Northern Ireland and its economic success. All the issues related to national resilience are things that we have to consider at this moment in time, unlike any other moment in time in peacetime. They are issues that I look at very closely, and in the days and weeks ahead I shall be talking a great deal more about how we can support industry and business across Northern Ireland.

    Jim Shannon
    (Strangford) (DUP)
    I commend the Secretary of State for what he is saying. I know he is a regular visitor to Northern Ireland because he loves the country, and we appreciate that.

    According to the Federation of Small Businesses in Northern Ireland, more than half the enterprises trading between Great Britain and Northern Ireland face severe friction, with more than a third halting trade entirely. Can the Secretary of State explain explicitly how the proposed regulating for growth Bill will help? I know he is committed to it, so let us hear what he has to say.

    Peter Kyle
    I have been aware of those issues from opposition into government. Of course, rebuilding the relationship with the European Union is also partly about smoothing that barrier across the Irish sea, and we will continue to do so.

    We are building the critical national economic infrastructure that the Conservative party consistently failed to deliver, on runways, reservoirs and railways. Just as we are modernising Britain’s critical economic infrastructure, we are maximising Britain’s industrial strength by delivering our modern industrial strategy. Written for business with business, our strategy creates the right conditions for business to succeed. Since its publication, we have been tackling the high costs of energy. Our supercharger saves firms hundreds of millions of pounds every year, and our British industrial competitiveness scheme will help more than 10,000 eligible manufacturing businesses, saving them up to £40 per megawatt hour from next April. I am very aware of challenges faced by the ceramics sector; I will meet representatives of the sector tomorrow to discuss how the Government might be able to support it, and I hope to be able to say more about that very soon.

    To cut the red tape that is holding back British businesses we are ending mandatory strategic reports for medium-sized companies and ending directors’ reports for businesses of all sizes, saving firms £230 million each and every year. We are stripping out unnecessary rules and regulations. Through the regulating for growth Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, we will create regulatory sandboxes—economic growth laboratories where innovators can trial cutting-edge technologies safely and speedily.

    Whereas the Conservatives, with their destructive ideology of deliberate de-industrialisation—from monetarist Thatcherism to Brexit isolationism—drove British manufacturing businesses to the wall and destroyed the jobs that depend on them, this Government are determined to maximise the UK’s competitive advantage, not just through reindustrialisation, though that is necessary, but through new industrialisation in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, artificial intelligence and new technology. That is why we have rolled out new AI growth zones and confirmed the site of the UK’s first small modular reactor—a milestone in the journey to becoming a clean energy superpower.

    Gregory Stafford
    (Farnham and Bordon) (Con)
    The Secretary of State talks about deregulation, but does he not accept that adding 330 pages-worth of regulation in the Employment Rights Act 2025, at a cost of a billion pounds to the economy, is having the opposite effect? Youth unemployment in my constituency has gone up by 28% in just one year.

    Peter Kyle
    I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to point out that, in my Department, the overall net regulatory burden is reducing, not expanding. I will not stand in front of the Tories and apologise for giving new rights to workers that are fit for the age we are living in. Over their entire 14 years in office the Tories failed to make sure that people have protections and rights at work that are fit for the age we are living in. We can move forward with growth in the economy that takes forward businesses and the people who work in them. That is to be celebrated, not condemned like the Tories are doing.

    John Glen
    (Salisbury) (Con)
    The right hon. Gentleman is, quite reasonably, setting out his assertions about where he wants the Government to go, but does he not see the irony? After all the events of last week, the cost of borrowing in the UK is higher than that of many of our competitors, and all business leaders say they feel the instability. The right hon. Gentleman’s words will not ring very true for people who seriously wonder about the Government’s future direction, with putative leadership contenders talking about fundamental changes in direction and different fiscal rules.

    Peter Kyle
    The right hon. Member mentions irony; this is from the party that gave us the Liz Truss mini-Budget, which wreaked havoc on our economy. Mortgage rates went up for every mortgage holder across the country, with inflation peaking at 12%, yet the Conservatives talk about instability. The country still lives with the instability that they wreaked on it.

    Our major expansion of DRIVE35 is channelling investment into batteries, electric motors and power electronics—part of the biggest Government investment in the British car industry since the second world war. “Invest”, “modernise” and “protect” are the watchwords for the new industrialisation of Britain through our biggest industries, our biggest sectors and our boldest companies.

    Iqbal Mohamed
    (Dewsbury and Batley) (Ind)
    The Secretary of State talks about deregulation, but we have seen what that has led to in the finance sector, the banking sector and the water industry: consumers end up paying the price. The Secretary of State also talks about AI; speaking way back in 2014, Stephen Hawking cautioned:

    “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”

    Why do the Government believe that deregulating AI is going to assist their growth mission? It will put consumers’ lives and the human race at risk.

    Peter Kyle
    The Government are investing in AI infrastructure, but also making sure that the regulatory and legislative landscape is up to date for the time we are living in. The hon. Gentleman wants to turn the clock back. The world is awash with AI technology. We cannot stop it coming to our country, but we can shape how it interacts with our economy and its people. That is why we are investing in the training of 7.5 million people throughout the economy, including a million students, to make sure we can seize the opportunities that AI presents but also protect people from the potential damage it could cause.

    Not only are we creating the conditions for new industrialisation, but we are ambitious for the success of Britain’s small businesses. Our “Backing your Business” plan is one of the most generous packages of support rolled out by any Government, with new hospitality zones and reduced red tape for bars and cafés. We have brought in an £11 billion lending package to help small firms to grow internationally and take advantage of the trade agreements we have negotiated with India, South Korea and the United States. This may trigger the Opposition, but we are also going to deepen Britain’s trading relationship with the European Union, Britain’s most significant international marketplace. That is what our European partnership Bill is all about.

    Vikki Slade
    (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)
    I welcome the deepening of the relationship with the EU and the measures on late payments, but the elephant in the room is that while the jobs tax exists, and the Government do not make the most of business rate changes in retail, hospitality and leisure, the benefit to small businesses is more than outweighed by the extra difficulties they face. Does the Secretary of State accept that there need to be changes on that front, even if we have to wait until the Budget for them?

    Peter Kyle
    Once again, the Lib Dems condemn every fundraising measure we have brought in to invest in our public services and get our country back on its feet, but they never say how they will pay for the alternative. They never say how they will raise the money themselves. I am not going to apologise for any of the measures. I will come in a moment to the investment we have made in small businesses and in hospitality, and I will give way to the hon. Lady again if she wants me to at the time, but will she please say what the alternative is from her perspective? The Lib Dems want to spend all the money in the world but they do not want to tell people how it is.

    The lending commitment we have secured with the UK’s five leading banks will support Britain’s small businesses to succeed and prosper. Our business rates support package, worth £4.3 billion, will protect ratepayers from large overnight increases in bills. We have introduced permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties. That is worth nearly £1 billion a year and will benefit over three quarters of a million properties.

    I know that many businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, would like us to go further. I get that. They are impacted by changes in the shopping and social habits of their customers, as well as the financial and geopolitical pressures in the wider economy. We are absolutely aware of and attuned to that. However, the crocodile tears of the Conservatives about these industries are laughable and lamentable. Theirs is the party that urged us to join the costly military action in the Gulf, which will heap further pressure on hospitality and other sectors throughout the economy. It is not our war, but the Conservative party would make British businesses and consumers pay the price.

    Ben Obese-Jecty
    (Huntingdon) (Con)
    The Secretary of State mentions crocodile tears; what would he say to the hospitality businesses in my constituency that have been impacted by the rise in national insurance contributions, the minimum wage rise and the business rates that he just talked so effusively about? What message would he give to them as they struggle to deal with the outcome of the Budget?

    Peter Kyle
    Unfortunately, none of the Conservative Members was listening to what I just said in outlining the measures we are taking, and the admission that we get it and we are listening. Fundamentally and foundationally, what those businesses need is what every business in this country needs, which is a growing economy. In the last year the Conservatives were in office, growth was 0.4%, but in the first year in office of this Government, it was 1.4%. That is what every business needs across the country, and when it comes to specific sectors at specific moments in time, we are watching and attuned, and I am acting where necessary. When the right hon. Member for Central Devon (Sir Mel Stride) addresses the House, I am certain that on that and so much more he will display all the symptoms of the economic illiteracy and ideological incompetence that for too long have engulfed the Conservative party. By contrast, we are taking practical action to end these conditions.

    We are bringing in new measures to tackle late payments. The small business protections (late payments) Bill will give the UK the strongest legal framework in the entire G7. Late payments cost the UK economy £11 billion a year, forcing the closure of 38 businesses every single day. For 14 years it was the same under the Conservatives, and they did nothing. The Bill tackles the scourge of late payments, brings in stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner, sets out strict maximum payment terms of 60 days, and bans the deduction of retentions in construction contracts. The Federation of Small Businesses has said that tackling late payment is one of the biggest things the Government can do to help small businesses to grow. That is the difference that an activist, interventionist Labour Government can make.

    Finally, let me turn to another example of the difference. The ghost of free market Thatcherism still haunts many of the industrial areas of this country. It can be seen in the scars of de-industrialisation still marking too many communities around our country. It is high time to exorcise the ghost of de-industrialisation. When I published the steel strategy last month, I told the House I would never hesitate to fight for British industry in defence of the national interest. The legislation we are bringing forward is proof positive of that commitment.

    Tom Tugendhat
    (Tonbridge) (Con)
    I am grateful to my right hon. Friend—forgive me, I should not call him that; he will be embarrassed. I am grateful to the right hon. Member for his point about the steel industry. Understandably, he has chosen to support one particular aspect of the industry, the steelmaker, but at the expense of and to the cost of every other part of the industry—the steel consumers. How will he balance that and what provision will he make for those who will see steel prices rises because of his intervention?

    Peter Kyle
    I have committed to invest in, modernise and protect the steel industry where I need to. Those are watchwords that I apply throughout the economy in highly volatile times. We are investing up to £2.5 billion to modernise and transform the steel sector, from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces—those are the kinds of transformations we need to make. If I had invested that money but not also protected our sector, that would be pouring vast amounts of public money straight down the drain. In certain circumstances I have had to step in and use measures to protect the domestic British industry. I am not introducing measures for any products that are not manufactured in the UK. I am doing so wisely; I am doing so to protect and ensure that we can build and retain a steel industry that is fit for the future and sustainable.

    We will move forward and ensure that, in an era of global instability, we have the key aspects of our supply chain that we need for our resilience as a nation—yes, in defence; yes, in industry; and yes, in all the money we are investing in infrastructure. We must reserve those capabilities. I am listening and engaging with all parts of the steel sector, and the manufacturers and businesses that depend on it. I am listening closely to them. If there are any impacts, I will of course engage with them to understand and see how it will be possible, where necessary, to provide support.

    Ayoub Khan
    (Birmingham Perry Barr) (Ind)
    Will the Secretary of State give way?

    Peter Kyle
    No, I am going to carry on. I appreciate Members’ kind offers to intervene again and again; I look forward to all their speeches.

    The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill will give us the authority to bring British Steel into public ownership, not as an ideological exercise but as a practical means of safeguarding the national interest. It will allow us to retain the Scunthorpe plant as a critical piece of our national infrastructure that is essential to British economic resilience. Britain has long been a proud steelmaking nation. Whatever I have to do to make it so, Britain will retain its capacity and capability to manufacture steel. That is my commitment to Members in this House and to the remaining steel communities of our country. The strength of that commitment can be measured in our determination to boost domestic steel production to ensure that 50% of the steel used here is made here.

    Britain cannot make its way in the world as a services-only economy. We have to make our way—earn our way—to greater prosperity, equality, security and opportunity. We cannot do that by economic isolationism, neoliberalism, greater protectionism or a command economy. We cannot regulate our way to prosperity. We can achieve it only through practical and pragmatic policies that support British businesses to be profitable, to scale up, to create jobs and to grow.

    We have to end the outdated free-market ideologies, failed economic theories and siren voices that all but destroyed Britain’s manufacturing base and drove the British public towards Brexit. Britain’s future prosperity can be built only by business success. There is no other way, no shortcut, no easy option and no magic bullet—no matter how attractive and simplistic slogans and superficial soundbites may appear to some.

    George Freeman
    (Mid Norfolk) (Con)
    The Secretary of State is making a wonderful speech about the 1980s. While I agree with many of his points, the truth is that the country today has come a long way in all sorts of sectors, and I am proud to have done my bit to help that. On regulation, the Secretary of State agrees that leadership on regulating new industries, and having sandboxes and testbeds, is a great UK strength. He also wants us to get closer to the European market; is he worried that if we do, we may end up losing our competitive advantage in a number of areas where we could genuinely attract investment into new industries, such as agri-tech and gene editing?

    Peter Kyle
    To clarify, I am talking about how we recover from the scars of the 1980s, how we learn the lessons, and how we ensure that we never repeat mistakes that cause scars that endure for generations. To answer the hon. Gentleman directly, we will align with the European market only where that is in the national interest.

    We cannot turn back the clock to build future success. The partnerships that this Government have built with businesses, local government and trade unions are delivering resilient growth and helping to build a stronger economy. They are building a fairer country, in which wages are up and public borrowing is down. There have been six interest rates cuts and 500,000 children are being lifted out of poverty. The FTSE 100 has reached historic highs, and the UK is raising more venture capital funding this year than France, Germany and the Netherlands combined.

    This Government faced enormous challenges on taking office, and the conflict in the Gulf presents us with even greater challenges. Despite that, we are making progress. It will take time for the benefits of progress to be sufficiently seen and properly felt. The recent election results show that. The only sure route to proving the benefits of change is growing the economy, and the only certain way to grow the economy is through British business success. Our task is to create the right conditions for Britain’s businesses to invest, succeed, and win in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. We have made a start, and we will see this through to the finish.

  • Jess Brown-Fuller – 2026 Speech on Youth Justice

    Jess Brown-Fuller – 2026 Speech on Youth Justice

    The speech made by Jess Brown-Fuller in the House of Commons on 18 May 2026.

    The Government’s White Paper represents a truly critical opportunity to transform the youth justice system and, importantly, reduce lifetime offending. We know that most offenders in our prisons today are repeat offenders and that persistent offending often begins early in life, with eight in 10 prolific offenders in England and Wales committing their first crime as a child. We must stop this chain of escalation, and the earlier we intervene, the better.

    Nowhere is that more applicable than for children in care, those from ethnic minorities and those with special educational needs, who are disproportionately represented in the justice system. Will the Secretary of State set out how this overhaul will ensure that these children, given their specific vulnerabilities, will receive the targeted support that they desperately need?

    May I take this opportunity to highlight the great work of the organisation SHiFT and encourage the Justice Secretary to engage with it? I believe that SHiFT’s model could be rolled out across the country, helping young people before they even commit their first crime?

    Education for young offenders can be a crucial step in diverting them from a path to reoffending. We are pleased that the Children’s Commissioner will undertake a review of education in young offender institutions, but can the Justice Secretary ensure that it will take into account the fact that 80% of young people who are sentenced have special educational needs and make sure that the support they are getting in those institutes is fit for purpose?

    The Youth Justice Board provides vital independent oversight of the youth justice system, yet the Government have chosen not to act on the report they commissioned from Steve Crocker, instead bringing a number of the board’s functions more directly within the remit of the Ministry of Justice. What is the purpose of those reforms? What benefit will the Government gain from bringing those functions in-house, and will the Justice Secretary address the concerns from across the sector that these reforms risk reducing specialist experience and weakening independent accountability?

    Finally, will the Secretary of State set out how the use of parenting orders will affect the recruitment of foster parents, those being asked to take on special guardianship orders or kinship arrangements, and those considering adoption? If parenting orders will not apply to those families, how will they be supported effectively to ensure that this measure does not lead to further family breakdowns and more children ending up in the care system?

    Mr Lammy

    I am grateful to the hon. Lady for the manner in which she made her remarks. She understands that we have seen this revolving door, where two thirds of children and young people released from custody go on to reoffend, and many of those young people are extremely vulnerable. We have to do something about it.

    I thank her for mentioning the cohort of young people—way too many—who are within the care system. I am very grateful that the Minister responsible for children in care, my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister), is on the Front Bench today alongside me. He takes a huge interest in the work that our Departments do together to deal with this area.

    The hon. Lady mentioned young people who are adopted. She knows that I am a parent of an adopted child, and I take these issues extremely seriously. She is right, and we are looking in totality at the way in which parenting orders have worked. There must be something going wrong if the number of parenting orders issued has fallen over the last decade from more than 1,000 to just 33 last year. We have to look at it in the round and ensure that judges have the right tools to support parents and guardians over this next period.

    The hon. Lady raises the reforms we are making to the Youth Justice Board. It is still the case, if we look across the country, that there is a postcode lottery. We have to eliminate that postcode lottery, which also exists because of online harms, because of grooming, because of mental health and because of neurodiversity. I was in Feltham recently and I saw the good work that it is doing with young people who are neurodiverse. It is important that the Department, working with our colleagues in the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care, bring some of these powers back to the centre so that we can get coherence across the country and end that postcode lottery.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever UK business delegation to the US launches Greater Together Los Angeles [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever UK business delegation to the US launches Greater Together Los Angeles [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 18 May 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy and Minister for Economic Transformation, Blair McDougall, will today lead a delegation of 250+ strong business and cultural leaders to the US to drive economic growth at a major expo, Greater Together LA.

    • Following King Charles’s historic address to Congress, the UK Government’s GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign is holding a major expo in Los Angeles, California, from 18th – 22nd May, 2026.
    • 250+ of the UK’s financial, tech and cultural leaders are heading to LA to drive growth and transatlantic cooperation
    • The event, jointly led by Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy and Minister for Economic Transformation Blair McDougall, has attracted major corporate sponsors, including presenting partners American Airlines, British Airways, PwC UK and TSL.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy and Minister for Economic Transformation, Blair McDougall, will today (Monday 18th May) lead a delegation of 250+ strong business and cultural leaders to the US to drive economic growth at a major expo, Greater Together LA.

    The mission will convene hundreds of business and cultural leaders to strengthen the vital partnership which is underpinned by investment stock totalling around $1.5 trillion in each other’s economies, supports over 2.6 million jobs and a $437 billion trading relationship.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said:

    The UK’s creative industries, sporting heritage and world-class tourism are among our greatest national assets – and Greater Together LA is an extraordinary opportunity to showcase them on the world stage.

    From our music and film sectors to sport and the arts, this delegation will demonstrate the immense cultural and commercial value the UK brings to our partnership with the United States.

    I look forward to deepening those connections and opening new doors for British talent and creativity.

    Greater Together LA will focus on driving commercial outcomes across the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy sectors and aims to secure new growth opportunities following last year’s record-breaking £150 billion in investment commitments. 

    The visit, which arrives on a chartered British Airways flight, follows the recent removal of US tariffs on UK-made whisky, an industry worth £1 billion in annual exports. It also builds on the momentum of AstraZeneca’s new £300 million investment in the UK, fueled by the 2025 Pharmaceutical Partnership.

    Co-hosted by Sir Lucian Grainge and Sir Jony Ive, the event features speakers including Simon Cowell, singer/songwriter Leona Lewis, Sir Paul Smith, scientist Dr Katie King, WPP CEO Cindy Rose, astronaut Major Tim Peake and ambassador Sir Christian Turner, alongside leading academics and the chief executives of British Airways, News Corp and American Airlines.

    Following his successful state visit to the US a fortnight ago, His Majesty the King has called Greater Together LA a “remarkable gathering”, encouraging delegates to “deepen existing alliances and forge new ones” and noting that a “willingness to think boldly about collaboration will help create opportunities that benefit communities across the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond”. His Majesty will address the delegates of the conference via a video message.

    The event will explore UK-US cooperation in AI, quantum computing, cultural exchange, fintech, scientific innovation and much more.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is due to visit the Getty Museum to explore links with British regional museums and galleries, as well as the Amazon MGM Studios at the Culver Studios complex, where many classics from Hollywood’s Golden Age were filmed.

    Britain’s tourism offer will be showcased by VisitBritain, which is forecasting that visitors from the USA will spend £7.5 billion on their trips to the UK this year, up 4% on the estimate in 2025. That means more than £1 in every £5 spent by overseas visitors in the UK is by a visitor from the USA.

    The growing demand from American students to study abroad will also be reflected by the GREAT ‘Study UK’ Campaign, which will spotlight transatlantic academic collaboration as both a pathway for student mobility and driver of economic growth and global connection.

    Presenting partners for the mission include American Airlines, British Airways, PwC UK and TSL, alongside Payward, The Wall Street Journal and YouTube as official partners and official supporters DOOH.com and Premier League.

    The UK possesses some of the world’s leading life science, financial and cybersecurity industries. By connecting UK innovators with US investors, the delegation will drive high-quality jobs and economic growth in both countries.

  • Nick Timothy – 2026 Speech on Youth Justice

    Nick Timothy – 2026 Speech on Youth Justice

    The speech made by Nick Timothy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, in the House of Commons on 18 May 2026.

    It is obvious that we are now in the legacy-hunting stage of this Government. Less a range of exhausted volcanoes, more a row of trampled molehills, Ministers are desperate to be remembered for something. This morning a word cloud was published by the pollsters at More in Common. The public were asked for the Prime Minister’s greatest achievement, and emblazoned across the page, in huge capital letters, was the sad word “Nothing.”

    Today’s announcement, however, is a fitting tribute to the Justice Secretary and his predecessor, the right hon. Member for Birmingham Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood). So desperate are they to find the causes of crime that they sometimes forget that their job is to prevent and punish crime itself. The truth is that Labour just does not have it in its DNA to be tough on crime. The Government have let 60,000 criminals out of jail early, they are abolishing short-term sentences—so that almost all shoplifters and the majority of knife criminals will no longer be sent to prison—and they are pretending that they are doing these things because they have to, but they are doing them because they want to.

    The Prisons Minister says that only a third of prisoners should be locked up. The Minister for Sentencing, the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Jake Richards), says that a pretty big chunk of the overall population should not be in prison, and today’s announcement is more of the same. So I have some specific questions for the Justice Secretary. He wants to increase the age of criminal responsibility to reflect a

    “modern understanding of childhood, vulnerability and development”.

    From smoking bans to voting rights, this Government have a confused view of childhood, so what should be the age of criminal responsibility?

    With a wave of sexual and violent crime committed by illegal immigrants, many of whom pretend to be children, can the Justice Secretary guarantee that those people will not escape justice a second time by giving a fake age to the police? The Government say they will review the function and purpose of criminal courts for child defendants, but the purpose of a criminal court is obvious: to try criminals. Can the Justice Secretary rule out abolishing criminal trials for under-18s?

    The Government also say that they want to end lifelong disclosure requirements for the under-18s. Can the Justice Secretary guarantee that those requirements will still apply to people guilty of violent crimes and to prolific offenders?

    The Government say they will slash custodial remand for young offenders by a quarter, but remand should be used in response to need, not arbitrary targets. What is the Justice Secretary’s alternative? Will he just send criminals home? Will he stick to that target regardless of the level of violent crime and repeat offending?

    The Government want more parenting orders, but this morning the Justice Secretary said that they are not used much at the moment because all judges can do to enforce them is issue a fine. He was unclear on this question. So will Ministers—[Interruption.] The right hon. Gentleman was asked on the radio this morning whether parents who do not comply will face custodial sentences. He fudged that question, so I am asking him to answer it now.

    The figures show that young repeat offenders often start with theft and move on to drug offences and violence, yet the Government’s big idea is to stop punishing swathes of crimes committed by under-18s. The gangs who swarm shops to steal goods in places like Oxford Street, Ilford and Clapham do not need to be put on a course; instead, they need clear punishment, which can include prison.

    The results of soft-touch liberalism are visible in towns and cities up and down the country, yet the changes that the Justice Secretary is announcing today risk amounting to more of the same. This is a big call. If youth crime goes up as a result, it will be on this Government.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to showcase how economic plan and trade deals deliver for working people [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to showcase how economic plan and trade deals deliver for working people [May 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 May 2026.

    The Prime Minister is hosting a reception in Downing Street today (Monday 18 May), bringing together employers, workers and apprentices to demonstrate how strengthening Britain’s ties abroad is delivering for working people at home.

    • PM welcomes businesses and workers to Downing Street to showcase how the Government’s action abroad is delivering for working people at home
    • Reception highlights success stories of businesses expanding exports and growing as a result of stronger UK ties abroad
    • Event underlines how the Government’s economic plan and trade deals are delivering growth and opportunity for working people

    The Prime Minister is hosting a reception in Downing Street today (Monday 18 May), bringing together employers, workers and apprentices to demonstrate how strengthening Britain’s ties abroad is delivering for working people at home.

    At a time of global uncertainty, the event will highlight how the government’s economic plan is providing the foundation for growth – backing British businesses, protecting working people, and making the UK more resilient to global shocks. That approach was borne out last week, with the UK delivering the fastest growth in the G7 ahead of the impact of the Middle East conflict.

    The event will also showcase how trade deals and international engagement are creating jobs and driving growth across the UK. Guests will include apprentices, local representatives and employees from across the UK alongside business leaders, showcasing how the Government’s economic plan is translating into jobs, investment and growth on people’s doorsteps.

    Representatives from the community engagement team involved in the new Universal Studios theme park in Bedford will also attend to showcase the local impact of a project secured after the PM met Universal executives in the UK and US. The project will support 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent roles, alongside a £50 billion boost for the UK economy and local businesses including hotels, restaurants, taxi firms and contractors.

    The Prime Minister will meet attendees and tour a series of showcases highlighting success stories from across the UK – from Scotland’s world-leading whisky industry and cutting-edge medical technology in Cambridge, to fast-growing British food and drink brands exporting to global markets.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    By strengthening Britain’s place on the global stage, we are delivering real benefits for working people at home.                                                                                 

    Our trade deals are supporting jobs and driving growth across the UK by opening up opportunities for people at every stage of their career, from apprentices starting out to experienced workers building new skills, as businesses expand into new markets. 

    I’m determined that growth is felt by working people with better jobs, higher wages and more money in their pockets. That’s what our economic plan is about – taking action at home and abroad to deliver real change that people can see in their lives and their communities.

    At the reception, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) will showcase one of the UK’s most iconic exports, with new trade agreements expected to significantly boost exports and cut tariffs in key markets. The SWA has projected that the India deal has the potential to significantly grow Scotch whisky exports over the coming years once it has entered into force, with the industry set to also benefit from zero tariffs in the US and reduced tariffs in China.

    Most recently, the US announced tariff-free access for whiskies produced across the UK, including Scotch Whisky for which the US is the industry’s largest market by value, worth almost £1bn.

    Innovative food brands Creative Nature and Happy Inside will also highlight how Government support is helping them expand internationally, including launching into new markets and exporting products around the world. Creative Nature launched their company’s snacks and foods into Japan after a government trade mission and now export to 16 countries and are carried on 9 airlines. Happy Inside will be launching their drinks in Mexico after a Department for Business and Trade ‘Meet the Buyer’ event and now exports to 6 countries.

    The reception will also celebrate the best of British produce and industries supported by improved access to global markets, with catering featuring cheese from Somerset, beef from Northern Ireland, sea salt from Wales and whisky from Scotland.

    Also attending are employers Octopus Energy, Whittard of Chelsea, Rolls Royce SMR, and Holland & Barrett, as well as industry groups MakeUK and the Federation of Small Businesses, along with apprentices from BAE Systems and Scottish Power.

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    Trade deals aren’t abstract policy wins – they translate into real benefits for British families and businesses right across the country. Whether it’s a whisky distiller in Scotland accessing new markets in India or an automotive worker in the West Midlands with greater job security because of our deal with the US.

    By securing ambitious trade agreements, we can back British businesses to do what they do best: innovate, export and grow. That means more jobs, better wages and stronger local economies – not just today, but for decades to come.

    The Government has secured major trade deals with partners including the United States, India and South Korea, helping to cut red tape, unlock investment and open up new export opportunities. These agreements are already delivering tangible benefits for working people across the country.

    The landmark economic deal with the US will save thousands of jobs, protect key British industries, and help drive economic growth. Most recently, the US announced tariff-free access for UK whisky. 

    Through this deal, the UK remains the only country to have agreed a 10% tariff for automotives within quota, a 25% tariff for core steel and aluminium exports and 0% tariffs for pharmaceuticals – saving hundreds of millions of pounds on UK exports annually and cementing our place as a world leader for life sciences investment.  During last year’s historic US State visit, we announced a record breaking £150bn in investment commitments creating 7,600 jobs, alongside signing a world leading Tech Prosperity Deal.

    The India deal is already driving growth, with the Prime Minister’s visit securing 6,900 jobs and the trade agreement estimated to boost wages by £2.2 billion a year in the long run.

    The South Korea deal could boost the UK’s world leading services industry worth up to £400 million in exports a year while protecting 98% of tariff-free lines for UK goods, opening up new opportunities for exporters and strengthening key industries.

    Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the SWA, said: 

    Positive trading relationships with established and emerging markets around the world are the bedrock of Scotch Whisky’s success, and over the past year the Free Trade Agreement with India, tariff reduction in China, and the announcement of zero tariff rate for the US, have been good news for producers looking to boost exports. 

    We are grateful for UK government support and hope to see swift implementation of the India and US deals, as well as securing new international opportunities.

    Export success abroad should be underpinned by a domestic market that fosters business confidence and supports home-grown sectors like Scotch Whisky and their supply chains, and we look forward to working with the UK Government to ensure our industry is in the best position at home and abroad to support jobs, boost investment and generate growth.

    Founder of Creative Nature Julianne Ponan MBE said:

    It is a real honour to be at 10 Downing Street showcasing Creative Nature products alongside so many inspiring British businesses. The support from the Department for Business and Trade through trade missions, the Export Academy and Free Trade Agreements has helped us grow from a kitchen table startup into exporting to 18 countries, proving that UK SMEs can thrive internationally when given the right opportunities and support.” 

    Founder of Happy Inside Drinks Charlie Knockton said:

    It is an immense honour to be at 10 Downing Street showcasing Happy Inside drinks alongside so many fantastic British businesses. The support from the Department for Business and Trade through Trade Missions, Meet the Buyer events and our International Trade Advisor has been invaluable – allowing us to scale production, become more competitive in the UK market, and expand into exciting markets including China, the UAE and soon Mexico. This shows that supporting British businesses abroad directly benefits the wider UK economy.

    The Prime Minister is also deepening ties with other international partners and progressing new agreements to build a long-term pipeline of growth and investment:

    • Commitments at the first UK-EU summit are estimated to deliver a package worth up to £9 billion by 2040. The European Partnership Bill will improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU – our largest trading market – by giving us the power to implement new deals agreed with the EU both now and in the future.
    • The PM’s trade mission to China secured £2.2 billion in export deals, supporting jobs from Glasgow to the energy sector.
    • Joining the CPTPP trade bloc is estimated to add £1 billion to real household wages every year compared to 2021 levels.
    • Negotiations are also underway for a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council that could increase UK GDP by around £1.6 billion a year in the long run (when compared to 2035 projections). 

    This work is already being felt in communities across the UK, with trade and international engagement supporting jobs, boosting wages and opening up new opportunities for businesses in every part of the country.

    The world today is more volatile and dangerous than at any point in recent history with a war on two fronts – in the Middle East and in Ukraine – threatening living standards. The government’s economic plan has put the UK in a better position to weather these storms.

    Before the conflict of Iran, the UK economy was showing clear signs of strength, with strong growth, rising living standards and falling unemployment, underlining the importance of economic stability in protecting households and businesses.

    The government is continuing to rebuild our economy to make us more resilient, and the King’s Speech will drive forward this progress through more protections for small businesses, reforms to regulation to drive innovation, and changes to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.

    By securing new partnerships abroad and delivering for working people at home, the Government is setting a clear course for long-term economic security and growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ministry of Defence confirms the death of Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ministry of Defence confirms the death of Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 May 2026.

    It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence confirms the death of Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, who died on 15 May following a tragic incident at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

    Lance Bombardier Sullivan was born on 9 Dec 2001. She joined the Army in November 2020 attending the Army Training Centre in Pirbright before joining The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in June 2021.

    Lance Bombardier Sullivan loved horses and had a natural affinity for them. She had been involved in Ceremonial Operations since joining The Troop, taking part in multiple Royal Gun Salutes in Hyde Park and Green Park. She deployed on both Op BRIDGE, the state funeral of Her Majesty the Queen in 2022, and Op GOLDEN ORB for the Coronation of Their Majesties The King & Queen in 2023. She had recently qualified as an Advanced Regimental Riding Instructor and particularly enjoyed training the Military Working Horses and developing young horses, utilising her equine skill set. She also enjoyed delivering riding lessons to the Mounted Gunners within her Sub-Section and was frequently nominated to instruct the officers of The Troop. Additionally, Lance Bombardier Sullivan was routinely involved with delivering the Mounted Gunner Courses to qualify the next generation of King’s Troop soldiers for Ceremonial Operations. She was passionate about everything to do with The Troop and participated in every extra activity available including show jumping and The Troop Race.

    Her Commanding Officer said:

    Lance Bombardier (LBdr) Ciara Sullivan, ‘Sully’ to her friends, was to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, a bright light in any room she entered. An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, she approached every day within The Troop with an infectious energy — the kind that lifted those around her without effort or intention — and was unfailingly present for her comrades in both the small moments and the hard ones. 

    An outstanding soldier and a role model to many she worked with. She was fearless and gifted horsewoman, having ridden since childhood and having competed in the showjumping ring before joining the Regiment; it was this natural courage that made her always the first to volunteer to ride the most demanding of horses.

    Beyond her equestrian talent, she was a soldier of remarkable breadth. A skilled footballer, a dedicated presence in the gym who pushed herself and quietly brought others along with her, and someone who found cause to celebrate the smallest daily victories in those she served with. 

    A natural leader and instructor, she won the respect of all who had the privilege of working with her, and her patient coaching has helped many Mounted Gunners within the Unit fulfil their potential. 

    The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery has lost not only an accomplished soldier and horsewoman, but the kind of person who made the Regiment, and the world, a better place simply by being part of it.

    The thoughts of every member of The Troop and The Gunners are with her family at this tragic time.

    Lt Gen MR Elviss CB, MBE, COMARRC and Master Gunner St James Palace:

    The shock of LBdr Ciara Sullivan’s loss is profound. A fine soldier, she died doing a job she loved surrounded by people who held her in the highest regard. A dedicated, committed and highly respected junior commander; she will be sorely missed.

    The Royal Regiment of Artillery and the wider British Army is a lesser place without her. I could not be more sorry nor saddened by her loss and my thoughts, prayers and condolences are with her family and friends. Ubique.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan was a brilliant young soldier who served our nation with dedication. We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by her death.

    My thoughts are with Ciara’s family, loved ones and colleagues at this devastating time.