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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Beaulieu Park station pulls in ahead of schedule thanks to £141 million government investment [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Beaulieu Park station pulls in ahead of schedule thanks to £141 million government investment [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 October 2025.

    New station will unlock thousands of new houses and create over 2,000 jobs in the East of England.

    • brand-new Beaulieu Park rail station opens to passengers ahead of schedule, backed by £141 million government investment and marks first new station on the Great Eastern Mainline in more than 100 years
    • landmark development will support 2,500 new jobs, connect hundreds of thousands of people across the East and deliver thousands of new homes, supporting government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years   
    • new station to be operated by newest publicly-owned operator Greater Anglia, one of the UK’s best performing operators, helping deliver a railway that is more accountable, efficient and reliable for passengers

    Hundreds of thousands of people across the east of England now have access to faster, more reliable services as Beaulieu Park Station opens to the public ahead of schedule (27 October 2025).

    It is the first new station on the Great Eastern Mainline in more than 100 years and is set to generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.

    Funded by £141 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, this milestone marks a significant step in its commitment to unify track and train under Great British Railways, ensuring that new infrastructure delivers maximum benefit for passengers and communities.

    It offers passengers up to 4 trains per hour during peak times and 2 trains per hour during off-peak periods, as well as direct rail access to London Liverpool Street in just 40 minutes and Colchester in 25 minutes, cutting car journeys and reducing pollution for local communities. It is also set to generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.

    The station will be operated by Greater Anglia, opening just 2 weeks after Greater Anglia became a publicly-owned operator, marking a major step towards a simpler, unified railway under Great British Railways.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    With over £140 million of government investment, the opening of Beaulieu Park station marks a major milestone for economic growth in the East of England, unlocking thousands of new houses, creating over 2000 jobs and driving prosperity across the region.

    Under the trusted services of publicly-owned Greater Anglia, we’re delivering on our Plan for Change by building a simpler, more modern rail network that supports communities and powers the UK’s economy.

    With half of all rail operators now publicly owned, the government is delivering a network that prioritises accountability, efficiency and reliability, putting passengers at its heart.

    Greater Anglia, consistently rated among the UK’s best-performing operators, will continue to thrive under public ownership – engaging with local communities, sharing best practice and driving improvements across the network.

    The new station is also a cornerstone of the Chelmsford Garden Community project, which will deliver 10,000 new homes alongside vital infrastructure such as shops, healthcare facilities and schools.

    Backed by government investment, the station supports its pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years, helping to create thriving communities and better connectivity for generations to come.

    Martin Beable, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said:

    Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers. Services will be operated by our fleet of new, comfortable, air-conditioned class 720 trains, which also offer plug/USB points and free wifi and have helped us deliver annual punctuality of over 95% on the Great Eastern Main Line in Essex over the last 3 years.

    The new station will be staffed from the first train to the last train, 7 days a week. Staff will be on hand at all times to answer questions, help passengers buy tickets and support customers requiring assistance. Located right next to the Beaulieu housing development and the A12, we expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.

    This opening was the latest in a wider range of transport improvements in the area, with thousands of motorists set to benefit from faster, smoother and safer journeys following an upgrade to a key junction of the M25.

    The government-funded scheme to improve Junction 28 between London and Essex saw the opening of a new section of road connecting the M25 to the A12 eastbound.

    It will help ease congestion in Brentwood, Chelmsford and the surrounding areas, as well as reducing the chances of collisions, improving connectivity and helping to boost economic growth.

    Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said:

    Beaulieu Park station will both unlock economic development in the surrounding areas and transform travel in and around Chelmsford. As well as our own investment, at Essex County Council, we worked with partners to secure the additional funding needed to make the project a reality.

    In Essex, we are leading the way by making sure new developments are built in the right way, by providing the infrastructure that residents, visitors and businesses need. We are being bold and ambitious to future-proof the county and put investment where it’s most needed.

    It is fantastic to see Beaulieu Park station open and I thank everyone involved for their hard work in helping deliver it ahead of schedule.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Kent builder, Wayne Miller, hid bankruptcy from customer who paid for home improvements he did not complete [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Kent builder, Wayne Miller, hid bankruptcy from customer who paid for home improvements he did not complete [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 21 October 2025.

    • Wayne Miller hid his bankrupt status from a customer who he convinced to pay £30,000 for home renovations 
    • The home improvements, which included a new kitchen and two-storey extension, were never completed despite numerous promises by Miller 
    • Miller was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to pay compensation following investigations by the Insolvency Service 

    A bankrupt builder who persuaded a customer to pay him more than £30,000 for home improvements he never completed has been sentenced. 

    Wayne Miller deliberately concealed his status as a bankrupt from his victim and abandoned the building project in Canterbury when it was nowhere near finished. 

    Miller was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday 15 October. 

    The 55-year-old, of Romney Road, Lydd, Kent, was also ordered to repay £18,000 in compensation to his victim and a further £1,000 in costs. 

    Miller also made a payment of £7,500 to the victim at an earlier date. 

    Chris Wood, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Wayne Miller convinced a customer to pay him more than £30,000 for home renovations which he did not complete. 

    His actions in concealing his bankrupt status involved a significant amount of deception which caused a great deal of distress and inconvenience to his victim. 

    The public deserves protection from those who have been unable to pay their debts previously. That is why those declared bankrupt are required to inform would-be creditors of their status so they can make informed decisions on whether to hand money over to them or not. 

    The customer in this case was not afforded this opportunity and would never have engaged his services or handed over such substantial sums of money if he had known about Miller’s financial history.

    Work on the project which was supposed to include a new kitchen and two-storey extension was due to start in March 2018 and Miller told the customer it would take around eight weeks to complete. 

    Miller and the customer agreed that the total cost of £43,528 would be paid in five equal instalments of £8,705.60, with the first payment made in December 2017, prior to any work on the property starting. 

    Just weeks before work began on the project, Miller arranged for the customer to speak with a kitchen designer. Miller told the customer he could order the kitchen on his behalf as he had a trade account with the company. 

    The victim paid Miller a further £7,823 directly into his account. Miller never made any payments to the kitchen company for the purchase.  

    Work on the project ground to a halt by April 2018. Miller made a number of excuses and did not carry out any further building work on the property. 

    In total, the victim made payments of £36,190 to Miller. 

    Miller had been previously declared bankrupt in January 2016 following a petition from HM Revenue and Customs. His bankruptcy remains ongoing as he failed to make all the payments required of him under the terms of an income payment agreement with the Official Receiver. 

    Individuals subject to a bankruptcy order must disclose their status if they borrow or obtain credit of £500 or more. Those declared bankrupt who are self-employed or are going to start their own business as a sole trader must use the same name the bankruptcy order was made in.   

    Further information  

    • Wayne Miller is of Romney Road, Lydd, Kent. His date of birth is 6 October 1970 
  • PRESS RELEASE : Growth placed at the heart of regulators’ remit alongside new measures to boost scrutiny and transparency [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Growth placed at the heart of regulators’ remit alongside new measures to boost scrutiny and transparency [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 October 2025.

    Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth.

    • Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth 
    • New public dashboard will allow businesses to review how regulators are performing and give direct feedback to government, holding regulators to account  
    • Independent reviews to scrutinise key regulators and recommend improvements  

    A major shake-up of accountability and transparency for UK regulators will be set out today (Tuesday 21 October) to support businesses and remove obstacles to economic growth. 

    A key part of this will be a stronger growth duty, cementing growth as a guiding principle for regulators, encouraging proportionate, business friendly regulation. Today, the Government will set out how these changes will ensure investment and innovation can thrive without compromising essential protections at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham. 

    A new dashboard which will allow the public to scrutinise regulator’s performance will also be announced.   

    The new Gov.uk site will be updated every quarter to empower firms, improve scrutiny, and create more responsive enforcement of regulation. It will collate performance data across key regulators in one place, as well as enabling direct feedback on regulator performance and service delivery.  

    Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

    “We will use every lever we have to grow the UK economy to boost business, create jobs, put money back in people’s pockets and pay for good public services. 

    “By stripping back unnecessary rules and pointless paperwork we will free business to grow while ensuring vital protections are enforced. Creating a stronger growth a duty for regulators is a key part of this while greater transparency will ensure that they can be held to account.  

    “Getting the balance of regulation right is key to achieving economic growth. This will help to back the UK’s businesses, creating jobs and growing the economy as part of our Plan for Change.”  

    Government has been working with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to put the competition watchdog on a more pro-growth footing, setting out a strategic steer on how the government expects the CMA to support and contribute to growth. Government has heard how changes such as this and their new “4Ps” approach are helping to increase business confidence to invest in the UK. 

    The reforms announced will help ensure that all key regulators have more clarity from government about how to align with its overriding mission to deliver economic growth, and stronger accountability to the government and the public.  

    In the coming weeks, the Business Secretary / Ministers will also meet with watchdog bosses, including the likes of Ofcom, Ofgem and the CMA, as part of a Regulator Council to develop a shared understanding of how regulators can support growth.  

    This week, the Treasury and Department for Business and Trade will be outlining further measures as part of its Regulatory Action Plan to reduce business burdens.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New blueprint for AI regulation could speed up planning approvals, slash NHS waiting times, and drive growth and public trust [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New blueprint for AI regulation could speed up planning approvals, slash NHS waiting times, and drive growth and public trust [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 21 October 2025.

    A new blueprint for AI regulation is being announced by the Technology Secretary today (Tuesday 21st October) to help drive innovation and growth.

    • AI Growth Labs will unlock new ways to accelerate innovation and cut bureaucracy in a safe environment
    • More new homes, better outcomes for patients, and world-leading innovations for professional services among potential wins for the public
    • This new approach to regulation will help drive forward growth and national renewal under the government’s Plan for Change

    More new homes, better outcomes for patients, and world-leading innovations are among the benefits people can expect to see from a new blueprint for AI regulation being announced today, as the government slashes bureaucracy and ramps up the safe adoption of AI to unlock its full potential.  

    At the Times Tech Summit today (21st October), the Technology Secretary will announce plans to look at how companies and innovators can test new AI products in real-world conditions, with some rules and regulations temporarily relaxed under strict supervision.

    Known as sandboxes, individual regulations are temporarily switched off or tweaked for a limited period of time in safe, controlled testing environments. They would initially be set up for key sectors of the economy like healthcare, professional services, transport, and the use of robotics in advanced manufacturing, to accelerate the responsible development and deployment of AI products.

    The announcement comes as the Chancellor also details progress made towards delivering on the government’s vision for a regulatory system that better supports growth and innovation. At today’s Regional Investment Summit, the Chancellor will announce a range of pro-growth reforms that will help deliver that vision set out March’s Regulation Action Plan, including a plan to save businesses across the country nearly £6 billion a year by 2029 by cracking down on pointless admin tasks.

    AI applications hold the potential to make the lives of citizens better, faster. The AI Growth Lab will pilot responsible AI which can otherwise be held back by certain regulation, and generate real-world evidence for the impact they can deliver. This will ramp up adoption of AI and deliver opportunities for people across the country, cutting bureaucracy that can choke innovation and supporting businesses to flourish to deliver tangible national renewal.

    For example, a testing ground focused on building AI tools could support health workers deliver better patient care on an accelerated timeline. This would also help reduce NHS waiting lists and time demands on frontline NHS staff, as well as ensure that public services are working around the lives of the British public.

    Currently, a typical housing development application racks up 4,000 pages of documentation and takes as long as 18 months from submission to approval. By reviewing regulations to explore how AI could support officials, those times could be slashed – speeding up decision making and putting the government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current Parliament in the fast lane.

    Close working between businesses and regulators are already delivering transformations for the public. A sandbox led by the Information Commissioner’s Office has supported age verification company Yoti to fine tune their age estimation technology to help keep young people safe online, while another trial has helped FlyingBinary to develop online services which support mental health patients.

    Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    To deliver national renewal, we need to overhaul the old approaches which have stifled enterprise and held back our innovators. 

    We want to remove the needless red tape that slows progress so we can drive growth and modernise the public services people rely on every day. 

    This isn’t about cutting corners – it’s about fast-tracking responsible innovations that will improve lives and deliver real benefits.

    In a further push to unlock benefits for the wider public through AI, a pot of £1 million is being set aside to support the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to pilot AI-assisted tools. These would support scientific expertise, speed up drug discovery and clinical trial assessments, and licensing to improve efficiency and consistency – while keeping all decisions firmly in human hands.   

    The continued safe and responsible development of AI would be central to the government’s plans for its proposed AI Growth Lab. It would not be a testing ground where regulations could be switched on or switched off at will, but would see strict, time limited restrictions being put in place to set out which specific regulatory hurdles could be avoided or modified under close supervision.  

    It will be overseen by tech and regulatory experts and backed up by a strict licensing scheme with strong safeguards, meaning any breaches of individual agreements, or the emergence of unacceptable risks would stop testing in its tracks and open users who have breached their terms up to potential fines. 

    While this would mark new ground in terms of AI, other regulatory testing grounds have already been put to effective use across the economy.  

    The Digital Securities Sandbox for example is helping finance firms and innovators by giving them the ability to test innovative tech solutions for some of the most urgent challenges in the financial sector. It is helping to deliver a more secure and efficient financial system by focusing on Distributed Ledger Technology, which creates a single bank of data on financial transactions to speed up efficiencies and help tackle fraud. 

    Internationally, countries are already using sandboxes to speed safe deployment. Jurisdictions such as the EU, USA, Japan, Estonia and Singapore have announced or implemented some form of regulatory sandbox for AI. The UK pioneered the global sandbox model with the launch of the FCA’s 2016 fintech sandbox – with transformative AI approaching, the UK must stay at the vanguard of international best practice in regulatory innovation – and the benefits this brings for UK innovation and jobs. 

    The government will now move ahead with a public call for views on its AI Growth Lab proposals. At the heart of that process will be considerations over whether the programme should be run in-house by the government, or overseen by regulators themselves. 

    The adoption of AI is the defining economic opportunity of the coming decade, but currently only 21% of UK firms are using the technology. The OECD currently estimates that AI could improve UK productivity by as much as 1.3 percentage points every year – worth the equivalent of £140 billion. The AI Growth Lab will provide a route to test and pilot responsible AI innovations hindered by regulation – driving AI adoption and economic growth.

    Further Information

    Exclusions from the sandbox would include consumer protection and safety provisions, fundamental rights, workers’ protections and intellectual property rights.

    Industry and stakeholder reaction

    David Wakeling, Head of AI, A&O Shearman, said:

    This call for evidence contemplates an agile approach to regulation, removing red-tape where it serves no purpose and breaking down silos between regulators.  These steps will be crucial for UK businesses, investors and capital providers to stay globally competitive in the AI race.

    Leo Ringer, Partner, Form Ventures, said:

    This is a strong signal of ambition to ensure the UK is a world leading place to start and scale an AI business. Existing regulatory frameworks weren’t created with AI in mind, and the sheer pace of tech progress means it’s no surprise that they risk slowing down innovation and adoption. 

    We have incredible talent and growing amounts of capital for AI startups in the UK – flexible, pro-innovation regulation is the third ingredient we need to really unlock investment and growth.

    Luther Lowe, Head of Public Policy, Y Combinator, said:

    The AI Growth Lab addresses a critical challenge: enabling AI startups to launch innovative products without waiting years for regulatory clarity.

    For Y Combinator companies, faster time to market matters—and if the Lab delivers on its promise while maintaining appropriate oversight, it sets a strong model for how governments can keep pace with AI innovation.

    Paul Murphy, General Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, said:

    As investors in many of the world’s leading AI labs, we know regulatory speed impacts where breakthrough companies scale. The UK can be a major player in this race with fast, fair, and globally competitive sandbox access.

    Vinous Ali, Deputy Executive Director at Start-Up Coalition:

    Startup Coalition has long campaigned for a cross-economy sandbox to help speed up startups’ route to market. The UK has historic strengths in sandboxing and this latest proposal takes it into the future helping bring regulators and businesses together to collaborate in a nimble and open way. 

    It is great to see government take a leaf out of the startup manual by adjusting their risk appetite to win the race.

    Vishal Marria, Founder and CEO, Quantexa, said:

    The UK has an incredible foundation in AI research and innovation, and to truly unlock its economic and societal potential, we need to accelerate how ideas are turned into reality to make tangible impact. An AI Growth Lab has the potential to provide the bridge between world-class research and real-world application, helping organizations of all sizes adopt AI responsibly, confidently, and at scale. 

    By combining trusted data, contextual understanding, and collaboration across industry, academia, and government as part of its broader set of strategic AI initiatives, the UK will continue to position itself as a world leader in turning AI from promise into performance.

    Antony Walker, Deputy CEO at TechUK, said:

    TechUK welcomes the launch of AI Growth Lab, which represents a strong, positive step towards a pro-growth regulatory approach that will help companies to safely develop, scale, and deploy AI in key sectors of the UK economy. 

    If we get this right, the AI Growth Lab can add real value by drawing on learnings from existing AI sandboxes and working closely with AI businesses to deliver tangible results and deliver real-world impact.

    Finn Stevenson, CEO at Flok Heathcare, said:

    The potential for AI to transform healthcare is enormously exciting, but good regulation is required to ensure that these novel technologies are safe and effective for patients. As we’ve shown with our Class IIa medical device clearance for AI physiotherapy, it is absolutely possible to certify products like this, but many more innovations could get to market faster if the rules were modernised for a software-driven world. 

    Regulators like the MHRA, and the notified bodies that assess AI products on their behalf, currently have the unenviable task of applying rules designed for physical products to advanced software systems that are radically different than anything that existed when the regulations were written. In revisiting those regulations, the AI Growth Lab is a valuable opportunity to make the UK a global destination for healthcare AI.

    Dr Hammad Jeilani, Medical Director and Co-Founder, Apian, said:

    Apian is helping the NHS focus on what matters most: humans caring for humans. 

    Our AI-powered autonomous robots increase productivity and cut costs – handling routine logistics so healthcare staff can dedicate more time to patient care. A cross-economy sandbox will let innovators like Apian safely test and scale these systems, making NHS logistics invisible, resilient and truly patient-centred.

    Rafie Faruq, Co-Founder & CEO at Genie, said:

    Genie has built the autonomous legal department for businesses by enabling them to create their personalised legal agents that can auto-draft, negotiate and review legal documents and deals. In one recent case, Cambridge Utd Football Club signed the first ever football player through Genie AI without a lawyer. But providing AI-generated legal advice, particularly for regulated legal areas like securities, employment, or housing – may constitute unauthorised practice of law.

    The AI Growth Lab would allow Genie to trial an autonomous legal agent in live commercial environments. We believe this sandbox could be transformative – both in reducing startup costs and helping UK businesses scale faster through AI-enabled contracting.

    Andrew Bennett, Centre for British Progress, said:

    Britain must move quickly to grow and secure our stake in the next industrial revolution. Yet too often, economic opportunities and British startups are held back by regulatory bottlenecks. 

    The AI Growth Lab can provide a safe, accelerated pathway for using AI to deliver better outcomes across the country.

    Karl Havard, Chief Commercial Officer, Nscale, said:

    Nscale is super supportive of the AI Growth Labs. The creation of safe sandbox environments will be a much needed catalyst to develop and test new products and services that will directly benefit the people of the UK. 

    It’s great to see the UK government leading the way on such an initiative, and Nscale is looking forward to playing a supporting role in making this a reality.

    Nigel Toon, Graphcore founder, said:

    Graphcore welcomes the launch of the AI Growth Lab as a means of encouraging innovators to push the boundaries of this transformative technology. 

    We hope that the UK’s forward-looking approach to AI will drive AI adoption and deliver the same sort of success stories that the financial technology regulatory sandbox did in the past.

    Michael Sellitto, Head of Global Affairs, Anthropic, said:

    We are really encouraged the UK government is looking in this direction, to create space for experimentation and promote innovation.

    Hugh Milward, Vice President External Affairs, Microsoft, said:

    Widespread AI diffusion across the economy is fundamental to delivering the UK’s economic growth ambition and we welcome the government’s continued progress on the AI Opportunities Plan towards this goal. 

    The AI Growth Lab is an interesting and creative initiative to provide the flexible regulatory approach that will support faster UK AI innovation and we look forward to hearing more.

    Matthew Wright, Head of U.K., Delian Alliance Industries, said:

    AI and autonomous systems will be integral to the future of defence and civil protection, but startups leveraging these technologies face considerable regulatory barriers today. 

    We therefore welcome the AI Growth Lab’s ambition to minimise these hurdles. In doing so, the Lab will help such startups to drive economic growth while enhancing national security.

    Dr. Tim Bazalgette, Chief AI Officer at Darktrace, said:

    Darktrace welcomes the government’s ambition for monitored AI sandboxes. 

    Allowing innovators to test transformative applications of AI in safe conditions and demonstrate that they have genuine real-world value will help to accelerate the deployment of effective AI solutions across critical areas of the British economy, supporting the public good and driving growth.

    Jon J. Paull, COO, Octopus Energy Group, said:

    At Octopus, we’ve shown how responsible AI can supercharge innovation, from forecasting renewable generation to transforming customer service.  

    Outdated rules can too often slow progress so we welcome government’s proposal for an AI Growth Lab, a safe, collaborative space where UK innovators and regulators can test responsibly, and evolve the frameworks that govern new technology.

    Aidan Gomez, Co-Founder and CEO, Cohere, said:

    Today’s announcement will accelerate the speed that AI can improve people’s lives, especially in critical, regulated areas like healthcare. 

    The UK government’s leadership on policies that enable quick, but responsible, development and deployment of transformative, cutting edge technology is why Cohere has consistently invested in the country since our founding.

    Nik Storonsky, CEO and Co-Founder, Revolut, said: 

     >Accelerating AI adoption is critical for the UK banking sector and the entire economy. This initiative will give innovators like Revolut the clarity and speed we need to build and deploy groundbreaking AI services, reinforcing the UK’s leadership and delivering real value to millions of customers.

    Dr Marc Warner, CEO and founder, Faculty AI said:

    The UK AI sector is growing 30 times faster than the rest of the economy and has world-leading companies – yet there are no guarantees the next DeepMind will found and grow here.

    If ministers want more domestic AI success stories, they must make conscious choices today about how they support our start ups and scale ups.

    Removing red tape to allow safe testing and iterating of AI products is a welcome step in backing the sector to build the faster, cheaper, more efficient public services we need.

    Max Jamilly, co-founder and CEO, Hoxton Farms, said:

    At Hoxton Farms, we’ve seen both sides of the innovation equation. Our AI-enabled control software for manufacturing biologic medicines is held back by outdated AI rules, yet our positive experience in the FSA’s Cell Cultivated Products Sandbox for Novel Foods shows that forward-thinking regulation can unlock markets and accelerate new technology.

    Sandboxes work: they enable fast, efficient collaboration between innovators and policymakers while minimising risk. Pragmatic and efficient rules for AI will help to turn UK start-ups into global leaders.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Regional Investment Summit delivers almost £800m boost to West Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Regional Investment Summit delivers almost £800m boost to West Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 October 2025.

    Hundreds of jobs in the West Midlands are set to be created after almost £800m of investment was announced at today’s Regional Investment Summit.

    • £635 million of private investment for West Midlands announced at Regional Investment Summit, with huge boost to sectors including AI, pharma, dairy and real estate.
    • New £125m skills and housing package from Combined Authority, to train 12,000 construction workers and to deliver 1,000 social homes.
    • Birmingham Sports Quarter investment to deliver transformational 14,000 new jobs and £700 million boost to the region’s economy, updated data shows.

    Hundreds of jobs in the West Midlands are set to be created after almost £800m of investment was announced at today’s Regional Investment Summit, cementing the West Midlands as a powerhouse for investment and turbocharging growth into the region.

    The huge announcement follows the Regional Investment Summit held in Birmingham today where over 350 business leaders, investors and local mayors met to announce £10 billion of new investment for key growth sectors around the UK, delivering on the Plan for Change to create new jobs and opportunities for people in every region.

    Investments in the West Midlands include Hines and Woodbourne Group announcing a £400 million investment to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, a centrepiece of the West Midlands Investment Zone, driving innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region. Blackstone will invest £200m to ensure the NEC remains the UK’s leading live events business with world class venues across exhibitions, conventions and arenas.

    Building on the UK-India free trade agreement, Indian parent company of Freshway Dairy will also invest £25 million in building a new processing facility in West Bromwich, creating at least 200 new jobs and allowing them to process 25% more milk.

    In a boost to the Industrial Strategy, the Government is also announcing that Sterling Pharmaceuticals will receive a share of £30m of Life Sciences funding, which will help them build a 60,000 sq ft centre in Birmingham, creating 48 jobs and boosting UK production of medicines  for the NHS and sales overseas. To boost the digital sector, Atos is announcing £10m for AI centres, cementing the Midlands role as a key hub and creating 50 jobs.

    In further good news for the region, the West Midlands Combined Authority has confirmed a £75m skills package to train over 12,000 people in construction trades and technical roles over three years. Backed by WMCA and government funding, the initiative supports a regional construction boom driven by major housing, transport, retrofit, and regeneration projects.

    £40 million will also be made available by the WMCA to accelerate delivery of 1,000 new social rent homes across the region. The funding unlocks properties ready or under construction, building on 750 affordable homes already secured.

    Earlier success for the region this year includes Knighthead announcing plans to invest at least £3 billion in a new Sports Quarter in Birmingham, which will feature a new 62,000-capacity stadium, new sporting facilities as well as entertainment and residential spaces and create 14,000 jobs – up from initial projections of 10,000. New data shows the Quarter will transform the region’s economy, with a £700 million boost to growth. Birmingham Airpor t will invest £300 million over four years to upgrade baggage, immigration, retail, and airfield infrastructure, boosting growth.

    This latest vote of confidence follows Britain becoming the most attractive place to invest in the world according to a survey from Deloitte.

    Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary said:

    The West Midlands is a thriving business hub, and these funding announcements are a major vote of confidence in our economy and demonstrate how our modern Industrial Strategy is helping to secure the investment we need to deliver growth in the West Midlands.

    This huge boost to the region shows our Plan for Change is working in encouraging more companies to invest here, creating new jobs and exciting opportunities for local communities in the West Midlands.

    Jason Stockwood, Minister for Investment said:

    The West Midlands is a powerhouse for foreign direct investment, and today’s announcements at the Summit cements the region’s position as a top destination to do business.

    Our modern Industrial Strategy is giving investors the confidence they need to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond – helping to create economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said:

    The first-ever Regional Investment Summit in the West Midlands has been a huge success. It’s given us the platform to showcase our innovation, talent, and can-do approach – and it’s already paying off, with world-class businesses like Knighthead Capital, Freshways and Atos choosing to invest, drive growth and create jobs.

    The Government is backing us with new funding and new powers to go further and faster. I’m determined to make sure everyone shares in the opportunities this brings – building prosperity that reaches every community. The time to invest in the West Midlands is now.

    Today’s announcements at the Regional Investment Summit builds on recent landmark trade deals struck with the US and India and the launch of the modern Industrial Strategy in the summer, helping to hardwire stability for investors looking to invest in the UK.

    Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off as part of our Plan for Change.  

    Bali Nijjar, Freshways Managing Director said: 

    Our £25m investment in West Bromwich will deliver 200 new jobs, from engineers to food safety technicians, and deliver one of the most efficient dairy processing plants in Europe, capable of processing 500 million litres of fresh British milk a year.

    The West Midlands is a key strategic location for Freshways, providing access to national transport networks and skilled job seekers. It’s also good news for our British dairy farmers and our customers as we’ll be able to process 25% more fresh milk from the new site, helping us keep up with growing demand. We’re working around the clock to get things ready and hope to have the site fully operational by the end of the year.

    Michael Herron, Head of Atos UK&I, said:

    Atos is delighted to invest in the Midlands, establishing new technology centres that will help drive digital innovation and create opportunities for local talent. Our commitment reflects the region’s growing reputation as a national hub for AI and digital transformation, and we look forward to supporting businesses and communities as they embrace the benefits of new technology.

    List of West Midlands investments announced in today’s Regional Investment Summit:

    • Hines, a global real estate firm, in partnership with Woodbourne Group, have announced a £400 million investment to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, a centrepiece of the West Midlands Investment Zone, driving innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region.
    • Blackstone owned National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham has announced a new public commitment to invest £200 million over the next decade. The investment will support a modernisation programme to ensure that it remains the UK’s leading live events business with world class venues across exhibitions, conventions and arenas.
    • Atos, a leading provider of AI-powered digital transformation, has announced a new £10 million investment in the Midlands, unveiling two flagship technology centres that will cement the region’s role at the heart of the UK’s AI-led digital future and creating 50 jobs.
    • Freshways is investing £25 million in a cutting-edge dairy hub in West Bromwich, creating at least 200 jobs. The facility will process 500 million litres of British milk annually, making it one of the UK’s most advanced and efficient dairy operations.
    • Sterling Pharmaceuticals will build a 60,000 sq ft centre in Birmingham, creating 48 jobs and boosting UK production of generic medicines for the NHS and export, following a share of £30m from the Government’s Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund.
    • The West Midlands Combined Authority has unveiled a £75 million skills package to train over 12,000 people in construction trades and technical roles over three years. Backed by WMCA and government funding, the initiative supports a regional construction boom driven by major housing, transport, retrofit, and regeneration projects.
    • The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a £40 million Social Housing Accelerator Fund to deliver 1,000 new social rent homes across the West Midlands. The funding unlocks properties ready or under construction, building on 750 affordable homes already secured.

    Recent Investments in the region:

    • Knighthead will invest at least £3 billion in a new Sports Quarter in Birmingham which will feature a 62,000-capacity stadium with a retractable pitch, a dedicated women’s stadium, indoor arena, training grounds, and residential and entertainment spaces. The development is expected to create around 14,000 jobs, transforming the derelict site into a major sporting and cultural hub and generate £700m of growth for the region.
    • Birmingham Airport will invest £300 million over four years to upgrade baggage, immigration, retail, and airfield infrastructure. Millions will also be directed toward sustainable growth, including solar energy and efficient terminal systems. A new Masterplan process will forecast growth beyond 2040, building on strong passenger demand.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK removes Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from terrorist organisation list [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK removes Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from terrorist organisation list [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 October 2025.

    An order has been laid in Parliament to deproscribe Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), enabling closer engagement with the new Syrian government.

    The government’s decision to remove Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations will mean closer engagement with the new Syrian government and support UK foreign and domestic priorities, from counter-terrorism to migration and chemical weapons destruction.  

    Deproscribing HTS is part of the UK’s response to the significant developments in Syria since forces led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa toppled the Assad regime last December. HTS was originally listed as an alias of proscribed organisation Al-Qa’ida in 2017.   

    The former Foreign Secretary’s visit to Syria in July renewed the diplomatic relationship between the UK and Syria. The UK will continue to press for genuine progress and hold the Syrian government accountable for its actions in fighting terrorism and restoring stability in Syria and the wider region. We will continue to judge the new Syrian government on their actions not on their words. 

    Daesh remains a significant threat in Syria. The deproscription of HTS will support this government’s engagement on the counter-Daesh mission in Syria, in turn reducing the threat to the UK. 

    Deproscription will also support closer working with Syria to eliminate the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme. This government welcomes the Syrian President’s commitment to destroy these weapons once and for all.  

    This decision aligns with the announcement made by the United States earlier this year to remove HTS from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations.  

    This government will always put the safety and security of the British people first, which is why any deproscription decision is not taken lightly. The decision to remove HTS from the proscribed list has been made following detailed consultation with operational partners and other departments, and a robust assessment by the cross-government Proscription Review Group.  

    The government reserves the right to reassess proscription decisions in response to any emerging threats and will always take swift and decisive action in the interests of national security. 

    The deproscription of HTS will mean that the proscription offences set out in the Terrorism Act 2000, including the offences of membership and inviting support for proscribed organisations, will no longer apply to HTS. On completion of this deproscription, a total of 83 organisations will be proscribed by the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of children protected from abuse under victim reforms [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of children protected from abuse under victim reforms [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 October 2025.

    Thousands more children will be protected from vile sex offenders under amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill tabled in Parliament today (Monday 20 October).

    • Parental responsibility to be automatically restricted where a child is born of rape
    • Reforms to also apply to parents convicted of serious sexual offences against any child – not just their own
    • Amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill part of Government’s Plan for Change to protect children and restore faith in justice system

    Thousands more children will be protected from vile sex offenders under amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill tabled in Parliament today (Monday 20 October).

    The new measures will see parental responsibility automatically restricted in cases of children born of rape, and when a parent is convicted of serious sex offences against any child. This means a parent can no longer take active steps in their child’s life, including making decisions over their schooling, medical care or trips abroad.

    The move delivers on the long-term campaign of Natalie Fleet MP, Baroness Harman and Jess Asato MP and will provide greater protection for vulnerable children.  

    Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, said: 

    These reforms mark a crucial step forward in restoring faith in our justice system. Automatically restricting parental responsibility in cases of rape where it has led to the birth of a child and serious child sexual offences sends a clear message: the rights and safety of children come first.  

    This Government is committed to standing up for victims and ensuring that those who commit the most vile crimes against children are never in a position to cause further harm.

    Natalie Fleet MP said:

    This amendment will finally offer protection for not only children born of rape, but also the mothers, who have until now always lived in fear of their rapists interfering in the lives of their children through their parental responsibility rights. This change will end that fear.

    It puts the rights of survivors above the rights of rapists and signals a landmark shift in how this country’s legal system values safety, dignity, and truth. It will deliver powerful, lasting change for thousands of women and children and I am delighted that this Government has listened to our concerns and acted so swiftly.

    To ensure swift protection for families, restriction will happen immediately following sentencing, removing the necessity to apply through the family court. 

    Restricting parental responsibility for children born of rape protects two victims – the mother and the child – from the influence of abusive and undeserving fathers, whereas removing the right for those convicted of serious sex offences against any child builds on the existing measure to restrict responsibility for those who have abused their own child.

    Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Minister Davies-Jones, said: 

    These reforms will shield both mothers and children from the heinous actions of predatory parents as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade under our Plan for Change.  

    I’m proud to support these amendments, which build on the tireless campaigning of Natalie Fleet MP, Baroness Harman, and Jess Asato MP who have been unwavering in their advocacy for the protection of children and women.” 

    This move follows the expansion of the government’s innovative Pathfinder pilot, which aims to improve the court experience and outcomes for children and parents involved in private family law proceedings – including those who have experience of domestic abuse. 

    ENDS 

    Further information 

    • At the introduction of the Bill Clause 3 required the Crown Court to make a prohibited steps order restricting the exercise of an offender’s parental responsibility where they have committed a serious child sexual abuse offence (this includes crimes such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault) against a child for whom they hold parental responsibility and have been sentenced to four our more years in prison. The restriction will apply in respect of any child for whom the offender holds it. 
    • Where it appears to the Crown Court that an automatic restriction would not be in the interests of justice they must not make an order.
    • The Government’s amendment to Clause 3 will mean that the provision will now apply to offences committed against any child, not only a child for whom the perpetrator holds parental responsibility. The wider drafting of the provision will remain the same.
    • The Government will also table a separate amendment to provide for the restriction of a perpetrator’s parental responsibility where they have been convicted and sentenced for a rape that resulted in the birth of a child. In these instances the restriction would only apply to the specific child that has been born.
    • This amendment will require the Crown Court to make a prohibited steps order, at the point of sentencing for rape where the court is satisfied that a child for whom the offender holds parental responsibility was conceived as a result of that rape, unless it appears to the court that it would not be in the ‘interests of justice’ to do so.
    • Where it has not been established in criminal proceedings that the child was conceived by rape, the Crown Court must refer the case to the relevant local authority when:
      • An offender is convicted of rape
      • The court considers that the child may have resulted from the rape The offender has parental responsibility for that child.
    • If the Crown Court is satisfied that the child may have been conceived from rape then they must refer the case to the local authority within 30 days. In these circumstances the local authority will have 6 months in which to obtain the consent of the mother for them to initiate family court proceedings. The local authority will have 30 days from receipt of consent to apply to the family court who will then consider whether any orders (including prohibited steps orders) should be made in the best interests of the child.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Statement for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Statement for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2025.

    Delivered on 20 October at the 11th Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with respect to Human Rights.

    Thank you, Chair.

    We would like to thank OHCHR for organising this session and we extend our appreciation to Ecuador for their leadership.

    The United Kingdom remains committed to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles underpin our broader efforts to promote responsible business conduct and ensure that human rights are respected across global supply chains.

    Earlier this year, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade launched a review of our approach to responsible business conduct. This review will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current RBC measures and alternative policy options to support responsible business practices: including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence, and import controls, amongst others.  It will be an objective and evidence-based process, aimed at enhancing the UK’s framework for responsible business conduct.

    In parallel, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is conducting a National Baseline Assessment of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles. This will contribute to the evidence base that informs the UK’s approach to tackling business-related human rights abuses. We expect both the RBC Review and the National Baseline Assessment to conclude early next year. Their findings will inform the UK’s position on this draft treaty.

    These initiatives reflect our commitment to ensuring that businesses respect human rights, support sustainable development, and contribute to resilient and inclusive economies. We would also like to share with this Working Group a set of principles on supply chains developed through a UK-hosted dialogue earlier this year at Wilton Park. These offer a framework for addressing human rights abuses in global supply chains while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development. The principles emphasise collaboration, transparency, and the importance of centring affected workers and communities at the centre of discussions and actions. As we consider the development of this treaty, we hope that these insights will inform our approach to ensuring that any future instrument is inclusive, effective, and grounded in real-world experience.

    We’re also commissioning new research to assess the potential economic impact of the draft treaty. This work reflects our commitment to an evidence-informed approach. We hope to be able to share insights from the research in due course. 

    The UK acknowledges the potential merits of an instrument that further elaborates the responsibilities of businesses with regards to human rights. We appreciate the intersessional dialogues, non-working papers, and expert legal advice that have supported progress. However, further work is needed to address outstanding challenges in the text. We note with appreciation the Chair’s textual suggestions circulated ahead of this session. Given the short timeframe in which these were received, further time will be necessary to consider the proposals in greater depth and therefore our interactions during this session may be limited in some areas.

    Any future instrument must deliver meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders, while being workable for businesses and Governments.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s biggest pension funds back regional growth drive [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s biggest pension funds back regional growth drive [October 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 October 2025.

    Billions will be unlocked to build affordable homes, power communities and connect the countryside, as the Chancellor joins forces with pension providers and insurers to drive growth in every region.

    • 20 of Britain’s largest pension providers and insurers set to launch Sterling 20 group at first-ever Regional Investment Summit on Tuesday. 
    • Investment drive kicks off with Legal & General (L&G) and Nest committing billions to build more affordable housing, improve broadband connections in rural areas and provide scale-up finance for growing businesses. 
    • Chancellor set to meet providers and Australia’s biggest fund in Birmingham as government ramps up efforts to drive regional growth and put more money into people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    The Sterling 20 – a new investor-led partnership between 20 of the UK’s largest pension funds and insurers – will be established at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham on Tuesday, working with the government and City of London Corporation to channel the nation’s savings into key infrastructure and fast growing businesses in key modern Industrial Strategy sectors like AI and fintech. 

    L&G have kicked off this investment drive with a £2 billion commitment by 2030, delivering around 10,000 more affordable homes for hardworking families and supporting the creation of 24,000 jobs nationwide.  

    Nest, who represent a third of the UK workforce, will also provide Schroders Capital with £500 million – of which £100 million is expected to be channelled into UK investments in the coming years. In addition, Nest will invest £40 million to deliver gigabit-capable fibre broadcast to remote areas in Scotland and Norther England – delivering high-speed reliable broadband to rural homes and businesses in hard-to-reach communities. 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:   

    This is about getting Britain building again – bringing our savings, our investors and our regions together to deliver the homes, infrastructure and industries that will drive growth and create good jobs in every corner of the country.   

    Our country’s pension funds are some of the biggest in the world. When they invest in Britain, everyone benefits – from the construction worker on site, to the small business on the high street, to the saver seeing their pension grow. Sterling 20 shows what can be achieved when we all pull in the same direction to build a stronger economy that works for, and rewards, working people. 

    António Simões, Group Chief Executive, Legal & General, said:  

    As a long-term investor in the UK economy, L&G has a proud history of using pension capital to develop assets that deliver strong financial returns and lasting social impact. Our £2 billion commitment, targeted at housing, infrastructure, and urban regeneration, will help unlock the investment needed in productive assets across the country – creating jobs, strengthening communities, and driving both regional and national growth. 

    Ian Cornelius, CEO of Nest, said:

    Every decision we make puts our members and their long-term outcomes first. We believe private assets can play a key role in delivering strong, consistent returns for them.  

    That’s why the UK, with its exceptional investment opportunities, is a cornerstone of our strategy. From major infrastructure projects to ambitious small businesses, our investments are helping support economic growth across the country. We have already committed around £4 billion to UK private markets, and by 2030 we expect this to rise to around £12 billion. A strong pipeline of opportunities will be essential to realising this growth for the benefit of our members and the UK economy. 

    Alastair King, Lord Mayor of London, said:   

    The Mansion House Accord marked a pivotal step in pension investment reform – building on the foundations of the Mansion House Compact and signalling a clear industry commitment to channel investment directly into UK growth. 

    This next stage transforms commitment into deployment by uniting the UK’s leading investors around a shared vision and coordinated strategy with government. British enterprise, from AI to renewable energy and infrastructure, is primed for investment. The Mansion House Accord signatories have stated their intent to deliver on the Accord’s promise to give British savers a meaningful stake in Britain’s growth while increasing returns.

    The Regional Investment Summit will also see the AustralianSuper, Australia’s largest pension fund and 17th largest in the world, increase its investment into the UK housing market.   

    The fund will meet with the Chancellor at the Regional Investment Summit, as the Government seeks to reinforce the UK as an attractive investment destination for the billions of pounds it will deploy outside of Australia in the coming years. Ahead of this, AustralianSuper has announced a new UK living investment platform dedicated to investment in rental homes as part of its ambition to invest £8 billion of new capital into the UK over the next five years 

    Damian Moloney, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at AustralianSuper:  

    The Superannuation Mission offers a valuable opportunity to share insights, deepen collaboration and build on the strong investment ties that exist between Australia and the UK. 

    As the launch of our new £500m UK Living Platform demonstrates, AustralianSuper continues to view the UK as a key global investment destination. With the Fund on track to grow its UK assets to £18 billion by 2030, we look forward to further facilitating investment between the two countries for the benefit of members.” 

    Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said:

    Our pensions system is one of the UK’s great strengths. We’re stepping up the pace of pension reform to support not just British pension savers but the British economy, supporting investment to deliver the growth of communities up and down the country.” 

    Tom Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, Rothesay said:

    The Sterling 20 is a fantastic initiative which will enable the UK’s largest asset owners to deploy capital more effectively into the critical infrastructure and national priorities which are so vital to our economic growth. As the UK’s largest specialist pensions insurer, Rothesay invests at scale across the country and we are committed to working with the government to deliver the innovative solutions which will unlock even greater volumes of domestic investment from our sector.

    Andrea Rossi, CEO of M&G Plc, said:

    “UK pension providers have a great opportunity to drive economic growth and give savers the returns they need for retirement. The Sterling 20 Group offers a powerful platform for institutional investors to shape the country’s future from long-term investment in housing, infrastructure or strategic national projects. As a UK-listed savings and investment company investing £100 billion domestically, we are proud to be playing our part.

    Andy Briggs, CEO, Phoenix Group, said:

    Through the Sterling 20 we are helping to unlock billions in long-term investment that will support communities, build critical regional infrastructure, and fuel innovation across the UK. This is about putting our customers’ savings to work in ways that grow their pensions and grow the economy. This landmark initiative brings together the scale and strength of the UK’s pension and insurance sector to invest in Britain’s future.

    The formation of the Sterling 20 comes as pension providers ramp up their investment in Britain. It builds on July’s Mansion House Accord, which saw 17 providers representing 90% of active defined contribution scheme savers, commit to invest at least 5% of their main default funds in UK private markets. This commitment will unlock over £25 billion for new UK housing infrastructure and high-growth industries.  

    All 17 signatories of the Accord, alongside annuity providers Rothesay and PIC, and the Pension Protection Fund have signed up to form the Sterling 20. 

    Working with the Office for Investment, the Sterling 20 and Australian Superannuation Scheme – who manage a combined £5 trillion in assets – driving growth, creating jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets. Even a small shift towards investing in UK infrastructure would unlock billions. 

    The Office for Investment’s unique position as a bridge between government, investors and local leaders will allow it to match transformational investment opportunities with capital. It will leverage its visibility across the UK landscape to create a pipeline of opportunities that meet the Sterling 20 and Australian Superannuation Scheme’s investment ambitions and drive growth in every region of the country.

    Further information

    • The members of the Sterling 20 are: Aegon; Aon; Aviva; L&G; LifeSight by WTW; Mercer; M&G; NatWest Cushon; Nest Corporation; NOW Pensions; People’s Partnership; Phoenix Group; Royal London; Smart Pension; SEI; TPT; USS – Universities Superannuation Scheme; Rothesay; PIC – Pension Insurance Corporation; PPF – Pension Protection Fund. 
    • The Mansion House Accord is a voluntary pledge by seventeen of the UK’s largest workplace pension providers. Jointly led by the ABI, Pensions UK and the City of London Corporation with the support of the government, signatories agreed to allocate 10% of default defined contribution pension funds into private markets, with 5% committed to the UK.
    • The Mansion House Compact is a voluntary pledge by 11 defined contribution pension providers to allocate at least 5% of default funds to unlisted equities by 2030. For providers signed up to the Accord and Compact, progress under the Compact counts towards meeting the Accord’s goals.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Regulator finds serious financial mismanagement at charity, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International, which had more than 100 bank accounts [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Regulator finds serious financial mismanagement at charity, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International, which had more than 100 bank accounts [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Charity Commission on 20 October 2025.

    Former and current trustees at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International lacked oversight and control over charitable funds, a Charity Commission inquiry has found.

    The charity operates through a large network of individual branches and works to promote Christianity. 

    The Commission opened an inquiry after financial concerns were identified, including the alleged misappropriation of charity funds. 

    Key findings  

    The inquiry found that the charity’s trustees could not demonstrate that they had adequate oversight or control over more than 100 bank accounts operated by individual branches of the charity, with charity money at risk across the organisation’s extensive network. 

    As a result of serious concerns regarding the trustees’ ability to carry out their duties effectively, the Commission appointed an interim manager in 2019 to work alongside the remaining trustees to implement essential financial controls.  

    Many of the charity’s financial issues stemmed from its complex structure, which had grown from a handful of branches to over 90 locations nationwide, without the corresponding governance improvements.  

    Branches operated autonomously, opening bank accounts without central oversight and failing to report income in a timely manner. This created substantial risks to charitable funds and resulted in inaccurate financial reporting. 

    Additionally, branch offices were making significant financial decisions, including property purchases and lease agreements, without trustee knowledge or authorisation. 

    This lack of oversight by trustees led to financial losses for the charity – for example, some branches occupied property without first obtaining the necessary planning permission and one of which was subject to costly legal action by a council. Further losses arose because of the former and current trustees’ failure to regularise employment contracts which resulted in payments to settle employment disputes.  

    Regulatory action 

    As a result of its findings, the Commission took action to freeze the charity’s assets to prevent further loss. 

    An interim manager was appointed to implement robust financial controls at the charity and to improve its governance.  

    The interim manager was discharged in September 2024. The interim manager appointment was lengthy due to the complexity of the reform needed at the charity and the delays caused by legal proceedings. 

    Following the completion of this work, the Commission issued an order directing the charity to follow a regulatory action plan concerning governance and policy changes. The Commission is now satisfied that the trustees have complied with the action plan.   

    Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission said: 

    The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows. 

    In this case, the trustees’ fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network. 

    Following the intervention of the Commission and the interim manager, the trustees were better able to implement essential reforms, meaning the charity can now operate effectively and focus on delivering its charitable objects.