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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mark Hamilton appointed as member of the Prison Service Pay Review Body [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mark Hamilton appointed as member of the Prison Service Pay Review Body [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 December 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the appointment of Mark Hamilton as member of the Prison Service Pay Review Body.

    Mark Hamilton’s appointment will be for a tenure of 5 years from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2030.

    The PSPRB provides the government with independent advice on the remuneration of operational prison staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as set out in The Prison Service (Pay Review Body) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 1161).   

    Appointments to the PSPRB are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. This appointment has been made in line with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.

    Public appointments to the PSPRB are made by the Prime Minister.

    Mark Hamilton Biography:

    Mark Hamilton’s career in policing began in 1994 with the Royal

    Ulster Constabulary. He became the Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in January 2020.

    Mark’s tenure included significant responsibilities such as overseeing operational policing, professional standards and leading police reform in Northern Ireland. He was recognised with the title of Office of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 2019 Birthday Honours.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government crackdown on rogue university franchises [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government crackdown on rogue university franchises [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 9 December 2025.

    Education Secretary announces reforms to tighten rules on fraud in the student finance system that cost taxpayers £2m in 2022/23.

    Students and taxpayers will have greater confidence in higher education as tough new reforms through our Plan for Change tighten controls on university franchising arrangements and make sure public money is used as intended, shoring up the reputation of our world-class sector.

    Franchiser providers with 300 or more students will soon face mandatory regulation by the Office for Students and be required to meet the same standards as universities or be completely cut off from accessing student loan funding in 2028/29. 

    Franchising allows universities to subcontract teaching to other organisations—such as colleges or private training providers delivering specialist courses like health or business. When done well, it can widen access, however rapid growth and inconsistent oversight that this government inherited have left parts of the system open to abuse.

    The government is determined to ensure every student receives high-quality education, with the new measures putting students and their outcomes before profits as regulators could face fines or suspension of their registration if they have concerns about poor-quality provision, financial exploitation, or fraudulent practices. 

    This poor practice has real consequences for young people’s futures and cost £2 million to the public purse in 2022/23 alone.

    As part of the crack down, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will write to all providers setting out the changes and warning that poor-quality or exploitative arrangements must be cleaned up or closed down.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

    Too many rogue operators have treated students as a route to fast cash, not as people investing in their future.  

    Those days are over. If you use public money, you will be held accountable and face proper scrutiny. 

    Our higher education sector is one of Britain’s greatest strengths. Through our Plan for Change we are determined to protect its reputation, putting students first and making sure every pound from the public purse is well spent.

    The number of students at franchised providers has more than doubled in five years, with nearly sixty percent taught at providers not directly regulated by the Office for Students.

    With students on franchised courses currently far more likely to drop out and far less likely to progress into work or further study. Just three-quarters complete their courses – compared with almost nine in ten across the rest of the sector. 

    These measures will crackdown on courses where there are clear signs of exploitation, such as admitting students who are unlikely to succeed – for example, those with very poor English language skills or students who have low attendance rates and those who are using their place at the provider purely to access public money.  

    These robust reforms come as the Government publishes the outcomes of its consultation, proposing measures to strengthen oversight of higher education franchising. Regulations to enable the changes to HE franchising will be laid before Parliament in Spring 2026. 

    These reforms will work alongside tougher OfS registration conditions on management and governance standards, stronger system controls to prevent fraud, and cross-government work led by the Public Sector Fraud Authority.

    Measures outlined in the Post-16 White paper to lift quality, shut down poor practice, and tighten controls on public money to ensure a higher education system that provides quality for all students regardless of where they study as part of our Plan for Change. 

    Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK said:

    It is vital that franchise provision is underpinned by high and robust standards and we support this step, which will help to protect the higher education sector’s world-renowned reputation for quality.  

    UUK’s members have been taking extensive actions to tighten controls, and we have long championed the introduction of measures requiring franchise partners to register with the OfS.

    The Office for Students is also strengthening its own regulatory regime for franchising, including tougher initial registration conditions on governance and the management of public money, publishing annual data on outcomes for franchised students, and consulting on new requirements for universities overseeing franchise partnerships. 

    Office for Students, Director of Regulation, Philippa Pickford said:

    Today’s announcement will help ensure students studying under subcontractual arrangements are getting a high quality higher education, as well as giving taxpayers confidence that public funding is being used appropriately.

    We have been raising concerns about poor practices that have been exposed in some subcontractual arrangements for some time, and plan to announce a response to our own consultation on subcontractual arrangements in higher education in early 2026.

    This summer, we also announced reforms to our registration process that will allow us to register institutions that will deliver high quality higher education and treat their students fairly.

    Ministers will also legislate, when parliamentary time allows, to give the OfS stronger powers to act quickly where quality is compromised or public money is at risk, ensuring problems in franchised provision can be dealt with more rapidly in future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor kickstarts Britain’s new scale-up surge [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor kickstarts Britain’s new scale-up surge [December 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 December 2025.

    Britain’s leading founders – including CEOs from Huel and Moneybox – head to No10 to celebrate the government’s multi-billion-pound pro-growth business package.

    • Comes as the Budget unlocks billions for innovative firms and delivers the biggest shake-up of entrepreneur tax incentives in a generation.
    • Alex Depledge to stay on as UK’s first Entrepreneurship Adviser, supercharging Chancellor’s reforms to support scale-ups and deliver the modern Industrial Strategy’s ambition to make Britain one of the best places in world to do business.

    The Chancellor welcomed the UK’s top entrepreneurs to No10 Downing Street last night (8 December), celebrating a bold new plan to back homegrown founders and continue making Britain one of the best places in the world to scale a business as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy. 

    Founders, investors and innovators from across the UK – including meal-in-a-bottle firm Huel, savings app Moneybox and crime-busting tech company Quantexa – heard the Chancellor’s message loud and clear: economic growth is the government’s number one mission, and Britain’s entrepreneurs will be central to delivering it. 

    Last night’s reception follows the Budget, which delivered the most ambitious package for scale-ups in more than a decade: sweeping reforms to tax incentives so firms can attract world-class talent and investment, billions in long-term backing for science and technology firms, and changes to public procurement so taxpayer money is used to drive innovation. 

    That builds on efforts to cut burdensome rules and regulation holding back investment and innovation, with the Chancellor setting out how the government will deliver a 25% cut in the administrative cost of regulation over this Parliament worth £6 billion a year to businesses. 

    The Chancellor also confirmed that Alex Depledge MBE will continue as her Entrepreneurship Adviser until summer 2026, driving forward reforms to remove the barriers scale-ups face – from accessing finance to navigating complex regulation – so strategically important companies can realise their potential.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    This government backs our entrepreneurs. That’s why we’re overhauling the rulebook – modernising tax incentives, unlocking billions in investment and making it easier for founders to hire, build and grow. Because when British businesses thrive, so does our economy.

    Alex Depledge MBE said:

    High-growth companies power national growth — if we’re serious about expanding the economy, this is the lever to pull. We don’t need handouts; we need a system that backs the people willing to take risks.  

    This Budget is a real step-change, and I’m genuinely excited to keep working with the Chancellor to clear the obstacles that stop scale-ups from reaching their full potential.

    The government is doubling eligibility for key schemes such as the Enterprise Management Incentive  and raising investment limits under the Enterprise Investment Scheme. EMI hasn’t been updated in 15 years – and these changes will help high-growth firms reward teams, attract world-class talent and pull in more early-stage capital, boosting Britain’s competitiveness.

    Tom Leathes, CEO and Co-Founder of Motorway.com, said:  

    The changes to the EMI scheme will make a huge difference. When Motorway hit 250 employees, we suddenly couldn’t offer new joiners the same equity opportunity as our early team. These reforms fix that. Extending option lifespans to 15 years and doubling the employee cap gives UK scale-ups far more firepower to compete for world-class talent much longer into the journey. 

    People who join scaling companies take a bet – and when it works, they should share in what they helped build. This is exactly the kind of policy that helps British companies scale and succeed for the long term.

    Joshua Western, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Forge, said:

    As a European advanced materials company, focused on providing a sovereign, secure and sustainable supply of semiconductor materials to the continent, Space Forge is pleased to be involved with boosting British entrepreneurship. 

    It is more important than ever to support entrepreneurship to deliver capability and growth and Space Forge is proud to be a part of that story across the European continent. The entrepreneurship budget announcements by the Chancellor are an important step in recognising the growth engine that start-ups are for the economy.

    Alongside this, the government has launched an in-depth conversation with founders and investors about how the tax system supports entrepreneurs, ensuring it rewards people who take risks, reinvest in their businesses and create jobs. This work sits alongside the Entrepreneurship Prospectus, setting out a long-term plan to make the UK the easiest place to start and scale a business. 

    A £7 billion injection into UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) will help the UK’s most promising companies push breakthroughs from lab to market, while targeted programmes ensure high-growth firms can access the scale-up capital they need without leaving the UK. 

    A new £130 million Growth Catalyst from Innovate UK will deliver grants and hands-on support to cutting-edge science and tech firms. A previous version of this programme turned £156m of grants into £1.55bn of follow-on investment – a tenfold return. 

    Meanwhile, the British Business Banks will invest £5 billion in growing companies, crowding in billions more private capital and supporting firms through the risky “Valley of Death” stage so they can scale, hire and export from British soil.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK clamps down on China-based companies for reckless and irresponsible activity in cyberspace [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK clamps down on China-based companies for reckless and irresponsible activity in cyberspace [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 December 2025.

    Two tech companies based in China have been sanctioned for reckless and indiscriminate cyberattacks.

    • UK exposes two China-based companies that have carried out cyberattacks against the UK and its allies
    • New sanctions clamp down on attempts to undermine UK security and prosperity
    • Sanctioned businesses had launched global cyberattacks against over 80 government and private industry IT systems

    Two tech companies based in China have been sanctioned today [Tuesday 9 December] for reckless and indiscriminate cyberattacks:

    • Sichuan Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd (known as i-Soon) for targeting over 80 government and private industry IT systems across the world, and for supporting others planning to carry out malicious cyber activity.
    • Integrity Technology Group Incorporated (known as Integrity Tech) for controlling and managing a covert cyber network and providing technical assistance for others to carry out cyberattacks. Targets have included UK public sector IT systems.

    I-Soon and Integrity Tech are examples of the threat posed by the cyber industry in China, which includes information security companies, data brokers (that collect and sell personal data), and ‘hackers for hire’. Some of these companies provide cyber services to the Chinese intelligence services.

    The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) assesses that it is almost certain that this ‘ecosystem’ or complex network of private sector actors, supports Chinese state-linked cyber operations. 

    The announcement follows the August 2025 exposure by the UK and international partners of three China-based companies linked to the cyber-espionage campaign known as SALT TYPHOON. Combined, they highlight the vast scale of cyberattacks by China-based companies targeting governments, telecommunications, military institutions, and public services worldwide.

    These cyberattacks from unrestrained actors in China go against agreed UN cyber principles. The measures announced today are designed to reduce the risk of such threats to the UK’s security and broader international stability.

    As the Prime Minister set out recently in a speech at the Guildhall, protecting our security is non-negotiable and the first duty of the government. The UK recognises that China poses a series of threats to UK national security. China is also a fellow permanent member of the UN Security Council, the world’s second largest economy and a nuclear power which has delivered almost a third of global economic growth over the past decade. We challenge threats robustly, enabling us to pursue cooperation where it is in our interest.

    Notes to Editors

    • In August 2025, the UK alongside 12 other countries co-sealed a cyber security advisory linking China-based technology companies to some of the activities associated with a China state-affiliated APT group (commonly known as SALT TYPHOON). These companies are: Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co. Ltd, Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology Co., and Sichuan Zhixin Ruije Network Technology Co. Ltd.
    • This activity targeted governments, telecommunications, transportation, and military infrastructure globally, and sought to provide Chinese intelligence services with the capability to identify and track targets’ communications and movements worldwide.
    • Together with France, the UK continues to lead the Pall Mall Process, an international initiative which seeks to establish a framework for responsible behaviour for those involved in the rapidly growing market in commercial cyber intrusion capabilities.
    • The UK has consistently promoted the UN normative framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. The UK remains the first and only country to publish guidelines for its National Cyber Force detailing the principles that we adhere to.  We firmly believe that states should use cyber capabilities in a responsible manner, whether commercial or otherwise.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to boost peacebuilding efforts for Israel and Palestine [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to boost peacebuilding efforts for Israel and Palestine [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 December 2025.

    The UK will host a key peacebuilding conference next year to help establish an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine.

    • Foreign Secretary to host Israeli and Palestinian civil society leaders in March next year to focus on delivering sustainable peace 
    • Meeting at Lancaster House will support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine
    • UK to use peacebuilding expertise from Northern Ireland and ongoing Western Balkans work to support Middle East efforts

    The UK will host a key peacebuilding conference on 12 March next year to help establish an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine.

    The conference at Lancaster House will bring together civil society leaders from across the region and delivers on the Prime Minister’s pledge to host the event and set up a fund which can provide the long-term finance that is required for peacebuilding efforts to deliver genuine change.

    October’s US-led ceasefire agreement – and President Trump’s 20-Point Plan – have presented a critical opportunity to achieve lasting peace and security in the Middle East. All living hostages have since been released and the UK continues to push for the remaining deceased hostage to be returned. Gradually, more aid is getting into Gaza but much more needs to be done and the UK is pressing for all restrictions to be lifted so that humanitarian supplies can be delivered at the pace and volume required, especially with winter drawing in. 

    Civil society organisations in Israel and Palestine have a vital role to play in reinforcing the forward momentum of recent months. Over the past year, the UK has been working with partners on the ground and internationally to ensure that civil society groups are ready to take the lead in advancing long-term stability, and driving progress towards a two-state solution, with peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. 

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    After two years of the most horrendous suffering, the US-led ceasefire agreement has now been in place for two months. But it remains highly fragile, and there is still a long journey ahead to implement the 20-point plan endorsed by the United Nations, and achieve a just and lasting peace. 

    This conference will be a crucial step in that journey, bringing together representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society to build common ground between their communities, challenge entrenched divisions, and work towards a future where both states can live side-by-side in peace and security. 

    With the UK’s experience of the reconciliation process in Northern Ireland and our ongoing support for peacebuilding in Western Balkans, we are well placed to host and facilitate these talks, and the new International Peace Fund we are helping to create will provide the practical support to drive this work forward.

    The UK- hosted meeting will bring together international peacebuilding expertise and civil society organisations from the Middle East, to map existing peace-building work and support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. 

    Discussions will focus on the practical steps that the Peace Fund can best support, and the best practice that can be learned from other similar initiatives, including the International Fund for Ireland that helped support dialogue and reconciliation between unionist and nationalist communities more than a decade before the Good Friday Agreement. The fund will support activities that bring Israelis and Palestinians together to reduce violence, build trust, and create the conditions for a lasting and just peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Covid fraud cost UK taxpayer £10.9 billion, reveals independent report [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Covid fraud cost UK taxpayer £10.9 billion, reveals independent report [December 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 December 2025.

    Taxpayers lost £10.9 billion to fraud and error as the previous government’s pandemic response left the front door open to fraud, an independent report reveals today (9 December 2025).

    • Independent Commissioner finds last government’s support schemes left the front door open to covid fraud with £10.9 billion lost to pandemic fraudsters
    • Government has already actioned recommendations in Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner’s report – including new fraud powers and voluntary repayment scheme
    • Further action planned to retrieve lost funds and prevent repeat of mistakes in future crises

    The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe’s, final report to Parliament finds many schemes – including Bounce Back Loans – were rolled out with huge fraud risks and no early safeguards – costing the taxpayer millions.

    Weak accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting were identified as the primary causes of the £10.9 billion pound losses – which were enough to fund daily free school meals for the UK’s 2.7 million eligible children for eight years.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves appointed Tom Hayhoe in December 2024 to ensure mistakes of the past are never repeated, with this government already recouping almost £400 million of covid support cash.

    Chancellor, Rachel Reeves said:

    Leaving the front door wide open to fraud has cost the British taxpayer £10.9 billion — money that should have been funding our public services, supporting families, and strengthening our economy.

    We have started returning this money to the British people and we will leave no stone unturned in rooting out the fraudsters who profited from pandemic negligence.

    The government has already actioned many of the Commissioner’s early proposals. These include: 

    • A voluntary repayment scheme, launched in September, giving claimants until 31 December to pay up. 
    • Tougher sanctions powers through the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, which became law on 2 December. 
    • Specialist fraud recovery teams to track down suspected fraudsters and recover taxpayer cash, from 2026.

    Josh Simons, Cabinet Office Minister, said: 

    We’re taking more action to bring fraudsters to justice and make the state the hardest possible target: giving investigators new powers to take on cases, using artificial intelligence to speed-up counter-fraud work, and setting up a repayment scheme to claw back money into the public purse.

    The report highlights that counter fraud controls were ‘inadequate’ and only improved later in the pandemic. Hayhoe makes further recommendations to ensure the country is prepared for further crises that need an economic response from government –  emphasising that future preparation and robust controls will provide the best value for money for taxpayers.

    The government will consider the report in full and respond early in the new year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions imposed on a person and organisation involved in terrorism in landmark action [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions imposed on a person and organisation involved in terrorism in landmark action [December 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 December 2025.

    This is the first use of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime to disrupt funding for Pro-Khalistan militant group Babbar Khalsa.

    • Assets of the individual have been frozen, and they are banned from running UK companies. 
    • A group supporting terrorism has also been hit by an asset freeze.

    The UK has today announced an asset freeze and director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal (REHAL) who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India. HM Treasury has also announced an asset freeze against a group, Babbar Akali Lehar, for promoting and supporting the same terrorist group.

    HM Treasury assesses REHAL is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar’s terrorist activities, including promoting and encouraging, carrying out recruitment activities for, providing financial services to as well as supporting and assisting those organisations, including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel.

    HM Treasury also assesses that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated with, and involved in, Babbar Khalsa’s terrorist activities by promoting and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself.

    All funds and economic resources in the UK owned, held or controlled by REHAL or Babbar Akali Lehar are now subject to an asset freeze. These designations will prevent all UK persons and entities from dealing with any funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by either REHAL or Babbar Akali Lehar; or making funds, economic resources and financial services available to or for their benefit. This includes any of the entities they own or control, without a licence from HM Treasury or an applicable exception.

    REHAL is also subject to director disqualification sanctions which prohibit him from acting as a director of a company or directly or indirectly taking part in or being concerned in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

    Today’s action is the result of close collaboration between HM Treasury and policing partners, demonstrating the government’s determination to protect both national security and the peaceful communities affected by terrorism. 

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain’s financial system. This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism – wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote violence and hatred.

    Further information 

    • The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) allow HM Treasury to freeze assets and impose restrictions on individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism. This helps prevent terrorist financing and protects the UK’s financial system from abuse. 
    • From 4 December 2025, it is prohibited to: 
    • Deal with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by Babbar Akali Lehar, Rehal, or his organisations.
    • Make funds, financial services or economic resources available to them.
    • Allow Rehal to act as a director or take part in company management.
    • Violations carry penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment on indictment, or civil penalties of up to £1 million or 50% of the breach value – whichever is greater. 
    • The designation extends to organisations owned by Rehal namely; Saving Punjab CIC (company number: 13892609), Whitehawk Consultations Ltd (company number: 15662866) and unincorporated organisation/association Loha Designs.  

    About Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar

    Babbar Khalsa (which also uses the name Babbar Khalsa International) is a proscribed terrorist organisation. HM Treasury assesses Babbar Akali Lehar to be an “involved person” under the regulations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sentence increase for man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted woman [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sentence increase for man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted woman [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 4 December 2025.

    A man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General intervened.

    Oswald Greenaway (60), from Shoreditch, East London, had his sentence increased by a year after the Solicitor General referred his case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.  

    The court heard that in the early hours of 30 September 2023, Greenaway had parked his car near Homerton, in the Hackney area, when he spotted a vulnerable woman on her own.  

    Greenaway offered the woman a lift home but instead, he drove her to his home. Once in his flat, he gave her alcohol before sexually assaulting the victim.  

    After two hours, the victim managed to escape. But Greenaway went after the victim and was found by the police with her and an 11-inch knife on him.  

    In a Victim Personal Statement, the victim said the incident severely affected her mental wellbeing, physical health and day-to-day life. 

    The Solicitor General Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP said:

    I was utterly appalled by this case. Oswald Greenaway is a dangerous sexual predator, who deliberately targeted a vulnerable woman before kidnapping and sexually assaulting them.  

    I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase Greenaway’s sentence, and I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the victim, who has showed remarkable courage throughout.

    On 28 July 2025 at Wood Green Crown Court, Oswald Greenaway was sentenced to four years and three months after he was convicted of one count of kidnapping, one count of sexual assault, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count carrying a bladed weapon.  

    On 30 October 2025 the Court of Appeal increased the sentence to five years and three months.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More homes and improved high streets for new mayoral areas through 30-year funding package [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : More homes and improved high streets for new mayoral areas through 30-year funding package [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 4 December 2025.

    More homes, better high streets and support for businesses are on the way as six fast-tracked devolution areas have secured multi-billion-pound funding.

    • Six regions set to get their own mayors through devolution will share almost £200 million every year for three decades, to build more of the 1.5 million homes promised, enhance high streets and revive their communities.
    • Ministers are also considering moving some inaugural elections to 2028 so areas can finish reorganising their councils and help mayors hit the ground running.
    • This marks the latest steps forward in the government’s mission to empower local leaders to transform their areas as part of the Plan for Change.

    More homes, better high streets and support for small and medium businesses are all on the way as six fast-tracked devolution areas have secured a multi-billion-pound long-term funding package.  

    Ministers have confirmed almost £6 billion over the next 30 years, with almost £200 million to be shared each year by the places on the Devolution Priority Programme – which will see them get their own mayors.  

    Mayors can spend this funding flexibly on local priorities to boost their area’s economy to create lasting jobs and opportunities. It can also be used to increase housebuilding, including accelerating regional housebuilding programmes and initiatives or bringing more social and affordable homes on the market – helping achieve the government’s 1.5 million homes commitment. 

    Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh MP said: 

    “This money will help transform communities for the better as part of our Plan for Change.

    “It will help new mayors achieve what their areas’ want most, from building more of the 1.5 million homes this government has promised to improving the green spaces that locals love – this is how devolution improves lives across the country.”

    Once mayors are in post, the six areas will get the 30-year Investment Funds as part of a wider package of devolved powers and funding in areas like transport, planning and skills.

    These are: 

    • Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority: £21.7 million per year
    • Cumbria Combined Authority: £11.1 million per year
    • Greater Essex Combined County Authority: £41.5 million per year
    • Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority: £44.6 million per year
    • Norfolk and Suffolk Combined County Authority: £37.4 million per year
    • Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority: £38 million per year

    All six regions will also receive £3m each as a minimum over the next three financial years, in addition to an initial £1m payment in the coming months, to help with the costs of establishing the new mayoral authorities.  

    Four of the areas are currently reorganising their local councils into stronger unitary authorities, to create simpler, more effective structures that can better support mayors’ powers.  

    These areas are Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton. New unitary councils in the four areas are expected to be established in 2028.  

    In order to make sure strong foundations are in place ahead of devolution, Ministers have today confirmed they are considering holding inaugural mayoral elections in these areas in May 2028, with areas completing the reorganisation process before Mayors take office. 

    This would ensure that new mayors come into office with effective and empowered local government already in place, helping them hit the ground running from day one.  

    The remaining two areas, Cheshire and Warrington and Cumbria, already have unitary councils in place. Mayoral elections in these areas will proceed in May 2027 as planned. 

    Ministers will continue to work with both areas to bring forward the legislation to create their mayoral authorities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Transformation of Cardiff Central Station

    PRESS RELEASE : Transformation of Cardiff Central Station

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 4 December 2025.

    The transformed station will improve links between Wales and the rest of the UK, breaking down barriers to travel and jobs.

    • ambitious plan to transform Wales’ busiest railway station gets final go-ahead from UK government
    • passengers at Cardiff Central to benefit from new entrance, larger concourse and improved accessibility, thanks to £77.8 million of UK government investment
    • improvements form part of investment in more trains and new stations across Wales, supporting jobs and breaking down barriers to travel

    Passengers travelling through Cardiff Central will benefit from a revamped station, thanks to over £77 million approved by the government, announced today (4 December 2025).

    The project will see the complete transformation of Wales’ busiest railway station, with a new landmark southern entrance, a larger main concourse and extended platform 0 to increase capacity at the station that welcomes over 35,000 people a day – and thousands more during major events such as the Six Nations.

    This funding takes the UK government total for the project to modernise Cardiff Central station to £77.8 million, which is supported by an additional £40 million from Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and £21 million from the Welsh Government.

    This project is part of a wider £445 million investment from the Department for Transport to deliver improvements to rail infrastructure across the whole of Wales, including increased train services to Cardiff, new stations in South Wales and increased services on the North Wales Mainline and Wrexham-Liverpool line.

    Alongside the funding, the final business case for the transformation has been approved, giving the green light for work to get underway in spring 2026, with the majority of the work completed by 2029.

    Once completed, the transformed station will also improve links between the rest of Wales and the wider UK, breaking down barriers to travel, jobs and opportunity, kickstarting economic growth.

    Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

    The improvements to Cardiff Central will transform the experience of the millions of passengers who use the station every year, welcoming people through a spacious, modern station befitting of the city it serves.

    Not only will this improve experiences for passengers, but it will also improve capacity in the station and unlock connectivity with the rest of Wales and beyond – supporting jobs and helping to kickstart economic growth.

    Plans also include enhanced ticket gates to improve access and flow around the station and ease links with other ways to travel. Other customer benefits include improved waiting areas, enhanced retail offerings and cycle storage facilities.

    Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said:

    The UK government is investing in improving rail services in Wales with new stations, faster trains and more services connecting people with the well-paid jobs we are creating across the country and driving our economic growth.

    Our contribution to the funding of the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Station is a key part of this programme and will see Wales’s biggest station transformed to improve the experience of passengers by alleviating congestion and making the station more accessible.

    The improvements will alleviate overcrowding and congestion, enabling better accessibility for those with reduced mobility. 

    Alongside the £445 million investment, the government is providing a further £50 million for a new Cardiff Metro station with a direct connection to Cardiff Bay, paving the way for future extension to the north-west and east of Cardiff.

    Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said:

    This is a major milestone for our ambitious plans to upgrade Cardiff Central station.

    The joint £140 million investment between Welsh Government, UK government and Cardiff Capital region will modernise and enhance the station, benefitting passengers and accommodating our ambitions for long-term growth.

    This demonstrates how 2 governments working in partnership can address historic underfunding of Welsh rail and I look forward to more major transport developments progressing across Wales.

    Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer at Transport for Wales, said:

    The approval of the full business case gives us the green light to forge ahead with our plans to deliver much needed enhancements to Cardiff Central Station.

    The investment of up to £140 million means we can deliver improvements to the station to make it fit for a capital city and sustain future growth, providing a better experience for our station customers.

    Working with our design and build contractor, we can now move forward with the start of construction works next year.