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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Fraud Bill to save £1.5 billion progresses to the Lords [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Fraud Bill to save £1.5 billion progresses to the Lords [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 30 April 2025.

    Plans to recover stolen cash and impose driving bans on those who repeatedly fail to pay back taxpayer money moved a step closer today, as Ministers vowed “to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we’ve inherited”

    • The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, set to save £1.5 billion over the next five years, progresses to the Lords
    • The Bill follows the biggest welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history
    • Changes could help boost investment in public services and protect the public purse, as part of the Plan for Change

    New souped-up powers from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which will allow DWP to recover money directly from the bank accounts of fraudsters who can repay but are wilfully gaming the system in order not to, passed an important stage in the House of Commons as it had its Third Reading.

    The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, which could put these measures into law, will help DWP to catch fraudsters, prevent overpayments and protect taxpayer’s money.

    The Bill will save the taxpayer £1.5 billion over the next five years and is part of wider plans set out in the Autumn budget and Spring Statement to save £9.6 billion by 2030. This means taxpayer’s money can be invested in public services as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western said:

    Enhancing our powers is essential to fulfilling our commitment to the public, as they will enable us to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we’ve inherited and better protect public funds.

    By strengthening our ability to catch criminals and prevent overpayments, we can keep up with the evolving nature of welfare fraud while reducing the risk of people falling further into debt, ensuring that more resources are directed towards improving the lives of people across the country.

    The new legislation comes as the government is dealing with the broken welfare system it inherited, with out-of-control levels of fraud and error costing the taxpayer around £10 billion a year – with a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money since the pandemic.

    The Bill will also give powers to the DWP to get data from banks and other financial institutions to help verify the eligibility of those who receive certain benefits to make sure they are getting the correct payments – this will help to stop people falling further into debt because of incorrect payments and help the DWP spot fraudulent claims.

    No personal information will be shared by DWP to support financial institutions in the identification of these accounts, and DWP will not have access to people’s bank accounts in verifying eligibility and will not be able to see where people are spending their money.

    Protections are central to the Bill, making sure there is proportionate and effective use of the powers, and that DWP is protecting vulnerable customers. For example, people will only be disqualified from driving as a last resort when they don’t rely on their car for work or for caring responsibilities and where they continually avoid repayment. Staff will be trained to the highest standards on the appropriate use of new powers, and we will introduce new oversight and reporting mechanisms.

    On top of the Bill measures, the Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement a further commitment to recruit over 500 additional DWP fraud and error staff who will make better use of government data to correct errors in benefit claims, as well as increasing checks on potential Universal Credit claimants by introducing more ways to verify the amount of savings they hold, as well as their earnings and expenses.

    The Cabinet Office’s Public Sector Fraud Authority will also be given more powers under the legislation, allowing the department’s investigators to detect and recover fraud in other departments and bodies across the public sector.

    Minister in the Cabinet Office, Georgia Gould said:

    This Bill will save taxpayers’ money. People are currently getting away with stealing vast sums of cash because our investigators don’t have the powers they need to detect and recover fraud across the public sector.

    We’re giving our investigators new powers to tackle fraud wherever they find it – as well as doubling the time available to bring pandemic fraudsters to justice.

    An additional new measure will see the time limit for civil claims against Covid fraud doubled from six to twelve years. This step change in the ability to fight fraud committed during the pandemic will give the Covid Corruption Commissioner and the Public Sector Fraud Authority more time to investigate complex cases and apply their new powers retrospectively – including the ability to raid properties and retrieve money from Covid fraudsters’ bank accounts.

    The Bill measures will now progress to the House of Lords to be debated further.

    Additional Information

    • The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill forms part of wider government plans to save a total of £8.6bn over 5 years in the biggest welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history.
    • Since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to DWP benefits.
  • PRESS RELEASE : European-first semiconductor facility launches in Southampton [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : European-first semiconductor facility launches in Southampton [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 30 April 2025.

    A new facility to build the next generation of semiconductor chips, and the first of its kind in Europe, was opened at the University of Southampton.

    • Science Minister Lord Vallance unveils new electron beam facility for creating incredibly small patterns onto chips to enable breakthroughs in AI and medical tech
    • Comes alongside nearly £5 million in new government support to boost talent pipeline and address skills gap in growing semiconductor industry
    • Support will fund new bursaries, chip design courses and outreach in schools – helping deliver growth as part of our Plan for Change by strengthening our sector and creating high-skilled jobs

    A new facility using cutting edge electron beam technology to build the next generation of semiconductor chips, and the first of its kind in Europe, was opened at the University of Southampton by Science Minister Lord Vallance today (Wednesday 30 April).

    The new E-beam lithography facility is just the second in the world, and first outside Japan, and provides incredible accuracy that is critical to designing the tiny components that power technologies of the future, from medical diagnostics to defence systems.

    Semiconductors – the small chips that power devices from smartphones to satellites – already contribute an estimated £10 billion to our economy each year, with the sector projected to grow to an estimated £17 billion by 2030.

    Strengthening the sector offers a major opportunity to drive the growth at the heart of our Plan for Change, through boosting innovation and jobs. It also supports the UK’s wider Industrial Strategy to grow key advanced manufacturing sectors and secure global competitiveness.

    E-beam lithography uses a focused beam of tiny particles called electrons to create patterns in materials with unrivalled resolution – allowing researchers to create features thousands of times smaller than a human hair.

    Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

    Britain is home to some of the most exciting semiconductor research anywhere in the world – and Southampton’s new E-beam facility is a major boost to our national capabilities.

    By investing in both infrastructure and talent, we’re giving our researchers and innovators the support they need to develop next-generation chips right here in the UK.

    Our £4.75 million skills package will support our Plan for Change by helping more young people into high-value semiconductors careers, closing skills gaps and backing growth in this critical sector.

    The Science Minister’s visit to Southampton comes alongside new research being published today, which shows that one of the biggest barriers to achieving growth in the UK’s burgeoning semiconductor industry is a lack of emerging talent. With a single semiconductor worker contributing an average of £460,000 to the economy annually, the sector’s economic potential is huge.

    In response, the government has launched a new £4.75 million semiconductor skills package to help build the talent base needed to fuel this high-growth industry. The package will also help strengthen R&D capacity at leading universities, such as Southampton, which are central to UK semiconductor innovation and talent development.

    By supporting local talent pipelines and university–industry collaboration, the programme will contribute to both regional and national economic growth, fuelling our Plan for Change, and reinforcing the role the semiconductors industry is set to play in the Industrial Strategy.

    The package includes:

    • £3 million for undergraduate bursaries, offering £5,000 each to 300 students starting Electronics and Electrical Engineering degrees this year, alongside specialist semiconductor content to raise awareness of the field, with a focus on courses that include semiconductor design and manufacturing.
    • £1.2 million for chip design training, with new chip design courses to teach practical chip design skills to undergraduates, postgraduates, and lecturers, as well as a feasibility study for new postgraduate conversion courses.
    • Almost £550,000 for school outreach, giving 7,000 students aged 15–18 and 450 teachers hands-on semiconductor experience in partnership with local employers, helping raise awareness and diversify the future workforce. This programme will be focused on existing UK semiconductor clusters – such as Newport, Cambridge, and Glasgow – helping to strengthen these ecosystems and create long-term career opportunities.

    This targeted skills support will underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector – helping to attract more students into high-value careers, fill key vacancies and support UK leadership in critical and emerging technologies that will be instrumental to our mission to grow the economy.

    University of Southampton’s Professor Graham Reed, who leads its Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), said:

    The introduction of the new E-Beam facility will reinforce our position of hosting the most advanced cleanroom in UK academia.

    It facilitates a vast array of innovative and industrially relevant research, and much needed semiconductor skills training.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 49 – UK Statement on Spain [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 49 – UK Statement on Spain [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2025.

    Statement by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at Spain’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you Mr President,

    Welcome to the Secretary of State.

    The United Kingdom welcomes Spain’s strong commitment to of human rights.

    We commend the the passing of the new Cross-Party Pact against gender-based violence. We urge Spain to continue to develop and implement a comprehensive national action plan to address human trafficking.

    We also recognise  efforts to address its housing crisis with the Law on Housing Rights. However, we are concerned about the barriers hindering its effective implementation

    We recommend that Spain:

    1. Develops a strategic housing plan with sufficient funding for social housing to meet the objectives of Spanish recent legislation.
    2. Enhances support services for migrant children by integrating their specific needs into the national framework to protect and promote their rights.
    3. Develops and implements a National Action Plan that adequately addresses all forms of human trafficking, including that of women and girls.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on air strike against Houthi military facility in Yemen [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on air strike against Houthi military facility in Yemen [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 April 2025.

    Royal Air Force participates in operation targeting a Houthi military facility in Yemen.

    On 29 April 2025, UK forces participated in a joint operation with US forces against a Houthi military target in Yemen.  This action was in line with long-standing policy of the UK government, following the Houthis initiating their campaign of attacks in November 2023, threatening freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, striking international ships, and killing innocent merchant mariners.

    Careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, located some fifteen miles south of Sanaa.

    Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, with air refuelling support from Voyager tankers, therefore engaged a number of these buildings using Paveway IV precision guided bombs, once very careful planning had been completed to allow the targets to be prosecuted with minimal risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure.  As a further precaution, the strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further. All of our aircraft subsequently returned safely.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Universal Credit change brings £420 boost to over a million households [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Universal Credit change brings £420 boost to over a million households [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 30 April 2025.

    More than one million households struggling with debt will get to keep an average £420 more of their benefits each year, under a change to Universal Credit coming into force today.

    • Around 1.2 million of the poorest households – including 700,000 with children – will keep an extra £420 a year on average, due to Universal Credit change.
    • New Fair Repayment Rate – which comes into force today – caps Universal Credit deductions at 15%, down from 25%.
    • Comes as part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make working people better off by helping them into jobs and extending support for low-income families.

    More than one million households struggling with debt will get to keep an average £420 more of their benefits each year, under a change to Universal Credit coming into force today [Wednesday 30 April 2025].

    The Fair Repayment Rate places a limit on how much people in debt can have taken off their benefits to pay what they owe. The maximum amount that can be taken from someone’s Universal Credit standard allowance payment to repay debt has been 25% – but from today this is reduced to 15%.

    This will mean an average £420 extra a year for 1.2 million of the poorest households, including 700,000 households with children, while helping people to pay down their debts in a sustainable way.

    It forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change to put more money into people’s pockets and boost living standards and marks the Government’s first step in a wider review of Universal Credit to ensure it is still doing its job.

    The Fair Repayment Rate was introduced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget, as part of broader efforts to raise living standards, combat poverty, and tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    As announced at the budget, from today, 1.2 million households will keep more of their Universal Credit and will be on average £420 better off a year. This is our plan for change delivering, easing the cost of living and putting more money into the pockets of working people.

    With as many as 2.8 million households seeing deductions made to their Universal Credit award to pay off debt each month, the new rate is designed to ensure money is repaid where it is owed, and people can still cover their day-to-day needs.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to ensure working people keep more of the benefits they’re entitled to – which will boost financial security and improve living standards up and down the country.

    We’re delivering meaningful change to ensure everyone has a fair chance, the support they need, and real hope for the future.

    The Fair Repayment Rate is one of a number of bold measures the Government is taking as part of its Plan for Change to kickstart growth and spread prosperity across the country.

    Viewing work as a key route out of poverty, the Government set out the Get Britain Working White Paper – aiming to achieve its target 80% employment rate by overhauling Jobcentres, introducing a new jobs and careers service, and launching a youth guarantee so every young person is earning or learning. This comes on top of increasing the National Minimum and National Living Wage to ensure being in work pays.

    To support those in greatest need, the Household Support Fund has been extended another year – backed by £742 million, so local councils can continue to support low-income households with energy bills, food and essential items, while also funding long-term solutions, like home insulation, to help people at risk of falling into poverty.

    The Government is also working to tackle child poverty, rolling out free breakfast clubs in all primary schools in England as the dedicated ministerial taskforce builds its ambitious strategy to ensure every child has the best start in life.

    Additional information:

    • The change will be applied to all assessment periods that start on or after 30 April.
    • The 15% deductions cap continues to support customers to repay their debts at a sustainable rate.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Investors and local authorities gear up as AI Growth Zone delivery gathers speed [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Investors and local authorities gear up as AI Growth Zone delivery gathers speed [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 30 April 2025.

    Investors and local authorities mobilise as the government kickstarts the next phase for rolling out AI Growth Zones.

    • Hotbeds of AI development – with the first based in Culham – to unlock fresh investment and new jobs as the government delivers on its Plan for Change.
    • After more than 200 initial expressions of interest from every corner of the UK, the formal qualifying process begins.

    Thousands of high-skilled jobs and billions of pounds in fresh investment – the cornerstone of this government’s Plan for Change – are up for grabs, with preparations now in full swing to announce the first hosts of flagship AI Growth Zones this summer.

    Investors and local authorities will descend on TechUK in London today (30th April) as the government kickstarts its formal qualifying process – giving them the opportunity to discuss their proposals and learn more about the vision for AI Growth Zones with AI Minister Feryal Clark and the Prime Minister’s AI Adviser Matt Clifford.

    The initial Expressions of Interest (EOI) which opened earlier this year saw more than 200 responses – demonstrating the appetite from all parts of the country to take on a leading role in the UK’s AI-powered future.

    AI Growth Zones will revitalize local communities by attracting billions in private investment – sparking fresh jobs at the cutting edge of AI while also securing Britain’s position as a global leader in the technology. This will give regions across the country the opportunity to play a leading role in delivering the government’s Plan for Change.

    Streamlined planning approvals mean communities will be able to get spades in the ground quicker than ever before – fast-tracking the rollout of critical infrastructure from data centres to high-capacity energy connections.

    Potential sites identified across the country through the EOI process include former industrial areas with land and infrastructure ready for redevelopment.

    Proposals should demonstrate access to large existing power connections of at least 500MW – enough energy to power 2 million homes – or set out a clear plan for how they will get there. The qualifying process will also examine other criteria, including site readiness, and local impact.

    Minister for AI Feryal Clark said:

    Just like coal and steam powered our past, AI is powering the future. Our AI Growth Zones will transform areas across the UK into engines of growth and opportunity – unlocking new jobs and revitalising communities across the UK.

    This is our Plan for Change in action, ensuring the benefits of AI are felt in every region and securing the UK’s place as a world leader in this vital technology.

    The Prime Minister’s AI Adviser Matt Clifford said:

    The UK has an extraordinary opportunity in AI, but speed is everything. Today’s launch sends a clear signal to investors and local communities that we’ve already moved into high gear.

    I’m looking forward to discussing these proposals in more detail today as we continue to work alongside investors and local authorities to deliver a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

    To mark the launch, Minister Clark and Matt Clifford are leading a series of engagements today with leading investors and MPs to outline the government’s vision, bid timelines, and qualifying criteria.

    The first additional sites will then be announced this summer with an ambition to start getting building work underway by the end of 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Families to get more choice over home upgrades [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Families to get more choice over home upgrades [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 30 April 2025.

    Proposals to give families greater choice when upgrading their home’s heating as well as plans to create up to 18,000 training places for green jobs.

    • Working families to get greater choice on upgrades to their home’s heating including new products, such as air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, as well as offering new heat pump purchase options
    • plan to build a ‘clean power army’ receives a boost, with up to 18,000 professionals to be trained to retrofit homes, and install heat pumps, insulation, solar panels and heat networks
    • comes as government invests £4.6 million in Copeland to manufacture more heat pump parts at home in the UK, supporting local jobs and boosting economic growth as part of the Plan for Change

    Homeowners are set to have more choice over ways to access heating systems and bring down costs under proposals being considered as part of the Warm Homes Plan – helping to deliver on the government’s milestone of higher living standards as part of the Plan for Change.

    Demand for heat pumps is surging, with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme – which offers up to £7,500 off the cost, enjoying its best month since opening, with 4,028 applications received in March 2025, up 88% on the same month last year. Heat pumps can save families around £100 on their average energy bills when used with a smart tariff.

    With more households wanting to make the upgrade to cleaner, homegrown energy, the government has today launched a new consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to give families even greater choice to pick what works best for them.

    Changes to the scheme could see families potentially access air-to-air heat pumps and electric heating technologies such as heat batteries, which are currently not eligible for grants under the scheme, alongside new purchase and ownership models which could spread the cost of a heat pump over several years, or give households the opportunity to lease one for a monthly fee instead.

    As part of the government’s Plan for Change, even more households will be able to take up the offer of switching to low-carbon heating, while protecting the pounds in people’s pockets by making more options available.

    The government has also set out plans to bolster the ‘clean power army’, training up to 18,000 more home retrofitters, to install heat pumps, insulation, solar panels and heat networks, alongside a major new deal to support the UK’s heat pump supply chain.

    Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

    Our Warm Homes Plan will mean lower bills and warmer homes for millions of families – helping drive better living standards as part of the Plan for Change.

    Following a record-breaking month for applications to our Boiler Upgrade Scheme, we are now proposing to give working families more choice and flexibility to pick the low-carbon upgrades that work best for them.

    And on top of this, we are investing over £4 million in Copeland to continue building a homegrown heat pump industry and training up the army of skilled workers we need to achieve this.

    Copeland in Northern Ireland have been awarded £4.6 million to expand their manufacturing for heating compression technology – a key component of heat pumps, which can help protect family finances from the roller coaster of international gas markets by running on clean electricity.

    This investment, backed by a multi-million pound investment from Copeland, will help to support the industries and jobs of the future, while unlocking economic growth, as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

    Ministers have also unveiled plans to train up to 18,000 skilled workers to install heat pumps, fit solar panels, install insulation and work on heat networks through the extension of the Heat Training Grant and launch of the Warm Homes Skills Programme.

    With 3 days to go until the government’s consultation on introducing higher minimum energy efficiency standards in private rented sector homes closes, ministers have issued a final call for tenants and landlords to make their views heard.

    Under the proposals, all private landlords would be required to meet a higher standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties – up from the current level of EPC E, by 2030.

    This will deliver on the priorities of working people, in line with the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, by requiring landlords to invest in measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing – ensuring homes are warmer and more affordable for tenants. Alongside higher standards & funding in the social rented sector, this could lift up to one million households out of fuel poverty by 2030.

    Stakeholder reaction

    Charlotte Lee, CEO at the Heat Pump Association said:

    Following a record year for UK heat pump sales in 2024, we warmly welcome today’s announcements which will continue to support growth in the sector and increased deployment of clean heating.

    The additional funding to support those wishing to become qualified to install heat pumps and heat networks is especially welcome, alongside proposals to expand the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to make clean heating solutions an accessible option for more consumers.

    Jambu Palaniappan, CEO at Checkatrade said:

    We fully support this latest government investment in skills and training, and greater choice for homeowners.

    At Checkatrade, we’ve seen the growing importance of green energy to consumers, and with our new Green Hub are more easily connecting them with skilled tradespeople to make their homes more energy-efficient.

    The new funding is a key step towards empowering more people to enter the trade and a boost for the economy, helping to build long-term, sustainable careers for thousands across the UK.

    Verity Davidge, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Make UK said:

    As we continue to transition to a low-carbon economy it is critical we have the people and skills needed to make it happen.

    Today’s announcement is a positive step towards ensuring the workforce is equipped with these skills. Many of those trained will develop the transferable skills needed to support industry in its own quest to transition to net zero.

    Ned Hammond, Deputy Director (Customers) at Energy UK, said:

    Expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and giving families greater choice in the types of low-carbon heating systems available to them is a really positive move. More flexibility in the way customers can pay for these technologies will also help make efficient and smart heating systems, such as heat pumps, heat batteries and heat networks, available to even more customers who are struggling with high energy bills and looking for an alternative to costly gas boilers.

    The recent surge in demand for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme following the government’s funding uplift is a clear signal of consumer appetite and what can be done with the right support in place – and it’s vital this level of investment continues.

    Underpinning this is the need for a skilled and dedicated installer supply chain, so it’s fantastic to see government extending its support for skills and training as part of today’s announcement.

    The government’s figures show that 71% of installers benefitting from the Heat Training Grant said it made all the difference in their decision to upskill into heat pump systems. Extending the subsidy out to 2030 would help further with bringing in the thousands of new entrants we need into the heat pump and heat networks sectors.

    Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, said:

    As the UK’s largest installer of low carbon heating technologies, we are delighted with the government’s proposals to expand the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to offer customers more choice on how to decarbonise their homes through greater financing, ownership and technology options.

    We can’t wait to add more to our Clean Power Army, the largest in the UK, using our award-winning academies and British Gas engineers to train installers across the UK.

    Garry Felgate, Chief Executive of The MCS Foundation, said:

    Consumer confidence in low-carbon technologies is growing, with more households installing heat pumps across the UK than ever before. Today’s announcements will help to accelerate that trend, by ensuring more people can access heat pump grants and supporting the growth of the heat pump workforce.

    These steps are very welcome news, enabling lower bills, lower carbon emissions, and sustainable jobs.

    Sando Matic, Europe President for Copeland, said:

    This investment marks a pivotal step in advancing clean energy solutions and driving economic growth.

    By expanding our manufacturing capabilities for heating solutions here in Northern Ireland, Copeland is proud to play a key role in helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the energy transition to more sustainable, electricity-powered heating.

    Aadil Qureshi, CEO of Heat Geek, said:

    Installers are the bedrock of this transition. They not only fulfil customer demand, but help guide and advise homeowners. More funding for programmes that deliver high quality training and good installation outcomes are essential for the future of this industry.

    Greg Jackson CBE, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, said:

    Britain has a huge opportunity to create thousands of good jobs as part of our energy transition. At Octopus, we’re playing our part by training 4,000 new low-carbon heating apprentices by 2030, but the industry needs thousands more if we’re going to reach our climate targets.

    It’s good to see backing for training that will get anyone, no matter if they’re school leavers or career changers, into these high-impact jobs.

    Notes to editors

    Options being considered to help spread the installation cost of a heat pump include:

    • hire purchase, giving households the option to pay for a heat pump in instalments, meaning they would own the equipment at the end of their contract
    • hire purchase plus, combining paying for a heat pump in instalments with a separate contract for an energy tariff, allowing providers to simplify costs into a single monthly payment
    • leasing, offering households the option to lease a heat pump for a set amount of time, like leasing a car. At the end of the contract, households would either enter into another agreement to continue leasing the heat pump, or would replace it
  • PRESS RELEASE : Councils to seize and crush fly-tipping vehicles to clean up Britain [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Councils to seize and crush fly-tipping vehicles to clean up Britain [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 29 April 2025.

    Waste criminals, fly-tippers and cowboy waste operators to have vehicles seized and crushed.

    A new crackdown on cowboy waste operators will tackle soaring fly-tipping and clean up Britain’s streets, lanes and rural areas, the Government has announced today (Tuesday 29 April).

    Councils will work with the police to identify, seize and crush vehicles of waste criminals. Drones and mobile CCTV cameras will be deployed to identify cars and vans belonging to fly-tippers so they can be destroyed.

    Ministers have launched a rapid review to slash red tape blocking councils from seizing and crushing vehicles. Councils currently have to bear the significant cost of seizing and storing vehicles but under new plans, being consider by Ministers, fly-tippers will cover this cost, saving councils and taxpayers money.

    In addition, waste cowboys will now face up to five years in prison for operating illegally. Any criminals caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally will now face up to five years in prison under new legislation.

    Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

    Waste criminals and fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages have gone unpunished for too long.

    That ends today. The Government is calling time on fly-tipping. I will not stand by while this avalanche of rubbish buries our communities.

    Under the Plan for Change, this Government will seize and crush fly-tippers vans’ to clean up Britain’s streets.

    These measures support the Government’s Plan for Change and will help deliver its key mission of Safer Streets for the public, restoring communities’ faith in efforts to combat anti-social behaviour.

    Waste crime is trashing communities across the country. Fly-tipping has skyrocketed by a fifth whilst the number of prosecutions has fallen by the same amount since 2018/19. The failure to punish these criminals has left our high streets, roads and countryside buried under an avalanche of rubbish.

    The Environment Agency will also carry out identity and criminal record checks on operators in the sector so there is nowhere to hide for rogue firms.

    It will be handed more resources as they will now be able to fund the cost of policing the industry through permits, boosting their powers and cutting costs for taxpayers. The reforms will also give them more power to revoke permits, issue enforcement notices and hefty fines.

    Philip Duffy, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said:

    Waste crime is toxic. Criminals’ thoughtless actions harm people, places, and the economy, blighting our communities and disrupting legitimate businesses.

    At the Environment Agency, we’re determined to bring these criminals to justice through tough enforcement action and prosecutions. That’s why we support the Government’s crackdown on waste criminals, which will ensure we have the right powers to shut rogue operators out of the waste industry.

    Executive Director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Jacob Hayler, said:

    For too long, criminality has run rampant across the waste sector. These illegal activities threaten the environment; damage communities and undermine legitimate recycling and waste operations. ESA has long campaigned for tighter rules, tougher enforcement and harsher penalties to deter criminals, so we very much welcome today’s reforms and hope that they are put to good use driving criminals out of our sector.

    In particular, the proposed reforms to the carriers, brokers, dealers and exemption regimes, coupled with strong and effective enforcement from the regulators, could go a long way to help tackle the scourge of waste crime, with increased scrutiny and accountability making it much harder for criminals to operate in our sector.

    Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said:

    Our residents have had enough of the dumpers who pollute their neighbourhoods with rubbish. These new powers will be a welcome addition to our arsenal, reinforcing our zero-tolerance stance on fly-tipping. We’ve already witnessed the positive impact of our focused efforts, and I am determined to use every tool at our disposal, including seizing vehicles, to reclaim our streets.

    The Government is making available £69 billion to council budgets across England – a 6.8% cash terms increase – and bringing forward the first multi-year funding settlement in a decade, to help fund key responsibilities like tackling fly-tipping.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to doing all we can to protect information integrity with a human rights-based approach – UK statement at the UN [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to doing all we can to protect information integrity with a human rights-based approach – UK statement at the UN [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

    Statement by UK Spokesperson to the UN Letisha Lunin at the UN Committee on Information General Debate.

    Thank you Chair, let me begin by congratulating you and the members of the Bureau on your election.

    I would also like to thank the Secretariat and Under-Secretary-General Fleming and the Department of Global Communications for its work, including on the UN’s Global Principles for Information Integrity, which we are proud to support.

    The UN’s footage and testimony from war zones shines a light on humanitarian crises. Its news and campaign services raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, and equip us with accurate information on the climate and nature crisis.

    As we mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, the Department’s work has never been more important.

    It is vital audiences understand the nature and magnitude of the current global challenges we face, and how the UN has made a difference, maintaining international peace and security, in accordance with the UN charter.

    Chair, I will make three points:

    First, the UK is extremely concerned at the rapidly growing threats to information integrity, fueled by artificial intelligence.

    Mis and disinformation operations are being used to exacerbate tensions and conflicts, and compromise the integrity of elections, undermining trust in democratic institutions.

    The recent World Economic Forum Global Risks Report for 2025 lists mis and disinformation as the most severe global risks over the next two years.

    Mis and disinformation is being weaponised by state and non-state actors to deceive populations at scale.

    Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been using disinformation to undermine global support for Ukraine. The UK has been proactive in identifying and acting against these malign information operations. This includes exposing and sanctioning the Russian state-funded Social Design Agency, whose sole purpose is to weaken international support for Ukraine by spreading false social media content.

    Recently, the UK shared information that Proxies, directed by the Russian state, have plans to interfere with elections in the Central African Republic, including through suppressing political voices and conducting disinformation campaigns to interfere in political debate.

    Russia has also been exploiting the Security Council as a platform for disinformation. Russia has invited dozens of individuals as briefers to spread conspiracy theories about what has happened in Ukraine.

    Member States all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the UN as a trusted source of information.

    The UK condemns disinformation about UN Peacekeeping operations. The spread of false allegations not only erodes trust between the Blue Helmets and the communities they serve, it is also damaging their ability to implement their mandate, and it is putting peacekeepers’ lives at risk.

    We are proud to support the UN’s Mis and Disinformation in Peacekeeping Settings Project.

    Second, independent journalism reported freely, without fear, is essential in a democratic society.

    But in many parts of the world, the freedom of the media is under threat.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that more journalists were killed in 2024 than in any other year since it began collecting data over three decades ago.

    The conflict in Gaza has become the deadliest ever recorded for media and journalist workers.

    In Sudan, reporters are also taking significant risks to document the horrors of war.

    Journalists should be able to carry out their work safely and free from censorship and harassment.

    The UK is proud to have co-founded the Media Freedom Coalition, with 51 countries as members, advocating for the safety of journalists.

    And we also thank the Department of Global Communications for its work supporting journalists.

    This brings me to my third point, Chair. The UK is committed to doing all we can to protect information integrity with a human rights-based approach.

    That is why we are proud to support the Global Digital Compact.

    The UK’s Online Safety Act ensures platforms tackle harmful content by requiring companies to take steps to remove illegal content, including illegal mis and disinformation.

    Finally, the UK supports multilingualism.

    And while a third of the world’s population remains offline, the UK supports collective efforts to close the digital divide and ensure those who come online have access to accurate and reliable information.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime – UK Statement at the UN General Assembly [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : We welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime – UK Statement at the UN General Assembly [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

    Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN General Assembly debate on the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism in Syria.

    Thank you Assistant Secretary-General Robert Petit for the briefing and the debate today.

    Let me also welcome Foreign Minister Al Shaibani to the Assembly. Your presence here today is a powerful signal of the opportunities that lie ahead for Syria to carve out a more secure, peaceful and prosperous future.

    I will make three points today.

    First, we welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime.

    This includes the formation of a new Syrian Government and their commitment to hold free and fair elections in Syria.

    We also welcome the important steps taken since December towards social cohesion amongst the Syrian people.

    This includes the first-ever consensus on the Human Rights Council resolution supported by the Syrian Government, and commitments by the Syrian Government to establish national committees to address transitional justice, missing persons and chemical weapons.

    However, as the horrific events in the coastal areas in March remind us, significant challenges remain to address the legacy of 14 years of war and brutality, and to begin the process to provide closure to all those affected.

    Second, we commend the IIIM for the valuable progress it has made since December on the international pursuit for accountability.

    The volume of documentation and witness interviews that the IIIM team have collated is a testament to your tireless dedication to provide a credible evidence base for future prosecutions.

    The appointment of an IIIM Liaison Officer in Damascus is also a promising example of UN-Syria cooperation, and we urge all parties to work collaboratively to ensure that survivors receive the justice that they demand, and that they deserve.

    Third, the UK had a leading role in supporting international and civil society accountability efforts during the Assad regime.

    And we remain committed to pursuing accountability for victims, survivors and families in Syria, and for that reason, we continue to see the IIIM as a crucial component for the future Syrian-led Transitional Justice processes.

    We were proud to have co-sponsored the UNGA resolution which established this mechanism in 2016 and remain committed to ensuring that it has the political backing and operational remit it requires to succeed.

    And this year, the United Kingdom has allocated a further $940,000 in funding to our partners in support of this effective evidence collection and preservation.

    We thank IIIM for your contribution to the fight against impunity and for amplifying the voices of survivors throughout your work.

    The UK will continue to support the Syrian Government and its people in their efforts on reconciliation and accountability to ensure a stable and prosperous future for the people of Syria.