UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Regulator axed as red tape is slashed to boost growth [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Regulator axed as red tape is slashed to boost growth [March 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 March 2025.

    Regulation will be cut back as the Prime Minister sets out his latest steps to drive economic growth that puts more money in working people’s pockets.

    • Unnecessary regulation will be cut to boost growth that puts more money in working people’s pockets
    • Payment Systems Regulator abolished as part of efficiency drive
    • PM to set out how the Government is securing our future through the Plan for Change

    Regulation will be cut back as the Prime Minister sets out his latest steps to drive economic growth that puts more money in working people’s pockets.

    The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) will be abolished as the latest step in reducing the burdens on business.

    The Government will set out further steps to reduce red tape in the coming days.

    A strong economy is at the heart of the Government’s plan to deliver security and renewal through the Plan for Change.

    The PSR – which looks after payment systems like Faster Payments and Mastercard – will mainly be consolidated into the Financial Conduct Authority, making it easier for firms to deal with one port of call.

    It follows complaints from businesses that the regulatory environment was too complex – with payment system firms having to engage with three different regulators, costing them time, money and resource.

    This has a greater impact on smaller businesses that are trying to scale and grow – as the costs are disproportionately higher for them.

    The Prime Minister wants to make regulation work for the UK – and this is the latest step in his drive to create an environment that will kickstart economic growth.

    It is only by creating growth that people will see a genuine increase in their living standards – with higher wages and more money in their pocket at the end of the month.

    Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said:

    For too long, the previous Government hid behind regulators – deferring decisions and allowing regulations to bloat and block meaningful growth in this country.

    And it has been working people who pay the price of this stagnation.

    This is the latest step in our efforts to kickstart economic growth, which is the only way we can fundamentally drive-up living standards and get more money in people’s pockets.

    That’s why it is the priority in the Plan for Change, and it’s why I’m not letting anything get in its way.

    Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The regulatory system has become burdensome to the point of choking off innovation, investment and growth. We will free businesses from that stranglehold, delivering on our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth and put more money into working people’s pockets.

    This builds on the Government’s deregulatory agenda, which has already:

    • Lifted the onshore wind ban at the stroke of a pen
    • Introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
    • Launched the root and branch review of the water sector
    • Set financial services regulators on a growth agenda
    • Set up a review of all environmental regulation

    Today’s announcement does not result in any immediate changes to the Payment Systems Regulator’s remit or ongoing programme of work. The regulator will continue to have access to its statutory powers until legislation is passed by Parliament to enact these changes.

    In the interim period, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority will work closely to deliver a smooth transition of responsibilities to ensure the market remains competitive.

    The entire regulatory landscape will continue to be reviewed and finessed as part of a wider Government effort to kickstart economic growth and make regulators work for the country, rather than block progress.

    This is the latest in a line of work to make regulators work for the country. It follows:

    • A speech from the Prime Minister at the International Investment Summit where he called on the regulatory regime to fit the modern age.
    • A letter from the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Business Secretary – calling on regulators to come up with at least five reforms each that will boost economic growth.
    • The Chancellor hauling in regulators in January to have these proposals scrutinised.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Cooperation between the EU and UN is more important now than ever – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cooperation between the EU and UN is more important now than ever – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on cooperation with the EU.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the EU’s ongoing commitment to championing multilateralism, tackling global challenges and assisting the Security Council’s work.

    With multiple global crises threatening the foundations of international peace and security, cooperation between the EU and UN is more important now than ever.

    Nowhere is this truer than in Ukraine.

    Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion, the EU continues its critical role in supporting Ukraine and countering Russian aggression.

    This includes its enhanced level of economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine, and willingness to further contribute to security guarantees.

    The UK will continue to work closely with the EU to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures its sovereignty and security.

    In the Western Balkans, the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue plays a vital role in normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo, and EUFOR ALTHEA continues to help provide stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    The UK continues to support the region’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations as a driver for reform and economic growth.

    Beyond Europe, the UK welcomes the EU’s commitment to stabilisation in the Middle East, including its efforts toward securing a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.

    EUBAM Rafah is a vital third-party presence, allowing individuals to access urgent medical care.

    The EU is also helping support an inclusive political transition and economic recovery in Syria, and we welcome its recent sanctions suspensions to this end.

    The EU is a valued partner for UN efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. We are pleased it is among the co-hosts of April’s Foreign Minister-level discussions in London, which will foster consensus on ending the conflict and improving humanitarian access.

    We also welcome the EU’s commitment of €60 million in new humanitarian aid in response to the recent eruption of conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

    President, the UK looks forward to continuing to build on the UN’s ambitious and cooperative relationship with the EU to promote responsible multilateralism and to act as a force for good in the world.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Nordic-Baltic Eight Ministerial Roundtable – Joint Statement [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Nordic-Baltic Eight Ministerial Roundtable – Joint Statement [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

    On Tuesday 11 March, UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, chaired a roundtable with Nordic and Baltic counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, security in Northern Europe, and tackling hybrid threats.

    On Tuesday 11 March, Ministers, State Secretaries and senior representatives from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom met in the margins of the Aurora Forum at Goodwood House, Chichester.

    UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, chaired a roundtable with Nordic Baltic counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, security in Northern Europe, and tackling hybrid threats.

    Ministers agreed on the need to continue supporting Ukraine to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace with credible security guarantees, and the importance of putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position. They agreed that this would be achieved by increasing military support to Ukraine and, as part of this effort, they will leverage their defence industries while also purchasing directly from Ukraine’s defence industry to meet urgent needs and strengthen cooperation between European and Ukrainian industries. They also discussed the need to encourage other countries to do more. Ministers underscored that maintaining Western unity is essential and that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.

    Ministers discussed the significant and direct threat from Russia against NATO, with emphasis on continuing efforts to contest and constrain Russian aggression and the Russian war economy, including ambitious sanctions and wider efforts to constrain Russia’s energy revenues. They praised the work of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and NATO in monitoring suspected shadow vessels through, among others, Operation Nordic Warden. Ministers underlined the need to hold Russia accountable and advance our global outreach to continue its international isolation.

    Ministers discussed recent instances of subsea infrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea Region and welcomed NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity, providing reassurance to Baltic states. They also discussed hybrid incidents in the region, and welcomed work, including by NATO, to build resilience to deter and counter hybrid threats, including on cyber, and in addressing foreign information manipulation. Ministers also discussed external threats to the wider European region.

    The Aurora Forum is an independent annual forum established to bring together governments, businesses and civil society from the UK and Nordic-Baltic states. Today’s roundtable marks the first time Ministers, State Secretaries and senior representatives have gathered in this format to discuss shared priorities, including Northern European security, trade, technology and the energy transition.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for side-hustlers as 300,000 people to be taken out of tax returns, government announces [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for side-hustlers as 300,000 people to be taken out of tax returns, government announces [March 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 March 2025.

    Tax admin changes to mean up to 300,000 taxpayers will no longer be required to file a tax return.

    • Easier access to tax relief on temporarily imported fine art and antiques often shown in galleries and exhibitions announced, boosting the sector’s international competitiveness.
    • UK’s tax minister expected to announce these alongside a raft of other measures to help HMRC deliver Plan for Change through securing tax revenue and creating the conditions for growth in speech later today (11 March).

    Up to 300,000 people, including those with side hustles, will no longer need to file a Self-Assessment tax return, tax minister James Murray is expected to announce in a speech later today.

    This includes people trading clothes online, dog-walking or gardening on the side, driving a taxi, or creating content online.

    As part of a bold new package to transform HMRC into a quicker, fairer and more modern body the minister is expected to announce plans to increase the Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) reporting threshold for trading income, from £1,000 to £3,000 gross within this parliament.

    This will help deliver the Plan for Change by freeing up time for taxpayers helping to create the conditions for economic growth.

    This will benefit around 300,000 taxpayers. An estimated 90,000 of them will have no tax to pay and no reason to report their trading income to HMRC in the future at all. Others will be able to pay any tax they owe through a new simple online service. The changes reflect the government’s commitment to driving forward efficiency reform, a key component of its Plan for Change.

    Mr Murray, the minister responsible for HMRC, will announce this reform to tax experts hosted by the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in a speech to mark the 20th anniversary of HMRC.

    He will also detail future simplifications to the government’s Temporary Admission customs procedure, to make this relief for temporary imports easier for a range of sectors to use, including art and antiques, often showcased in exhibitions across the UK.

    A new digital pilot with the United States to test ways to speed up trade processes for U.S. and UK businesses is also expected to be announced. This pilot will look to make the communications between HMRC, the U.S. and businesses more seamless through better use of digital credentials and secure real-time data transfers. It will look to make it easier and quicker for businesses to request trade benefits from each country.

    Minister Murray will also update on the work HMRC is doing to tackle phoenixism – where company directors go insolvent to avoid tax – as well as announcing a new reward scheme to encourage informants to come forward to HMRC about tax fraud.

    Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray said:

    From trading old games to creating content on social media, we are changing the way HMRC works to make it easier for Brits to make the very most of their entrepreneurial spirit.

    Taking hundreds of thousands of people out of filing tax returns means less time filling out forms and more time for them to grow their side-hustle.

    We are going further and faster to overhaul the way HMRC works to make sure it delivers the Plan for Change that will help put more money in people’s pockets.

    Improving HMRC customer services

    Since taking office, Murray has been taking teams of senior HMRC officials to meet firms including NatWest, Octopus Energy, Barclays, John Lewis, and Centrica to learn best practice and innovative approaches to modernising and digiting customer service from the private sector. This includes the use of generative AI and ‘test and learn’ approaches to improving customer service. HMRC is trialling the use of generative AI to point taxpayers to the advice they need on GOV.UK.

    In line with practice from banks and other private sector businesses, Murray will announce that HMRC has begun trialling a system where customers can use their voice as their password, to pass security checks faster and more securely. Following an evaluation of the trial, it is expected to be rolled out across HMRC over the rest of this year. Voice Biometrics strengthen security, safeguard customer data, and reduce call times. Customers’ voice recordings are converted into encrypted biometric data, a voice print, and stored securely in a data centre.

    As reforms got underway to automate and digitise its services, HMRC met its target of 85 per cent of calls handled between October and December 2024 and is expected to meet its customer service standards in 2025-26.

    As part of this government’s commitment to partner and learn from industry, HMRC will launch a new service to provide an escalation route for agents with Self Assessment and PAYE queries which are over 4 weeks old. A dedicated team of experienced technicians and advisers will adopt a ‘once and done’ approach, taking end-to-end ownership of cases and maintaining regular communication with agents.

    Closing the Tax Gap – phoenixism and informants

    Since becoming chair of HMRC’s board last year, Exchequer Secretary James Murray has steered the UK tax authority to go further and faster to close the tax gap, in order to raise the revenue required to fund public services and investment projects.

    Following the Autumn Budget’s announcement of future work to tackle phoenixism – where rogue directors avoid payment of company tax by going insolvent – Mr Murray will update on the work in his speech. He will lay out how HMRC and the Insolvency Service have agreed a joint plan, which includes an increase to the use of securities, where HMRC asks for upfront payment of tax from new companies, making more rogue directors personally liable for the taxes of their company.

    Murray will also announce a new reward scheme for informants to be launched later this year. This will look to target serious non-compliance in large corporates, wealthy individuals, offshore and avoidance schemes. The scheme will take inspiration from the successful US and Canadian ‘whistleblower’ models and will complement the existing HMRC rewards scheme.

    Informants could take home a significant amount of compensation. This will be equal to a proportion of the tax take, ensuring that the scheme raises more money that it costs. Work is ongoing within the government regarding what percentage this could be. Further details will be set out in due course.

    At the Budget in October, the Chancellor announced an injection of over £1.5bn in HMRC to recruit and fund an additional 5,000 new compliance caseworkers and 1,800 debt collection officers. Minister Murray will announce in his speech that an additional 600 new compliance staff will start work this month. Investment in AI is expected to improve the targeting of compliance work and help make HMRC staff more productive.

    This, alongside investment to modernise HMRC systems and legislation to tackle non-compliant tax avoidance and prevent non-compliance will raise £6.5bn per year by 2029/30.

    This will help deliver the Plan for Change by securing tax revenue to help fund investment projects to boost growth.

    Simplifying Tax Admin and Modernising HMRC

    A simple and modern tax and customs system is vital to create the conditions to grow the economy.

    Following the commitment in the Autumn to bring forward measures in the Spring to simplify the tax and customs system, the government will today go further to reduce the time businesses spend managing their tax, so they can focus on what matters most to them: growing and being productive.

    The minister will announce a future digital pilot with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to test ways to speed up trade processes for UK and U.S. businesses. In 2024, UK-U.S. goods trade was worth a combined £115bn.

    The aim is to make supply chains between UK and U.S. businesses more efficient through modernising how HMRC systems, international partners and businesses communicate with each other. The pilot will look to make the communications between HMRC, the U.S. and businesses more seamless through better use of digital credentials and real-time data.

    The pilot will include testing the ability to issue and share digital trusted trader credentials between UK and U.S. systems.  This would speed up processes for trusted U.S. and UK businesses trading with each other including by making it more easy and efficient to request trade benefits from each country.

    Susan S. Thomas, acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the U.S. CBP’s Office of Trade said:

    Modernizing trade processes is essential if we are going to keep pace with today’s trading environment.

    We are taking our operations to the next level, bridging gaps between systems, creating a new era of supply chain transparency and data system flexibility.

    James Murray will announce changes to simplify the tax system. The ITSA trading income reporting threshold will increase from £1,000 to £3,000 gross within this parliament, aligning with the new reporting thresholds for property and “other taxable” income. This means, that up to 300,000 taxpayers, 98% of whom are self employed including the UK’s side hustlers, will not need to file a tax return. This ranges from people trading vintage clothes, dog-walking or gardening on the side, to driving a taxi or creating content online This will help cut waste, avoid unnecessary worry for customers and improve the conditions needed for them to grow.

    Murray will also highlight simplifications to the customs regime to reduce burdens for traders. These include improvements to the Temporary Admission procedure, which relieves import duties for eligible goods that are imported temporarily. For example, the usual time limit for fine art and antiques will increase from 2 to 4 years.

    Ellen Milner, Director of Public Policy, Chartered Institute of Taxation said:

    We welcome the government’s focus on simplifying the tax system and improving customer service – rightly two key priorities for HMRC as the tax authority heads into its third decade. A more straightforward, easy to navigate tax system could free up business owners and managers to focus on growing their businesses, rather than spending their days overcoming bureaucratic hurdles. We especially welcome the announcement of a new approach to dealing with slow-moving income tax queries from agents. Hopefully, in due course, this can be expanded to unrepresented taxpayers and to other taxes.

    Eve Williams, CEO of eBay UK, commented:

    This will be welcome news for thousands of UK sellers for whom eBay is a side hustle and a means of supplementing their household income during challenging times. By removing the paperwork associated with selling online, hopefully we will help these side hustles grow into fully fledged small businesses.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘Biggest building boom’ in a generation through planning reforms [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘Biggest building boom’ in a generation through planning reforms [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 11 March 2025.

    Homes and key infrastructure will be built faster under Planning and Infrastructure Bill

    Homes and key infrastructure that hundreds of thousands of hard-working people and families need will be built quicker thanks to transformative reforms to get Britain building, tackle blockers and unleash billions in economic growth.

    The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will be introduced to Parliament today (11 March), will see significant measures introduced to speed up planning decisions to boost housebuilding and remove unnecessary blockers and challenges to the delivery of vital developments like roads, railway lines and windfarms. This will boost economic growth, connectivity and energy security whilst also delivering for the environment.

    By ensuring shovels can be put in the ground more quickly and projects are freed from unnecessary bureaucracy, these measures will help deliver a building boom that will deliver a major boost to the economy worth billions of pounds, and create tens of thousands more jobs as houses and infrastructure are built. It will make Britain a more attractive prospect for investment and development with a planning process that works for the builders, not blockers.

    This Bill comes alongside wider planning reforms including the new National Planning Policy Framework and is at the heart of our Plan for Change missions to deliver the 1.5 million homes this country needs alongside 150 major projects, ensure Britain can become a clean energy superpower through building the necessary infrastructure, and help to raise living standards by ensuring working people have more money in their pocket.

    People living near new electricity transmission infrastructure will also receive up to £2,500 over ten years off their energy bills, ensuring those hosting vital infrastructure benefit from supporting this nationally critical mission.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said:

    We’re creating the biggest building boom in a generation – as a major step forward in getting Britain building again and unleashing economic growth in every corner of the country, by lifting the bureaucratic burden which has been holding back developments for too long.

    The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will unleash seismic reforms to help builders get shovels in the ground quicker to build more homes, and the vital infrastructure we need to improve transport links and make Britain a clean energy superpower to protect billpayers.

    It will help us to deliver the 1.5 million homes we have committed to so we can tackle the housing crisis we have inherited head on – not only for people desperate to buy a home, but for the families and young children stuck in temporary accommodation and in need of a safe, secure roof over their heads.

    These reforms are at the heart of our Plan for Change, ensuring we are backing the builders, taking on the blockers, and delivering the homes and infrastructure this country so badly needs.

    KEY MEASURES

    Planning Committees

    Housebuilding will be backed by streamlining planning decisions through the introduction of a national scheme of delegation that will set out which types of applications should be determined by officers and which should go to committee, have controls over the size of planning committees to ensure good debate is encouraged with large and unwieldy committees banned, and mandatory training for planning committee members. Councils will also be empowered to set their own planning fees to allow them to cover their costs – with the stretched system currently running at a deficit of £362 million in the recent year. This money will be reinvested back into the system to speed it up.

    Nature Restoration Fund

    A Nature Restoration Fund will be established to ensure there is a win-win for both the economy and nature by ensuring builders can meet their environmental obligations faster and at a greater scale by pooling contributions to fund larger environmental interventions. These changes will remove time intensive and costly processes, with payments into the fund allowing building to proceed while wider action is taken to secure the environmental improvements we need.

    Compulsory Purchase Reform

    Land needed to drive forward housing or major developments could also be bought more efficiently thanks to reforms to boost economic growth and drive forward local regeneration efforts. The compulsory purchase process – which allows land to be acquired for projects that are in the public interest – will be improved to ensure important developments delivering public benefits can progress. The reforms will ensure compensation paid to landowners is not excessive and the process of using directions to remove ‘hope value’ – the value attributed to the prospect of planning permission being granted for alternative development – where justified in the public interest is sped-up. Inspectors, councils or mayors where there are no objections, will take decisions instead of the Secretary of State.

    Development Corporations

    Development Corporations will be strengthened to make it easier to deliver large-scale development – like the government’s new towns – and build 1.5 million homes alongside the required infrastructure. They were used in the past to deliver the post-war new towns and play a vital role when the risk or scale of a development is too great for the private sector. Their enhanced powers will help deliver the vision for the next generation of new towns – a new programme of well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools and public transport where people will want to live.

    Strategic Planning

    The Bill will introduce a system of ‘strategic planning’ across England known as spatial development strategies, which will help to boost growth by looking across multiple local planning authorities for the most sustainable areas to build and ensuring there is a clear join-up between development needs and infrastructure requirements. These plans will be produced by mayors, or by local authorities in some cases, and will ensure the level of building across the country meets the country’s needs.

    National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP)

    The Bill will ensure a faster NSIP regime that delivers infrastructure projects faster. It will make sure the consultation requirements for projects – such as windfarms, roads or railway lines – are streamlined, and ensure the national policies against which infrastructure applications are assessed are updated at least every five years so the government’s priorities are clear. Other changes will be made to the Highways Act and the Transport and Works Act to reduce bureaucracy so transport projects can progress quicker.

    The government will further overhaul the process by which government decisions on major infrastructure projects can be challenged. Meritless cases will only have one – rather than three – attempts at legal challenge. Data shows that over half – 58% – of all decisions on major infrastructure were taken to court, including windfarms in East Anglia which was delayed by over two years as a result of unsuccessful challenges.

    Clean Energy

    Further changes will make sure approved clean energy projects that help achieve clean power by 2030, including wind and solar power, are prioritised for grid connections. Some projects currently face waits of over 10 years. A ‘first ready, first connected’ system will replace the flawed ‘first come, first served’ approach to prioritise projects needed to deliver clean power, unlocking growth with £200 billion of investment and protecting households from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets, while reforming the grid queue will accelerate connections for industrial sites and data centres.

    Around twice as much new transmission network infrastructure will be needed by 2030 as has been built in the past decade and Britain’s electricity grid needs a 21st century overhaul to connect the right power in the right places.

    Bill Discounts

    People living within 500m of new pylons across Great Britain will get money off their electricity bills up to £2,500 over 10 years, under these plans. Alongside money off bills, separate new guidance will set out how developers should ensure communities hosting transmission infrastructure can benefit, by funding projects like sports clubs, educational programmes, or leisure facilities.   The new community funds guidance means communities could get £200,000 worth of funding per km of overhead electricity cable in their area, and £530,000 per substation.

    This would mean an upcoming project like SSEN Transmission’s power line between Tealing and Aberdeenshire could see local communities benefitting from funding worth over £23 million. Developers will closely consult with eligible communities on the funds and how best to spend them, to ensure a fair and consistent approach across Great Britain.

    Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Mace Group and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, said:

    For too long the UK’s planning systems have inhibited growth, with layer upon layer of checks and balances stifling productivity, confidence, investment and jobs.

    These proposed changes show this government is listening to industry and taking reform seriously; recognising that new homes and infrastructure are necessary to inject life into the economy.

    Our construction industry is ready to meet the challenge, and the measures highlight how mindful growth can support communities and our net-zero ambitions.

    Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the Home Builders Federation, said:

    The swift moves to address the failings in the planning system are a very welcome and positive step towards increasing housing supply. Removing blockages, speeding up the decision-making process and ensuring local planning departments have the capacity to process applications effectively will be essential to getting more sites up and running. If the other constraints currently preventing house builders delivering more homes can be tackled, the changes made to planning will really allow output to accelerate.

    Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said:

    The new Planning and Infrastructure Bill is a crucial first step in getting Britain building again. In the 1980’s around 40% of new homes were built by SMEs, yet today that figure is around 10%. Small builders across the UK stand ready to play their part in delivering the homes we need, but time and time again we’ve seen barriers keeping them out of the market.

    We know from research carried out by the FMB that around three quarters of small builders view the planning system as the number one issue holding back the delivery of new homes, while lack of viable and available land are also major challenges. Supporting small builders through the planning system and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy will be key to opening up small sites, and today’s announcement will be welcomed by many across the industry.

    Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:

    At a time when the housing crisis continues to blight lives across the country, it’s welcome to see the introduction of this bill. With more than 160,000 children in temporary accommodation, it’s never been more urgent to build the social homes we need.

    Planning reform is an essential part of solving the housing crisis, and a return to strategic planning is welcome. A focus on certainty and enabling local areas to work together to plan for the homes, jobs and infrastructure needed in communities will ensure every area benefits from growth. Measures to reform compulsory purchase orders in the bill are also welcome, and will support the delivery of affordable housing and other local infrastructure such as GPs and schools.

    David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Redrow, said:

    It has been clear from day one that government is serious about tackling the housing crisis, and it continues to take strong action to unlock stalled projects and reshape the planning system to deliver the high-quality homes and sustainable places the country needs.

    We share government’s ambition to build more homes, to create good quality jobs and to drive economic growth. We look forward to supporting them on this mission and will respond positively to the bold reforms set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

    Other measures included in the Bill:

    • Streamlining the process to install EV charging infrastructure to help meet our net-zero ambitions
    • A new scheme to unlock billions of pounds of investment in long duration electricity storage (LDES) to store renewable power and deliver the first major projects in four decades.
    • Changes to the outdated planning rules for electricity infrastructure in Scotland that will streamline the consent process to enable decisions to be made faster.
    • An extension to the generator commissioning period from 18 to 27 months to reduce the number of offshore wind farms requiring exemptions when applying for licences to connect to onshore cables and substations.
    • Allowing forestry authorities in England and Wales, including the Forestry Commission, to bring forward development proposals, on the land they manage, relating to the generation of electricity from renewable sources– and to sell resulting electricity.

    The Bill builds on work the government has already carried out to get Britain building including overhauling the National Planning Policy Framework, including new and higher mandatory housebuilding targets for councils, a comprehensive modernisation of the Green Belt, and far greater support for growth-supporting development such as labs and datacentres.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Up to 170,000 homes to get energy saving upgrades [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Up to 170,000 homes to get energy saving upgrades [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 11 March 2025.

    Hundreds of thousands of homes in England to benefit from energy efficiency upgrades, helping families stay warm and cut bills.

    • New energy saving upgrades can help families save hundreds off their bills, as delivery of the Warm Homes Plan accelerates
    • Low-income households and tenants in social housing to benefit from measures such as insulation, double glazing, solar panels and heat pumps
    • Allocations to be made through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, as government puts more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change

    Up to 170,000 homes in England will benefit from energy efficiency upgrades as the rollout of the Warm Homes Plan gathers pace, helping more families lower their energy bills and improve their homes.

    £1.8 billion in government support will from today (Tuesday 11 March) be allocated to local authorities and social housing providers, in a new boost which will support them to deliver warmer, more energy efficient homes in local communities across England.

    This funding will be targeted towards low-income households and tenants living in social housing, with thousands of families set to receive energy performance and clean heating upgrades in the form of insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.

    At a time when many are experiencing high energy bills driven by the UK’s reliance on international gas markets, this funding through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund schemes could now help households save hundreds of pounds a year.

    This move will help deliver a milestone of higher living standards in every part of the UK by the end of Parliament by boosting people’s Real Household Disposable Income – a key part of our Plan for Change.

    Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said:

    Living in a warm, comfortable home should not be a luxury. It is a right that has been out of reach for too many people for too long.

    By giving this funding to local authorities and social housing providers we are delivering on our promise to improve the homes of thousands of people across England.

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are powering on with our Warm Homes Plan, upgrading cold and draughty homes so they are warmer, cleaner, and cheaper to live in.

    The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund will deliver up to £1.29 billion of funding to 144 projects across England with the Warm Homes: Local Grant allocating £500 million to 73 projects across 270 local authorities over the next 3 years.

    The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will receive an allocation of this funding as part of the Warm Homes and Public Sector Decarbonisation Devolution Programme.

    This funding complements the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, delivering energy security and bringing down bills for good.

    The expected rise in the price cap shows once again the cost of remaining reliant on the unstable global fossil fuel markets that are driving price increases.

    The funding allocations follows the recent announcement on the Warm Homes Discount with almost 3 million more households, including almost 1 million households with children, becoming eligible for £150 to pay their energy bills next winter, as the government consults on proposals to offer more support to consumers across the country.

    This comes after other government support to deliver warmer, more energy efficient homes and protect consumers, including:

    • consulting on plans to mandate private landlords in England and Wales to improve the energy performance of their properties by 2030, saving private renters £240 per year on average on their energy bills
    • setting out a £500 million Winter Package with Energy UK to help customers with their energy bills
    • extending the Household Support Fund to help vulnerable households with essential costs like food, energy, and water bills
    • helping more families get a heat pump by almost doubling the budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in the next financial year to £295 million, along with allocating an extra £55 million for the rest of this financial year. And removing the rule requiring heat pumps to be installed at least one metre from a property’s boundary

    Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:

    We welcome this funding allocation to help decarbonise England’s social homes; a crucial step towards the government’s commitment to tackle fuel poverty.

    With the fund oversubscribed, it is clear that there is both momentum and appetite among housing associations to upgrade their homes at scale and pace. The sector is working hard to ensure all their homes meet EPC C by 2030, in line with the government’s net zero target.

    Decarbonising our homes is a win win for residents, the government and our planet, creating warmer homes, saving residents money and tackling the climate emergency.

    Gavin Smart, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute for Housing (CIH), said:

    We welcome this investment as another important step towards making homes warmer, healthier, and more affordable to run. Social landlords have worked hard to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and this funding will help them to continue that work—supporting retrofit programmes that will reduce fuel poverty, lower carbon emissions, and bring down energy bills for tenants.

    The strong demand for this funding highlights how vital energy efficiency investment is for the social housing sector. CIH will continue to work with government and our members to support the effective rollout of this funding and advocate for the long-term investment needed to make all homes warmer and safer.

    Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium, said:

    The North has lots of older, colder homes – with 1 in 5 built before 1919 and almost a million households currently in fuel poverty – so this Warm Homes investment will make a big difference to people’s lives. NHC members, including housing associations, local authorities and combined authorities across the North, are working to tackle this by installing tens of thousands of energy efficiency measures from heat pumps to home insulation.

    This extra funding from government is very welcome and will boost these efforts, helping to cut carbon emissions, support jobs, cut fuel bills and tackle fuel poverty. We also welcome the move to devolve retrofit funding in the North through the allocation of funding to Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Integrated Settlement.

    This will allow funding to better align with locally led plans for economic growth, training and skills provision, as well as support greater collaboration between housing providers in Greater Manchester. We know there is continuing appetite from our members to continue to make our homes more energy efficient.

    Derek Horrocks, Chairman of Sustainable Energy UL, said:

    With up to 170,000 households supported under today’s announcement, this will positively impact thousands of the most vulnerable in society through the creation of warmer, healthier, drier, and more affordable-to-heat homes.

    Building on the success of previous energy efficiency programmes, the initiative will also drive significant investment in training and skills development, strengthening the workforce needed for the UK’s transition to net zero. Alongside safeguarding existing jobs, the plan will also generate thousands of new roles in the growing green economy and enable the supply chain to continue to invest in the sector for the long term with confidence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Science Secretary hails UK space sector for securing record-breaking contracts and propelling government’s mission forward [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Science Secretary hails UK space sector for securing record-breaking contracts and propelling government’s mission forward [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 11 March 2025.

    British space sector secures European Space Agency contracts worth £80 million more than government contributions in last quarter of 2024 – a record for any member state.

    • British space sector secures European Space Agency contracts worth £80 million more than government contributions in last quarter of 2024 – a record for any member state.
    • Recent increase in contract wins set to deliver wider benefits of more than £1 billion to the UK economy and support 3,800 highly skilled jobs.
    • New figures show UK companies and universities increasingly influential in global efforts to explore and benefit from space, supercharging government’s mission to grow the economy as part of Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

    The Science Secretary Peter Kyle has hailed Britain’s space sector as a ‘launchpad for innovation and investment’, generating thousands of highly skilled jobs across the country and propelling the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change set to boost economic growth.

    From supporting last week’s commercial moon landings with innovative propulsion technologies, to securing record contract wins through the European Space Agency (ESA), the UK space sector is going from strength to strength.

    New figures released today (11th March) demonstrate an increase in the UK’s competitiveness for valuable contracts awarded by the European Space Agency. In the last quarter of 2024 alone, the UK space sector secured contracts worth £80 million more than government’s contributions to the European Space Agency. This is the most successful quarter on record, and increases the total value of contracts secured for the UK sector through the European Space Agency to £844 million since June 2022.

    A government-backed task force led by the UK Space Agency has driven efforts to extract maximum value from the UK’s contributions to the European Space Agency, by improving the rate of geographical return – the principle that contracts are awarded in proportion to a country’s investments. This initiative has improved the UK’s return rate from 93p back in contracts for every £1 invested in 2022 to 99p in contracts for every £1 invested today. The wider benefits of this funding and international collaboration deliver £9.80 for every £1 invested over time.

    The recent increase in contract wins will deliver wider benefits of more than £1 billion to the UK economy and support an additional 3,800 highly skilled jobs. These wins build on a UK space sector which currently employs 52,000 people and generates an income of £18.9 billion each year.

    This demonstrates the space sector’s role in turbocharging the government’s mission to grow the UK economy as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, and the value of strong international partnerships in science, innovation and technology.

    Science Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    These figures show not only the incredible results of a government working hand-in-glove with industry to get even more bang for our buck, but also send a clear message to the private sector across the globe: when it comes to space, science and tech, the UK is a launchpad for innovation and investment.

    We are on a mission to deliver sustained economic growth, and it is fantastic to see such a vital industry helping us propel our Plan for Change, ultimately raising living standards for everyone.”

    These figures come hot on the heels of the Science and Technology Secretary’s speech at the Tech UK Conference yesterday (10 March) on plans to drive a decade of innovation with our Industrial Strategy – laying out a vision for 2035 where technology, including space, is a force for good in improving people’s lives.

    The global space sector is an important driver of growth, forecasted to triple by 2035, reaching £1.4 trillion per year. A significant share of the UK economy (16% of UK GDP) depends on products and services provided by satellites, such as communications, navigation, timing and Earth observation.

    The recent European Space Agency contracts, funded through the UK Space Agency, are accelerating innovation in space missions and capabilities, spanning from the Airbus-led Vigil mission, which will provide space weather forecasts up to five days in advance, to Thales Alenia Space’s work on a next generation spacecraft to deliver instruments and cargo to the Moon’s surface.

    The UK government is also backing the UK’s growing launch sector, with a recent £20 million investment into Orbex, which is planning to launch satellites into space using its Prime rocket from the SaxaVord spaceport in the Shetland Islands later this year. The investment positions Britain as a leading international partner and cooperator in Europe’s space ambitions.

    Recent success in attracting private investment include an £8.2 million seed funding round by Magdrive announced last month (February) and a £10 million Series B round by SatVu announced in November 2024. More investment deals and contracts are expected to be announced in the coming months.

    Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:

    While the value to the UK economy of our membership of ESA is many times greater than the sums invested, it is important for us to demonstrate the UK’s competitiveness in securing industrial contracts.

    First and foremost, the reduction in the deficit is down to the efforts of the UK space sector, so I would like to congratulate all those working on the new contracts. I would also like to thank the teams in ESA and the UK Space Agency for their hard work in delivering this exceptional result.

    Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, said:

    ESA and the UK Space Agency are working hand in hand to empower the UK’s space sector, including its adjacent industries and vibrant startup scene. The results of our collaboration stand for economic growth, technological and scientific autonomy, high-value jobs for Europe and the UK, but also for a shared European vision of space that is both ethical and sustainable.

    The new figures announced today reflect ESA’s longstanding commitment to help the UK in building one of the most attractive and innovative space economies in the world, whilst developing new scientific and industrial capacity and capabilities with partners across Europe.

    Colin Baldwin, UKspace Executive Director, said:

    The increasing number of ESA contracts being won by UK space companies reflects the work done by the UK Space Agency, ourselves and other stakeholders to give our members the tools and knowledge required to showcase their capabilities and expertise, and convert this into business-winning activities.

    I hope our 200+ members – from start-ups to corporations – along with the wider UK space sector, will continue to demonstrate their quality, win more contracts, and deliver continued value for ESA and the UK economy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister West’s visit reinforces shared commitment to secure and resilient growth [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister West’s visit reinforces shared commitment to secure and resilient growth [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

    UK Foreign Office Minister for Indo-Pacific Catherine West is in Malaysia for a 2-day visit.

    The UK and Malaysia will step up co-operation to drive economic growth through trade and investment in key sectors.

    Kicking off her visit today (10 March), the UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West MP will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a semiconductor partnership between a British and Malaysian company, advancing an already strong relationship between the UK and Malaysia in the technology sector.

    Her visit comes 3 months after the UK joined Malaysia in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making it the first UK-Malaysia free trade agreement. By cutting tariffs and reducing other market access barriers, this will boost an already strong trading relationship worth over £5.7 billion annually and reinforce 2-way flows of investment.

    During her 2-day visit to Malaysia, the Minister will hold bilateral talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Haji Alamin. Alongside a strong message on mutual economic growth and the green transition, the Minister will reiterate the UK’s support for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and our commitment together on shared challenges from global health to international peace and security.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West said:

    Three months since the UK joined Malaysia in the CPTPP, eliminating tariffs and facilitating business partnerships, this is a moment of opportunity to deepen our economic links and advance our shared interest in sustainable and inclusive growth.

    Technology is one of the sectors we can and must develop together. I’m here in Malaysia to support that.

    To achieve economic growth we must have strong and stable foundations. That is why we will continue to work with Malaysia on our shared priorities around regional security issues, global health and the climate crisis.

    The UK will remain an active, committed Dialogue Partner to ASEAN – supporting ASEAN centrality and Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Record farmers in SFI schemes as government successfully allocates sustainable farming budget [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record farmers in SFI schemes as government successfully allocates sustainable farming budget [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 March 2025.

    More than 50,000 farm businesses are benefitting from farming schemes and more money is being spent through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) than ever.

    • SFI24 has reached its completion, and the Government is stopping accepting new SFI applications today
    • Every penny in every existing SFI agreement will be paid to farmers, and outstanding eligible applications will be taken forward

    With record numbers of farm businesses in farming schemes and the sustainable farming budget successfully allocated, the Government has today (Tuesday 11 March) stopped accepting new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI24).

    Every penny in all existing SFI agreements will be paid to farmers, and outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will also be taken forward.

    This Government inherited farming schemes which were underspent, meaning millions of pounds were not going to farming businesses. At the budget, the Government proudly secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion was committed in the farming budget over a two-year period.

    As a result of the Government’s determination to get more farmers to participate, there is now a record 50,000 farm businesses and more than half of all farmed land is now managed under our schemes.

    The largest of these schemes, SFI, now has more than 37,000 multi-year live agreements and is not only delivering sustainable food production and nature’s recovery for today and the years ahead, but it is also putting money back into farmers pockets.

    However, this Government inherited an uncapped scheme, despite a finite farming budget. The highest ever level of participation in SFI means the maximum limit has now been reached. Therefore, as SFI has reached its completion the Government is stopping accepting new SFI applications today.

    Now is the right time for a reset: supporting farmers, delivering for nature and targeting public funds fairly and effectively towards our priorities for food, farming and nature.

    Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said:

    This Government is proud to have set the biggest budget for sustainable food produce in history, to boost growth in rural communities and all across the UK, under our Plan for Change.

    More farmers are now in schemes and more money is being spent through them than ever before. That is true today and will remain true tomorrow.

    We have now successfully allocated the SFI24 budget as promised.

    Environmental Land Management scheme agreements will remain in place, including SFI, and there will be a new and improved SFI on offer with details to follow the Spending Review. This will be underpinned by the Government’s cast iron commitment to food security, focusing on food production, creating more resilient farm businesses alongside supporting nature recovery.

    The future SFI offer will build on what has made the current scheme effective. It will:

    • Deliver our vision of a sector with food production at its core, supporting less resilient farm businesses alongside nature recovery;
    • Ensure it delivers value for money for taxpayers alongside investing in sustainable food production and nature recovery;
    • Cap the budget and put in place strong budgetary controls so that SFI is affordable to the public purse;
    • Better target SFI, in a fair and orderly way, towards the priorities set out on food, farming and nature;
    • And, as the scheme is designed and evolving, listen to farmers feedback to ensure we learn and improve the scheme for the future.

    The improved SFI scheme will be another step in this government’s New Deal for farmers to support growth and return farm businesses to profitability.

    The Government recently announced a raft of new policies to help boost profits for farmers and will go further to ensure farming becomes more profitable for the future by backing British produce, protecting farmers in trade deals, improving supply chain fairness and reforming planning rules on farms to support food security.

    The Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme has also been extended for 5 years, the government have committed £110 million in farming grants to improve productivity, trial new technologies and drive innovation in the sector and announced plans to invest over £200 million in a new National Biosecurity Centre to protect livestock from diseases.

    As set out in the Plan for Change, the Government is focused on supporting our farmers, rural economic growth and boosting Britain’s food security and are going further to develop a 25-year farming roadmap to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Welsh Government unite in £1m fund to transform River Wye [March 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Welsh Government unite in £1m fund to transform River Wye [March 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 March 2025.

    UK and Welsh Government unite in £1 Million fund to transform River Wye

    • Water Minister Emma Hardy and Deputy First Minister of Wales hosts roundtable at River Wye to kickstart action to tackle local pollution
    • UK and Welsh Governments announce £1m research fund to tackle pollution in iconic river
    • River Wye is latest visit in Environment Secretary and Water Minister’s tour across UK to see how water investment underpins government’s Plan for Change

    The Welsh and UK Government have today announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye.

    The Welsh Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, and UK Government’s Water Minister, Emma Hardy, made the announcement during a roundtable meeting in Monmouth with key stakeholders from both sides of the border.

    The comprehensive cross-border research programme will:

    • Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river
    • Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management
    • Develop and test new ways to improve water quality
    • Examine what’s driving wildlife decline and water flow – the movement and quantity of water which is crucial for habitats and species

    Local farmers, environmental groups, and citizen scientists will play a crucial role in gathering evidence and shaping the research priorities. The programme will work closely with established organisations including the Wye Catchment Partnership, the Nutrient Management Board, and farming organisations like Herefordshire Rural Hub and Farm Cymru.

    Following the visit to Monmouth, Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

    “For too long, the River Wye has suffered from extreme pollution, leading to devastating effects on wildlife and impacting all those who live along its banks.

    “That is why we’re resetting relationships on both sides of the border to share our knowledge and make sure this research translates into real action.

    “Our Water (Special Measures) Act has laid the foundations for cleaning up the water system. As part of the government’s Plan for Change to grow the economy and make Britain better off, over £100 billion of private sector money is being invested into the water sector to upgrade and build infrastructure.

    “But we must go further, and vital research like this gets us one step closer to cleaning up rivers like the Wye for good”

    Deputy First Minister of Wales Huw Irranca-Davies said:

    “This is an important step to protect the River Wye, and we are committed to continuing to work together to restore our rivers.

    “This research funding will support both nature recovery and sustainable farming practices to improve the local environment.

    “By bringing together expertise from both sides of the border and working closely with local groups, we can better understand the challenges facing the river and find the solutions that will make a difference.”

    The initiative builds on existing collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments, including an ongoing £20 million project addressing soil phosphorus levels through the Land Use for Net Zero, People and Nature programme.

    This new research will support wider government planning on water quality, nature recovery and farming regulation by identifying effective interventions that can be implemented at a landscape scale.

    Minister’s visit to Wales is the latest in a series of visits this week by the Environment Secretary and Water Minister Emma Hardy to iconic water sites across England and Wales as part of the ‘Things Can Only Get Cleaner’ tour, to see where investment in water infrastructure will underpin the building of new homes, create jobs and turbocharge local economies – a cornerstone of the government’s Plan for Change.