Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : New local powers to keep pavements clear for those who rely on them most [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 8 January 2026.

Local councils will be given the power to crack down on problem pavement parking.
- keeping pavements clear helps parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and blind or partially sighted people travel more safely and independently
- local leaders know their streets best and will intend on being given the power to take action where pavement parking causes the greatest problems locally
- this locally-led approach supports the government’s drive to make transport and public spaces more accessible, improving safety while recognising local parking needs
Disabled people will benefit from new local powers being made available to local leaders across England to introduce pavement parking restrictions across their area, helping keep them clear and accessible for everyone who uses them, while allowing exemptions where needed.

Blocked pavements can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people and older people, limiting independence and making everyday journeys harder and less safe.

Following a public consultation, the Department for Transport has confirmed that local leaders will be given new and improved legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking across wider areas, rather than relying on the previous approach, where action is often limited to individual streets and requires lengthy, complex processes.

Local leaders know their streets best and are best placed to respond to local needs. Under the new approach, local leaders will be able to decide to take action on pavement parking in their area, and they will retain flexibility where they deem pavement parking may still be acceptable.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person.

That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.

Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, Andrew Lennox, said:

After years of campaigning, we welcome the announcement to give councils greater powers to tackle problem pavement parking.

Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but especially dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced into the road with traffic they can’t see. Pavement parking is also a barrier that shuts people out of everyday life. When pavements are blocked, people with sight loss lose confidence, independence and the freedom to travel safely. This stops people accessing work, education and social opportunities.

We look forward to working with the government and local authorities to ensure these changes are introduced quickly and consistently enforced so pavement parking becomes a thing of the past.

RAC Senior Policy Officer, Rod Dennis, said:

Our research shows a clear majority of drivers agree that no pavement user should be made to walk or wheel into the road because of someone else’s inconsiderate parking.

These proposals should clear the way for councils to prevent pavement parking where it causes problems, but permit drivers to partially park on pavements where doing so helps keep traffic flowing and doesn’t inconvenience other people.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said:

Clear pavements matter. For parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and people who are blind or partially sighted, a blocked pavement is not a minor inconvenience – it can stop a journey altogether and is a risk to people’s safety.

Most drivers want to park safely and considerately and these new powers help in areas where dangerous parking causes real problems.

Giving decisions to local leaders means solutions that reflect how our streets actually work. It’s a practical step that helps people move around safely, confidently and independently in their own communities.

The department will set out guidance to help local authorities use these powers in a proportionate and locally appropriate way later in 2026.

By putting decision-making closer to communities, the approach supports safer, more inclusive streets that work better for everyone. This forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, making transport more accessible and inclusive and supporting growth by ensuring our streets and public spaces work for all.
January 8, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Stronger laws for tech firms on cyberflashing [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 January 2026.

Dating apps and social media platforms must now prevent cyberflashing, as it becomes a priority offence under the Online Safety Act.
- Online Safety Act strengthened as ‘cyberflashing’ becomes a priority offence
- Dating apps and social media platforms now have to take proactive steps to prevent this vile content before users see it
- New law follows a historic government strategy to halve Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) within a decade, which included a commitment to make cyberflashing a ‘priority offence’ under the Online Safety Act
People using dating apps and social media platforms will be better protected from receiving unsolicited nude images, as a new law compelling tech firms to stop this type of content before it reaches users comes into force today (Thursday 8 January).

Platforms will be required to take proactive steps to prevent this vile content from appearing in the first place, not just react after the harm is done. Tech firms will now face some of the strongest requirements under the Online Safety Act as ‘cyberflashing’ becomes a Priority Offence.

Companies could tackle these images for example by using automated systems that pre-emptively detect and hide the image, implementing moderation tools or stricter content policies.

Those that fail to comply could face fines of up to 10% of their qualifying worldwide revenue, or have their services blocked in the UK.

Bumble was the first dating app to explicitly moderate cyberflashing to protect its members from seeing unwanted pictures.

The women-first dating app launched Private Detector, an AI-powered feature that automatically detects and blurs nudity in images sent within chats. It then alerts the recipient who can choose to view, block, or report the image. The AI model is carefully trained with vast datasets to avoid misclassification.

Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, said:

We’ve cracked down on perpetrators of this vile crime – now we’re turning up the heat on tech firms. Platforms are now required by law to detect and prevent this material.

The internet must be a space where women and girls feel safe, respected, and able to thrive.

Elymae Cedeno, VP of Trust and Safety at Bumble said:

Receiving unsolicited sexual images is a daily violation that disproportionately impacts women and undermines their sense of safety online. Strengthening the law to make cyberflashing a Priority Offence is an important step toward ensuring platforms proactively address this behaviour to better protect members.

As part of our long standing safety commitments, Bumble introduced features like Private Detector, which uses AI to identify and blur nude images in chats, giving members greater control over what they see. We hear regularly from our community about the impact of this behaviour, and we welcome measures that increase accountability and help create a safer digital environment.

Ofcom will now consult on new codes of practice, setting out exactly what steps platforms must take to protect users from unsolicited sexual images.

The priority offence marks another step in making the online world safer, particularly for women and children, who are disproportionately targeted. 1 in 3 teenage girls has received unsolicited sexual images*. This government is serious about ending that.

This builds on the government’s wider commitment to tackle online abuse and halve violence against women and girls, making clear that the digital world is not a law-free zone.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said:

For too long cyberflashing has been just another degrading abuse women and girls are expected to endure. We are changing this.

By placing the responsibility on tech companies to block this vile content before users see it, we are preventing women and girls from being harmed in the first place.

We will deploy the full power of the state to make this country safe for women and girls, both online and offline.

Through the cross-government strategy to Build a Safer Society for Women and Girls, published on 18 December, we committed to making the ‘cyberflashing’ offence a ‘priority offence’ under the Online Safety Act.

These strengthened protections will tackle the problem at the root, before women are subject to this gross violation.
January 8, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Government modernises exam records with new app [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 8 January 2026.

Year 11 students across England will be able to view their GCSE results on their phones for the first time from this summer, speeding up the process of enrolling into college, freeing up teachers and college staff from unnecessary paperwork, and bringing record-keeping into the 21st century.

The Education Record app is being rolled out nationally to modernise how young people access their exam results once they have left school.

It will make it easier for young people to enrol in their post-16 destination and will give them access to their results at their fingertips for life, providing employers with clear, accurate information on a job candidate’s education history without relying on paper certificates which can be easily lost.

Pupils will still go into school on results day to meet face-to-face with their teachers and receive their results. Their results will later become available on the app.

Schools and colleges will also be able to easily access information about which students need extra support, including whether they need to continue working towards English and maths GCSEs, have SEND requirements or qualify for free school meals.

It is estimated to save schools and colleges up to £30 million per year in administrative costs once the full roll out is complete. This funding can be put directly back into school and college budgets, freeing up resources so that staff can focus on teaching, and breaking down barriers to opportunity through the government’s Plan for Change.

The Education Record app is part of the wider government drive to overhaul how the public sector uses technology and innovates.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:

No student should have to rifle through drawers looking for a crumpled certificate when they’re preparing for a job interview.

This app will give young people instant access to their results whenever they need them while freeing up teachers and college staff from unnecessary paperwork.

Work is already underway to link the Education Record and the GOV.UK Wallet, part of the government’s drive to harness technology and innovation as set out in its Plan for Change. It paves the way for citizens to store everything from exam results to driving licences in one secure digital space.

The national roll out follows on from the app being piloted in Greater Manchester and West Midlands where thousands of pupils have already benefitted since last summer.

Schools and colleges are being encouraged to sign up now ahead of results days in August 2026. Pupils in schools that sign up can download the app now and should speak to their school to set it up before results day, when they will receive their GCSE results as the first records on the app.

Director of Education Policy at the Association of Colleges, Cath Sezen, said:

We are delighted to see confirmation of a national pilot of the Education Record. This is a significant step forward in supporting young people as they move to college, an apprenticeship or later into higher education and work.

Giving colleges access to key data will ensure that transitions are smoother for students; instead of repeating basic information time and time again, conversations can focus on finding the appropriate course to support their career aims, and settling into life at college.

The Education Record also has the potential to cut down on admin time and costs during the busy enrolment period which means that more time can be spent on making sure students have the best start to their post-16 pathways.

General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Pepe Di’Iasio, said:

It is a sensible move to use digital technology to simplify the transition to post-16 education for everyone involved. Young people work so hard to obtain their GCSE results, it is important that they have a secure and accessible record of their achievements as they move through the education system.

We are glad that GCSE students still have the chance to go into school on results day. This face-to-face contact not only allows them to celebrate with peers and teachers, but also to receive any advice or support they may require regarding next steps.

We are sure that school and college leaders will also welcome the administrative savings made possible as a result of this change, although this will only amount to a drop in the ocean compared to the funding pressures they remain under.

General Secretary of School Leaders’ union NAHT, Paul Whiteman, said:

Providing students with a digital education record is a sensible development and expanding this programme to a national pilot, following the successful smaller ones, is a positive step.

The potential to include post-16 qualifications in the future will make the record an even more useful tool for students to support their transitions to further education, training and employment.

The announcement follows the launch of the government’s Youth Guarantee to support almost a million young people into employment or learning opportunities, tackling the unacceptably high number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) and ensuring no one is allowed to slip through the cracks.

More widely the government is transforming post-16 education with reforms announced in the Post 16 Education and Skills White Paper including introducing structured professional development for further education teachers and an expectation that colleges deliver at least 100 hours of face-to-face English and maths teaching for those who haven’t passed those GCSEs.

The government is also creating V levels, a brand new vocational pathway to sit alongside A levels and T Levels, allowing students to explore different sectors like Engineering or Digital while keeping their options open.

January 8, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : British Prime Minister call with President Trump of the United States [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 January 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke with President Trump this evening.

They discussed the joint operation to intercept the Bella 1 as part of shared efforts to crack down on sanctions busting, recent progress on Ukraine and the US operation in Venezuela.

The Prime Minister also set out his position on Greenland.

January 8, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Environment Secretary – Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 January 2026.

Environment Secretary announces plans at Oxford Farming Conference focusing more support on smaller farms and those without an existing agreement to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food.

Our farmers are essential for the nation’s food security, the Environment Secretary will say, setting out a new era of partnership between government and farmers aimed at boosting profitability.

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference on Thursday 8 January, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds will announce a package of measures to ensure the government works in partnership with farmers to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food for British families.

She will announce reforms to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), designed to simplify the scheme, level the playing field, and provide stable, predictable delivery.

She will set out how there will be two application windows in 2026, with the first from June prioritising smaller farms and those without an existing agreement, followed by a second round from September for wider applications.

The government will continue working with the sector to refine these proposals and full scheme details will be published before the first application window opens.

The Environment Secretary will also outline a new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmer groups in growing their businesses, building partnerships and sharing best practice. This will empower them to find new opportunities to grow their businesses, share what works, build partnerships, and drive the kind of change that comes from the ground up.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is expected to say:

Farmers are at the heart of our national life – for what you produce, the communities you sustain, and the landscapes and heritage you protect.

British farming is also a key growth sector we’re backing for the long term. Farmers who want to build, to export and to invest in new technology.

But too often, they’ve been held back by bureaucracy. We’re changing that to a system that backs our farmers.

The Secretary of State also set her vision to work in partnership with farmers:

We will work with you – through our new Farming and Food Partnership Board, through peer-to-peer networks, through community-led change, and through engagement on the detailed changes to SFI.

You will have the certainty you need to plan – clear budgets, clear timelines, clear future roadmap, and growth built on strong foundations.

That’s my commitment to you and it’s the foundation for the future we’re building together, to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food for British families.

The Environment Secretary will also set out plans exploring a transformation of England’s uplands, recognising the unique challenges facing the rural communities that depend on them, from poor access to services to harsh farming conditions.

Building on research led by social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam in six upland areas during the past year, the government will work over the next two years – first in Dartmoor, then Cumbria – to deliver system-wide change, create farming clusters, explore new mutual funding models, and lay the foundations for new income streams, from nature-based enterprises to regenerative tourism and circular economy initiatives.

In an additional boost for farmers in England’s most treasured rural areas, the government will extend the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for three years, with £30 million in funding next year alone.

Since its launch, the programme has supported more than 11,000 farmers across 44 protected landscapes in enhancing nature recovery, tackling climate change, and preserving cultural heritage, including the planting of 362km of new hedgerows, equivalent to the distance of Oxford to Newcastle.

These measures build on the launch of the Farming and Food Partnership Board, bringing together senior leaders from farming, food, retail, finance and government to take a joined-up, farm-to-fork approach to improving profitability.

Alongside Baroness Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review, these new partnerships will help inform the government’s forthcoming 25-year Farming Roadmap, to be published later this year and setting out a clear, long-term vision for food production, environmental ambition, land use, and farm profitability.

January 8, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Convictions following EU Treaty Rights immigration scam [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Immigration Advice Authority on 7 January 2026.

Following an IAA investigation, Risalat Hussain and Syed Ali Shah Gilani were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 6 January 2026.

Two men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 6 January 2026) for taking advantage of people seeking immigration advice, including some of those most in need and some of the most vulnerable in our society.

The pair were convicted of separate offences, including providing unregulated immigration advice and services, and defrauding vulnerable individuals through false representation. One of the men also sought to advise individuals how to defraud and exploit the regulations that the UK public rely on to protect them from illegal immigration.

Syed Ali Shah Gilani, 51, from Solihull, pleaded guilty on the day of trial (16 June 2025), to three counts of providing unqualified immigration advice and services, contrary to Section 84 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years to run concurrently, along with £11,000 in victim compensation plus a victim surcharge.

Risalat Hussain, 38, from Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty on the day of trial (16 June 2025), to one count of fraud by false representation contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006, and was sentenced to a £250 fine, to be paid within three months.

Mr Gilani provided unregulated immigration advice and services to vulnerable individuals seeking vital support. Operating from multiple offices, he orchestrated an immigration scam that involved advising clients how to exploit EU Treaty Rights. Individuals were charged approximately £5,000 each and instructed to travel to Ireland to fraudulently obtain documentation such as PPI numbers and bank accounts, with Mr Gilani claiming he would manage all arrangements.

Gaon Hart, Immigration Services Commissioner, said:

Mr Gilani was fully aware of the legal requirements to provide immigration advice, yet chose to abuse the system and exploit those most in need, including individuals who rely on advice to protect themselves. He acted unlawfully for personal gain – and was caught and investigated thanks to the great work of the Immigration Advice Authority.

This sentencing sends a clear message: the Immigration Advice Authority is actively looking to protect the vulnerable and will disrupt and prosecute individuals providing unregulated immigration advice.

This outcome would not have been possible without the courage and determination of the complainants, whose commitment was instrumental to this prosecution. The Immigration Advice Authority invites anyone harmed or at risk from illegal advisers to come forward, so that we can protect the vulnerable and ensure that legal immigration is supported while preventing illegal immigration.

Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said:

Shameless individuals offering immigration advice illegally must be held to account, and this successful prosecution shows they will not get away with it.

This is why we have included tough new penalties for rogue immigration advisers in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, with fines of up to £15,000.

This government is restoring order and control to our borders and will be relentless in pursuing those who abuse our immigration system.

While some clients were met in Dublin and escorted to various institutions, no genuine applications were submitted. The scheme was designed to create the illusion of relocation, enabling clients to apply for family members to gain EU status and return to the UK. Clients were unable to contact Mr Gilani after payment, and refund requests were largely ignored.

Mr Hussain, while denying formal employment by Mr Gilani, played a key role in facilitating communication between Mr Gilani and the clients involved in the scam.

The court heard that Mr Gilani was authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) to provide immigration advice and services at the highest level between 13 April 2011 and 31 January 2014. The IAA launched an investigation following complaints from clients who had paid for services they did not receive.

New penalties for fraudulent advisers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act will give the IAA enhanced powers to better regulate immigration advisers, protect advice seekers, and support the disruption of serious and organised immigration crime. The IAA will have stronger enforcement and regulatory powers, including financial sanctions, fee refunds and compensation and immediate suspension or cancellation of registration.

Members of the public can check whether an immigration adviser is regulated by visiting the IAA’s Adviser Register. If you have concerns about poor or illegal advice, or wish to make a complaint about an adviser, you can report it directly through the IAA’s online portal.

January 7, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Deputy PM David Lammy travels to Washington to kick off UK role in America’s 250th celebrations [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 January 2026.

The Deputy Prime Minister begins visit to Washington DC at the invitation of his counterpart, Vice President JD Vance, to mark America 250 celebrations.
- UK engagement in America 250 year kicks off with time capsule exchange
- Deputy PM to visit his counterpart in the White House to discuss UK-US special relationship, economic growth and long-term peace in Ukraine
- DPM to witness court reforms in Toronto that introduced judge-only trials helping speed up justice for victims
The Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, will today (Wednesday 7 January) begin a two-day visit to Washington DC at the invitation of his counterpart, Vice President JD Vance.

The Deputy Prime Minister will kick-off UK engagement in the America 250 celebrations, as the US marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence – its semi-quincentennial.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President will discuss Europe’s role in delivering sustainable, long-term peace in Ukraine and shared endeavours to deliver jobs and economic growth both sides of the Atlantic.

At an America 250 event in Mount Vernon, the Deputy Prime Minister will reflect on how his experiences studying and working in America shaped his own public service and look ahead to the shared future of the UK and the US.

The Deputy Prime Minister will deliver the United Kingdom’s contribution to a time capsule, destined to be buried under the Washington Monument, as part of the celebrations. This comes the year after a sister time capsule was buried in Trafalgar Square in London.

He will also meet young men supported by Baltimore’s Next One Up charity to become the city’s next generation of leaders, as well as the 2026 cohort of Marshall Scholars who will study postgraduate degrees in the UK during the historic America 250 Anniversary Year.

The Deputy PM is expected to speak about the strength of the special relationship, saying:

Far from being an abstract idea, it is built through practical cooperation and shared purpose.

In defence and security. In the trade and investment that benefit us all. In working together to secure peace and stability across the globe. And in our partnerships on emerging technologies and energy security, which will help shape the world in the decades to come.

For me, it is deeply personal influenced by my own history in your country. First, studying in Massachusetts and then working in California. Opportunities here which enabled me, in turn, to serve the public of my own country.

So today is very much about history but it is also about looking to the future.

The 250th anniversary of your independence in July and events which will showcase this great nation and the huge amount it has to offer the world.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin and US Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum will be joined at Mount Vernon by students who had winning entries in Virginia’s statewide ‘Expressions of Freedom’ student competition included in the contents of the Time Capsule.

The Time Capsule – designed by architect Lord Norman Foster – will contain instructions to be reopened on 4th July 2276. The Deputy Prime Minister will gift the US Government with the Portland limestone Capstone – made from one of the original steps of the George Washington Statue plinth in London – which is inscribed with thirteen six-pointed stars replicating the design of George Washington’s famous Headquarters Flag.

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister is also expected to meet US Supreme Justice Elena Kagan at the Supreme Court and members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

Following the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to Washington DC he will travel to Toronto to gather vital information on how judge-alone trials operate in Ontario and what lessons could be learnt for court reform in England and Wales. He will discuss how the system works with senior members of the judiciary and the Attorney General of Ontario, Doug Downey.

Background information
- The America 250 programme encourages Americans to reflect on their history and renew their commitment to the ideals of democracy. You can find out more about the America 250 programme of activity here.
- Photos of the Deputy Prime Minister attending the ceremony at Mount Vernon and meeting with the Vice President are available on request.
January 7, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Madeleine Campbell appointed to the Horserace Betting Levy Board [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 January 2026.

The Secretary of State has appointed Madeleine Campbell as Board Member of the Horserace Betting Levy Board for a term of four years.

Madeleine Campbell

Madeleine is the Professor of Veterinary Ethics at the University of Nottingham and an EBVS and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law. A leading authority in her field, she holds several high-level leadership roles, including Chair of the British Equestrian Federation’s Ethics and Welfare Advisory Group and Chair of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s Welfare and Veterinary Standing Committee.

She serves as an Independent Member of the Federation Equestre Internationale Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group and an Independent Member of the British Horseracing Authority’s Ethics Panel.

Madeleine Campbell has been appointed for a term of four years, commencing on 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board are remunerated £19,665 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.

Madeleine Campbell has declared no political activity.

January 7, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of lives to be saved under bold new Road Safety Strategy [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 January 2026.

New road safety strategy shows that the government is listening and leading: together, we can build a safer future for all UK road users.
- government announces its first road safety strategy in over a decade, with a plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035
- new consultations on minimum learning period for learner drivers, eye tests for older drivers and lowering the alcohol limit for driving to help prevent causes of collisions
- the strategy will help save thousands of lives and deliver on the government’s commitment to growth, safer communities and easing pressure on the NHS
The first road safety strategy in more than a decade will save thousands of lives on the nation’s roads by tackling drink driving, improving training for young drivers and introducing mandatory eye tests for older motorists.

Launched today (7 January 2026), the strategy sets out an ambitious plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035, with an even more stretching target of 70% for children under 16.

Approximately 4 people die on Britain’s roads every day, with thousands more seriously injured each year, but through targeted action on speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seat belts and mobile phone use, thousands of these tragedies can be prevented.

The government will consult on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.

In 2023, 1 in 6 road fatalities involved drink driving, but a consultation will explore the use of preventative technology, such as alcohol interlock devices and new powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences.

This could mean that, in future, some drink drive offenders might be required to have one of these devices fitted to their vehicle as a condition of being allowed to drive again.

With the number of older drivers continuing to rise as Britain’s population ages, a consultation on mandatory eyesight testing for those over 70 will be launched, while options for cognitive testing will also be developed to protect all road users.

New measures will also target the growing problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ plates designed to fool camera systems, while also cracking down on uninsured drivers and vehicles without a valid MOT.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said:

Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.

We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Our vision with this ambitious road safety strategy is clear: to ensure that people can travel safely on our roads however they choose.

One of the hardest parts of my job is speaking to families who have lost loved ones on our roads and this is something we as a government are taking action to prevent. No family should have to endure that loss, and this strategy sets out how we will work to ensure fewer do.

Experts and campaigners have long called for a comprehensive strategy that treats road safety as a shared responsibility – from car manufacturers and town planners to drivers and legislators.

This strategy, the first in over a decade, shows a government that is not just listening, but leading and together, we can build a safer future for all road users.

Independent road safety campaigner, Meera Naran MBE, whose 8-year-old son Dev died in a road traffic collision, said:

I welcome this much-anticipated road safety strategy and am pleased to see a number of measures set out to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.

I am especially grateful to the Secretary of State for giving me her word that she would honour Dev and recognise the importance of legislative change to adopt the General Safety Regulations, as Dev’s Law and for delivering on that commitment. I look forward to working closely with the department to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to establish a robust and effective framework.

Over the past decade, 22 European countries have made more progress than the UK in reducing road fatalities, causing Britain to slip from third to fourth in European road safety rankings.

This strategy, therefore, sets out a new approach to reverse a decade of stalled progress. The bold strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, which acknowledges that while human error is inevitable, deaths and serious injuries are not.

Rather than placing responsibility solely on individual drivers, the system ensures that road design, vehicle safety, enforcement and education work together to protect all road users.

A new Road Safety Investigation Branch will analyse collision patterns and inform prevention strategies, drawing on linked police and healthcare data to identify root causes and target interventions more effectively.

The strategy also mandates 18 new vehicle safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. This will ensure drivers and road users in Great Britain benefit from access to these cutting-edge technologies and support growth by requiring manufacturers to meet the same requirements across Europe.

Edmund King OBE, Director of The AA Charitable Trust and AA president, said:

This is a positively radical reframing of road safety, which is long overdue. We commend the government for its wide ranging and ambitious strategy and ambitious targets, which we hope will save the lives of thousands of people.

Tackling drivers who drive under the influence of drink or drugs, people who don’t wear their seatbelts and those getting behind the wheel without insurance are key to reducing road deaths and serious injuries. We also endorse the mantra of road safety being a lifelong education, not just when learning to ride or drive.

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes, said:

After what can be described as a lost decade in terms of reducing the number of killed and seriously injured on the roads, we welcome the government’s commitment to ambitious targets and robust policies to make our roads safer.

The strategy focuses on all key aspects, including behaviours, training, vehicle technology and enforcement – all of which play a crucial role in keeping us safe on the road. An emphasis on younger drivers and motorcycle safety is particularly positive, considering these are some of our most vulnerable road users.

We’re also pleased to see action being taken on drug driving, which is a growing menace and by giving police additional powers to take action against those caught at the roadside, it will serve notice that such dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.

A new Road Safety Board, chaired by the Minister for Local Transport, will oversee delivery of the strategy, supported by an expert advisory panel drawing membership from local authorities, emergency services, active travel groups and road safety organisations.

Vulnerable road users remain a key focus. Motorcyclists account for just 1% of motor vehicle traffic but 21% of road deaths, while children from the most deprived neighbourhoods face 4 times the pedestrian casualty rate of those in the least deprived areas. To address these disparities, the strategy includes consulting on reforms to motorcycle training, testing and licensing and supporting trials to improve motorcycle safety on rural roads.

An estimated 1 in 3 road traffic fatalities involves someone driving or riding for work, prompting the launch of a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter pilot. This will establish a national standard for employers requiring people to drive or ride for work, covering HGVs, vans, cars, motorcycles, e-cycles and cycles. It aims to help businesses in both the public and private sectors reduce work-related road risk by promoting good practice, accountability and compliance with existing legislation.

The success of this strategy depends on strong partnerships between government, local authorities, businesses, road safety professionals, emergency services and the public working together to ensure that every journey starts and ends safely.

RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, said:

We’ve long said the dial needs to be turned up when it comes to reducing road casualties, so we warmly welcome this strategy – and especially the reintroduction of casualty reduction targets, that were scrapped 16 years ago.

The simple truth is that this strategy can’t come soon enough. Britain might have some of the safest roads by international standards, but on average, 4 people are still killed and 76 seriously injured every single day. That’s an unacceptable number of lives being ruined or cut short.

The strategy addresses many areas we know drivers are concerned about, including drink and drug-driving, ‘ghost’ plates and dazzling headlights. The inclusion of a commitment to consult on the use of alcohol interlocks for convicted drink-drivers – which are internationally proven to save lives – is particularly encouraging, especially given the extent to which drivers are supportive of their use. It’s also positive to see proposals on the table for both improving young driver safety and tackling the scourge of uninsured drivers who push up motor insurance costs for everyone.

It’s important to remember that the ultimate success of any new or updated penalties or laws will depend on awareness among drivers and enforcement. But undoubtedly, this strategy is a real chance to give the whole topic of road safety the focus and public attention it deserves. What we need now is for it to quickly evolve into a set of concrete actions that make the roads safer for everyone.
January 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Axel Heitmueller as Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and Expert Adviser on Delivery [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 January 2026.

Axel Heitmueller has been appointed as the Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and Expert Adviser on Delivery.

He will also advise ministers and drive forward the Government’s vision for national renewal to ensure more people get help with the cost of living and see a change in their bills, communities, and health service.

The full-time role is a Direct Ministerial appointment and will be paid.

Axel brings with him extensive experience, including as the Prime Minister’s Expert Adviser on Health. Prior to that, he was CEO of Imperial College Health Partners and Executive Director of Strategy at the Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust Hospital.

January 6, 2026