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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on illegal wildlife products at the border [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on illegal wildlife products at the border [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 February 2025.

    Thousands of unlicensed and illegal wildlife products have been seized by Border Force as part of Operation Thunder.

    Operation Thunder is an intensive international operation to target the criminal networks behind wildlife crime,

    From 11 November to 6 December 2024, Border Force officers taking part in Operation Thunder 24 made 217 seizures of wildlife products which are controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES).

    Seizures included live plants, a range of beauty products containing caviar and cactus extracts, a quantity of bear bile, and clothes and accessories containing animal skins.

    Border Force officers also detected over 400 live birds as part of the operation, including rosella parakeets, king parrots, African grey parrots and blue-fronted Amazon parrots. Where possible, Border Force will rehome any live animals found.

    Operation Thunder is a global effort to target the illegal wildlife trade and is co-led by Interpol and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

    Wildlife crime is estimated to be worth up to £17 billion globally per year and is the fourth largest international crime according to Interpol, behind only arms, drugs and human trafficking. Strengthening border security and breaking the criminal networks that seek to abuse our borders is a key part of the government’s plan for change.

    Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said:

    Detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products is not just a matter of enforcement, but a vital act of preservation for this planet’s biodiversity.

    The work of Border Force in interrupting this serious organised crime is critical to the UK’s efforts to regulate the international trade in endangered species.

    Border Force Director for National Operations, Danny Hewitt said:

    Wildlife crime is a serious organised crime which fuels corruption, threatens species with extinction, deprives some of the world’s poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods, and degrades ecosystems.

    We take an intelligence-led approach to detecting illegal trade and work closely with our partners across the global community to share training, expertise and skills.

    Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh said:

    Tackling wildlife crime is essential to protecting iconic biodiversity at home and abroad. Criminal gangs must face justice for the part they play in nature destruction for self-gain.

    These figures reflect the invaluable role of the Border Force in safeguarding wildlife, and are an example of international collaboration to combat global criminal networks.

    Border Force works closely with other enforcement agencies, both nationally and internationally, to tackle the illegal wildlife trade and keep borders secure. This includes the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), London Heathrow Animal Reception Centre and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, amongst others.

    This year’s Operation Thunder was also supported by the police, who executed 5 warrants in relation to bird egg smuggling. This has so far resulted in the confiscation of over 5,000 bird eggs.

    Operation Thunder 24 led to seizures in the UK which included:

    • over 400 live birds (51 CITES listed)
    • 7kg of ivory
    • 450 live plants
    • 315kg of beauty products containing caviar
    • over 2,500 pills and 21.5kg of powders containing endangered plant and animal species
    • live corals
    • snow leopard garments

    Border Force is responsible for frontline detection and seizure of items covered by the CITES convention, which tackles the illegal trade in endangered animals and plants. The Heathrow-based Border Force CITES team are specialist officers who are recognised as world leaders in their field.

    Border Force’s work to prevent the trade of unregulated and illegal products made from endangered species is helping the government in its safer streets mission by smashing organised crime.

    Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK government seeks out quantum industry experts for advisory board to accelerate deployment of game-changing technology [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK government seeks out quantum industry experts for advisory board to accelerate deployment of game-changing technology [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 4 February 2025.

    Key specialists are being called upon to join a board advising the UK government in seizing the transformative potential of quantum technologies today.

    • UK’s leadership on breakthrough quantum tech celebrated as the International Year of Quantum begins today
    • DSIT is looking for experts from industry and academia to advise on how to further accelerate the benefits of quantum for the UK
    • UK delegation, led by National Technology Advisor Dave Smith, will visit the UNESCO HQ in Paris to celebrate 100 years of quantum breakthroughs and the subsequent benefits, from drug discoveries to boosts in cybersecurity

    Key specialists are being called upon to join a board advising the UK government in seizing the transformative potential of quantum technologies today (Tuesday 4 February).

    An Expression of Interest (EOI) has now launched for new members to join DSIT’s Quantum Strategic Advisory Board (SAB).

    The recruitment push comes as a UK delegation is set to fly the flag for British quantum at a global event in Paris celebrating quantum’s remarkable impact on the world in the past century.

    With at least 160 companies active up and down the country, the UK is home to the second largest quantum sector globally, strongly supported by investment from the public and private sectors.

    To raise awareness of how quantum innovations are improving our lives by driving growth, creating jobs and delivering breakthroughs in fields like healthcare, UK officials, led by the National Technology Advisor, will mark the start of the International Year of Quantum in Paris today.

    The event, convened by UNESCO, marks 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics, and brings together the leading lights in the field from across the entire world to exchange ideas and showcase best practices in quantum science education, research and industry applications.

    Quantum technologies harness the unique properties of subatomic particles to process information and solve pressing problems in a new way. New innovations in quantum, such as improved health diagnostics and future proofing cyber security to make our streets safe, will help drive the government’s Plan for Change.

    To seize the potential of this technology and support the UK’s vision to be a leading quantum-enabled economy, DSIT is expanding and bolstering its Quantum Strategic Advisory Board.

    UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

    Joining the Quantum Advisory Board is a great opportunity for those who understand the potential of quantum best to help harness the benefits of quantum for the economy and society.

    This government restates its commitment to quantum science and technology and the advice of the Board will be invaluable as we continue to play a key role in ensuring the UK maintains its leadership in this area.

    UK National Technology Advisor, Dave Smith said:

    It’s only right that in 2025 we are celebrating quantum’s transformative potential. From telecommunications to improved medical imaging, quantum science and technology has been central to the groundbreaking innovations of this century.

    The future innovations that could emerge from this technology will help us to benefit from the enlightened combination of long-term partnership from academia, government and the private sector. They will benefit all of us in our daily lives and grow brilliant UK companies and create jobs.

    Leading experts from academic and industry can apply to join the Board, chaired by Sir Peter Knight, and advise the UK government on quantum technologies, contributing to the implementation of the National Quantum Strategy.

    As a critical technology that offers solutions in almost every sector, from healthcare to energy, quantum will form an important part of the government’s forthcoming industrial strategy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New UK Permanent Representative to NATO appointed [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New UK Permanent Representative to NATO appointed [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 February 2025.

    Mr Angus Lapsley CMG has been appointed as the UK’s next Permanent Representative to NATO.

    The NATO Alliance is made up of 32 countries in Europe and North America and keeps 1 billion people safe. It is the cornerstone of transatlantic security and key to underpinning prosperity at home and abroad.

    Mr Lapsley has more than 30 years of experience in the Civil Service, with relevant expertise from a variety of previous roles – including most recently as NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning.

    He is also a member of the Strategic Defence Review Team, advising the UK government as part of the root and branch review of UK defence and making sure Britain is secure for decades to come. Mr Lapsley will remain on the review team until the review is complete.

  • PRESS RELEASE : April pay rise set to boost pockets of over 3 million workers [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : April pay rise set to boost pockets of over 3 million workers [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 4 February 2025.

    Government lays legislation confirming that the new National Living Wage and new National Minimum Wage will take effect from 1 April.

    • Millions of workers set for significant pay increase in April to improve living standards and drive growth
    • Pay boost worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker as Government takes significant step towards genuine living wage
    • Living wage boost set to put more money back into the pockets of working people and kickstart growth as part of the Plan for Change

    Over 3 million workers in shops, restaurants and workplaces across the UK are set to receive a significant pay boost from April – putting thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year. As a result of these changes, a further 4 million workers could benefit from the positive spill-over impacts of the rate increases.

    The Government will lay legislation today that confirms a new National Living Wage of £12.21, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10.00 per hour from April.

    Announced at last year’s Budget, the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage which will be worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker is a significant step towards delivering the manifesto commitment to deliver a genuine living wage.

    The National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to increase by £1.40 to £10.00 per hour – a record increase which means full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year.

    An impact assessment also published today shows that these reforms will put   around £1.8 billion into the pockets of workers over the next six years – delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change to improve living standards and make working people better off.

    The increased income is set to boost financial stability for millions of families and improve spending power which will drive economic growth.

    Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said:

    Economic growth only matters if working people are feeling the benefits.

    This will be a welcome pay bump for millions of workers who in turn will spend more in the real economy boosting our high streets.

    Our Plan for Change is putting money back into people’s pockets and delivering better living standards across the country.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people that will support people with the cost of living, creating a workforce that is fit and ready to help us deliver number one mission to growth the economy.

    This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

    We’ve taken quick and sensible action to boost wages for millions of lower paid workers who are the backbone and future of our economy.

    This is us fulfilling our promise to make work pay and improve living standards across the country, with record boosts to support young people and apprentices – our skilled workers of tomorrow.

    The National Living Wage applies to most workers whereas the National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount an employer must pay per hour for all workers aged below 21.

    This is the first time the National Living Wage has taken into account the cost of living and inflation and marks the first step towards aligning the National Minimum Wage for 18–20-year-olds and National Living Wage to create a single adult wage rate.

    This will put an end to age-based wage discrimination, meaning employers can no longer be justified in paying younger workers less for doing the same job as their older colleagues.

    The minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also set to be boosted this year, with an 18-year-old apprentice in an industry like construction seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18.0%, a pay bump from £6.40 to £7.55 an hour.

    The April pay rise comes as the latest ONS stats showed average weekly earnings after inflation have risen at their fastest year-on-year rate in over three years.

    This builds on the commitment to be a pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth Government. It delivers a key plank of the Plan to Make Work Pay, which is already set to boost the pockets of some the lowest paid workers by up to £600 a year through the Employment Rights Bill.

    The Employment Rights Bill will boost productivity by creating a secure workforce to help us deliver our first mission to kickstart economic growth.

    Working across government, including with HMRC and Acas, we will continue to engage closely with businesses, unions and wider society to ensure that all employers are aware of the new rates and taking the steps needed to prepare for payroll changes on 1 April.

    Low Pay Commission Chair Baroness Stroud said:

    The increases we recommended are a big step towards making work pay and achieving a genuine living wage.

    These rates secure a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid, and substantial increases for young workers make up some of the ground lost against the adult rate over time.

    It’s important we continue to assess the effects of these changes on employers and workers; to that end, the Low Pay Commission will be consulting with both groups in the coming months.

    TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

    This government is delivering on its promise to make work pay. The increase in the national minimum wage will make a real difference to the lowest paid at a time when one in six are skipping meals to get by. And moving to end the outdated and unfair youth rates will give young workers a boost up and down the country.

    More money in working people’s pockets means more spend on our high streets – that’s good for workers and good for local economies. After workers in the UK have been through the biggest squeeze in living standards in 200 years, this boost to working people’s pay packets is badly needed.

    Jason Davenport, CEO of The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), said:

    With continued pressure on employers, it’s imperative that we ensure the new rates are understood, implemented and paid to workers correctly.

    Compliance can be complex with issues for employers to be alert to around, for example, salary sacrifice arrangements.

    The CIPP urges employers and agents to get their payroll processes ready for 1 April 2025 and the CIPP is on hand with support, advice and resources to help payroll professionals and employers ensure their workers are paid compliantly.

    Notes to editors:

    The changes from April will mean:

    • The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over will rise from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour.
    • The National Minimum Wage for 18- to 20-year-olds rises from £8.60 to £10.00 per hour.
    • The apprenticeship rate, and for 16- to 17-year-olds rises from £6.40 per hour to £7.55 per hour.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Tom Kibasi appointed by government to shape 10 Year Health Plan [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tom Kibasi appointed by government to shape 10 Year Health Plan [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 February 2025.

    Tom Kibasi has over 20 years of experience working in the healthcare sector and will provide expert advice to government on how to fix the broken NHS.

    • Tom has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
    • Tom will work closely with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to draft the government’s 10 Year Health Plan

    Tom Kibasi brings over 2 decades of healthcare sector experience into his new role, where he will provide expert advice and support to the Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting’s reform agenda, including drafting the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

    He has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to DHSC where he will support the department to turn the ideas for a better health service, coming from tens of thousands of patients and frontline staff, into successful delivery in the landmark 10 Year Health Plan. The plan will set out how the government’s 3 big shifts – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, from sickness to prevention – are to be delivered.

    Tom is joint chair of 3 mental health and community NHS trusts, leading the charge to improve their quality of care and to help keep patients well in the community, having joined the board of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in 2016. This includes ensuring that trusts share best practice through a new board-in-common and a common framework for quality of care, access to services, finance and productivity. This expertise will help the government deliver the shift in healthcare from hospital to the community.

    Tom led the drafting and directed the analysis for Lord Ara Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS, which reported in September 2024. The investigation found that the service is in a ‘critical condition’ amid surging waiting lists and a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health. Early in his career, Tom worked at the Department of Health as a senior policy adviser to Lord Darzi for his landmark 2008 review of the NHS: High Quality Care for All.

    Tom Kibasi said:

    The independent investigation was a devastating diagnosis of the problems that patients, the public and hard-working NHS staff experience every day.

    Since then, there has been a remarkable process of public, staff and expert engagement on the 10 Year Health Plan. There is now huge energy and expectation about the vision that it will set for both the service and for the health of the nation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s leading the way protecting children from online predators [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s leading the way protecting children from online predators [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 February 2025.

    UK becomes the first country in the world to create new AI sexual abuse offences to protect children from predators generating AI images.

    Children will be protected from the growing threat of predators generating AI images and from online sexual abuse as the UK becomes the first country in the world to create new AI sexual abuse offences.

    AI tools are being used to generate child sexual abuse images in a number of sickening ways including by ‘nudifying’ real-life images of children or by stitching the faces of other children onto existing child sexual abuse images. The real-life voices of children are also often used in this sickening material, meaning innocent survivors of traumatic abuse are being re-victimised.

    Perpetrators are also using those fake images to blackmail children and force victims into further horrific abuse including streaming live images. AI tools are being used to help perpetrators disguise their initial identity and more effectively groom and abuse children online.

    To better protect children against this sickening abuse the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has today (2 February) revealed the UK will be the first country in the world to:

    • make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM), punishable by up to 5 years in prison
    • make it illegal for anyone to possess AI ‘paedophile manuals’ which teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children, punishable by up to 3 years in prison

    At the same time, the Home Office will:

    • introduce a specific offence for predators who run websites designed for other paedophiles to share vile child sexual abuse content or advice on how to groom children, punishable by up to 10 years in prison
    • give Border Force the necessary powers to keep the UK safe and prevent the distribution of CSAM which is often filmed abroad by allowing officers to compel an individual who they reasonably suspect poses a sexual risk to children to unlock their digital devices for inspection, punishable by up to 3 years in prison, depending on the severity

    All 4 measures will be introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Bill when it comes to Parliament. The bill will support the delivery of the government’s safer streets mission to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls in a decade and increase confidence in policing and the wider criminal justice system to its highest levels.

    The increased availability of AI child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery not only poses a real risk to the public by normalising sexual violence against children, but it can lead those who view and create it to go on to offend in real life.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

    We know that sick predators’ activities online often lead to them carrying out the most horrific abuse in person. This government will not hesitate to act to ensure the safety of children online by ensuring our laws keep pace with the latest threats.

    These 4 new laws are bold measures designed to keep our children safe online as technologies evolve. It is vital that we tackle child sexual abuse online as well as offline so we can better protect the public from new and emerging crimes as part of our plan for change.

    The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has warned that more and more sexual abuse AI images of children are being produced.

    Over a 30 day period in 2024, IWF analysts identified 3,512 AI CSAM images on a single dark web site. Compared with their 2023 analysis, the prevalence of category A images (the most severe category) had risen by 10%.

    New data from the charity shows that reports showing AI generated CSAM have risen 380%, with 245 confirmed reports in 2024 compared with 51 in 2023. Each report can contain thousands of images.

    The charity also warns that some of this AI-generated content is so realistic that sometimes they are unable to tell the difference between AI-generated content and abuse that is filmed in real life. Of the 245 reports the IWF took action against, 193 included AI-generated images which were so sophisticated and life-like, they were actioned under UK law as though they were actual, photographic images of child sexual abuse.

    The predators who run or moderate websites designed for other paedophiles to share vile child sexual abuse content or advice on how to groom children are often the most dangerous to society by encouraging others to view even more extreme content.

    Covert law enforcement officials warn that these individuals often act as ‘mentors’ for others with an interest in harming children by offering advice on how to avoid detection and how to manipulate AI tools to generate CSAM.

    Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said:

    For too long abusers have hidden behind their screens, manipulating technology to commit vile crimes and the law has failed to keep up. It’s meant too many children, young people, and their families have been suffering the dire and lasting impacts of this abuse.

    That is why we are cracking down with some of the most far-reaching laws anywhere in the world. These laws will close loopholes, imprison more abusers, and put a stop to the trafficking of this abhorrent material from abroad. Our message is clear – nothing will get in the way from keeping children safe, and to abusers, the time for cowering behind a keyboard is over.

    Through the new laws, The Home Office is leading on the international stage by continuing to invest in law enforcement capabilities to target online child sexual abuse offenders to disrupt the highest harm and most technically sophisticated offenders.

    Which is why we are giving Border Force the necessary powers to keep the UK safe and prevent the distribution of CSAM which is often filmed abroad. Border Force officers will have the power to compel an individual, where they reasonably suspect that the individual poses a sexual risk to children, to unlock their digital devices for inspection.

    Once the device is accessed, specialist technology will be used to compare the contents of the device against the Child Abuse Image Database (CAID), to identify the presence of known child sexual abuse material.

    Interim Chief Executive of the IWF, Derek Ray-Hill, said:

    We have long been calling for the law to be tightened up, and are pleased the government has adopted our recommendations. These steps will have a concrete impact on online safety.

    The frightening speed with which AI imagery has become indistinguishable from photographic abuse has shown the need for legislation to keep pace with new technologies.

    Children who have suffered sexual abuse in the past are now being made victims all over again, with images of their abuse being commodified to train AI models. It is a nightmare scenario, and any child can now be made a victim, with life-like images of them being sexually abused obtainable with only a few prompts, and a few clicks.

    The availability of this AI content further fuels sexual violence against children. It emboldens and encourages abusers, and it makes real children less safe. There is certainly more to be done to prevent AI technology from being exploited, but we welcome today’s announcement, and believe these measures are a vital starting point.

    While AI can be used as a force for good to transform people’s lives, make public services more efficient and help bolster creative industries, the risk of its use to children continues to grow.

    The crime risks normalising sexual violence against children and re-victimising survivors of traumatic abuse. Which is why this government is prepared to build upon the Online Safety Act and will not hesitate to go further if necessary.

    Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said:

    As technology evolves so does the risk to the most vulnerable in society, especially children. It is vital that our laws are robust enough to protect children from these changes online. We will not allow gaps and loopholes in legislation to facilitate this abhorrent abuse.

    However, everyone has a role to play, and I would implore Big Tech to take seriously its responsibility to protect children and not provide safe spaces for this offending.

    Crossbench Peer and Chair of 5Rights Foundation, Baroness Kidron said:

    It has been a long fight to get the AI child sexual abuse offences into law, and the Home Secretary’s announcement today that they will be included in the crime bill, is a milestone. AI-enabled crime normalises the abuse of children and amplifies its spread. Our laws must reflect the reality of children’s experience, and ensure that technology is safe by design and default.

    I pay tribute to my friends and colleagues in the specialist police unit that brought this to my attention, and commend them for their extraordinary efforts to keep children safe. All children whose identity has been stolen or who have suffered abuse deserve our relentless attention and unwavering support. It is they –  and not politicians – who are the focus of our efforts

    In January, the Home Secretary announced a raft of new measures and an investment of £10 million that will allow us to do more to protect vulnerable children, find more criminals, and get justice for more victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

    More victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation will be given power to seek an independent review of their cases following the widening of the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel. Chief constables of all police forces in England and Wales have been urged to re-examine non-recent and live cases of gang exploitation to increase prosecutions.

    At the same time, Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed to lead a rapid audit of existing evidence on grooming gangs to help deliver quicker action to tackle the crime and help victims. By Easter, the government will lay out a clear timetable for taking forward the recommendations from the final IICSA [Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse] report.

    Policy Manager for Child Safety Online at the NSPCC, Rani Govender said:

    It is encouraging to see the government take action aimed at tackling criminals who create AI-generated child sexual abuse images.

    Our Childline service is hearing from children and young people about the devastating impact it can have when AI-generated images are created of them and shared. And, concerningly, often victims won’t even know these images have been created in the first place.

    It is vital the development of AI does not race ahead of child safety online. Wherever possible, these abhorrent harms must be prevented from happening in the first place. To achieve this, we must see robust regulation of this technology to ensure children are protected and tech companies undertake thorough risk assessments before new AI products are rolled out.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte [February 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 February 2025.

    The Prime Minister met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels this afternoon.

    The leaders had a constructive discussion about the scale of the defence and security challenge facing Europe as a result of Putin’s relentless campaign of destruction and sabotage.

    The Prime Minister restated his unwavering commitment to NATO as the cornerstone of our security.

    The NATO Secretary General commended the UK’s ongoing contribution to Ukraine’s fight, and both agreed that all allies need to step up and shoulder more of the burden to keep the pressure on Putin.

    The Prime Minister updated the NATO Secretary General on his recent visit to Ukraine, commending the ongoing bravery of the soldiers risking their lives to defend their sovereignty.

    Ahead of his attendance at the Informal European Council meeting this evening, the Prime Minister updated on his desire to see a stronger UK-EU security partnership to tackle these threats, which will increase co-operation and bolster NATO further.

    The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Over £69 billion confirmed for council budgets [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Over £69 billion confirmed for council budgets [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 3 February 2025.

    Final Settlement confirms over £69 billion government funding for councils, a 6.8% cash-terms increase in Core Spending Power.

    More than £69 billion in funding for England’s councils has been confirmed today as the government delivers on its commitment to restore trust and stability in public services.

    Following the provisional Settlement in December, today’s final Settlement provides a 6.8% in cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power compared to 2024-25. With increased demand and running costs rising, this money is a lifeline and will guarantee no council sees a decrease in their Core Spending Power.

    Families across the country rely on crucial council services such as social care, which is why the government is providing up to £3.7 billion additional funding to social care authorities to deliver this. This includes an £880 million uplift to the Social Care Grant, compared to 2024-25.

    A new £270 million Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant will support the national roll out of vital family help, keeping children safe and ensuring they get the best start in life as set out in the Plan for Change.

    While fundamental change cannot happen overnight, the government is working at pace with the sector to deliver the ambitious reform needed to spread power, money and resources more fairly across the country.

    Today, £60 million has also been confirmed to fund long-term improvements to the local government sector over the next year, including empowering mayoral areas leading the devolution revolution in delivering local priorities and supporting councils’ financial reporting with a fit and legal audit system to ensure transparency.

    Rebuilding the sector from the ground up is a crucial step towards the national Plan for Change to bring better value for money, sustained economic growth and fix our country’s public services.

    The government has maintained the 5% referendum principles on council tax increases – the same level set by the previous administration- to protect taxpayers from excessive increases.

    Unlike previous years, this government has introduced a stricter approach to the inherited arrangements that allowed councils to request higher council tax increases if they need Exceptional Financial Support and see increases as critical to maintaining their financial sustainability.

    This approach puts taxpayers at the forefront, for example by only agreeing increases where councils are amongst the lowest existing levels for tax. In fact, taxpayers in these areas are still expected to be paying less than the average council tax compared to similar councils. This approach has limited the number and scale of additional increases, with the government not agreeing where councils have asked to increase council tax by a very high amount or by high amounts in successive years.

    Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:

    Councils deliver vital services across the country – driving growth and local economies and providing a lifeline for those that need it most.

    Through our Plan for Change we are determined to fix the foundations of local government; investing where it is needed, trusting local leaders and working together to deliver growth, better health and social care services and the affordable homes people need.

    Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE said:

    We have been clear we will fix the foundations of local government. That means an end to short-term solutions and instead rebuilding the sector to put councils on a more stable and secure footing.

     >Local leaders play a crucial role in delivering the day-to-day services communities across the country rely on, which is why we want to work with them towards a fairer funding model that tackles regional inequality and prioritises outcomes for local people.

    This final Settlement marks an important step towards a government focused on efficiency, value-for-money and a community first approach. For the first time, a new £600 million Recovery Grant will help support places most in need, which maximises public spending to ensure it delivers more meaningful outcomes.

    The sector is already having its say via an open consultation on how to best streamline the outdated funding model and distribute taxpayer’s money more fairly, based on an updated assessment of need, enabling every council to deliver high quality services to their communities.

    As part of handing local leaders more power and control of their funding, the government will end outdated processes and bureaucracy of bidding for different funding pots and bring forward the first multi-year settlement in a decade in 2026-27 to provide certainty and economic security to councils setting budgets.

    The provisional settlement consultation was open for 4 weeks and closed on 15 January 2024.

    Notes to Editors

    Further details on all of the above, including allocations for individual councils can be found on the Final Local Government Finance Settlement page 2025-26 here.

    See the Deputy Prime Minister’s full Written Ministerial Statement here: Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament

    The Final Settlement will be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday 5th February.

    The government’s consultation on funding reform from 2026-27 can be found here, and remains open until 12 February.

    Two statutory reports have also been published:

    A record number of councils asked the government for support this year to help them set their budgets, and a record number of these councils have asked for additional council tax increases to aid their financial recovery.

    For councils that require Exceptional Financial Support, the government has considered requests from councils for bespoke council tax referendum principles on a case-by-case basis and has agreed bespoke referendum principles for six local authorities. All six of the councils have been clear they will not be able to set a balanced budget without government support. The government has not agreed to all requests and has not agreed to any request in its entirety, to reduce the impact on taxpayers. In the areas where we have made the difficult decision to allow limited council tax rises,  we expect that no taxpayer will see their bills reach higher than the average compared to similar authorities.

    Core Spending Power is a measure of the resources available to local authorities to fund service delivery. It sets out the money that has been made available to councils through the local government finance settlement.

    The government confirmed unringfenced allocations of the £515m of funding announced at the provisional local government finance settlement to support to local government meet the increased costs of directly employed staff arising from changes to employer National Insurance Contribution (NICs).

    The previous government’s referendum threshold for council tax will be maintained at 3% with 2% for the adult social care precept to protect local taxpayers.

    Several grants including the Rural Services Delivery Grant and the Services Grant will be repurposed. The government will ensure the impact of rurality on the cost of service delivery and demand is reflected in the public consultation next year. Places with a significant rural population will on average receive almost a 6% increase in their Core Spending Power. No council will see a reduction.

    Councils will also receive over £1 billion in total through the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packing scheme (pEPR) which will cover the existing costs they incur for managing household packaging waste, provide additional funding for new legal duties, and support much needed investment in the waste and recycling industry.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out plans to target ‘stuck’ schools [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out plans to target ‘stuck’ schools [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 3 February 2025.

    Education Secretary sets out plan for a new era of school standards.

    Stronger accountability, increased intervention in stuck schools and faster school improvement are at the heart of this government’s plan to give every child the best start in life, the Education Secretary has said today (3 February 2025).

    Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, Bridget Phillipson laid out plans for a new era of school standards building on the reforms of successive governments and delivering on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change – breaking the link between background and success.

    This includes an excellent teacher for every classroom, a high-quality curriculum for every school and a core offer of excellence for every parent so that every child can achieve and thrive.

    The Secretary of State announced new plans to tackle forgotten schools as part of proposals for a significantly strengthened school accountability system that works for parents.

    There are more than 600 ‘stuck’ schools in England that have received consecutive poor Ofsted judgements, and which are attended by more than 300,000 children. Those attending these schools leave primary school with results 14 percentage points worse on average and secondary school with results a grade per subject worse on average.

    Plans unveiled by the Education Secretary today provide for a stronger, faster system, spearheaded by an initial £20 million investment in new regional improvement teams, known as RISE teams which will prioritise these stuck schools. They will draw up bespoke improvement plans with those schools, with government making up to £100,000 available initially to each school for specialist support. This compares to a £6,000 grant that was available previously for similar schools.

    In her speech, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    Stuck schools are the new front in the fight against low expectations.

    I will not accept a system that is content for some to sink, even while others soar.

    The opportunity to succeed must be the right of every child.

    We simply can’t allow stuck schools to disappear off the radar.

    The reforms announced today continue the strong accountability already within the education system since the growth of inspection in the 1990s that has improved school standards.

    The government will continue to use structural intervention – converting to an academy, or moving to a new, strong trust – where Ofsted identifies the most serious concern or does not identify rapid improvement. It has also proposed closer monitoring of schools with the most serious problems to track progress.

    The government expects the number of schools that receive mandatory intervention – including structural and from RISE teams – to be around double than before, securing swift improvement for children and driving high and rising standards in every part of the country.

    Leora Cruddas, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trust, said:

    There is a lot to be proud of about our school system in England. We are a good school system on a journey to great.

    This is because we have built on the evidence of what works – thirty years of curriculum development, teacher development, accountability, structural reform, and innovation. But the school system does not work for all children: the gap between economically disadvantaged pupils and their peers has widened; the system does not serve children with SEND well; and not enough of our children feel like they belong in our schools. Some of our schools are not on a secure improvement trajectory.

    If we are to build a great school system, then we must design it so that all our children achieve and thrive. We are committed to working with government to design a system that is built on excellence, equity, and inclusion.

    Sir Hamid Patel, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

    The government is right to focus on strong and supportive accountability to deliver high standards and expectations. While we take pride in the significant strengths, achievements, and international reputation of our school system, the entrenched disadvantage gap is a national crisis that requires urgent and persistent action from us all.

    The introduction of RISE teams to support the work of our outstanding school trusts, along with additional funding for tailored school improvement and enhanced monitoring of schools facing serious performance challenges, will contribute to an aspirational system that benefits all children and families.

    Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning, said:

    Turning around schools which are not doing a good enough job for children is a critical priority for our school system. It is therefore good to see the government’s determination to ensure rapid improvement in a larger number of struggling schools while continuing with structural intervention in the weakest schools by using all the resources and capacity available.

    Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind said:

    Parents will welcome efforts to make sure that there are high standards in every classroom.

    Schools will be at the centre of significant social change during the decade ahead and we will need a robust, responsive system that not only recognises when schools are excelling but steps in with meaningful support when they struggle.

    When we engage with parents about school inspections, their message is clear: they want a framework that is firm yet fair, one that places the success and well-being of every child at its core and acknowledges the essential role of parents in making this vision a reality.

    Dr Vanessa Ogden, Chief Executive Mulberry Schools, said:

    We see an ambitious plan announced today that invests in the quality assurance, leadership and resources to build on existing success and improve standards for all. Those schools that need it will get the expert challenge and support required to achieve turnaround. Those that already hold this knowledge can help. Working together in this way, we can ensure that every child gets the great school they deserve – and we can reach higher and further than ever in education, for a thriving economy, regional prosperity and fulfilled secure lives.

    Tom Campbell, Chief Executive Office, E-Act, said:

    I welcome the government investment in support for schools who have been left to struggle in recent years.  The RISE teams and their focus on support rather than intervention makes high quality school improvement available to all schools, irrespective of which trust or LA they are in or which geographical region they are based.

    While RISE teams will immediately prioritise stuck schools, the proposals also set out that they will engage with schools that have concerning levels of pupil attainment, including large year-on-year declines.

    The teams will also work across all schools providing a universal service, signposting to best practice and bringing schools together to share their knowledge and innovation.

    The measures today come as Ofsted has unveiled the new report cards which they propose will evaluate schools across 9 separate areas.  They also set out proposals for evaluating areas from ‘exemplary’ to ‘causing concern’, holding schools to a higher standard and providing far greater information for parents.

    School report cards will start to be introduced from this autumn.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Eight new members appointed to the Council for Science and Technology [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Eight new members appointed to the Council for Science and Technology [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Government Office for Science on 3 February 2025.

    Eight new members have been appointed to the Council for Science and Technology (CST). The Council advises the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on strategic science and technology policy issues that cut across the responsibilities of individual government departments.

    Professor Dame Angela McLean, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and Co-Chair of  CST,  said:

    The eight new members bring extraordinary breadth and depth of experience: from AI and data to chemical engineering and venture capital. I am confident that new members will further invigorate the Council and its ability to provide robust advice on the government’s high-level priorities for science and technology. I look forward to collaborating across a wide range of topics to further embed specialist knowledge of the UK’s strength in science and technology into the heart of government decision-making.

    New members:

    • Mark Enzer OBE is a Strategic Advisor at Mott MacDonald. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London.
    • Professor Dame Lynn Gladden DBE is Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, and former Executive-Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
    • Priya Lakhani OBE is Founder CEO of CENTURY Tech. She co-founded the Institute for Ethical AI in education.
    • Avid Larizadeh Duggan OBE is a Senior Managing Director, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Teachers’ Venture Growth. She is a Non-Executive Director on the board of Barclays Bank UK.
    • Professor (Emeritus) Nick McKeown is Senior Fellow at Intel Corporation, Professor (Emeritus) of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Stanford University and Visiting Professor of Engineering and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University.
    • Professor Sir Nigel Richard Shadbolt is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. He is Co-Founder and Chair of the Open Data Institute.
    • Richard Slater is Chief R&D Officer for Unilever. He was previously Senior Vice President R&D, GSK Consumer Healthcare. He is a Non-Executive Director at Future Origins.
    • Paul Taylor CBE is Director of Morgan Stanley International, Chair of Interrupt Labs Ltd and Chair of Beyond Blue. He is a Non-Executive Director on the Defence Technology and Innovation Board at the Ministry of Defence.