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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Statement for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Statement for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2025.

    Delivered on 20 October at the 11th Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with respect to Human Rights.

    Thank you, Chair.

    We would like to thank OHCHR for organising this session and we extend our appreciation to Ecuador for their leadership.

    The United Kingdom remains committed to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles underpin our broader efforts to promote responsible business conduct and ensure that human rights are respected across global supply chains.

    Earlier this year, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade launched a review of our approach to responsible business conduct. This review will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current RBC measures and alternative policy options to support responsible business practices: including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence, and import controls, amongst others.  It will be an objective and evidence-based process, aimed at enhancing the UK’s framework for responsible business conduct.

    In parallel, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is conducting a National Baseline Assessment of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles. This will contribute to the evidence base that informs the UK’s approach to tackling business-related human rights abuses. We expect both the RBC Review and the National Baseline Assessment to conclude early next year. Their findings will inform the UK’s position on this draft treaty.

    These initiatives reflect our commitment to ensuring that businesses respect human rights, support sustainable development, and contribute to resilient and inclusive economies. We would also like to share with this Working Group a set of principles on supply chains developed through a UK-hosted dialogue earlier this year at Wilton Park. These offer a framework for addressing human rights abuses in global supply chains while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development. The principles emphasise collaboration, transparency, and the importance of centring affected workers and communities at the centre of discussions and actions. As we consider the development of this treaty, we hope that these insights will inform our approach to ensuring that any future instrument is inclusive, effective, and grounded in real-world experience.

    We’re also commissioning new research to assess the potential economic impact of the draft treaty. This work reflects our commitment to an evidence-informed approach. We hope to be able to share insights from the research in due course. 

    The UK acknowledges the potential merits of an instrument that further elaborates the responsibilities of businesses with regards to human rights. We appreciate the intersessional dialogues, non-working papers, and expert legal advice that have supported progress. However, further work is needed to address outstanding challenges in the text. We note with appreciation the Chair’s textual suggestions circulated ahead of this session. Given the short timeframe in which these were received, further time will be necessary to consider the proposals in greater depth and therefore our interactions during this session may be limited in some areas.

    Any future instrument must deliver meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders, while being workable for businesses and Governments.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s biggest pension funds back regional growth drive [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s biggest pension funds back regional growth drive [October 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 October 2025.

    Billions will be unlocked to build affordable homes, power communities and connect the countryside, as the Chancellor joins forces with pension providers and insurers to drive growth in every region.

    • 20 of Britain’s largest pension providers and insurers set to launch Sterling 20 group at first-ever Regional Investment Summit on Tuesday. 
    • Investment drive kicks off with Legal & General (L&G) and Nest committing billions to build more affordable housing, improve broadband connections in rural areas and provide scale-up finance for growing businesses. 
    • Chancellor set to meet providers and Australia’s biggest fund in Birmingham as government ramps up efforts to drive regional growth and put more money into people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    The Sterling 20 – a new investor-led partnership between 20 of the UK’s largest pension funds and insurers – will be established at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham on Tuesday, working with the government and City of London Corporation to channel the nation’s savings into key infrastructure and fast growing businesses in key modern Industrial Strategy sectors like AI and fintech. 

    L&G have kicked off this investment drive with a £2 billion commitment by 2030, delivering around 10,000 more affordable homes for hardworking families and supporting the creation of 24,000 jobs nationwide.  

    Nest, who represent a third of the UK workforce, will also provide Schroders Capital with £500 million – of which £100 million is expected to be channelled into UK investments in the coming years. In addition, Nest will invest £40 million to deliver gigabit-capable fibre broadcast to remote areas in Scotland and Norther England – delivering high-speed reliable broadband to rural homes and businesses in hard-to-reach communities. 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:   

    This is about getting Britain building again – bringing our savings, our investors and our regions together to deliver the homes, infrastructure and industries that will drive growth and create good jobs in every corner of the country.   

    Our country’s pension funds are some of the biggest in the world. When they invest in Britain, everyone benefits – from the construction worker on site, to the small business on the high street, to the saver seeing their pension grow. Sterling 20 shows what can be achieved when we all pull in the same direction to build a stronger economy that works for, and rewards, working people. 

    António Simões, Group Chief Executive, Legal & General, said:  

    As a long-term investor in the UK economy, L&G has a proud history of using pension capital to develop assets that deliver strong financial returns and lasting social impact. Our £2 billion commitment, targeted at housing, infrastructure, and urban regeneration, will help unlock the investment needed in productive assets across the country – creating jobs, strengthening communities, and driving both regional and national growth. 

    Ian Cornelius, CEO of Nest, said:

    Every decision we make puts our members and their long-term outcomes first. We believe private assets can play a key role in delivering strong, consistent returns for them.  

    That’s why the UK, with its exceptional investment opportunities, is a cornerstone of our strategy. From major infrastructure projects to ambitious small businesses, our investments are helping support economic growth across the country. We have already committed around £4 billion to UK private markets, and by 2030 we expect this to rise to around £12 billion. A strong pipeline of opportunities will be essential to realising this growth for the benefit of our members and the UK economy. 

    Alastair King, Lord Mayor of London, said:   

    The Mansion House Accord marked a pivotal step in pension investment reform – building on the foundations of the Mansion House Compact and signalling a clear industry commitment to channel investment directly into UK growth. 

    This next stage transforms commitment into deployment by uniting the UK’s leading investors around a shared vision and coordinated strategy with government. British enterprise, from AI to renewable energy and infrastructure, is primed for investment. The Mansion House Accord signatories have stated their intent to deliver on the Accord’s promise to give British savers a meaningful stake in Britain’s growth while increasing returns.

    The Regional Investment Summit will also see the AustralianSuper, Australia’s largest pension fund and 17th largest in the world, increase its investment into the UK housing market.   

    The fund will meet with the Chancellor at the Regional Investment Summit, as the Government seeks to reinforce the UK as an attractive investment destination for the billions of pounds it will deploy outside of Australia in the coming years. Ahead of this, AustralianSuper has announced a new UK living investment platform dedicated to investment in rental homes as part of its ambition to invest £8 billion of new capital into the UK over the next five years 

    Damian Moloney, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at AustralianSuper:  

    The Superannuation Mission offers a valuable opportunity to share insights, deepen collaboration and build on the strong investment ties that exist between Australia and the UK. 

    As the launch of our new £500m UK Living Platform demonstrates, AustralianSuper continues to view the UK as a key global investment destination. With the Fund on track to grow its UK assets to £18 billion by 2030, we look forward to further facilitating investment between the two countries for the benefit of members.” 

    Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said:

    Our pensions system is one of the UK’s great strengths. We’re stepping up the pace of pension reform to support not just British pension savers but the British economy, supporting investment to deliver the growth of communities up and down the country.” 

    Tom Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, Rothesay said:

    The Sterling 20 is a fantastic initiative which will enable the UK’s largest asset owners to deploy capital more effectively into the critical infrastructure and national priorities which are so vital to our economic growth. As the UK’s largest specialist pensions insurer, Rothesay invests at scale across the country and we are committed to working with the government to deliver the innovative solutions which will unlock even greater volumes of domestic investment from our sector.

    Andrea Rossi, CEO of M&G Plc, said:

    “UK pension providers have a great opportunity to drive economic growth and give savers the returns they need for retirement. The Sterling 20 Group offers a powerful platform for institutional investors to shape the country’s future from long-term investment in housing, infrastructure or strategic national projects. As a UK-listed savings and investment company investing £100 billion domestically, we are proud to be playing our part.

    Andy Briggs, CEO, Phoenix Group, said:

    Through the Sterling 20 we are helping to unlock billions in long-term investment that will support communities, build critical regional infrastructure, and fuel innovation across the UK. This is about putting our customers’ savings to work in ways that grow their pensions and grow the economy. This landmark initiative brings together the scale and strength of the UK’s pension and insurance sector to invest in Britain’s future.

    The formation of the Sterling 20 comes as pension providers ramp up their investment in Britain. It builds on July’s Mansion House Accord, which saw 17 providers representing 90% of active defined contribution scheme savers, commit to invest at least 5% of their main default funds in UK private markets. This commitment will unlock over £25 billion for new UK housing infrastructure and high-growth industries.  

    All 17 signatories of the Accord, alongside annuity providers Rothesay and PIC, and the Pension Protection Fund have signed up to form the Sterling 20. 

    Working with the Office for Investment, the Sterling 20 and Australian Superannuation Scheme – who manage a combined £5 trillion in assets – driving growth, creating jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets. Even a small shift towards investing in UK infrastructure would unlock billions. 

    The Office for Investment’s unique position as a bridge between government, investors and local leaders will allow it to match transformational investment opportunities with capital. It will leverage its visibility across the UK landscape to create a pipeline of opportunities that meet the Sterling 20 and Australian Superannuation Scheme’s investment ambitions and drive growth in every region of the country.

    Further information

    • The members of the Sterling 20 are: Aegon; Aon; Aviva; L&G; LifeSight by WTW; Mercer; M&G; NatWest Cushon; Nest Corporation; NOW Pensions; People’s Partnership; Phoenix Group; Royal London; Smart Pension; SEI; TPT; USS – Universities Superannuation Scheme; Rothesay; PIC – Pension Insurance Corporation; PPF – Pension Protection Fund. 
    • The Mansion House Accord is a voluntary pledge by seventeen of the UK’s largest workplace pension providers. Jointly led by the ABI, Pensions UK and the City of London Corporation with the support of the government, signatories agreed to allocate 10% of default defined contribution pension funds into private markets, with 5% committed to the UK.
    • The Mansion House Compact is a voluntary pledge by 11 defined contribution pension providers to allocate at least 5% of default funds to unlisted equities by 2030. For providers signed up to the Accord and Compact, progress under the Compact counts towards meeting the Accord’s goals.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Regulator finds serious financial mismanagement at charity, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International, which had more than 100 bank accounts [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Regulator finds serious financial mismanagement at charity, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International, which had more than 100 bank accounts [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Charity Commission on 20 October 2025.

    Former and current trustees at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International lacked oversight and control over charitable funds, a Charity Commission inquiry has found.

    The charity operates through a large network of individual branches and works to promote Christianity. 

    The Commission opened an inquiry after financial concerns were identified, including the alleged misappropriation of charity funds. 

    Key findings  

    The inquiry found that the charity’s trustees could not demonstrate that they had adequate oversight or control over more than 100 bank accounts operated by individual branches of the charity, with charity money at risk across the organisation’s extensive network. 

    As a result of serious concerns regarding the trustees’ ability to carry out their duties effectively, the Commission appointed an interim manager in 2019 to work alongside the remaining trustees to implement essential financial controls.  

    Many of the charity’s financial issues stemmed from its complex structure, which had grown from a handful of branches to over 90 locations nationwide, without the corresponding governance improvements.  

    Branches operated autonomously, opening bank accounts without central oversight and failing to report income in a timely manner. This created substantial risks to charitable funds and resulted in inaccurate financial reporting. 

    Additionally, branch offices were making significant financial decisions, including property purchases and lease agreements, without trustee knowledge or authorisation. 

    This lack of oversight by trustees led to financial losses for the charity – for example, some branches occupied property without first obtaining the necessary planning permission and one of which was subject to costly legal action by a council. Further losses arose because of the former and current trustees’ failure to regularise employment contracts which resulted in payments to settle employment disputes.  

    Regulatory action 

    As a result of its findings, the Commission took action to freeze the charity’s assets to prevent further loss. 

    An interim manager was appointed to implement robust financial controls at the charity and to improve its governance.  

    The interim manager was discharged in September 2024. The interim manager appointment was lengthy due to the complexity of the reform needed at the charity and the delays caused by legal proceedings. 

    Following the completion of this work, the Commission issued an order directing the charity to follow a regulatory action plan concerning governance and policy changes. The Commission is now satisfied that the trustees have complied with the action plan.   

    Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission said: 

    The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows. 

    In this case, the trustees’ fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network. 

    Following the intervention of the Commission and the interim manager, the trustees were better able to implement essential reforms, meaning the charity can now operate effectively and focus on delivering its charitable objects.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will boost regional economies [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will boost regional economies [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 October 2025.

    The new fund will modernise and revitalise the UK’s fishing fleet, with £56 million going to support Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish fishing industries.

    • £56 million of new money will support Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish fishing industries and boost local economies 
    • Investment in new technology and equipment, revitalise the UK’s fishing fleet, and training the next generation of fishers will drive growth across the industry 
    • Regional delivery will target investment to where it matters most across the UK, boosting the sector and local communities for the future 

    Fishing businesses and coastal communities across the UK will benefit from £360 million of investment through a new Fishing and Coastal Growth fund, with £56 million of the new money going to support Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish fishing industries.  

    Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be responsible for spending the money to best meet the specific needs of their fishing and coastal communities. 

    This will allow the funding to be targeted to where it matters most, with devolved governments able to work in collaboration with their local fishing industries to prioritise regional needs and best support their coastal towns and villages. 

    The fund will invest in the UK’s fishing fleet’s technology and equipment, train the next generation of fishers by enhancing their skills, and support coastal communities by boosting tourism and trade.    

    Targeting the funding will create more secure, sustainable, and economically successful fishing and aquaculture sectors across the UK, in turn supporting local communities.  

    The Scottish Government (£28m), Welsh Government (£18m) and Northern Ireland Executive (£10m) have been allocated a share of funding based on the Barnett Formula.  

    Fisheries Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

    The grit and determination of fishers throughout the UK brings the best seafood to our dining tables and across the world.   

    This fund will revitalise the fishing sector and coastal communities right across the UK, spurring growth as part of our Plan for Change.    

    Supporting devolved governments with this new funding will help get the money to where it’s most needed, so the sector can thrive for generations to come.    

    UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:

    Scotland’s fisheries sector and our coastal communities are hugely important and this new £28 million UK Government investment will help deliver a bright, sustainable future for the fishing industry and those who live on our coast by improving infrastructure, creating jobs and boosting investment in skills.   

    The UK Government is also slashing red tape for our seafood exporters and businesses as we work with partners to deliver a decade of renewal for the country through our Plan for Change.

    National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations Chief Executive Mike Cohen said: 

    There has been commercial fishing in the UK for more than a thousand years. Today, it remains integral to many coastal communities and continues to produce some of the best seafood in the world. We can be enormously proud of our heritage, and prouder still that fishing remains full of potential.  

    Well managed, and with the right support, fishing can be an engine to drive sustainable growth all around our coastline. This funding is enormously welcome and, if properly targeted, will bring social and economic benefits that will be felt for a long time to come.

    The UK government will work in close partnership with the devolved governments to ensure the funding supports both local needs and UK-wide ambitions for a thriving, sustainable fishing industry.    

    Alongside the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, the UK government expects to start negotiations for a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU this autumn.    

    The deal will slash red tape for UK seafood exporters and make it easier to sell UK fish to our largest trading partner, driving growth and removing barriers to trade.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Gemma Aldridge appointed to the Department of Health and Social Care [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Gemma Aldridge appointed to the Department of Health and Social Care [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 20 October 2025.

    Gemma Aldridge has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to undertake a short review of DHSC’s and NHS England’s media and digital work.

    As the former editor of the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, she brings a wealth of journalistic experience and will work across DHSC and NHS England for 3 months. Gemma, previously a features editor and assistant editor at the titles, became editor at the 2 Sunday papers in April 2021 and left in 2024.

    The review will focus on effective communication of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and comes ahead of future plans to integrate the 2 organisations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Trade Envoy in Cambodia to boost trade and investment  [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Trade Envoy in Cambodia to boost trade and investment  [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 October 2025.

    UK Trade Envoy Matt Western MP visits Cambodia to strengthen trade and investment ties and support Cambodia’s sustainable economic development.

    Phnom Penh, 20–21 October 2025 – The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, Matt Western MP, is visiting Cambodia to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties and supporting Cambodia’s sustainable economic development. The visit builds on momentum under the UK–Cambodia Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF), the main platform for bilateral coordination and private-sector engagement.  

    During his visit, Mr Western will attend the inauguration of Techo International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project designed by UK firm Foster + Partners, symbolising the UK’s contribution to Cambodia’s connectivity and long-term growth. 

    He will also meet with Cambodian ministers to follow up on Cambodia’s trade policy and discussions will include regional trade architecture, notably developments around the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership, and how Cambodia and the UK can strengthen cooperation on regional trade integration. 

    Mr Western will meet with British businesses operating in Cambodia to highlight their contribution to job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth. He will also engage UK education institutions active in Cambodia to discuss their role in developing skills, improving employability, social mobility, and supporting inclusive growth.

    Speaking ahead of the visit, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Matt Western MP said:   

    It is a real privilege to be in Cambodia at such a significant moment. Attending the inauguration of Techo International Airport is not only a celebration of progress, it’s a powerful symbol of what UK-Cambodia partnership can achieve. I am delighted that British design and expertise have contributed to a project that will make a lasting impression on every visitor to Cambodia, and which rightly invokes feelings of such national pride among our Cambodian friends.  

    I look forward to building on this momentum, engaging with Cambodian leaders and British businesses during my visit to celebrate our strong commercial partnership and to unlock new opportunities to support sustainable growth and shared prosperity and deliver benefits to the people of both our countries.

    This visit reflects the UK’s enduring partnership to support Cambodia’s transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and its efforts to promote green and inclusive growth. It also aligns with the UK’s broader ambition to deepen economic ties across the Indo-Pacific region, recognising ASEAN’s central role in fostering regional trade and investment.  

    The UK remains committed to working closely with Cambodian partners to promote mutual prosperity and unlock new trade opportunities for both nations.   

    Note to Editors

    • Matt Western MP is the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. His role is to promote UK trade and investment interests and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
    • Mr Western is expected to meet Minister of Commerce, Her Excellency Cham Nimul, during his visit.
    • He will visit a British-owned garment factory, and major employer, Dewhirst.  Dewhirst manufacture clothing for high-profile international brands, including Marks & Spencer and Nike.
    • During the visit, Mr Western will also engage with the CPTPP Taskforce, appointed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, to exchange views on regional trade architecture, including developments around the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and explore opportunities for deeper regional trade integration.
    • Mr Western will attend a UK funded conference on Regulatory Reform and host a networking cocktail with British businesses and senior Cambodian figures.
    • The Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is the UK’s flagship trade preference programme designed to support developing economies by reducing tariffs and simplifying trading rules.
    • Cambodia is one of the key beneficiaries of the scheme, which offers duty-free access to over 99% of goods exported to the UK, helping Cambodian businesses grow, diversify exports, and compete globally.
    • The DCTS reflects the UK’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable trade, supporting economic development, job creation, and poverty reduction in partner countries.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK regions given extra £20 million science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK regions given extra £20 million science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit [October 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 October 2025.

    • Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region backed to the tune of £50 million each to support local innovation priorities from life-saving medicines to clean fuels that can cut bills
    • Further life sciences investment in state-of-the-art West Midlands facilities to create jobs and boost Britain’s health resilience, with valuable medicines made on home shores
    • Comes ahead of Chancellor’s landmark Regional Investment Summit bringing businesses and governments together to turbocharge our economy as part of our Plan for Change.

    New cash boosts of £20 million each for Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region will help to deliver more of the regions’ game-changing local innovations like robotics to unlock new medicines or AI that can spot illnesses earlier, the Science and Technology Secretary has announced today (Sunday 19 October), ahead of this Tuesday’s landmark Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham.

    The funding package will give local leaders in these 3 areas access to a total of £50 million each to fund innovations in science and technology in their local areas, like the next lifesaving medicine or cheaper fuels that can keep bills down.

    The new funding for 3 regions is the latest commitment from the government’s £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) and builds on the initial £30 million earmarked for each place in June’s Spending Review, along with 7 others across the UK, including Cardiff City Region, Belfast-Derry/Londonderry and West Yorkshire.

    We are also inviting further bids of up to £20 million from high potential innovation clusters in all other regions of the UK. This will support local leaders to invest in local innovation strengths – from advanced manufacturing and life sciences to digital technologies and clean energy – and in turn back our Industrial Strategy to boost jobs.

    Taken together, this month’s bumper LIPF funding package will back teams across the country to scale-up and drive forward more discoveries, recognising the benefits they bring to people’s everyday lives – from keeping us healthy, to reducing delays on our commute, to building a greener planet with cheaper bills.

    This additional funding will enable more spinouts like Chemify in Glasgow, which was backed by government funding, to help create the world’s first ‘Chemputation’ facility – merging AI-powered molecular‑design engines with industrial robotics to speed up discovery of medicines and materials.

    Elsewhere, regional funding has boosted Greater Manchester’s growth into a global AI hub, connecting university technical expertise to start-ups and SMEs so they can turn early-stage ideas into viable products – from tech which can predict disease progression earlier to work on net zero innovations to decarbonise buildings.

    And in the West Midlands, the additional funding could enable more projects like Biochar CleanTech, taking organic residues like sawdust or fallen trees and converting them into usable low‑carbon products.

    The projects launched under the predecessor Innovation Accelerators programme has delivered more than £140 million of private investment and hundreds of jobs, creating more opportunities for people to get on.

    This comes ahead of the Regional Investment Summit which will bring together business leaders, major investors, policymakers, regulators, regional mayors and other local leaders to showcase the breadth and depth of opportunities to invest, expand and create jobs right across our nations and regions.

    Ahead of the Summit, the Chancellor has pledged that no region will be locked out of the investment, jobs and growth being delivered as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    The UK is blessed with incredible science and tech talent behind everything from life-saving vaccines to cleaner fuels that could cut bills in the years to come, improving the lives of people up and down the country.

    These prized sectors are also major drivers of economic growth in local communities. By backing those with the knowledge to home in on local strengths and supporting valued businesses in building the facilities that can set our country apart, we can lead the next generation of life-changing discoveries.

    This government’s message ahead of this landmark Regional Investment Summit is loud and clear – the UK is open for business.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    The world’s brightest talents and most innovative businesses can be found in every corner of the UK, but years of chronic underinvestment have held them back.

    Not anymore. We are putting a stop to this unfairness by investing in every part of the country. From Glasgow to Birmingham, we are fuelling innovation through our Plan for Change, delivering skilled jobs, and building an economy that works for, and rewards working people.

    Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

    Greater Manchester has an extensive innovation ecosystem, with outstanding sector strengths in areas like advanced materials, life sciences and AI, and world-leading companies, universities and research institutions. This additional funding is a welcome boost that will help us unlock the potential of our growth-driving sectors and build on our outstanding productivity growth in recent years.

    In piloting the Innovation Accelerator we were able to use local knowledge and understanding to translate research and development funding into business growth, new jobs and private sector investment. We look forward to using the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund to make an even bigger impact.

    To further support innovative growth in the regions, the government is also announcing the first 2 investments to be delivered through round one of the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF), which is set to unlock over £30 million in joint public-private investment.

    Medicines manufacturer Sterling Pharmaceuticals is investing in a 60,000 sq ft state-of-the-art new manufacturing and R&D centre in Birmingham. Medtech company Biocomposites, meanwhile, is bringing forward a new manufacturing facility at Keele. Besides creating and safeguarding dozens of high-skilled jobs, these facilities will ensure that valuable medicines are made here in the UK, bolstering the country’s resilience to health emergencies.

    Backed by major corporations including Eon, Lloyds, KPMG, HSBC and IBM, the Regional Investment Summit will be co-hosted by the Chancellor, the Business and Trade Secretary, and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, with business leaders, international investors, and policymakers from home and abroad in attendance.

    Notes to editors

    The expression of interest for the competition opened on 6 October, and UKRI published further guidance to help potential applicants prepare.

    Up to £520 million is being made available through LSIMF over the next 5 years, with further investments to be announced in due course.

    Ten regions across the UK have already received backing through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. These include 7 innovation hubs in England such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire, alongside Glasgow City Region in Scotland, Cardiff Capital Region in Wales, and an innovation corridor linking Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Each of these areas has been earmarked for at least £30 million to invest in their regional innovation strengths.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Record single flight of illegal migrants returned under new deal [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record single flight of illegal migrants returned under new deal [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 October 2025.

    The number of illegal migrants returned under the UK-France deal has reached 42 after 16 were returned to France in largest group flight yet.

    A record number of 16 illegal migrants have been returned to France this week in the largest group flight yet, bringing the total number of returns to 42. 

    The Home Secretary has pledged to “scale up removals to France” in a stark warning to those attempting to enter the country illegally.   

    The previous government’s Rwanda policy consumed years of effort and hundreds of millions in public funds yet removed only 4 people. Within weeks of our new arrangement with France, the government has successfully removed 42 illegal migrants.  

    The UK-France treaty allows the rapid detention and removal of individuals who enter illegally via small boats. 

    Further flights to France under this pilot scheme are scheduled to take place over the coming days and weeks, as the government looks to work with the French government to scale up the scheme. 

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:  

    For many years, illegal migrants entered our country with no consequence. 

    This is the largest return flight under our historic deal with the French. And it sends a warning to those considering entering this country illegally: if you come here by small boat, you can be sent back. 

    This is just the beginning – I will scale up these removals to France. And I will do whatever it takes to secure our borders.

    This comes after the UK government sent border security officers to the Balkans last week to disrupt illegal migration routes and explore new enforcement techniques that could see UK law enforcement and border security operations alongside Frontex in the Western Balkans to track down and arrest people smugglers. 

    This follows the UK National Crime Agency leading 350 disruptions of immigration crime networks over the last year – its highest level on record and a 40% increase on the previous 12 months.  

    The UK government continues to work with France to operate a tightly controlled legal route for an equal number of eligible individuals to come to the UK, subject to rigorous security checks. This legal pathway reflects the strength of the UK-France relationship.

    This pilot scheme will continue to be ramped up, with both countries having committed to continuously improving the process of this innovative approach.  

    This continued work as part of the government’s Plan for Change demonstrates the comprehensive approach to securing borders through international co-operation, operational enforcement, and decisive action against criminal networks facilitating illegal migration.  

  • PRESS RELEASE : Clean energy jobs boom to bring thousands of new jobs [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Clean energy jobs boom to bring thousands of new jobs [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 19 October 2025.

    Clean energy will bring 400,000 extra jobs by 2030, with high demand for roles including plumbers, electricians and welders.

    • 31 priority occupations such as plumbers, electricians and welders are particularly in demand  
    • 5 new clean energy Technical Excellence Colleges to train next generation of workers, as part of government’s drive for two-thirds of young people to be in higher-level learning 
    • Energy Secretary to set out measures ensuring companies receiving public grants and contracts need to deliver good jobs across the clean energy sector
    • A generation of young people across Britain will benefit from the good jobs and high wages that the booming clean energy economy can bring, under new plans announced by the government today as part of the clean energy superpower mission

    Backed by record government and private sector investment in clean energy such as renewables and nuclear, the clean energy economy is sparking a boom in demand for good industrial jobs in all regions and nations of the UK – with 31 priority occupations such as plumbers, electricians, and welders particularly in demand. 

    For the first time, government will today (Sunday 19 October) publish a comprehensive national plan to train up the next generation of clean energy workers, with employment expected to double to 860,000 by 2030, ensuring jobs are high quality and well paid.  

    See the Clean Energy Jobs Plan

    Setting clear workforce estimates for the first time will galvanise industry, the public sector, and education providers to work together to deliver one cohesive strategy to invest in training for specific in demand occupations. 

    The Energy Secretary will also set out how this government sees trade unions as an essential part of the modern workplace and economy. Across the broader energy sector, trade union coverage has declined from over 70% in the mid 90’s to around 30% today. Recognising trade unions is vital to securing high pay and good conditions for workers. 

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:  

    Communities have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call – and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen.  

    Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job. Thanks to this government’s commitment to clean energy, a generation of young people in our industrial heartlands can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders. 

    This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union, agenda that will deliver the national renewal our country needs.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said: 

    We’re giving workers the skills needed for switch to clean energy, which is good for them, good for industry – and will drive growth across the nation. 

    Our new jobs plan will unlock real opportunities and ensure everyone has access to the training and support to secure the well-paid jobs that will power our country’s future, as part of our Plan for Change.

    The government’s clean energy mission is already delivering for the UK, with the certainty and stability of the government’s mission having galvanised over £50 billion of private investment since last July.  

    The government has also given Sizewell C the green light, which will support 10,000 jobs at peak construction, announced Rolls Royce as the preferred bidder for the small modular reactor programme to support up to 3,000 jobs, and kickstarted the Acorn and the Viking projects in Scotland and the North East that is estimated to support a combined 35,000 jobs, including 1,000 apprenticeships. This builds on the 4,000 jobs already set to be created in CCUS projects in the North West and Teesside.  

    For young people, these jobs can offer higher levels of pay- with entry level roles in the majority of occupations in clean energy paying 23% more than the same occupations in other sectors.  

    Jobs in wind, nuclear, and electricity networks all advertise average salaries of over £50,000, compared to the UK average of £37,000, and are spread across coastal and post-industrial communities. 

    New initiatives include: 

    • Training up the next generation of clean energy workers – 5 new Technical Excellence Colleges will help train young people into essential roles. Skills pilots in Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire will be backed by a total of £2.5 million – which could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers
    • Harnessing the valuable expertise and transferrable skills of veterans – Working with Mission Renewable, the government is launching a new programme to match veterans up with careers in solar panel installation, wind turbine factories, and nuclear power stations
    • Tailored schemes for ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed – Last year alone, 13,700 people who were out of work possessed many of the skills required for key roles in the clean energy sector, such as engineering and skilled trades
    • Upskill existing workers – Oil and gas workers will benefit from up to £20 million in total from the UK and Scottish governments to provide bespoke careers training for thousands of new roles in clean energy. This follows high demand for the Aberdeen skills pilot, which is already supporting workers into new careers. Government is also extending the ‘energy skills passport’, which identifies routes for oil and gas workers to easily transition into roles in offshore wind, to new sectors including nuclear and the electricity grid

    The plan also includes landmark proposals to ensure that jobs in the clean energy sector have world class pay, terms and conditions. 

    • Closing loopholes in legislation to extend employment protections enjoyed by offshore oil and gas workers working beyond UK territorial seas, including the national minimum wage, to the clean energy sector
    • A new Fair Work Charter between offshore wind developers and trade unions to ensure that companies benefiting from public funding provide decent wages and strong workplace rights
    • Workforce criteria in grants and procurements to test and pilot innovative ways to drive fair work and skills in DESNZ grants and contracts, including through the Clean Industry Bonus and Great British Energy

    It comes after the Prime Minister announced a package of reforms to elevate and transform the education skills system, with a new target for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher-level learning – academic, technical or apprenticeships – by age 25, up from 50% today. 

    With at least 1 in 6 ex-military already armed with many of the skills needed for the clean energy sector, the government is joining forces with Mission Renewable to match them up with careers in solar panel installation, wind turbine factories, and nuclear power stations.   

    The pilot will initially focus on the East of England, which will benefit from the biggest increase in the size of the clean energy workforce with over 60,000 people expected to be employed in the sector by the end of the decade.  

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: 

    Wales’s growing clean energy industry is delivering the well-paid, highly-skilled jobs of the future. 

    Projects right across the country from Pembrokeshire to Flintshire are creating opportunities for hundreds of our young people and will help drive regional growth as well as accelerating our drive towards lower bills and energy security.

    Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, said:   

    After years of previous governments starving British industry of investment, this represents a serious plan to start to rebuild our industrial heartlands and deliver quality jobs in clean energy – as well as supporting even more in supply chains right across the country.   

    Crucially, it puts decent work at the heart of our energy system. And it shows that when government makes a plan with unions and workers, the whole country can benefit.   

    Whether it’s welders in Wrexham or pipefitters on Teesside, the firm commitment to clean energy jobs being good union jobs is one which will improve working lives the country over.    

    We now look forward to government delivering a similarly robust and funded plan for the North Sea transition, which safeguards jobs and livelihoods.

    Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, National Officer at the GMB, said: 

    GMB has long campaigned for a jobs first transition. The government is listening and having a jobs plan to underpin the industrial strategy is exactly what this country needs. 

    GMB welcomes this roadmap for clean energy jobs and the cast iron expectation unions and their members will be at the heart of this. 

    We need fair work agreements and taxpayers’ cash has to be spend where good jobs are going to be created. Today’s plan not only sets out that expectation but crucially, how good jobs can be measured.

    Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary of the RMT, said: 

    RMT welcomes the government’s commitment to closing loopholes in maritime and offshore employment law, which should in turn create domestic opportunities in coastal communities that support the entirety of the offshore wind supply chain. 

    This plan has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of good jobs across the UK, offering real opportunities for those wishing to transition from oil and gas and for a new generation of workers in their own communities.

    Christina McAnea, General Secretary of UNISON said:  

    Clean, homegrown energy is essential in tackling climate change and delivering economic growth. This plan can help create a UK workforce with highly skilled, fairly paid and secure jobs. 

    Extra investment for retraining will mean experienced staff already employed in the sector are able to take on new roles. Additional funding for apprenticeships and opportunities for young people are crucial too if the UK is to have a bright and clean energy future.

    Alasdair McDiarmid, Assistant General Secretary of Community, said 

    After long years of managed decline and neglect under previous governments, we now have an ambitious government which is serious about rebuilding Britain’s industrial base. Crucially, the government is also investing in the skills needed to power the future of British manufacturing – something Community has long called for.  

    The push for new clean energy jobs will also support our members in both the light industries and steel sector, with steel being an essential component for green energy infrastructure and construction.  

    We look forward to opportunities to collaborate with the government as they roll out this initiative across the UK, delivering for working people in the communities they live in.

    Sue Ferns OBE, Senior Deputy General Secretary at Prospect, said: 

    The infrastructure investment required to achieve the government’s clean energy mission must be backed by a major boost to jobs and skills. If this mission is to be a success, and support the wider industrial strategy and growth agendas, then we urgently need a step-change in the level of workforce development. In this context is it welcome that this Jobs Plan now exists and the new initiatives are a welcome step in the right direction.

    Frances O’Grady, Former General Secretary of the TUC, said: 

    Energy workers and their families are at the heart of this plan – showing the clean energy transition provides not just energy security but job security. 

    Alongside this, it’s a promise that every pound of taxpayers’ money will be used to help create the decent apprenticeships,  jobs, and livelihoods that Britain needs.

    Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

    Well paid, secure work must be at the heart of any green transition. Unite members will welcome the commitment to 400,000 green jobs with strong collective bargaining rights. The actions set out in this plan are initial steps in what must be an ambitious strategy for tangible jobs, backed by an equally ambitious programme of public investment.

    Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, said:  

    We have committed to creating a new apprenticeship for every day of this decade. These new secure, skilled, well-paid jobs are key to unlocking the economic growth the UK so desperately needs.  

    Clean energy isn’t simply about new technology – it’s about renewing purpose and harnessing the skills and infrastructure that have served us for decades to power the next chapter. 

    I’m proud Centrica has the largest unionised workforce in UK energy and services, and we are delighted to welcome the government’s Clean Jobs Plan as a vital step in recognising the skills, protections and careers that must underpin the energy transition. 

    Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: 

    Thanks to the clear direction set out by the government’s Clean Power 2030 Mission, we’re investing at record levels in the clean electricity infrastructure the UK needs for energy security and economic growth. 

    Our £24 billion investment plan is creating thousands of job opportunities. We’re recruiting for good, well-paid skilled jobs at record levels. We’re welcoming 300 new recruits in the last 3 months of 2025 alone and aim to bring on another 2,000 jobs up to 2027.  

    Many of these jobs are in the communities that we serve in Scotland, England and Wales. This is on top of the benefits for local supply chain businesses across the country from our commitment to domestic procurement that currently supports 70,000 jobs in the UK supply chain.

    EDF power solutions UK CEO Matthieu Hue said:  

    We welcome the plan which brings clarity on the scale of the opportunity for people across the UK to work in high quality jobs which will contribute to our electric future.  

    EDF power solutions has 2 GW of wind, solar and battery in operation and our goal is to have 5 times that amount by 2035, so we will need many more skilled people to help us reach our ambition.  

    Our partnership with 4 trade unions, GMB, Prospect, Unison and Unite shows our commitment to working together with them to grow our business.

    Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Energy UK&I, said: 

    Siemens Energy is a major employer in the UK with 6,500 workers at sites across the UK. We have taken on 140 new apprentices this autumn, and we currently have more than 200 active vacancies.  

    The jobs plan announcement is welcome news, building on the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan that was launched at our Hull offshore wind blade factory.

    Chris Norbury, CEO of E.ON UK, said:  

    Clean power is a defining opportunity to grow the economy, strengthen energy security, and create skilled jobs that support communities nationwide. We welcome the Clean Energy Jobs Plan as a vital step towards building the workforce to realise that potential.  

    We’re proud to already be delivering on this ambition by supporting around 800 people annually through our Net Zero Training Academy and wider skills initiatives, and welcoming over 1,300 apprentices across 100 programmes since 2018.  

    Through partnerships with trade unions, schools, and local governments, we’re ensuring green jobs are good jobs, rooted in local communities with real progression, purpose, and opportunity. We look forward to working with government and industry to scale up this mission and ensure no region is left behind.

    Michael Lewis, CEO Uniper said:  

    We’re really pleased to see the launch of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan and the recommendations within it.  

    Uniper aims to invest approximately €8 billion into growth and transformation projects by the early 2030s, including solar and onshore wind projects, hydrogen projects, and a new combined-cycle gas turbine power station with carbon capture technology at our Connah’s Quay site – contributing to the retention and creation of jobs, and supporting the regional economy.  

    We recognise the need for workers to have the right skills now, and in the future, to support the UK’s and our own ambitions.

    Zac Richardson, Group Chief Engineer at National Grid, said: 

    Secure, affordable and clean energy is essential to unlocking UK economic growth and productivity – ambitions which are underpinned by electricity networks and the unprecedented levels of planned investment in them. 

    We welcome the government’s focus on skills and training – especially for technical roles vital to our energy future – and look forward to working together to build a diverse, homegrown workforce that can deliver the grid of tomorrow.

    Tania Kumar, Director of Net Zero at the CBI, said: 

    The growth of the clean energy economy is creating opportunities for people and places across the whole of the UK. The launch of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan offers a tangible way to connect communities with both the opportunities emerging across the sector and the businesses at the forefront of delivering them. 

    If we want people to feel invested in the transition and ensure they are able to participate in it, we must show them how they fit into the vision. This plan begins to do just that, laying out clear pathways no matter whether you’re in work, seeking employment or returning to the job market.

    Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said: 

    Today’s announcement is a critical step forward in building the workforce required to deliver our future energy system. It rightly recognises the need to tackle the skills challenge collectively by investing in both new talent and our existing workforce.  

    With up to 400,000 new jobs on the horizon and a clear focus on high-quality, inclusive opportunities, the Clean Energy Job Plan spotlights a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a cleaner, fairer energy system whose benefits will be felt by people and communities across the country.

    Jane Cooper, Deputy Chief Executive at Renewable UK, said:  

    The Clean Energy Jobs Plan sets out the scale of the massive opportunity which the UK has to create tens of thousands of new jobs in renewables all over the country.  

    It includes practical measures which will enable government and industry to work even closer together to maximise this, such as opening new Technical Excellence Colleges, building on Britain’s current success as a global leader in clean power.  

    This long-awaited plan delivers on employers’ calls for a coherent government workforce strategy for clean energy and we look forward to working with Ministers to realise its ambitions.

    Katy Heidenreich Supply Chain and People Director at Offshore Energies UK, said:  

    Investing in skills development is essential to support the UK’s energy sector and it is encouraging to see governments recognise the huge resource of our oil and gas workforce and how their skills can be developed to provide the expertise needed for the energy mix of the future.  

    Oil and gas workers have a continuing role in powering the UK today and for years to come. A successful energy future—one that is increasingly homegrown—depends on supporting the industries and people delivering energy now, alongside growing capability across all technologies.

    Claire Mack OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: 

    The clean power mission is not just about energy security for the country, it’s about good jobs and a workforce fit the future in your locale. The scale and importance of the energy transition requires new approaches to ensure investments in skills, apprenticeships and training serve the needs of the entire economy. 

    Scotland is home to world-class energy skills expertise. Working with both governments, the clean energy industry can build on this through the breadth of projects coming forward today and in the years ahead. The Clean Energy Jobs Plan is an important signal to the public and private sectors of how we must quickly strengthen our partnership on jobs and skills.

    Ben Martin, Policy Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

    The net zero economy is continuing to grow, and the Clean Energy Jobs Plan clearly sets out how the government will recruit essential workers who are critical for the UK’s energy transition. This will support both net zero and economic growth across the UK, providing certainty for people and local communities.  

    The plan also recognises the critical role that oil and gas workers in the North Sea will play in driving the renewable energy sector. Aligning skills standards between these 2 sectors and identifying current and future skills needs to support our low carbon future, are essential to delivering a successful UK energy transition.

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

    Manufacturers are moving at pace to invest in decarbonisation and net zero projects and the transition to clean energy offers huge opportunities for industry. To take full advantage, companies will need to have access to increasingly higher levels of skills and a talent pipeline which will fuel the growth we need to see.  

    As such, this plan is a welcome recognition by government and a positive step forward that work needs to start now to get ahead of our competitors and ensure industry is equipped with the skills to do the job. In tandem with this plan we need to accelerate skills reform including ensuring that apprenticeship courses are funded to cover the real cost of training, as outlined in the clean energy sector plan.

    Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said: 

    We welcome the Clean Energy Jobs Plan’s recognition that hydrogen will be vital to net zero and to creating high-quality jobs. Much of the oil and gas workforce already has transferable skills, and supporting their transition into hydrogen will be key to a just and rapid shift to a clean energy economy.  

    The Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Skills Accelerator is a crucial first step, and over time we must move from designing courses to delivering hands-on training and upskilling to build the workforce of the future.

    Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, said: 

    We welcome the Clean Jobs Plan and its recognition of the vital role CCUS and hydrogen will play in achieving the UK’s growth and decarbonisation goals while keeping industries competitive. Developing the necessary skills base is crucial to unlocking these sectors’ full potential and protecting thousands of existing industrial jobs.  

    Establishing a dedicated Hydrogen and CCUS Skills Accelerator, in partnership with industry, marks an important step toward creating high-quality employment and ensuring a just transition for skilled workers from the North Sea. The CCSA looks forward to collaborating with government and partners to build the workforce powering the clean energy future. 

    Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: 

    This Jobs Plan shows the huge opportunity clean power offers the UK, and the vital role nuclear will play in delivering it. With 100,000 people already working in nuclear in good, skilled jobs across the country, new stations like Sizewell C and a fleet of SMRs will create thousands more — especially for young people — in clean and secure energy. 

    Chris Hewett, Chief Executive, Solar Energy UK, said: 

    Solar energy and battery energy storage already support over 20,000 British jobs, with expectations that the sectors will employ more than twice the number in 10 years’ time. But to reach our goals for cheaper, cleaner power, we need to redouble our efforts to attract and train staff for these fast-growing sectors. With our Solar Careers UK programme and critical support from government under the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, we have every expectation that our aspirations will be fulfilled.

    Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, said: 

    We have a long heritage of manufacturing for the electricity industry in the UK. As a supply chain at the heart of the clean energy sector we know the growth potential is substantial as we electrify our energy system.  

    The biggest limiting factor for investment today is the availability of a skilled workforce and therefore we welcome the focus on job creation for our supply chain. For network equipment manufacturing alone our average member expects to double employment by 2035.  

    This plan sets the foundations we need to help this statistic rise further.  Our members offer good jobs, in an industry rooted in local communities right across the UK, what they need is long term certainty and a commitment to support investment which this plan targets.

    Lawrence Slade, CEO of Energy Networks Association, said:  

    This plan is an important step towards accelerating the real economic benefits of the clean energy transition right around the country. Today network operators employ around 26,000 people and facilitate 1,500 apprenticeships, in order to maintain the safe, reliable operation of over 500,000 miles of wires and cables. Tomorrow, the clean energy transition will underpin new employment opportunities and economic expansion, with tens of thousands of jobs across the country needed to upgrade the grid, not just temporary positions, but long-term careers, from apprenticeships to advanced engineering roles. By working together on the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan, we will build on existing work and give industry and government the clarity and confidence needed to invest in the workforce, skills and supply chain capacity that will help drive us towards a clean power system. 

    Lieutenant General (Retd) Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, Chair, Mission Renewable, said: 

    The Clean Energy Jobs Plan reflects the valuable contributions those who have served have made and can continue to make to the nation. By linking veterans and their families with career opportunities in the clean energy sector, Mission Renewable helps companies tap into and retain skilled talent, while at the same time enabling Armed Forces communities to thrive and feel valued. The sector and companies benefit, the veterans benefit and ultimately the nation benefits from skilled people delivering growth and opportunity. 

    Paul Cox, Group CEO of Energy & Utility Skills, said: 

    For the government to achieve its 2030 target, we must put people at the heart of that ambition – only by having the right people with the right skills will we deliver the UK’s energy future.   

    Energy and Utility Skills Group has worked closely with the Office for Clean Energy Jobs on its plans, scoping the workforce demands as well as convening the industry to create a UK-wide awareness and attraction campaign.  

    We will continue to work with purpose and pace to support the Clean Energy Jobs Plan alongside our partners in the sector. Together, we can turn ambition into impact.

    David Hughes, Chief Executive of Association of Colleges, said: 

    This exciting plan will help people get the skills they need to secure good work locally and it is great to see the investment in colleges to back the government’s ambitions on a net zero future.  

    With employers stepping up as well, colleges will be able to offer the training young people need to enter the net zero construction sector, as well as the re-training adults need to move jobs. 

    Colleges are ready to be at the heart of this transition, to create real career pathways and help the country lead the global green economy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Improved safeguarding and protections for vulnerable people [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Improved safeguarding and protections for vulnerable people [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 18 October 2025.

    Government to launch a consultation in 2026 on Liberty Protection Safeguards to improve safeguarding for vulnerable people.

    • Protections for people lacking mental capacity to be strengthened through major changes planned by the government to improve safeguarding
    • Changes expected to address deep-rooted issues within the system by reducing the need for intrusive processes, providing better support for families, carers and health professionals
    • Comes as Supreme Court reviews what counts as a deprivation of liberty in a case put forward by Northern Ireland

    Vulnerable people lacking the mental capacity to make decisions about their care are expected to benefit from major changes to safeguarding and protections, following a consultation announced by the government today.

    The proposed Liberty Protection Safeguards aim to deliver improved protection and an easier and improved system to allow carers, psychologists, social workers and families to provide care to vulnerable people in circumstances that amount to a deprivation of liberty.

    The current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards system is bureaucratic and complex, leading to poor understanding and application of the law by professionals, unacceptable distress for families and a backlog of 123,790 individuals, putting pressure on the social care system.

    The implementation of these new safeguards is expected to streamline processes and reduce the backlog of applications – focusing on those most vulnerable.

    A consultation on the Liberty Protection Safeguards will be launched in the first half of next year, seeking the views of those affected such as families, carers and practitioners including social workers, nurses, psychologists and occupational therapists. It will be jointly run by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice.

    This delivers on calls from organisations including the Care Quality Commission, Mencap and Mind for the implementation of new Liberty Protection Safeguards to replace the outdated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

    For example, under the current system:

    1. A lady in the advanced stages of dementia, who for over 3 years has had no concept of place, person or time and cannot walk, talk or chew, is required to have an assessment every year.
    2. The assessment involves a GP, social worker, care home staff, admin staff and her advocate, and results in a long report to determine whether she should be deprived of her liberty and if the care home is the best place for her.
    3. Part of this assessment includes a GP visit. The GP asks her a string of questions, despite this vulnerable individual having no indication of understanding or even awareness of anyone being there and cannot give any response.
    4. This repetitive process is distressing for her family to witness every year and to be told they are depriving their loved one of liberty. Many other people have conditions like this which are unchanging.

    Liberty Protection Safeguards will allow for existing assessments to be reused, or for assessments to last for longer than one year. This will reduce the need for intrusive processes, which can be harmful or distressing for individuals and their families, and will allow for better focus on people who most need support and protection.

    Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said: 

    Safeguarding the vulnerable and protecting their rights is the absolute priority of this government. This is about fixing a broken system by hearing directly from those with lived experience and their families.

    There is currently a shameful backlog in the system of unprocessed cases under the current system, which means that people’s rights are not being protected. At the same time, we know that many people in the system and their families find these intrusive assessments distressing.

    This is about ensuring we are fully focused on the most vulnerable people in our society and their families – understanding their needs, ending the maze of referrals and paperwork, and delivering the best protections and safeguards possible.

    A 2014 Supreme Court ruling, known as Cheshire West, established an ‘acid test’ which broadened the definition of what it means to be ‘deprived of liberty’ and led to an increase of 300,000 referrals between 2013 to 2014 and 2023 to 2024 – in addition to a backlog of 125,000 cases.

    Each case represents an extremely vulnerable person who needs comprehensive care and support and does not have the mental capacity to make decisions about their care alone.

    In August, Northern Ireland put forward a challenge to the Supreme Court about the Cheshire West ‘acid test’ and what is considered a ‘deprivation of liberty’. This is a challenge to the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, with any ruling having a UK-wide impact.

    The UK government has been granted permission by the Supreme Court to intervene in this case – as it recognises the issue within the current system and sought to be part of this vital conversation and put forward a UK-wide solution.

    The responses from this consultation will be used to inform a final Mental Capacity Act (2005) Code of Practice, which will be laid in Parliament.

    The revised code of practice will incorporate changes in case law, legislation, organisational structures, terminology and good practice since 2007, addressing critical challenges in the existing Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards framework. 

    The last time the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice and Liberty Protection Safeguards were consulted on was in 2022, which did not lead to any changes.