Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 January 2026.

The Prime Minister hosted the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto at Downing Street today.

The leaders welcomed the strong progress on the Strategic Partnership between the UK and Indonesia, which they had committed to pursuing in 2024 and formally agreed today.

It was a clear example of how the UK and Indonesia’s relationship continued to go from strength to strength, and deliver for people in both countries, the Prime Minister said.

The £4 billion Maritime Partnership Programme agreed between the UK and Indonesia in November underlined that, supporting thousands of jobs in Rosyth, Bristol and Devonport, and across Indonesia, while also boosting regional and food security, the leaders agreed.

Both leaders also welcomed the strong education links being formed between the two countries.

Turning to international affairs, the leaders discussed the situation in Gaza and their strong continued support for a two state solution.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

January 26, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New Aviation Ambassadors announced to inspire future pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2026.

Our 10 new Aviation Ambassadors will help encourage more young people to see the UK aviation sector as a place where they can build rewarding, long-term futures.
- 10 industry professionals appointed to inspire young people into aviation careers in the industry, futureproofing the sector and upskilling young Brits
- next cohort of volunteers will start this month, including a former Red Arrows Chief Engineer and Operations Director of East Midlands Airport, to shine a light on the wide range of aviation jobs and to encourage recruits from diverse backgrounds
- supports government’s mission to deliver growth and opportunity, helping young people into skilled jobs and furthering the UK’s world-leading reputation in aviation
Thousands of young people across the UK will be inspired to pursue exciting and rewarding careers in aviation as the government confirms the next cohort of Aviation Ambassadors today (15 January 2026).

The ambassadors are successful aviation professionals who promote jobs, skills and training in the sector by going into schools, hosting workshops, and using social media to reach primary, secondary and college students across England.

From ground handling and airfield safety to commercial flying, customer service, and aviation law, the Aviation Ambassador programme raises awareness of the breadth of career paths available to suit every skill set and every passion. 

Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

Aviation is full of exciting opportunities and fulfilling career paths and we’re determined to encourage more young people to see the sector as a place where they can thrive and build rewarding, long-term futures.

Our Aviation Ambassadors are key to making that happen – sharing their own journeys, helping to break down barriers and showing the sky really is the limit. By broadening horizons, we’re helping to secure the future of UK aviation while delivering regional growth, jobs and skills.

A key part of the ambassadors’ role will be inspiring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have previously considered the opportunities or career paths the industry offers.

Among the new ambassadors are:
- Former Red Arrows Chief Engineer, Ross Priday, from South Wales, who will inspire young people by sharing his wide range of experiences and bridging the gap between aviation and aerospace careers.
- Lauren Turner, airport Operations Director. Lauren has risen through the ranks at East Midlands Airport from Security Officer to overseeing the entire airport operation in 13 years, becoming a self-led aviation success story who will champion apprenticeships and support pathways into aviation.
- Miguel Cabrera Vivas, London-based aviation influencer and former Heathrow internal progression lead, also known as The Aviation Mentor. Miguel uses social media and in-person sessions to promote aviation as an accessible career choice.
Other new ambassadors include Marcus Sellars, who graduated from Newcastle University last year into a role delivering automation and digital transport integration across the airfield at Teesside International Airport, and David Gardner, a senior firefighter and medical lead for the airport’s first responder scheme at Luton Airport.

Ambassadors deliver a range of outreach activities, including giving talks in colleges, supporting industry events and promoting aviation careers through online platforms and traditional media. This engagement has reached thousands of people who may never have considered aviation as a career option, including those in underrepresented communities.

The initiative is part of the Generation Aviation programme, which sees government and industry working together to help build an aviation workforce fit for the future and to attract diverse, talented people.

The new ambassadors will start their roles on 28 January 2026.

Ross Priday, former Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows and new Aviation Ambassador, said:

Aviation gave me a career I could never have imagined, and I want others to see the incredible opportunities this industry offers. Whether someone is fascinated by engineering, drawn to the skies as a pilot, or interested in roles like air traffic control, ground operations or aviation law and insurance, there truly is something for everyone.

What’s exciting is that there are so many ways in. School leavers, apprentices, graduates, and those looking for a change from other industries can all find their path into aviation. Through my Aviation Ambassador role, I want to show people not just that these exciting careers exist, but exactly how to access them.

Lauren Turner, Operations Director at East Midlands Airport and new Aviation Ambassador, said:

I’m proud and excited to be an aviation ambassador and to share my journey at East Midlands Airport. Aviation is an innovative, fast-moving industry with opportunities for people from all walks of life, and I hope that by sharing my personal career story, I can encourage young people across the region to see it as a career where they can thrive and grow.

Alice Goodwin, former Aviation Ambassador, said:

Congratulations to the new cohort of Aviation Ambassadors!

This programme is a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to inspire the next generation, showcase the diverse careers aviation offers, and champion the sector as role models.

By engaging with schools, speaking at events, and sharing their passion, these ambassadors will play a vital role in closing the aviation skills gap and shaping the future of this exciting industry.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:

Airports and aviation offer a wealth of excellent career opportunities, and it is great to see the next set of sector ambassadors have been appointed to help inspire the next generation.

Jobs in this sector will not only provide young people with fulfilling and highly skilled careers but will directly contribute to growing the UK economy and help keep our friends, families and businesses connected with the world.

We wish the new ambassadors the best of luck with their new responsibilities and look forward to exploring how we can work with them to increase awareness of the chances offered by aviation.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:

Airlines UK welcomes the appointment of the new Aviation Ambassadors. Our world-class sector depends on a steady pipeline of skilled young people choosing careers in aviation, and this programme plays a practical role in highlighting the varied and exciting range of careers available. By connecting real aviation businesses with schools and colleges, the scheme supports growth, resilience, and the future competitiveness of our fantastic industry.

The new ambassadors are: 
- Emma Garnham – Training and Compliance Director for DHL, a ground handler, based in London
- Abdullah Bin Sajid Butt – Customer Operations Coordinator at Jet2.com, based in Bradford
- Ross Priday – CEO of a business delivering aviation safety risk advisory services to industry. Previously served as Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows, based in Wales
- Sigourney Ansah – an aspiring commercial pilot, who has previously worked for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at their head offices, based in London
- Sam Higgins - student outreach manager for British Airways, based in London
- Ken Eckersall – director of KenEck, a company which delivers aviation outreach to schools and colleges through portable flight simulators, FlightDeck PC, based in Wigan
- David Gardner – aviation fire fighter and medical lead for Luton Airport’s first responder scheme, based in Luton
- Lauren Turner – Operations Director at East Midlands Airport, based in the Midlands.
- Miguel Cabrera Vivas – former Service Recovery Manager at Heathrow and founder of ‘The Aviation Mentor’ social media channels with 177,000 likes and 6,000 followers, based in London
- Marcus Sellars – Aviation Automation and Digital Transport Integration Lead at Tees Valley Combined Authority, based in the Darlington
January 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Disability Confident scheme overhauled to boost workplace standards for disabled people [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 14 January 2026.

Sick and disabled people will have more opportunities to move into work following the overhaul of a scheme that will boost living standards and workplace inclusion.

Scheme to help employers recruit and retain disabled people to be reformed – boosting workplace inclusion and living standards as part of Plan for Change.
Reforms to previous Government’s Disability Confident scheme include tailored support for SMEs and greater peer-to-peer support for employers.
New standards to improve scheme for employer and employees will be shaped by the voices of disabled people.
Sick and disabled people will have more opportunities to move into work following the overhaul of a scheme that will boost living standards and workplace inclusion.

The Disability Confident scheme – launched by the previous government in 2016 – has delivered huge variations of support across different UK regions, often overlooking specific local needs and priorities.

While around two thirds of employers agree that joining the scheme had a positive impact on their organisation, the landmark Keep Britain Working review by Sir Charlie Mayfield concluded that while it has many positive aspects it “lacks teeth”.

In response to the review, the Government is taking action to prevent ill-health, support people to stay in work, and help employers build healthier, more resilient workplaces. Overhauling the Disability Confident scheme is a key part of this.

This will involve trialling reforms through employers, alongside the work taking place in the Keep Britain Working Review Vanguards, such as:

The Disability Confident scheme has three levels of commitment – we are reducing the time employers can remain at the entry level from three years to two, and removing the option for them to renew at this level to encourage employers to progress up the scheme.
Tailoring support for SMEs to their needs and capabilities, so that businesses of all sizes can benefit.
Connecting employers together so that they can access peer-to-peer support and share good practice, with practical resources so that they can tap into the scheme’s full potential.
Reflecting the views and voices of disabled people throughout the scheme so that guidance reflects real experiences.
The reforms are aimed at making employers’ experience on the scheme more meaningful and more impactful on their organisations, incentivising them to progress their Disability Confident status and make their workplaces inclusive of disabled talent. This will improve the employment outcomes of disabled people across the country, boosting living standards and helping to get the more than 2.8 million people signed off long-term sick in the UK into secure employment.

Around 19,000 employers are signed up to the current Disability Confident scheme, benefitting an estimated 11 million paid employees in their organisations. By improving the offer to employers, the reformed scheme has the potential to benefit even more employees.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said:
Disability Confident – with around 19,000 employers signed up – has enormous potential. For too long, though, it has not delivered enough support for disabled people, or for employers who want to recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

That’s why we are improving the scheme, through robust reforms to ensure a better service for all, including through greater support for SMEs and improving access to resources for employers.

This comes alongside our investment of £1 billion a year in employment support by the end of the decade, and our Connect to Work programme which will help 300,000 sick or disabled people into work by the end of the parliament.

Sally Gardner, Business Solutions Manager at Tees Valley Mayoral Combined Authority, welcomed the changes, saying:
Tees Valley Combined Authority supports the proposed reforms to the Disability Confident scheme and welcomes the opportunity to test new approaches that will strengthen the scheme’s impact.

These changes, including tailored support for SMEs and enhanced verification, will help ensure the scheme continues to drive meaningful progress and promote greater inclusivity for businesses in our region.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:
Adding a small business-focused track to Disability Confident is a good move, delivering on something that FSB proposed in our 2022 Business Without Barriers report.

Ensuring that the great work done by countless small businesses to support disabled employees can be captured and recognised is an important step, and we look forward to seeing how Disability Confident can be shaped in other ways to make it as relevant and useful to small firms as possible.

The Government will be engaging closely with current Disability Confident scheme members, SMEs, and larger businesses such as The Gym Group who are Disability Confident leaders, as well as the recently announced Independent Disability Advisory Panel to ensure that reforms are both impactful and realistic.

The changes build on the work the Government is doing to unlock work for sick or disabled people including the £1 billion investment in employment support by the end of the decade, and the Connect to Work programme that will support 300,000 into work, alongside the launch of employer-led Vanguards to address issues highlighted in the Keep Britain Working Review.

January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Iran [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 January 2026.

Joint Statement from the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and the High Representative of the EU.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are gravely concerned by the developments surrounding the ongoing protests in Iran. We strongly oppose the intensification of the Iranian authorities’ brutal repression of the Iranian people, who have been bravely voicing legitimate aspirations for a better life, dignity and freedom, since the end of December 2025.

We are deeply alarmed at the high level of reported deaths and injuries. We condemn the deliberate use of violence and the killing of protestors, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators.

We urge the Iranian authorities to exercise full restraint, to refrain from violence, and to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens, including the rights to freedom of expression, to seek, receive and impart information, and the freedom of association and peaceful assembly, without fear of reprisal.

The members of the G7 remain prepared to impose additional restrictive measures if Iran continues to crack down on protests and dissent in violation of international human rights obligations.

January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Waiting lists cut three times faster in highest joblessness areas [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 January 2026.

Waiting lists in 20 areas in England fall three times faster than the national average thanks to experts deployed by government to help supercharge NHS care.
- Trusts part of ‘Further Faster 20’ programme saw backlogs cut dramatically and productivity increased, helping get people back to work
- Scheme is just one modernisation success story amid the NHS recovery, and comes one year on from the launch of the government’s Elective Reform Plan
Specialist NHS teams helped cut waiting lists three times faster than the national average, a new report has revealed.

Thousands of patients across England benefitted from the Further Faster 20 (FF20) programme, which helped slash waiting times, turbocharge activity and is getting people back to work.

Crack teams of experts were sent to 20 hospital trusts across England with the highest levels of economic inactivity, with the aim of cutting the waiting list and boosting growth.

The health service will take learnings from the programme and use these to take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.

The findings of the FF20 report come as the government marks one year since the launch of the Elective Reform Plan – where record NHS funding is directed towards cutting waiting lists and getting patients seen on time again.

Since July 2024, the waiting list is down by more than 225,000 despite 28.4 million referrals, making a huge difference to people’s lives up and down the country.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

We said our Elective Reform Plan would get waiting lists down, and one year on that’s exactly what it’s delivering. Along with record investment, we’re doing things differently to get patients seen quicker, back to work and living their lives.

By sending crack teams into hospitals to supercharge care, opening more Community Diagnostic Centres longer and later, and cutting wasteful spending, we’re turning the tanker round and patients are starting to feel the difference.

It will be a long road, but together with NHS staff, we are fixing our health service and make it fit for the future and beyond.

Mark Cubbon, NHS England’s National Director for Planned Care, said:

NHS staff have been relentless in their efforts to bring waiting times down, and today’s figures show patients are starting to see the benefits – not only getting the care they need faster but also being supported back into the job market.

The last year has seen the NHS take great strides to deliver more tests and scans closer to home, and cut unnecessary and time-consuming appointments and processes, so that people can get the surgery they need faster.

The NHS will continue to deliver on the Elective Reform Plan and ensure people can get the treatment they need in a timely manner.

The FF20 programme sees teams work alongside local staff to transform how planned operations and outpatient appointments are delivered. This includes High Flow Theatre Lists, where experts perform ‘Formula 1 style’ surgery with theatres operating continuously, allowing surgeons to complete planned operations quicker.

Streamlining outpatient processes also played a major role. Trusts cut unnecessary appointments by sending patients “straight to test” rather than multiple clinic visits.

South Tees alone created 4,000 extra appointment slots by optimising the way it ran outpatient clinics, while Bolton cut wasted slots by 20% through better capacity management. East Lancashire deployed AI-powered dictation for pre-operative assessments, boosting nurse productivity by 14%.

The evaluation, published today by NHS England, found that over the 12 months from October 2024 to October 2025, waiting lists in FF20 areas fell three times faster than the rest of the country – with a 4.2% reduction compared to 1.4% nationally. For working-age adults, the difference was even starker: lists fell more than five times faster, helping get people treated and back into the workforce.

This initiative is having a major impact in slashing treatment times, and getting the NHS working again.

The Elective Reform Plan, launched in January 2025, set out how the government will return the health service its target of ensuring 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks for from referral to treatment by the end of the parliament.

In addition to the FF20 programme, across the country the government and NHS have together created more evening and weekend clinics, new and expanded community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, millions of extra GP appointments, thousands more frontline staff, and smarter technology.

As a result, the NHS continues to deliver above target productivity growth, with 2.7% growth between April 2024 and March 2025, and a further 2.5% in the first five months of this financial year. This means not only is the government boosting NHS capacity, it’s getting more bang for the taxpayer’s buck.

Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive, NHS Providers, said:

It’s great to see NHS trusts’ innovation and hard work to see patients quickly, cut waiting lists and boost productivity making such a huge contribution to the economy and growth. This is all the more impressive given the impact of record demand, resident doctor strikes and a relentless focus on delivering a financial ‘break even’ position for the NHS as a whole.

Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

It is encouraging to see targeted support helping trusts run operating lists and outpatient clinics more efficiently.  Long waits carry real human costs – prolonged pain, loss of independence, time away from work and disrupted lives.  This initiative shows what’s possible with focused investment. Our surgical workforce census shows surgeons are ready to do more operations, and with the right theatres, staffing and bed capacity in place, the NHS can go further and faster in tackling waiting lists.
January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Immediate action to improve HMP Swaleside [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 January 2026.

Extra specialist staff, improved training for frontline officers and bolstered anti-drone measures will be deployed at HMP Swaleside as part of Government action to urgently turn the prison around.
- New specialist staff to bolster safety and security
- Anti-drone measures such as new windows and netting to clamp down on illicit items
- Ramp up of prisoner discipline hearings to tackle bad behaviour
- The jail received an Urgent Notification in December, with inspectors raising concerns about high levels of violence and self-harm, the prevalence of drugs, and poor living conditions.
The Prison Service has today (14 January) published a new action plan in direct response to the notification with the aim of rapidly improving safety and standards. This includes installing new windows and netting to combat drones delivering contraband, hiring specialist search teams and dog handlers to crack down on drugs and weapons, and improved safety training for staff.

There will also be a greater focus on cleanliness with a new strategy to improve standards both inside and outside the prison, while vital maintenance and refurbishments will be completed over the coming months.

Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said: 

The Chief Inspector’s findings at HMP Swaleside were deeply concerning and clearly not acceptable. This reflects the scale of the crisis we inherited across our prison system.

I visited the prison last week and saw firsthand the efforts of hardworking staff to deliver the necessary improvements, and this action plan will support them in this vital work.

More rule-breaking prisoners will also face consequences for their actions through a ramp up of disciplinary hearings to bring order to the prison.

Today’s announcement follows wider Government action to improve safety across the prison estate, including rolling out protective body armour to frontline officers and investing £40 million to boost security and clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars.
January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Northern Powerhouse Rail to drive biggest travel upgrade in the North in a generation [January 2026]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 January 2026.

Government announces the biggest transformation to travel in the North in a generation as the Chancellor sets out new Northern Growth Strategy and promises the renewal of Britain to make all parts of the country better off.
- Landmark investment in the North will see working people in Northern cities and towns benefit from faster rail links, shorter commutes, better jobs and new homes under new growth plan. 
- The landmark Northern Powerhouse Rail at the heart of the plans will reverse years of underinvestment and deliver long-awaited faster and more frequent rail across the North, better connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, York, with improved services to Newcastle and Hull.
People across the North of England will benefit from faster commutes, better jobs, more homes and increased investment in their communities as the government launches a major growth plan for the North – with Northern Powerhouse Rail at its heart.

Set to be the biggest transformation to travel in the North in a generation, the Chancellor will set out how her promise to drive economic growth through stability, investment and reform will reverse years of chronic underinvestment at the hands of the previous government.

This underinvestment was an economic dereliction of duty, with communities across the region repeatedly sold false promises of growth and better connectivity, and many people choosing to leave their hometowns to find jobs, security and opportunity elsewhere as a result.

This government is righting that wrong with the Chancellor having already taken the necessary decisions to put a record £120 billion for capital investment into long-awaited infrastructure projects this Parliament including road, rail and green energy that will generate the jobs of the future and turbocharge growth.

The new growth drive will strengthen connections between some of the fastest growing city regions in the country – connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Warrington, York and improved services to Newcastle and Hull – to drive productivity and create tens of thousands of jobs.

By way of illustration, up to £40 billion a year could be injected into the British economy if productivity in the North was lifted just to the national average – but of course that is not the limit to government’s ambition.

Northern Powerhouse Rail – the backbone of the plan – will see a major new rail service across the North that is faster and more frequent, transforming commutes for Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and York, with services running onto Newcastle and Hull. From boosted connectivity between these fast-growing city regions will come more jobs, new homes and a greater number of opportunities for businesses to invest and expand.

Connectivity in the North lags behind the South. Where a Paddington to Reading rail journey of 35 miles takes just 22 minutes, a rail journey between Liverpool and Manchester Airport of just 29 miles can take 1 hour and 25 minutes, stopping 21 times. This landmark upgrade to travel will reduce journey times like these in the North.

This is the latest action being taken by the government to deliver economic growth in parts of the country previously overlooked. This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York – which has the potential to rival some of the most successful growth corridors in Europe, like the Rhine-Ruhr region in Germany and the Randstad in the Netherlands – and follows immediate action to ease the cost of living for people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years and maintaining the £3 cap on bus fares.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home. But I’ve seen first hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.

A reliable commute, a secure job, a thriving town centre – these are all things that everyone should expect. But over and over again people in Northern communities, from Liverpool and Manchester to York and Newcastle have been let down by broken promises.

This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. 

That’s why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services.

This investment is proof we’re putting our money where our mouth is, working with local leaders to deliver the transport links that will help working people do what they need to in life – getting to work, taking the kids to school, or days out with the family.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

If economic growth is the challenge, investment and renewal is the solution. That’s why we’re reversing years of chronic underinvestment in the North.

Our transformative plans will create jobs, build homes and unlock opportunities for businesses to invest. That’s how we deliver economic growth, a renewed Britain and more money in working people’s pockets.

After more than a decade of dither and delay from previous governments, the Chancellor has backed Northern Powerhouse Rail with £1.1 billion over the Spending Review period, allowing progress on planning, development, and design work to be made which will unlock benefits for the people of the North from the 2030s. NPR will build on the Transpennine Upgrade scheme, which is proceeding on time and on budget.

The first phase of the programme will deliver improved connections between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York, and Leeds and Bradford. In the North East, development work on the Leamside Line will also be taken forward alongside Northern Powerhouse Rail. This will be followed by a new route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington, and finally by improved connections across the Pennines between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and York. Regular services will run onward to Newcastle via Darlington and Durham; Hull; and Chester for North Wales connections.

This will unlock new benefits for the people of the North supporting new, skilled jobs for the planning, development, design and construction of the project. The government is working closely with employers and local leaders to help fill local skills gaps and local colleges across the country are already set to receive £570 million to expand their training facilities.

The city regions of the North have huge untapped economic potential and the modern Industrial Strategy, published last June, set out a compelling economic case for prioritising 8 strategic sectors clustered across its city regions. Greater Manchester is one of the fastest-growing tech centres in Europe – with burgeoning cyber, professional and creative industries. Leeds and West Yorkshire are emerging as the ‘Northern Square Mile’ for financial services, while South Yorkshire is at the cutting edge on Defence and Advanced Manufacturing, Liverpool City Region on Life Sciences, and Newcastle and the North-East on the clean energy transition.

The government is working with mayors, other local leaders, and businesses to announce more detail on its Northern Growth Strategy taking advantage of these strengths, firing up productivity and prosperity across the North.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver faster, more frequent services across the great cities of the North, unlocking jobs, homes and opportunities and creating a world-class growth corridor that people of the region need and deserve.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Steve Reed, said:

We’re backing faster rail links across the North so people can get to work quicker and businesses can grow. Better connections mean better paid jobs, new investment in towns and cities, and stronger local economies.

This is the first step towards building new routes between Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds – connecting people to new homes, new opportunities, and thriving high streets communities can be proud of.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

Two hundred years ago, we built the world’s first passenger railway between Liverpool and Manchester – and changed history. After more than a decade of dither, delay and broken promises, this is the start of a new era, with a genuinely strategic approach and a government finally backing Northern Powerhouse Rail in full.

A creaking rail system has held the North back for too long. Our journeys aren’t just slower – our growth has been slower too. Poor connectivity doesn’t just hold people back – it holds our economy back. It limits our productivity, restricts freight capacity, and chokes off opportunity.

Today that changes. This is the kind of ambition we’ve been crying out for. Not another empty slogan or back of a fag packet plan but real investment, delivered in a proper partnership with local leaders that will unleash our latent potential and unlock growth in all of our communities right across the great North.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

Finally, we have a government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre. A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.

Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth. Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

For too long, unreliable rail links have caused misery for people living and working in the North, while holding back our ambitious plans for growth.

Today we have a solid commitment from government to invest in connecting our towns and cities including taking forward plans for Bradford station, capacity upgrades in and out of Leeds, and electrification across the network to allow more frequent and faster trains.

We made the case as Yorkshire mayors that we needed better connectivity between our biggest cities, and we are working with the government to deliver better transport across Yorkshire and the north.

This will help us boost capacity, reliability and journey times between our biggest cities, driving jobs and growth across Yorkshire.

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire said:

For South Yorkshire, Northern Powerhouse Rail represents real progress. Better connections between Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester mean quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across our region.

This plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail isn’t just about faster trains. It’s about working with central government to build a transport system that matches the ambition we have for South Yorkshire over the next decade and beyond. There’s still a lot to do, but today’s commitment from government gives us confidence we will see a step-change in transport across the North.

Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East said:

The Leamside Line through County Durham is a once in a generation project that has the potential to transform our communities and I’m pleased the government has committed to work with us on this.

My region deserves major investment in transport and that’s what we’re delivering, ensuring Northern Powerhouse Rail services reach Newcastle, via Darlington and Durham. We will work with government on the proposed Leamside reopening, aiming to bring back rail to parts of County Durham for the first time in decades.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

This is a strong endorsement of the vision we set out in our White Rose Plan for Rail. For too long the North has missed out on investment, but this £45 billion commitment changes that.

By investing in capacity upgrades at York’s station, Northern Powerhouse Rail puts York at the heart of a modern transport network for the North.

Unlocking better and more reliable services for everyone who lives in, works in or visits York puts our city on an even stronger footing to grow the regional and national economy.

Northern Powerhouse Rail will be kept within a fair funding envelope over its entire construction period to ensure it remains good value for taxpayers both now and in the future, avoiding a repeat of past mistakes where major projects like HS2 have gone significantly over budget.

A funding cap of £45 billion will be set for the programme. £1.1 billion over the Spending Review period is the first stage of this, allowing development and design work to progress and enabling the creation of a detailed delivery plan which will include timings.

Alongside this, to support and build on the strategic ambition for the project, the government has set out its intention in the long term to build a new rail line between Birmingham and Manchester. This is not a reinstatement of HS2, further work is required to establish how it can best support our rail ambitions for across the North, and its delivery would happen after the completion of Northern Powerhouse Rail. The government is learning the lessons of HS2 to ensure that the programme does not repeat its failures. We will drive efficiency while still delivering key benefits for the North.

This comes as the government is progressing the Transpennine Route Upgrade, and we have already made a £15 billion investment into local transport in city regions and added 60,000 extra seats each week on the East Coast Mainline, with new services to Bradford and reduced journey times between London, Leeds and Newcastle.  

Other action to unlock growth right across the country is already underway, with the approval of expanding Heathrow Airport set to create over 100,000 jobs, the multi-billion-pound deal for build Sizewell C expected to create savings of £2 million a year across our future electricity system, and the striking of trade agreements with the US, India, the EU and the Gulf injecting billions into the British economy.
January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : North West to benefit from multi-billion-pound rail investment [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 January 2026.

Major rail plans will unlock North West’s economic potential, including a new rail route between Liverpool and Manchester and improved connections across the region.
- brand new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester unveiled, via new stations at Manchester Airport and Warrington Bank Quay Low Level
- part of new government vision for growth in the North to unlock the region’s economic potential and boost living standards – growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to UK economy
- plans boost frequency and reliability of services across the North, as well as boosting job opportunities and generating thousands of new homes
People across the North West are set to benefit from a brand new line between Liverpool and Manchester as major new government plans are unveiled to unlock billions of pounds of economic potential.

Plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) have been set out today (14 January 2026), including a new rail route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington and improved connections across the Pennines between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield. Leeds,

The scheme is part of the major government drive to boost growth and living standards across the north, helping to unlock around £40 billion of economic potential – growing the productivity of the 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to the UK economy.

The second phase of NPR will include 3 new stations at Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Warrington Bank Quay Low Level along the route, with delivery starting in the 2030s.

Improvements to busy stations, Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central, are also being considered alongside the work the government is undertaking together with Liverpool City Region to look at options for a major regeneration scheme in the city centre.

This will follow phase one which will see upgrades across routes between Leeds, Bradford, York and Sheffield. The third phase will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds and explore options for Manchester to Bradford.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

This new era of investment will reignite the economy across Liverpool and Manchester, helping their iconic sport and cultural industries to thrive, and cementing Manchester Airport as the gateway to the North.

This exciting new line will not only speed up journeys, it will open up new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.

Huw Merriman, Chair of Liverpool-Manchester Rail Partnership Board, said:

This is superb news for the North and for the entire country. NPR is a project I’ve long championed, as a former Chair of the Transport Select Committee, Rail Minister and now Chair of the Liverpool Manchester Railway Board, so it is excellent to see the government backing it in full from the outset, enabling proper planning and delivery that learns the lessons of HS2, as well as keeping options open for addressing North–South capacity on the West Coast Mainline.

The strong partnership between government and regional leaders will ensure the project reaches its full potential, with new rail infrastructure unlocking the region’s next chapter of growth and acting as a catalyst for new homes, jobs and skills

I look forward to working with the government and regional mayors to deliver on NPR’s potential ambition to better connect the UK and drive economic growth.

The current direct journey from Liverpool to Manchester Airport is one hour and 25 minutes, stopping 21 times over a distance of just 29 miles, meanwhile, Reading to London Paddington takes 22 minutes, covering 35 miles.

The new direct line from Liverpool to Manchester Airport will give a huge boost to holiday-makers, commuters and businesses.

To add more capacity at Manchester Airport sooner, plans have today been approved to lengthen platforms at the existing station to accommodate longer and more frequent trains, backed by £115 million.

Meanwhile, there are only 2 fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester, which is a hugely popular route and suffers from severe overcrowding.

This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a plan for the North – to be published in the spring. This will include plans for a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York – which has the potential to be one of Europe’s great economic powerhouses. It will also include plans to make the most of economic opportunities right across the North, including in clean energy, defence and advanced manufacturing.

The NPR plans are in addition to the Transpennine route upgrade, which will cut journey times between York and Manchester and Manchester and Leeds, create over 5,000 jobs, and support the development of 6,500 new homes in the region.

This Northern Powerhouse Programme will unlock immediate benefits for residents, with new skilled jobs in the planning, development, design and construction of the project. The government is working closely with employers and local leaders to help fill local skills gaps and local colleges across the country will receive £570 million to expand their training facilities.

A funding cap of £45 billion will be set for the programme, including £1.1 billion over the current Spending Review period allocated from existing budgets first. Learning lessons from HS2, the government will work closely with local partners to ensure planning processes are carried out efficiently, and approvals are streamlined to reduce delays and prevent projects going over budget.

The city regions of the North have huge untapped economic potential.

Places like Sheffield and Newcastle have grown roughly twice as fast as the UK average since 2019, whilst Manchester has grown over 4 times as fast. Whilst Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is the home to the future of life sciences, supporting over 400 businesses, hospitals, and universities in the city, driving pioneering business and research.

Leeds and West Yorkshire are emerging as the ‘Northern square mile’ for financial services, while South Yorkshire is at the cutting edge on defence and advanced manufacturing and Newcastle’s growing research and innovation sector.

To maximise NPR’s benefits and secure Britain’s future growth, the government is also setting out a long-term objective to see a full new north-south line from Birmingham to Manchester. This will ensure sufficient capacity and better connectivity on the West Coast Main Line, but it won’t be a revival of HS2 Phase 2. Instead, the government will launch a feasibility study, working with local partners on what will be delivered, when and to what specifications.

This will be an incremental programme, with improvements in the Northern growth corridor prioritised first and land already purchased between the West Midlands and Crewe will be retained in the meantime.

The government is working with mayors, other local leaders and businesses to announce a wider plan this spring for taking advantage of these strengths, firing up productivity and prosperity across the North. 

 This plan brings in existing work to unlock immediate benefits for residents, including work to help fill local skills gaps across the country, and will build on this with further policies to improve connectivity, revitalise cities and towns, support people with the skills to access new opportunities and support businesses to innovate and grow.
January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : First ever UK Town of Culture competition to restore pride in communities [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 January 2026.

Towns across the country can now apply to become the first UK Town of Culture.
- Applications will be open until 31 March 2026 for Expressions of Interest
- Competition delivers on the government’s Plan for Change, driving local economic growth and opportunity
The government has taken its latest step in renewing the country by launching the first ever UK Town of Culture competition.

With 11 weeks to apply, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. Showcasing towns’ local visions and voices – through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more – this competition brings local investment, creates a lasting sense of pride in towns, and opens doors to the arts for everyone.

Towns can submit their Expressions of Interest now. Sir Phil Redmond will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they’ll tell their unique story, how they’ll bring everyone in a community together, and how towns will deliver on their vision. The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.

Three finalists – one small, one medium, one large town – will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 is 31 March 2026, with the shortlist of towns expected to be announced this Spring.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from – from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.

We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.

This competition, announced by the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in October 2025, provides a platform for communities across the country to tell their own unique story and shines a spotlight on the vital role towns play in our national life.

From Torquay to Thurso and Brecon to Ballycastle, Britain is interlinked by a rich network of towns, each with their own history and identity.

This is part of the Prime Minister’s ambition to restore pride in every part of Britain as he serves the whole of the country.

British towns are brimming with community spirit – we’re providing the opportunity to bring it to life. Increasing pride in local areas also encourages them to get out and about to museums, galleries and live performances, which also means more money spent supporting local businesses and jobs.

UK Town of Culture Chair, Sir Phil Redmond said:

I am delighted to have been asked to Chair the new Town of Culture competition, as in the past it has been hard to adequately demonstrate the depth, breadth and diversity of the UK’s cultural landscape through the UK City of Culture’s urban lens.

The two competitions will complement each other while providing more opportunities for more places to both demonstrate and celebrate that creativity is not confined to the great urban concert halls, theatres or galleries. It is in everything we do together. In every town, village, neighbourhood, street or road.

UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?

This follows the government in November 2025 launching its Pride in Place Programme, providing up to £10 billion to support 244 towns across the country whose communities have been let down by decline and systematic under-investment. Under this scheme, communities will be able to spend the funding on what matters most to them – from improvements to pavements and high streets to investing in culture and green spaces.

Building on proven success

The UK Town of Culture competition builds on the success of UK City of Culture, which has delivered transformative benefits for its four winners. Bradford, last year’s title holder, is projected to benefit from £389 million in growth across the district, with city centre footfall up 25% during its year in the spotlight. Early estimates show audiences for its City of Culture programme exceeded 3 million, with 80% of local residents surveyed saying it improved their wellbeing and made them feel proud of where they live.

The UK City of Culture competition has proven that culture and investment work hand in hand, delivering community renewal that revitalises everything from high streets to job opportunities.

The search for UK City of Culture 2029 is already underway for Expressions of Interest from cities, larger towns, regions and groups of places. The winning place for UK City of Culture 2029 will be awarded £10 million.
January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Record breaking auction for offshore wind secured to take back control of Britain’s energy [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 14 January 2026.

A record 8.4GW of offshore wind secured in Europe’s biggest ever offshore wind auction.
- Record 8.4GW of offshore wind secured in Europe’s biggest ever offshore wind auction – enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 12 million homes
- as Britain races to cut bills and meet growing energy demand, price for offshore wind agreed at 40% lower than the cost of building and operating a new gas power plant
- puts the country firmly on track to deliver the mission for clean power by 2030, taking back control of its energy, and lowering bills for good
- successful results unlock £22 billion in private investment and supports 7,000 good, skilled jobs in every corner of the country – from the Scottish Highlands to the Celtic Sea
Britain has taken a monumental step towards ending the country’s reliance on volatile fossil fuels and lowering bills for good, by delivering a record-breaking offshore wind result in its latest renewables auction.

The results deliver the biggest single procurement of offshore wind energy in British and European history – confounding the global challenges facing the industry – a major vote of confidence in the UK’s new era of energy sovereignty and abundance.

The government inherited the fiasco of the previous government’s failed Auction Round 5, in which not a single offshore wind project was secured. The last auction round, AR6, got the industry back on its feet. Now this auction round, known as Contracts for Difference AR7, has secured a record capacity of 8.4GW of offshore wind which will generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 12 million homes. The ground-breaking result puts Britain firmly on track to achieve its clean power mission by 2030.

These results show offshore wind is cheaper to build and operate than new gas. In new figures published today using the LCOE industry metric, the cost of building and operating a new gas fired power station is £147 per megawatt hour. By contrast, the results for fixed offshore wind in today’s auction were £90.91 per megawatt hour on average – or £65.25 in the commonly used benchmark of 2012 prices – 40% cheaper than the cost of building and operating new gas.

This auction will unlock around £22 billion in private investment, supporting around 7,000 jobs, bringing growth and good jobs to all regions of the country – and particularly to the country’s industrial heartlands. Clean power is also essential to tackle the climate crisis, the greatest long-term threat the country faces.

Projects have won in every part of the United Kingdom – including fixed offshore wind in:
- Dogger Bank South off the coast of Yorkshire and Norfolk Vanguard off East Anglia – two of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, supporting thousands of jobs
- Berwick Bank in the North Sea – the first new Scottish project since 2022 and the largest planned offshore wind project in the world
- and Awel Y Môr – the first Welsh project to win a contract in more than a decade
These results also represent major progress in our efforts to lead the world in the emerging technologies of the future, floating offshore wind. Winning projects include Erebus, in the Celtic Sea, and Pentland in Scotland, backed by pioneering investment from Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund.

The auction round has secured major infrastructure projects which will be drivers for growth and prosperity in local communities for decades to come. As Britain races to meet rising electricity demand, expected to more than double by 2050, and cut energy bills, these results and new analysis published today shows that offshore wind, alongside solar and onshore wind, remain cheaper to build and operate than gas generation.

In an increasingly unstable world, by accelerating investment in homegrown clean power, the government is also reducing the UK’s exposure to volatile global fossil fuel markets, which have contributed to half of all recessions since the 1970s and in 2025 alone, saw prices spike over 15% within a week due to global price shocks after global instability in the Middle East.

This announcement to build more clean, homegrown power follows measures in the budget to cut people’s energy bills, with the government removing an average £150 of costs off energy bills from April this year.

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said:

With these results, Britain is taking back control of our energy sovereignty. This is a historic win for those who want Britain to stand on our own two feet, controlling our own energy rather than depending on markets controlled by petrostates and dictators.

It is a monumental step towards clean power by 2030 and the price secured in this auction is 40% lower than the alternative cost of building and operating a new gas plant.

Clean, homegrown, power is the right choice for this country to bring down bills for good and this auction will create thousands of jobs throughout Britain.

Head of Mission Control, Chris Stark said:

This is a stonking result for delivering on our mission for clean power by 2030. Amid global headwinds and pressures facing the offshore wind sector in recent years, we’ve secured a record amount of capacity at a competitive price for the consumer.

We need more offshore wind to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the years ahead, this result powers us towards a future of clean, secure, energy abundance and less reliance on foreign imports.

Neil McDermott, CEO at the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), said:

The results from this allocation round are a prime example of the Contracts for Difference mechanism’s greatest strengths, providing certainty for investors and supporting British jobs across the country.

At LCCC, we’re proud of our role in managing these contracts, adding to our existing operational portfolio of more than 10 GW with an additional 25 GW in the pipeline, and providing stewardship of these projects for the next two decades.

Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive of SSE plc, said:

We are delighted Berwick Bank B has been successful in AR7 and has secured a CfD for 1.4GW of essential new low-carbon power for the UK at a competitive price for consumers. This milestone enables us to advance the project towards a final investment decision and reinforces our commitment at SSE to delivering sustainable growth and long-term value for society, for consumers and for our shareholders.

Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, said:

We are delighted to have been successful in securing long-term offtake contracts for 5 projects in AR7. In addition, we are excited to join forces with KKR as our strategic partner in the Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind projects. With the Dogger Bank South projects and our renowned partner Masdar, we are experiencing firsthand the value of strong partnerships and at Awel y Môr, we are proud to collaborate with Stadtwerke München and Siemens. With the successful outcome of AR7, and the agreed partnership with KKR, RWE has reached key milestones in executing its UK offshore wind development pipeline.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer at Masdar, said:

Securing Contracts for Difference for the DBS offshore wind farms reinforces Masdar’s long-term commitment to the United Kingdom and our growing role in the delivery of large-scale offshore wind capacity. These projects would contribute meaningfully to the resilience and decarbonisation of the UK energy system, while providing skilled jobs, supporting regional supply chains and offering sustained economic benefit. We look forward to working closely with the government, our partners and local stakeholders as the projects move into the next phase of development.

Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, said:

The positive outcome of the AR7 auction, securing 8.4GW of clean energy, marks a welcome step forward in the UK’s energy transition. It sends a clear signal of business confidence in the UK as a destination for investment and provides a wider assurance to investors and developers at a critical moment for scaling up low-carbon power, strengthening energy security, and supporting economic growth.

Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said:

Today’s auction results will deliver critical national infrastructure that will strengthen our energy security and deliver lower bills, as well as provide jobs, investment, and economic growth right across Great Britain.

It’s more important than ever that we invest in securing our future energy needs to meet the growing demand for power over the coming decades and provide the cheap, plentiful electricity essential to our economic growth. Offshore wind is crucial as part of our growing fleet of wind farms across the country, which reduced wholesale electricity costs by a third last year.

Ana Musat, Executive Director of Policy at RenewableUK, said:

This is a great result for Britain’s energy security and for hard-pressed billpayers, because these new offshore wind farms will generate the power we need at a lower cost than new gas or nuclear plants, and at a stable and predictable price.

The UK has made the right decision to roll out renewables at speed and at scale, giving our country greater energy security and protecting consumers against volatile global gas prices which caused the last energy crisis. Homegrown power is the best defence against geopolitical volatility, and this auction is a significant step forward towards energy independence.

Jennifer Beckwith, Senior Manager for Energy Transition at the CBI, said:

Against the backdrop of increasingly volatile global energy markets, securing the UK’s energy supply is a key national priority. These results mark a significant step on the journey towards achieving a more secure, resilient and cleaner energy mix for the years and decades ahead.

Accelerating low carbon power generation is core to the UK’s energy transition – a transformation that’s already delivering major economic benefits in terms of investment, jobs and growth across the country. Critical investments in Scotland and Wales demonstrate the strength of UK capability, with Berwick Bank set to become the largest planned offshore wind project in the world.

Gus Jaspert CMG, Managing Director for Marine at The Crown Estate, said:

Today’s AR7 results are another vote of confidence in the UK as the best market in the world for offshore wind. Securing over 8GW is a huge step forward in the UK’s global clean energy leadership, reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuels and powering up a generation of affordable and homegrown clean energy.

Notes to editors

Research published today shows overall that renewables remain the cheapest form of electricity generation to build and operate – and the more renewables we build, the more often they will set the wholesale market price instead of gas.

Independent research confirms that renewables can drive down electricity prices, already having reduced wholesale electricity prices by up to a quarter – or around £25/MWh – in 2024 Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit analysis: Growth in British renewables cutting energy prices.

Strike prices for fixed bottom offshore wind is £91.20/MWh for England and Wales and £89.49/MWh for Scotland, coming out at a blended average of £90.91/MWh. The strike price for floating offshore wind is £216.46/MWh.

In the 2025 Iran-Israel conflict, wholesale gas prices spiked over 15% across a week. (ICIS – independent commodity intelligence services).

The original budget for fixed bottom offshore wind was £900 million and has been increased to £1.790 million. This follows careful consideration of the bids submitted by projects, with the budget increased to secure additional capacity that represents good value for households.

The homes powered estimate reflects the equivalent number of homes that could be powered based on an estimate of the annual generation from the capacity procured in AR7. It is not possible to continuously power a home through intermittent renewables – this capacity will work alongside the rest of the electricity system to power homes and businesses. The estimate is calculated using published subnational electricity consumption data  and technology specific load factor assumptions published in the CfD Allocation Round 7 contract allocation framework. The actual generation will vary based on site specific factors.

Investment figures are based on generation costs data published today for fixed bottom offshore wind only.

Jobs figure based on industry figures from Clean Industry Bonus applications.
January 15, 2026