Veterinary services for household pets

COMPETITION AND MARKETS AUTHORITY SETS OUT REFORMS

The CMA has set out its final reforms – which will start coming into force later this year – to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market.

  • Legally binding measures include price lists, prescription fee caps, a price comparison website and mandatory branding by the large groups to boost competition and drive down prices
  • Pet owners using a vet practice that is part of a larger chain can expect to see changes before Christmas – including standard price lists

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK, after an independent inquiry group found that the current system is leaving pet owners in the dark. A lack of information that helps people make informed decisions is leading to weak competition and high prices.

An unprecedented response from both the public and the sector has help to shape the CMA’s final report, which green lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.

The investigation has intensified public scrutiny of the veterinary services industry, yet the professionalism, compassion, and commitment to animal welfare shown by veterinary professionals remains unquestioned.

Martin Coleman, Chair of the independent Inquiry Group, said: “This is the most extensive review of veterinary services in a generation, and today’s reforms will make a real difference to the millions of pet owners who want the best for their pets but struggle to find the practice, treatment and price that meets their needs.

“Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices – even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds.

“Our measures mean it will be made clear to pet owners which practices are part of large groups, which are charging higher prices, and for the first time, vet businesses will be held to account by an independent regulator.

“Our changes put pet owners at the centre but also help vets by enhancing trust in the profession and protecting clinical judgement from undue commercial pressure – and that is important to ensure our pets continue to get the best care.”

The report outlines the final remedies and recommendations which together will transform the market.

More details on when the changes will happen can be found in the timetable for remedies.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents more than 19,000 individual vets across the UK, welcomes the majority of the measures, particularly those designed to improve transparency and consumer choice, outlined by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as it publishes its final decision following more than two years of investigation into the UK vet services market for household pets.

British Veterinary Association responds to Competition and Markets Authority final measures following investigation into UK vet services Image

British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said: “Vets care deeply for animals and anything we can do to build trust between us and their owners is a good thing. 

“The majority of the CMA’s measures focus on increasing transparency and information, which will help pet owners make more informed choices and support competition, which is a really positive step. 

“We’re also pleased to see that the CMA continues to support our calls for reform of the woefully outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act, including the introduction of vet practice regulation, which will go a long way to addressing many of the issues its investigation raised.   

“Delivering highly skilled veterinary medicine is costly and whilst we recognise prices have risen sharply in recent years this is due to a number of factors, including the higher costs all businesses are experiencing – and vet practices are not immune.

“Plus, thanks to advances in diagnostics and medical technology over the last 20 years, vets can now do much more to manage disease and injury in animals, whereas in the past the only option available may have been to euthanase.

“Owners today also have a greater expectation of their vet, with many expecting human quality healthcare for their pets and whilst this is possible to deliver, it comes at a cost. 

“If pet owners do have concerns about cost, talk to us, we will always do our best to help.” 

For more information visit bva.co.uk/cma  

Vet_timetable_infographicsDownload

Leith sexual assault: Can you help?

POLICE are appealing for information following a sexual assault in the Leith area.

The incident happened around 2am on Saturday, 14 March, on Brunswick Road.

A 29-year-old man was arrested and released pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Paul Gray said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch.

“If you think you can help, please contact us on 101 quoting incident number 1631 of 14 March, 2026.”

Get set for mushroom growing season at Granton Castle Walled Garden

Preparation for the new mushroom growing season

Date: 27 March 2026, 1 – 3 pm

Location: Granton Castle Walled Garden

Join MycoBee Mushrooms CICas they prepare their site for the new mushroom growing season.

This is an informal event that volunteers are welcome to join – just turn up, no need to book!

📷️ by Mycobee

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

#grantoncommunity

#mushroomgrowing

#events

Heritage chief challenges Edinburgh World Heritage hostel stance

THE CHAIR of an influential charity dedicated to protecting Scotland’s historic buildings has urged Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) to reconsider its position on controversial plans for a large-scale capsule hostel in the city’s New Town.

Jocelyn Cunliffe, Chair of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS), has called for reflection and open dialogue after EWH expressed support for proposals to convert four Category A-listed townhouses and associated mews buildings at Atholl Crescent into a 544-bed hostel.

She warns that the EWH stance places it at odds with professional opinion and civic opposition, with all four City Centre ward councillors recently condemning the proposals and the developer’s approach.

The proposals are currently under appeal to the Scottish Government after the developer chose to withdraw the application and seek a decision before it was determined by City of Edinburgh Council.

She said: “I hope that Edinburgh World Heritage will reflect on its outlier position on Atholl Crescent and engage constructively with organisations such as the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and others who share a commitment to protecting the city’s historic fabric.

“Open discussion would be a positive step in ensuring that decisions affecting Edinburgh’s heritage are made with the fullest possible understanding of their long-term implications.”

Cunliffe, an conservation architect and former Partner at Gray, Marshall & Associates, also questioned a central element of Edinburgh World Heritage’s formal response as a statutory consultee – a claim that the intensity of occupation was a “management issue” rather than a planning consideration.

She added: “How a building is used matters just as much as how it is altered. The issue is not simply the physical alterations that may or may not take place. It is the scale and intensity of the proposed use.

“Cramming in hundreds of sleeping pods into those spaces inevitably alters that character, regardless of whether the pods themselves are technically removable.”

Cunliffe warned that approving developments of this significance could have wider implications for the city.

“If developments of this scale and intensity are considered acceptable within some of the most important Georgian buildings in the New Town, what precedent does that set for other streets and crescents?

“These pressures cannot be allowed to erode the very qualities that make the city special.”

Atholl Crescent forms part of Edinburgh’s New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site internationally recognised for its architectural and urban planning significance. Designed in the early 19th century by architect Thomas Bonnar, the crescent is a key example of Georgian town planning, with its uniform terraces and carefully proportioned residential buildings contributing to the area’s distinctive character.

Numbers 14–17 Atholl Crescent are Category A-listed townhouses, reflecting their national importance as buildings of exceptional architectural and historic interest. For many years, the properties were occupied as offices by a legal firm, before becoming vacant in recent years.

Proposals have been brought forward to convert the buildings, along with associated lane properties, into a 544-bed capsule-style hostel – a level of intensification that has prompted significant concern among residents, elected representatives and heritage bodies. The plans represent a substantial shift from both the buildings’ original residential purpose and their more recent use.

As well as political condemnation and criticism from AHSS, formal objections from the Cockburn Association and the West End Community Council add to the more than 280 objections lodged against the hostel plan.

The appeal, by a developer called Atholl Crescent Propco Ltd, is currently under consideration by a Reporter at the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.

National Puppy Day: What to buy before bringing a puppy home

New puppy owners are being advised to make essential purchases ahead of welcoming their furry friend home to ensure a smooth transition.

On National Puppy Day (23 March), the dog training experts at ACME Kennels have revealed the vital items soon-to-be owners should buy so they are properly equipped to give their pup everything it needs to flourish. 

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with a significant financial commitment. In addition to pet insurance and vaccinations, owners must consider essentials like food, training equipment and the correct bedding for their new addition to thrive.

Not having the right gear at home before bringing a new puppy home can lead to several risks, for example a lack of appropriate toys and training tools can lead to boredom and destructive behaviours.

Additionally, being unprepared can affect a puppy’s comfort and health, making house training more challenging and limiting their socialisation opportunities.

Ben Mcfarlane, expert from  ACME Kennels , said: “Welcoming a new puppy is an exciting yet hectic experience for the whole family. To ensure a smooth transition and prevent boredom or bad behaviours developing, it’s essential to have the right supplies ready before their arrival- such as toys, food, and training kit.

“A well-prepared home lays the foundation for your puppy’s happiness and development. So, to help first-time puppy owners, we’ve created a checklist of must-have items to consider before bringing your new pup home, along with information on why each item is so important.”

Seven most important items to get before bringing home a puppy:

  1. Bedding

To ensure the puppy feels comfortable, choose a soft bed with supportive sides and avoid oversized options, as they like to feel cosy. Select high-quality materials that can withstand chewing. Also, consider how easy it is to wash and how quickly it dries, as there may be a few accidents while the puppy settles in.

  1. Food

It’s important to buy food they’re already familiar with to prevent an upset stomach. If you plan to switch foods, do so gradually after they’ve settled in to minimise stress. Always have a bowl of fresh water nearby so they are well hydrated. Being unprepared with the incorrect food and not enough water can impact their overall health.

  1. Toys

Toys are vital for puppies who have boundless energy at this stage of their development, so select ones appropriate for their age and size, providing plenty of chew toys to protect your furniture. Without proper toys, puppies may become bored and engage in destructive behaviours, so ensure they have enough stimulation to develop good habits.

  1. Safety Hazards

Puppies are naturally curious and can easily get into trouble without the right safety hazards in place. To keep them safe and prevent potential injuries, invest in items like baby gates and secure storage for toxic items.

  1. Training tools

Training tools are crucial for helping puppies learn consistent good behaviours. Once the puppy has settled in, start with housetraining and teaching them their name; using a whistle can be very effective for this. Other useful tools include clickers for positive reinforcement and adjustable harnesses for safe walks, because establishing clear boundaries is key to your puppy’s development.

  1. Collar & leash 

Taking walks is a great way to bond with your new puppy. Owners can choose between a collar and leash or a harness and leash- experiment to see which works best for your pup. Once vaccinated, start with short walks, five minutes for each month of their age, up to twice daily.

  1. House training supplies

Puppy pads or designated bathroom spaces are essential for effective house training, because inadequate supplies can lead to accidents that frustrate both owner and puppy. This not only results in uncleanliness and bad odours but can also damage furniture and stain carpets.

For more information on what to buy a puppy, please visit: 

https://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/stories/must-haves-bringing-home-puppy-rescue-dog  

For more information and training tips from Ben visit ACME Kennels.

Improving maternity services

New maternity standards to improve consistency and quality of care

Clear information about the standards women and their families can expect during their maternity care has been published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. 

The standards set out that patients should receive safe and compassionate care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, regardless of where they live or their individual circumstances, and that care should be responsive to each woman’s individual needs. 

The standards cover all aspects of maternity care, from antenatal appointments through to postnatal support, emergency care, mental health and wellbeing, and bereavement care. They apply across all settings, including hospitals, community services, midwifery units, and home births, and support NHS boards to actively work to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for women and their babies.

Once implemented, Healthcare Improvement Scotland will use the standards to drive this improvement, informing inspection and assurance activities across NHS boards.

Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “The safety of women and babies is paramount.

“We commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop the Maternity Care Standards, and I am grateful for their work to improve the quality and consistency of maternity care for women, babies, and families across Scotland. 

“Every woman deserves to feel safe, supported and listened to during pregnancy and beyond. These standards recognise that some women face additional barriers to getting the care they need and set out a clear commitment to making sure maternity services work equally well for everyone — whatever their background or circumstances.”

Melissa Dowdeswell, Director of Nursing and Integrated Care, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have published maternity care standards that set clear expectations for how maternity care should be delivered in Scotland. 

“The standards aim to promote consistency and improve the quality of maternity services across the country. They set out a blueprint for what good maternity care looks like and detail the levels of high-quality care and support that all women should expect to receive before, during and after birth. 

“During the development of the standards, we spoke to women from many different backgrounds, who shared their experiences of being pregnant and giving birth in Scotland. Their voices were central to the creation of the standards.

“We heard that women need to feel confident that a high-level of safe, effective and person-centred care will be consistently delivered in all maternity units across Scotland regardless of individual circumstances or needs.

“The development of these standards is a commitment to making sure this happens.”

£34k investment set to power pioneering library projects across Scotland

Four innovative projects across Scotland’s libraries and information services have secured a share of £34,000 from the Scottish Library and Information Council’s (SLIC) Innovation and Development Fund, supporting new ideas that will shape the future of learning, research and access to information.

Now in its 14th year, the fund backs bold initiatives from across Scotland’s library network, helping services test new approaches, develop fresh resources and respond to the changing needs of communities and learners.

The latest round of funding will champion projects ranging from a Scots language learning course for prison libraries to an affordable journal publishing scheme through Scottish Universities Press:

  • Read tae rise: Scots language and library learning with Scotland’s prisons

The National Library of Scotland has received just over £9,500 to develop a new Scots language course and resource pack for prison libraries.

Co-created with learners, the course will draw on the library’s historic and contemporary collections while highlighting the role of libraries as powerful tools for lifelong learning and cultural connection.

  • Robert Gordon University Library: developing future library designs

Robert Gordon University Library has secured just under £5,000 for a student-led design concept project that will explore the future of its library spaces. Students from the School of Law & Social Sciences and the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment will collaborate to gather user insights and produce draft design concepts to inform future library redevelopment.

  • Delivering a journal publishing programme through Scottish Universities Press

The University of Dundee has been awarded £12,500 to pilot a journal publishing programme through Scottish Universities Press.

The initiative will test a sustainable, high-quality alternative to traditional academic journal publishing models, offering a more affordable and accessible route for scholarly research.

  • University of Strathclyde: decolonising academic libraries in Scotland

At University of Strathclyde, the iSchool has received £7,200 to work with academic libraries across Scotland to develop clear, practical guidance on applying decolonisation principles in library services and collections.

The outputs will include accessible guidelines and infographics designed to support library staff in turning shared ambitions around inclusion and representation into everyday practice.

The Innovation and Development Fund, administered and financed by SLIC, is designed to support organisations that fall outside the remit of other annual funding programmes, such as the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) and the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).

This includes further education and higher education institutions, as well as specialist libraries and information services. All projects link to SLIC’s strategic pillars of Standards, Leadership, Information and Collaboration.

Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “Scotland’s libraries and information services continue to adapt and innovate, creating resilient, future-proofed environments that respond to the evolving needs of their users.

“The Innovation and Development Fund plays an important role in supporting that progress by backing bold, forward-thinking ideas.

“The projects awarded funding this year demonstrate the creativity and ambition across the sector, from empowering people through language and culture to rethinking how knowledge is created, shared and accessed.”

Since 2013, the SLIC Innovation and Development Fund has awarded over £425,000 to over 40 projects.

Previous initiatives have included a TED Talk style ‘health conversations’ webinar series developed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board Library, a literacy and numeracy course by Glasgow Women’s Library, and the creation of a podcast studio at the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray campus.

For more information about the Innovation and Development Fund, visit: 

The Innovation and Development Fund Overview – The Scottish Library and Information Council

Easter study support 

Free webinars for senior-phase school pupils

Young people across Scotland studying for Senior Phase qualifications will have access to free online Easter Study Support.

The webinars provided by e-Sgoil are delivered by secondary teachers covering multiple subjects over National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.

Registration for the extensive programme of webinars is now open, with sessions scheduled to run throughout the week beginning 6 April. 

The Easter programme, now in its fifth year, has been developed as part of the Scottish Government-funded National e-Learning offer and continues to grow in both reach and impact.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, said: “I welcome the continued success of e‑Sgoil’s Easter Study Support programme, and I’m pleased the Scottish Government has been able to continue to support the provision of high‑quality revision opportunities for senior phase pupils at a crucial point in the school year.

“Last year’s participation and overwhelmingly positive feedback show the real value of this national offer in building confidence and reducing anxiety ahead of exams. The programme reaches young people in every local authority and strengthens the wider support available in Scotland’s schools.”

Last year 4,287 registered for a total of 18,100 webinar places, representing an increase of 689 learners on the previous year.

Commenting, e-Sgoil Study Support Programme lead Rhona Johnstone added: “We are delighted to offer the Easter Study Support programme to Senior Phase learners across Scotland yet again this session and pleased to see the programme reaching more learners year on year. 

“The evidence of the impact that both the Easter and Evening Study Support programmes has on the learners ahead of assessments and exams can be seen in the feedback received from those who have participated in previous years.” 

FREE PINTS: Raise a glass to Tommy Shelby and celebrate new movie

NEXT ROUND’S ON TOMMY SHELBY!

  • Celebrating the global Netflix launch of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
  • Fans in Edinburgh, dressed in their Peaky best, invited to raise a glass to a legend, Tommy Shelby, with a drink on the Peaky Blinder!
  • On Friday (27th March), a complimentary bar tab will be available in local independent pubs across the country, including The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) from 4pm.

To mark the arrival of Peaky Blinders, The Immortal Man, Netflix is partnering with The Athletic Arms (The Diggers), as part of ten independent pubs nationwide bringing fans to their local to celebrate and enjoy a drink on Tommy Shelby. 

This Friday 27th March, The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) will celebrate the icon Tommy Shelby. Fans can claim a complimentary drink simply by using the legendary phrase: “By order of the Peaky Blinders”. 

Each participating pub will embrace a 1940s Peaky Blinders-inspired theme, with limited-edition merchandise and flat caps up for grabs. Guests are welcome (but not required!) to don their best Peaky-style outfits.

A cornerstone of British culture and community, the concept of the ‘local’ is central to Peaky Blinders. One pub a day disappeared for good in England and Wales during 2025 as sustained cost pressures continued to weigh heavily on the sector and Netflix is proud to support these regional answers to The Garrison, allowing fans to come together to toast the legend of Peaky. 

Directed by Tom Harper and written by Steven Knight, who created and wrote the smash hit series, the film stars Academy Award® winner Cillian Murphy returning as Tommy Shelby with a cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson, Academy Award® nominee Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle with Academy Award® nominee Barry Keoghan and Primetime Emmy Award® winner Stephen Graham.

Set against a bombed 1940s Birmingham, the film follows the legendary Tommy Shelby as he returns from exile to reckon with the legacy of himself and the family. 

Speaking on bringing the world of Peaky Blinders to their patrons, Kevin McGhee, Landlord, The Athletic Arms, said: “As a late-Victorian Edinburgh icon, known in our community for its rich history, we are thrilled to bring the world of Tommy Shelby to the Diggers.

“Our central bar has served everyone from local gravediggers to modern day legends since 1897. Now, we’re excited to welcome the beloved Peaky Blinders community in Edinburgh and raise a glass to Tommy Shelby.”

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is in cinemas now, and on Netflix from March 20. Peaky fans from Scotland are invited to celebrate the launch of The Immortal Man at The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) on Friday 27th March, enjoying their next round on Tommy Shelby. 

Seven new towns proposed to kickstart housebuilding push

Seven locations proposed in England as new towns with each location delivering at least 10,000 homes

The locations of seven new towns have been named for consideration as part of the most ambitious housebuilding programme in more than half a century.   

Built for the future from the ground up, the next generation of new towns will create well-connected new communities with homes, jobs, schools, green space and transport links planned from the start. 

Each proposed location is expected to deliver at least 10,000 homes, with several delivering 40,000 or more in the decades to come. 

The proposed locations are: 

  • Tempsford, Bedfordshire — up to 40,000 homes built around a new East West Rail station, linking residents to Cambridge, Oxford, London and Milton Keynes 
  • Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield — up to 21,000 homes helping to meet London’s acute housing need 
  • Leeds South Bank, West Yorkshire — up to 20,000 homes capitalising on the city’s economic momentum and the government’s £2.1 billion local transport investment 
  • Manchester Victoria North, Greater Manchester — at least 15,000 homes regenerating the heart of Greater Manchester, with a new Metrolink stop connecting residents to jobs across the city 
  • Thamesmead, Greenwich — up to 15,000 homes unlocking inaccessible riverside land in London, enabled by the planned Docklands Light Railway extension 
  • Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, South Gloucestershire — up to 40,000 homes at the heart of a world-class research and advanced engineering economy 
  • Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire — building on its history as one of the original new towns, to take forward the ‘renewed town’ vision to expand the city by around 40,000 homes and reinvigorate the centre with a new local transport system, boosting connectivity in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor 

Furthermore, as part of the government’s drive to instil pride in our communities, these towns will be designed for modern, everyday life – with neighbourhoods that people can easily get around without a car, shared green spaces and vibrant high streets. 

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “People want real change – homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities.

“Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future. 

“From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together — so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.”

To drive forward delivery, four interim advisers have been appointed to support the New Towns Unit: 

  • Lyn Garner, former Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation; 
  • Ian Piper, former Chief Executive of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation;  
  • Emma Cariaga, Chief Operating Officer of British Land;  
  • David Rudlin, Founding Principal of Rudlin & Co and principal author of the UK Government’s National Model Design Code 

Building on the success seen in Stratford through the London Legacy Development Corporation and elsewhere, some new development corporations will also be stood up to support the delivery of these new towns. 

As set out in the proposed placemaking principles, these new towns will create affordable and balanced communities with the schools, health facilities and community infrastructure neighbourhoods need, supported by high quality public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure.  

To ensure that new towns are built in a holistic way, that meets communities’ growing needs, government is taking a cross-government approach to ensure the utilities, health, education, and digital infrastructure to underpin new towns from the outset. 

Alongside the new towns consultation, the government has also confirmed today that the National Housing Bank will launch on 1 April. It will be backed with up to £16bn of financial capacity and will aim to deliver over 500,000 new homes.  

The government has also confirmed additional support worth up to £400 million over the next decade for subsidised products. This will enable both the National Housing Bank and regional Mayors to issue loans and investments at lower interest rates and unlock housebuilding across the country. 

Confirmed today that the Bank will be chaired by Peter Vernon, with Simon Century as its Chief Executive, the Bank will respond flexibly to market needs, unlock over £53 billion of private investment, and provide developers with more financial stability and certainty to support the delivery of over half a million new homes. Century and Vernon both have comprehensive experience in property, financial services, regeneration, and management consultancy.   

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “For decades this country’s planning system has been a direct obstacle to building new homes, ramping up costs and pricing young people out of the housing market.   

“Two years ago, I promised that we would grasp the nettle of planning reform. Now we’re planning to build a new generation of new towns, opening up the expansion of our most dynamic cities and raise up new communities.   

“Our economic plan is the right one. Through stability, investment and reform we are building a stronger and more secure economy.”

Simon Century, National Housing Bank Chief Executive, said: “From day one, we’ll use deep expertise to back innovative, large-scale delivery — accelerating the supply of high-quality affordable homes and thriving places people want to live.

The Government also assessed six further New Town locations — Adlington, Heyford Park, Marlcombe (East Devon), Plymouth, South Barking and Wychavon Town — which will not be taken forward as New Towns at this stage but are deemed to be credible development opportunities and may continue to be supported through existing housing programmes.

In Plymouth, for example, there is a unique opportunity to bolster the UK’s defence and security sector, and will have its own bespoke support package to unlock its potential as a centre of excellence in naval technology, and to ensure that lack of good quality homes does not act as a barrier to growth.  

Furthermore, an additional £234 million grant fund will support Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) to unlock 8,000 new homes on derelict brownfield land. Areas benefitting from the funding include Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the East Midlands, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull & East Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West of England and York & North Yorkshire. 

Together, these measures form part of the government’s commitment to ease the housing crisis, supporting first-time buyers, and creating thousands of jobs across construction and related industries.