Tag: Plan for Change

Ex-high street boss to ‘keep Britain working’

Review into business support for disabled and long-term sick

A new “Keep Britain Working” review has been launched today (Friday 24 January) to explore how to urgently support people with long-term illnesses or disabilities back into work, and to stay in work.

  • Independent review led by former John Lewis boss, Sir Charlie Mayfield, officially underway.
  • Review to investigate how government and businesses can work together to support ill and disabled people into work, boost living standards and grow the economy as part of Plan for Change.
  • Intervention comes as government is expected to publish major health and disability benefit reforms this Spring.

Former chairman of John Lewis Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield, will lead the Keep Britain Working Review to investigate the factors behind spiralling levels of inactivity, and how government and businesses can work together to turn this around, to get Britain working again. 

The review will be the first of its kind, and following the launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper, will be one part of the government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth in partnership with businesses, drive up prosperity and raise living standards across the UK.

With over a third of working age people reporting a long-term health condition and around a quarter classed as disabled, the latter group being three times more likely to be not in work or looking for work, the scale of the challenge is stark.

Beginning today, the review will move at pace concluding in the Autumn, with Sir Charlie Mayfield meeting businesses and health and disability organisations across the country to identify the scale, trends, obstacles and opportunities for companies when recruiting and retaining ill and disabled people. 

This phase will conclude in Spring with a report based on the findings from his conversations with company bosses, employees who have been supported to stay in work, and organisations who help those out of work, to inform wider engagement. Recommendations to the government are expected later this year.

This will be part of the government’s plan to boost employment by breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving people’s living standards through work and life-changing support, building on the latest data this week showing real earnings have increased by 2.5% on the year.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, who was also Chair of the British Retail Consortium and Chair of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, said: “Losing people from the workforce because of ill-health or disability is bad for many of the individuals, for the businesses employing them, and for the wider economy.

“It’s a growing problem for us all and it’s one that’s more likely to be resolved by business and government working together.

“I’m looking forward to engaging closely with businesses, government departments and the many organisations committed to improving our performance here.”

The review, which will identify measures to help ill and disabled people get into work and stay in work, comes ahead of significant reforms to health and disability benefits expected in the Spring. 

Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, said: “Millions of people have been left without support to get into work and on at work, and completely held back from reaching their potential for far too long, and the record-high cost of long-term sickness benefits is evidence of that fact.

“That’s why I am pleased to have Sir Charlie leading this review, bringing a wealth of experience and helping us to get people into work, and most importantly keep them in work, so we can boost living standards and get our economy growing.”

Business and Trade Secretary, Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, said: “It isn’t right that too many businesses are missing out on the people they need, while those who want to work can’t because of long-term sickness. 

“Solving this problem is one of the greatest challenges facing the labour market, with years of poor support blocking those with great talent from helping drive our economy forward.

“The government is on the side of working people and is unashamedly pro-business. That’s why this review will be critical in getting businesses the people they need to unlock their full potential.”

Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the CBI, said: “Lower rates of employment for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities is a tragic waste of potential that holds back economic growth and impacts on well-being. 

“It denies people the opportunity to improve their personal financial security through work and prevents businesses from using their valuable skills and experience to grow the economy. 

“Sir Charlie’s review is a welcome opportunity for business and government to co-design solutions that have a real impact.”

This business engagement is part of the Westminster government’s Get Britain Working White Paper which is currently progressing the biggest employment reforms in a generation so the UK can reach an ambitious 80% employment rate. 

As part of the plan, Jobcentre’s are to change their focus from monitoring and managing benefit claims to skills and careers, mental health support will be expanded to reduce waiting lists in areas with the highest levels of economic inactivity, and mayors will be empowered to join up local work, health and skills support to tackle the root causes of inactivity in their areas.

Prime Minister clears path to ‘get Britain building’

Nuclear plants, trainlines and windfarms will be built quicker thanks to changes to the rules to stop blockers getting in the way of the government’s Plan for Change

  • Major infrastructure needed for growth and clean energy to no longer be held up in the courts, as government scraps excessive three attempts to challenge decisions in the courts
  • Households set to benefit from reduced energy bills in the long term and faster commutes through quicker construction of renewable energy and transport projects
  • Latest step to drive economic growth – the number one priority in the Plan for Change – sending positive message to business looking to build

Nuclear plants, trainlines and windfarms will be built quicker thanks to changes to the rules to stop blockers getting in the way of the government’s Plan for Change.

Current excessive rules mean unarguable cases can be brought back to the courts three times – causing years of delay and hundreds of millions of cost to projects that have been approved by democratically elected ministers, while also clogging up the courts.

Data shows that over half – 58% – of all decisions on major infrastructure were taken to court, getting in the way of the government’s central mission to grow the economy, and put more money in hardworking people’s pockets.

The government today confirms this will be overhauled, with just one attempt at legal challenge for cynical cases lodged purely to cause delay rather than three. 

This approach will strike the right balance between ensuring ongoing access to justice and protections against genuine issues of propriety, while pushing back against a challenge culture where small pressure groups use the courts to obstruct decisions taken in the national interest.

On average, each legal challenge takes around a year and a half to be resolved – with many delayed for two years or more – and the courts have spent over 10,000 working days handling these cases. This is holding back working people and is getting in the way of our progress as a nation. Examples include:

  • East Anglia wind farms were delayed by a group which dragged the case through the courts and lost at every turn – delaying it for over two years. 
  • Sizewell C, which was taken to court by a small group of activists, with the High Court dismissing it and describing aspects as “utterly hopeless” – despite this, work was left uncertain for two years and legal costs increased 
  • The A47 National Highway Project, which is improving our roads, was dragged to court by a former Green Councillor – his case was eventually dismissed as having ‘no logical basis’, after delaying the project by two years.

These cases put a hold on people’s lives – harming our efforts to drive down energy bills with clean energy, getting in the way of road improvements which will help people get to work on time, strangling the dream of homeownership and – importantly – scaring away business from building in the UK.

It also wastes tax money, with major road projects paying up to £121 million per scheme being dragged through the courts. 

These changes will send a strong signal to global firms looking to do business – that the UK is a great place to invest. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, blockers have had the upper hand in legal challenges – using our court processes to frustrate growth.

“We’re putting an end to this challenge culture by taking on the NIMBYs and a broken system that has slowed down our progress as a nation.”

“This is the government’s Plan for Change in action – taking the brakes off Britain by reforming the planning system so it is pro-growth and pro-infrastructure.

The current first attempt – known as the paper permission stage – will be scrapped. And primary legislation will be changed so that where a judge in an oral hearing at the High Court deems the case Totally Without Merit, it will not be possible to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider. To ensure ongoing access to justice, a request to appeal second attempt will be allowed for other cases.

This announcement marks another victory for the ‘builders over the blockers’, with the government proving – with actions – that it is set on kickstarting growth and putting more money back in people’s pockets.

It follows a series of interventions from the Prime Minister – dating back to the State Opening of Parliament where he outlined plans to introduce the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to expedite the delivery of high-quality infrastructure. 

Since then, the government is speeding up 150 major economic infrastructure projects, including railways and roads – doubling the record of the previous government, unlocking growth, and taking the brakes off Britain. 

The government has also set out major reforms to end the block and delay to building homes and infrastructure from current environmental obligations. 

A new Nature Restoration Fund would enable developers to meet their environmental obligations more quickly and with greater impact – accelerating the building of homes and improving the environment.

The new common-sense approach doesn’t allow newts or bats to be more important than the homes hardworking people need, or the roads and hospital this country needs.

Growth is the number one Mission of this government. That is why the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change is focused on boosting growth to put more money in working people’s pockets and improving living standards across the country.

Since the election, real wages have grown at the fastest rate in three years, worth an extra £20 a week after inflation, and the average two-year fixed mortgage rate is now about half a percentage point lower than it was at the election.  

This UK says it will government will not relent in its determination to deliver economic growth and fight for working people, which is why the Chancellor hosted regulators in No11 last week to discuss how they can support growth going forward. She will give a speech on economic growth next week to drive home this determination.

Lord Banner KC, author of the Independent review into legal challenges against Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, said: “My review concluded that there is a clear case for streamlining judicial reviews on consenting decisions for nationally significant infrastructure projects, given that delays to these projects cause real detriment to the public interest. 

“In the course of my review, I saw broad consensus from claimants to scheme promoters that a quicker system of justice would be in their interests, provided that cases can still be tried fairly.

“I am therefore pleased to see the government acting on the back of my review. In particular, reducing the number of permission attempts to one for truly hopeless cases should weed out the worst offenders, without risking inadvertent delays because judges choose to err on the side of caution.

“I look forward to seeing these changes help to deliver a step change in the pace of infrastructure delivery in the months and years ahead.”

£60 million boost for creative industries to turbocharge growth

Hundreds of creative businesses and projects across the UK are to receive government funding to help them grow as part of a major boost to the economy – marking the first step of the Government’s Sector Plan for the creative industries.

  • Culture Secretary hosts major economic growth summit in Gateshead for creative industries and announces key priority areas
  • Marks first step towards delivering Sector Plan, as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy
  • £60 million package of support to drive growth, including £40 million investment for start-up video game studios, British music and film exports and creative businesses outside of London
  • British Business Bank will increase its support for the sector to help the UK’s Creative Industries realise their full growth potential, while government also launches Soft Power Council to drive investment

Hundreds of creative businesses and projects across the UK are to receive government funding to help them grow as part of a major boost to the economy – marking the first step of the Government’s Sector Plan for the creative industries.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is bringing together more than 250 creative businesses and cultural leaders at the The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, in Gateshead today. As part of its modern Industrial Strategy, she will set out how the Government will work together with the sector to increase growth and investment, starting with a £60 million package of government support.

This includes investments for start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues and creative businesses to boost British music and film exports, which will facilitate investment and innovation in communities, in turn supporting businesses and employment. 

Growth is the number one mission of the Government’s Plan for Change, so we can put more money in people’s pockets. Today’s summit is the first step towards delivering the Creative Industry Sector Plan, as part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will set out the enormous growth potential of the sector and where the biggest opportunities are at home and in new markets abroad.

It will identify what key barriers are currently holding back the sector’s growth potential, and government and industry’s shared commitment to overcoming them, laying the groundwork for the publication of the full Creative Industries Sector Plan in the spring. 

At the summit, the Culture Secretary will also announce that the priority regions for Creative Industries are the  North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, Greater London, West of England, South Wales, Glasgow, Edinburgh-Dundee corridor, and Belfast. 

Alongside this, the Government will provide additional funding, to be agreed as part of the Spending Review, to six Mayoral Combined Authorities (North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, West of England) . This will maximise the strengths of these areas to deliver growth and builds upon progress to provide an attractive business environment and encourage strong, continued investment in the creative industries for years to come.

As the Government ramps up support for the sector, the Culture Secretary will also announce that we will bring forward changes so that shorter apprenticeships are available from August 2025, recognising the particular needs of the creative industries, as one of our first steps towards a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy.
The government is working with industry, including through a Creative Industries Taskforce chaired by Baroness Shriti Vadera and Sir Peter Bazalgette, on the sector plan and there will be more detail and policy announcements made in the months ahead. 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “From film and fashion to music and advertising, our creative industries are truly world-class and play a critical role in helping us deliver on this Government’s mission to drive economic growth in all parts of the UK.

“Our £60 million funding boost will support creative and cultural organisations across the UK to turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses and spreading opportunity across the country.

“But this is by no means the limit of our ambitions, which is why the creative industries are at the heart of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy and will continue to play a key part in this Government’s Plan for Change.”

The Government will create the most attractive business environment to encourage strong, continued investment in the creative industries for years to come. The Government will design the sector plan with business, who have set out the barriers to growth, including skills and access to finance.

The Government will design the sector plan with business, who have set out the barriers to growth, including skills and access to finance. As a result the Government is also making a significant signal of intent ahead of the Spending Review by announcing positive changes to the way the British Business Bank, UK Research and Innovation and skills policy will prioritise the Creative Industries.

The British Business Bank, which supports £17.4 billion of finance to over 64,000 smaller businesses, has committed to increase its support for creative businesses to access the finance they need to grow. 

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Our number one mission is to grow the economy and our creative industries are a British success story with a big part to play.

Building on our plans to boost our AI sector, this is another step as we go further and faster to deliver growth so we can put more money in people’s pockets.”

Today’s summit comes as the Culture Secretary and Foreign Secretary David Lammy also confirmed the membership of a new Soft Power Council. The council will act as an advisory board to the UK Government and will bring together soft power and foreign policy experts to champion the UK abroad, and drive investment and growth at home.

Members include former rower and chair of UK Sport Katherine Grainger, former athlete and television presenter Baroness Grey-Thompson and V&A director Tristram Hunt.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Soft power is fundamental to the UK’s impact and reputation around the world.  I am often struck by the enormous love and respect which our music, sport and educational institutions generate on every continent.

“But we have not taken a sufficiently strategic approach to these huge assets as a country. Harnessing soft power effectively can help to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth. 

“That is why I have created the Soft Power Council to channel British expertise as we look to re-imagine Britain’s role on the world stage, reinvigorate alliances and forge new partnerships.”

Starmer sets out blueprint to ‘turbocharge AI’

Artificial intelligence ‘will deliver a decade of national renewal’ as part of a new plan announced today

  • AI to drive the Plan for Change, helping turbocharge growth and boost living standards
  • public sector to spend less time doing admin and more time delivering the services working people rely on
  • dedicated AI Growth Zones to speed up planning for AI infrastructure
  • £14 billion and 13,250 jobs committed by private tech firms following AI Action Plan

Artificial intelligence will be ‘unleashed across the UK to deliver a decade of national renewal’, under a new plan announced today (13 January 2025).

In a marked move from the previous government’s approach, the Prime Minister is throwing the full weight of Whitehall behind this industry by agreeing to take forward all 50 recommendations set out by Matt Clifford in his game-changing AI Opportunities Action Plan.

AI is already being used across the UK. It is being used in hospitals up and down the country to deliver better, faster, and smarter care: spotting pain levels for people who can’t speak, diagnosing breast cancer quicker, and getting people discharged quicker. This is already helping deliver the government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future.

Unveiling details of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan today, the Prime Minister will say AI can transform the lives of working people – it has the potential to speed up planning consultations to get Britain building, help drive down admin for teachers so they can get on with teaching our children, and feed AI through cameras to spot potholes and help improve roads. 

Backing AI to the hilt can also lead to more money in the pockets of working people. The IMF estimates that – if AI is fully embraced – it can boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year. If fully realised, these gains could be worth up to an average £47 billion to the UK each year over a decade.

Today’s plan mainlines AI into the veins of this enterprising nation – revolutionising our public services and putting more money in people’s back pockets. Because for too long we have allowed blockers to control the public discourse and get in the way of growth in this sector.

The plan puts an end to that by introducing new measures that will create dedicated AI Growth Zones that speed up planning permission and give them the energy connections they need to power up AI.

The UK occupies a unique place in the world. We can learn from the US’s and EU’s approach – delivering the dynamism, flexibility and long-term stability that we know businesses want. 

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: “Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people.

“But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race.

“Our plan will make Britain the world leader. It will give the industry the foundation it needs and will turbocharge the Plan for Change. That means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in people’s pockets, and transformed public services.

“That’s the change this government is delivering.”

It comes as three major tech companies – Vantage Data Centres, Nscale and Kyndryl – have committed to £14 billion investment in the UK to build the AI infrastructure the UK needs to harness the potential of this technology and deliver 13,250 jobs across the UK. That’s on top of the £25 billion in AI investment announced at the International Investment Summit.

Vantage Data Centres – which is working to build one of Europe’s largest data centre campuses in Wales – plans to invest over £12 billion in data centres across the UK – creating over 11,500 jobs in the process.

Kyndryl – the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider and a leading IT consultancy – announces plans to create up to 1,000 AI-related jobs in Liverpool over the next three years. This new tech hub will share the Government’s ambition to roll AI out across the country to help grow the economy and foster the next generation of talent.

Nscale – one of the UK’s leading AI companies – has announced a $2.5 billion investment to support the UK’s data centre infrastructure over the next three years. They have also signed a contract to build the largest UK sovereign AI data centre in Loughton, Essex by 2026.

The plan includes initiatives that will help make the UK the number one place for AI firms to invest, which is vital if Britain is to be at the forefront of this industry and be a changemaker rather than a change-taker.

The key changes include:

  • forging new AI Growth Zones to speed up planning proposals and build more AI infrastructure. The first of these will be in Culham, Oxfordshire
  • increasing the public compute capacity by twentyfold to give us the processing power we need to fully embrace this new technology – this starts immediately with work starting on a brand new supercomputer
  • a new team will be set up to seize the opportunities of AI and build the UK’s sovereign capabilities
  • creating a new National Data Library to safely and securely unlock the value of public data and support AI development
  • a dedicated AI Energy Council chaired by the Science and Energy Secretaries will also be established, working with energy companies to understand the energy demands and challenges which will fuel the technology’s development – this will directly support the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower by tapping into technologies like small modular reactors.

Taken together, the 50 measures will make the UK irresistible to AI firms looking to start, scale, or grow their business. It builds on recent progress in AI that saw £25 billion of new investment in data centres announced since the government took office last July.

This Action Plan is also at the heart of the government’s Industrial Strategy and the first plank of the upcoming Digital and Technology Sector Plan, to be published in the coming months.

Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said:  ”AI has the potential to change all of our lives but for too long, we have been curious and often cautious bystanders to the change unfolding around us. With this plan, we become agents of that change.   

“We already have remarkable strengths we can tap into when it comes to AI – building our status as the cradle of computer science and intelligent machines and establishing ourselves as the third largest AI market in the world.   

“This government is determined that the UK is not left behind in the global race for AI, that’s why the actions we commit to will ensure that the benefits are spread throughout the UK so all citizens will reap the rewards of the bet we make today. This is how we’re putting our Plan for Change in motion.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP said: “AI is a powerful tool that will help grow our economy, make our public services more efficient and open up new opportunities to help improve living standards.

“This action plan is the government’s modern industrial strategy in action. Attracting AI businesses to the UK, binging in new investment, creating new jobs and turbocharging our Plan for Change. This means better living standards in every part of the United Kingdom and working people have more money in their pocket.”

Matt Clifford CBE said:  ”This is a plan which puts us all-in – backing the potential of AI to grow our economy, improve lives for citizens, and make us a global hub for AI investment and innovation.   

“AI offers opportunities we can’t let slip through our fingers, and these steps put us on the strongest possible footing to ensure AI delivers in all corners of the country, from building skills and talent to revolutionising our infrastructure and compute power.”

Chancellor on China: ‘Stable relationship that supports secure growth is in our national interest’

  • Chancellor visiting Beijing for the first UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue since 2019 – seeking stability in relationship with world’s second largest economy to achieve secure and resilient growth.
  • Visit delivers on commitment to explore deeper economic cooperation made by Prime Minister and President Xi at G20 in November.
  • Reeves will also raise difficult issues, including China’s support for Russia illegal war in Ukraine and concerns over constraints on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

Making working people across Britain secure and better off is ‘at the forefront of the Chancellor’s mind’ while in Beijing this weekend for a UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD).

Rachel Reeves will meet with her counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, in the Chinese capital today for a series of conversations around the financial services relationship between the two countries, support for safe trade and investment and the importance of cooperation on global issues like climate change.

She will be joined by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority Nikhil Rathi, and senior representatives from some of Britain’s biggest financial services firms as she seeks outcomes that benefit our businesses, support secure and resilient growth in the UK, and finance tackling shared global challenges.

The Chancellor’s visit follows a meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit last autumn, where they discussed deepening the economic and trade relationship shared by the UK and China, in order to yield mutual benefits, support growth, and have candid discussion on issues where our views differ. As part of this, the Chancellor is expected to raise constraints on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and to urge China to stop its material and economic support for the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

This is part of the consistent, long term and strategic approach that the government is taking in managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. The government will co-operate where it can, compete where it needs to, and challenge where it must, including to protect our values and national security as the first duty of government.

Ahead of her visit, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Growing the economy and raising living standards is front and centre of this government’s Plan for Change. That growth must be secure, resilient, and built on stable foundations, including through careful pragmatic cooperation with international partners.

“By finding common ground on trade and investment while being candid about our differences and upholding national security as the first duty of this government, we can build a long-term economic relationship with China that works in the national interest.”

While in Beijing, the Chancellor will also visit Brompton’s flagship store. The enduring British bike brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary year, and its flourishing community in the Chinese capital as its foremost market is a major success story for UK exports to China.

In addition to building on the financial services relationship, the EFD will also seek to bring down barriers that British businesses face when looking to export or expand to China, supporting them to seize growth opportunities and follow in the footsteps of brands like Brompton, and other cornerstones of British culture and industry like Jaguar Land Rover, Unilever and Diageo – three companies whom Reeves will also meet with during her visit.

Reeves is also to visit Shanghai on Sunday to engage with representatives across British and Chinese business. Alongside London, the city is a leading global financial centre which has long been important for UK-China economic and financial links, including in financial services with the landmark financial market connectivity initiative between the London Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange entering its sixth year.

China is the world’s second largest economy and the UK’s fourth largest single trading partner, with a trade relationship worth almost £113 billion, and with exports to China supporting over 455,000 jobs in the UK in 2020.

UK stagflation crisis threat demands action

The UK economy is staring down the barrel of the stagflation gun, with stagnant growth and persistent inflation combining to create one of the most challenging financial environments in over a decade. 

This is the stark warning from Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, as this week the 30-year gilt yield hit a staggering 5.25%—its highest point since the 2008 financial crisis—underscoring the scale of the issue. 

He says: “Stagflation’s grip on the UK has been exacerbated by weak domestic growth, which under normal circumstances would prompt the Bank of England to lower interest rates. 

“However, with inflation still uncomfortably high, policymakers find themselves in a precarious position, hesitating to make moves that could further weaken the pound and worsen price pressures. 

Nigel Green continues: “For Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the situation is particularly dire. Her key fiscal rule—eliminating all non-investment borrowing by 2029—now hangs in the balance, as rising interest payments on debt eat into the Treasury’s capacity to act. 

“Achieving this goal will demand either politically challenging tax increases or deep public spending cuts. Both measures will hurt economic growth, amplifying the stagflationary spiral. 

“The rise in gilt yields signals growing investor caution about the UK’s economic outlook. 

“Higher borrowing costs are creating ripple effects across sectors, from property to retail, as businesses and consumers alike face higher for longer interest rates. At the same time, the weakening pound, spurred by fears of stagnation, makes UK assets more attractive to international investors.

“For global investors, the UK’s predicament is not just a warning—it’s a call to action. Stagflation may erode domestic purchasing power, but it also opens the door to undervalued opportunities in key sectors, particularly for those with a long-term strategy. 

“Fixed-income securities are more appealing given their higher yields, especially for those seeking safe havens in a turbulent global economy.”

While stagflation is a daunting challenge, it also forces innovation and adaptation. 

“For investors with ties to Britain, this is the time to reassess portfolios, hedge against inflation, and identify sectors that can thrive in a stagflationary environment. History teaches us that industries such as energy, healthcare, and tech have shown resilience, even in periods of economic stagnation.

“The gilt market itself is worth watching closely. The recent yield spike suggests a shift in sentiment, but for those who act decisively, these higher yields could lock in significant returns over the medium term. 

“Similarly, the weakening pound, while a burden for imports, is a boon for exporters and foreign investors looking to acquire UK assets at a relative discount.”

Nigel Green concludes: “The looming spectre of stagflation may sound like a warning bell, but it’s also a call for decisive action. The UK’s challenges are real, but so are the prospects for those who think globally and act strategically.”

Business leaders join forces to get thousands of offenders into work

Major new drive to get offenders into stable jobs and away from a life of crime

  • New Employment Councils to bring probation, prisons and local businesses together
  • Household UK names including the Co-op and Oliver Bonas backing new initiative
  • Scheme aims to get more offenders into work to cut crime as part of Plan for Change

Bosses from household names including Greggs, Iceland and COOK will be among those to sit on new Employment Councils supporting offenders serving their sentence in the community into work.

They will build on the success of prison Employment Advisory Boards, which were created by Lord Timpson before he became a government minister. These have brought local business leaders into jails to improve education and prisoners’ ability to get work when released.

The new regional Employment Councils will expand this model out to the Probation Service and the tens of thousands of offenders serving their sentences in the community.

Each council will also have a representative from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help improve links with local job centres.

The initiative was a manifesto commitment and will play a crucial role in the Government’s mission to make streets safer by tackling reoffending under the Plan for Change.

Around 80% of all crime is reoffending but latest data shows offenders employed six weeks after leaving prison had a reoffending rate around half of those out of work.

Alongside breaking the cycle of crime, getting offenders into work helps employers fill vacancies, build their businesses, plug skill gaps and boost the UK economy.

Minister for Probation, Prisons and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, said: “Getting former offenders into stable work is a sure way of cutting crime and making our streets safer. That’s why partnering with businesses to get more former offenders into work is a win-win.

“The Employment Advisory Boards I spear-headed have made huge progress and now these Employment Councils will expand that success to steer even more offenders away from crime as part of our Plan for Change.”

Employment Councils will provide support to frontline probation staff already involved in getting offenders into work. They will provide them with a greater understanding of the local labour market and help build better relationships with suitable employers.

Further support from the DWP will help link offenders with work coaches placed at job centres throughout the country.

These coaches will be on hand to get offenders job-ready through mock interviews, CV advice and by sharing tips on how to secure further training opportunities in the community.

DWP Lords Minister, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, said: ”As well as making our streets safer, helping offenders into work will enable employers to fill vacancies and plug our skills gaps.

“This work is vital in our Plan for Change as we begin our task of fixing the fundamentals of the social security system and progress with wider work to reduce poverty, put more money in people’s pockets and keep our streets safe.

“That’s why I am pleased that DWP staff will also be a part of the new regional Employment Councils to directly connect them with the frontline support delivered every day by Jobcentre staff across the country – offering work experience and access to our employment programmes.”

Research from the Ministry of Justice shows that 90% of businesses that employ ex-offenders agreed that they are good attenders, motivated and trustworthy

Rosie Brown, co-CEO of COOK, said: “A job provides a key way to help people restore their lives and relationships following a stretch in prison.

“In return, we get committed, loyal team members to help us build our business.  Re-offending is reduced, and families, communities, and society as a whole wins.”

Employment Councils will serve as the successor to regional Employment Advisory Boards and will officially bring together probation, prisons, local employers and DWP under one umbrella for the first time, with a renewed focus on broadening support to offenders in the community.

The Boards will continue at 93 individual prisons but the addition of regional Employment Councils will help prison leavers look for work across an entire region, not just the immediate vicinity of the last prison they were in.

UK Government crackdown on explicit deepfakes

Predators who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ could face prosecution as the Government bears down on vile online abuse

  • Government to make creating sexually explicit ‘deepfake’ images a criminal offence
  • Perpetrators to face up to two years behind bars under new offences for taking an intimate image without consent and installing equipment to enable these offences
  • Package delivers on UK Government’s Plan for Change and manifesto commitment to protect women and girls

Predators who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ could face prosecution as the Government bears down on vile online abuse as part of its mission to make our streets safer.

The proliferation of these hyper-realistic images has grown at an alarming rate, causing devastating harm to victims, particularly women and girls who are often the target.

To tackle this, the government will introduce a new offence meaning perpetrators could be charged for both creating and sharing these images, not only marking a crackdown on this abhorrent behaviour but making it clear there is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent.

The Government will also create new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences – sending a clear message that abusers will face the full force of the law.

 Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: “It is unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised, and as part of our Plan for Change we are bearing down on violence against women – whatever form it takes.

“These new offences will help prevent people being victimised online. We are putting offenders on notice – they will face the full force of the law.”

While it is already an offence to share – or threaten to share – an intimate image without consent, it is only an offence to take an image without consent in certain circumstances, such as upskirting.

Under the new offences, anyone who takes an intimate image without consent faces up to two years’ custody. Those who install equipment so that they, or someone else, can take intimate images without consent also face up to two years behind bars.

The move delivers on the Government’s manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes as well as recommendations from the Law Commission relating to intimate images.

Alongside existing offences of sharing intimate images without consent, this will give law enforcement a holistic package of offences to effectively tackle non-consensual intimate image abuse.

Baroness Jones, Technology Minister, said: “The rise of intimate image abuse is a horrifying trend that exploits victims and perpetuates a toxic online culture. These acts are not just cowardly, they are deeply damaging, particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately targeted.

“With these new measures, we’re sending an unequivocal message: creating or sharing these vile images is not only unacceptable but criminal. Tech companies need to step up too – platforms hosting this content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties.”

Campaigner and presenter Jess Davies said: “Intimate-image abuse is a national emergency that is causing significant, long-lasting harm to women and girls who face a total loss of control over their digital footprint, at the hands of online misogyny. 

“Women should not have to accept sexual harassment and abuse as a normal part of their online lives, we need urgent action and legislation to better protect women and girls from the mammoth scale of misogyny they are experiencing online.”

These new offences follow the Government’s action in September 2024 to add sharing intimate image offences as priority offences under the Online Safety Act. This put the onus on platforms to root out and remove this type of content – or face enforcement action from Ofcom.

The new offences will be included in the Westminster government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced when parliamentary time allows. Further details of the new offences will be set out in due course.

Further information:

  • The sexually explicit deepfakes offences will apply to images of adults. This is because the law already covers this behaviour where the image is of a child (under the age of 18).
  • It is already an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images, including deepfakes, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, following amendments that were made by the Online Safety Act 2023.
  • The Government will repeal two existing voyeurism offences that relate to the recording of a person doing a private act, and recording an image beneath a person’s clothing.
  • They will be replaced with a range of new offences:
    • Taking or recording an intimate photograph or film without consent or reasonable belief in it
  • Taking or recording an intimate photograph or film without consent and with intent to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation
  • Taking or recording an intimate photograph or film without consent or reasonable belief in it, and for the purpose of the sexual gratification of oneself or another
  • We will also introduce new offences that criminalise someone if they install or adapt, prepare or maintain equipment, and do so with the intent of enabling themselves or another to commit one of the three offences of taking an intimate image without consent.

State schools to receive boost as ending VAT break for private schools raises £1.7bn

  • Thousands of state schools to receive boost as the VAT break for private schools ends, raising £1.7 billion a year by 2029/30
  • Next year there will be an additional £2.3 billion to help deliver the government’s education priorities, such as bolstering student skills, improving Special Education system and hiring 6,500 new teachers
  • VAT change marks next step to help achieve Prime Minister’s Plan for Change by giving every child the best start in life.

Thousands of state schools are set to receive a funding boost next year as the VAT break historically enjoyed by private schools ends on New Year’s day (1 January 2025).

The core schools Budget will increase by £2.3 billion next year and the VAT change will raise £1.5 billion next year, rising to £1.7 billion a year by 2029/30.

The Prime Minister’s Plan for Change has set out the priorities for government funding which includes giving children the best start in life, as a key milestone within the Opportunity Mission. As part of this Mission, the government is committed to hiring 6,500 new teachers, driving up standards and improving the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system.

Through the introduction of 20% VAT to all education services, vocational training and boarding services provided by UK private schools, the government is raising revenue which can help the 94% of school children who attend state schools and deliver on its mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “It’s time things are done differently. Ending the VAT break for private schools means an additional £1.7 billion a year that can go towards our state schools where 94% of this country’s children are educated. 

“That means more teachers. Higher standards. And the best chance in life for all our children as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “High and rising standards cannot just be for families who can afford them, and we must build an education system where every child can achieve and thrive.

“Our ambitious Plan for Change sets out our clear mission to break the link between background and success and ending the VAT break enjoyed by private schools will provide much needed investment in our state schools, to help recruit and retain expert teachers.”

The policy sets out that any fees paid from 29 July 2024 – when the policy was first announced by the government – relating to the term starting in January 2025 onwards will be subject to VAT. This is expected to raise £1.5 billion in 2025-26, rising to £1.7 billion by 2029-30.

Where a private school in England has charitable status, the government will also remove their eligibility to business rates charitable rate relief from April 2025. The business rates change will raise around £140 million per year, bringing the total raised by these policies to £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30.

With the change coming in on New Year’s Day, the Chancellor visited the Harris Academy state school in London alongside Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to talk to students and teachers about the government’s education priorities, including £1 billion for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system, increasing per pupil funding in real terms and taking core schools funding to £63.9 billion in 2025-26.

Industry encouraged to shape UK transition to zero emission vehicles

  • Consultation launched to shape the 2030 petrol and diesel car phase-out.
  • Industry invited to have their say on the UK’s approach to the zero emission vehicle transition and how consumers can be supported to make the switch.
  • Comes as figures show more than 72,000 public chargepoints available, helping the UK become a clean energy superpower and delivering on our Plan for Change.

The UK automotive and charging industries have been invited to shape the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles, as the UK Government works with the sector to harness the huge opportunities for economic growth and improve living standards for working people.

Today [Tuesday 24 December], Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a consultation to ask views from industry on how to deliver on the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success.

The 2030 phase out date was broadly supported by industry before the previous UK Government extended the phase out to 2035. Currently more than two-thirds of car manufacturers in the UK, including Nissan and Stellantis, have already committed to fully transitioning to electric cars by 2030.

Today’s consultation will restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry so that they have the confidence to invest in the UK in the long-term and drive growth in the UK automotive industry.

The consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which is the joint responsibility of the UK Government, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government. The mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030.

To support manufacturers in the transition, the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers.

This consultation is focused on how, not if, we reach the 2030 target. It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers.

The UK automotive industry already employs over 152,000 people, is our most valuable exported good, and adds £19 billion to our economy. EVs are also cheaper to own and drive than ever, and can run from as little as 2p per mile.

Industry research also shows that using an electric vehicle could save people up to £750 a year in running costs if they’re charged at home compared to using petrol and diesel cars. Upfront costs are also coming down, with 1 in 3 used electric cars now costing under £20,000 to buy, according to industry data.

Getting this transition right and supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market in the UK will enable Britain to tap into a multibillion-pound industry, create high paid jobs for decades to come and deliver on our plan for change by putting more money in the pockets of hardworking families.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ““Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 billion to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.

“Yet over the last few years, our automotive industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This Government will change that.

“Drivers are already embracing EVs faster than ever, with one in four new cars sold in November electric. Today’s measures will help us capitalise on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower, and rebuild Britain”.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: ““There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities.

“We are steadfast in our mission to help our world-leading automotive industry thrive, and this consultation will look at how we can support manufacturers, investors, and the wider industry to reach their targets.

“This Government is backing the auto sector with £2 billion to support our domestic manufacturers to transition to zero emission vehicles and over £300 million to drive consumer uptake”.

Today’s consultation is part of a wider push to make it easier and cheaper for drivers to charge their electric cars. It follows over £2.3 billion investment from the UK Government to support domestic manufacturers and consumers switch to EVs.

With 56 public chargers added on average to the network every day in 2024, 24/7 helplines, and up-to-date chargepoint locations, it’s never been easier for drivers to charge their EVs. They can now rely on more than 72,000 public chargers across the UK, alongside £6 billion of private investment by 2030 to roll out our chargepoint network at pace.

Charging infrastructure will continue to match the rising sales of EVs, with another 100,000 chargers planned by local authorities all across England under the Government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund alone.

It comes as data shows that one in four new cars sold this November was an EV, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – a 58% increase on November 2023. EV owners are seeing the benefits too, as 97% of electric car drivers say they do not want to go back to petrol and diesel cars.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: ““Accelerating the transition to electric vehicles will drive forward our clean energy superpower mission and brings huge economic opportunities.

“It will help drivers access cars that are cheaper to run, cut air pollution in our cities and towns, back British manufacturers and provide highly-skilled jobs in emerging industries.”

With more and more drivers switching to electric vehicles, the UK government has also unveiled a series of measures today to continue to improve charging infrastructure and tackle barriers to EV take-up and drive forward this transition.

The new measures include a separate consultation on whether we can reduce barriers to roll out more zero emission vans – crucial to help decarbonise the freight and delivery sectors more quickly.

The UK government will also change planning legislation to provide additional flexibility in England through permitted development rights when installing off-street electric vehicle chargepoints. We will also amend legislation to allow chargepoint installers to use street works permits instead of licences to make it easier and quicker to install chargers, and to apply for these online using the DfT’s Street Manager digital service for planning and managing works.

The results of a review will also be published on how to improve grid connections for chargepoints, increasing cohesion, cooperation and communication across the industry. Local councils will continue to be supported in their charging projects with resource and new guidance.

The transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British ingenuity, and deliver growth for generations to come. The UK Government wants to work in partnership with industry to make sure that our approach to the transition supports a thriving UK automotive sector now and for years to come.

It is fundamental to our Growth and Clean Energy missions and will help lead Britain and the world into a cleaner, safer, a more prosperous future. 

A Happy Christmas for North Edinburgh Arts!

NORTH EDINBURGH’s ‘LOCAL TREASURE’ TO OPEN EARLY 2025

  • £1.7 million Community Ownership Funding secures North Edinburgh Arts
  • Government funding will save at least 35 community centres, helping fix the foundations of our communities as part of the Plan for Change
  • Money will boost opportunities and help grow local economies, supporting the government’s drive for national renewal
  • This will help kickstart economic growth and rebuild Britain in a decade of renewal

Cherished community centres are among the 85 local venues across the UK that are set to receive government support to stay open, helping to fix the foundations of our communities. One of these is North Edinburgh Arts, which will receive £1.7 million.

An additional £36 million of funding has been provided to back local communities, including the rescue of at least 35 community centres, protecting vital local services, boosting opportunities for working families and supporting local economies.

As set out in its Plan for Change, the government is committed to kickstarting economic growth and raising living standards. Thriving communities lie at the heart of a thriving economy, and the support provided by the Community Ownership Fund will inject funding where it is most needed, making change happen and bringing people together in the process.

The projects will support the government on its path to national renewal, helping realise our regions’ huge potential while creating safer and happier streets by restoring community pride.

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: “We are delivering on our Plan for Change by saving these vital community assets to provide important opportunities for working people and their families.

“These projects represent what is so special about communities across the UK – bringing people of all ages together, providing vital support and giving them a sense of purpose and belonging.

“Every project will support social causes in the community, keeping widely used services open and thriving to improve people’s health and wellbeing.”

In Scotland, £5 million will be awarded to 11 projects including the £1.7 million to refurbish and expand the community arts centre in Muirhouse – North Edinburgh Arts’ MacMillan Hub.

In a statement, North Edinburgh Arts said: “North Edinburgh Arts is delighted to be one of 85 community owned venues across the UK receiving support from the Community Ownership Fund. Announced yesterday, £1.7m is earmarked for NEA to complete our build programme, kit out the venue and refurbish our much-loved community garden. 

“Sitting at the heart of our community the expanded and refurbished venue will run to over 2000m2, housing a 96 seat theatre, 72 seat café, welcome area, 2 wood workshops, 5 multi-purpose studios, 6 artist studios, music room, 4 offices, greenhouse, and the half-acre community garden. It will be bustling again in 2025 with a creative and community programme; shaped by the people who own, use, and love it.

“Funders of all types, large and small, public and private, have supported the community’s vision and bought into NEA’s ambitious plans. Many individuals have supported our crowd funder over the past year too. 

“The Board and NEA team are thankful to all our supporters, and thrilled that the Community Ownership Fund brings us to our capital target. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our local Councillors, MSPs, and our MP, Tracy Gilbert.

“But, mostly, we couldn’t have done this without the support of our neighbours, participants, and our community. Thank you all. We’ll see you in 2025 when we throw the doors open once again!”

Edinburgh North and Leith MP said: “I am delighted that the UK Government have announced the successful projects in the Community Ownership Fund including £1.7 million for @northedinarts in Edinburgh North and Leith.

Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris said: “These are all multi-functional spaces that do so much for local people and most of us will have fond memories in treasured places like these.

“We’ve prioritised these grants to help preserve and upgrade what these vital places offer to their communities – whether that’s improving access to sport and education, tackling loneliness or boosting family services for parents and children.

“This is just the start of our work to support communities and give them greater control of their assets and we’ll be setting out our full strategy next year.”

Action4Youth, a youth charity in the South East, has been given £300,000 to refurbish the George Amey Centre in Milton Keynes, securing its future as a centre for outdoor education and supporting the charity’s work to tackle knife and gang crime.

Chief Executive of Action4Youth, Jenifer Cameron said: “We are so grateful to have funding which will enable us to complete our renovation project and to ensure the future of the outdoor centre which benefits 15,000 children and young people each year.

“We can now look forward with optimism and hope to support many more young people in future.”

Nineteen sports clubs and leisure facilities across the country will be saved, including four historic swimming pools. These include the 1960s Portishead Lido in North Somerset – where funding will also be used to renovate the café, supporting the local economy – and one of the last tidal pools left in the country, the Victorian Shoalstone Pool in Devon.

On the Isle of Wight, the Isorropia Foundation will receive more than £1m to purchase and renovate the Medina Valley Centre so it can provide a range of community services including mental health support, training and educational opportunities. And Elmfield Hall in Accrington will be renovated to secure its future as a location for counselling, mentoring and employment courses.

The MacMillan Hub in Edinburgh will be backed with £1.7m so it can continue to promote culture, learning and training opportunities, work and well-being in and around the town centre, and expand its café.

And more than £1m will be used to restore the Higher Woodhill Viaduct so the East Lancashire Railway can continue to deliver a heritage railway experience, boosting the local tourism industry in the process.

To tackle loneliness and support rural communities, £3.8 million will go to eight parks and eight pubs, including £300,000 to help buy back a popular village pub in North Yorkshire – The Punch Bowl Inn. £300,000 will also be used to renovate a 200-year-old countryside pub in Gwyned, Wales – Tafarn y Plu. This funding will back local businesses, create jobs and drive growth while restoring community pride.

The Westminster government is also developing proposals for delivering on its manifesto commitment to introduce a stronger ‘Right to Buy’ and take over important community assets so they can determine their future in a meaningful way.

This will be a genuine shift so local people feel far more control, power and agency in the places they live.