Tag: UK Government

£63 million boost for Britain’s electric vehicle ‘revolution’

Funding will help to build a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport

  • major boost to charging investment to break down barriers to electric vehicle ownership and boost charging infrastructure across the UK, cutting costs for families, businesses and the public sector
  • £63 million package to support at-home charging for households without driveways, transition NHS fleets to save millions for the health service in England, create thousands of chargepoints at business depots across the UK
  • builds on £400 million invested in charging infrastructure and recent Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate updates to kickstart economic growth, create thousands of green jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change

Drivers across England are set to benefit as the UK government today (13 July 2025) announces a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure, driving down charging costs and putting money back in the pockets of working people as part of the Plan for Change.

A pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.

The innovative cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2 pence per mile even if they don’t have a driveway.

The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment committed to 2030.

To ensure the savings the EV transition can bring are felt in the public sector too, the NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8 million fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving millions in costs which can be invested into patient care.

See a list of NHS trusts that are receiving funding to install electric vehicle chargepoints.

‘Standing firmly on the side of British drivers’, this latest investment is part of the government’s plan to support motorists, including a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and bring down and frozen fuel duty at 5p until Spring 2026, saving the average motorist £50 to £60 over the year.

This investment underpins the government’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth and make life easier for working people, ensuring the transition to net zero delivers for working families whilst creating good jobs and driving economic growth across all regions of the UK.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:  “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.

“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.

“This is what our Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.”

In a pioneering move to help EV drivers plug into the rapidly expanding charging network, the UK government is also modernising EV charging signage on major roads. 

EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023 and immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time. Government is committed to boosting charging for long journeys, with £400 million announced in the Spending Review to support charging infrastructure, including on the strategic road network.

Alongside the boosts for electric car drivers, the government is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.

The action follows recent updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate to make it easier for the sector to switch to electric as part of government’s ongoing work to back British manufacturing.

With over 1.2 million people employed in the freight and logistics sector in the UK alone, today’s announcement is the latest move to keep industry at the forefront of international competition in the face of global economic headwinds.

Over 1,200 new charging sockets will deliver a more efficient, modern health system whilst generating millions in cost savings over the next two decades for the taxpayer on maintenance and fuel costs – valuable savings that can be prioritised for patient care and help rebuild the NHS.

Owning and buying an EV is becoming increasingly cheaper, with 2 in 5 of used electric cars sold at under £20,000 and 34 brand new electric cars are available from under £30,000.

The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every 30 minutes – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

Health Minister Karin Smyth said: “This is a win-win: cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities.

“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re investing in green energy to build an NHS fit for the future — cutting pollution and saving millions in fuel costs.”

Edmund King, AA president, said: “There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers both now and in the future. 

“It is great to see more support for those without off-street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution.”

Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt said: “We are pleased that the government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network – a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption. This marks a major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK. 

“At InstaVolt, we have been relentless in our campaigning and have built a strong, collaborative relationship with the government to push this initiative forward. Our opinion research suggests that the rollout of clear, official signage will make a significant difference—helping EV drivers easily locate public charging points while on the move, and reassuring those considering making the switch to electric vehicles. 

“For years, we have emphasized that the UK’s public EV infrastructure, so critical to mass adoption, is already largely in place, and now this signage will finally showcase it to drivers in a visible, accessible way.

“As the UK’s largest ultra-rapid public charging network with over 2,000 chargers nationwide, InstaVolt is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation and excited to see how these signs will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.”

Ian Johnston, CEO, Osprey: “Signage impacts all the UK’s drivers because consumers need to see it to believe it. Osprey have tirelessly highlighted the benefit that clear EV road signage would bring to drivers looking to make the switch and to the charging businesses installing the critical infrastructure underpinning transport decarbonisation.

“This is a welcome first step and we look forward to continuing to work closely with ministers and officials to achieve clear signage for the hundreds of high-quality EV charging hubs being opened across the nation.”

NHS Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley said: “The NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that reduce emissions and drive significant cost savings, all while improving patient care.

“This new £8 million investment, across 62 NHS Trusts and around 224 sites, supports the renewed commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to deliver a more sustainable NHS while also helping hospitals to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs and reducing air pollution. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.”

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said: “With 82,000 public charge points already installed across the UK, this positive action on strategic road signage will help more drivers see the extensive charging network that’s rapidly being built across the country. This has been a priority for our industry and will boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.

“Our members are investing £6 billion to ensure the deployment of charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. Today’s announcement shows government recognising the vital role charging plays in the transition, and we look forward to working together to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s leading EV market.”

£100 million cash boost to help thousands into work across England

Thousands of disabled people and people with complex health conditions to receive help finding secure, well-paid jobs

  • Latest cash boost will be delivered to four areas in England as part of the Connect to Work programme  
  • Comes as part of £3.8 billion employment support package over this parliament for sick or disabled people, unlocking work and boosting living standards through the Plan for Change

Thousands of people who are out of work due to health conditions, disabilities or other reasons will be helped to find and stay in jobs thanks to a £100million funding boost announced by the Department for Work and Pensions yesterday [Friday 11 July].  

It’s part of the Government’s plan to Get Britain Working again including changing Jobcentres so staff have more time to support people, using better technology, and making sure there are good jobs across the whole country.  The Get Britain Working plan gives towns and cities the powers they need to grow and help more people into work.

The £103.6 million funding package will go towards the Connect to Work programme in Kent & Medway, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Greater Lancashire, supporting nearly 30,000 people.

With 2.8 million people out of work due to ill-health – one of the highest rates in the G7 – the government is taking action to tackle the pressing challenge, and Connect to Work is part of the government’s wider efforts to reduce economic inactivity and grow the economy by supporting more people into work and out of poverty as part of its Plan for Change. 

Minister for Employment Alison McGovern said: “For too long, our country has been held back as towns and cities were left on their own to deal with the consequences of people being out of work. This government is investing to create good jobs, and our plan to Get Britain Working will make sure no one is left on the scrap heap any more.

“Changing Jobcentres and providing funding for towns and cities will make sure everyone is included in our economic plan. No more abandoned places.

“This latest funding will make a real difference in the lives of people across the country and give them the chance they deserve as part of our Plan for Change.”

Connect to Work is being delivered across England and Wales, with the government already providing more than £150 million which will help to support around 41,000 people. In all more than 300,000 people will be supported by the programme over the next five years. 

The programme comes as part of a major investment in employment support for sick and disabled people across this parliament – worth £3.8 billion over the course of this Parliament, and includes £2.2 billion delivered for support announced in our Pathways to Work Green Paper over the next four years, to help people find good, secure jobs. 

The Connect to Work funding will be used to provide services including: 

  • Individual support from an employment specialist 
  • Profiling to identify the work aspirations of participants and development of a plan for them to achieve their goals 
  • Matching jobseekers with opportunities that suit their needs and circumstances 
  • Support for both participants and employers during the early employment period to help recruit and retain participants 
  • Practical support including coaching 

The programme is just one of the ways disabled people, those with health conditions or complex barriers to employment can access support – including assistance provided through Jobcentres.  

The latest funding support was announced as the Minister for Employment visited a Jobcentre in Preston to meet people already helped into work by existing employment support.  

Under the Connect to Work programme Greater Lancashire – which includes Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Council – is to receive up to £38.8 million to support 11,000 participants. 

The Minister for Employment met with:  

  • Julie, who came to the Jobcentre on Universal Credit and faced significant personal challenges to finding work, including mental health struggles and self-doubt. Thanks to the support she received, including access to the Seasiders Traineeship and the Prince’s Trust Explore course, Julie was able to develop her confidence and is now employed as a cleaner at Dunelm – a job she hugely enjoys.  

As announced earlier this year, through Connect to Work, up to £42.8million has been allocated to West London Alliance to support 10,800 people, and up to £11.1 million to East Sussex to assist 2,900 people.  

It comes as 15 regions will benefit from a share of £1.5 million in funding to launch a pilot for the WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund. The pilot could transform how local people with health conditions are supported back into employment rather than writing them off with a fit note, reducing pressure on GPs in the area. 

Connect to Work is a locally-delivered programme and will follow internationally recognised and successful Supported Employment frameworks which support people who are long-term unemployed or facing complex barriers to work, including those with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. 

  • The funding figures, rounded to the nearest decimal point, for each delivery area in this latest tranche are as follows: 
  • Greater Lancashire £38.8 million 
  • Kent and Medway £34 million 
  • Hertfordshire £19.7 million 
  • Gloucestershire £11.1 million

UK and France agree ‘major deal’ to crack down on illegal Channel crossings

The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to take forward a groundbreaking partnership to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks.

A new pilot scheme will see small boat arrivals being returned to France then an equal number of migrants will be able to come to the UK from France through a new legal route – fully documented and subject to strict security checks.

The pilot agreement is intended to prevent illegal migrant journeys across Europe to the UK and prevent dangerous small boat crossings, helping to undermine the business model of organised gangs profiting from people’s misery by showing others these journeys could result in them being returned back to France – ultimately saving lives.

Both countries are working to implement the pilot in the coming weeks, and, once in force, migrants who cross the Channel by small boat can be detained and removed.

The Prime Minister has made it a priority to reset relationships across Europe and the government is now unlocking, for the first time, the levels of co-operation needed to deliver new and bold approaches to tackle organised immigration crime.

The French government are working to implement new ways of cracking down on small boats, including a review of their maritime tactics so their operational teams can intervene on the water, ensuring taxi boats that pickup migrants waiting in the water can be stopped.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This ground-breaking deal is a crucial further step in turning the tide on illegal small boat crossings and restoring order to our immigration system.

“For the first time illegal migrants will be sent back to France – targeting the heart of these gangs’ business model and sending a clear message that these life-threatening journeys are pointless.

“By resetting our relationships across Europe we’ve made levels of co-operation possible never seen before. This is about grip not gimmicks, and what serious government looks like – taking down these criminal enterprises piece by piece as we secure our borders through my Plan for Change.”

The Home Secretary hosted her French counterpart, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, in Downing Street yesterday. The ministers discussed the work being done both internationally and domestically to prevent illegal migration, including issues like clamping down on illegal working and increasing removals of those with no right to be here.

Since the government came into power, Immigration Enforcement have increased illegal working activity by 51%, with 10,031 visits leading to 7,130 arrests, and will soon undertake a major nationwide blitz targeting illegal working hotspots, focusing on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.

The UK will go further by changing the law to support a clampdown on illegal working in the gig economy. New biometric kits will be rolled out for Immigration Enforcement teams so they can do on-the-spot checks.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Dangerous small boats in our Channel undermine our border security and put lives at risk.

“That is why we are so determined to work with France to go after the criminal smuggler gangs, to undermine their business model, to begin returns and to prevent boat crossings.

“This new pilot agreement with France is extremely important and allows us for the first time to return people who have paid to travel here illegally, and will sit alongside our wider joint enforcement action, including disrupting supply chains to seize boats and engines, shutting down social media accounts, and targeting finances.

“Since last summer, we have returned over 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and a major surge in immigration enforcement activity, with a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests.

“We are building the foundations of a new and stronger approach to protecting our border security.”

Under the new UK-France pilot, any asylum claim submitted by a migrant who has crossed the Channel will be considered for inadmissibility and, if declared inadmissible, the Home Office will organise readmission of the individual to France.

For those coming to the UK legally, an individual in France will submit an Expression of Interest application to the new route and the Home Office will make a decision once they have undergone biometric checks. Anyone who had arrived by small boat and returned to France will not be eligible for the legal route to the UK.

The innovative approach will be tested first before being gradually ‘ramped up’.

Universal Credit cuts voted through

DISABLED PEOPLE WILL LOSE OUT ON THOUSANDS OF POUNDS

The Labour government claims nearly 4 million households will see an annual income boost estimated to be worth £725 cash as the controversial Bill to overhaul the welfare system completed the next stage of its passage through Parliament last night.

  • Bill to introduce biggest permanent boost to out-of-work support since 1980 progresses through Parliament.
  • Legislation will remove perverse disincentives to work that exist in the welfare system while protecting 200,000 of those with the most severe, lifelong conditions who are not expected to ever be able to work.
  • Alongside the Bill, disabled people and those with health conditions will have legal protections to try work without fear of reassessment.
  • Reforms to the welfare system aimed at improving living standards across the country and breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

KEIR Starmer’s Labour government says nearly 4 million households will see an annual income boost estimated to be worth £725 cash as a Bill to overhaul the welfare system completes the next stage of its passage through Parliament.

For the first time ever, the Universal Credit standard allowance will permanently rise above inflation, amounting to £725 by 2029/30 in cash terms for a single person aged 25 or over.

This is the highest permanent real terms increase to the main rate of out-of-work support since 1980, according to the IFS.

Reforms set out in the Universal Credit Bill will look to rebalance the core payment and health top up in Universal Credit (UC). This will address the fundamental imbalance in the system which creates perverse incentives that drive people into dependency.

The Bill, which will legislate to make these changes, today successfully cleared the House of Commons. It will now be introduced into the House of Lords to continue its passage through Parliament towards Royal Assent.

Alongside these changes, we have published significant new measures, giving people receiving health and disability benefits the right to try work without fear of reassessment.

The new Right to Try Guarantee enshrines this in law for the first time and includes disabled people and people with health conditions – such as those recovering from illness – who want to return to work now their health has improved.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: Our reforms are built on the principle of fairness, fixing a system that for too long has left people trapped in a cycle of dependence.

“We are giving extra support to millions of households across the country, while offering disabled people the chance to work without fear of the repercussions if things don’t work out.

“These reforms will change the lives of people across the country, so they have a real chance for a better future.”

The Labour fovernment says as part of their ‘commitment to protect the most vulnerable and severely disabled’, 200,000 in the Severe Conditions Criteria group – individuals with the most severe, lifelong conditions who are unlikely to recover – will not be called for a UC reassessment.

All existing recipients of the UC health element and new customers with 12 months or less to live or who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria will also see their standard allowance combined with their UC health element rise at least in line with inflation every year from 2026/27 to 2029/30. This means they can live with dignity and security, knowing the reforms to the welfare system mean it will always be there to support them.

Starmer’s government says they are also ‘putting disabled people at the heart of a ministerial review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment’ led by Disability Minister Stephen Timms and co-produced with disabled people, along with the organisations that represent them, experts, MPs and other stakeholders – making sure it is fair and fit for the future. However this review was only introduced following a substantial revolt by the party’s own backbench MPs on the introduction of the controversial legislation.

The government says they will be engaging widely over the summer to design the process for the review and consider how it can best be co-produced to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon.

They say the reforms are ‘underpinned by a major investment in employment support for sick and disabled people’ – worth £3.8 billion over the Parliament. Funding will be brought forward for tailored employment, health and skills support to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into work as part of our Pathways to Work guarantee.

This ‘investment’ will accelerate the pace of new investments in employment support programmes, building on and learning from successes such as the Connect to Work programme, which are already rolling out to provide disabled people and people with health conditions with one-to-one support at the point when they feel ready to work.

The Labour government says the welfare reforms build on the Get Britain Working White Paper that will overhaul Jobcentres, empower Mayors and local leaders to tackle inactivity, and deliver a Youth Guarantee so every young person is either earning or learning, as part of the Government’s ambition to deliver an 80% employment rate.

CRITICS – INCLUDING 47 LABOUR MPs – SEE THE LEGISLATION AS AN ATTACK ON THE POOREST PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY, HOWEVER …

Parkisnon’s UK SAID: “The government’s decision to cut Universal Credit costs is appalling. We believe that, despite the government’s claims, savings are being made by effectively making people with Parkinson’s ineligible for the higher rate health element.

Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at Trussell, said: “We are deeply concerned about the cuts being made to Universal Credit health payments for disabled and ill people applying in the future.

“The scale of the remaining cuts in this ill-conceived bill will still be devastating and risks pushing more disabled people to food banks. 

“Life costs more if you’re disabled. Cutting this part of our social security system will mean 9 in 10 disabled people newly claiming the Universal Credit health element will miss out on around £3,000 worth of support on average by 2029/30. It makes no sense to rip support away from people in the future, just because their health has worsened, they become disabled, or their income drops after an arbitrary date. 

“By contrast, the uplift to the basic rate of Universal Credit that this bill will bring in is a very welcome and long overdue step towards ensuring our social security system covers the cost of essentials like food, bills and toiletries. Further clarity on how the government will work with disabled people, MPs and charities is also important. 

“We applaud disabled people, MPs and community organisations like food banks for persistently raising their voices and ensuring many disabled people have been protected from deep financial losses during the progress of this bill.

“The UK government must now build on this to deliver a more compassionate, effective and fair social security system that, at the very least, protects disabled people from hunger and hardship.” 

Work is underway to move the benefit awards of over 66,000 people to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.

People getting DLA from the DWP don’t need to do anything as the transfer will happen automatically.

More at https://bit.ly/ScottishAdultDLA

Post Office Scandal: Chair calls for swift action to deliver ‘full and fair’ compensation in urgent report

POST OFFICE HORIZON IT INQUIRY

Sir Wyn Williams published the first volume of his final report yesterday (08/07/25), calling for urgent action to be taken to ensure full and fair compensation is delivered to sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal. 

Laid before Parliament on Tuesday, Sir Wyn makes 19 urgent recommendations to resolve issues that are hindering full and fair redress, including that:

  • The Government and the Post Office should agree on a definition of ‘full and fair’ compensation, and this should be followed when deciding the level of compensation to offer.
  • Horizon Shortfall Scheme claimants should receive legal advice, funded by the Government.
  • Close family members of people affected by the Horizon scandal should receive compensation.
  • The Government should create a standing public body which will create, administer, and deliver schemes for giving financial redress to people who have been wronged by public bodies.
  • Fujitsu, Post Office and the Government should publish a report by 31 October 2025, outlining a programme for restorative justice (or the actions they’ve taken so far to produce this programme).

Sir Wyn says he expects the Government (and where appropriate Post Office and Fujitsu) to provide a written response to his recommendations by 10 October 2025. 

Human Impact of the scandal

In the 162-page report, the Chair also details the scale of the suffering endured by those affected by the Horizon scandal. 

Through 17 carefully chosen illustrations, Sir Wyn recounts how some people became seriously ill, struggled with mental health problems including alcohol addiction, and faced financial impacts such as bankruptcy. 

He details how some people experienced reputational impacts or sadly passed away before receiving compensation. Elsewhere, he also highlights how some sub-postmasters were held liable for small amounts of money allegedly lost to the Post Office, while others were wrongly imprisoned. 

Sir Wyn’s findings in the report are based on hearings and evidence submitted up until 6 June 2025. This spans around 225 days of hearings, 298 witnesses, with around 274,600 documents disclosed to Core Participants. 

“Full, fair and prompt” redress 

Sir Wyn writes that, despite the Government and Post Office appearing to show a genuine desire to provide redress which is full and fair, and delivered promptly, there have been “formidable difficulties in the way of achieving those aims”. 

Considering each of the four redress schemes in turn, Sir Wyn finds that claimants to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme did not receive full and fair redress. 

Sir Wyn writes: “I am persuaded that in the difficult and substantial claims, on too many occasions, the Post Office and its advisors have adopted an unnecessarily adversarial attitude towards making initial offers which have had the effect of depressing the level at which settlements have been achieved.”

He also discusses how a ‘fear factor’ has been removed from the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals process. This is because every claimant who chooses to have a claim assessed may appeal the offer made “safe in the knowledge that there is no risk of losing a prior better offer.”

Considering this, he questions why this ‘fear factor’ has not been removed for sub-postmasters who must choose whether to take the fixed term offer or have a compensation assessment. 

He writes: “Why is it appropriate to remove the fear factor from the HSSA but rigidly retain it in relation to the choice made by claimants between the Fixed Sum Offer and assessment? Try as I might, I cannot see the justification for these different approaches.”

For this reason, Sir Wyn recommends that anyone applying for a compensation scheme who has chosen to have their claim assessed should be allowed to take the fixed sum offer instead up to three months after receiving their first assessed offer. 

He also recommends that the Government should publish a document explaining the ‘best offer principle’ in practice. 

Legal Advice

Sir Wyn criticises the lack of legal advice available to Horizon Shortfall Scheme applicants. 

He writes: “I regard it as unconscionable and wholly unfair that claimants in HSS are unable to obtain legal advice, paid for by the Department, about whether they should opt for the Fixed Sum Offer or assessment of their claims. Yet the Department continues to resist this as if its life depended upon it.”

Considering this, he writes that anyone claiming compensation through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) should be entitled to legal advice, funded by the Department of Business and Trade. 

This would help them choose whether to accept the Fixed Sum Offer or to seek financial address which is assessed. 

Compensation for family members

Through first-hand accounts, Sir Wyn concludes that there are likely a number of close family members of those who have been affected by the Horizon scandal who have “endured and may still endure considerable suffering”.

For this reason, he recommends “that such family members should be able to obtain financial redress which recognises their own suffering.” He writes that the Department should draw up plans for providing this redress. 

Reforms to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme

Sir Wyn also urged for meaningful reforms to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.

For instance, he proposes that:

  • A senior lawyer should be appointed to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme who can take actions to make sure compensation offers are made and assessed as soon as possible.
  • That the appointed senior lawyer should be given powers to help them ensure that offers are assessed as soon as practicable.
  • The Post Office and Department of Business and Trade should be required to make compensation offers that are equal or higher than the amount recommended by the independent advisory panel.
  • The ‘Best Offer Principle’ should apply for those applying for compensation through the Group Litigation Scheme. This means that if a sub-postmaster appeals their compensation offer and the appeal is successful, they will receive whichever offer is higher.
  • Anyone applying for a compensation scheme who has chosen to have their claim assessed may decide to take the fixed sum offer instead up to three months after receiving their first assessed offer.

Restorative justice 

Restorative justice is the process of bringing together people who have caused harm and those affected by it, so they can discuss the impact, take responsibility, and work collaboratively on making amends. 

Sir Wyn urges that Fujitsu, Post Office and the Government should either together, or separately, publish a report by October 2025, outlining an agreed programme of restorative justice or any actions they have taken to produce this programme. 

Government response 

Understanding the need for swift action, Sir Wyn has decided to publish the first volume of his final report as soon as possible. 

On timings for a government response to these findings, Sir Wyn writes: 

“No purpose would be served by HM Government or the Department delaying consideration of my recommendations until the remainder of my Report is delivered.

“The whole reason for delivering this volume of my report in advance of the remaining volume is that appropriate action in relation to the schemes for redress can be taken as soon as reasonably possible.”

Please note the report contains contents which some may find distressing, including mentions of suicide and self-harm.

The Business and Trade Secretary and the Post Office Minister have issued statements in response to the publication of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s report.

Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said: “The publication of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s report today by Sir Wyn and his team marks an important milestone for subpostmasters and their families.

“I welcome the publication today and am committed to ensuring wronged subpostmasters are given full, fair and prompt redress.

“The recommendations contained in Sir Wyn’s report require careful reflection, including on further action to complete the redress schemes. Government will promptly respond to the recommendations in full in Parliament.”

Post Office Minister, Gareth Thomas, said: “I welcome the Inquiry’s publication today and pay tribute to Sir Wyn and his team for their comprehensive and penetrating work.

“We must never lose sight of the Horizon Scandal’s human impact on postmasters and their families, which the Inquiry has highlighted so well.

“Sir Wyn’s report highlights a series of failings by the Post Office and various governments. His recommendations are immensely helpful as a guide for what is needed to finish the job and we will respond in full to Parliament after carefully considering them.”

Initial Government actions in response to the Inquiry:

In his oral statement to Parliament, Post Office Minister, Gareth Thomas confirmed that that the Government has accepted Sir Wyn’s recommendation that claimants should be able to bank the best offer they get from the GLO process and should not put it at risk if they choose to go to the independent Panel.

The Minister also confirmed that the Government will provide redress for close family members of those postmasters most adversely affected by the scandal.

Crypto bros being forced to pay fair share of tax

  • New rules will help unmask anyone evading tax due on their crypto profits
  • UK crypto holders must provide personal details to crypto service providers from January 2026 or face penalties of up to £300
  • Aligns with government’s Plan for Change to ensure everyone pays their fair share of tax to fund vital public services

Public coffers are set for a boost as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) goes after crypto owners that aren’t paying their fair share of tax.

From January 2026, people who own crypto – like Bitcoin, Ethereum or Dogecoin – must give personal details to every crypto service provider they use to make sure they are paying the right tax.

Those who don’t comply risk a £300 fine from HMRC.

Once data is received from service providers, HMRC will be able to identify those who haven’t been correctly paying tax on their crypto profits – bringing in money that will help pay for frontline nurses, police, and teachers.

This is estimated to raise up to £315 million by April 2030 in tax revenue – the same amount needed to fund more than 10,000 newly-qualified nurses for a year.

It’s part of a major drive by HMRC to tackle non-compliance including the small minority who are deliberately evading tax due on their profits from crypto.

Service providers will begin collecting data on users’ activities from January 2026. Any service provider that fails to report this information, or submits inaccurate or incomplete reports, could also be charged a penalty of up to £300 per user by HMRC.

The new rules mean crypto service providers must collect and report:

  • Your name, address, and date of birth
  • Your tax residence
  • Your National Insurance number or tax reference
  • A summary of your crypto transactions

James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We’re going further and faster to crack down on tax dodgers as we close the tax gap and deliver on our Plan for Change.

“By ensuring everyone pays their fair share, the new crypto reporting rules will make sure tax dodgers have nowhere to hide, helping raise the revenue needed to fund our nurses, police and other vital public services.”

Jonathan Athow, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design, said: “Importantly, this isn’t a new tax – if you make a profit when you sell, swap or transfer your crypto, tax may already be due. 

“These new reporting requirements will give us the information to help people get their tax affairs right. 

“I urge all cryptoasset users to check the details you will need to give your provider. Taking action now and having this information to hand will help you avoid penalties in the future.”

The new rules – known as the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework – will help HMRC identify those who need to pay tax on their crypto transactions.

They will also bring the UK into line with the international standard developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), enabling tax authorities to share information across participating countries.

Crypto users should already include any crypto gains or income in their Self Assessment tax returns. HMRC has introduced new dedicated sections to the capital gain pages to be completed from the 2024 to 2025 tax year.

Capital Gains Tax may be due when selling or exchanging crypto, while Income Tax and National Insurance could apply to crypto received from employment, mining, staking or lending activities.

Anyone unsure about their tax obligations can check if they need to pay tax when they receive or sell crypto on gov.uk.

They can also tell HMRC about unpaid tax on crypto using the cryptoasset disclosure service.

Prime Minister and Home Secretary mark 20th anniversary of 7/7

The Prime Minister and Home Secretary have paid tribute to victims and survivors of the 7/7 attacks and joined the nation in marking the 20th anniversary

Memorials will be held throughout the day alongside victims, survivors, loved ones and first responders to remember the 52 people killed and hundreds of others injured in the attacks.

Ahead of the anniversary, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Today the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever.

“We honour the courage shown that day—the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror.

“Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now—against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”

Marking 20 years, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Twenty years have passed since 7/7 but the passage of time makes what happened that day no less shocking. It was an appalling attack on our capital city and on democracy itself.

“As we come together to mark this anniversary, my thoughts remain with the victims, survivors and all who loved them. Amid the horror of that day, we saw the best of people, our emergency services, first responders and ordinary Londoners who bravely acted to help one another. Their courage continues to inspire us.

“We will always confront the threats facing this country to keep the public safe and preserve our way of life.”

The anniversary of a terrorist attack can re-trigger trauma for victims and survivors of terrorism. If you, or someone you know has been affected by terrorism, support is available at gov.uk/victimsofterrorism.

The government has taken action to deliver strengthened support for victims and survivors of terrorism, announcing plans for a new dedicated support hub to help victims recover and rebuild their lives. 

Proposals for a new national day for victims and survivors of terrorism have also been consulted on, helping the country to remember and honour victims.

The public will also be better protected through strengthened security of public events and venues following the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, better known as Martyn’s Law, receiving royal assent in April.

Pensions Bill: Workers in line for £29,000 boost

Bill to ‘transform pensions landscape for years to come’

  • Pension Schemes Bill could boost returns to pension saving by thousands of pounds
  • Changes will also make it easier for savers to access and manage their pensions

Working people on an average salary who save into a pension pot over their career, could benefit by up to £29,000 by the time they retire thanks to major Government reforms that will consolidate small pension pots, ensure schemes are value for money, and create larger pension schemes.

The figure was revealed as the Pension Schemes Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading today.

Reforms in the Bill, which have received wide-spread support from the pensions industry and consumer groups, will support 20 million pension savers to get more from their pension pots and be better prepared for retirement.

The Bill will bring together small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme that is certified as delivering good value to savers, making pension saving less hassle and more rewarding. At present many people struggle to keep track of multiple small pensions as they move jobs and can pay high fees as a result.

In future pension schemes will also need to prove they are value for money, helping savers understand whether their scheme is giving them good returns and protecting them from getting stuck in underperforming schemes for years on end.

These measures will lay the foundation for the upcoming Pensions Review to examine how we get to a fair and sustainable pensions system, supporting growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change by putting more money into people’s pockets.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re ramping up the pace of pension reform, to ensure that people’s pension savings works as hard for them as they worked to save.

“The measures in our Pension Schemes Bill will drive costs down and returns up on workers’ retirement savings – putting more money in people’s pockets to the tune of up to £29,000 for an average earner and delivering on our Plan for Change.”

Other measures include:

  • New rules creating multi-employer DC scheme “megafunds” of at least £25 billion, so that bigger and better pension schemes can drive down costs and invest in a wider range of assets.
  • Simplifying retirement choices, with all pension schemes offering default routes to an income in retirement.
  • Increased flexibility for Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes to safely release surplus worth collectively £160 billion, to support employers’ investment plans and to benefit scheme members.

The reforms will also unlock long-term investment in the UK economy by removing barriers to growth, strengthening the security and governance of pension schemes and ultimately delivering better returns for people saving for their retirement.

The pace of pension reform has ramped up with measures in the Bill set to revolutionise the pensions landscape in the coming years. While the benefits of the Bill are clear, significant challenges still remains with these benefits varied for different workers and different groups.

This is why the upcoming Pensions Review will examine challenges such as pension adequacy to ensure underserved groups do not miss out on the benefits arising from these measures.

Reforms announced as part of the Bill will also future proof the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) by leading to the consolidation of all £400 billion of assets into a small number of expert asset pools which can invest in local areas infrastructure, housing and clean energy.

Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon OBE said: “This Bill will ensure the Local Government Pension Scheme is fit for the future and harness its full potential, with assets due to reach £1 trillion by 2040, and will strengthen investment in local communities to accelerate growth as part of our Plan for Change.

Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy for PLSA: “The introduction of the Pension Schemes Bill is a significant milestone, bringing forward necessary legislation to enact important reforms that have the full backing of the pensions industry.

“This includes small pots consolidation, the Value for Money regime, decumulation options and changes to give DB funds more options for securing member benefits over the long-term.

“Once fully implemented, these measures should reduce the cost of administering pensions, remove complexity for savers and help ensure schemes are maximising the value they provide members.”

UK Government to revive family services, supporting 500,000 more kids

Up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs to be rolled out across England to provide wide-ranging help for families, such as parenting and early development

Parents across England will benefit from greater support to make family life easier on their doorstep, as the government rolls out ‘Best Start Family Hubs’ across every local authority – relieving pressure on parents and giving half a million more children the very best start in life.

Postcodes shouldn’t dictate the support available, but one in four families with children under five cannot access local children’s centres or Family Hubs, rising to one in three lower income families.

This means thousands of parents cut off from vital community support networks and specialist services – left to navigate the challenges of parenthood alone – as well as a devastating impact on children’s life chances, with early development, wellbeing and future attainment all in jeopardy.  

Best Start Family Hubs will act as a one stop shop for parents seeking a range of support, including on difficulty breastfeeding, housing issues or children’s early development and language, reassuring families that they have convenient access to support in their local area or can be efficiently connected to specialist local services.

Rolling out in every local authority by April 2026, Hubs will offer interventions and courses which work for parents – such as stay and play groups which help parents connect or sessions which help manage children’s emotional needs – while providing a single point of access for services across health, education, and wellbeing.

Backed by over £500 million, the rollout will help transform the existing Family Hubs and Start for Life programme and create up to 1,000 hubs across the country by the end of 2028. This includes areas currently without any access to support hubs – from Warrington and Leeds to Reading and Somerset.

Sure Start revolutionised family and community services, with research showing that children who lived within a short distance of a Sure Start centre for their first five years were 0.9 percentage points more likely to achieve five good GCSEs at grades age 16. 

Plans launched today will draw on lessons learned from the legacy programme, as well as build on infrastructure from the current Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

It complements work already underway to make family life easier and alleviate the burden on parents, including by expanding government-funded childcare to 30-hours, increasing the reach of school-based nurseries, and rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary school to support working parents.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: “It’s the driving mission of this government to break the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve – our new Best Start Family Hubs will put the first building blocks of better life chances in place for more children.

“I saw firsthand how initiatives like Sure Start helped level the playing field in my own community, transforming the lives of children by putting in place family support in the earliest years of life, and as part of our Plan for Change, we’re building on its legacy for the next generation of children.

“Making sure hard-working parents are able to benefit from more early help is a promise made, and promise kept – delivering a lifeline of consistent support across the nation, ensuring health, social care and education work in unison to ensure all children get the very best start in life.”

Hubs will also act as a ‘front door’ to local family help workers for vulnerable families – providing a single point of entry to join-up universal services and children’s social care, ensuring early help before issues escalate. 

This forms a key plank of the government’s direction setting ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ strategy to be published tomorrow, making sure parents don’t have to battle complex systems to access basic parenting, health and family services.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Every child – no matter their background – deserves the best start in life. I know what it’s like to grow up in a family where work is low-paid and insecure, and I know the power of a good support network.

“That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, rolling out these Best Start Family Hubs are so vital – one stop shops offering parents not only crucial connections with other families but also the health, education and wellbeing support they need.

“By bringing together early support services and investing £500 million in children’s development, we’re taking preventative action that will improve lives and reduce pressure on the NHS – a key part of our 10 Year Health Plan.”

Best Start Family Hubs will help families with services like:

  • Activities for children aged 0-5
  • Birth registration
  • Debt and welfare advice
  • Domestic abuse support
  • Early language support
  • Health Visiting
  • Housing support
  • Infant Feeding Support
  • Mental health services
  • Midwifery/maternity services
  • Nutrition and weight management
  • Oral health improvement
  • Parenting Support
  • Reducing Parental Conflict
  • SEND support and services
  • Stop smoking support
  • Substance (alcohol/drug) misuse support
  • Support for separating and separated parents
  • Youth services

To further streamline the path to support, a new Best Start digital service will also be launched to enable parents to access evidence-based guidance within seconds.

The digital platform will provide advice on a range of topics and connect parents to their local Best Start Family Hub, as well as link to the NHS App – making sure these services are at the centre of every community, whether on- or off-line.

Anna Feuchtwang, CEO, National Children’s Bureau said: “The Prime Minister’s Plan for Change set out his ambition to improve outcomes in early childhood. Now the government has put its money where its mouth is and committed to rolling out Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority.

“With indications of a funding boost for babies and young children already included in the 10 Year Health plan, I am delighted to see children and families being given clear priority in government spending decisions. We hope to see a similar priority being given to the early years workforce in the Best Start in Life Strategy published tomorrow.”

It comes as the government has already confirmed it will launch a new data tool for schools to assess whether there is more they can do in reception year to get children ready for year 1, and that every council will be expected to play its part with an individual statutory target for school readiness in their area.

The Hubs will be open to all, making a particular difference to the most vulnerable families and helping tackle the stain of child poverty ahead of the ambitious strategy due to be launched by the government’s Child Poverty Taskforce.

‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ also outlines the key role local authorities will play to drive improvements in the number of children achieving a good level of development by 5 years old.

England’s local authorities will build on their existing work with families, young children and babies, to develop ambitious local plans for meeting their 2028 target.