Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process
Faster approval process to update apprenticeships and develop short courses to address urgent skills needs in major projects
Reforms come ahead of National Apprenticeship Week to help young people move into high-quality jobs faster while turbocharging growth
Bureaucracy tackled to cut apprenticeship approval times from 18 months to as little as three months as government continues drive to help more young people onto apprenticeships
Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process.
As industries evolve, so must the training that prepares people to work in them. Whether it’s new safety standards on building sites or the skills needed to construct and operate the latest offshore wind turbines, apprenticeships need to keep pace.
A new accelerated approach will mean updates to training or development of new short courses can be completed in as little as three months, ensuring the workforce is ready to deliver the major projects that will drive growth.
This forms as part of the Growth and Skills Levy reforms, delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people backed by £725 million funding. These measures will play an integral role towards the Government’s ambition to get two-thirds of young people into higher-level learning or apprenticeships.
The offer will help companies meet their business needs more quickly, while reflecting the Government’s consultation on ensuring companies bidding for major infrastructure contracts contributes to high-quality jobs, skills and apprenticeships. It reinforces the Government’s expectation that investment in workforce development should go hand in hand with delivering major projects and driving growth.
To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, to see first-hand how apprenticeships are delivering skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Britain’s future depends on getting more young people into good jobs with real prospects. These reforms will slash bureaucracy so we can train people faster in the industries where they’re needed most.
“At Cammell Laird, I’ve seen how apprenticeships are delivering the skilled workforce our country needs — from shipbuilding to advanced manufacturing. We’re building on that success with our additional £725 million Growth and Skills Levy investment to create 50,000 new apprenticeships.
”We need to give more young people a faster route into secure, well-paid work by ensuring British businesses have the talent they need to grow.”
The latest reforms come as the government ramps up support for young people to take up apprenticeships, including through a recent major £725 million investment to pivot the system towards the workforce of the future.
They will make the process more agile and responsive to employers’ needs and allow training to be delivered more quickly where employers need skills most.
As part of the new Major Investment and Infrastructure Service, this will support the delivery of major infrastructure and private investment projects from Northern Powerhouse Rail to new energetic materials factories for UK defence and ensure local people have pathways into new jobs.
The system will use occupational experts to meet specific needs and will focus on making quick revisions to existing standards, for example updating construction standards in the light of regulatory changes following Grenfell.
During the visit, the Secretary of State met apprentices working on one of the largest apprenticeship programmes in the UK maritime industry, and visited the local Engineering College, which trains over 100 apprentices a year in partnership with Cammel Laird.
Cammell Laird is a major UK shipbuilder employing hundreds of apprentices across Merseyside, working closely with local education providers to train the next generation of engineers, welders and project managers.
"We back them, we believe in them, and we want a better future for them. That's what the Youth Guarantee is all about" – Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden
Our Youth Guarantee helps young people to get the skills and opportunities they need to find work pic.twitter.com/ouo6opeU3i
David McGinley, Chief Executive Officer of APCL Group said: “APCL Cammell Laird was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden to its facility ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.
“The Secretary of State’s visit provided APCL with the platform to demonstrate the importance of our award-winning apprenticeship programme to the UK’s industrial capability.
“Our Group is currently supporting over 270 young people in their training across the UK. APCL Cammell Laird and the wider APCL Group’s shipbuilding and ship repair capability is underpinned by our apprenticeship programme which continues to deliver the next generations of shipbuilders and engineers.
“The ongoing success of our apprenticeship programme is vital if we are to ensure that the UK retains its shipbuilding strength. APCL remains deeply committed to this scheme.”
The new accelerated approach will allow government to move faster where demand is highest, delivering priority updates to apprenticeships more quickly, while maintaining quality standards — supporting sectors critical to growth, productivity and national infrastructure.
The announcement comes ahead of the 19th annual National Apprenticeship Week, which focuses on Skills for life.
Recent reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy will deliver more apprenticeships for young people and help match skills training with local job opportunities.
The reforms will support 50,000 new apprenticeships, helping more young people move quickly into secure, well-paid work while supporting employers to grow.
Employers and training providers are encouraged to engage with Skills England and the Department for Work and Pensions to help shape accelerated apprenticeships, and to make use of the Growth and Skills Levy to invest in their future workforce.
Following reports that the Scottish Government’s proposed spending plans will cut funding to community organisations doing vital work across Edinburgh, Ian Murray, the MP for Edinburgh South, wrote to the Shona Robinson, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, at the end of January to urge her to reverse the decision.
A reply from Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, confirmed that the Scottish Government have now agreed to transitional funding of up to a year for affected groups (as reported by NEN last week– Ed.).
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, said:“While this transitional funding is welcome, it’s not enough – all it really does is delay the financial cliff edge facing local organisations who are supporting some of our most vulnerable communities.
“The financial pressures Kate Forbes mentions in her reply are completely of the SNP’s own making – a result of their mismanagement of the public finances over the last 19 years.
“The UK Labour government has provided the Scottish Government with an additional £10.3 billion in resources since coming to power. Where has the money gone?
“I am in touch with those affected by this locally and will continue to do all I can to support them.”
Thousands more people handed the power to decide how millions are spent in their area as Pride in Place programme expands
Thousands more people in England will be given the power to transform their communities as the government expands its pledge to restore pride in their local neighbourhood.
Local people in 40 new areas will be able to decide where up to £20 million is invested in their neighbourhood – whether that’s breathing new life into high streets, saving much-loved community spaces, or bringing people together through local events and activities.
The new package, worth up to £800 million, will build on the success of the £5 billion Pride in Place programme that has so far helped hundreds of neighbourhoods take control of their futures and bring real change to their communities.
In Rawtenstall, students have been asked to imagine their ideal town. In Hastings, board members have been out talking to people at park runs, festivals and supermarkets to hear what matters most to them.
The results are already visible. In Ramsgate, £500,000 secured the freehold of the town’s last remaining youth centre – saving it for generations to come.
In Elgin, Scotland, £1 million has been set aside to build a brand-new regional athletics hub, bringing sports clubs from across the northeast together under one roof.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “It is the same story in towns across the country. Youth clubs that have been abandoned, shops boarded up and high streets decimated.
“We must reverse the devastating decline in our communities and give power, agency and control to the very people who want to improve their community – those who have skin in the game.
“Through the Pride in Place Programme, communities – backed by the state and fired up by pride – will join the fight for national renewal and a Britain built for all.”
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “Pride in Place is about giving power to local people who know best what needs to change in their area.
“The ambitious plans we’re seeing take shape in communities across the country is proof that when you give local people the tools to do the job – things get better.”
More than just funding, the Pride in Place Programme represents a shift in power into the hands of local people who know their communities best. This builds on the rich tapestry across the country of community leaders, volunteers and grassroots organisations already working hard to support their communities and making them a better place to live for everyone.
Neighbourhood Boards, who oversee the funding allocated to their communities and are made up of local residents, are now up and running, listening to their communities and deciding where the money will go.
Crucially, Pride in Place is about establishing long-term change, and creating a legacy of community-centred action, delivery and empowerment which will last far beyond the decade long programme.
Today’s announcement will mean a total of around 380 areas will get funding, with the benefits rippling far beyond individual neighbourhoods, with thriving and more cohesive communities helping to build a stronger, more prosperous country for everyone.
Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the UK government’s landmark new National Cancer Plan
NEW NATIONAL CANCER PLAN FOR ENGLAND
75% of patients diagnosed from 2035 will be cancer-free or living well after five years, following record investment in the NHS
NHS to meet all cancer waiting time standards by 2029, with hundreds of thousands more patients treated within 62 days
Major expansion of robot-assisted surgery and faster diagnostics to slash delays Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the government’s landmark National Cancer Plan, unveiled today.
For the first time, the NHS will commit to ensuring three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 onwards are cancer-free or living well after five years.
This represents the fastest rate of improvement in cancer outcomes this century and will translate to 320,000 more lives saved over the lifetime of the plan.
The NHS has not met its central cancer performance target - that 85% of patients start treatment within 62 days of referral - since 2014. Survival rates are below Romania and Poland for some cancer types.
Under this plan, that will change – by March 2029, the NHS will meet all three cancer waiting time standards, meaning hundreds of thousands more patients will receive timely treatment. This demonstrates the real change being delivered by the government’s record investment as we rebuild the NHS.
60% of patients currently survive for 5 years or more and around 2.4m people are currently living after a cancer diagnosis.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Cancer survial shouldn’t come down to who won the lottery of life. But cancer is more likely to be a death sentence in Britain than other countries around the world.
“As a cancer survivor who owes my life to the NHS, I owe it to future patients to make sure they receive the same outstanding care I did.
“Thanks to the revolution in medical science and technology, we have the opportunity to transform the life chances of cancer patients. Our cancer plan will invest in and modernise the NHS, so that opportunity can be seized and our ambitions realised.
“This plan will slash waits, invest in cutting-edge technology, and give every patient the best possible chance of beating cancer.”
The National Cancer Plan is here.
It’s the most ambitious plan on cancer in a generation, built with the support of the cancer community.
Thank you to everyone who shared their story to help create it.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 4, 2026
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “Almost everyone will know someone who has been affected by cancer – a friend, a partner, a parent or a child – and for many people it will be part of their own story too.
“This plan sets a clear roadmap for the NHS to diagnose more cancers earlier, ensure more patients are treated on time and improve survival, so that hundreds of thousands more people live longer, healthier lives with or after cancer over the next decade.
“This is alongside delivering the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care to every corner of the country, improving access to pioneering trials and ensuring there is wraparound support for people closer to home.
“The National Cancer Plan will see the NHS deliver world-class cancer care, offering renewed hope for millions and ensuring the health service is there for patients whenever they need it.”
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It’s encouraging to see such bold survival ambitions in the National Cancer Plan for England. This comes at a time when people living with cancer tell us all too often that their care hasn’t been good enough, from long waits for tests and treatment to being left without the support they need once treatment ends.
“This Plan has the potential to transform care for people living with cancer, ensuring people not only live longer but live better with their diagnosis. We look forward to working with the government to make this vision a reality: adding life to years, as well as years to life.”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “The publication of the National Cancer Plan for England represents a significant commitment by the UK government to treat cancer with the seriousness it deserves.
“Across England, too many cancer patients are waiting too long to start treatment, so it’s important that the UK government has committed to meeting cancer waiting time targets by 2029. A wide range of measures will be needed for these to be met.
“In addition to this, it’s promising to see the government’s ambitious commitment to saving more lives from cancer. England lags behind comparable countries on cancer survival and it’s vital that this changes, so more people affected by cancer can live longer, better lives.”
Chris Walden, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer52, said: “For the first time, an England cancer plan includes a specific focus on rare and less common cancers. This is a step change; the needs of our community have been heard.
“We welcome the government’s response to our calls to switch gear on improving diagnosis, increasing research and introducing leadership so that rare and less common cancers have parity.
“Now the changes outlined in the Plan, and the Rare Cancers Bill, have to be implemented in full. They have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of people living with a rare and less common cancer now and in the future.”
Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, said: “If we are to usher in a new era of world-leading cancer care that is truly catered to the needs of people with cancer, it is vital that the right practical and emotional support is provided to help people manage and live with cancer.
“That’s why we are really pleased to see the government recognise the need to improve support for people at every stage of cancer and acknowledge that the challenges of cancer don’t end when treatment ends.
“We warmly welcome the introduction of the new target and look forward to working with the government and the NHS to ensure people can live well with cancer.
“At Maggie’s, we believe that with the right support, people can live full, productive lives with and beyond cancer. While the number of people diagnosed cancer is only going to rise, more people are surviving than ever before or living for many years as medical advancements effectively keeping cancer at bay.”
No family should be out of pocket because their child has cancer.
Our new £10 million fund will cover their travel costs, as part of the National Cancer Plan.
This means everyone can get the same care, regardless of family income and location.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 3, 2026
The plan sets out sweeping reforms to how cancer is diagnosed and treated:
Faster diagnostics: A £2.3 billion investment will deliver 9.5 million additional tests by 2029 -investing in more scanners, digital technology and automated testing. Where possible, Community Diagnostic Centres will operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week, bringing testing closer to where people live.
Robot-assisted surgery: From hip replacements to heart surgery and cancer operations, the number of robot-assisted procedures will increase from 70,000 to half a million by 2035, reducing complications and freeing up hospital beds.
Treatment at specialist centres: More patients with rarer cancers will have their care reviewed and treated at specialist cancer centres, where they can benefit from the expertise of the best cancer doctors. These centres bring together surgeons, oncologists, specialist nurses and radiologists to agree the best treatment plan for each case.
Genomic testing: Every patient who could benefit will be offered a test that analyses the DNA of their cancer. This helps doctors understand exactly the type of cancer someone has and choose treatments most likely to work for them.
Waiting lists: New technology is being developed to give patients better access to tests for cancer by offering them the earliest available appointment from a range of NHS organisations in their local area.
The UK government has also announced a new AI pilot to help detect hard-to-reach lung cancers sooner with fewer invasive tests as well as a new employer partnership to support England’s 830,000 working-age cancer patients to remain in employment during and after treatment.
While more people survive cancer than ever before, progress has slowed over the last decade, and England remains behind other comparable countries including Australia and Denmark. For some cancers, such as brain cancer, survival rates in England trail behind countries like Croatia and Romania.
The cancer plan comes as the government continues to make strides on cancer waiting lists, diagnosing or ruling out cancer on time for 213,000 extra cases since July last year.
One hundred and seventy community diagnostic centres are now open – with over 100 of them available at evenings and weekends – bringing checks, scans and tests closer to where people live and at times that work around them.
The government is also taking tough action on the causes on cancer: introducing a generational ban on smoking and a ban on junk food ads before 9pm.
The new England Cancer Plan carries a bold and ambitious message for people affected by leukaemia and other blood cancers according to Colin Dyer, chief executive of blood cancer charity, Leukaemia Care.
Reacting to the launch of the Government’s England Cancer Plan earlier today, he said: “We are particularly encouraged to see a strong focus on earlier diagnosis, more personalised and joined-up care, and better practical support for children and young people with cancer.
These are three core elements we’ve been doing, and championing, for many years here at Leukaemia Care.
Leukaemia is still far too often diagnosed in an emergency setting, such as A&E. Around 37% of people are diagnosed this way, which can be more traumatic for patients and families and is linked to poorer outcomes.
Greater emphasis on improving diagnostic pathways, supporting GPs and frontline services to recognise cancer sooner, and reducing emergency presentations has real potential to save lives.
This reflects exactly what we have been calling for through our Spot Leukaemia campaign and our work to improve awareness of symptoms among both the public and healthcare professionals.
We are also pleased to see the plan highlight more personalised, joined-up care. A cancer diagnosis does not just involve treatment – people need emotional, practical and coordinated support throughout. Through our patient Navigator service, already embedded in more than 20 hospitals, we see every day how having a dedicated professional to help patients navigate appointments, information and support alongside NHS care can transform their experience.
We hope to see this kind of model recognised and expanded as the plan is delivered.
Finally, the commitment to cover hospital travel costs for families of children and young people with cancer is hugely significant. We know from running our own CAR-T travel fund for families needing this specialist treatment that travel costs can be a major additional burden at an already overwhelming time.
We are delighted to see this need recognised nationally, and that more families facing other cancers will benefit from similar support.
While an ambitious, and hugely welcome plan, the priority now must be turning these commitments into consistent improvements in care and outcomes for everyone affected by leukaemia. We will be watching closely and will continue to engage with NHS and government partners.
We believe it is essential the NHS works closely with the third sector, drawing on the expertise and proven models charities have developed over many years.
LYMPHOMA Action charity said: The publication of the NHS National Cancer Plan today marks a significant milestone for the cancer community and is a much-needed step forward for cancer care across the country.
At Lymphoma Action, we will be watching the rollout of the plan with interest on behalf of our community.
The plan shows real promise for the future of cancer treatment and care, and our focus is to make sure that lymphoma receives the same level of attention as other cancer types, and that the plan reflects the unique needs of people affected by the condition.
We are ready to offer our expertise and in-depth understanding of the patient experience of lymphoma to help the NHS make a success of the plan, and drive improvements in treatment and care for everyone affected by this type of blood cancer.
Lymphoma Action is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to supporting people affected by lymphoma, the most common blood cancer in the UK.
We offer expert information, dedicated support and a community that understands. For 40 years we have supported the lymphoma community, and we’re pushing harder than ever to make sure everyone with lymphoma gets the care they need.
Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the UK government’s landmark new National Cancer Plan
NATIONAL CANCER PLAN FOR ENGLAND
75% of patients diagnosed from 2035 will be cancer-free or living well after five years, following record investment in the NHS
NHS to meet all cancer waiting time standards by 2029, with hundreds of thousands more patients treated within 62 days
Major expansion of robot-assisted surgery and faster diagnostics to slash delays Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the government’s landmark National Cancer Plan, unveiled today.
For the first time, the NHS will commit to ensuring three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 onwards are cancer-free or living well after five years.
This represents the fastest rate of improvement in cancer outcomes this century and will translate to 320,000 more lives saved over the lifetime of the plan.
The NHS has not met its central cancer performance target - that 85% of patients start treatment within 62 days of referral - since 2014. Survival rates are below Romania and Poland for some cancer types.
Under this plan, that will change – by March 2029, the NHS will meet all three cancer waiting time standards, meaning hundreds of thousands more patients will receive timely treatment. This demonstrates the real change being delivered by the government’s record investment as we rebuild the NHS.
60% of patients currently survive for 5 years or more and around 2.4m people are currently living after a cancer diagnosis.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Cancer survival shouldn’t come down to who won the lottery of life. But cancer is more likely to be a death sentence in Britain than other countries around the world.
As a cancer survivor who owes my life to the NHS, I owe it to future patients to make sure they receive the same outstanding care I did.
Thanks to the revolution in medical science and technology, we have the opportunity to transform the life chances of cancer patients. Our cancer plan will invest in and modernise the NHS, so that opportunity can be seized and our ambitions realised.
This plan will slash waits, invest in cutting-edge technology, and give every patient the best possible chance of beating cancer.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “Almost everyone will know someone who has been affected by cancer – a friend, a partner, a parent or a child – and for many people it will be part of their own story too.
“This plan sets a clear roadmap for the NHS to diagnose more cancers earlier, ensure more patients are treated on time and improve survival, so that hundreds of thousands more people live longer, healthier lives with or after cancer over the next decade.
“This is alongside delivering the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care to every corner of the country, improving access to pioneering trials and ensuring there is wraparound support for people closer to home.
“The National Cancer Plan will see the NHS deliver world-class cancer care, offering renewed hope for millions and ensuring the health service is there for patients whenever they need it.”
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It’s encouraging to see such bold survival ambitions in the National Cancer Plan for England.
“This comes at a time when people living with cancer tell us all too often that their care hasn’t been good enough, from long waits for tests and treatment to being left without the support they need once treatment ends.
“This Plan has the potential to transform care for people living with cancer, ensuring people not only live longer but live better with their diagnosis. We look forward to working with the government to make this vision a reality: adding life to years, as well as years to life.”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “The publication of the National Cancer Plan for England represents a significant commitment by the UK government to treat cancer with the seriousness it deserves.
“Across England, too many cancer patients are waiting too long to start treatment, so it’s important that the UK government has committed to meeting cancer waiting time targets by 2029. A wide range of measures will be needed for these to be met.
“In addition to this, it’s promising to see the government’s ambitious commitment to saving more lives from cancer. England lags behind comparable countries on cancer survival and it’s vital that this changes, so more people affected by cancer can live longer, better lives.”
Chris Walden, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer52, said: “For the first time, an England cancer plan includes a specific focus on rare and less common cancers.
“This is a step change; the needs of our community have been heard. We welcome the government’s response to our calls to switch gear on improving diagnosis, increasing research and introducing leadership so that rare and less common cancers have parity.
“Now the changes outlined in the Plan, and the Rare Cancers Bill, have to be implemented in full. They have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of people living with a rare and less common cancer now and in the future.”
Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, said: “If we are to usher in a new era of world-leading cancer care that is truly catered to the needs of people with cancer, it is vital that the right practical and emotional support is provided to help people manage and live with cancer.
“That’s why we are really pleased to see the government recognise the need to improve support for people at every stage of cancer and acknowledge that the challenges of cancer don’t end when treatment ends.
“We warmly welcome the introduction of the new target and look forward to working with the government and the NHS to ensure people can live well with cancer.
“At Maggie’s, we believe that with the right support, people can live full, productive lives with and beyond cancer. While the number of people diagnosed cancer is only going to rise, more people are surviving than ever before or living for many years as medical advancements effectively keeping cancer at bay.”
The plan sets out sweeping reforms to how cancer is diagnosed and treated:
Faster diagnostics: A £2.3 billion investment will deliver 9.5 million additional tests by 2029 -investing in more scanners, digital technology and automated testing. Where possible, Community Diagnostic Centres will operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week, bringing testing closer to where people live.
Robot-assisted surgery: From hip replacements to heart surgery and cancer operations, the number of robot-assisted procedures will increase from 70,000 to half a million by 2035, reducing complications and freeing up hospital beds.
Treatment at specialist centres: More patients with rarer cancers will have their care reviewed and treated at specialist cancer centres, where they can benefit from the expertise of the best cancer doctors. These centres bring together surgeons, oncologists, specialist nurses and radiologists to agree the best treatment plan for each case.
Genomic testing: Every patient who could benefit will be offered a test that analyses the DNA of their cancer. This helps doctors understand exactly the type of cancer someone has and choose treatments most likely to work for them.
Waiting lists: New technology is being developed to give patients better access to tests for cancer by offering them the earliest available appointment from a range of NHS organisations in their local area.
The UK government has also announced a new AI pilot to help detect hard-to-reach lung cancers sooner with fewer invasive tests as well as a new employer partnership to support England’s 830,000 working-age cancer patients to remain in employment during and after treatment.
While more people survive cancer than ever before, progress has slowed over the last decade, and England remains behind other comparable countries including Australia and Denmark. For some cancers, such as brain cancer, survival rates in England trail behind countries like Croatia and Romania.
The cancer plan comes as the government continues to make strides on cancer waiting lists, diagnosing or ruling out cancer on time for 213,000 extra cases since July last year.
One hundred and seventy community diagnostic centres are now open – with over 100 of them available at evenings and weekends – bringing checks, scans and tests closer to where people live and at times that work around them.
The UK government is also taking tough action on the causes on cancer: introducing a generational ban on smoking and a ban on junk food ads before 9pm.
New framework will protect public health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS
A new plan to better protect the nation and the environment from harmful ‘forever chemicals’ has been unveiled today (Tuesday 3 February 2026) by the UK Government.
In the first-ever PFAS Plan, a clear framework sets out the co-ordinated action that will be undertaken by governments, businesses and regulators to understand where these chemicals are coming from, how they spread and how to reduce public and environmental exposure.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’ – represent one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. PFAS has played an important role in supporting economic growth by being an essential component in critical manufacturing industries, while also helping the nation to meet climate change targets due to their inclusion in low-carbon technologies.
However, there is growing evidence that their widespread use has generated risks to both people and the environment, which will likely remain for hundreds of years.
The UK has one of the highest quality drinking water supplies in the world, and there is currently no evidence of PFAS above permitted levels in England and Wales. Under the Plan, and to protect public health, a consultation will be launched later this year on introducing a statutory limit for PFAS in England’s public supply regulations. Should permitted levels ever be exceeded, this will make it easier for the regulators to enforce against water companies breaking the rules.
Environment Minister Emma Hardy said: “The persistent nature of ‘forever chemicals’ means they pose a long-term challenge for not only our health, but that of the nation’s vital ecosystems.
“It’s crucial that we protect both public health and the environment for future generations. Through our PFAS Plan, we will act decisively to reduce their harmful effects while transitioning to safer alternatives.
“We will work in partnership with regulators, industry and local communities to deliver co-ordinated action to ensure ‘forever chemicals’ are not a forever problem.”
The full extent of ‘forever chemicals’ in England’s estuaries and coastal waters will be assessed for the first time. Through improved testing and monitoring including of sediment and invertebrates, regulators will be provided with a clearer picture of the risks these habitats face and be equipped with a stronger evidence base in which to consider future regulatory action.
Safer alternatives to everyday items, like period pads and water-repellent clothing and footwear, could also be developed. Evidence shows their production methods can emit high levels of PFAS to the environment, with the government and businesses to explore how production methods could be modified to deliver new products which are PFAS free and affordable for families.
Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy said: “The Environment Agency is playing a vital part in tackling the challenge of PFAS.
Through our monitoring programmes, risk screening work, regulatory expertise and assessment of evidence, we are helping to inform the public and stakeholders about our work to protect the environment from the risks posed by PFAS.
“We will play a critical role in delivering the government’s PFAS Plan, building on the work we have undertaken in recent years.”
The plan sets out a range of further measures and interventions, which includes:
Developing new guidance for regulators and industries to address legacy PFAS pollution on contaminated land to ensure a consistent and practical approach.
Consulting on the introduction of a statutory limit for PFAS in England’s public supply regulations to improve the condition of the water the nation drinks.
Carrying out tests on food packaging, like microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes, to trace the presence of PFAS and support future regulatory action.
Publishing a new website to raise the public’s awareness and understanding of PFAS while also improving transparency of action being taken across government.
Reducing emissions from industrial sites through new guidance for regulators and site operators on how to improve their handling, monitoring and disposal of PFAS.
Improving the monitoring of PFAS in soils by supporting the British Geological Survey and initiating new sampling at five locations across England.
Completing work to consider restrictions on the use of PFAS in firefighting foams.
The UK government will work in partnership with regulators, industries and businesses to deliver the Plan, by taking a science-based and proportionate approach to reduce and minimise the risks posed by PFAS on public health and the environment.
Multi-million-pound package to turn the tide on ailing high streets, targeted in places most in need of support
High streets with boarded up shop fronts and lacking essentials such as butchers, grocers and bakeries will be given a multi-million-pound boost.
The £150 million cash injection will be targeted in areas hit hardest in recent years, and most in need of being brought back together.
Part of the government’s path to renewal, it will help turn the tide on this decline and restore a sense of pride people feel in their high streets and local area – which serves as a vital meeting point for communities.
Communities will bring people back into their local high streets by supporting local, independent businesses, improve neglected shopfronts and open up empty units. This will be the first step in the government’s upcoming High Streets Strategy, announced earlier this week.
It will build action already taken to restore pride in our communities, empowering councils in England to say no to new betting shops and vapes stores, supporting more than a thousand local pubs that offer extra services for communities and rejuvenating over 330 of the most deprived communities through our Pride in Place programme.
This is renewal in action, led by the people who know their neighbourhoods best, and backed by the government which is choosing unity over division.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “Our high streets are the beating heart of Britain — where communities come together and local businesses can grow.
“Town centres have suffered from high streets falling into decline, and that is why we’re taking action to turn the tide with this crucial investment and more to come.
“We have listened to what people are telling us and that’s why we’re giving them the power and control to breathe new life back into our high streets and restore the sense of pride communities feel, building on our transformational Pride in Place programme.”
More details on the High Streets Strategy, including how funding will be allocated to specific places, will be announced in the coming months.
Other steps taken by the UK government to regenerate high streets include:
Introducing a new community right to buy through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, giving local people greater power to save valued community assets like sports clubs and pubs.
Ending ‘pub deserts’ by banning the loss of the last community facility in an area.
Action to tackle the proliferation of betting shops on high streets.
Young people are set to benefit from TV and film industry support for the Government’s Youth Guarantee
Pinewood Studios, Europe’s leading studio complex and home to James Bond and the Carry On films, is supporting the Government’s Youth Guarantee.
Industry leaders including Netflix, Disney and Vue International met Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden at Pinewood Studios to discuss how they can support more young people into creative roles.
More than 4,500 young people attended Pinewood Group’s “Futures Festival” event – Britain’s biggest TV and film careers event.
Young people are set to benefit from TV and film industry support for the Government’s Youth Guarantee.
Pat McFadden co-chaired a roundtable with Pinewood Studios at the largest free film and TV careers event in the UK yesterday, attended by industry leaders including Disney, Vue International and Amazon MGM Studios.
Pinewood’s annual Futures Festival showcased the range of careers available in film and television to young people, and employers and industry professionals spoke to attendees about the routes available into the sector.
The Work and Pensions Secretary heard how industry leaders are already increasing opportunities in the sector for young people and called on the industry to back the Government’s Youth Guarantee, which provides a guaranteed job, work experience or training to all 18-to-21-year olds.
Production spending in the UK is booming having reached £5.6 billion in 2024, a 31 percent increase on the previous year, highlighting emerging work and training opportunities for young people. However, there remains a skills gap in the sector. By supporting young people into work, the sector will help close that gap and ensure the UK maintains its position as a world leading hub for film and television production.
Pinewood Group, incorporating Pinewood and Shepperton Studios in the UK, has been pioneering youth training through its ‘Behind the Screen’ programme. Delivered in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, the scheme supports people currently out of work by offering paid six‑month placements that provide hands-on experience and a first step into the film and TV industry.
As the latest Youth Guarantee Supporter, Pinewood’s helping to realise the Government’s pledge to ensure all young people have the opportunity to earn or learn.
Another supporter of the Youth Guarantee is All Spring Media, who provide skills bootcamps and training programmes to ensure young creatives have the experience and confidence they need to pursue their chosen career.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “With almost a million young people not in education, employment or training, we need to create pathways of opportunity and help them build careers.
“Today’s festival has shown what’s possible when government and industry work together.
“Apprenticeships benefit everyone – young people gain skills and experience, while employers gain fresh talent and new perspectives. The Behind the Screen programme is a great example of this in action, helping young people break into an industry that can otherwise feel out of reach.
“I’m delighted that Pinewood is backing our Youth Guarantee. I’m calling on other employers across the creative industries to follow their lead and open their doors to the next generation of talent.
The Work and Pensions Secretary met with trainees from the ‘Behind the Screen’ programme to hear about the training they are receiving to start their creative career.
Andrew Smith, Corporate Affairs Director of Pinewood Group said: “Pinewood Group is committed to opening doors and creating accessible pathways into the industry.
“Our well-established ‘Behind the Screen’ programme offers paid, hands‑on placements for those out of work, while our annual Pinewood Futures Festival continues to inspire and engage the next generation of industry talent.”
Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development, British Film Institute, said: “For the next generation to thrive, we must level the playing field across the UK especially for those who may lack the support needed to access work on their doorstep.
“Our UK-wide skills programmes for young people – from sector specific careers advice in schools, our UK-wide Film Academy programme, through to paid work placements on studio productions and onto a range of career progression pathways – are designed to address inequalities and prioritise opening up opportunities to those currently underrepresented in the screen sector’s workforce.
“We look forward to working with DWP and our industry colleagues to enable the screen sector to play a role in supporting the ambitions of the Youth Guarantee.”
Mia, trainee from the ‘Behind the Screen’ programme: “Pinewoods Behind the Screen Programme was a fantastic opportunity to become part of a supportive community and expand my network within film.
“The programme opened doors and formed a great stepping stone into my current role at Imaginarium Studios.”
Pinewood Studios join other high-profile Youth Guarantee partners including the Premier League, EFL in the Community, Royal Shakespeare Company and Channel 4.
This is the latest step in the Government’s work to boost opportunity to support young people into employment or training.
An £820 million investment in the Youth Guarantee to support almost one million young people will create 350,000 new training and workplaces, 55,000 guaranteed jobs for the long-term unemployed, over 360 youth hubs across Great Britain.
We have also launched a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn which will investigate the barriers preventing young people from accessing work.
This builds on the work of DCMS’ creative careers campaign, which aims to improve access to young people from underrepresented communities outside London in these high growth sectors.
The Government is also seeking to grow the sectors through our Creative Industries Sector Plan, which is providing £380 million of targeted investment to ensure they can continue to grow.
Warm Home Discount has been extended so millions of families will receive the £150 energy bill discount for the rest of the decade
Eligible households will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter until 2030/2031
Families across Britain to benefit, with major reform to ensure more Scottish consumers get what they are entitled to automatically
News comes ahead of reduction to costs in April, when households will benefit from an average £150 of costs off energy bills
Millions of families will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade, as the government today confirms the continuation of the scheme through to 2030/2031.
The extension will see eligible households provided with the £150 rebate on their energy bills every winter until 2030/2031.
This follows the government’s expansion of the Warm Home Discount last year, adding 2.7 million families to the scheme and bringing the total number of eligible households to around 6 million. This is on top of the average £150 of costs being taken off households’ energy bills from April, through measures announced at the Budget.
Hundreds of thousands of Scottish billpayers will also benefit from reforms to the way the Warm Home Discount is administered, with around 345,000 families in Scotland set to receive the £150 rebate automatically next winter – an increase of around 250,000.
The onus has for years been on many Scottish households to get in touch with their supplier to apply for the rebate. These changes will simplify the process for the majority of those eligible for the discount in Scotland, bringing the scheme closer into line with that in England and Wales – where most recipients already get the rebate automatically.
A small number of households need to provide extra information to ensure they get the discount this winter (2025/2026). If they have received a letter advising them to call the helpline, they must do so by 27 February 2026 – now less than one month away.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Tackling the affordability crisis is the government’s number one priority.
“That is why we are today confirming to millions of eligible families across the country that they will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter for the rest of the decade.
“That will give families much-needed peace of mind that they will continue to receive vital support in the cold winter months, as we take action to bring down bills for good.”
It comes after the government last week launched the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, the biggest home upgrade plan in British history, to help millions of families cut their bills.
From April, households will also save an average £150 of costs on energy bills, with some consumers set to benefit significantly more – for example a high use electric storage heated household could save more than £400 on costs per year.
Ned Hammond, Deputy Director, Policy (Customers) at Energy UK said: “It’s very good news to see confirmation that the Warm Home Discount will be in place until the end of the decade which, particularly with the recent expansion, will provide continuing vital support with energy bills to millions of customers. The changes in Scotland are also very welcome as it will mean many more customers receiving the discount automatically without having to apply.
“We now look forward to working with the government on further changes to the scheme, including better targeting and tiered support, to ensure that is both directed to those most in need and provides the right level of assistance to really make a difference for customers struggling to afford bills.”
Matt Copeland, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at National Energy Action says: “The 5-year continuation of the Warm Home Discount is welcome news for low-income households and provides support that extends beyond this parliament. Alongside energy advice and wider support to help maximise people’s incomes, directly reducing energy bills can be a vital lifeline for vulnerable people who cannot keep their homes adequately warm.
“Six million households across Great Britain now receive the discount and the revised eligibility criteria give greater certainty about who will benefit each year. It is also essential that support is continuing for energy advice and for measures that reach people who are not within the benefits system.
“Without this, many households who cannot be identified through government data matching will remain without the help they need.”
SPARTANS AND FORRESTER HIGH SCHOOL AMONG THE WINNERS
36 community projects across Scotland benefitting from new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities
Boost will improve accessibility and sustainability, through multisport, all-weather pitches, goalsposts, floodlights and community hubs – with 50% going to 30% most deprived communities in the UK
Announcement made as UK Culture Secretary visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club
Move supports drive to break down barriers to opportunity, give families affordable ways to stay healthy, and deliver an NHS fit for the future
Applications for £8.14 million of funding for Scotland to be distributed in 2026/27 to open
36 community projects across Scotland are benefitting from new all-weather pitches, extended playing hours through floodlighting, and modern changing facilities designed to welcome underserved groups like women and girls, in a new boost for grassroots sport facilities by the Government.
Among those projects are The Spartans, who receive £132,996 towards an artificial grass pitch upgrade and £136,913 towards an artificial grass pitch upgrade, spectator and technical area installation for Forrester High School.
The projects across the country have been awarded funding through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26, with more beneficiaries to be announced soon.
These new or refurbished facilities will give families low-cost options to stay active on their doorstep, helping when many are facing cost-of-living pressures. It will also open up opportunities to underserved groups like women and girls. At least half of all funding will go directly to the 30% most deprived communities in the UK.
Sports clubs and organisations will also benefit from new goalposts, fencing and new changing pavilions – all of which help make sites more accessible and sustainable for local communities. To ensure broader participation beyond football, at least 40% of funded projects must have a multi-sport offer.
This approach will give more people access to a wider variety of sports and activities, such as rugby, cricket, and basketball.
Full details of all the 991 UK projects funded through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26 at time of writing to date are attached and available on GOV.UK.
The announcement was made as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club, who received £310,000 across 2024-26 for a new artificial pitch and changing pavilion at Kirktonholme. The upgraded facility now hosts women’s and girls’ teams, school PE lessons, and a walking football programme supporting men’s mental health.
Grassroots sport is at the heart of Scotland’s communities.
UK Gov has announced £8m for grassroots sports facilities in Scotland for 2026/27, part of a £400m UK boost.
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:“Scotland is a nation passionate about sports and it’s great to see how in the year that our men’s team returns to the football World Cup UK Government investment is benefiting local communities through new and upgraded sporting facilities at the likes of East Kilbride United.
“The UK Government is continuing to ensure communities the length and breadth of Scotland have access to quality pitches, changing pavilions, lighting, goalposts and other facilities essential for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
“Grassroots sports are at the heart of Scotland’s communities and the UK Government is committed to helping local clubs – and the health and well-being of those who use them – flourish”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, said:“This is sport delivering for the nation. Every pound we invest in grassroots facilities is a pound that takes pressure off our NHS, supports mental and physical health, and opens doors for new community members to benefit from sport – like women and girls who’ve been shut out for too long.
“We’re supporting communities that have made do with run-down pitches and crumbling changing rooms for years. This government is turning that around – building the facilities that get people active, bring communities together, and nurture the next generation of sporting talent.”
Scottish FA President Mike Mulraney said:“We are grateful to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and partners for their continued support. This latest funding announcement will enable us to further invest in the infrastructure of our national sport, which I have made my number one priority as President.
“It will allow us to reinforce the Power of Football by increasing participation among all ages and abilities, and improving health and wellbeing as a result.
“The association has also committed to diverting profits to our Pitching In campaign and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with the UK Government, Scottish Government, business and philanthropic communities and local authorities to transform our facilities estate.”
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock visited Spartans at Ainslie Park today (Friday 30 January) and said:“This investment will make a real difference to communities across Scotland. Quality facilities are the foundation of grassroots sport – they’re places where children fall in love with the game, where communities thrive, and where people of all ages come together to stay active and healthy.
“It was brilliant to see what a difference it’s already made to Spartans FC’s facilities. By targeting funding at areas that need it most, we’re making sure everyone has the chance to benefit from sport, regardless of where they live or their background.”
Clubs and organisations are invited to apply for funding via:
Through new local sports facilities or critical upgrades to outdated facilities, the funding will deliver:
New 3G grass pitches enabling year-round play regardless of weather
Upgraded changing pavilions with more appropriate changing facilities for women and girls
Floodlighting to extend playing hours into evenings and car parking for better accessibility
New goalposts, fencing and storage facilities to improve safety and access
Priority use time slots for women and girls teams at funded sites
Facilities that can host PE and school activities alongside community use
Sites that support health initiatives and community outreach programmes
The funding is designed to promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups (such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities), and support the Government’s Plan for Change by breaking down barriers to opportunity and delivering an NHS fit for the future.
2026-27 funding:
Funding breakdown by nation:
England: £68.35 million (delivered through the Football Foundation)
Scotland: £8.14 million (delivered through the Scottish Football Association)
Wales: £5.735 million (delivered through the Cymru Football Foundation)
Northern Ireland: £2.775 million (delivered through the Irish Football Association)
Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis in England via the Football Foundation.
Application windows will open soon in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the relevant FA websites will be updated with more details.
