Tag: UK Government

New £2 maximum stake for under 25s playing online slots

Stake limits for online slot games will be introduced for the first time in September, including lower limits for young adults

  • Stake limits for online slot games introduced for the first time in September in landmark moment for regulation of online gambling 
  • Maximum £2 stake for 18 to 24-year-olds for online slot games to be introduced
  • £5 limit for adults aged 25 and over brings stakes in-line with casinos

Easily accessible online slot games are one of the most addictive forms of gambling, and can be associated with large losses, long sessions, and binge play. Unlike land-based gaming machines, such as in casinos, they have no statutory stake limits. 

To counter the increased risk of significant harm and life-changing losses from online slot games, the Government will introduce a £5 stake limit for adults aged 25 and over.

Responding to evidence, a lower level stake limit for young adults aged 18-24 years old will be set at £2 per spin. This age group has the highest average problem gambling score of any group, as well as lower disposable income, ongoing neurological development impacting risk perception and common life stage factors like managing money for the first time. The evidence also points to a stronger link between gambling related harm and suicide among young adults.

The decision follows a 10-week consultation period in which the majority of respondents agreed with the gambling white paper proposal to introduce statutory limits for online slot games to help reduce the risk of gambling harm.

Consultation responses included views from industry, academics, treatment providers and individuals.

Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games. 

“We also know that young adults can be more vulnerable when it comes to gambling related harms, which is why we committed to addressing both of these issues in our white paper.

“The growing popularity of online gambling is clear to see, so this announcement will level the playing field with the land-based sector and is the next step in a host of measures being introduced this year that will protect people from gambling harms.”

Evidence from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that young adults can be particularly vulnerable to gambling related harm, with under 25s having the highest average problem gambling score of any age group.

NHS survey figures also show that there is a problem gambling rate of 8.7 per cent for online gambling on slots, casino or bingo games, one of the highest rates across gambling activities.

CEO of GambleAware Zoë Osmond said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce lower online stake limits for under 25s as an important mechanism to protect young people. Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling and online slots are very high-risk products.

“As we continue our work to tackle this growing public health issue, we will collaborate with the Government and others across the gambling harms sector to ensure there are no missed opportunities when it comes to the introduction of robust preventative measures, including new regulations such as these.”

Commenting on the announcement from the Government of new maximum online slot stakes, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the CMS Committee, said: “I’m pleased that the Government has listened to the Committee in its response to its consultation on stake limits for online slots and that the new limits will leave 99% of over-25 gamblers unaffected.

“Equalising online maximum stakes with those of most land-based gambling, while including protections for younger people, is a sensible and proportionate way to balance the risk of gambling harms with the freedoms and responsibilities that players have the right to expect.”

In announcing the new limits, the Government has agreed with the Committee’s recommendations from its report on gambling regulation published in December. The report said that stake limits for online slots should match those for electronic gaming machines in land-based venues and not exceed £5, with the limit £2 for young adults.

The limits will come into force in September this year, following secondary legislation. There will be a six week transition period for operators to become compliant with the general £5 stake limit rules, followed by a further six weeks for the development of any necessary technical solutions to ensure operators are fully compliant with the lower stake limit of £2 for young adults aged 18-24. 

Although most people gamble without issue, the restrictions introduced today are just some of the proposals set out in the Government’s white paper to modernise the gambling sector and make it fit for the digital age. 

This includes the introduction of a statutory levy for research, prevention and treatment, as well as financial risk checks designed to prevent catastrophic, life-changing losses.

The Gambling Commission and the Government continue to listen to concerns from campaigners, the wider public, and both the gambling and horse racing industries as part of the consultation process on these checks.

The Gambling Commission continues to refine its approach on the design to achieve the right balance between protections and freedoms. 

As well as introducing measures to protect people from gambling related harm, the white paper package contains proposals that will support the land-based gambling industry to thrive. The industry supports thousands of jobs across the country and the Government has been clear it does not want to harm its success.  

Responses to the wider white paper measures will be published soon.

Ukraine: ”Britain at forefront of global response” – Grant Shapps

Defence Secretary oral statement for the second anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine

With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker I would like to update the House on the current conflict in Ukraine as we prepare to mark two years since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Like many in this House, I remember exactly where I was on 24 February 2022.

Just before sunrise, I was woken by a phone call, to be told Russia had illegally invaded Ukraine – a car would be outside at 6am and headed for COBR.

After that meeting, Ministers went to speak to their respective Ukrainian counterparts.

At the time I was Transport Secretary, and my arrangement was to speak via Zoom with my then opposite number, Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Oleksandr – whom I’ve subsequently got to know very well – was standing in the middle of a field outside of Kyiv. I asked him about the situation and he told me that, quite frankly, he didn’t know how much longer the city would last.

The Russian army was understood to be just kilometres away. The wolf, or in this case, the Russian bear, was literally at the door. Expert opinion suggested Kyiv would be taken in perhaps three days’ time.

And yet – as this war drags into its third year – far from winning, Russia has been pushed back from those early days.

Putin has achieved none of his strategic objectives. His invading force has suffered more than 356,000 casualties.

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged around 30 per cent of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

And Ukraine has retaken 50 per cent of the territory that Russia stole from it.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Kubrakov is now the Deputy Prime Minister and his job is actually the restoration of Ukraine when this is over.

So Putin arrogantly assumed this conflict would be over in days – and he was wrong. He reckoned without the strength of the international support that would rally to Ukraine’s cause.

And I am proud that over the course of the past 730 days, Britain has been at the forefront of that global response. Our efforts, always a step ahead of our allies, have made a genuine difference.

From the outset, we declassified intelligence – specifically to scupper Russian false flags.

Our NLAW anti-tank missiles, provided in advance of the full-scale invasion, and our Javelins helped brave Ukrainians devastate Putin’s menacing forty-mile armoured convoy, which was headed direct for Kyiv.

We were the first to send main battle tanks with our Challenger squadron, plus 500 armoured vehicles and 15,000 anti-armour weapons.

All of this helped to degrade Russia’s once formidable fighting force with Putin’s losses amounting to 2,700 main battle tanks; 5,300 armoured vehicles; 1,400 artillery pieces.

Throughout this conflict, our 4 million rounds of small-arms ammunition have allowed Ukraine to maintain a rate of fire and recently helped keep the Russians at bay during their winter offensive.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has been unable to achieve the air superiority that they’d assumed they’d have, in part, thanks to our donation of 1,800 air defence missiles and over 4,000 British drones have been sent to date.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this conflict has demonstrated that drones are changing the face of modern warfare and we are already learning the lessons from that, which is why earlier today, My Honourable Friend, the Defence Procurement Minister, launched the UK Defence Drone Strategy, to stay ahead in this new frontier of technology, backed by at least £200 million announced by the Prime Minister, making the UK the biggest drone partner with Ukraine/

Yet it’s actually at sea where the allied contribution to Ukraine’s cause has been most keenly felt.

Our mighty Storm Shadows, and our uncrewed sea systems, have helped Ukraine achieve a breakthrough in the Black Sea.

Not only has Russia lost seven different surface ships, plus a submarine, but a Black Sea corridor has opened up for trade – allowing Ukraine to export 19 million tonnes of cargo, including 13.4 million tonnes of agricultural produce.

At the end of last month, Ukrainian agricultural exports from its Black Sea ports had reached the highest level since when the war began – far exceeding what happened under Putin’s Black Sea Grain Initiative.

But as President Zelenskyy said to me when I last visited, the UK’s contribution has been monumental.

And he pointed out that, since the start of the conflict, the UK has sent almost 400 different types of capabilities to Ukraine.

Together, we’ve shown that when Ukraine gets what it needs, it can win – which is why the UK is continuing to step up our support.

Last month, the Prime Minister announced we’ll be investing a further £2.5 billion into military support for Ukraine, taking our total military aid package so far to over £7 billion and our total support to over £12 billion, accounting for economic and humanitarian as well.

So Mr Deputy Speaker, in that spirit, today I can announce a new package of 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles in a further boost to defend Ukraine.

These missiles have previously had significant impact on the battlefield, in one instance forcing Russian forces to abandon and retreat from an attempted crossing of a river.

But members will recall a few days ago President Zelenskyy told the Munich Security Conference that an “artificial deficit of weapons will only help Russia”, and he is right.

And so today we’re giving Ukraine more of the help they need – inflating their capabilities, so they can defend freedom’s frontline.

Other capabilities will also be coming their way too.

Our UK founded and administered International Fund for Ukraine has pledged more than £900m to help Ukraine plug its gaps in its capabilities, delivering cutting-edge drones along with electronic warfare and mine clearance capabilities with millions worth of kit to come. 

We’re not just investing in weapons, but in the brave personnel who carry them. So far Britain has put more than 60,000 Ukrainian troops through their paces, here in the UK.

But Operation Interflex, our main training effort, is going to expand even further. 

I’m delighted to announce that Kosovo and Estonia are joining. And they’ve joined with us, Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania and Romania all training Ukrainian troops here in Britain.

And together we will train a further 10,000 in the first half of 2024.

Meanwhile, we are building capability coalitions.

Alongside Norway, we are leading a Maritime Capability Coalition and we’ve been joined by a dozen other countries in this enterprise – this is about Mine detection drones, raiding craft, Sea King helicopters – which have already been sent their way – so Ukraine can build its navy and defend its sovereign waters.

Last week, I met with my NATO counterparts in Brussels, and I announced together with Latvia, that we would lead the drone coalition. That will allow us to scale up and streamline the West’s provision of miniature first-person view, or FPV drones, to Ukraine – while supporting the establishment of a drone school for Ukrainian operators and a test range, as well as develop AI swarm drone technology, which will surely be critical in the next phase of this war.

Britain has earmarked some £200 million to procure and produce long-range strike and sea drones and has become Ukraine’s largest supplier of drones. 

Yet this is far from the summit of our ambitions. In December, we set up a new taskforce to build a strong defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, ensuring Ukraine can sustain the fight for years to come.

And in January, the Prime Minister signed the historic Security Cooperation Agreement. This is the start of a 100-year alliance that we are building with our Ukrainian friends.

And once again, it is the United Kingdom that has signed the first such agreement, with welcome signings from France and Germany having followed.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Ukrainians have the will, and they have the skills. They’ve shown that if they’re given the tools – they can do the job. But their need today remains particularly urgent.

Russia is continuing to attack along almost the entire front line, only recently decimating and capturing the eastern town of Avdiivka.

The Kremlin continues to callously strike at civilian targets – most recently hitting a hospital in Selydove.

And Putin is making absolutely no secret whatsoever of being in this for the long term.

Russia’s economy has indeed shifted onto a full-time war footing, spending some 30 per cent of their federal expenditure on their defence – a nominal increase of almost 70 per cent just on last year alone.

And if the cruel death of the remarkable, brave, Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has taught us anything at all – it is that Putin’s victory is something that none of us can afford.

The tyrant of the Kremlin is determined to simply wait out the West. He believes that we lack the stomach for the fight, and we must show him he is wrong.

And this house may not be united on all matters, as we have seen in the last 24 hours, but we are united on one thing – and that is our support for Ukraine.

So the UK will continue to double down on that support. And all freedom loving countries must be compelled to do the same.

This year will be make or break for Ukraine. So it’s time for the West – and all civilised nations – to step up, and give Ukraine the backing it needs.

Two years ago, when I spoke to an anxious Oleksandr Kubrakov, who had retreated to that field outside Kyiv, he did not know what would happen to Ukraine.

But now, entering the third year of this conflict – it is remarkable to see the Ukrainians remain in full fight.

I know that the whole House will join me in saying that the UK won’t stop supporting the brave Ukrainians, our friends, until we can enjoy a call celebrating victory.

UK Government cracks down on controversial ‘fire and rehire’ tactics

  • UK Government acts against controversial dismissal tactics through a new statutory Code of Practice.
  • Employment tribunals will have the power to apply an uplift of up to 25 percent of an employee’s compensation if an employer unreasonably fails to comply with the code.
  • Code protects workers’ rights whilst respecting business flexibility.

Action against unscrupulous employers to tackle the use of controversial ‘fire and rehire’ practices have been rolled out by the Westminster Government.

Dismissal and re-engagement, also known as ‘fire and rehire’, refers to when an employer fires an employee and offers them a new contract on new, often less favourable terms.

The Government has been clear that it firmly opposes this practice being used as a negotiating tactic. Today, a new statutory Code of Practice has been published making clear how employers must behave in this area. 

This new Code of Practice shows the Government is going a step further to protect workers across the country. This will help to preserve security and opportunity for those in work, as part of our plan to grow the economy.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Our new Code will crack down on employers mistreating employees and sets out how they should behave when changing an employee’s contract.

“This announcement shows we are taking action to tackle fire and re-hire practices by balancing protections for workers with business flexibility”.

In future the courts, and employment tribunals, will take the Code into account when considering relevant cases. This will include on unfair dismissal claims where the employer should have followed the Code.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1759563650212200518

Employment tribunals will have the power to apply an uplift of up to 25 percent of an employee’s compensation if an employer unreasonably fails to comply with the Code.

The new Code clarifies how employers should behave when seeking to change employees’ terms and conditions, aiming to ensure employees are properly consulted and treated fairly.

Employers will now also need to explore alternatives to dismissal and re-engagement and have meaningful discussions with employees or trade unions to reach an agreed outcome.

The Code makes it clear to employers that they must not use threats of dismissal to pressurise employees into accepting new terms. They should also not raise the prospect of dismissal unreasonably early or threaten dismissal where it is not envisaged.

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said: “Fire and rehire is an extreme step that can seriously damage working relations and has significant legal risks for organisations. Employers should focus on maintaining good employment relations to reach agreement with staff if they are thinking about making changes to their contracts.

“Acas offers impartial advice on employment rights and obligations, and has expertise in helping parties to maintain good industrial relations and resolving disputes where they arise.

“The Government’s new draft Code is clear that employers should contact Acas for advice before they raise the prospect of fire and rehire with employees.”

Principal Policy Advisor at Institute of Directors, Alexandra Hall-Chen said: “The publication of this Code of Practice provides employers with welcome clarity and practical guidance.

“The Code rightly places good industrial relations at its core and represents an effective means of balancing worker protections with labour market flexibility.”

Head of Public Policy at CIPD, Ben Willmott said: “The Code promotes good practice, making clear employers should always seek to agree any changes to terms and conditions with employees and that ‘fire and rehire’ should only be used as an absolute last resort.

“It highlights the importance of early and meaningful consultation with employees to maximise the chances of finding alternative solutions which can lead to agreement over proposed changes.

“It also emphasises that Acas has a key role to play and should be contacted by an employer for advice before it raises the prospect of fire and rehire with the workforce.”

The Government previously asked Acas to produce guidance for employers on fire and rehire practices, which was published in 2021.

The TUC says the guidance does not go far enough: ‘Government’s code of practice on fire and rehire lacks bite.

“It will not deter bad employers like P&O from treating staff like disposable labour. We need far more robust legislation to protect people at work.

“Labour’s New Deal for Working People would be the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation and end fire and rehire.”

£100 million support delivered to back next generation of small business owners

  • 15,000 loans have now been delivered to support small business owners aged 18-24 since 2012.
  • Access to finance and advice is available as part of the Help to Grow Scheme to drive government’s ambition to make the UK the best place to start and scale a small business.

15,000 Start Up Loans worth over £100 million have now been issued to young business founders aged 18-24 since 2012.

The Start Up Loan Scheme is government backed finance delivered through British Business Bank, which has delivered over £1 billion in loans to SMEs across the country since the scheme launched in 2012.

The scheme provides invaluable support to young entrepreneurs who are looking to set up a small business – a group which often struggles to get business finance from other sources – and offers an effective pathway into employment, with almost a third of recipients aged 18-24 leaving unemployment thanks to this scheme.

Of all the loans distributed to entrepreneurs under 25, 39% have also gone to female business owners and 24% to business owners from ethnic minority backgrounds. Outside of London, the North West has received the highest volume of loans (1,992), followed by West Midlands (1,591) and the South East (1,291). London has received 3,099 loans in total since 2012.

Among those to receive one of these loans, the most popular industries to launch a business in include retail (£8.5m), hospitality (£5.8m) and arts and entertainment (£2.5m).

Access to finance is a key part of the refreshed Help to Grow Campaign, a one-stop shop for SMEs to find the information they need to start, scale up and grow their own business. The new site brings together the support on offer from the government into one place, making it quicker and more convenient to find the resources business leaders and budding entrepreneurs need to succeed.

Starting a business for the first time, particularly for younger entrepreneurs can be a daunting process. That’s why the government has also – for the first time ever – created a step-by-step guide on how to set up and grow a business in the UK as part of the Help to Grow website. 

Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Every large firm started off as a small business and today’s aspiring young entrepreneurs could be the next success story. I urge them to explore how a Start Up Loan could launch their ambitions today.

“Through the British Business Bank, and the Help to Grow campaign, we’ve backed the next generation of business leaders with over £100 million in government backed finance and we’re not stopping there.”

The single biggest way we’re backing businesses is by creating the economic conditions for them to thrive, which is why the government is working hard to deliver on our priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy and cut debt. We’ve made significant progress and it’s clear the economy is turning a corner.

The government is also tackling a key issue affecting small firms – late payments. We are determined to make the UK the best place in the world to do business, which is why Minister Hollinrake launched the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow Review in 2023. Since the report was unveiled, we are looking at how to prosecute large firms who persistently and knowingly fail to adhere to the Payment Practice Reporting Regulations.

We’re also backing businesses through our £4.3 billion package to support SMEs with business rates, the Small Business Rates relief taking a third of properties out of paying rates completely, and extending the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief for a fifth year, we are helping businesses navigate challenging economic times.

Business owner Cory Hibbin, aged 20, is one of the recipients of a Start Up Loan. He took out a £14,500 loan in March 2023 to launch Techie Services. The company, based in Hastings, offers security solutions for residential clients, estates and corporate buildings, including CCTV, alarm systems and network management.

Cory doesn’t live with family or have any financial support from them so his aspiration of setting up Techie Services would not have been possible without the help of the bank’s funding.

He left school at 16 and started an apprenticeship as an IT engineer at a consultancy firm. After developing his skills, he started offering surveillance services on the side of this day job. The client was so impressed that they asked him to work for them full-time.

Cory, founder of Techie Services, said: “I’m not the sort of person who can take on learning from behind a desk so I left school at 16 to do an apprenticeship with a local IT consultancy company.

“While working there, I was working on the side in the evenings and at the weekends. Having been there for four years, I felt like I had gained enough experience to start my own company, which is when Techie Services began.

“I started with one large client, who quickly recommended me to other businesses and individuals, so I took on five new clients in our first six weeks.

I”t hasn’t been easy but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The money from Start Up Loans was invaluable in the success of the business – I used it to buy tools for installations as well as supplies for the office.

“While it might seem a big leap of faith to some people, you can’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying in the first place. I urge anyone 18 or above to look into the finance options available to them if they need a hand getting off the ground.”

Richard Bearman, Managing Director, Small Business Lending, British Business Bank said: “It’s amazing to see people in their late teens and early twenties with such ‘can-do’ attitudes and motivation to achieve success in working life.

“Our £100 million funding milestone is a significant landmark and testament to the hard work of Start Up Loans, ensuring anyone with a good business idea like Cory’s, no matter their age, has the access to the funding needed to bring it to life.

“The impact of this on communities across the UK has been huge and we’re determined to keep backing aspirational young people with money and mentoring.”

Tax credits recipients to receive Cost of Living Payment from today

Around 700,000 families, who receive tax credits and no other qualifying benefits, will receive their £299 Cost of Living Payment from today, 16 February 2024, to help with everyday costs.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is making the payments to eligible tax credits customers across the UK between 16 and 22 February 2024.  

More than7 million eligible UK households have already received the £299 payment directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which is paying its customers between 6 and 22 February 2024.

This is the third of three payments totalling up to £900 for those eligible and on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, in 2023/24 and comes as part of the UK Government’s £104 billion cost of living support package.

These payments are tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC Director General for Customer Services, said: “The £299 Cost of Living Payment will deliver further financial support to eligible tax credits customers across the UK. To make things as simple as possible, the payment is made automatically with no action required from HMRC’s customers.”

The payment from HMRC to tax credits customers will appear on bank statements as ‘HMRC COLS’, referencing Cost of Living Support. Those receiving the payment from DWP will see the payment reference as their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

If customers have not received the Cost of Living Payment from HMRC between the published payment dates, but believe they are eligible, they should wait until after 23 February to contact us. This is to allow time for their bank, building society or credit union to process the payment. 

Receiving a previous Cost of Living Payment does not guarantee customers will get this payment. Customers must meet the individual eligibility criteria for each payment, as published on GOV.UK.

Payment from HMRC will be made automatically into the bank account where eligible customers receive their tax credits. They do not need to do anything to receive a payment. They do not need to contact HMRC or apply for the payment. 

Customers should beware of scams targeting Cost of Living Payments. If someone contacts them about this payment saying they are from HMRC or DWP, it might be a scam. People can check advice on spotting scams by visiting GOV.UK and searching ‘HMRC phishing and scams’. They can also check on GOV.UK that any contact is genuinely from HMRC.

Additional information

The Cost of Living Payments – worth £900 in total in 2023/24 – come on top of a significant package of support which has been delivered since autumn 2021. Including:

  • Cutting taxes for over 29 million working people this year through a 2% cut to Class 1 National Insurance Contributions, worth £450 per year on average.
  • Cutting taxes for self-employed people by cutting Class 4 contributions, benefitting 2 million people, and abolishing Class 2 contributions, a tax cut worth an average of £350 per year.
  • Paying three million households the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter and 8.9 million pensioner households up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments in December last year.
  • Providing the £650 Cost of Living Payments in 2022/23 and an additional cash boost on top of this payment including £300 to pensioner households; £150 to disabled individuals in 2022 and last year.
  • Paying around half of the typical household energy bill between October 2022 and July 2023 through our Energy Price Guarantee and £400 support scheme.
  • Extending the 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase – saving the average driver £100 this year.
  • Increasing the Universal Credit work allowance and cutting the taper rate, which was worth an extra £1,000 a year to families on Universal Credit.

Vulnerable people will continue to be supported with the cost of living from April this year by:  

  • Uprating benefits in line with inflation by 6.7%.  
  • Maintaining the triple lock and increasing the state pension by 8.5% - after the largest ever cash increase last year for around 12 million pensioners.
  • Investing £1.2 billion to restore Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rates, meaning 1.6 million private renters will see nearly £800 in additional help.
  • Increasing the National Living Wage by its largest ever cash amount in April – worth over £1,800 to the gross annual earnings of a full-time worker – and lowering the age threshold for eligibility by 2 years.

We encourage people in need of additional support over the winter to check their eligibility through the UK Government’s Help for Households website for the various cost of living schemes that are place.

Funding for ‘game-changing’ tech which could destroy cancers and predict disease

Millions invested in eight innovative companies behind lifesaving new medical technology which could destroy liver cancer tumours, detect Alzheimer’s and quickly spot those at risk of stroke

Countless lives could be saved thanks to a multi-million pound UK government investment in potential breakthrough medical devices.

As part of a £10 million funding package for boosting access to medical technology, eight innovative tech companies will be supported to bring their devices to market. It could help transform the way we treat some of the biggest causes of death and disability in the UK.

One device, by HistoSonics, aims to identify and destroy liver cancer tumours using focused ultrasound waves. These waves break down tumours without damaging healthy tissue, offering a safer alternative to radiotherapy and other high intensity treatments. It could improve quality of life for many patients going through treatment – reducing hospital visits, post procedure complications, and making pain management easier.

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s long-term plan to ensure the NHS and its patients can get quicker access to new ‘groundbreaking’ technologies. It follows the unveiling of our groundbreaking blueprint for boosting NHS medtech and turning innovation into real benefits for society last year.

Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “NHS staff need access to the latest technology to deliver the highest quality care for patients and cut waiting lists – one of our top five priorities. 

“These cutting-edge technologies could help thousands of patients with a range of conditions, including cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s, while easing pressure on our hospitals and reducing healthcare inequalities.

“Our investment in these pioneering companies is part of our long-term plan for a faster, simpler and fairer health care system, and demonstrates our clear commitment to ensuring the UK is the most innovative economy in the world.”

One company is developing a blood test for Alzheimer’s Disease which means patients could be identified and treated earlier.  Roche Diagnostics Ltd has developed the Amyloid Plasma Panel – a blood test which could help clinicians decide if patients with cognitive impairment should undergo tests or imaging to confirm Alzheimer’s Disease.

A portable blood test, from Upfront Diagnostics, could help paramedics identify stroke patients more quickly. Currently, ambulance workers can’t recognise a patient with a blood clot blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to their brain, who would require urgent treatment at stroke centres rather than local hospitals.

The blood test could help them recognise these cases on the spot – so patients could be taken to a comprehensive stroke centre for immediate, vital treatment. It could mean thousands are spared long-term disability and the associated care costs, while reducing pressure on A&E departments nationwide.

Dr Marc Bailey, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Chief Science and Innovation Officer, said: “We are very excited to announce the final eight selected technologies in the new IDAP pilot scheme.

“This is designed to explore how support from the regulator, UK health technology organisations and NHS bodies can accelerate the development of transformative medical devices from their initial proof of concept through to uptake in the NHS.

“The pilot criteria prioritises patient need in all aspects of decision-making and, by supporting innovative medical technologies, will ease pressure on the healthcare system. Most important, it’s an initiative which could be life-changing for many patients.

“We are committed to being a regulator that establishes the UK as a centre of medical innovation and look forward to working with the wider healthcare system to achieve this.”

The funding is part of a radical new programme called The Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP), which aims to bring state-of-the-art technologies and solutions to the forefront of the NHS. Currently in the pilot stage, the funding will be used to test the new technologies for use on a large scale as quickly as possible.

The government is investing £10 million in the pilot as part of a wider programme of work to accelerate access to medical technology.

The programme is run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NHS England, Health Technology Wales, and Scottish Health Technology Group. They will be providing tailored, intensive advice on regulatory approval, health tech assessments and access to the NHS.

Jeanette Kusel, Director of NICE Advice (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) said: “NICE’s ambition is to drive innovation into the hands of health and care professionals to enable best practice in health and care treatment.

“Through IDAP and our support service NICE Advice, we aim to be a trusted adviser, providing tailored advice and supporting businesses along the whole product lifecycle helping them realise their ambition and helping bring the very best of innovation into the NHS and the hands of patients.”

Lenus Health Ltd. is using artificial intelligence to predict patients at risk of hospitalisation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which causes the airways to become narrow and damaged, resulting in breathing difficulties.

The company collects data from wearable devices, sensors and apps and uses AI to predict which patients are at greater risk of hospital admissions. This allows them to be monitored and treated more effectively, while simultaneously reducing pressure on hospitals. 

Another device aims to reduce inequalities in the field of lung health. Oximeters – devices clipped over the end of a fingertip – are used widely at hospitals and at home to assess how well the lungs and circulatory system are working. However, research suggests this technology may not accurately detect falling oxygen levels in people with darker skin tones.

EarSwitch has produced a device which detects oxygen levels from the inner ear-canal instead, which is not pigmented irrespective of the person’s skin colour. It could offer better quality readings and a more innovative approach to oxygen level monitoring. 

Vin Diwakar, Interim National Director of Transformation, NHS England, said: “This is an important milestone in our work to ensure the NHS continues to get the best new technologies and treatments to patients faster, having already rolled out more than 100 new treatments through the cancer drug fund and setting up a dedicated programme to prepare for new Alzheimer’s treatments once they are approved.

“We will be working closely with our partners to support those companies selected for the pilot so that more game-changing, life-saving technologies are introduced quickly and safely on the NHS.”

Other technologies set to benefit from a share of the funding include:

  • Multiple Sclerosis fatigue app: Avegen Ltd. has developed a new smartphone app that delivers exercises, cognitive behaviour therapy and targeted physical activity in a personally customisable format to help patients manage Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
  • Self-test for neutropenia: 52 North Health. has developed a new device to allow chemotherapy patients to self-test at home – using a finger-prick blood test – for neutropenic sepsis. This is a life-threatening condition in patients whose immune system is suppressed.
  • Algorithm infection predictor: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the body’s overwhelming response to infection or inflammation. Presymptom Health Ltd. has developed a new test and algorithm with the potential to predict infection status up to three days before conventional diagnosis is possible.

Dr Susan Myles, Director of Health Technology Wales, said: “Health Technology Wales is proud to have played a role in the selection of eight pilot IDAP technologies which have the potential to support clinicians and improve the lives of patients across the UK.

“We look forward to continuing to support the adoption of innovative health technologies by the NHS.”

New law to ban zombie-style knives and machetes

Zombie-style knives and machetes will be outlawed under legislation laid today. A surrender and compensation scheme will launch in the summer

Dangerous zombie-style knives and machetes will be banned under new legislation to take these weapons off our streets and keep young people safe.

Under the measures, first announced by the Prime Minister last year and laid before Parliament yestrday, it will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport these zombie-style knives and machetes.

The government is urging anyone with one of these dangerous weapons to voluntarily hand it into a knife surrender bin, before the official surrender and compensation scheme is launched in the summer.

This will get these knives off our streets as soon as possible, while giving people in possession an opportunity to hand them in without legal implications. The full ban will come into in force in September, after which anyone in possession of one of these knives may face time behind bars.

During this time, the government will work with police, communities and partners to ensure there is public awareness of the surrender scheme, which have been implemented in the past to accompany knife bans.

This is just one part of a package of measures being introduced by the government to strengthen existing knife crime laws, which are already among the toughest in the world. It is illegal to carry any knife in public without good purpose, carrying a sentence of 4 years in prison, and, in 2016, the government banned zombie knives, whilst cyclone knives were banned in 2019.

Since 2019, police have taken 120,000 knives off our streets through stop and search and other targeted police action. Knife crime has gone down 5% since 2019 and hospital admissions for under 25s involved in stabbings has fallen by 25%. Violent crime is also down 51% since 2010.

Building on this record, the Criminal Justice Bill will go further by increasing the maximum sentence for the possession of banned weapons from 6 months to 2 years, while anyone caught selling knives to under-18s, including online, will also face 2 years behind bars.

Police will also be given new powers to seize and destroy knives found on private premises if there are reasonable grounds to suspect the blade will be used in a serious crime. Previously, police could not seize knives found during a search on a property, even if they had suspicions of criminal use.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Knife crime continues to take precious lives away, and I am determined to put an end to this senseless violence.

“We must stop these dangerous knives ending up on our streets and in the hands of criminals. We cannot let them be sold to children, and we must give young people a way out of violence.

“That is why I have expedited the ban on zombie-style machetes and we are increasing the maximum sentence for selling knives to under 18s. We will continue to invest in youth services that have prevented thousands of violent injuries.”

Zombie-style knives are just as dangerous as traditional zombie knives, however, they do not have the same distinct images or threatening wording that incites violence.

The police have identified that zombie-style knives are increasingly used in criminality, emerging on the back of the 2016 ban when some retailers exploited this loophole to keep selling these dangerous weapons but evade the law. The measures being introduced today will put an end to this technicality.

In line with previous knife bans, a surrender and compensation scheme will be introduced from the 26 August, and further guidance on how this will operate will be published in June.

Steel Warriors Head of Operations Christian d’Ippolito said: “Steel Warriors welcome the steps being taken by the government to strengthen its tough knife crime laws to keep dangerous knives off our streets. Weapons like these should not be available to young people, they have no place in modern society and should not be glorified.

“At Steel Warriors we believe that lives should be built by steel, not destroyed by it. We melt down confiscated knives and recycle them into outdoor gyms, we then provide free community classes to transform the lives of young people affected by crime, violence and social exclusion, giving them the confidence they need to create positive futures.”

During a visit to Kent Police yesterday, the Home Secretary saw first-hand how Home Office-funded youth violence prevention projects are helping steer young people away from violent crime.

Recent independent evaluation has shown that the government’s Violence Reduction Units, in combination with hotspot policing patrols, have prevented an estimated 3,220 hospital admissions for violent injury since 2019 in areas where the programme operates.

The Home Secretary also met with Yemi Hughes, the mother of a knife crime victim, Idris Elba and members of his ‘Don’t Stop Your Future’ campaign to discuss action being taken on serious violence and what more can be done to tackle the issue.

The legislation laid in Parliament will amend the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

£100 million new aid for over three million vulnerable Ethiopians as humanitarian crisis deepens

  • UK Government announces new aid to save the lives of mothers and babies in Ethiopia as UK warns of growing risk of humanitarian catastrophe.
  • The funding comes as the UK’s Development and Africa Minister, Andrew Mitchell, returns from a 2-day visit to the country,  witnessing the humanitarian crisis first hand
  • UK calls on the international community to step up efforts to prevent a major crisis

More than three million Ethiopians, including mothers and babies, will receive lifesaving help from the UK through a new humanitarian aid programme and further support for the Tigray region. The uplift has been announced by UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell following a two-day visit to Ethiopia.

While in Ethiopia, Mr Mitchell set out a series of actions the UK is taking to help stem the worsening tide. He announced a new UK fund worth £100 million for Ending Preventable Deaths that is targeted on children, particularly children under the age of five, and also on pregnant and post-natal women.

The programme will help more than 3 million Ethiopians – mostly women and children – access essential health services. The funding will increase, among other things, access to family planning support, medicines, and childhood vaccinations.

In addition, emergency funding will help 75 health centres tackle malnutrition and other preventable causes of death such as malaria and cholera.

Across northern Ethiopia, millions of people are facing hunger. War and climate change have crippled crop production and driven people off their lands. The conflict in Tigray has left more than 1 million people displaced.

The combination of conflict and failed harvests in northern Ethiopia have plunged over 3 million into a state of critical food security and hunger. Millions more people are in need, with women and young children in particular, severely affected.

The Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said: “The crisis is a wake-up call to the world. Food shortages are at a critical level. War has displaced people and decimated vital infrastructure. Climate change and El Nino have fuelled local exoduses with 400,000 displaced in the Somali region of Ethiopia as of last December. 

“Millions are trapped in displacement, hunger and need.  As ever the most vulnerable people, particularly women and children, are the first to be hit.

“The international community needs to come to Ethiopia’s side and work with our friends in the government and international partners to halt and reverse this crisis. In a region that has experienced the horrors of famine in the past, we must ramp up international efforts to avert a major crisis in the near future. We need to act fast and act now.”

The Government and international donors are responding to the needs of 6.6 million people. But as the Minister has warned, the number of critically food insecure people is growing rapidly and will reach 10.8 million in the coming months. 

 Mr Mitchell stressed that while the UK is taking positive action which will save lives on the ground, its efforts alone will not be sufficient to contain the crisis, and that urgent cooperation with international partners and agencies and government will be necessary to prevent the worst.

Meeting with the Government of Ethiopia, he also discussed the UK’s humanitarian commitment to Ethiopia, to women and girls, ending internal conflict, and issues affecting regional stability, including the recent Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the Somaliland authorities on access to the Red Sea.

Eight million households to receive £2.5 billion Cost of Living support

From today low-income households will start to receive the third and final Cost of Living Payment worth £299

  • Payments are part of the £104 billion Cost of Living support which includes uprating benefits by 6.7% and pensions by 8.5%
  • Comes as more people are set to secure long-term financial security through work thanks to the next generation of welfare reforms 

Millions of households across the UK will start to receive a £299 Cost of Living Payment from today until 22 February as part of the Government’s £104 billion Cost of Living support package.

The payment will be sent out automatically and recipients do not need to apply to receive it. This includes tax credits-only customers who will receive the payment from HMRC between 16 and 22 February.

It is the third of up to three payments totalling up to £900 paid to eligible households on means-tested benefits over 2023/24 and comes as part of a support package that has helped millions of households since autumn 2021.

Our economy has turned a corner, and we are moving away from the big government, high spending, high borrowing, and high tax approach that was necessary before, and focusing on the long-term decisions required to strengthen our economy and give people the opportunity to build a wealthier, more secure life for themselves and their family.

This includes sticking to the plan to keep inflation down – which has already more than halved – and cutting taxes for hard working people to help them keep more of what they earn and drive down the Cost of Living. 

The government says supporting people into well paid jobs is the best way to help people out of poverty and to give people long term financial independence. That’s why we’re introducing the next generation of welfare reforms, including unprecedented employment and health support to give people long term financial security.  

The government says the £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan will break down barriers to work and offer intensive support to those unemployed earlier, while the Chance to Work Guarantee will mean millions of disabled people can try work free from the fear that they could lose their benefits. As well as this, real wages grew 1.3% in the year up to November 2023.

This forms part of wider plans to get Britain working, by tackling inactivity and unemployment, while continuing to support those most in need.  

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:  “The economy has turned a corner, and with inflation falling we are providing millions of the most vulnerable households with another significant cash boost.

“Our fair approach to welfare is underpinned by a belief that the best way to secure long-term financial security is through work.

“This is why we have cut taxes for over 27 million working people and have launched a £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan to help thousands more people off benefits and into jobs.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “Our decisive action helped to more than halve inflation last year while building the foundations for long-term growth through sensible tax cuts, which will help people’s money go further.

“But the legacy of Covid and the ongoing Ukraine war has meant the last few years have been tough for many, which is why we’ve provided one of the largest support schemes in Europe worth £3,700 for the average household.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “This crucial Cost of Living Payment will benefit more than 680,000 people across Scotland.

“We are continuing to help those who need it most and putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families by cutting national insurance and halving inflation.”

Welsh Secretary, David TC Davies said: “Over 400,000 households in Wales will be receiving this payment directly into their bank accounts to help them with the Cost of Living.

“This payment is just part of the £104 billion package that the UK Government has put in place to ensure those most in need are supported.”

The Cost of Living Payments – worth £900 in total – come on top of a [significant package of support’ which has been delivered since autumn 2021. Including:

  • Cutting taxes for over 27 million working people this year through a 2% cut to Class 1 National Insurance Contributions, worth over £450 per year for the average worker.
  • Cutting taxes for self employed people by cutting Class 4 contributions, benefitting 2 million people, and abolishing Class 2 contributions, a tax cut worth an average of £350 per year.
  • Paying three million households the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter and 8.9 million pensioner households up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments in December last year.
  • Providing Cold Weather Payments to vulnerable households to help them with their energy bills during winter. The scheme – which runs from 1 November 2023 to 31 March 2024 – provides low-income households with an automatic payment of £25 following periods of cold weather.
  • Providing the £900 Cost of Living Payments in 2022 and an additional a cash boost on top of this payment including £300 to pensioner households; £150 to disabled individuals in 2022 and last year.
  • Capping single bus fares at £2 outside of London until the end of next year to help millions of people make significant savings on their travel costs. The fare cap has helped cut bus fares in England by 7.4% between June 2022 and June 2023
  • Paying around half of the typical household energy bill between October 2022 and July 2023 through our Energy Price Guarantee and £400 support scheme.
  • Extending the 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase – saving the average driver £200 over two years. 
  • Covering 85% of childcare costs for working households on Universal Credit, up from 70% under the legacy system – currently worth over £19,500-a-year for families with two children.
  • Expanding Free School Meals to 5–7-year-olds – benefitting 1.3 million children and boosting the value of Healthy Start vouchers by over a third – from £3.10 to £4.25.
  • Increasing the Universal Credit work allowance and cutting the taper rate, which was worth an extra £1000 a year to families on universal credit. 

The UK Government says it will continue to support vulnerable people with the Cost of Living from April this year by:  

  • Uprating benefits in line with inflation by 6.7%.  
  • Maintaining the triple lock and increasing the state pension by 8.5% - after the largest ever cash increase last year for around 12 million pensioners.
  • Investing £1.2 billion to restore Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rates, meaning 1.6 million private renters will see nearly £800 in additional help.
  • Increasing the National Living Wage by its largest ever cash amount in April– worth over £1,800 to the gross annual earnings of a full-time worker – and lowered the age threshold for eligibility by 2 years.

The changes coming into force in April are part of the UK Government’s £104 billion Cost of Living package worth an average £3,700 per household, including the £900 in direct Cost of Living Payments for those on means-tested benefits. 

People in need of additional support over winter are encourqged to check their eligibility through the Help for Households website for the various Cost of Living schemes that are place.

20,000 more young people to access new and renovated youth clubs – in England

Young people in England set to benefit from 140 new or refurbished youth centres thanks to latest funding round from the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund of £90 million

  • Nearly 20,000 more young people will have access to dance, drama and sport as part of the Government’s latest investment in youth services
  • 140 more youth centres to be built or refurbished backed by over £90 million from the Youth Investment Fund 
  • Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer officially opens The Chichester Shed – the first new build youth centre funded by the Youth Investment Fund 

Young people in villages, towns and cities across England are set to benefit from 140 new or refurbished youth centres thanks to the largest funding round to date from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund. 

Totalling more than £90 million, funding announced today (3 February) will support nearly 20,000 more young people per year to access new state of the art facilities such as workshop spaces, sports halls, art rooms, recording studios and skateparks. 

Activities ranging from dance, drama and music to sport, horticulture and employment skills development will be on offer, giving young people access to opportunities that broaden their horizons. 

Today also marks a major milestone with the very first new build youth centre funded by the Youth Investment Fund opening its doors.

Located in a deprived area with high levels of antisocial behaviour, The Chichester Shed has used a grant of over £420,000 to build a brand new space to support more than 120 young people. The open access service will provide a space to relax and learn new skills, with activities including woodworking, yoga and skateboarding available.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want to see every young person have someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go outside of the classroom, no matter where they are from, to help maximise their potential in life. 

“This next round of funding from the Youth Investment Fund will help nearly 20,000 more young people achieve this goal. 

“We have now committed to building or refurbishing over 220 projects in some of the country’s most underserved areas, creating more opportunities for young people to gain the skills needed to succeed in life and stopping them from falling through the cracks.” 

The Youth Investment Fund has now allocated £250 million of its more than £300 million budget to services in areas of the country where need is high and provision is low. 

It will engage young people most in need, including those that might have otherwise been at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or falling out of education, training or employment.  

This is the latest announcement that forms part of the Government’s ambition to make sure young people are supported with positive and engaging opportunities both in and outside of school hours.

Clare de Bathe, CEO of Chichester Community Development Trust said: “The Chichester Shed will provide an informal, dynamic and versatile space where young people can connect, learn and experience new activities.

“The space will be a haven for all ages and backgrounds to use throughout the school day and holidays, including intergenerational activities where boundaries can be broken down as well as adult education sessions and group workshops delivered. 

“The funding has enabled the project ideas to be brought to a reality and we cannot wait to open the doors.”

Examples of other youth centres receiving grants in this funding round include:

  • Bodies in Motion, Pendle – a combined grant of over £1.4 million will pay for the refurbishment of Orchid House Gym with new changing facilities and equipment, supporting 290 additional young people a week. The Garden Project will create a community-focused garden and greenhouse facility, engaging an additional 400 young people through therapeutic horticultural activities to promote a sense of wellbeing.
  • Youth Options, Southampton – a new community café and training centre, backed by £1.2 million investment, will provide a safe haven for nearly 100 additional young people a week in a disadvantaged part of the city.The café will offer training in catering and hospitality, and will be targeted at those not in education, employment, and training, while the indoor space will be transformed to create new activity space and a counselling room.
  • Positive Futures, Liverpool – The Positive Futures hub will be expanded to provide a sensory room, music rooms, art space, large sports hall and virtual reality spaces to support 250 additional young people a week. 
  • Tinside Cove and Lido, Plymouth – two listed buildings at the Tinside Lido will be renovated to  provide space for nearly 300 more young people a week to benefit from new training and educational programmes, while the lido will be used for swimming, snorkelling, diving and life-saving classes. 
  • Weymouth West Air Scouts, Weymouth – The Scouts building will be refurbished with a new shower room, extended kitchen and three breakout rooms, doubling the building’s size and enabling them to run multiple activities at the same time. The project will support nearly 80 more young people a week. 

Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business said: “The Youth Investment Fund is transforming the youth service landscape right across the country, enabling youth centres of all shapes and sizes to enhance their services and reach more young people. 

I”t’s very exciting to see the first Youth Investment Fund newbuild open its doors to Chichester’s young people today. Before securing the funding, these young people had nowhere safe to go, and nothing to do after school.  

“Young people now have a brand-new youth centre, inspired by their ideas and needs, giving them every opportunity to thrive and discover their passions. The Youth Investment Fund is truly unlocking potential and creating a legacy for future generations of young people in communities like this across the country.”

Denise Hatton, Chair of Back Youth Alliance said:  “We are delighted that nearly 20,000 young people will be able to access new and refurbished youth clubs through the latest instalment of the National Youth Guarantee.

“With mental health, loneliness and anti-social behaviour all on the rise, now more than ever young people need a safe space to go, a trusted adult to speak to and access to positive activities in their communities all year round. 

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), said: “This multi million-pound investment is so much more than skateparks, sports halls and art rooms. It’s an investment in the resilience, confidence and independence of young people, which thanks to the on-going impact of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, has never been more needed.

“We at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award know first-hand that when you invest in young people, there is no limit to what they can achieve. The government’s National Youth Guarantee has brought the DofE to thousands of young people in England for the first time, breaking down barriers and providing life-shaping activities and volunteering opportunities.”

Today’s announcement forms the latest part of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’, that will ensure every young person aged 11-18 in England has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of over £500 million. 

The National Youth Guarantee will provide greater access to activities such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the National Citizen Service, and uniformed youth groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding, and Cadets.

To further support giving young people the best start in life, in September 2023 the Government announced the opening of the second phase of the £19 million Million Hours Fund, designed to create more than one million additional hours of youth centre provision in areas with high numbers of antisocial behaviour incidents.

Some good news for youth work facilities south of the border then, but here in North Edinburgh the future for children and families provision is looking far from positive. MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK …