Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys between 30 January and 15 March 2024 across the UK
the week-long sale starts on 23 January 2024, slashing rail ticket prices on many routes over 6 weeks
comes as government seeks to reform the railways and bring more passengers back to the rail network
offers on journeys on thousands of popular routes across England and Wales
Passengers will have from 23 to 29 January 2024 to claim up to 50% off selected advance and off-peak rail tickets, through the Great British Rail Sale.
Over a million discounted tickets will be available to destinations across England and Wales, as well as on cross-border trips into Scotland, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.
Whether it’s a city break, family holiday or countryside escape, passengers are encouraged to make the most of this sale to get to popular destinations across the country.
Popular journeys passengers could claim savings* on tickets for include:
Route
Standard price
Sale price
Portsmouth to Penzance
£43
£21
Birmingham to Bristol
£30.60
£15.30
Manchester to Leeds
£8.60
£4.30
Leicester to Sheffield
£7.30
£3.60
The government is committed to helping families with the cost of living, and working with industry to offer up to half-price rail tickets will not only boost tourism and encourage sustainable travel but also help connect friends and families across the UK.
This comes as the government delivered its commitment to halve inflation by the end of last year – helping to keep travel costs lower in the long term.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “The return of the Great British Rail Sale is good news for passengers, following the success of the previous sale which saw passengers benefit from around £7 million in savings on their travel costs.
“With discounts on more than a million tickets, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to connect with friends and family and explore great destinations across the country – I hope passengers make the most of this sale and choose to travel by rail.”
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Train travel is the greenest way to explore our towns and cities as well as connect with your family and friends because nothing beats being there in person for those special moments.
“Following the success of the Great British Rail Sale in 2022, we are really excited that it’s coming back, and customers will be able to once again purchase over a million advance ticket fares starting on 23 January 2024 and enjoy what rail has to offer.”
The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) estimate that the first Great British Rail Sale in 2022 saw passengers save around £7 million on rail tickets and encouraged around 70,000 adults who had not travelled by train since the COVID-19 pandemic to take a trip.**
The government and industry are, therefore, launching a second Great British Rail Sale to save passengers money and get more people using our railways.
The Great British Rail Sale is just one way the government is seeking to improve rail passengers’ experience, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) launching a pilot scheme for simpler fares earlier this week, removing the complex web of ticket types and replacing them with options that are simpler, more flexible and better suit passengers’ needs.
Suzanne Donnelly, Passenger Revenue Director at GBRTT, said: “I’m delighted the rail industry has, once again, come together to deliver another huge round of savings on tickets for passengers.
“At GBRTT, we are focused on driving initiatives that will boost the number of rail journeys people make to reduce the cost of running the railway for taxpayers, whilst providing value for money for customers. The Great British Rail Sale is just one example of what can be achieved through a one railway, joined-up approach.”
Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on 23 January 2024. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage, helping customers find the best deals. Tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024. Only a limited number of tickets are available, and no further sale tickets will go on offer once sold out.***
Operators are not offering sale tickets on days when their services might be impacted by the strikes announced by ASLEF on 15 and 18 January 2024.
* The savings quoted are against a typical advance purchase ticket, as these tickets vary in price the exact savings may be more or less compared to what a passenger usually purchases.
** Estimate is based on survey data from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and scaled using YouGov data.
*** Travel periods may differ across operators, with few or no tickets available on days impacted by industrial action. More tickets will be made available on days unaffected by industrial action.
Eligible low income households urged to make sure they get £150 in Warm Home Discount before 29 February
Low income households who qualify for the Warm Home Discount are urged to make sure they get the £150 discount.
Most of the 3 million households who qualify will automatically receive this energy bill support.
Households who need to confirm their details must do so by the end of February.
People on low incomes could benefit from a £150 rebate on their energy bills – and are being urged to act now where they need to, so they can get the support before this year’s scheme closes.
The help is available to over 3 million households across Great Britain that are most at risk of fuel poverty, with many receiving the discount automatically. However, some customers in England and Wales have been sent a letter asking them to confirm their details by calling the Warm Home Discount Helpline so they can check their eligibility and get the rebate.
To mark Big Energy Saving Week, Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway is today urging any of these households who need to provide more information to call the helpline by 29 February and get the support they are entitled to.
The scheme forms part of measures to keep costs down for families and put more money in their pockets. It targets support to protect those most at risk of fuel poverty this winter, following a significant drop in energy prices since their peak last year and the Government delivering on its pledge to halve inflation – which is now at a two-year low of 3.9%.
Tax cuts announced at the start of the year will also support 27 million people across the UK, meaning a household with two average earners will save nearly £1,000 a year.
Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said: “We will always act to support the most vulnerable – and this means making sure those most in need are getting the right support.
“Today, I am urging people on low incomes who have been notified about the Warm Home Discount to make sure they act now to get £150 off their energy bill.
“Please check your letter and call our helpline before the end of February if you need to provide more information.”
The UK government’s Warm Home Discount offers targeted energy bill support for those most in need. This includes low income pensioners and households in England and Wales with high energy costs.
These customers received a letter at the end of last year explaining the discount and instructions on any action they may need to take.
For the vast majority of these customers, the discount is automatically applied to bills between October 2023 and March 2024, or is available as a top-up voucher for those with a prepayment meter.
However, some people in England and Wales who received a letter and could qualify for the support have been asked ring the government helpline number provided in their letter to confirm their details.
In Scotland, customers on low incomes who have not received a letter may still be eligible and should apply via a different route, by contacting their energy supplier as soon as possible.
The support comes on top of wider action to protect vulnerable households, including a £900 payment for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioner households and an extra £150 available for those on disability benefits.
The Government has also invested over £2 billion into the Household Support Fund over the last two years, increased the Local Housing Allowance Rate so £1.6 million private renters on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit gain an average of nearly £800 a year and £600 in tax-free cash for pensioner households to help with energy bills through Winter Fuel Payments.
Cold Weather Payments have also been triggered to help households receiving certain benefits to stay warm this winter. The scheme – which runs until March 2024 – provides low-income households with an automatic payment of £25 following periods of cold weather.
Anyone can access advice on how to reduce energy costs and heat their home for less via the government’s Help for Households website. This includes energy saving tips as part of the It All Adds Up campaign, which helped British households an estimated £120 million on their energy bills last winter.
UK Government urged to reconsider position on parental leave rights
Scotland’s Minister for Keeping the Promise Natalie Don has written to the UK Government calling for statutory parental leave rights to be extended to kinship carers.
Kinship carers are people caring for a child on behalf of a friend or relative, full time. The latest statistics show there are currently 4,249 formally looked after children in kinship care across Scotland. It is estimated there are around a further 3,000 non-looked after children in kinship care who are supported by local authorities.
As it stands, UK Government guidance means these carers are reliant on the “good will” of their employers to secure paid time off to look after the children in their care.
The letter reads:
To: Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP From: Natalie Don MSP
Dear Gillian and Kemi,
I am writing to you both given your respective duties for kinship care and employment law. On 9 November 2023 I attended a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee to discuss the issue of kinship care. During the meeting, the lack of provision for family leave for kinship carers, which is reserved to the UK Government, was discussed. It was also previously discussed with the Committee in June 2022 when my predecessor, Clare Haughey, gave evidence regarding kinship care.
Since the meeting, the Department for Education published the new “Championing kinship care: national kinship care strategy”, as well as the accompanied “Kinship carers in the workplace: guidance for employers” material. I welcome the publication of this guidance and the clarity that it will provide kinship carers with regarding statutory leave entitlements they may be eligible to access, and the signposting of initiatives that employers could implement to support kinship carers in the workplace.
Nevertheless, I am disappointed that family leave for kinship carers remains entirely dependent on the good will of the employer to ensure kinship carers, whose circumstances often change without notice, are given paid time off work to help the children they care for adjust to their new environment.
Kinship carers have advised my officials that because there is no statutory leave, which is offered to other carers such as adoptive parents, some kinship carers have been forced to leave employment. Some, who were fortunate enough to own their homes, have also been forced to sell their house to make ends meet, forcing them into poverty. This is unacceptable.
The Scottish Government wants to ensure kinship carers are not penalised for taking in their kin. Given the vital role they play in providing a loving, safe and stable home, I believe it is imperative that kinship carers are treated on an equal par with all parents eligible for parental leave.
As you know, this issue was highlighted in the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, published in May 2022, which recommended that kinship carers receive paid employment leave on a par with statutory adoption leave. Kinship carers should not have to wait any longer as a result of delays from the UK Government. I would, therefore, ask for an urgent update on the implementation of the recommendation regarding statutory leave in relation to kinship carers, and call on you to make these changes immediately.
I am copying this letter to the Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee in the Scottish Parliament for information.
New measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads across England
new proposals from the UK Government’s Plan for Drivers to cut traffic caused by street works
utility companies that allow works to overrun face increased fines, which could generate up to £100 million extra to improve local roads
launch of consultation follows record £8.3 billion increase to resurface roads across England as government continues to back drivers
A crackdown on disruptive roadworks could cut congestion for millions of drivers and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads, as the first key measures from the UK government’s Plan for Drivers are delivered today (15 January 2024).
Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, has launched a street works consultation on a series of measures to prevent utility companies from letting roadworks overrun and clogging up traffic as a result.
The consultation seeks to extend the current £10,000 per day fine for overrunning street works into weekends and bank holidays as a deterrent for working on the busiest days for road travel.
Currently, utility companies are only fined for disruption on working days. The measures could double fines from £500 up to a maximum of £1,000 for companies that breach conditions of the job, such as working without a permit.
The plans would also direct at least 50% of money from lane rental schemes to be used to improve roads and repair potholes. Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road.
As a result, the measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads while helping tackle congestion, cutting down journey times and helping drivers get from A to B more easily.
Launching on National Pothole Day, the consultation is part of a series of measures from the government’s Plan for Drivers, a 30-point plan to support people’s freedoms to use their cars, curb over-zealous enforcement measures and back drivers.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “After investing an extra £8.3 billion to resurface roads across England, the largest ever increase in funding for local road improvements, this government continues to back drivers with these new measures from our Plan for Drivers.
“Our new proposals seek to free up our roads from overrunning street works, cut down traffic jams and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads up and down the country.”
Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said: “Being stuck in traffic is infuriating for drivers. Too often traffic jams are caused by overrunning street works.
“This government is backing drivers, with a robust approach to utility companies and others, who dig up our streets. We will seek to massively increase fines for companies that breach conditions and fine works that overrun into weekends and bank holidays while making the rental for such works help generate up to an extra £100 million to improve local roads.”
While it’s essential that gas, water and other utility companies carry out vital maintenance work to provide the services we all rely on, the 2 million street works carried out in England in 2022 to 2023 have cost the economy around £4 billion by causing severe road congestion and disrupting journeys.
The consultation comes after the Westminster government introduced a performance-based street works regime to ensure utility companies resurface roads to the best possible standard, and new lane rental schemes where utility companies can be charged up to £2,500 per day for street works.
The measures can also help boost active travel by preventing street works from disrupting walking, wheeling and cycling while also providing opportunities to improve pavements and pedestrian crossings and make repairs to pavements and cycle lanes.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “Overrunning roadworks and poorly reinstated roads from utility companies frustrate drivers and cause unnecessary congestion, and trench defects can damage vehicles and injure those on 2 wheels.
“We are pleased that the government is looking to extend the fines for over-running street works, invest more of the surplus fines in roads and ensure that those who dig up the roads repair them to a high and timely standard.”
In addition, the government plans to make all temporary, experimental or permanent restrictions on traffic digital. These so-called traffic regulation orders (TROs) include things like the location of parking spaces, road closures and speed limits.
Making these digital means they must now be added to satnav systems, ensuring drivers have the most up-to-date information, making journeys easier and paving the way for more reliable autonomous vehicles.
RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams, said: “Drivers shouldn’t have to put up with temporary roadworks for any longer than is necessary, so we’re pleased to see the government is looking to do more to guarantee that utility companies minimise disruption by carrying out roadworks as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“They should also leave roads in better condition than they found them, which unfortunately is hardly ever the case at the moment.”
The measures follow the biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements, with £8.3 billion of redirected High Speed 2 (HS2) funding – enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across England – as the government continues to be on the side of drivers and improve journeys for more people, in more places, more quickly.
Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said: “I welcome the launch of the government’s street works consultation to consider measures aimed at preventing utility roadworks overrunning.
“We have already piloted a pioneering lane rental scheme on some of our roads, which encourages utility companies to work in the most efficient way to minimise disruption for the traveling public in Kent.
“I will continue to work with government, the Department for Transport and other stakeholders to find ways we can reduce congestion in order to keep Kent moving.”
Clive Bairsto, Chief Executive of Street Works UK, said: “Utilities perform a vital role in connecting households, working to the highest standards, while complying with rigorous inspections to ensure works are high quality and lasting.
“We look forward to engaging constructively with government throughout this consultation, representing our members and the wider industry, to ensure both utilities and local authorities can deliver infrastructure works while giving customers and road users the speed of delivery, lack of congestion and transparency they expect.”
A new partnership has been launched by road users and industry to help tackle the scourge of potholes.It comes as shock new figures have been released by the AA which show that pothole damage to vehicles has hit a five year high.
The research, released on National Pothole Day, reveals that the motoring organisation dealt with 631,852 pothole related incidents in 2023, the highest for five years.
Now the newly-formed Pothole Partnership has unveiled a five-point pledge to help tackle the issue, and they are using it to lobby local and national government.
The coalition, which represents the interests of drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, and road repairers, has been formed by the AA, the National Motorcyclists Council, British Cycling, IAM RoadSmart, the British Motorcyclists Federation and JCB, which manufacturers the award-winning Pothole Pro machine.
Last year pothole damage to vehicles cost a staggering £474,000,000, according to the new figures released by the Pothole Partnership.
Pothole related incidents are at a five-year high.
AA President Edmund King said: “Last year AA patrols dealt with more than 600,000 pothole-related incidents which on a national scale will have cost drivers almost half a billion pounds.
“Currently, we often have a vicious circle of: pothole formed; damage caused; pothole patched; pothole reappears with more damage caused – when what we need are more permanent repairs.
“Potholes are the number one concern for 96% of drivers and can be fatal for those on two wheels so hopefully pressure from the Pothole Partnership will lead to permanent repairs.”
JCB General Manager Ben Rawding said: “Tackling the national backlog of potholes properly will involve investment in innovation and new technologies to ensure permanent fixes, not temporary repairs. Britain’s motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists deserve nothing less.”
The AA dealt with 632,000 incidents in 2023 of tyre, wheel, steering, and suspension damaged by potholes which, if rounded up on a national scale, represents 2 million vehicles affected by poor road maintenance.
This is an increase of 16.39% when compared to 2022 (543,000). As most new cars don’t come with a spare tyre as standard, pothole punctures are costing drivers more time and money.
Last month’s figure of 62,000 was an increase of 15.2% when compared to December 2022 (54,000).
Scotland does not support ‘Not for EU’ food labelling proposals
Concerns about “arbitrarily adding costs to businesses” at a time when consumers are already facing a cost of living crisis have been raised by Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon.
The UK Government has proposed a roll out of ‘not for EU’ labelling on food and drink products across the whole of the UK from October, despite the fact that food labelling is a devolved matter.
The Food and Drink Federation Scotland has called for a proportionate alternative and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon has sought further clarification from the UK Government given “the information that has been provided to us so far is limited and does not currently represent a convincing argument or provide any real evidence… why this blanket measure is considered a proportionate approach.”
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Barclay, Ms Gougeon said: “As labelling is a wholly devolved matter, the policy decision on whether to place this additional burden on Scottish businesses should rest with the Scottish Ministers.
“On the face of it, your proposals would impact a large number of businesses in Scotland who do not sell goods to Northern Ireland but would be required to change their labelling, or who sell into Europe and would be required to set up separate labelling streams.
“I do not support this GB-wide labelling proposal as it stands, and I am not persuaded on the information provided so far that there is a case to introduce it in Scotland. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing this issue in due course.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks at a joint press conference with President Zelenskyy yesterday:
Volodymyr, thank you for the very kind honour you’ve just bestowed on me and for inviting me here today.
It is an honour to stand with you and to send a message on behalf of the United Kingdom and indeed your allies around the world: Ukraine is not alone. And Ukraine will never be alone.
Putin might think he can outlast us – but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.
Because this war is about Ukraine’s right to defend itself and determine your own future.
And the Ukrainian people’s historic choice to be an independent democracy at the heart of Europe.
Your quest for freedom has inspired and moved the British people. And for the free nations of the world, aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.
Because if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there. And our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars.
So waver now, and we embolden not just Putin but his allies in North Korea, Iran, and elsewhere.
That’s why the United Kingdom – and the free world – will continue to stand with Ukraine as we have since the very beginning of this war.
Judge our commitment to Ukraine’s freedom not by our words, but by our actions.
The UK was the first to train Ukrainian troops.
First in Europe to provide lethal weapons.
First to commit western battle tanks.
First to provide long-range weapons.
But we need to do more. Our actions right now will determine the path of the war.
So, far from our resolve faltering, the United Kingdom is announcing today the biggest single package of defence aid to Ukraine since the war began, worth £2.5bn.
This will include:
More air defence equipment…
More anti-tank weapons…
More long-range missiles…
Thousands of rounds more ammunition and artillery shells…
Training for thousands more Ukrainian servicemen and women.
And £200m to build thousands more drones…
…the single largest package of drones given to Ukraine by any nation.
In total, since the war began, the UK will have provided almost £12bn of aid to Ukraine.
And I’m proud that today, President Zelensky and I have signed a new security agreement that will form the core of a partnership between our two countries that will last a hundred years or more.
This is the first in a series of new, bilateral security assurances promised to Ukraine by 30 countries at last year’s Vilnius Summit.
And it says that if Russia ever invades Ukraine again the UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assistance.
We will provide modern equipment across land, sea, and sky.
Sanction Russia’s economy
And work closely with allies to do so.
You will not have to ask.
You will not have to argue for what you need.
The UK will be there from the first moment to the last.
And of course, we continue to support Ukraine’s journey to NATO membership.
You belong in NATO and NATO will be stronger with you.
I pay tribute to all those whose significant efforts made today’s agreement happen…
…from the Office of the President, to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and many others besides.
President Zelensky and his team serve not only their country but the cause of peace and justice.
The UK Parliament applauded your courage, resilience, and sincere love of for your country.
Even at a time of war, you are reforming Ukraine for the better.
And with your leadership, Ukraine will prevail.
Volodymyr, the UK stands with you.
I believe this is the greatest moment in the history of our relationship.
It extends security guarantees from the UK to Ukraine that are unprecedented.
It defines our future as allies, working together for the security of Europe.
And it says that Ukraine’s place is, without doubt, among the free nations of the world.
Be in no doubt: We are not walking away.
Ours is the unbreakable alliance. The nezlamni allianz.
And just as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine so those same principles guide our actions around the world.
Let me say a brief word about the situation in the Red Sea. Overnight, the Royal Air Force carried out strikes against two Houthi military facilities in Yemen.
I want to be very clear that these were limited strikes, carefully targeted at launch sites for drones and ballistic missiles.
Over recent months, the Houthi militia have repeatedly attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea… risking innocent lives and causing huge economic disruption.
In December, we launched Operation Prosperity Guardian with our allies to bolster maritime security.
On 3 January, 14 counties issued a clear warning that attacks must cease.
On 10 January, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the attacks… and highlighting the right of nations to defend their vessels and preserve the freedom of navigation.
Yet the attacks have continued.
British and American warships have been targeted.
That’s why we’ve taken this further, limited action today… in self defence, consistent with the UN Charter.
In the face of this aggression, we will always stand up for the rule of law.
Thank you.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s speech at Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada
Mr President, Mr Prime Minister, Mr Chairman, Honourable Members of the Rada, I come from the world’s oldest Parliament to address the world’s bravest.And it is an honour to do so.
Every Parliamentarian serving in a democratically elected chamber treasures the ideal of freedom.
Your courage is defending it.
Even as the enemy came within 20 kilometres of this Chamber…
…with many of you personally targeted…
…you refused to be daunted.
You continued to sit and do your duty – as you have throughout this war.
Because this is where you express the sovereignty and independence…
…for which your people are prepared to sacrifice everything.
This is where you are keeping alive the cause of democracy…
…in defiance of the gravest threat we have faced this century.
So on behalf of Britain and all your allies:
Thank you.
Slava Ukraini.
President Zelensky, you are an inspiration, and, Volodymyr, I am proud to call you a friend.
President John F Kennedy said of the great Winston Churchill that he:
“Mobilised the English language and sent it into battle.”
Volodymyr, you have done the same…
…and English isn’t even your first language!
No leader this century has done more to unite liberal democracies in the defence of our values.
Thank you.
Above all, let me pay tribute to the people of Ukraine.
I first came to Ukraine ten years ago, in the year of the Maidan protests.
I remember the sense of nervous hope…
…as Ukraine looked towards a future as a sovereign European democracy.
And in each of my visits since this war began…
…even amidst all the rubble and destruction…
…the people I’ve met are more determined than ever to realise that dream.
The soldiers who even now fight to the last breath for every inch of ground.
The pilots making stunning blows against Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
The gunners beating impossible odds to defend your skies.
The engineers who defeated darkness during the most difficult winter in your history.
And the ordinary people of Ukraine, who have endured…
…more than anyone should ever have to bear.
Rockets and bombs deliberately aimed at homes and hospitals, shelters, and schools.
Torture, rape, children kidnapped.
You have met this depravity with bravery and defiance.
With your unique, unbreakable Ukrainian spirit.
And all of us in the free world, salute you.
We meet today at a difficult moment in the struggle for Ukraine’s freedom.
As always during conflict, there will be difficult moments.
But we must prepare for this to be a long war.
But I believe there is hope for us in the echoes of Britain’s own history.
If 1940 was our finest hour…
….and Ukraine’s was two years ago as you resisted the Russian invasion…
…then perhaps today is more like 1942.
That was a point in the middle of the war…
…when progress on the battlefield was hard…
…the defence industry was under severe strain…
…and populations were becoming weary.
It must have been hard to see the light ahead.
But they stood firm.
And although they did not know it then…
…for all the setbacks and difficulties that still lay before them…
…that was the moment the tide began to turn, and victory became assured.
I believe that the same will be true of this moment.
In the end, history tells us that democracies who endure will always prevail.
Putin cannot understand…
…that while you can kill individuals and destroy buildings…
…no army can ever defeat the will of a free people.
And that is why Ukraine will win.
Think of what you have already achieved.
Putin believed he could subjugate Ukraine by force in a matter of weeks.
Instead, with every rocket he fires the Ukrainian people become ever more determined…
…and their sense of nationhood becomes stronger still.
Russia’s military vastly outnumbers Ukrainian forces.
Yet you have already regained half of the occupied territory.
You have held the East, reopened vital shipping lanes to help feed the world…
…and increasingly made Crimea a vulnerability for Russia, not a strength.
These victories show: Russia can be beaten in its war of aggression.
It’s on track to lose nearly half a million men.
Putin has faced an attempted coup…
…been indicted as an international war criminal…
… presides over an economy severely weakened by sanctions…
…and has succeeded in persuading countries across Europe…
…to significantly increase their defence spending.
He is now reduced to begging Iran and North Korea for weapons…
…and desperately sacrificing hundreds of thousands more men…
…in the hope that Ukraine will yield, or its friends might walk away.
Well, Ukraine will not yield.
And the United Kingdom will never walk away.
From the very beginning…
…the British people spontaneously flew the Ukrainian flag – and I tell you that it flies still.
They felt moved to show solidarity with people they’ve never met…
In a country most have never visited…
Because of our shared faith in freedom, fairness and democracy.
We welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open hearts.
We trained tens of thousands of their Ukrainian comrades in arms.
we led the way in delivering…
Helicopters, ships, tanks, and armoured vehicles…
Air defences and electronic weapons systems…
Planeloads of anti-tank missiles like the NLAWs and Javelins…
Storm Shadows to reach behind enemy lines and defend against aggression in the Black Sea.
Humanitarian and economic support.
And the strongest set of sanctions ever to debilitate Russia’s economy.
I’m proud that we’ve provided over £9bn of support so far.
But I want to go further still.
Today, President Zelensky and I agreed a new partnership between our two countries…
…designed to last a hundred years or more.
Our partnership is about defence and security.
It is about the unique ties between our people and cultures.
It will build back a better and brighter future for Ukraine.
To attract new investment in jobs and homes…
To fund English language training for the Ukrainian people…
…as you make English the language of business and diplomacy.
And it will hold Russia accountable for their war crimes.
Because Russia must pay to rebuild what they have destroyed.
Perhaps above all, it will support Ukraine to complete the historic journey you have chosen…
…to becoming a free, independent democracy at the heart of Europe.
Ours is the unbreakable alliance:
The nezlamni allianz.
First, we will help you win the war.
Russia thinks that they will outlast us; that our resolve is faltering.
It is not.
In each of the last two years, we sent you £2.3bn of military aid.
This year, we are going to increase that…
…with the biggest single defence package so far…
…worth £2.5bn.
This package will include:
More air defence equipment, more anti-tank weapons, more long-range missiles…
Thousands of rounds more ammunition and artillery shells…
And training for thousands more soldiers…
Now in total, the UK will have provided almost £12bn of aid to Ukraine.
So be in no doubt:
We are not walking away.
Putin will never outlast us.
We are here for Ukraine –as long as it takes.
But the best way to make sure Ukraine has the weapons it needs…
…is to help Ukraine to produce those weapons themselves.
So our second action is to work with you to massively increase defence industrial production.
I believe this will be a source of huge economic strength and value for Ukraine in the future.
So even as the UK donates more equipment…
…we will help make you the armoury of the free world.
British companies like BAE Systems and AMS are already supporting your armed forces from within Ukraine.
And we will go further.
Starting today with £200m to manufacture thousands of new drones…
…both here in Ukraine and in the UK.
This is the single largest package of drones given to Ukraine by any nation.
Thirdly, today’s agreement supports your historic choice to join NATO.
Because I believe that Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO.
But this isn’t just about how NATO benefits Ukraine.
It’s about how Ukraine benefits NATO.
Your understanding of modern war comes not from a textbook but the battlefield.
Your armed forces are experienced, innovative, and brave.
Ukraine belongs in NATO and NATO will be stronger with Ukraine.
Last year’s Vilnius Summit made important steps towards membership.
And I want us to be even more ambitious at the Washington Summit this June.
And we made you a solemn promise…
…along with 30 other countries…
…to provide new, bilateral security assurances.
Today, the UK is the first to deliver on that promise.
President Zelensky and I have just signed a new security agreement.
If Russia ever again invades Ukraine, the UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assistance.
We will provide modern equipment across land, sea, and sky…
Sanction Russia’s economy…
And work closely with allies to do so.
You will not have to ask.
You will not have to argue for what you need.
The UK will be there from the first moment to the last.
I believe this is the greatest moment in the history of our relationship.
With unprecedented security guarantees…
…it defines our future as allies, working together for the security of Europe…
…and sitting side by side among the free countries of the world.
In the words of the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko…
…you have broken your heavy chains and joined…
The family of the free
Because in the end, this is about even more than security.
It is about Ukraine’s right as an independent nation to determine your own future.
And it is about the right of all nations – enshrined in the UN Charter – to determine their own future.
As Churchill said, there are two kinds of nationalism:
“The craze for supreme domination by weight or force” – which he called “a danger and a vice”.
Or the nationalism that comes from “love of country and readiness to die for country…
…love of tradition and culture…
…and the gradual building up…of a social entity dignified by nationhood”.
He called this: “the first of virtues”.
I can think of no better description of the two sides of this war.
Or a better description of the battle that will define our age.
Because while this war may have begun in the deluded mind…
…of a man in thrall to the mirage of a long-dead empire…
…if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop here.
That’s why President Biden, the EU, allies in NATO, the G7 and beyond…
…have seen the century-defining importance of this fight and they have rallied to your cause.
And we cannot – and will not – falter now.
Because aid to Ukraine is an investment in our own collective security.
Only a Ukrainian victory will deter Putin from attacking others in the future…
…and prove our enemies wrong…
…when they say that democracies have neither the patience nor resources for long wars.
This is the choice before us.
These are the stakes.
Waver now – and we embolden not just Putin, but his allies in North Korea, Iran, and elsewhere.
Or rally to Ukraine’s side and defend our common cause…
…of democracy over dictatorship, freedom over tyranny, the rule of law over anarchy.
That is what you are fighting for.
And to echo Churchill:
We must give you the tools – and I know that you will finish the job.
Let me conclude with this final thought.
On one of the earliest days of the invasion…
In the darkness just before the dawn…
As Russian bombs fell on Kyiv…
President Zelensky stood outside the House with Chimaeras…
…and sent a simple, defiant message to the world:
Miy tut.
We are here.
Today, as the world asks will your allies waver…
Will our resolve weaken…
Will our belief in your success falter…
My reply is the same:
Miy tut.
We are here.
As a symbol of our nezlamni allianz…
…I bring you today the United Kingdom’s flag…
…signed by our country’s entire Cabinet…
…to stand here until the day of your victory and beyond…
LAST night(11 January), Royal Air Force aircraft joined ‘coalition forces’ in striking a number of facilities used by the Houthi rebel faction in Yemen to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has already been active alongside US and French warships in defending vital international shipping lanes against Houthi drones and missiles. Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on 9 January, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis’ capability to violate international law in this manner.
Four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker therefore used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two of these Houthi facilities. One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.
The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.
In planning the strikes, particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians, and any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night.
The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, and our commitment to protecting the sea-lanes, through which some 15% of the world’s shipping passes and which is vital to the global economy, has been amply demonstrated.
PRIME MINISTER’s STATEMENT12.1.24
The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.
This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.
The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.
RUSSIA has called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. Russia believes the US & UK bombings in Yemen is a violation of the United Nations Charter.
Steps to be taken to ensure Scotland is part of a UK-wide approach to Post Office convictions
First Minister Humza Yousaf has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling on joint working to ensure a UK-wide approach is taken to exonerate those wrongly convicted of criminal offences as a result of the Post Office Horizon IT system.
In the letter he wrote:
Dear Rishi
I am writing to you regarding the Post Office Minister, Kevin Hollinrake MP’s announcement in Parliament today that the UK Government intends to legislate to reverse the convictions of sub-postmasters convicted of criminal offences as a result of the Post Office Horizon IT system.
I welcome this announcement. The Post Office Horizon scandal requires urgent action to ensure those affected by unjust convictions can finally receive justice.
In the course of his statement, the Minister noted that the power to legislate to reverse convictions imposed by the Scottish courts is devolved to the Scottish Parliament but that he is keen to work with the devolved Governments to ensure that sub-postmasters in Scotland and Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged.
Scottish Ministers are keen to work with the UK Government to deal with the impact on sub-postmasters convicted in Scotland, ensuring that a UK-wide approach is taken to exonerate those wrongfully convicted in Scottish courts.
Given the unique circumstances arising from the Post Office Horizon scandal, it is right that normal processes for appeals are set aside to ensure that justice can now be delivered for those whose lives were greatly impacted by their wrongful conviction.
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance MSP, will contact her counterpart, the Secretary of State for Justice, to discuss how best to progress work in this area, whether this is by ensuring that the UK legislation will either apply directly in Scotland or by developing separate Scottish legislation to deliver the same effect for Scotland.
I trust that we can work together to ensure that those affected are now able to have their convictions overturned and obtain compensation.
Housing Secretary launches a consultation proposing new legal requirements for England’s social landlords to address hazards including damp and mould quickly
plans to clamp down on rogue social landlords who fail to provide safe homes have been announced today, supporting the Government’s pledge to deliver Awaab’s Law.
The two-year-old from Rochdale died from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in the flat where he lived, and the Government is taking action to introduce lifechanging reforms in social housing to prevent future tragedies.
The Awaab’s Law consultation has been launched by the Housing Secretary, which proposes introducing new strict time limits for social housing providers and force them to take swift action in addressing dangerous hazards such as damp and mould.
It proposes new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing within a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Those landlords who fail can be taken to court where they may be ordered to pay compensation for tenants.
Landlords will be expected to keep clear records to improve transparency for tenants – showing every attempt is made to comply with the new timescales so they can no longer dither and delay to rectify people’s homes.
Housing Secretary, Michael Gove said:“The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened. His family have shown courageous leadership, determination and dignity to champion these changes and now it’s time for us to deliver for them through Awaab’s Law.
“Today is about stronger and more robust action against social landlords who have refused to take their basic responsibilities seriously for far too long. We will force them to fix their homes within strict new time limits and take immediate action to tackle dangerous damp and mould to help prevent future tragedies.
“Alongside Awaab’s Law, our landmark Social Housing Act will drastically improve the quality of life in social housing, granting residents a proper voice to fight those who think they can cheat the system and ensuring rogue landlords face the full force of the law.”
Faisal Abdullah, Awaab’s father. said:“We hope that Awaab’s Law will stop any other family going through the pain that we went through.
“Landlords need to listen to the concerns of tenants and we support these proposals.”
Social Housing campaigner, Kwajo Tweneboa said:“As we know many families across the country are still living in homes with damp and mould, creating misery but more worryingly risks their health and safety.
“I’m pleased to see Awaab’s Law reach the consultation phase and hope that it goes far enough to prevent other families going through the tragedy Awaab’s family have had to. It’s crucial the government are able to make sure this law has teeth and is enforced for it to work as intended.”
Through the measures announced today tenants will be able to take their landlords to court if they fail to fix dangerous hazards. This builds on the progress already made to drive up standards in social housing.
The UK Government says there has been consistent improvement in the quality of social homes since 2010 – with a reduction in non-decent social homes from 20% in 2010 to 10% last year – but recognises ‘there is more work to do’.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act, which became law last year, will equip the Regulator of Social Housing and tenants with stronger powers and rights to hold the small minority of rogue landlords accountable.
New enforcement powers will also be available for the Regulator to weed out bad landlord practices – including issuing unlimited fines and entering properties with only 48 hours’ notice to make emergency repairs in the most severe cases.
As part of changes to deliver Awaab’s Law, the Government recently consulted on what more tenants need to better understand their rights and challenge social landlords when things go wrong – the direction to the Regulator will be published in the coming weeks.
This is the latest step in addressing systemic issues identified following the Grenfell Tower fire – not just the safety and quality of social housing but how tenants are treated by their landlords.
Awaab’s Law consultation will be open for eight weeks and further details on how to respond can be found here
Attendance hubs to more than double to support 1,000 more schools and £15 million investment to expand the attendance mentor pilot programme
Driving up attendance and tackling persistent absence is at the centre of new stronger measures launched today as pupils return to school in England.
More than one million children and young people will be supported into regular education as part of a major expansion of the attendance hubs, which provide a range of tailored support to families and pupils to boost time in school.
There will be 18 new attendance hubs across six regions, bringing the total to 32 and will see nearly 2,000 schools helped to tackle persistent absence.
Hubs are run by schools with excellent attendance that share practical ideas with other primary, secondary, alternative provision and special schools in England who need help to boost their attendance.
From direct pupil engagement initiatives like breakfast clubs and extracurricular activities, to improving their processes and analysis of attendance data, lead hub schools provide a range of support to schools that they can tailor to their pupils and families.
The Westminster government is also increasing the direct support offered to children and their families with the expansion of the attendance mentor pilot programme.
With an investment of up to £15million, over three years, this programme will provide direct intensive support to more than 10,000 persistent and severely absent pupils and their families.
The programme will see trained attendance mentors working in 10 further areas from September 2024. These areas are in addition to the existing pilot programme with Barnardo’s which is already operating in Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Knowsley, Salford, and Stoke on Trent.
The programme provides intensive one-to-one support to pupils who are persistently absent working with them and their families to find out why the child is skipping school. This can lead to extra support, more intensive work with teachers or in some cases bridge-building between school and family.
Being in school has never been more valuable with standards continuing to rise. 89% of schools are now rated good or outstanding, up from 68% in 2010. We are constantly seeing the success of our reforms rising up the rankings in maths, reading and science.
Just this month, England was ranked 11th in the world for maths, up from 27th in 2009, and in May, England was named ‘best in the west’ for primary reading.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “The benefits of our success in raising education standards can only be when all children are in school.
“Tackling attendance is my number one priority. We want all our children to have the best start in life because we know that attending school is vital to a child’s wellbeing, development, and attainment as well as impact future career success.
“I am hugely grateful to all our brilliant teachers, heads, and everyone whose worked with us to make the progress we’ve already made with 380,000 fewer children persistently absent.”
Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza said: “As Children’s Commissioner, I have made school attendance one of my top priorities because children tell me how much they value their education and want to be in school.
“Every day counts: when children miss school, it’s not just about missing lessons, it’s also about losing valuable moments spent with their friends and teachers.
“I very much welcome the government’s announcements today which include the recommendations made last year in my report on school attendance.
“I am hopeful that these measures will arm local authorities and schools with real-time information about school absence rates and provide vital support for children who face barriers to attending school.”
Chief Executive of Barnardo’s, Lynn Perry MBE, said: “Our Attendance Mentoring pilot scheme shows that one of the best ways to improve attendance is working individually with children, building trust and listening to their concerns.
“Our mentors encourage children to talk openly about issues such as family finances, bullying, or mental health worries – anything they feel may be preventing them from going to school.
“In Middlesbrough, 82% of the children we have worked with improved their attendance through one-on-one support from an attendance mentor, with almost two-thirds of the children saying their mental health also improved.”
Rob Tarn CBE, Chief Executive of Northern Education Trust said: “We are delighted that the hard work around attendance at North Shore Academy has led to significant impact for our students and their outcomes.
“The fact that this work was recognised as a best practice model meant we felt compelled to share what we are doing with other schools and academies in similar contexts and help where we could.
“This was, in essence, the beginning of the attendance hub programme. Seeing this work extended, with more hubs supporting more schools, is a source of great pride for the trust.”
A national communications campaign on the importance of attendance is also launching today targeting parents and carers.
Under the strapline ‘Moments Matter, Attendance Counts’ it outlines the importance of attendance for attainment, wellbeing, and development as well as signposting to advice for further support.
Key advice includes a recent letter from the Chief Medical Officer that outlines best practice when it comes to attendance and illness.
The intention is to ensure that parents have the guidance they need when it comes to making decisions when deciding to send their child to school or when to keep them home.
The UK government has also committed to further legislation in the coming months that will mean all schools will be required to share their daily school registers.
This, together with reforming pupil registration practice, will modernise how schools record and share data on attendance and support them to understand what is driving absence in their school and provide early support and intervention where pupils are displaying worrying trends of absence.
