Tag: UK Government

Chancellor agrees action plan with regulators to support consumers

As part of the government’s plan to halve inflation this year, the Chancellor chaired a roundtable with CEOs from the Competition and Market Authority (CMA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Ofcom, Ofgem and Ofwat.

Jeremy Hunt made clear his expectation that regulators work at pace to guarantee markets are working properly. With wholesale energy prices and other input costs now beginning to fall – the Chancellor also wants to ensure consumers benefit from these reduced costs.

During this current period of high inflation and interest rates, this also includes ensuring higher interest rates are passed on to savers.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “I am pleased we’ve secured agreement with the regulators to act urgently in areas where consumers need most support to ensure they are treated fairly.

“We are working hard to halve inflation this year and return to the 2 percent target. Businesses must play their part too and I will keep a watchful eye on the progress they make.”

The Chancellor also agreed a new action plan with the regulators to support consumers, particularly the most vulnerable:

FCA have agreed to:

  • Deliver better deals for savers by driving competition, including reporting by the end of July on how the savings market is supporting savers to benefit from higher interest rates. The Government fully supports the FCA’s review and the new Consumer Duty gives them stronger powers to take action if necessary.
  • Require the largest banks and building societies as part of this to explain the pace and extent of their pass through of interest rates, and how they are proactively supporting savers to switch to high interest rate products.

CMA have agreed to:

  • Deliver a better deal for motorists by publishing their review of the road fuel market, which examines profit margins in supermarkets and other fuel retailers, on Monday. This will include the impacts on vulnerable consumers.
  • Help shoppers pay fair prices by bringing forward their update of competition and unit pricing in the grocery sector to earlier in July and laying out next steps. This will include further scrutinising the food supply chain as well as measures to make it easier for consumers to make the best choices.
  • Following affordability pressures in the housing market, provide an update on their housebuilding market study and work in the rented accommodation sector in August.
  • Actively scrutinise markets where cost-of-living pressures are growing and launch work in at least two new areas the CMA considers in need of further investigation. It will also update on key developments in its ongoing crackdown on misleading consumer practices.

Ofcom have agreed to:

  • Take action to push suppliers who have yet to introduce social tariffs (discount deals for vulnerable customers) to offer them in the broadband and mobile markets, as well as waive fees for any customers who want to switch providers to access a social tariff.
  • Push suppliers to take immediate steps to raise awareness of existing social tariffs and drive consumer take-up. Ofcom will work with government and other relevant bodies to support industry efforts.
  • Publish a report on its current review of in-contract prices to ensure consumers are sufficiently aware of what they are signing up to by the end of the year. This will consider whether Ofcom’s rules need to be strengthened. Ofcom will also publish an update on its full range of work to support consumers in July.

Ofwat have agreed to:

  • Crack down on water companies not going far enough to support customers to pay their bills, access help and repay debts. This will include assessing water company compliance with Ofwat’s Paying Fair Guidelines, and where companies’ approaches are found to be insufficient, setting out clear actions for improvement in July. Next year, Ofwat will also set out clear and binding license conditions for every water company on how to treat their customers, including customers in vulnerable circumstances.
  • Hold water companies to account over delivering existing social tariffs for those unable to pay water bills, as well as allowing consumers to apply for payment holidays and offering support to those on low-incomes.
  • Ensure targeted support for vulnerable customers by improving data sharing, such as those struggling with bills (along with Ofgem).

Ofgem have agreed to:

  • Ensure all suppliers are passing falling prices onto consumers, keeping the price cap formula under review to ensure that it mirrors the costs facing suppliers. The new lower cap from 1 July will reduce a typical annual household energy bill by £426.
  • Strengthen protections and support for the vulnerable by mandating the Code of Practice on prepayment meters and ensuring that suppliers are able to offer Additional Support Credit (ASC) to PPM customers in need. Both are subject to Ofgem consultations launched today.
  • Take action against suppliers that have over-charged business customers and publish its review of the non-domestic market this Summer.
  • Scrutinise supplier finances as the sector begins to move from loss making back into profit. The regulator and government moved quickly to stem losses and protect consumers when prices were rising sharply and expects suppliers to act responsibly and in the interests of their customers as prices fall and profits return. This includes ensuring they deliver good service standards and support the most vulnerable customers. Those who are not yet meeting new capital requirements should retain profits rather than pay out dividends.

Regulators agreed to provide regular updates to the Treasury on their progress and that a follow up meeting would be held later this Summer. The FCA, Ofcom, Ofwat and Ofgem will also publish a joint statement to set shared expectations on treatment of customers in financial difficulties.

As part of wider discussions with the Governor in the context of high food inflation, the Bank of England is reviewing CMA data and meeting with the food sector, with analysis included in the August Monetary Policy Report and/or the minutes of the August meeting.

The meeting with regulators on what more they can do to support people through a period of high inflation comes while the government continues with its plan to halve inflation this year and support the Bank of England in taking difficult decisions to return to the 2 per cent target.

Commitments from regulators to make sure consumers are not being exploited build on one of the largest cost-of-living support packages in Europe which has been rolled out to help the most vulnerable, worth £3,300 per household on average over this year and last.

This includes paying half of a typical household energy, direct cost of living payments to the most vulnerable and increases to benefits, state pensions and the National Living Wage of around 10 per cent.

The CEOs attending were:

  • Ofcom (telecommunications) – Dame Melanie Dawes
  • Ofgem (energy) – Jonathan Brearley
  • Ofwat (water) – David Black
  • Competition and Market Authority (CMA) (competition/consumer) – Sarah Cardell
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (financial services) – Nikhil Rathi.

Friday is fuel poverty voucher deadline

Households in Edinburgh are being urged to check if they are eligible for over £1.3m of unclaimed fuel poverty vouchers before the deadline for using them runs out on Friday this week (30 June). 

The Energy Bills Support Scheme, which ran between October 2022 and March 2023, enabled households to save £400 off the cost of their energy bills over the course of the six months.

Whilst most households received this discount automatically via their energy supplier, traditional prepayment meter (PPM) users were required to redeem monthly vouchers sent to them by their supplier for use at either Post Office or PayPoint top-up points. 

Although the majority of vouchers have been redeemed there are still over £1m unclaimed vouchers in the city and the City of Edinburgh Council is calling on anyone with friends or family on a PPM electricity meter to make sure all eligible households benefit. 

The deadline for claiming fuel poverty vouchers was highlighted in a motion from Forth Green Cllr Kayleigh O’Neill at Full Council on Thursday 22 June.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We know there are many people in the city suffering from fuel poverty especially since the high levels of energy costs came into force. There is financial support out there for people on prepayment meters suffering from fuel poverty but the voucher scheme ends this Friday. 

“According to Ofgem 34% of eligible households in Edinburgh have not redeemed vouchers which is the equivalent of £1.3m of crucial financial help going to waste. I would really urge anyone on prepayment meters who hasn’t claimed their vouchers to do so in the next few days before the scheme ends.”

Claiming a voucher is simple. PPM users should bring their voucher, ID and energy prepayment key or card to the top up point specified by their energy supplier. Vouchers can then be redeemed in store immediately. 

Previously issued vouchers expire after 90 days but can be reissued before 30 June. If a person thinks that they have missed their vouchers, they should contact their energy supplier.  All vouchers must be used by 30 June. 

For more information, visit gov.uk/helpforhouseholds. 

TUC: We will defend the right to strike at all costs

‘Make no mistake – this is one of the most pernicious pieces of union-bashing legislation you will ever see’

The ongoing Conservative Party psycho-drama has dominated the headlines over the last few weeks (writes TUC General Secretary PAUL NOWAK).

While it has been good to see Boris Johnson finally held accountable, it’s meant that many important issues have slipped under the radar.

The Strikes Bill returns to parliament today (23 June). It won’t get anywhere near the coverage of the vote on the Privileges Committee report, but it should.

Make no mistake – this is one of the most pernicious pieces of union-bashing legislation you will ever see.

And the TUC is by no means alone in saying this.

Over the weekend the UN workers’ rights watchdog, the ILO, demanded that the UK bring trade union rights into line with international law.

In a rare intervention, it instructed UK ministers to “seek technical assistance” from the body and to report back to the ILO in September.

The last time the ILO issued this type of rebuke to the UK was in 1995.

Litany of critics

The spiteful legislation has faced a barrage of criticism from employers, civil liberties organisations, the joint committee on human rights, House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, race and gender equalities groups, employment rights lawyers, politicians around the world – as well as a whole host of other organisations.

It is no surprise that this Bill has upset and enraged so many.

The UK already has the most restrictive anti-strikes legislation in Western Europe. And these reforms will take the country in an even more draconian direction.

That would mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike in health, education, fire, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply. 

As the TUC has repeatedly warned the Strikes Bill is undemocratic, unworkable and almost certainly illegal.

Far from preventing strikes, the Bill will poison industrial relations and escalate disputes.

And for what? So Rishi Sunak can throw some red meat to his backbenchers and look tough to his ungovernable party.

Next steps

So where do we go from here?

The Strikes Bill is back in the Commons after a series of bruising defeats in the Lords.

The government will whip its MPs to vote down much-needed amendments as they try and fast-track the legislation onto the statute books.

Our challenge remains the same. Unions will continue to fight the Bill at every stage and will not rest until these poisonous reforms are defeated, and if passed into law, repealed by the next Labour government.

Last summer, ministers changed the law to allow agencies to supply employers with workers to fill in for those on strike. Unions are currently challenging the change in courts – with a judgment expected soon.

The right to strike is a fundamental British liberty that is vital for the balance of power in the workplace.

We must defend it at all costs. And as I told a TUC rally last month, we are also very clear that we will stand by any worker who exercises their fundamental right to strike.

NHS England to roll out lung cancer screening

  • Targeted lung cancer screening to help detect cancer sooner and speed up diagnosis
  • People aged 55-74 with a GP record including a history of smoking will be assessed and invited for screenings and smoking cessation services
  • Rollout follows the success of the first phase of the targeted lung health check scheme by NHS England with 76% of lung cancers in those tested caught at an earlier stage

A national targeted lung cancer screening programme designed to catch cancer sooner or prevent it altogether has been announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Each year the programme – which will cost £270 million annually once fully implemented – is expected to detect as many as 9,000 people with cancer, deliver almost one million scans and provide treatment earlier.

The rollout follows a successful opening phase where approximately 70% of the screening took place in mobile units parked in convenient places – such as supermarket car parks – to ensure easy access and focused on more deprived areas where people are four times more likely to smoke.

The programme, backed by a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee – will use patient’s GP records for those aged 55 to 74 to identify current or former smokers. Patients will have their risk of cancer assessed based on their smoking history and other factors and those considered high risk will be invited for specialist scans every two years.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said: As we approach the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, I want to ensure that it continues to thrive for the next 75 years and beyond.

“And while we focus on cutting waiting lists in the short term, we must also look to tackle some of the long-term challenging facing the NHS, including lung cancer which costs 35,000 lives every year. Rolling out screening to high-risk 55-74 year olds will save lives by detecting up to 9,000 lung cancers a year at an early stage.

“The NHS has treated record numbers of cancer patients over the last two years, with cancer being diagnosed at an earlier stage more often and survival rates improving across almost all types of cancer. Today’s announcement will help us go further and provide a lifeline to thousands of families across the country”.

The programme could also help people improve their health and reduce their risk of cancer by encouraging the use of smoking cessation services.

During the initial phase almost 900,000 people were invited for checks, 375,000 risk assessments made and 200,000 scans were carried out.

More than 2,000 people were detected as having cancer, 76% at an earlier stage compared to 29% in 2019 outside of the programme.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Through our screening programme we are now seeing more diagnoses at stage 1 and stage 2 in the most deprived communities which is both a positive step and a practical example of how we are reducing health inequalities.

“Rolling this out further will prolong lives by catching cancer earlier and reducing the levels of treatment required not just benefiting the patient but others waiting for treatment.

“I am determined to combat cancer on all fronts through better prevention, detection, treatment and research.”

Smoking causes 72% of lung cancers, around 35,000 people die and 48,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

It has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers which is largely attributed to lung cancer being diagnosed at a late stage when treatment is much less likely to be effective. Treating cancer early improves people’s chance of survival with 60% of people currently surviving stage one cancer for five years or more and 4% at stage four.

It is estimated the rollout will mean 325,000 people will be newly eligible for a first scan each year with 992,000 scans expected per year in total. Additional radiographers, due to be appointed as part of the long term workforce plan, will help to support the programme.

Anyone assessed as being at high risk of lung cancer will be referred to have a low dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) scan and subsequent diagnosis and treatment if needed. Those whose scans are negative will be reinvited for further scans every 24 months, until they pass the upper age limit.

Some people who test negative but are found to have nodules will be reinvited for more frequent scans. These nodules are often the first signs of cancer developing so by monitoring more frequently if they turn cancerous they can be delt with quickly and at the early stages.

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: “Identifying lung cancer early saves lives, and the expansion of the NHS’s targeted lung health check programme is another landmark step forward in our drive to find and treat more people living with this devastating disease at the earliest stage.

“The NHS lung trucks programme is already delivering life-changing results, with people living in the most deprived areas now more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier stage, giving them a better chance of successful treatment.

“As the NHS turns 75, we will not stop in our efforts to detect more cancers earlier, when they are easier to treat, and to find new and innovative ways to make it as easy as possible for those most at risk to get life-saving tests as part of their daily routines.

“If you receive an invitation, please do take it up, and if you are worried about a possible symptom of cancer, please come forward to your GP – getting checked could save your life.”

The first phase of the scheme will reach 40% of the eligible population by March 2025 with the aim of 100% coverage by March 2030 following the rollout which will also help support the government objective for England to be smokefree by 2030.

During the pilot Cancer Alliances developed schemes locally. A national programme will benefit from an integrated IT system and a safe, consistent and effective programme across the country and for a number of years.

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “This is the news we have been waiting for. This is the day we truly begin to level up the lung cancer playing field.

“Lung cancer screening allows us to get ahead of this awful disease for the first time, catching it at the earliest opportunity – often before symptoms even start – and treating it with an aim to cure.

“Through the success of NHS England’s targeted lung health check programme, we have been able to detect 76% of cancers at stages one and two, which turns current rates on their head. Now, with this announcement, many more lives will be saved, making today a very good day in our mission to beat the UK’s biggest cancer killer.”

Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “Targeted Lung Cancer screening with support to stop smoking at its heart will help prevent as well as treat lung cancer, still the leading cause of cancer deaths.

“Around 7 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking and just over a third of lung cancer patients are smoking at diagnosis. Smokers who quit then can nearly double their life expectancy after treatment and live more comfortably than those who continue to smoke.

“And it won’t just help those diagnosed with lung cancer, smokers who get the all clear but go on to quit will avoid many smoking-related illnesses. Smokers who get support and medication as part of their Lung Health Check are 50% more likely to quit than those who don’t. This is a major step forward in helping deliver the Government’s Smokefree 2030 ambition.”

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “This is really positive news for a cancer type that takes more lives than any other.

“Targeted lung screening across England could diagnose people most at risk at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.”

MS Victoria: Council Statement

The City ouncil has agreed to write to the UK Government about their decision to use the cruise ship to accommodate asylum seekers.

Council Leader Councillor Cammy Day said: “Over the last year and a half, we’ve shown solidarity with, and support for, thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have fled Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, as we have for Syrian, Afghani and, most recently, Sudanese refugees.

“Thankfully most of us will never experience the horrors these communities have faced, and we remain absolutely committed to supporting them in whatever way we can.

‘As Ukrainian refugees continue to disembark MS Victoria following the Scottish Government’s decision to end its use next month, we were extremely surprised to be contacted by the Home Office about their intentions to commission the ship to house asylum seekers. All the more surprising given their previous advice that it would be impossible for it to remain. 

‘We were not consulted on this and urgently require further details from the UK Government on their plans. I know the Scottish Government and COSLA are in the same position and, having written jointly to the Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP, we’ve yet to receive a satisfactory response to our questions and concerns.

‘The fact that Forth Ports, who own the dock and have said they can’t accommodate the ship, haven’t yet been contacted sums up the complete lack of engagement by the Home Office.

‘The potential consequences for the Council in terms of the pressures on our services – and the city as a whole – are severe and, barring robust partnership discussions involving NHS, police, and other colleagues, we will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest terms. 

‘Many of these people have risked their lives to make it to Europe and what they need is recognition and rights, not an unknown future without the support they so desperately need.

‘While the MS Victoria has been a place of refuge for many Ukrainian people, until we have adequate reassurances from the UK Government regarding welfare and ongoing engagement and support, we cannot allow it to become a floating prison for asylum seekers.’

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while we consider their claim.

“The significant increase in illegal, unnecessary and dangerous Channel crossings has put our asylum system under incredible strain and made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers.

“We are committed to making every effort to reduce hotel use and continue to engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation.”

The decision was taken at Thursday’s Council meeting; the motion: 8.11 and addendum can be read on CEC’s website. A webcast recording can also be watched online.

Named and Shamed

More than 200 companies named for failing to pay their staff the minimum wage

  • 202 businesses named for failing to pay the minimum wage to lowest paid workers.
  • Employers ordered to repay workers and face penalties of nearly £7 million after breaches left 63,000 workers out of pocket.
  • Follows on from 9.7% increase in National Living Wage and Minimum Wage paid to almost 3 million workers.

Over 200 employers are today (21 June 2023) being named by the UK government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.

Companies being named today range from major high street brands to small businesses and sole traders, in a clear message from government that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.

As well as the usual suspects – the nail bars, hairdressers and security companies, some of the UK’s major retailers including Argos, W H Smith and Marks and Spencer are among the guilty companies.

One Edinburgh firm appears on the list. Social Care Alba Ltd failed to pay £650.38 to 8 workers.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

“Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.”

The businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2017 and 2019.

The employers named today previously underpaid workers in the following ways:

  • 39% of employers deducted pay from workers’ wages.
  • 39% of employers failed to pay workers correctly for their working time.
  • 21% of employers paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.

Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is no excuse for underpaying workers.

Guidance for employers on pay is available on GOV.UK, and today the government has published additional advice about breaches and the steps employers should take to make sure they pay their workers correctly.

Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission said: “The minimum wage acts as a guarantee to ensure all workers without exception receive a decent minimum standard of pay. Where employers break the law, they not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses.

“Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.”

The government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that robust enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.

Since 2015, the budget for minimum wage enforcement has doubled with the government having ordered employers to repay over £100 million to 1 million workers.

The government is determined to ensure workers are paid for their hard work, having increased the National Living Wage by a record amount in April 2023.

This led to the lowest paid workers in the UK seeing a rise of 9.7%, keeping the UK government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.

List of employers named in Round 18

This is the full list of employers being named and shamed for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with fuller detail provided in the attached spreadsheet:

List of named employers (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 48.4 KB)

  1. WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited, Swindon, SN3, failed to pay £1,017,693.36 to 17,607 workers.
  2. Lloyds Pharmacy Limited, Coventry, CV2, failed to pay £903,307.47 to 7,916 workers.
  3. Marks and Spencer P.L.C., London, W2, failed to pay £578,390.79 to 5,363 workers.
  4. Argos Limited, Milton Keynes, MK9, failed to pay £480,093.58 to 10,399 workers.
  5. Buzz Group Limited – Voluntary Arrangement 3/8/20, Nottingham, NG7, failed to pay £319,297.21 to 3,448 workers.
  6. Baxterstorey Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £185,242.24 to 2,166 workers.
  7. McNicholas Construction Services Limited, Elstree, WD6, failed to pay £170,517.57 to 704 workers.
  8. Showsec International Limited, Leicester, LE1, failed to pay £107,835.49 to 5,574 workers.
  9. Brunning and Price Limited, Chester, CH3, failed to pay £98,675.37 to 1,500 workers.
  10. Chanel Limited, Croydon, CR9, failed to pay £70,413.59 to 250 workers.
  11. AAH Limited, Coventry, CV2, failed to pay £42,359.39 to 201 workers.
  12. Mr John Bowden & Mr Gary Bowden, trading as Dulhorn Farm Holiday Park, Weston-Super-Mare, BS24, failed to pay £37,880.77 to 13 workers.
  13. 4 Site Security Services Limited, Leeds, LS11, failed to pay £36,388.31 to 170 workers.
  14. UK Pharmaservices Ltd, Bradford, BD9, failed to pay £35,094.66 to 13 workers.
  15. Victor Foster Poultry Services Limited, Markethill, BT60, failed to pay £33,045.17 to 284 workers.
  16. Loganair Limited, Paisley, PA3, failed to pay £24,367 to 43 workers.
  17. Tudor Employment Agency Limited, Walsall, WS1, failed to pay £22,606.96 to 930 workers.
  18. Wellingstone Ltd, trading as East Orient Buffet Restaurant, Warrington, WA1, failed to pay £21,127.65 to 8 workers.
  19. Dune Group Limited, London, NW8, failed to pay £21,088.48 to 339 workers.
  20. OMI Facilities Limited, Glasgow, G4, failed to pay £20,622.77 to 9 workers.
  21. The Lion Hotel (Criccieth) Limited, trading as The Lion Hotel, Criccieth, LL52, failed to pay £20,322.27 to 9 workers.
  22. Executive Sport Limited, London, SW19, failed to pay £20,200.34 to 8 workers.
  23. Lemon Tree Manchester Ltd, Manchester, M12, failed to pay £18,976.19 to 17 workers.
  24. TFL Service Centre Limited – Liquidation 13/12/21, traded as Wimbledon Service Centre, London, SW19, failed to pay £18,377.98 to 7 workers.
  25. ALG Cognita Limited, Abingdon, OX14, failed to pay £17,364.51 to 318 workers.
  26. Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Services Limited, Wrexham, LL13, failed to pay £17,049.34 to 213 workers.
  27. Macdonald Hotels (Management) Limited, Bathgate, EH48, failed to pay £16,111.76 to 64 workers.
  28. Kuehne + Nagel Limited, Milton Keynes, MK14, failed to pay £14,589.92 to 173 workers.
  29. Hall & Woodhouse Limited, Blandford, DT11, failed to pay £14,354.5 to 23 workers.
  30. Hickory’s (ROS) Limited, trading as Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester, CH3, failed to pay £14,141.12 to 157 workers.
  31. Baxterstorey Scotland Limited, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £13,618.29 to 186 workers.
  32. Oulton Hall Hotel Trading Limited – Liquidation 29/12/20, Leeds, LS26, failed to pay £13,326.97 to 66 workers.
  33. Momentum Instore Limited, Macclesfield, SK10, failed to pay £12,501.51 to 434 workers.
  34. Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited, Glasgow, G52, failed to pay £12,215.56 to 48 workers.
  35. Park View Health Clubs Limited, London, N3, failed to pay £12,191.87 to 4 workers.
  36. Morleys Stores Limited, London, SW9, failed to pay £11,640.77 to 78 workers.
  37. Lex Legal (UK) Ltd, Bolton, BL3, failed to pay £11,559.42 to 10 workers.
  38. Oasis and Warehouse Limited – in administration 15/04/20, Witney, OX29, failed to pay £10,963.70 to 996 workers.
  39. Oxford United Football Club Limited, Oxford, OX4, failed to pay £10,826.74 to 31 workers.
  40. Elite Recruitment Agency Limited – Dissolved 22/11/2022, Norwich, NR5, failed to pay £10,554.39 to 1 worker.
  41. Holroyd Howe Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £10,302.15 to 129 workers.
  42. Mr Paul Wright, trading as Baccarat Hair Design, Beckenham, BR3, failed to pay £10,178.71 to 9 workers.
  43. Verve Personnel Limited, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £10,124.04 to 794 workers.
  44. Contemplation Homes Limited, Waterlooville, PO7, failed to pay £10,095.23 to 87 workers.
  45. The Park Hotel Ayrshire Limited, Kilmarnock, KA1, failed to pay £10,088.99 to 129 workers.
  46. Portway Crown Limited – Dissolved 11/05/21, traded as Rose and Crown, Birmingham, B48, failed to pay £9,809.24 to 3 workers.
  47. Thomas Commercial Cleaning Limited – under new ownership, Chipping Norton, OX7, failed to pay £9,762.56 to 6 workers.
  48. Delta Crewe Hall Op Co Limited, Crewe, CW1, failed to pay £9,626.89 to 29 workers.
  49. Top Nails Livingston Ltd. – Dissolved 28/9/21, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £9,266.40 to 5 workers.
  50. Acropolis Corporate Limited – Liquidation 19/05/2022, traded as Cedar Court Hotels, Wakefield, WF2, failed to pay £9,150.60 to 56 workers.
  51. Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Limited, Craigavon, BT66, failed to pay £9,007.35 to 149 workers.
  52. Delta Telford Op Co Limited, Telford, TF7, failed to pay £8,871.76 to 12 workers.
  53. M1 Valet Centre Ltd – Dissolved 12/11/2019, Glasgow, G42, failed to pay £7,807.71 to 3 workers.
  54. Warrington Football Club Limited (The), trading as Warrington Wolves, Warrington, WA2, failed to pay £7,720.61 to 34 workers.
  55. Mr Faried Khan, trading as The News Shop, Manchester, M24, failed to pay £7,393.47 to 1 worker.
  56. Hudsons 23 Limited, trading as 23 Taxis, Hartlepool, TS24, failed to pay £7,190.46 to 83 workers.
  57. Dazzle Pristine Car Wash & Vehicle Servicing Ltd, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39, failed to pay £7,051.08 to 5 workers.
  58. Lucknam Park Hotels Limited, Colerne, SN14, failed to pay £6,990.12 to 33 workers.
  59. PFF Packaging (Sedgefield) Limited, Stockton-on -Tees, TS21, failed to pay £6,115.36 to 99 workers.
  60. Mr Harbhajan Singh Walia, trading as Parkside International Hotel, Reading, RG30, failed to pay £5,936.40 to 2 workers.
  61. D & F Trading Ltd – Dissolved 11/1/22, Huddersfield, HD4, failed to pay £5,920.22 to 7 workers.
  62. “Elvis Car Wash Ltd – Dissolved 3/11/20, London, SE6, failed to pay £5,768.98 to 3 workers.”
  63. Roka Mayfair Limited, London, W1K, failed to pay £5,741.87 to 16 workers.
  64. Mr Jangi Ismail Hamid, Doncaster, DN2, failed to pay £5,714.27 to 6 workers.
  65. The House of Bruar Limited, Perth, PH18, failed to pay £5,543.80 to 57 workers.
  66. Thanet Early Years Project, Broadstairs, CT10, failed to pay £5,487.97 to 27 workers.
  67. Delta Forest Pines Op Co Limited, trading as DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, Brigg, DN20, failed to pay £5,471.81 to 17 workers.
  68. Nurse 365 Limited, Whitchurch, SY13, failed to pay £5,238.01 to 8 workers.
  69. Ross Labels Limited, Ross-on-Wye, HR9, failed to pay £5,221.27 to 106 workers.
  70. Little Poppets Nurseries Limited, Leicester, LE5, failed to pay £5,214.88 to 19 workers.
  71. Tenpin (Scotland) Limited, trading as Pro Bowl Glenrothes, Glenrothes, KY7, failed to pay £5,174.65 to 1 worker.
  72. Virgin Active Limited, London, EC1A, failed to pay £5,074.96 to 80 workers.
  73. Dr Tyrone Castles, trading as The Royal Hotel, Penrith, CA11, failed to pay £4,974.72 to 9 workers.
  74. All Day Recruitment Limited, Rickmansworth, WD3, failed to pay £4,896.57 to 25 workers.
  75. Casual Dining Restaurants Group Limited – Dissolved 4/10/22, London, NW1, failed to pay £4,647.70 to 20 workers.
  76. Hatch Brothers Limited, trading as Genesis Crafty (now under new ownership), Magherafelt, BT45, failed to pay £4,439.53 to 7 workers.
  77. Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club, Helensburgh, G84, failed to pay £4,426.73 to 1 worker.
  78. Express Valeting Limited, Southport, PR9, failed to pay £4,338.3 to 3 workers.
  79. Cater Link Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £4,285.35 to 61 workers.
  80. Day of Sunshine (UK) Ltd, Lytham St Annes, FY8, failed to pay £4,275.19 to 2 workers.
  81. Tot Stop Pre School & Early Years Centre Ltd, Driffield, YO25, failed to pay £4,213.77 to 10 workers.
  82. H.S. Walia Limited, trading as Lawn & Parkside International Hotels, Reading, RG30, failed to pay £4,198.85 to 1 worker.
  83. Velocity Interactive Limited – Dissolved 13/7/2021, London, EC2A, failed to pay £3,868.40 to 2 workers.
  84. B H Live, Bournemouth, BH2, failed to pay £3,757.43 to 130 workers.
  85. Few Inns Limited, Bampton, OX18, failed to pay £3,756.10 to 6 workers.
  86. Hunter’s Moon UK Limited, trading as Margaret Kimber, Glastonbury, BA6, failed to pay £3,653.22 to 8 workers.
  87. The Organic Hair Company Limited, Moreton In Marsh, GL56, failed to pay £3,590.83 to 4 workers.
  88. Ms Dimitroulla Antoniou, trading as Montage, London, N1, failed to pay £3,579.72 to 2 workers.
  89. Little Sunbeams Pre-School (Portsmouth), Portsmouth, PO2, failed to pay £3,561.97 to 9 workers.
  90. Reahs Restaurant Ltd, trading as The Portmor, Blackwatertown, BT71, failed to pay £3,292 to 8 workers.
  91. Delta Park Op Co Limited, Leeds, LS27, failed to pay £3,242.59 to 26 workers.
  92. Landlet Limited – in administration 7/7/22, traded as Belgrave House Hotel and Comfort Hotel Luton, London, SW1V, failed to pay £3,224.06 to 9 workers.
  93. Toolstation Limited, Bridgwater, TA6, failed to pay £3,090.18 to 79 workers.
  94. USA Car Wash (Derby) Limited, Derby, DE21, failed to pay £3,005.10 to 9 workers.
  95. The Inveraray Inn Limited, trading as The George Hotel, Inveraray, PA32, failed to pay £2,933.93 to 25 workers.
  96. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Limited, Blackpool, FY4, failed to pay £2,866.95 to 12 workers.
  97. Eunoia Enterprises Limited, Nottingham, NG7, failed to pay £2,798.84 to 31 workers.
  98. Mrs Pauline Butfield, trading as Pauline’s Hair & Beauty, York, YO26, failed to pay £2,791.84 to 1 worker.
  99. Bubbles Sussex Services Limited, Eastbourne, BN23, failed to pay £2,654.37 to 9 workers.
  100. Ridgeway Private Day Nursery Limited – Dissolved 19/4/22, Richmond, DL10, failed to pay £2,600 to 3 workers.
  101. K&R Blue Bakery Limited – Dissolved 9/11/21, Bognor Regis, PO22, failed to pay £2,574.87 to 4 workers.
  102. Integra Accounting Limited, Hinkley, LE10, failed to pay £2,566.42 to 5 workers.
  103. Crofton Park Cars Ltd – Dissolved 23/7/19, London, SE4, failed to pay £2,549.48 to 1 worker.
  104. The Young Explorers Day Nursery Limited, Matlock, DE4, failed to pay £2,521.93 to 14 workers.
  105. Mr Kristopher George Shenton, trading as KGS Gas Services, Stoke on Trent, ST2, failed to pay £2,428.96 to 1 worker.
  106. O’Connor’s Restaurant Ltd, trading as O’Connor’s Bar and Restaurant, Omagh, BT78, failed to pay £2,413.89 to 1 worker.
  107. WGAB Limited, trading as Excel Clothing, Newtownards, BT23, failed to pay £2,369.12 to 18 workers.
  108. ITL (North East) Limited, Gateshead, NE10, failed to pay £2,346.53 to 2 workers.
  109. Mer Manor Operations Limited, London, W1G, failed to pay £2,332.78 to 98 workers.
  110. Arcadia Group Limited, London, W1T, failed to pay £2,233.19 to 109 workers.
  111. Curran Court Hotel 2017 Limited, Larne, BT40, failed to pay £2,003.07 to 63 workers.
  112. Copona Limited – Dissolved 06/04/21, traded as Exmouth Laundry Services, Exmouth, EX8, failed to pay £1,994.61 to 1 worker.
  113. OMI Management Ltd, Glasgow, G4, failed to pay £1,983.23 to 2 workers.
  114. MJ Services East Limited – Notice of move from Administration to Dissolution 28/12/22, Grimsby, DN32, failed to pay £1,977.97 to 2 workers.
  115. Careers Advice & Learning Centre Limited – Active proposal to strike off, Leicester, LE3, failed to pay £1,972.73 to 6 workers.
  116. Disha (Newcastle) Ltd, trading as Subway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £1,948.98 to 2 workers.
  117. “Core Assetz Ltd – Dissolved 26/11/19, Birmingham, B16, failed to pay £1,928.61 to 3 workers.”
  118. Phoenix Eye Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £1,917.07 to 301 workers.
  119. Arla Foods Limited, Leeds, LS10, failed to pay £1,916.60 to 14 workers.
  120. Calmac Services Limited, trading as Riverside Vets Canvey, Canvey Island, SS8, failed to pay £1,912.81 to 1 worker.
  121. Central Fitness Limited, Accrington, BB5, failed to pay £1,909.17 to 1 worker.
  122. Jettco Plastering Limited, Colchester, CO2, failed to pay £1,905.95 to 1 worker.
  123. Mr Makudur Rahman, trading as Ghandi Indian Restaurant, Exeter, EX4, failed to pay £1,896.70 to 2 workers.
  124. Mack Daddys Gloucester Road Limited – Dissolved 18/10/2022, Bristol, BS7, failed to pay £1,863.80 to 2 workers.
  125. Mr Vinodrai Pranjivanbhai Tanna, trading as Tanna Pharmacy, Harrow, HA5, failed to pay £1,815.53 to 1 worker.
  126. Grimethorpe Hand Car Wash Ltd, Barnsley, S72, failed to pay £1,793.29 to 1 worker.
  127. George Day Nurseries Limited, trading as Orpington Day Nursery, Orpington, BR6, failed to pay £1,776.75 to 4 workers.
  128. Mrs Karen Wells, trading as Cream Hair Design, South Shields, NE33, failed to pay £1,776.15 to 2 workers.
  129. Mrs Patricia Jervis, trading as Bumble Beez, Dunfermline, KY12, failed to pay £1,768.87 to 7 workers.
  130. Wren Kitchens Limited, Barton on Humber, DN18, failed to pay £1,675.73 to 16 workers.
  131. Bendart Limited, trading as Blackwell Print, Great Yarmouth, NR30, failed to pay £1,585.08 to 2 workers.
  132. Uppal Convenience Stores Limited, trading as Spar, Runcorn, WA7, failed to pay £1,574.02 to 1 worker.
  133. Mrs Zara Emma Mason, trading as The Lamb Inn, Salisbury, SP5, failed to pay £1,567.39 to 3 workers.
  134. Checkpoint Car Care Ltd – Dissolved 1/12/20, Hebden Bridge, HX7, failed to pay £1,532.25 to 2 workers.
  135. Mr Richard Woodland, trading as Woodland Autos, Chard, TA20, failed to pay £1,530.42 to 1 worker.
  136. Westbourne Leisure Limited, trading as The Strawberry Bank Hotel, Coventry, CV7, failed to pay £1,513.44 to 31 workers.
  137. The Pit Stop (Colchester) Limited, Great Bentley Colchester, CO7, failed to pay £1,474.69 to 1 worker.
  138. Mrs Helen Wilson, trading as The Hygiene Machine, Hexham, NE46, failed to pay £1,462.26 to 2 workers.
  139. Delta Ashford Op Co Limited, trading as Ashford International Hotel, Ashford, TN24, failed to pay £1,435.91 to 12 workers.
  140. Version Limited, trading as La Coupe Studio, Sheffield, S1, failed to pay £1,428.01 to 1 worker.
  141. M R Academy Limited – Dissolved 24/12/19, traded as Sugarcoat Nails, London, E15, failed to pay £1,391.42 to 3 workers.
  142. Ms Joanne Sarabia, trading as Secrets Hair & Beauty, Selby, YO8, failed to pay £1,373.90 to 1 worker.
  143. Springvale Leather Limited, Rossendale, BB4, failed to pay £1,373.23 to 1 worker.
  144. The Trading Mill Limited – Dissolved 17/03/20, Wakefield, WF1, failed to pay £1,336.33 to 4 workers.
  145. Dudley Taylor Pharmacies Limited, Warwick, CV34, failed to pay £1,276.45 to 174 workers.
  146. St. Nicholas House Ltd, Powys, SY15, failed to pay £1,178.53 to 2 workers.
  147. Whitbread Group PLC, Dunstable, LU5, failed to pay £1,118.37 to 1 worker.
  148. Glowing Global Advertising Limited – Dissolved 12/10/2021, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £1,116.99 to 4 workers.
  149. Sahara Global Ltd, trading as A1 Hand Car Wash, Dundee, DD1, failed to pay £1,087.87 to 4 workers.
  150. Delta Chesford Grange OP CO Limited, trading as Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwick, CV8, failed to pay £1,066.21 to 6 workers.
  151. Vue Cinemas (UK) Limited, London, W4, failed to pay £1,029.13 to 8 workers.
  152. Heritage Hotels Blackpool Limited – Liquidation 16/11/22, traded as Melville Hotel, Blackpool, FY1, failed to pay £1,027.65 to 2 workers.
  153. Nail Retreat London Limited – Dissolved 25/06/19, London, NW10, failed to pay £1,015.23 to 2 workers.
  154. D&M Middleton Limited, Cleckheaton, BD19, failed to pay £960.64 to 4 workers.
  155. Bar Lounge Limited, Chester, CH1, failed to pay £951.17 to 23 workers.
  156. BNP Paribas Real Estate Advisory & Property Management UK Limited, London, EC2V, failed to pay £933.12 to 3 workers.
  157. Portal Security Ltd, Glasgow, G67, failed to pay £927.61 to 55 workers.
  158. North Norfolk Hospitality Limited, trading as The Cliftonville Hotel, Cromer, NR27, failed to pay £908.56 to 3 workers.
  159. Serenity Health Care (Team) Ltd – active proposal to strike off, County Durham, TS29, failed to pay £904.09 to 2 workers.
  160. The Rides Motor Services Limited, Waltham Cross, EN8, failed to pay £877.42 to 3 workers.
  161. St. Mark’s Pre-School, Salisbury, SP1, failed to pay £870.55 to 6 workers.
  162. Little Treasures Nurseries Kirton Ltd, Kirton, PE20, failed to pay £866.01 to 2 workers.
  163. Mr Rassul Kadir, trading as Talbot Road Car Wash, Blackpool, FY1, failed to pay £864.80 to 5 workers.
  164. Mr Thomas O’Brien & Mr Lee Taylor, trading as Chambers Hair Design, Manchester, M3, failed to pay £858.90 to 1 worker.
  165. Elmhurst School Limited, South Croydon, CR2, failed to pay £829.32 to 1 worker.
  166. Amira G Foods Limited, London, W1J, failed to pay £796.43 to 1 worker.
  167. Mr R.E. Blair and Mrs June Victoria Blair, trading as Higher Trenoweth Farm, St. Austell, PL28, failed to pay £776.76 to 1 worker.
  168. Comptons 2000 Limited, Birmingham, B12, failed to pay £772.36 to 3 workers.
  169. LDH Hotels Limited, trading as The Tongue Hotel, Lairg, IV27, failed to pay £771.48 to 11 workers.
  170. Pizza & Co West Road Limited – Dissolved 15/12/20, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4, failed to pay £757.62 to 1 worker.
  171. Tangerine Properties Ltd – Dissolved 15/12/20, Cambridge, CB22, failed to pay £743.21 to 5 workers.
  172. Ms Claire Frances, trading as Claire Frances Hairdressing, Glasgow, G3, failed to pay £739.02 to 1 worker.
  173. Delta Hampshire Court Op Co Limited, trading as Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke, RG24, failed to pay £737.96 to 10 workers.
  174. Delta Stratford Manor Op Co Limited, Leeds, LS27, failed to pay £728.77 to 8 workers.
  175. Fintax UK Limited, Birmingham, B8, failed to pay £727.79 to 3 workers.
  176. Forza GB (Great Britain) Ltd, Caldicot, NP26, failed to pay £721.34 to 2 workers.
  177. Benugo Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £717.80 to 12 workers.
  178. AMYU Limited – Dissolved 20/10/20, traded as Golden Spice Kebab House, Derby, DE11, failed to pay £710.20 to 4 workers.
  179. Old Plaza Ltd, Manchester, M34, failed to pay £692.60 to 15 workers.
  180. The Governors, trading as Pheasey Park Farm Primary School and Children’s Centre, Pheasey Park Farm School, Birmingham, B43, failed to pay £683.58 to 8 workers.
  181. You Me Thai Ltd – Dissolved 28/1/20, Hastings, TN34, failed to pay £667.70 to 2 workers.
  182. The Network (Field Marketing & Promotions) Company Limited, trading as JYL Hand to Hand, London, E3, failed to pay £661.37 to 14 workers.
  183. Ripon Spa Hotel Limited, Ripon, HG4, failed to pay £654.85 to 8 workers.
  184. Social Care Alba Ltd, Edinburgh, EH8, failed to pay £650.38 to 8 workers.
  185. The H Room Limited – Active proposal to strike off, Reading, RG1, failed to pay £639.67 to 4 workers.
  186. Eurotherm Limited, Telford, TF3, failed to pay £639.67 to 7 workers.
  187. Mr Henry Gornall, Mrs Joesphine Gornall, Mrs Lisa Gornall and Mr Richard Gornall, trading as The Hideaway at Windermere, Windermere, LA23, failed to pay £620.75 to 3 workers.
  188. Anthony John Salons Limited, Lichfield, WS14, failed to pay £615.46 to 1 worker.
  189. The Learning Mill Ltd, Leek, ST13, failed to pay £612.69 to 1 worker.
  190. Moses Basket Ltd, trading as Happi Feet, Bexley, DA17, failed to pay £610.65 to 10 workers.
  191. Super Noodles Catering Limited – Dissolved 8/3/22, Canterbury, CT1, failed to pay £601.24 to 1 worker.
  192. Al-Haqq UK Ltd, trading as Heavenly Desserts, Northampton, NN1, failed to pay £594.62 to 3 workers.
  193. Delta Belton Woods Op Co Limited, Grantham, NG32, failed to pay £587.56 to 3 workers.
  194. 727 Your Store Limited, Craigavon, BT62, failed to pay £580.37 to 1 worker.
  195. The Green Courier Limited, trading as Churchill Express, London, W3, failed to pay £576.08 to 1 worker.
  196. Tyre Torque Doncaster Limited, Doncaster, DN3, failed to pay £566.16 to 6 workers.
  197. United Church Schools Trust, Peterborough, PE3, failed to pay £554.82 to 2 workers.
  198. Global Education Management Systems Limited, trading as GEMS Education, London, SW1Y, failed to pay £530.42 to 1 worker.
  199. Mr Shobuz Ali, trading as Khalisa Indian Restaurant, Liverpool, L16, failed to pay £526.07 to 2 workers.
  200. JJJ-D Corporation Ltd – Liquidation 7/7/22, Bury, BL9, failed to pay £509.20 to 10 workers.
  201. Edenmore Golf & Country Club Ltd, Magheralin, BT67, failed to pay £506.52 to 11 workers.
  202. Mr Patrick Ginnelly, Nuneaton, CV11, failed to pay £502.37 to 1 worker.

Over six million disabled people start receiving £150 Cost of Living payment

· Government’s £150 Disability Cost of Living payments paid from today (Tuesday 20 June)

· Payments will be made automatically over two-week period between 20 June and 4 July 2023

· Anyone in receipt of certain disability benefits on 1 April 2023 is entitled and will receive the payment

· One-off disability cash forms part of wider support package worth up to £1,350 for the most vulnerable

More than six million disabled people across the UK are set to receive a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment from today.

The one-off payments, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions throughout a two-week window, will help disabled people with the extra costs they face.

It comes as part of a wider package of Cost of Living support worth up to £1,350 to the most vulnerable households, underlining the Government’s commitment to supporting these those most in need.

The Government is also working hard to ease cost of living pressures by working towards the goal of halving inflation, which will lay the foundation for the long-term growth needed to improve living standards for everyone.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said: “We recognise that some of the most vulnerable UK households continue to face cost of living pressures, in particular those who are disabled.

“Our commitment to halving inflation and ultimately getting it back to the 2% target will relieve a lot of financial pressure for us all, but this extra support will help over six million disabled people right now as we work towards that goal.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP, said: “The additional costs faced by disabled people mean inflation is particularly challenging, which is why halving it this year and getting back to the Bank of England’s 2% target is our priority.

“The £150 we’re sending disabled people over the next two weeks is part of a major cost-of-living support package worth just under £100 billion, providing some peace of mind to the most vulnerable in society.”

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said: “We understand the additional financial pressures disabled people are facing, which is why we are putting another £150 in their pockets from today.

“This is on top of further cost of living payments for low-income benefit claimants, as we’re committed to providing support where it is needed most.”

As the payment is made automatically, those eligible for the support do not need to take any action. The payment reference on bank statements will appear as the individual’s National Insurance number followed by “DWP COL”.

The full list of benefit recipients that qualify for the Disability Cost of Living Payment between 20 June and 4 July are those who receive any of the following:

· Disability Living Allowance

· Personal Independence Payment

· Attendance Allowance

· Scottish Disability Benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment)

· Armed Forces Independence Payment

· Constant Attendance Allowance

· War Pension Mobility Supplement

A small number of payments will be made after 4 July, where claimants were still awaiting confirmation of their eligibility or entitlement to qualifying disability benefits on 1 April.

This new payment is in addition to the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment that was paid last September. Pensioners will also receive a further £300 payment later this year and people on eligible means-tested benefits will be paid up to two more Cost of Living payments through to next Spring totalling £900.

UK to give Ukraine major boost to mount counteroffensive

  • Up to £25 million expansion to harden Ukraine’s cyber defences as Russia continues its callous attacks
  • Funding will protect critical national infrastructure and vital services through bolstered cyber defence capabilities to Ukraine, enabling them to detect, respond and prevent Russian cyber-attacks.
  • Cyber defence funding comes as the Prime Minister prepares to make the case for the private sector to join the fight to push back Russia by investing in Ukraine

The UK will roll out a major expansion to its cyber defence programme in Ukraine, protecting the country’s critical national infrastructure from crippling Russian attacks.

The programme, which supports Ukraine’s Government to rapidly respond to and defend vital government services against debilitating cyber-attacks, will be boosted by an injection of up to £25 million and a two-year expansion.

The package will include £16 million in UK funding and potential for a further £9 million contribution from international allies.

It is the latest tranche of UK support to Ukraine as the country mounts its counteroffensive against Russian forces that have brutally invaded the country, using all domains to sow instability and attempt to destroy Ukraine’s rightful sovereignty.

The Prime Minister, who will this week make the case for the private sector to join the counteroffensive against Russia by supporting Ukraine through investment, will say that it is vital the international community hardens Ukraine’s defences to enable it to protect and grow investment into the country.

Ukraine has successfully fought back a number of cyber-attacks by Russian forces, including destructive wiper-ware attacks and covert espionage-ware attacks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Russia’s appalling attacks on Ukraine are not limited to their barbaric land invasion, but also involve sickening attempts to attack their cyber infrastructure that provides vital services, from banking to energy supplies, to innocent Ukrainian people.

“This funding is critical to stopping those onslaughts, hardening Ukraine’s cyber defences and increasing the country’s ability to detect and disable the malware targeted at them.”

The UK-funded Ukraine Cyber Programme (UCP) uses world-leading expertise, from both the private and public sector, to protect Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure and vital public services.

The support, which builds on the Foreign Secretary’s announcement of £6.35 million for the programme last year, will also fund and provide forensic capabilities to enable Ukrainian cyber experts to analyse system compromises, attribute attackers and build better evidence to prosecute these indiscriminate attacks.

In addition to boosting cyber defences, the UK has also stepped up its military support to Ukraine.

This week, the UK contributed a further £250 million to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), which announced it would provide a major package of air defence, including radars, guns and ammunition to Kyiv to protect Ukrainian cities from indiscriminate Russian attacks.

That announcement followed the delivery of the UK’s long-range missile strike capability Storm Shadow last month, which has provided Ukraine with game-changing capability to defend itself from Russian attacks and degrade the capability of invading Russian forces.

Deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions extended to April 2025

Taxpayers now have until 5 April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 that may increase their State Pension – an extension of nearly two years – the UK Government has announced.

Extending the voluntary National Insurance contributions deadline until 2025 means that people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them and ensures no-one need miss out on the possibility of boosting their State Pension entitlements.

The original deadline was extended to 31 July 2023 earlier this year, and tens of thousands of people have taken advantage to pay voluntary contributions to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) since then. The revised deadline is expected to enable tens of thousands more to do the same.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “People who have worked hard all their lives deserve to receive their State Pension entitlement, and filling gaps in National Insurance records can make a real difference.

“With the deadline extended, there is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost.”

Laura Trott, Minister for Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions, said: “I am pleased to see so many people taking steps to review their State Pension, which is why we have extended the deadline for customers to add extra years to their National Insurance record.

“This extension means thousands more people will have time to check their entitlement, and in many cases, increase the amount they receive when they retire.”

The extension means that taxpayers have a longer period to enable them to afford to fill any gaps if they choose to do so. All relevant voluntary National Insurance contributions payments will be accepted at the rates applicable in 2022 to 2023 until 5 April 2025.

Individuals who are planning for their retirement could benefit from the opportunity to complete gaps in their National Insurance record. Other people who may benefit include those who may have been:

·         employed but with low earnings

·         unemployed and not claiming benefits

·         self-employed who did not pay contributions because of small profits

·         living or working outside of the UK

Paying voluntary contributions does not always increase your State Pension. Before starting the process, eligible individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards should check whether they would benefit from filling those gaps.

They can find out how to check their National Insurance record, obtain a State Pension forecast, decide if making a voluntary National Insurance contribution is worthwhile for them and their pension, and how to make a payment on GOV.UK.

Taxpayers can check their National Insurance record through their Personal Tax Account.

No case for routinely offering asylum to claimants from ‘safe’ Albania

A report published today by the Home Affairs Committee has found little evidence to indicate significant numbers of Albanian nationals are at risk in their own country and require asylum in the UK.  

However, some Albanian citizens making asylum claims will have been trafficked, and women are disproportionately at risk from this form of crime. The UK has an obligation to support trafficking victims and they should only be returned to Albania if appropriate safeguards are in place. 

In 2022, more than a quarter of the 45,755 people who crossed the Channel in small boats came from Albania and most claimed asylum. In one year the number of Albanians arriving in the UK by this route had gone from 800 to 12,301, a rise that was both unexpected and unexplained. 

Albania is a safe country, it is not at war and is a candidate country to join the European Union. There is no clear basis for the UK to routinely accept thousands of asylum applications from Albanian citizens, the Committee finds. 

However up to June 2022, 51% of asylum claims from Albania were initially accepted, a rate far higher than many comparable European nations. Nine countries, including Germany, accepted no asylum claims from Albania. The Home Office must explain why the UK’s acceptance rate was so high, particularly compared to other countries. It must also explain why the acceptance rate is substantially higher for women (88%) than for men (13%). 

Maintaining positive relations with the Albanian Government should also be a key priority to ensure that the UK can return irregular migrants and offenders from UK prisons. Politicians, commentators and others should be careful to show restraint in their language and not single out Albania as the sole cause of the UK’s asylum pressures. 

The report focusses on Albania due to the unexpected spike in small boat crossings and asylum claims by Albanian nationals in 2022. However, the Committee finds that it should not be singled out and scapegoated in relation to the UK’s ongoing asylum backlog or overcrowding at immigration processing centres.

The Prime Minister has committed to clearing the backlog by the end of the year and the Home Office needs to set out how it plans to achieve this. The Government should also provide quarterly progress reports, including information on the number of pending claims in the backlog, staffing levels for asylum caseworkers numbers and the number of asylum decisions made per week. 

A key driver of migration from Albania to the UK is economic. People are prepared to make the journey, even in dangerous small boat crossings, for improved job prospects and higher incomes. The desire to come to the UK will continue until Albania become wealthier. 

Improved awareness of work visa programmes would support formalised migration to the economic benefit of the UK and Albania, providing an alternative to people smuggling gangs and reducing the burden on the asylum system. 

Only 325 work visas were granted to Albanian nationals in the first nine months of 2022, with evidence submitted to the inquiry arguing that a perceived difficulty in obtaining work in the UK through legal means could be driving people towards clandestine migration routes.

The Committee finds that more should be done to promote the availability of visas that would fill worker shortages in the UK economy and enable some transfer of wealth back to Albania. This would include short-term or seasonal work in sectors such as construction or agriculture. 

Home Affairs Committee Chair, Dame Diana Johnson MP, said: “Such a substantial sudden increase in asylum claims from a seemingly peaceful country understandably raised concerns.

“While it is important that questions are asked and lessons are learnt, it is clear that the immigration picture is not static and will continue to evolve. New challenges are likely to continue to emerge and it is important that the UK improves its overall approach to asylum, rather than focus on one country. 

“Changes in migration will inevitably place strain on any system, but the Government must do much more to ensure it can better handle these stresses. Most importantly it must improve the speed of decision making and clear the backlog as we set out in our Channel Crossings report in 2022. We expect the Home Office to set out how it plans to achieve this. 

“People will continue to be attracted to the UK from Albania while it continues to offer job opportunities and higher wages. The UK should look at how access to work visa schemes can be improved to fill our skills or staffing gaps, while offering Albanian nationals a route to higher income, benefiting both nations.”