Tag: Westminster

Employment Rights Bill to boost productivity for British workers

The Westminster Government will today table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill

  • The Government has laid amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation with business groups and unions. 
  • The Bill will support the Government’s mission to increase productivity and create the right conditions for long-term sustainable, inclusive, and secure economic growth, delivering on the Plan for Change.
  • Improving workers’ rights is a key element of the government’s Plan for Change by putting more money in people’s pockets, improving working people’s day to day lives and delivering real life improvements felt by working people. 

The Government yesterday tabled amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation and responses from business groups, trade unions and wider civil society. 

The Labour government says these amendments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with businesses and trade unions to ensure the plan to Make Work Pay is firmly pro-business and pro-worker. 

Responses to five consultations ranging from zero-hours contracts to Statutory Sick Pay will also be published which show how the Government has listened to the views of stakeholders. 

The Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for people across the country. These amendments will deliver on the Plan for Change by tackling the low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security that has been holding the UK economy back. 

This landmark Bill will extend the employment protections already given by the best British companies to millions more workers. This will put the UK back in step with competitors in other advanced economies, who are already acting to adapt to the changing world of work. 

The Bill’s impact assessment, which was published last year, showed that many of the policies within the Employment Rights Bill could help support the Government’s Mission for Growth.

It concluded that that the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.” This is the result of a pro-business, pro-worker, approach which is going to help usher in a decade of national renewal. 

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “For too long millions of workers have been forced to face insecure, low paid and irregular work, while our economy is blighted by low growth and low productivity.   

“We are turning the tide – with the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, boosting living standards and bringing with it an upgrade to our growth prospects and the reforms our economy so desperately needs.   

“We have been working closely with businesses and workers to progress this landmark bill and deliver our Plan for Change – unleashing growth and making work pay for everyone.”

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Past Governments’ low growth and low productivity economy simply did not deliver what the UK needs, which is why we are choosing stability, investment and reform, not chaos, austerity and decline. This is why our mission to grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change is based on putting more money in working people’s pockets by making wages fairer and work more secure.  

“Many businesses already have worker friendly practices in place and can attest to the positive impact they have on retention, productivity and job satisfaction. We want to go further and untap the UK’s full potential by attracting the best talent and giving business the confidence to hire to help the economy grow.”

The amendments set out later today carefully consider different views and needs of workers, businesses and the whole economy and looks to deliver measures that support the mutual interests required to drive a growing, modern economy.

The government says they are delivering reform through the Plan for Change to create a decade of national renewal, meaning increased living standards across every part of the UK and putting politics back in the service of working people. 

They come following responses received to five Government consultations: 

  • Application of zero hours contracts measures to agency workersAll workers, including up to 900,000 agency workers in the UK, should be able to access a contract which reflects the hours they regularly work. These amendments will ensure that agency work does not become a loophole in our plans to end exploitative zero hours contracts. They will offer increased security for working people to receive reasonable notice of shifts and proportionate pay when shifts are cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice – whilst retaining the necessary flexibility for employers in how they manage their workforces.  
  • Strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancyThe Government will increase the maximum period of the protective award from 90 days to 180 days and issue further guidance for employers on consultation processes for collective redundancies. Increasing the maximum value of the award means an Employment Tribunal will be able to grant larger awards to employees for an employer’s failure to meet consultation requirements. We want to enhance the deterrent against employers deliberately ignoring their collective consultation obligations and ensure it is not financially beneficial to do so. 
  • Creating a Modern Framework for Industrial RelationsThe government is updating the legislative framework in which trade unions operate to align it with modern work practices. We are ensuring industrial relations are underpinned by collaboration, proportionality, accountability, and a system that balances the interests of workers, businesses and the wider public, with further details in the consultation response.   
  • Strengthening Statutory Sick PayThe Government will ensure the safety net of Statutory Sick Pay is available to those who need it the most, making it a legal right for all workers for the very first time.  Up to 1.3 million employees on low wages who find themselves unable to work due to sickness will either receive 80 per cent of their average weekly earnings or the current rate of Statutory Sick Pay – whichever is lower. We are also ensuring employees have a right to Statutory Sick Pay from the first day of sickness absence, so they are able to take the time off they need to recover and stay in work rather than risk dropping out altogether. The changes will also reduce the amount of people going to work when ill and therefore the spread of infections in the workplace – boosting productivity and benefiting businesses. 
  • Tackling non-compliance in the umbrella company marketThe Government will act to ensure that workers can access comparable rights and protections when working through a so-called umbrella company as they would when taken on directly by a recruitment agency. Enforcement action can be taken against any umbrella companies that do not comply.  

A strong package of workers’ rights and protections goes hand in hand with a strong economy because a secure workforce will be more productive and have more confidence to spend in the economy. This contributes to growth – both through the work that people do, and the money that they spend. 

As well as creating protections for people at work, the Government is determined to create a modern economy that works for businesses and workers alike. We are delivering these reforms collaboratively, pragmatically, and in a reasonable timeframe where businesses can prepare.  

For businesses to thrive they must operate on a level playing field. The Fair Work Agency will take strong action against rogue employers that exploit their workers, and it will provide better support to the majority of businesses who want to do right by their staff. 

The Government says they will continue to hold continuous extensive engagement as they develop their Plan to Make Work Pay and as the details of these polices are developed. 

Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary said: “Everyone deserves security and respect at work. These common-sense reforms will improve the quality of jobs in this country, boost growth and put more money into people’s pockets. 

“Policies like banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, ensuring protection from unfair dismissal from day one, and tackling ‘fire and rehire’ are long overdue and necessary. 

“This is about creating a modern economy that works for workers and business alike. Driving up employment standards in Britain will stop good employers from being undercut by the bad and will mean more workers benefit from a union voice.”

Interim Acas CEO, Dan Ellis, said: “Acas is committed to making working life better for everyone in Britain and we welcome the Government’s focus on improving workplace relations.

“The Government has made some new amendments to the Employment Rights Bill that impacts agency workers, statutory sick pay rules and employers that want to make 20 or more employees redundant.

“The Bill is currently going through Parliament and is subject to further debate and revisions. We will continue to work with the Government and partners to support businesses and workers to prepare for the new law changes.”

Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “Employers will be relieved to see some amendments, at what is clearly a milestone moment for Government.

“It has consulted business – and this is reflected in some of the decisions on the future shape of the legislation. There is much here to welcome as sensible moves that will help ensure that employment works for both the business and the individual, including the nine-month statutory probation period and the promise of a light touch approach, as well as simplifying rules on collective consultation. 

“But businesses remain cautious, and it is important to continue ensuring the Bill strikes the right balance.  Employers will look forward to hearing, engaging with and shaping further detail.

“The government must continue its positive approach to engagement with firms and remain open to changes. Doing so will ensure this legislation is proportionate, affordable, and right for both firms and their employees.”

Centrica Group Chief Executive, Chris O’Shea said: “We are fully supportive of this legislation. This isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a foundation for the high-growth, high-skill economy the UK needs.

“While no one business has all the answers, our experience at Centrica shows that our business thrives when our people thrive – so stronger rights for workers mean stronger businesses, and that’s a win for everyone.  

“As we look to invest billions in green energy, nuclear, and hydrogen storage, having a skilled and engaged workforce is critical to delivering on the UK’s energy security and net zero ambitions. The Government’s wider growth and energy missions rely on businesses and workers pulling in the same direction—I hope this Bill helps make that possible.”

Julie Abraham, CEO of Richer Sounds said: “At Richer Sounds, we have always put the treatment and wellbeing of our colleagues at the forefront of everything we do.  Any responsible business will know that well-treated and well-paid colleagues will be beneficial in numerous ways.  

“Happy colleagues are likely to be more productive. This also leads to reduced stock loss and higher staff retention, which in turn, minimises recruitment and training costs, not to mention disruption to established teams. 

“We support any government legislation that will help end exploitative working practices and improve the lives of working people.”

Ann Francke OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), said: “The Employment Rights Bill represents a significant step forward in improving conditions for the UK’s workforce. Many of these measures reflect what successful, responsible and forward-looking employers are already doing.  

“CMI has welcomed the Government’s collaborative approach in progressing this Bill, working alongside both businesses and unions to find the balance needed. The real key to success, however, will be the ability of skilled managers to implement these changes, ensuring they get it right and can deliver growth and productivity benefits for organisations whilst ensuring individuals are treated fairly.  

“We look forward to working closely with the Fair Work Agency to ensure managers and leaders are equipped with the skills they need to navigate this milestone piece of legislation.”

Simon Deakin, Professor of Law, University of Cambridge said: “The research we have done in Cambridge shows that on average, strengthening employment laws in this country in the last 50 years has had pro-employment effects.  

“The consensus on the economic impacts of labour laws is that, far from being harmful to growth, they contribute positively to productivity. Labour laws also help ensure that growth is more inclusive and that gains are distributed more widely across society.”

Claire Costello, Chief of People and Inclusion Officer – Co-op: “The Co-op support the Government’s ambitions to strengthen rights for workers through the Employment Rights Bill.

“It’s our belief that treating employees well – a key objective of this Bill – will promote productivity and generate the economic growth this country needs.”

Neil Carberry, CEO of Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said: “Regulating the umbrella market closes a loophole in addressing non-compliance.

“Recruiters have long called for regulations that ensure a level playing-field. Like all aspects of the Government’s changes, proper enforcement will be key to protecting both businesses and workers.”

PM: ‘Britain will lead from the front’

Prime Minister Starmer’s statement to the House of Commons: 3 March 2025

Mr. Speaker 

Less than a week since I called on this House to show the courage of our predecessors we see clearly before us – the test of our times. A crossroads in our history.   

So with permission I will update the House on my efforts to secure a strong, just and lasting peace following Russia’s vile invasion of Ukraine. 

Mr. Speaker – it begins in this House where on Tuesday, I announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

A recognition of the fact that once again, we live in an era where peace in Europe depends upon strength and deterrence.

But also – a rediscovery of the old post-war argument long-held on these benches that economic security is national security. 

Because Mr. Speaker, the demands we now have to make of Britain must come alongside a new foundation of security for working people. 

The tough choices we made last week, they are not done. We must use the process of getting to 3% of our national income spent on defence to fundamentally rebuild British industry. 

Use our investment in military spending to create new jobs and apprenticeships in every part of our country. 

And that’s why, last night, I announced a deal that perfectly symbolises this new era. 

A partnership with Ukraine that allows them to use £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance to buy 5,000 air defence missiles, manufactured in Belfast. That means UK jobs, UK skills, UK finance , pulling together for our national interest.

Putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position for peace and protecting innocent civilians from the terror of Russian drones. 

Mr. Speaker, my efforts continued on Thursday when I met President Trump in the White House to strengthen our relationship with America. 

Now, what happened in his subsequent meeting with President Zelenskyy is something nobody in this House wants to see. 

But I do want to be crystal clear: we must strengthen our relationship with America for our security, for our technology, for our trade and investment. They are and always will be – indispensable. 

And we will never choose between either side of the Atlantic. In fact, Mr. Speaker, if anything, the past week has shown that that idea to be totally unserious. Because while some people may enjoy the simplicity of taking a side, this week has shown with total clarity that the US is vital in securing the peace we all want to see in Ukraine. 

So I welcome the opportunity for a new economic deal with the US, confirmed by the President last week, because it is an opportunity I am determined to pursue. 

I welcome the positive discussions we had on European security, including his clear support for Article 5 of NATO. I welcome the understanding, from our dialogue that our two nations will work together on security arrangements for a lasting peace in Ukraine. 

And I also welcome the President’s continued commitment to that peace which nobody in this House should doubt for a second – is sincere. 

Mr. Speaker, I now turn to events this weekend and the moving scenes that greeted President Zelenskyy as he arrived in London on Saturday. 

Mr. Speaker I saw for myself that he was taken aback when the crowd in Whitehall cheered at the top of their voices, and they were speaking for the whole of our country.

A reminder – that this Government, this House and this nation stand in unwavering support behind him and the people of Ukraine. 

Mr. Speaker, we resolved together to move forward the strong cause of just and lasting peace for Ukraine.  

And then on Sunday I hosted European leaders from across our continent, equally committed to this cause including President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, the leaders of NATO, the European Commission and Council and the Prime Minister of Canada, a vital ally of this country, the Commonwealth and Ukraine responsible for training over 40,000 Ukrainian troops.  

I also had the privilege beforehand of speaking online to the leaders of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia – each of whom, as close as they are to the frontline with Russia, stressed the urgency of the moment. 

And Mr. Speaker, it was a productive summit. Together, we agreed a clear strategy. That the United Kingdom, France and our allies will work closely with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, which we will then discuss directly with the United States. 

It is a plan that has four clear principles, which I will now share in full with the House:

First, that we must keep the military aid to Ukraine flowing, keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia. And to that end, alongside our partnership on air defence we are doubling-down on military aid. 

Already this year we have taken our support to record levels but on Saturday we also agreed a new £2.2 billion loan for Ukraine backed, not by the British taxpayer but by the profits from frozen Russian assets.

Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must guarantee the sovereignty and security of Ukraine. And that Ukraine must be at the table when negotiating their future. That is absolutely vital. 

Third, we agreed that in the event of a peace deal we will continue to boost Ukraine’s defences and Ukraine’s deterrence. 

And finally, fourth.we agreed to develop a “coalition of the willing” ready to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee the peace. 

After all, the Ukrainian position is completely understandable. For them, the war did not begin three years ago. That was merely the latest and most brutal escalation.  

They have signed agreements with Putin, before. They have experienced the nature of his diplomacy and the calibre of his word.  

We can’t accept a weak deal like Minsk again, No, we must proceed with strength and that does now require – urgently – a coalition of the willing. 

Mr. Speaker – we agreed on Sunday that those willing to play a role in this will intensify planning now.  And as this House would expect Britain will play a leading role. With, if necessary and together with others, boots on the ground and planes in the air. 

Mr. Speaker, it is right that Europe do the heavy lifting to support peace on our continent. But to succeed, this effort must also have strong US backing. 

I want to assure the House I take none of this lightly. I visited British troops in Estonia and no aspect of my role weighs more heavily than the deployment of British troops in the service of the defence and security in Europe.

And yet I do feel very strongly that the future of Ukraine is vital for our national security. 

Russia is a menace in our waters and skies, They have launched cyber-attacks on our NHS, assassination attempts in our streets.  

In this House, we stand by Ukraine because it is the right thing to do but we also stand by them because it is in our interest to do so. Because if we do not achieve a lasting peace then the instability and insecurity that has hit the living standards of working people in Britain that will only get worse. 

And Putin’s appetite for conflict and chaos that will only grow. 

So a strong peace, a just peace, a lasting peace, that has now to be our goal.  

It is vital, it is in our interest and its pursuit – Britain will lead from the front. 

For the security of our continent, the security of our country and the security of the British people we must now win the peace. 

And I commend this statement to the House.

UPDATE

Stakes have been raised since Starmer’s announcement to Westminster yesterday. A spokesman for the Trump government announced overnight that the USA is is to ‘pause’ military aid to Ukraine.

Trump’s USA is by far the biggest contributor to Ukraine’s military effort and this latest statement of American intent, if carried out, deals a grevious blow to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian invaders.

Europe’s ‘coalition of the willing’ may have to come up with a revised plan – and quickly.

UK Youth Parliament annual session at Westminster today

TODAY (Friday 28 February), more than 300 elected Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) aged 11-18 will represent the views of their peers and hold debates on a range of topics.

Young people from across the UK, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will return to the House of Commons Chamber today for the annual sitting of UK Youth Parliament.  

The debated motions will include:

  • 16- and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in all elections and referendums, accompanied with more political education throughout school.  
  • That the National Minimum Wage for every worker under 22 be raised, to match the National Living Wage for those over 22.  
  • All public transport should be free for young people. 
  • All young people in the UK must have access to a standardised level of political literacy and democratic education to improve engagement in politics on a local, national and international level to develop critical thinking skills.  
  • To establish period dignity, there should be free, accessible, good quality period products available in public spaces for everyone.  

The debate areas are part of the UK Youth Parliament Manifesto for 2024-2026 ‘Shaping Our Future, Today Not Tomorrow’ which was created by the MYP’s at their Annual Conference in October 2024, drawing on the views and issues raised by young people from across the UK. 

For the first time in the House of Commons, an MYP will use British Sign Language to deliver his speech. A BSL interpreter will communicate this via a microphone in the Commons Chamber. 

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said that he is “very proud that this sitting of the UK Youth Parliament will be the most inclusive and exciting yet.

“I cannot wait to hear the thoughts and views of young people from across the UK, the British Overseas Territories, and the Crown Dependencies, on the issues that matter to them.”   

Leigh Middleton, OBE, CEO, National Youth Agency: “Youth voice is a central tenet of youth work and the UK Youth Parliament provides young people with a valuable opportunity to debate the issues which they have identified as being important whilst gaining first-hand experience of the political process. 

“The Annual Sitting really is the highlight of the UK Youth Parliament calendar when we get to see the young Members of Youth Parliament shine in the prestigious setting as they deliver their impassioned speeches and arguments for reform.”  

The debates will be streamed live (with an approximately 20-minute delay) on parliamentlive.tv and YouTube. 

Find more information about UK Youth Parliament from the House of Commons Library Research Briefing. 

MPs to hold a debate on the Third anniversary of the war in Ukraine

On Thursday 27th February, MPs will hold a debate on the Third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

A full transcript of the debate which be available three hours after the debate on Commons Hansard. 

Backbench Business Committee 

The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject. 

The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal.

New protections needed to tackle ‘pervasively ageist culture’, says Westminster Committee

‘Widespread’ and ‘culturally embedded’ ageism requires stronger legal protections against age discrimination and a new cross-Government strategy to address the challenges and opportunities posed by the UK’s ageing population, a new report by Westminster’s Women and Equalities Committee has warned. 

It recommended the UK Government assess the experience in Wales, which has a well-established Commissioner for Older People and a comprehensive network of local authority Older People’s Champions helping to deliver a national strategy, with a view to replicating a similar framework in England. 

Existing age discrimination law and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) are ‘failing older people’ as their protections are inadequate and rarely enforced, WEC’s report on the rights of older people found, as it called on the Government to commission and fund a wholesale review by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). 

MPs found clear evidence that ageist stereotyping, including portrayals of older people as frail, helpless or incompetent, or conversely as wealth-hoarding “boomers”, is highly prevalent across the UK media and is a significant contributory factor to the normalisation of ageist attitudes.  

Ageism, the report concluded, causes harm both to older individuals, including when self-limiting stereotypes are internalised, and at societal level, pitting generations against each other and breeding unnecessary and unhelpful division. 

 Despite the continuing rise in older age groups across the UK – with 11 million people in England and Wales aged 65 or older and over half a million people aged over 90 – the UK’s equalities framework omits a focus on demographic change and ageing, WEC found. 

It called on the Cabinet Office to establish a unit of data and policy analysts within the Office of Equality and Opportunity (OEO) to build an evidence base on the key cross-departmental challenges, including intersectional issues, facing older people now and in the coming decades.   

The report called on the Government to commission and fund the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to review the effectiveness of protections against age discrimination, including consideration of the impacts of allowing objective justification of direct age discrimination; the adequacy of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and the case for more specific positive duties in England; the case for a strengthened “reasonable steps” duty on employers to prevent age discrimination; and options to better reflect in the Equality Act the intersectional nature of age discrimination, including but not limited to commencement of section 14 on dual characteristics.  

On digital exclusion from essential services, it warned some older people are at high risk, including in aspects of healthcare, local authority services, benefits and banking, adding it is a ‘considerable failure of government’ that the UK’s digital inclusion strategy has not been updated in over a decade.  

WEC urged the Government to prioritise the development of a new digital inclusion strategy that includes a detailed focus on the needs of older people, including a plan for locally delivered digital skills provision and promotion of best practice in maintaining offline alternatives to digital for as long as needs remain.  

It also called on the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the broadcast media regulator Ofcom and the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) to take steps to strengthen their respective regulatory codes to better protect individuals and society from the harms of pervasive ageism.

Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Labour MP Sarah Owen, said: “The Committee’s report shows clearly that age discrimination is widespread in the UK and often minimised compared to other forms of discrimination. A comprehensive review of age discrimination law is a necessary step in tackling the UK’s pervasively ageist culture. 

“The UK’s growing and increasingly diverse ageing population presents significant cross-departmental challenges and opportunities, so the lack of a Government strategy on how to respond to these issues is concerning.

“The UK Government should look to the experience in Wales, which has a dedicated Commissioner for Older People and a national strategy, and consider how to give older people a much stronger voice in policy making in England. 

“Technology has become the default for many public services, meaning a refreshed Digital Inclusion Strategy is more important than ever. It is a considerable failure of government that the Digital Inclusion Strategy has not been updated, nor progress tracked, for a decade.  

“Ultimately much more must be done to tackle ageist attitudes and discrimination across society, including in access to healthcare, local services, banking and transport.”

Over two million extra NHS appointments delivered early in England as trusts handed £40 million to go ‘further and faster’

Over two million extra NHS appointments including for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy, and diagnostic tests delivered as government delivers first step to fix the NHS seven months early

  • Pledge to deliver over two million more elective care appointments hit early with over 100,000 more treatments, tests and scans for patients each week
  • Waiting lists falls by almost 160,000 since government took office, as extra appointments delivered for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy and diagnostic tests
  • Comes as an additional £40 million set to be handed to trusts that deliver biggest improvements in cutting waiting lists
  • Marks major step towards delivering Plan for Change milestone of hitting 18-week treatment target by the end of this Parliament

Over two million extra NHS appointments including for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy, and diagnostic tests delivered as government delivers first step to fix the NHS seven months early. 

The Prime Minister has welcomed new figures published by NHS England [today] which reveal that between July and November last year, the NHS delivered almost 2.2 million more elective care appointments compared to the same period the previous year – delivering on the government’s mission to fix the NHS as part of the Plan for Change. 

The new data confirms the government reached the target seven months earlier than promised – with 100,000 more treatments, tests, and scans for patients each week, and more than half a million extra diagnostic tests delivered.

It follows figures published last week which showed the waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year. 

It means thousands of patients have received vital operations, scans, treatments, and consultations earlier than planned, helping them get back on with their lives and back to work sooner.

The extra 2 million appointments – delivered in part by extra evening and weekend working – are underpinned by the government’s ambitious wider reform agenda, including our plan to expand opening hours at Community Diagnostic Centres across the country, 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

The government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future starts with tackling waiting lists, and hitting this milestone is a crucial step towards treating 92% of elective care patients within 18 weeks of referral by the end of this Parliament – delivering a core commitment in the Plan for Change.  

While there is more to do, today’s milestone also clears the path to bring forward wider NHS reforms through the government’s Elective Reform Plan – announced by the Prime Minister last month – which will cut waiting times and improve patient experience by getting people seen more quickly, closer to home. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  “Two million extra NHS appointments and a waiting list on its way down – we’re delivering on our promise to fix the NHS and make sure people get the care they need, when they need it. 

“This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the cancer patients who for too long were left wondering when they’ll finally start getting their life-saving treatment. It’s about the millions of people who’ve put their lives and livelihoods on hold – waiting in pain and uncertainty as they wait for a diagnosis.

“We said we’d turn this around and that’s exactly what we’re doing – this milestone is a shot in the arm for our plan to get the NHS back on its feet and cut waiting times.

“But we’re not complacent and we know the job isn’t done. We’re determined to go further and faster to deliver more appointments, faster treatment, and a National Health Service that the British public deserve as part of our Plan for Change.” 

Since entering office, the government has hit the ground running to fix the broken health service we inherited by tackling the waiting lists, and building an NHS fit for the future. 

This includes ending NHS strikes so staff are on the front line instead of the picket line this winter, vaccinating more people against flu than this time last year and putting immediate investment into our health system through £1.8 billion to fund extra elective care appointments as part of record £26 billion extra NHS funding secured at the October Budget.   

Building on this, the government has announced an extra £40 million funding pot for trusts who make the biggest improvements in cutting waiting lists. The funding will be available for hospitals from next year to spend on capital projects such as new equipment or repairs to their estate which can deliver faster access to treatment and improve conditions for patients. 

Further details on the scope and allocation of the funding package will be set out in due course, but examples of the innovations that trusts will be able to benefit from include investment into new tech such as surgical robots and AI scanners to modernise the NHS and help patients get diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.

The funding could also go towards completing hospital ward maintenance – expediting the transformation of ageing NHS estates and giving patients newer, safer environments in which to receive care. 

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “We have wasted no time in getting to work to cut NHS waiting times and end the agony of millions of patients suffering uncertainty and pain.

“Because we ended the strikes, invested in the NHS, and rolled out reformed ways of working, we are finally putting the NHS on the road to recovery.

“We promised change, and we’ve delivered, providing the two million extra appointments we pledged in just our first five months – a promise made, and a promise kept. The result is around 160,000 fewer patients on waiting lists today than in July.

“That was just the first step. Through our Plan for Change, we are opening new surgical hubs, Community Diagnostics Centres at evenings and weekends, and using private sector capacity to cut waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks.”

Amanda Pritchard NHS chief executive said: “Thanks to the hard work of staff and embracing the latest innovations in care, we treated hundreds of thousands more patients last year and delivered a record number of tests and checks, with the waiting list falling for the fourth month in a row.

“There is much more to do to slash waiting times for patients, but the Elective Care Reform Plan will allow us to build on this incredible progress as we boost capacity and drive efficiency while also improving the experience of patients.”

The Elective Reform Plan will drive forward action to meet the 18-week target through the necessary reforms to overhaul the system, support staff, cut waste and put patients first – creating millions more appointments in the process. As part of this, the government is creating thousands more appointments through greater access to Community Diagnostic Centres and 17 new or expanded surgical hubs.  

The Community Diagnostic Centres will be opened 12 hours a day, seven days a week wherever possible so that people can access a broader range of more appointments closer to home in their neighbourhoods. These will increase the availability of same-day tests and consultations so that patients don’t have to wait for weeks in between different stages of care.  

The surgical hubs will be also created within existing hospitals by June and three others expanded, with more expected in coming years supported by the £1.5 billion investment confirmed at the Autumn budget.  

These will bring together the necessary expertise, best practice, and tech under one roof to focus on delivering the most common, less complex procedures. The new hubs will be ring-fenced from winter pressures and will cut waiting times for standard surgeries, in turn freeing up beds in acute wards needed for more complex cases. 

Other elements of the plan include freeing up around 1 million more appointments every year by removing non-essential follow-ups, publishing a new deal with the independent sector to increase capacity, revolutionising the NHS app to give patients greater choice and control over their treatment and preventing unnecessary referrals by incentivising GPs to work with hospital doctors to get specialist advice. 

The government has also launched a nationwide consultation on the 10 Year Health Plan to build an NHS fit for the future and secured an extra £2 billion to upgrade NHS technology and £1 billion to deal with the massive NHS maintenance backlog. 

As part of a drive towards prevention, NHS England have also launched its first-ever awareness campaign today to support more women to attend potentially lifesaving breast screening.

The campaign, supported by leading charity Breast Cancer Now, launches today with a new advert across TV, on demand and radio to highlight the benefits of screening in detecting cancer at the earliest opportunity. 

Last year alone, NHS breast screening services detected cancers in 18,942 women across England, which otherwise may not have been diagnosed or treated until a later stage, and the most comprehensive review to date found around 1,300 deaths are prevented each year by the breast screening programme.

Rough sleeping is ‘a source of national shame’ that must be fixed, say MPs

England is experiencing a rough-sleeping emergency and the rising number of people sleeping rough is a source of national shame, says the cross-party Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee in a letter to Angela Rayner, Secretary of State, and Rushanara Ali, Minister for Homelessness and Democracy, published today.

The Committee’s short inquiry finds that the number of people sleeping rough is not only high but has increased in recent years with the Committee writing to the Secretary of State to outline a series of steps the Government could take to turn the tide on rough sleeping.

Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee said: “The shocking levels of rough sleeping on our streets should be a source of national shame.

“The seriousness of the rough sleeping emergency must act as a spur to Government action which prioritises prevention and which brings forward the right investment and support to fix this crisis.

“The success of the ‘Everyone In’ policy during the pandemic shows it’s possible to end rough sleeping. Building more social and genuinely affordable housing will be crucial to any long-term solution but we must also address the immediate housing need for those who arerough sleeping. We must also improve the delivery of joined-up support for those with long-standing health and addiction issues to help them get back on their feet.

“I urge the Inter-Ministerial Group on Tackling Homelessness and Rough Sleeping to take on board the Committee’s recommendations and to deliver on the Government’s commitment to turn the tide on homelessness”.

The Committee was told by witnesses, including council and homeless charity representatives, how the increasing cost of rents was being exacerbated by historical decisions to freeze the Local Housing Allowance, the prevalence of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, and by the five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment “which can further entrench poverty.”

The Committee calls on the Government to take concrete steps to address the emergency, including bringing forward measures to help people sustain tenancies in the face of rising rents and the broader cost of living crisis, including ending Section 21 evictions through the passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill as soon as possible.

The Committee also recommends the Government review the welfare assistance that those on low incomes can receive, including ensuring that Universal Credit (UC) payments meet the costs of essentials, and that the Government looks to end the 5-week waiting period for those in receipt of UC.

The Committee’s emphasis on prioritising funding for prevention leads it to recommend a shift to a smaller number of longer-term funding streams, which should be more cost-effective and enable councils to better plan support services.

Further, the inquiry heard that charities and local authorities often struggle to house people presenting as homeless because they do not have access to sufficient accommodation to house everyone. Councils described a situation where the stock of housing available to them has dwindled over the decades due to their inability to replace homes “lost” to the private rented sector as a result of the Right to Buy policy.

To help address this, the Committee recommends the building of more social and genuinely affordable housing as part of its ambition to build 1.5 million new homes, suggesting theGovernment consider including a specific sub-target for these types of tenures.

The Committee also proposes the Government set out a plan specifically for the rejuvenation of supported housing to help support individuals away from the streets and into permanent tenancies. Additionally, the Committee recommends restoring funding for supported housing services previously provided by the Supporting People programme.

The Committee’s inquiry looked at previous approaches to tackle rough sleeping and the effectiveness of initiatives such as the ‘Housing First’ strategy, and comes forward with recommendations on access to support, joined-up working, and on collecting robust data to help deliver better services to prevent rough sleeping and mitigate its impacts.

Finally, the Committee recommends the Government review the appropriateness of guidance which councils have regard to when fulfilling their statutory housing duties, including the use of the concept of “intentional homelessness”; local connection tests and priority needs assessments.

It does so having heard evidence of some councils using these as a way to“gatekeep” much needed support from those at risk of sleeping rough.

UK Government unveils plans for next generation of new towns in England

Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards of new towns across England, as Starmer paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.

  • Over 100 sites across England have come forward to be considered for next generation of new towns
  • Government on track to create beautiful communities, provide affordable homes, and deliver much needed infrastructure, including schools and nurseries, GP surgeries, and bus routes 
  • By taking on the blockers, 20,000 homes, along with new schools and health facilities, will move forward following government action, and we will now turn to unblock the remaining 700,000 homes across 350 sites 
  • Comes as government rolls out major planning reforms to sweep away the blockers and push through its housebuilding agenda as part of the Plan for Change

Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards new towns across Britain (? – Ed.), as the Prime Minister paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.

Visiting a housing development today, the Prime Minister will unveil the government’s plans for the next generation of new towns – well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools and public transport where people will want to live. 

Over 100 proposals from across every region in England were submitted, showing local areas and housebuilders’ ambition to get on board to build the next generation of new towns – playing their part in getting Britain building and tackling the worst housing crisis in living memory. Every new town will have the potential to deliver 10,000 homes or more. 

Delivering security is central to this government’s Plan for Change, because the least working people deserve when they graft hard is a secure home. That’s why the government is providing much-needed housing in the right places with the right infrastructure, and the New Towns Taskforce has today set clear principles on what the next generation of new towns will deliver: affordable housing, vital infrastructure and access to open green spaces and nature, to transform the lives of working people. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For so many families, homeownership is a distant dream. After a decade of decline in housebuilding, the impact is a disconnect between working hard and getting on.

“This is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about the security and stability that owning your own home brings. I know what this means for working people – the roof above our head was everything for our family growing up. 

“We’ve already made progress in just seven months, unblocking 20,000 stuck homes. But there’s more to do.

“We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder. We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.

“As part of the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, our ambitious Plan for Change will transform the lives of working people, once again connecting the basic principle that if you work hard, you should get on.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “Time and again we are seeing too many new homes stuck or stalled that not only act as a barrier to growth but also has real-world consequences for working people and families who see homeownership as nothing more than a distant dream.  

“I will not run away from the tough choices to fix the housing crisis we inherited that has left thousands of families on housing waiting lists, allowed homelessness to spiral out of control, and stopped an entire generation from picking up the keys to their first home.  

“While our vision for the next generation of new towns is setting the stage for a housebuilding revolution in the years to come, urgent action is needed now to build the homes and infrastructure that our local communities are crying out for.

“That’s why our New Homes Accelerator is working at pace to find solutions and remove blockages in the system, executing long-lasting solutions to get spades in the ground.  

“Today we are embarking on the next chapter in our Plan for Change to build 1.5 million new homes, deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation, and raise living standards for working people and families across the country.”

For far too long, working people have been let down by a decline in housebuilding. That’s why the government is ‘rolling up its sleeves’ and is ‘taking on the blockers’ with major reforms to planning regulation to get Britain building. 

That work is already underway, with a staggering 20,000 new homes now successfully unblocked by the government’s novel ‘New Homes Accelerator’ programme, which deploys planning expertise to speed up the delivery of housing sites held by unnecessary delays.  

Areas that have already benefitted from direct government action include:

  • Over 1,000 homes unlocked at Cowley Hill in Liverpool, where an agreement has been reached with the Environment Agency who withdrew its previous objections on both flood risk and biodiversity grounds, subject to planning.
  • And at Wolborough in Devon, the Accelerator has worked with Natural England to help accelerate this development, whilst ensuring environmental improvements are secured. On top of the 1,100 homes the site is injecting £1.75 million towards off-site pedestrian and cycle improvements, playing pitches, bus services and a local travel plan.  

Housebuilders and local councils have put forward over 350 housing development sites stuck in the system under the previous government – that together could unlock around 700,000 new homes.

Around a quarter of sites submitted are already receiving government attention since the call for evidence closed in October – demonstrating success of the programme, and local ambition to support the government’s 1.5 million homes target.

This goes hand-in-hand with government action to overhaul the planning system, supporting the builders and not the blockers, taking the brakes off economic growth, raising living standards, and making the tough decisions to deliver for working people and families. 

This includes:

  • Publishing a new growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework, which introduced new mandatory for councils to deliver the right homes in the right places, with a combined total of 370,000 homes a year.
  • Introducing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill next month. The Bill will overhaul environmental regulations to no longer accept the failed status quo where bats are more important than trains or newts more important than homes, and remove blockers to fast-track delivery of the homes and infrastructure that local communities need.    

To get Britain building now – the government today announces plans to fast stream planning through brokering disagreements between the agencies and expert bodies, which by law must be consulted within the planning process. Bodies including National Highways, Natural England and the Environment Agency will need to bring planners and housebuilders to the table and iron out concerns that have been holding back development.

Responding to sector concerns on pinch points, work stepping up with the Building Safety Regulator to ensure greater timeliness and efficiency when new tall buildings are signed off – to provide more homes for more people.

This work will be bolstered by extra government funding announced today, including:  

  • £1 million for government agencies, including National Highways, Natural England and the Environment Agency, to speed up the planning approval of new homes and improve feedback to local authorities and industry where required.
  • £2 million to support the Building Safety Regulator to continue improving the processing for new-build applications.
  • Over £3 million of grants for local councils to bolster planning capacity, alongside direct advice and navigate through some of the more complex issues holding up new development.   

Alongside the Accelerator, the government is also supporting local partners through a clearing service to help accelerate the sale of uncontracted and unsold affordable homes, with nearly 300 housebuilders, local councils and registered providers signing up in the first 50 days of its launch.   

In December, the government set a clear hierarchy of brownfield first, grey belt second and green belt third. Today, further funding is being injected to drive regeneration and brownfield deliver in the following areas:  

  • £20 million to help transform neglected small-scale council-owned sites into new homes, for areas most in need.
  • Nearly £30 million from the Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund in Bradford to transform derelict brownfield sites into a vibrant residential area with 1,000 new homes, three community parks, shops, cafés, restaurants, and offices.
  • £1.5 million to support a regeneration programme at Manchester Victoria North, delivering a new district of 15,000 homes with transport links and green spaces.   

Getting homes built for working people is a priority and is backed by investment in housing which is increasing to £5 billion for this year, including a top-up of £800 million being injected into the existing Affordable Homes Programme to help deliver tens of thousands of new affordable and social homes across the country.   

This is in addition to an extra £100 million of cash to bolster local resources with increased planning fees to cover costs and funding to recruit 300 planning officers, making sure councils have the capacity they need to rubberstamp new homes and infrastructure.

£5.5 BILLION lost to tax evasion could be ‘significant underestimate’, report warns

HMRC ‘not sufficiently curious on true scale of evasion, with no strategy for tackling it’

The true cost of tax evasion is likely being vastly underestimated, as loopholes in the current system make it all too easy for fraudulent behaviour to go unchecked. In a report released today, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is calling for a clear strategy to tackle tax evasion and increased powers for public bodies to address fraud. 

HMRC estimates that tax evasion cost £5.5 billion in lost revenue in 2022-23, 81% of which could be attributed to small businesses. But the introduction of legislation in 2021 making online marketplaces liable for VAT from overseas sellers led to £1.5bn in additional taxes per year, five times greater than HMRC predicted.*

The PAC is therefore concerned HMRC may have underestimated the level of evasion occurring and is calling on HMRC to assess the reasons behind this gap. The report is concerned by the lack of curiosity shown by HMRC to investigate the issue, further noting that its inquiry heard that anywhere between 5% and 20% of UK registered companies were fraudulent in 2023.   

Despite the vast sums lost, HMRC does not have a clear objective or strategy to tackle tax evasion. The issue appears to be exacerbated by a lack of collaboration to date between HMRC, Companies House and the Insolvency Service.

The PAC is calling for HMRC to set out a clear strategy for tackling evasion and deliberate non-compliance, while noting that the current planned timeline of five to ten years to tighten company registration requirements is too far in the future. 

The introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 granted Companies House greater powers to clean up the company register and remove fraudulent information.

With identity verification set to become mandatory by autumn 2025, it is clear steps are being taken in the right direction. But the PAC is concerned measures are not strong enough, as Companies House is still unable to verify addresses of registered companies, which the PAC fear will mean it shall remain all too easy for registrations for fraudulent means to continue.  

The PAC was disappointed to learn that HMRC has continued to bombard a taxpayer in Cardiff with letters seeking unpaid tax as a result of businesses fraudulently registering their home address for VAT purposes, despite the Committee having pressed this issue for over a year.

The PAC fear this case unfortunately illustrates a wider issue of HMRC’s VAT registrations processes being far too open to abuse, with the tax authority not exploring options to tighten controls. 

The number of prosecutions resulting from HMRC’s criminal investigations reduced from 749 in 2018-19 to 344 in 2023-24. During the same period, the Insolvency Service disqualified just 7 directors for phoenixism.

The PAC notes that it does not appear that the mechanisms in place bear down on tax evaders and rogue directors who flout insolvency rules are being used to their fullest extent.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “It is of deep concern that the many billions in tax rightfully meant for the public purse could just be the tip of the iceberg. Not only that, but our own tax authority has not sufficiently curious with a view to accurately diagnosing the problem.

“Though we acknowledge the inherent difficulty of the issue, it is clear that more must be done to clamp down on fraud and root out the bad actors who are taking advantage of loopholes in the current system. It is unfair on those who abide by the rules to be undercut by those that are evading their obligations. There has to be a real willingness by those in charge of Companies House to effectively use the powers they’ve been given. 

“It is heartening to know that work is being done to implement a more joined up approach across public bodies. However, large roadblocks remain in place that will inevitably slow down progress, and in some cases may stall it completely.

“It is also unclear how successful any effort will be in the absence of a clear strategy with measurable outcomes to tackle tax avoidance. Government needs to get a tighter grip on this issue to prevent further tax funds being lost unnecessarily.” 

UK-wide blitz on illegal working

Most successful January in over half a decade for Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams tackling illegal working

A record-breaking January for illegal working enforcement activity has been revealed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper as the government’s landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading, today (Monday 10 February).     

Tackling illegal working plays a vital part in the Home Office’s system-wide approach to ending the promise of false jobs used by smuggling gangs to sell spaces on boats and taking down their business models as we restore order to the immigration system. 

Following a drive from this government to have more deployable enforcement staff, a renewed crackdown on those attempting to undermine the UK’s borders last month saw the highest January in over half a decade for enforcement activity.   

Throughout January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams descended on 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January. Arrests also surged to 609, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year.    

More broadly, between 5 July last year and 31 January, both illegal working visits and arrests have soared by around 38% compared to the same 12 months prior. During the same period, the Home Office issued a total of 1,090 civil penalty notices. Employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.   

In many cases, those who come to the UK and end up working illegally are sold false promises about their ability to live and work in the UK, creating a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel on a small boat.  

In reality, illegal working is inextricably linked to squalid living conditions, little to no pay and inhumane working hours. By paying so little, rogue employers often attempt to avoid paying their fair share in taxes to contribute to the economy and undercut honest competitors who follow the law.   

Under its Plan for Change, the government is delivering steadfast action to restore order to the UK immigration system and the surge in enforcement activity to crack down on illegal working is a vital cog in the government’s wider machine to identify, disrupt and tackle irregular migration across the country.    

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:   ”The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken.

“Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy.   

“That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to smash the criminal gangs that undermine our border security and who have been getting away with it for far too long.”

While enforcement teams respond to illegal working intelligence in all sectors, a significant proportion of last month’s activity took place at restaurants, takeaways and cafes as well as in the food, drink and tobacco industry.  

An operation in Cheshire to vape shops led to 10 immigration arrests and 2 criminal arrests for counterfeit documents, with civil penalty referral notices being made to employers, and a visit to an Indian restaurant in Humberside led to 7 arrests and 4 detentions. Elsewhere, in South London, a visit to a grocery warehouse resulted in 6 arrests and 4 people being detained.  

As part of this activity, Immigrant Enforcement play a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.    

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, said:  ”These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system.   

“I hope it sends a strong signal that there is no hiding place from the law, and we will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face the full consequences.   

“We also know that many people who end up working illegally are often subjected to extremely poor conditions, so we will continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable.”

Border Security is central to the government’s Plan for Change and, alongside enforcement activity, the Home Office is ramping up returns of individuals with no right to be in the UK.

Just last month, the department smashed its target to drive the removal of foreign criminals and immigration offenders to the highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed since the election. This figure is expected to go up later today when the Home Office publishes updated figures running to the end of January.  

Since July, bespoke charter flights have also removed immigration offenders to countries around the world, including 4 of the biggest returns flights in the UK’s history carrying more than 800 people. Individuals removed since the election include criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape and murder.   

The Labour government is also working upstream to deter people from entering the UK illegally by launching a new international campaign to debunk people smugglers’ lies.  

Social media adverts went live in Vietnam in December and Albania in January, highlighting real stories from migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face debt, exploitation, and a life far from what they were promised. The campaign also warns prospective migrants about the realities of illegal working, as the government continues to crack down on employers who break the law and exploit people for profit. 

In the months ahead, we will go further than ever by introducing new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs as part of new, robust legislation to protect UK borders, set to be discussed in Parliament today.    

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will grant law enforcement additional powers to take earlier and more effective action against organised crime gangs, including seizing mobile phones from people who come to the UK illegally before the point of arrest. 

Next month, the government will go further by hosting a landmark Border Security Summit at the historic Lancaster House in London.   

A watershed moment in the UK’s fight against Organised Immigration Crime, the summit will bring together delegates from over 40 countries, as well as guest participants from a range of international institutions, including the European Union.   

The summit will be held on Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April, and will facilitate a range of discussions on the best ways to tackle criminal networks facilitating organised immigration crime and migrant smuggling.