Over 300,000 children are set to benefit from 'Best Start' taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs in April, as the government prioritises support to tackle the cost of living Parents Prioritising Primary Schools with Taxpayer-Funded Breakfast Clubs Over 300,000 children are set to benefit from Best Start taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs in April, as the government prioritises support to tackle the cost of living and help parents juggle work and family life. Schools already enrolled

From 1 February 2026, 8 of the 14 train operators that DfT is responsible for will be in public ownership by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE I am confirming to the House that on Sunday, 1 February 2026, West Midlands Trains, operating as London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, will become the fourth operator whose services will transfer into public ownership under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act. Operations

The Prime Minister has secured a Scotch whisky tariff cut in China worth £250 million to the UK economy Prime Minister Secures Scotch Whisky Tariff Cut in China Worth £250 Million The Prime Minister has secured a significant win for Scotland’s iconic whisky industry, with China agreeing to cut tariffs on Scotch whisky from 10 per cent to 5 per cent. The deal, signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing, will be worth £250 million to the UK economy over the next 5 year

SFO action results in Michael and Debbie Thomson held in contempt Ex-LCF CEO and Wife Admit to Multiple Breaches of Court Order Today, Michael Thomson, former Chief Executive Officer of collapsed investment firm London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) and his wife, Debbie Thomson, admitted to several breaches of a restraint order. The pair have been held in contempt of court following a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) application. Michael and Debbie Thomson are subject to restraint pro

On 23 March 2023, the MAC launched a self-commissioned review into the Seasonal Worker route and this is the government's response The Government's Response to the MAC's Seasonal Worker Review The government has now completed its thorough consideration and reflection on the report ‘Review of the Seasonal Worker visa’ and would like to thank the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) for the work undertaken to produce the report. The MAC’s recommendations were structured around 5

People smuggling gangs will be dealt a further blow with the Prime Minister expected to launch a border security agreement with China to tackle the flow of Chinese made small boat parts Prime Minister expected to strike new border security pact on first China visit in eight years to disrupt supply of small boat engines More than half of small boat engines used by people smugglers crossing the English Channel are manufactured in China Agreement will also scale up removals of t

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has today (28 January 2026) published its updated harms assessment of ketamine ACMD Announces Decision on the Classification of Ketamine The ACMD has advised the government ketamine should remain a class B controlled substance, but that police forces and health care professionals must receive greater support to better identify, prevent and respond to ketamine‑related harms. In January 2025, the government asked the ACMD to re

Suspended sentence for Bounce Back Loan fraudster Printing Firm Boss Sentenced After Fraudulently Obtaining Second COVID Loan Prashant Jobanputra secured £100,000 across two Bounce Back Loans for his printing company when businesses were only allowed a maximum of one £50,000 loan under the scheme Jobanputra falsely declared on the second application that he had not previously sought financial support under the emergency scheme designed to support businesses through the pandem

Streamlined agriculture rules to cut duplication and make it easier for farmers to drive down water pollution Farming Rules Shake-Up to Cut Pollution and Support Farmers New, clearer rules proposed today (Tuesday 27 January) will help to improve water quality, reduce pollution in our rivers and give farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably.  41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, and they will get stronger protectio