AGP Executive Report

Europe and Brexit: Downing Street says Andy Burnham is not proposing a return to EU freedom of movement, leaving any decision to the public. He has said he hopes the UK could rejoin in his lifetime, but not during this Parliament. Homelessness: Burnham’s pledge to get rough sleepers in England off the streets by Christmas is backed by more than 100 faith leaders. A further £432 million is expected in Wednesday’s Budget, taking funding to £874 million; charities say lasting progress will also depend on trust and support. Animal welfare: Ministers have proposed ending the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs before slaughter, a practice used for more than 90% of pigs in England and Wales. Northern Ireland: Ofcom has urged the UK and Irish governments to revisit their broadcasting pact, amid calls to address geoblocking that prevents viewers in the North from watching some RTÉ and TG4 programmes. Sanctions enforcement: Britain faces questions after a Russian diesel tanker subject to sanctions sailed past Shetland despite new powers to intercept sanctioned ships. Justice: The Law Society warns proposed jury-trial reforms could increase miscarriages of justice if defendants in magistrates’ courts are left without legal representation.

Homelessness: The government has pledged another £432m to tackle rough sleeping, bringing planned investment to £874m by the end of this parliament. Scottish charities say the Budget should also scrap the benefits cap and bedroom tax, and lift the freeze on housing support. Devolution and Housing: Chancellor John Healey’s Budget is expected to add more than £1bn to social and affordable housing and give English mayors £285m next year, plus new borrowing powers. Railways: Labour faces criticism over an agreement allowing rail union representatives to carry out union work on paid time, with no stated limit on taxpayer funding. Migration: Andy Burnham has opened a debate on restoring EU free movement, drawing mixed reactions in Labour and attacks from the Conservatives. Skills: Employers warn a proposed 25% rise in apprenticeship training costs for workers over 25 could shift opportunities rather than create more for young people. Unpaid Carers: An MP has urged earlier recognition and support for young carers, amid estimates that 1.2 million unpaid carers in the UK live in poverty.

Budget and Devolution: Ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, plans include £1bn for social and affordable housing and more money and powers for England’s mayors. Andy Burnham has also announced £285m for local communities, while a proposed tax on imported fuel has raised concerns about higher prices. Europe: Burnham has called for an “honest discussion” about restoring free movement with the EU, drawing mixed responses from Labour and criticism from opposition parties. Health and Water: Colchester MP Pam Cox pressed the Prime Minister on long waits for endometriosis diagnosis and treatment; campaigners are also urging MPs to focus on the Clean Water Bill over sewage pollution. Policing: The Metropolitan Police is piloting reduced enforcement of some tag breaches as it struggles with the demands of early prisoner releases. Northern Ireland: Police representatives are seeking assurances on an overdue pay rise as Stormont ministers remain without an agreed budget. Overseas Territories: A Conservative policy paper proposes giving each of the 14 territories a dedicated representative in the House of Lords and a stronger voice in Westminster.

EU Relations: Andy Burnham says Britain needs an “honest discussion” about restoring free movement with the EU, reopening a sensitive Brexit debate despite Labour’s manifesto red lines. Devolution and Budget: The government plans £285m for local communities and more control for English mayors, with a £1.5bn borrowing facility from 2028; the Budget is also expected to include £1bn for social and affordable housing. Care in Scotland: Deaths among young people in care have risen by more than a third, to nearly one every fortnight. Campaigners accuse ministers of withholding information on causes. Public Protection: New rules would restrict high-risk cosmetic procedures to regulated health professionals, with fines of up to £4,000 for breaches. Rural Infrastructure: The NFU and more than 150 groups are urging ministers to protect local abattoirs. Their numbers have fallen from about 2,500 to 200, leaving many farmers struggling to access facilities. Environment: A Wildlife Trusts blueprint for restoring the River Trent says every £1 invested could deliver more than £7 in wider benefits. Meanwhile, the government’s approval of the Jackdaw gas field continues to fuel debate over energy security and climate goals.

Budget Watch: Chancellor John Healey is reportedly considering new HMRC powers to take unpaid tax directly from bank accounts, potentially affecting millions who owe less than £10,000. The measure could be announced in Wednesday’s Budget. Public Safety: The government plans to restrict high-risk cosmetic procedures, including liquid Brazilian butt lifts, to qualified health professionals, with fines for rule-breakers. Storm Response: Storm Boelo is bringing damaging winds and heavy rain, with amber warnings, travel disruption and power cuts following Storm Austen. Scotland’s Energy Revenues: The SNP is pressing the UK government to reserve North Sea revenues for Scotland’s renewable transition, rather than English nuclear projects. Children’s Wellbeing: A Children’s Commissioner report highlights sharp differences in children’s living conditions, with several London boroughs among the toughest places to grow up.

Public Services: More than a third of post offices in the TG Jones chain are closing: 70 branches have shut or are due to close by early 2027, leaving some towns with fewer local services. Regional Funding: 821 of 1,347 levelling-up projects were still unfinished in May, and 73 council areas had yet to complete a single funded project. Welfare Oversight: The government plans to send 2,000 anti-fraud specialists to jobcentres; ministers estimate the measures could save £1.4bn over five years. Charities: Falling income is forcing major UK charities to cut jobs and scale back headquarters and policy work, as the sector faces a post-pandemic funding squeeze. Young Carers: More than half of schools recorded no young carers, despite nearly 90,000 identified in England’s 2026 school census, raising concerns that many pupils are going unsupported.

Parliamentary Accountability: A court heard that Conservative campaign director Anthony Lee used inside information to bet on the 2024 election date; meanwhile, Reform UK is braced for a standards finding over Nigel Farage’s undeclared £5m gift. Constitutional Affairs: The Conservatives propose giving each UK Overseas Territory an appointed voice in the House of Lords, while peers are preparing to challenge parts of the government’s jury-trial reforms. Scotland: Greens have condemned plans to publish homelessness death figures every two years instead of annually, as ministers consult on the change. Budget Pressure: The Chancellor may delay equalising minimum wages for younger workers; Northern Ireland farmers are also urging tax relief, warning inheritance-tax changes are adding stress for families. Public Services & Rights: Live facial recognition cameras could be installed on Oxford Street in December, raising concerns about the lack of rules for police use. Resilience: The government has urged households to prepare to manage for three days during emergencies, while new proposals would strengthen protection for undersea cables. Charity Oversight: Peers are backing calls for stronger Charity Commission powers to prevent people convicted of supporting a designated organisation from serving as charity trustees.

Business and Budget: Chancellor John Healey says a package of red-tape cuts will save firms about £800 million, including simpler reporting and extended tariff suspensions, ahead of next week’s Budget. Universities and Defence: The Ministry of Defence says it has issued no guidance or protest-management conditions to Defence Universities Alliance members, whose charter commits them to protecting freedom of speech. Emergency Readiness: New government advice urges households to keep supplies of food and water for three days as ministers launch a wider resilience campaign covering severe weather and cyber attacks. Wildfire Response: After a record summer, the government plans a permanent RAF firefighting role for Chinooks and A400M aircraft, alongside England’s first Wildfire Action Plan and AI detection efforts. Planning Powers: From October 31, England’s new planning scheme will limit councillors’ ability to call applications for committee scrutiny, prompting concerns that decisions will shift from elected members to officers. Energy Policy: The government has approved the Jackdaw gas field, arguing it will support domestic supply; critics say approval must go hand in hand with reducing reliance on oil and gas.

National Security: Ministers plan emergency powers to protect undersea cables and pipelines, including access to landing sites and authority to disable telecoms services during a security crisis. Sabotage could bring prison terms of up to 14 years. Cyber Resilience: A PHP security flaw disrupted 32 government services and some police websites. The National Cyber Security Centre says there are no indications the flaw was exploited to hack government systems. Energy Policy: The government has approved the Jackdaw gasfield, saying it could lift domestic gas production by about 6% and support jobs, while critics warn of climate impacts. Kinship Care: Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn urged ministers to give kinship carers a statutory right to paid leave, as a review of possible reforms is due in early 2027. Defence Scrutiny: MPs warned that gaps in Arctic maritime capabilities and low availability of Navy vessels leave UK infrastructure exposed to potential Russian threats.

MI5 Surveillance: Newly released files show the security service monitored NHS founder Nye Bevan for more than two decades, including while he was a Cabinet minister; one officer later called his file “remarkably tame”. Local Government: Four London councils plan a legal challenge to funding changes they say will strip them of more than £300 million in grants and threaten local services. Energy Policy: Ministers have approved the controversial Jackdaw North Sea gas field, prompting protests and renewed debate over energy security, jobs and climate commitments. Northern Ireland: The Troubles legacy bill has passed the Commons, but victims’ families warn it risks shielding state forces from accountability. Education: An independent review found extensive antisemitism in English schools, prompting a leak inquiry and calls to improve Holocaust teaching. Westminster Investigation: Police are investigating an allegation that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson raped a woman inside Parliament; he has not been charged in this investigation.

Energy Policy: The government approved drilling at the controversial Jackdaw gas field. MPs and the Speaker criticised ministers for announcing the decision to the media before telling Parliament; climate groups oppose the project. Education: A government-backed review calls for schools to treat antisemitism as a distinct harm. It found three in five Jewish students had experienced prejudice; Education Secretary Lucy Powell ordered a leak inquiry. Courts: The justice minister warned court backlogs will worsen before easing, as Labour’s jury-trial reforms face scrutiny in the Lords. Wildfire Preparedness: MPs are urging firefighting planes and limits on barbecues after a severe summer of fires. Northern Ireland: The Commons passed the Troubles legacy bill despite warnings from victims’ families that it may fail to deliver truth and justice. Military Housing: The Lords backed a proposed standard for single-service accommodation, defeating the government.

Cost of Living: Diesel averaged more than £2 a litre for the first time, prompting businesses to warn of rising delivery and transport costs. Wildfire Readiness: MPs are urging ministers to adopt a national strategy, invest in specialist equipment and consider fire-fighting aircraft and limits on disposable barbecues after a record season. Public Finances: The OBR is expected to flag growing spending pressures ahead of next week’s Budget, including the cost of raising defence spending. Social Care: Scottish providers say reforms to health boards and councils must include fair funding for community organisations, or vital services could face a deeper crisis. Troubles Legacy: MPs have passed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, but victims’ groups and some parliamentarians warn the rushed process and provisions on state accountability risk denying families answers. Domestic Abuse: Labour MP Jess Phillips has backed a survivor’s appeal to the Supreme Court over the disclosure of her address to an abusive former partner, warning that the outcome could affect police accountability. Patient Safety: Ministers plan tighter rules on high-risk cosmetic procedures, with fines for operators who breach new restrictions.

Troubles Legacy: MPs backed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill by 330 votes to 178, sending it to the Lords. Victims’ groups and MPs warn the rushed process risks proper scrutiny, while the Law Society condemned a Tory MP’s “IRA lawyers” remark as grossly irresponsible. National Security: Police re-arrested two men over suspected Iranian intelligence activity near RAF Fairford, using the National Security Act; counter-terrorism officers say Iranian state involvement is highly likely. Defence: The UK will deploy Typhoon jets on defensive patrols over Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate. Separately, the Treasury has taken responsibility for the cost of possible Ukraine security guarantees, while nearly £2bn in Army equipment plans have been cut. Energy: The Government is expected to approve the controversial Jackdaw gas field, a decision that puts energy security, jobs and climate commitments in sharp focus. Covid inquiry: New findings renew questions over care home protections and the undervaluing of care workers during the pandemic.

Troubles Legacy Bill: MPs are scrutinising major changes to the bill in the Commons, including a proposal requiring the attorney general’s consent for serious prosecutions. Victims’ families and veterans remain concerned about how the law will address the conflict’s legacy. Welfare Reform: New regulations laid in Parliament would stop people convicted of serious crimes receiving Universal Credit while detained in hospital. The change still needs parliamentary approval and is expected to take effect next year. Child Maintenance: The DWP says it plans to scrap fee-free Direct Pay and introduce a 2% charge for compliant paying parents using its replacement system. Charity Support: An MP used a Commons debate to spotlight the Lily Mae Foundation’s work with bereaved parents and warn that support after baby loss varies by area, while smaller charities face growing pressure. Parliamentary Accountability: UN Watch launched a database at Westminster alleging gaps in the disclosure of funding for UN human rights experts, including support from foundations and governments.

Electoral Integrity: Campaigners say false claims in political adverts remain unregulated and want the Representation of the People Bill to change that. Troubles Legacy: MPs criticised the tight timetable for debating the new bill, while families of people killed by security forces warned its proposals risk creating a hierarchy of victims. Northern Ireland Budget: The Northern Ireland Office says Stormont’s failure to agree a budget is harming public and charitable services, and that London has made its final offer. Youth Employment: Andy Burnham has called the high number of young people not in education, work or training a national failure, but faces pressure to turn his promises into practical support. Holyrood: Amanda Bland’s departure leaves Reform third in the Scottish Parliament, with Labour now the second-largest party. Research Funding: Ministers say support for Boulby Underground Laboratory runs to 2027–28, but hosting a major dark matter experiment would need extra funding.

Transport Access: The government has pledged stronger safeguards for disabled airline passengers, including better staff training and a trial platform for passengers to share support needs before travelling. Supported Housing: A BBC investigation found some Birmingham providers were exploiting supported accommodation, with £410m in housing benefit paid for the scheme in the city last year; MPs and charities are calling for tighter oversight. Parliamentary Business: MPs are due to debate higher compensation for families of workers who died from silicosis, while the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill also comes before the Commons, with victims’ representatives urging ministers to build confidence in the process. Children’s Services: The Children’s Commissioner has warned of a “state of emergency” over stark inequalities in children’s life chances, adding pressure on government to address gaps in support. Scottish Devolution: John Swinney says Scotland’s buses will come under public control by 2031, with legislation planned next year; operators have threatened legal action. Election Outlook: A new poll projects Labour could win 353 seats at the next general election, though the figures are a snapshot rather than a forecast of a settled outcome.