UK Internal Market Act 2020 Review: Government Response
(1 day, 18 hours ago)
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The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander)
The UK Government are today publishing their response to the review of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 and public consultation.
The review was launched in January 2025, with its scope expanded beyond what the law requires, to help determine how the operation of the Act can be improved. The review is now complete, well ahead of the statutory deadline of December 2025.
During the review, the UK Government conducted a 10-week public consultation, closing on 3 April. We engaged a wide variety of stakeholders, and more than half of the 85 responses received were from the business community. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to send a written response and to join the stakeholder roundtable discussions that we held during March 2025.
The consultation confirmed that businesses, wherever they are based, need certainty that they can trade freely within the UK, unencumbered by unnecessary disruption resulting from poorly managed regulatory difference between the nations. Businesses also require clarity and certainty to take informed planning decisions and make confident investment decisions for the future. This is highlighted by the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showing that trade between the four nations of the UK is valued at £129 billion, equivalent to around 6% of UK GDP in 2019, and that it is particularly important to the economies of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The UK Government have been explicit about the need for businesses to have certainty, which is why the review has not considered repeal of the Act. Instead, we pledged to explore improvements in the way the Act’s provisions operate through common frameworks. There was also strong support in our consultation for the four Governments within the UK to work together through the common frameworks. That is why the UK Government’s response describes how to manage the UK internal market in a more transparent, proportionate and pragmatic way, fostering open policy discussions between the UK Government and devolved Governments, with greater clarity and engagement with businesses and other stakeholders.
In common frameworks, discussions between the four Governments can maximise opportunities for alignment where in the nations’ mutual interest, and manage divergence in ways that might promote long-term growth across the UK.
Therefore, the UK Government will:
implement UK Internal Market Act exclusions that have been agreed by all Governments within a common framework;
alongside economic impacts, now consider in particular environmental protection and public health in UK Internal Market Act exclusions, thereby ensuring a balance of factors is considered;
establish a minimum economic impact process for considering smaller exclusions, and implement them where all Governments agree the exclusion has an economic impact of less than £10 million a year;
implement a “reserve” exclusions process where it has not been possible for all four Governments to reach agreement on an exclusion;
work with the devolved Governments to agree processes for how all four Governments engage with businesses and other stakeholders on matters being discussed in common frameworks; and
work with the devolved Governments to agree a process for all four Governments to jointly refer UK internal market matters for advice to the Office for the Internal Market.
The UK Government are confident these measures meet the key requests of many stakeholders, allowing Governments to move forward together in managing the internal market in a way that delivers growth, jobs and opportunities across our country.
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Victory over Japan: 80th Anniversary
(1 day, 18 hours ago)
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)
On 15 August 2025, the United Kingdom will mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan, the date that brought the final end to the second world war.
While VE Day 1945 marked the end of the war in Europe, thousands of British and Commonwealth troops continued to battle against Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific. Three months later, victory over Japan was declared on 15 August, following imperial Japan’s surrender to allied forces. The dropping of two atomic bombs on Japanese cities—one in Hiroshima on 6 August and the other three days later on Nagasaki—resulted in enormous devastation, bringing the six-year global conflict to a rapid end and introduced the ever-present threat of nuclear war.
The human cost of the second world war was overwhelming, leading to death and destruction for millions of people on both sides. British and Commonwealth forces suffered heavy casualties, disease and extreme conditions. The campaign in the far east saw thousands of allied troops taken prisoner of war and forced into hard labour. The end of the war brought mixed emotions, widespread sadness, relief and renewed hope that families and soldiers long separated would soon be reunited. It would take months and much effort to bring British service personnel back home, some of whom had spent five years overseas.
Today, our world once again appears increasingly fragmented and uncertain. As we mark what may be the final anniversary with living veterans, we must take this moment to thank them and pay tribute to their service. As their living history fades, it becomes ever more important to share their stories and preserve the lessons they leave behind, so that future generations can understand the true cost of total war and the enduring value of peace.
This anniversary offers the nation an opportunity to come together and reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices made by those who served in the far east, and to pay tribute to all who contributed to the allied victory. We saw how the UK came together for VE Day, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago, with community celebrations and street parties in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. On 15 August, we will once again come together to commemorate the second world war generation, and listen to stories directly from those who lived through the conflict and hear first hand about their experiences.
The national commemorations will commence with a Government reception to celebrate VJ Day with veterans. Government buildings and high commissions across the globe will also be lit up on 15 August to commemorate VJ Day.
On Friday 15 August, the VJ Day 80 service of remembrance will take place in partnership with the Royal British Legion and include a national two-minute silence at midday. The event will be attended by second world war veterans of the far east campaign, VJ association members, senior politicians, and military personnel. It will pay tribute to the British, Commonwealth and allied veterans who served in the far east theatres of war, the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories. The national commemoration will feature a Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force guard of honour and music provided by military bands. The event will host a spectacular tribute to veterans involving 400 members of the armed forces, the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from the battle of Britain memorial flight, featuring the historic Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire aircrafts.
Veterans will be at the heart of the service and include Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans and those involved in the battles of Kohima and Imphal, as well as prisoners of war held across the region and veterans stationed in the UK or Commonwealth countries, who contributed to the war effort. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence at midday on Friday 15 August.
The Government are working with partners across the UK, including the devolved Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure commemorations are UK-wide. The Government national engagement programme runs throughout the year, forming a golden thread of remembrance that connects VE to VJ Day. In partnership with imperial war museums, a range of activities will support this effort, including the ongoing letters to loved ones project, which invites the public to explore their family history and share letters and testimonies from those who served in the far east. IWM will also deliver a paper crane-making initiative at IWM London, a screening of Es Devlin’s “I saw the world end” in Piccadilly Circus, and large-scale public screenings of a new contemporary VJ Day film, with an immersive augmented reality experience at IWM North, offering deeper reflection through personal stories, sound, and archive film.
Internationally, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s “for evermore” tour will expand to new sites including Nairobi war cemetery in Kenya, Sai Wan in Hong Kong, Kranji in Singapore, and Kanchanaburi in Thailand, honouring the global contribution and sacrifice of those who served.
We owe this to the second world war generation who, 80 years ago, fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is a chance to reaffirm our national commitment to peace and to ensure that the lessons and legacies of the second world war are never forgotten.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s interactive website, https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk , offers key information and resources, including ways to get involved in the commemorations.
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World Bank Lending to Egypt: Loan Guarantee
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)
My noble Friend the Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean, the right hon. Baroness Chapman of Darlington has today made the following statement:
Today, I have laid a departmental minute, which outlines details of a new liability undertaken by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The liability is a guarantee for a $200 million World Bank loan to ease Egypt’s economic pressures and support its continued economic reform. This loan was agreed to—in principle—under the previous Government and was paused following the calling of the general election.
It is normal practice, when a Government Department proposes to undertake a contingent liability in excess of £300,000 for which there is no specific statutory authority, for the Minister concerned to present a departmental minute to Parliament giving particulars of the liability created and explaining the circumstances; and to refrain from incurring the liability until 14 parliamentary sitting days after the issue of the statement, except in cases of special urgency.
A copy of the departmental minute to Parliament has been placed in the House Library.
Egypt has been severely affected in recent years by the Russia-Ukraine, Sudan and Israel-Gaza conflicts. Egypt is an important partner to the UK, in particular as we work together to resolve the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan. This loan guarantee was agreed in principle by the previous UK Government. Egypt’s macroeconomic situation remains delicate, and the country is susceptible to external shocks due to systemic economic and structural challenges. Economic instability would have severe consequences for poverty in the country and for regional stability, and could trigger irregular economic migration to Europe.
A three-year International Monetary Fund programme is conditional on economic and governance reforms. We have already seen these begin to take effect, with a devaluation of Egypt’s currency in March 2024, and the introduction of a floating exchange rate and a cap on public spending.
The UK guarantee will support the second of three planned World Bank development policy financing operations, which will help Egypt address short-term economic challenges while advancing the next generation of complementary structural reforms. The overall effect will be to boost Egypt’s macroeconomic and fiscal resilience. Our indicative interest has already allowed us to influence the World Bank in aligning its loans with the IMF programme, and to push for more rigorous programmatic reforms.
The liability is expected to last for up to 35 years. The FCDO will only pay official development assistance if a default occurs, as agreed with the World Bank. The departmental minute sets this out in detail.
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Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report
(1 day, 18 hours ago)
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The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)
Today, the independent inquiry into the issues raised by the actions of David Fuller has published its phase 2 and final report. It focuses on whether procedures and practices in hospital and non-hospital settings sufficiently safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased and would prevent a recurrence of the issues identified by the inquiry, as well as considering the role of regulation.
I wish to pass my thanks on to any individual or organisation who has provided evidence to this important independent inquiry. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and assure them that we are committed to learning from these events.
In 2023, the independent inquiry, chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, published its phase 1 report, which set out how Fuller was able to commit such shocking crimes, undetected for so long at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust. The trust set out its progress implementing all the inquiry s recommendations via an assurance statement in February 2024.
A phase 2 interim report was published in October 2024. The inquiry’s chair expedited the inquiry’s work on the funeral sector in light of reports of cases of neglect. The interim report presented preliminary findings and recommendations on the funeral sector in England. The Government committed to responding to these recommendations as part of the final phase two Government response.
The overall conclusion of today’s final report is that current arrangements for the care of people after death are partial, ineffective and in some areas completely lacking. The overarching recommendation for Government is that there should be statutory regulation to protect the security and dignity of people after death, regardless of the setting or institution.
Today’s report makes 75 detailed recommendations in total, including 19 for trusts and 25 for local authorities focusing on access, dignity, security, and wider processes and procedures to protect deceased individuals. A smaller number of recommendations—31—focus on independent hospitals, medical education, hospices, ambulance services, care homes, the funeral sector and faith organisations, making specific recommendations to improve the care of the deceased. This includes recommendations for the UK Government to establish an independent statutory regulatory regime for the funeral sector.
Every deceased individual deserves to receive the highest standard of care and dignity. The Government will work to ensure this is the case, across all settings, be that in the NHS or other settings including local authority mortuaries, hospices, ambulance services, care homes, funeral homes, and faith organisations.
The Government recognise the urgency of the concerns raised by the inquiry’s recommendations and will respond at pace. This will include an interim update on progress this year and a final response by summer 2026.
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Operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2023: Independent Reviewer’s Report
(1 day, 18 hours ago)
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The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)
Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has prepared a report on the operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2023. In accordance with section 36(5) of the Terrorism Act 2006, I am today laying this report before the House, and copies will be available in the Vote Office. It will also be published on gov.uk.
I am grateful to Mr Hall KC for his report. I will carefully consider its contents and the recommendations he makes and will respond formally in due course.
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Zero Emission Vehicles
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The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
The Government are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. Today the Government have launched an electric car grant to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and incentivise sustainable automotive manufacturing. This intervention gives clarity about the Government commitment to the zero emission vehicle transition, at a time of unprecedented uncertainty for the automotive sector.
Grant funding of £650 million will be available to purchase new zero emission cars priced at or under £37,000. Grants of £1,500 or £3,750 will make these cars more affordable and enable even more people to access the savings associated with driving electric. The grant will help unlock potential further savings of up to £1,500 a year in running costs for drivers. It will back UK and other manufacturers, with eligibility dependent on the highest manufacturing sustainability standards, driving growth in our automotive and charging sectors.
Grants are available from tomorrow, subject to confirmation of vehicle eligibility by the Department for Transport. A list of eligible vehicles will be updated on the Department website as vehicles are approved. The scheme has funding available until financial year 2028-29. The closure date will remain under review and the scheme will be subject to amendment, or early closure, with no notice, should funds become exhausted.
The electric car grant has two bands. £3,750 for the most sustainably produced cars and £1,500 for cars that meet some environmental criteria. This is in recognition of the need to address embedded carbon emission across a vehicle’s lifetime, as well as tailpipe emissions. Vehicles that do not meet minimum sustainability standards will not be eligible for a grant.
The minimum environmental criterion is for manufac-turers to hold a verified science based target. Science based targets are commitments corporate entities make to reduce their environmental impact, in line with the UK’s international climate commitments, which are verified by the independent Science Based Targets Initiative. The amount of grant available per vehicle will depend on the level of emissions associated with production of the vehicle. Emissions from vehicle production are assessed against the carbon intensity of the electricity grid in the country where vehicle assembly and battery production are located.
The Government have also announced a wider package of measures to support the continued deployment of charging infrastructure. These include £25 million of funding to deliver cross-pavement charging channels; £30 million grant funding to install charge points at depots for vans, coaches and HGVs, supporting the transition of the road freight and coach sectors; £8 million of funding to install chargers at NHS sites; and changes to allow EV hubs to be signed from major roads. All of these measures will support the more than £6 billion of private funding already in the pipeline to further boost the UK’s charge point roll-out by 2030.
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