Whitehall Yesterday

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced a significant expansion of its Jobs Guarantee programme, creating a dedicated fast-track pathway for thousands of young disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. From April 2027, eligible young people on health benefits will be offered guaranteed employment on a voluntary basis from week 13 after their Work Capability Assessment, supported by mentoring and tailored assistance with mental health, finances and housing. The government will cover 100 per cent of wage costs up to 25 hours a week for six months, with employers receiving support for onboarding costs. The move forms part of a £3.5 billion investment in employment reforms and responds to the doubling of NEET young people reporting disability over the past decade—a troubling statistic that underscores the persistence of Britain's disability employment gap.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Science announced backing for a £43 million lithium extraction facility in Cornwall, supported by nearly £10 million through the government's DRIVE35 Automotive Transformation Fund. Geothermal Engineering Limited will operate the cutting-edge mine, expected to create nearly 50 direct jobs alongside around 80 positions across the supply chain. The announcement reflects the government's determination to secure vital supply chains for artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and clean energy as lithium demand is projected to increase by 1,100 per cent by 2035. The investment comes amid a broader reindustrialisation effort, following £1 billion secured for UK automotive in September alone.

A Cabinet Office announcement on "rewiring the state" signals an intensifying drive to align public and regulated private spending with job creation and manufacturing skills development. Utility companies—electricity, gas and water providers—will now be expected to use procurement to support jobs and apprenticeships, with the government warning that legislation will follow if companies do not comply voluntarily. Simultaneously, a new Insourcing Unit has been established within the Office for Prime Minister and Cabinet to orchestrate what ministers describe as "the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation." The National Shipbuilding Office will gain oversight of all civil shipbuilding decisions to ensure alignment with national interest and taxpayer value. These measures represent a deliberate recalibration of how government uses its economic power, moving away from outsourcing assumptions.

The Attorney General's Office has announced the permanent national rollout of enhanced victim support services through the Crown Prosecution Service, extending pilot schemes that began in 2023. Every survivor and victim of domestic abuse will now receive a dedicated victim liaison officer providing support from charge through trial. The expanded Universal Service for victims and Enhanced Service for survivors represents a substantial shift in victim-centred justice delivery. For the first time, victims can choose their preferred contact method—telephone, email or post—and expect faster, higher-quality correspondence throughout their case. The rollout underscores the government's stated commitment to placing victims at the heart of the justice system.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has reformed Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), reducing the eligibility threshold from two years of vacancy to six months. The streamlined regime removes evidential requirements related to anti-social behaviour or community support, simplifying council applications to the Residential Property Tribunal. These changes grant local authorities swifter intervention capacity to prevent properties deteriorating and to return homes to occupation, addressing a chronic inefficiency in housing stock utilisation. Further strengthening measures are under exploration as the government seeks to make the EDMO regime more effective.

The Prime Minister welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre to Liverpool, with both leaders affirming the Lunna House strategic defence agreement and committing to long-term partnership across jobs and North Atlantic security cooperation. Both countries identified Russian hybrid aggression—particularly maritime—as a shared strategic concern, to be managed through NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force frameworks. The leaders also reflected on accelerating technology challenges discussed at the UN General Assembly, with the UK positioning itself to use its G20 presidency to drive international collaboration on artificial intelligence governance. The discussion signals continuing integration of Nordic defence relationships and technology policy coordination at senior levels.