Weekly Update
Delivering for Local Communities
Labour is making real progress in rebuilding the essential services people rely on. This week, we announced the Local Government Finance Settlement, which—alongside the Budget—will provide over £5 billion in new funding for local services beyond council tax. In total, local authorities will receive more than £69 billion in funding for 2025-26, a 4.3% real-terms increase (6.8% in cash terms) from the previous year.
After years of Conservative cuts and economic mismanagement, councils across the country—regardless of political leadership—are struggling. Since 2010, local government funding has been cut by 23% in real terms, leaving communities to bear the brunt. While we can’t reverse the damage overnight, this uplift is a crucial first step towards restoring local services.
To provide further support, we are guaranteeing that local authorities will receive at least £1.1 billion from the new Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging in 2025-26. We’re also ensuring that no local authority will see a reduction in its Core Spending Power.
Additional funding includes:
✅ £233 million for homelessness services in 2025-26
✅ A new Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilot
✅ £500 million for pothole repairs
Labour is focused on investing in prevention and delivering value for taxpayers’ money to build stronger, more resilient communities.
A Bold New National Cancer Plan
Tuesday marked World Cancer Day, and the Minister for Public Health announced the Government’s National Cancer Plan.
Cancer cases have risen by nearly 100,000 between 2001 and 2019. While survival rates have improved, progress slowed significantly in the 2010s. We don’t have a second to waste, which is why Labour is driving forward an ambitious plan:
🔹 Cutting waiting times – The Government’s elective reform plan will reduce waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks. By March next year, 100,000 more people each year will receive a diagnosis within 28 days, and 17,000 more people will begin treatment within two months.
🔹 Investing in cutting-edge technology – £70 million will be spent replacing older radiotherapy machines with new, more efficient models.
🔹 Preventing cancer – The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will help prevent 80,000 avoidable deaths, keeping us on track for a smoke-free UK.
On World Cancer Day, the Minister also announced a world-leading trial to revolutionise breast cancer detection using AI. Nearly 700,000 women will take part in this pioneering study, with 30 NHS sites set to introduce cutting-edge AI tools for routine screenings. This could be a game-changer for early detection and saving lives.
Macmillan Cancer Support – Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of joining my wonderful friend Hayes Rees for an afternoon tea celebrating 115 years of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Macmillan has been a lifeline for countless individuals facing cancer. For over a century, they’ve provided critical support—from diagnosis to treatment and beyond—ensuring that no one faces cancer alone. Their work is truly invaluable.
Groundbreaking Cancer Research in Cambridge
This week, I visited Proteotype Diagnostics in Cambridge, where I met Dr Emma Yates and her team to learn about their innovative blood test for early-stage cancer detection.
Emma is a deserving recipient of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award, and her team’s work has the potential to be life-changing. I’m incredibly excited to see how their research progresses and the impact it could have on early cancer detection.
Raising School Standards
Labour is ushering in a new era for education. The Education Secretary is leading an overhaul of school inspections and accountability, ensuring that every child, in every school, receives a high-quality education.
🔹 We’ve scrapped single headline Ofsted judgements, which created high stakes for teachers while providing parents with little real information.
🔹 In their place, we’re introducing comprehensive school report cards and new digital school profiles—giving parents a clearer picture of their child’s school.
🔹 We’re tackling stuck schools—those that repeatedly receive poor Ofsted ratings. Our RISE teams will provide intensive support, backed by £20 million in specialist funding.
🔹 This comes alongside measures in the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill, which will ensure:
✅ Qualified teachers in every classroom
✅ A cutting-edge curriculum
✅ A core standard of excellence for every child
Our goal is simple: a fairer education system where a child’s background doesn’t determine their future. If you work hard, you should be able to get ahead in life—no matter where you’re from.
Christians Against Poverty Charity Quiz
I had a fantastic time at Christians Against Poverty UK’s charity quiz night at Enfield Vineyard Church. A huge thank you to Nicky Lashley and the team for organising such a fun and engaging evening to support their vital work in tackling poverty and debt.
Exploring AI at Bletchley Park
On Thursday, I attended the opening of Bletchley Park’s latest exhibition, exploring the role of AI in our daily lives.
As the birthplace of AI and host of the world’s first-ever AI Safety Summit, Bletchley Park has a unique place in technological history. The exhibition is a must-visit, showcasing both the challenges and opportunities of AI in shaping our future.
This week has been filled with exciting announcements and inspiring visits. Labour is taking real action—whether it's investing in local services, improving cancer care, raising school standards, or supporting groundbreaking innovation. As always, I’ll keep working to deliver for our community and fight for the changes we need.