Policy Updates - 05/03
- Anna Turley
- Mar 5
- 18 min read
If you have contacted me recently regarding any policy issues, have signed your name to a campaign template or signed a petition, please know that all emails have been logged and carefully read. However, I also wanted to lay out my stance on the issues the people of Redcar care about the most. Please see here and do check back in, as I will update this blog regularly, and will aim to address as many policy queries as possible. Note - if you have written a personal email directly to me, please know it is a priority to me that I respond to these as swiftly as possible.
Convention on the Rights of Older Persons
Thank you to everyone who brought Steve Darling MPs EDM to my attention – unfortunately, as a Government Minister, I am unable to sign EDMs, but please know my position gives me more direct access to my colleagues in our Government. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and with respect. Unfortunately, people across the world continue to experience discrimination due to their age, whether that be in their work, in healthcare, or in wider society. I pay tribute to the charities that advocate and raise awareness of this issue.
I agree the UK must lead the way in urging other countries to improve human rights protections, and I am pleased this Labour Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable to discrimination, such as older people.
To achieve this, we have recognised the importance of building stronger legal frameworks at both the national and international level, which protect the rights of all people, including older people. The UK Government actively participated in the work of the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, and I welcome the General Assembly’s adoption of its recommendations.
I understand our Government is open in principle to the idea of a multilateral convention dedicated to the human rights of older people, and it will continue to contribute to discussions on this issue at the UN and other institutions.
Nationally, I fully support our Government’s commitment to ensuring older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve. The State Pension remains the foundation of our Government’s support for pensioners, including keeping the Triple Lock throughout this Parliament, which ensures its value continues to rise over time. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the basic and new State Pensions will increase by 4.8% in April 2026, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £575, meaning the new State Pension is set to rise by over £2,000 over this Parliament.
On a wider scale, Pension Credit continues to provide vital financial support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, find themselves on a low income. It does this by guaranteeing a minimum level of income, which will also increase by 4.8% in April 2026, protecting the most vulnerable pensioners. Receiving Pension Credit also opens the door to other financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support, help with NHS costs, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.
Delivering for Animals
Thank you to everyone who invited me to attend the ‘Delivering for Animals’ event earlier in February to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. As I outlined in an earlier post, I’m so pleased to see the changes we have introduced in the Strategy published at the end of last year.
Since launching the animal welfare strategy, our Government has already opened two consultations. One is on the commitment to phase out colony cages for laying hens and the other is on improving the welfare of lambs during castration and tail docking. A consultation on banning trail hunting is also due to be launched soon, which I know many constituents will be really pleased about too as we are committed to ending this cruel smokescreen that has allowed so many animals to suffer for too long.
We recognise that each sector and animal species has its own needs and challenges. This means a number of different approaches are needed, involving people from many different areas of expertise, including industry, animal welfare organisations and individuals. As well as moving quickly, it is also important we create lasting change and ensure a legacy we can all be proud of.
That’s why we are delivering improved welfare for companion animals by taking steps like:
Reforming dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, preventing animals from becoming unwell and ending puppy farming
Consulting on a ban on the use of electric shock collars due to the possible harm to our pets
Considering the introduction of new licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure rescues have the right checks in place
Promoting responsible dog ownership to protect public safety,
For farmed animals by:
Moving away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens and the use of pig farrowing crates
Addressing the welfare issues that arise from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs because of animal welfare concerns
Introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish to spare them avoidable pain.
Promoting the use of slow growing meat chicken breeds,
And ensuring we are protecting wild animals too, through our commitments to:
Banning trail hunting amidst concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for hunting
Banning snare traps because they cause suffering to animals and can catch pets
Introducing a close season for hares which should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, meaning that fewer young hares are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation.
I am so pleased to give you my full assurances that I will continue to support our Government as it presses forward with its plans to deliver the most ambitious reforms to animal welfare in a generation. I really hope you are as pleased as I am to have seen some of the great steps we are taking, and please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Exploitation in the Skilled Worker Visa System
For generations, migrant communities have been woven into the tapestry of British life. Migration is part of our national story - contributing to our economy, public services, businesses and communities. Because of this, it is important we ensure that migration still works, reuniting the country and creating a system that is fair and properly managed.
I know that the pace and scale of migration has increased dramatically in recent years, with 2.6 million more people moving to Britain than those who left since 2021. I am also aware that, in the case of the health and care visa, minimum salary requirements were dropped, meaning that an attempt to fill 6,000 to 40,000 jobs led to the arrival of 616,000 individuals between 2022 and 2024. It is also forecast that 1.6 million are due to settle in the UK between 2026 and 2030.
I believe that steps must be taken to restore sustainable levels of migration. As you will know, our Government has now announced that the starting point for settlement will move from 5 years to 10. There will also be requirements for applicants to have a clean criminal record, be able to speak English to A-Level standard, and have made sustained National Insurance contributions.
I am pleased that there are plans to introduce conditions that could reduce the baseline 10-year qualifying period for those who are valuable to our public life, and it is right that our Government recognises these contributions. This includes doctors, teachers, and nurses, as well as those who have volunteered extensively in their local communities.
Our Government has also confirmed that it will not change the rules for those with settled status. However, I know that many people will be disappointed that these changes will apply to everyone in the country who has not yet received indefinite leave to remain.
I welcome our Government’s decision to seek views on whether there should be transitional arrangements available, as well as its promise to consider, if appropriate, how transitional arrangements may be designed to ease the impact of policy change, especially for individuals or groups already afforded permissions by the previous system.
I encourage all those interested to make their voices heard as part of this consultation, as this asks for views on how these reforms should be implemented- including any views on retroactive applications, or how the system is potentially being abused by bad faith companies who are falsely advertising roles on the basis of misleading information on migration status.
I assure you that I will continue to support efforts to ensure our immigration system is fair, well-managed and properly controlled.
Local Elections
I understand there has been some concern about the initial decision to postpone some local elections, and I’m pleased that our Government listened to concerns and have now decided to withdraw the decision to postpone. I know the decision was made with the best intentions, namely to try and ensure the reorganisation of local councils across the country went ahead as smoothly as possible. However, it is important that any decisions made regarding local elections reflects the best outcome possible, so I welcome this decision.
I was really pleased to learn we are also providing up to £63 million in additional capacity funding to the 21 local areas which will be undergoing reorganisation, which tops up the £7.6 million provided for developing proposals back in 2025.
I want to see an end to the two-tier system and see the establishment of new single-tier unitary councils. It’s so important that people across the country are certain about which of their two councils is responsible for vital local services, and I don’t think spending council tax on duplicated structures is the best use of hard-earned money. I’m therefore looking forward to seeing further developments, the building of stronger local councils, and an improvement to public services. However, in the meantime, I am glad that the elections will be going ahead as normal whilst further research is done.
Mandatory Food Labelling
I recognise that there is a strong public interest in clearer animal welfare information on the food people buy, so that people can make purchasing decisions that align with their values.
As many of you may know, a response to the public consultation on fairer food labelling was recently published. The public consultation showed a clear majority of the public, and stakeholders responded to support clearer food information on welfare standards. I understand that our Government will consider this evidence as part of its wider priorities on food labelling and information.
I know our Government is working in partnership with the food system to create an ambitious food strategy. This strategy will set the food system up for success, ensure that it can feed the nation, protect the planet and nourish individuals, both now and in the future. More broadly, I know that our Government wants to work closely with the farming sector to continue to deliver high standards of animal welfare.
It may be of interest to those reading that our Government is currently carefully considering the use of cages and other closed confinement systems for farmed animals. For example, at the moment, the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway has made available grants to improve the health and welfare of livestock. These grants were co-designed with farmers, academics, vets, and industry representatives as a way of helping encourage cage-free farming.
Food security is national security. We need a resilient food system that can weather any storm at the same time as making sure families across the country can access affordable, healthy food. This isn’t just about what’s on our plates today but about building a stronger system for generations to come.
Piglets and Animal Welfare
I was absolutely horrified to read all your emails about piglet thumping, as it is so distressing that these poor animals should be treated so horrifically and that farmers are not upholding the standards they are legally obliged to work within.
As you may know, the previous Government established the Smaller Abattoir Fund (SAF) due to the rapid decline in the number of local abattoirs. That decline meant that the spread of services was not uniform nationwide and therefore many animals were having to travel long journeys prior to slaughter. I believe providing shorter travel times with support for smaller local abattoirs is better for animal welfare. I wanted to assure you I wholeheartedly support our Government’s pledge to achieve the biggest boost in animal welfare in a generation. I note all eligible abattoirs under the Smaller Abattoir Fund (SAF) are registered and approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who are also consulted during the assessment of applications. The FSA carries out checks on slaughterhouses to ensure animal welfare compliance. Individuals involved in killing and related operations must be appropriately trained and licensed and must hold a proficiency qualification before being able to apply for a Certificate of Competence.
Since 2018 there have been welcome mandatory requirements for slaughterhouses to have installed CCTV, to keep the images for 90 days and to make the images available to FSA inspectors. CCTV must provide a complete and clear view of killing and related operations in all areas of the slaughterhouse where there are live animals, up to the point where the assessment for absence of life is carried out.
I was really distressed about this, so I looked into how our Government tackle such allegations of animal cruelty. I was pleased to see that potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation are taken very seriously. Allegations are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and appropriate action is taken for non-compliance with regulations. It is essential any suspicion of animal cruelty is alerted to APHA at the first opportunity, for timely investigations and the safeguarding of animal welfare.
All farm animals are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation, notably the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007. Our Government also has a series of species-specific welfare codes, which farmers are required by law to have access to and be familiar with, which encourage high standards of husbandry.
Additionally, there are strict rules to protect the welfare of animals at the time of killing. Due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences of a manual percussive blow to the head, it is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets. Key legislation covers these topics, including the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015. In 2022, the regulations were amended to permit the use of a non-penetrative captive bolt device as a killing method for neonate piglets, kids and lambs, within certain parameters. This has provided a method of killing on farm for these species that is practical and humane.
UN Tax Convention
Back in November 2023, the UN General Assembly Economic and Financial Committee approved a draft resolution calling for a legally binding UN Framework Convention on International Tax Co-operation. Then, in November 2024, it approved a further resolution adopting the terms of reference for this UN Framework Convention.
I believe it is crucial that the UK works to protect against base erosion and profit-shifting – where multinational corporations use tax avoidance strategies to shift profits to low- or no-tax locations. This means we must work with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax co-operation. I welcome that we has been actively engaging with negotiations over a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Co-operation.
At the same time, I believe that for a UN Tax Framework Convention to be able to make progress on international tax co-operation, it needs to have clear aims, avoid repeating work already taking place elsewhere and ensure that it seeks the broad support and participation of member states. It must also not undermine existing tax rules.
Unfortunately, I am concerned that, as the UK’s Ambassador highlighted during consideration of this issue at the UN in November, the resolution and the terms of reference for the UN Framework Convention do not provide sufficient reassurance on these issues.
I nevertheless welcome that the UK will continue to engage constructively on the UN Framework Convention in support of key principles for strengthening international tax co-operation. I can assure you that I will continue to follow developments on this issue, keeping in mind the concerns you highlight, as work on this continues at the UN.
On the issue of tax and multinationals more widely, I agree that we need to make sure global corporations pay their fair share of tax and that it is crucial we drive forward co-operation internationally to tackle aggressive tax planning by large multinationals and ensure a level playing field. That is why I welcome implementation of the OECD global minimum rate of corporate taxation.
We need to close the inequality gap, make taxes fairer, and ensure the wealthiest carry the heaviest burden. I think it is first important to flag that we have implemented some changes to ensure those that can most bear the burden do so, such as by closing non-dom loopholes, scrapping the private school VAT exemption, preventing the exploitation of farming tax loopholes, raising the living wage for working people alongside increasing national insurance contributions by larger businesses, and increasing the stamp charge land tax surcharge for second homes. I wanted to outline these decisions in a bit more detail to explain how they are specifically designed to ensure that wealth is being distributed back within our economy.
The Autumn Budget announced an increase in the main capital gains tax rates to 18% and 24% to raise revenue while ensuring the UK tax system remains competitive. These changes will raise £8.9 billion over the next five years and will ensure people earning income from selling financial assets will now contribute a greater share of tax towards improving our public services. As I mentioned, our Government has also abolished the non-dom regime, replacing it with a new internationally competitive residence-based regime, which came into effect in April 2025. This ends the use of offshore trusts to shelter assets from inheritance tax and will help ensure everyone who makes their home in the UK pays their taxes here.
In addition, the Government is raising an extra £2 billion from inheritance tax, including through restrictions on reliefs used by wealthy individuals. These include making the inheritance tax system fairer by applying inheritance tax to unspent pension pots, removing the opportunity for individuals to use pensions as a vehicle for inheritance tax planning, and by restricting the generosity of agricultural property relief and business property relief for the wealthiest estates.
I also support the new higher rate of stamp duty for additional dwellings, which has increased from 3% to 5%. This ensures that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords and businesses purchasing residential property.
During the Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced that our Government is now building on the Budget’s package to close the tax gap with measures to further cut down on tax evasion and raise over £1 billion in additional gross tax revenue per year by 2029-30. I welcome these steps, as unpaid tax deprives UK public services of vital funding and puts businesses who pay the right tax at a competitive disadvantage. The Government also plans to go further in the future to make it easier for taxpayers to pay the right tax through a modern and digital tax system.
At present, our Government has no plans to introduce a wealth tax. I believe that the best way to deliver more money for our public services is through economic growth, and such a tax could potentially deter vital capital investment into the UK, which would in turn decrease the vital funds available for hospitals, schools, and other essential public services that we all rely on. I’m not ruling it out as a concept but alongside my colleagues in the Government, think that finding the funding for such services is of utmost importance now and that was the manifesto we were elected on. It could also undermine the work that the Chancellor has done to restore fiscal responsibility and economic stability, which are critical to getting our economy growing and keeping taxes, inflation, and mortgages as low as possible. However, I believe we should always keep the option for raising taxes on the wealthiest under review.
Wildlife and the Nuclear Regulatory Review
I know that our Government has an ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower, in part through an expansion and diversification of the UK nuclear energy industry. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan makes clear that nuclear will play an important role in our future energy system.
As you’ll know, at the 2025 Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that government endorses the approach of the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 (also known as the Fingleton Review) and accepts the principles of all 47 recommendations it set out. Our Government has also issued a Strategic Steer which sets clear expectations for the civil, defence, and decommissioning nuclear sectors to accelerate safe and efficient delivery through proportionate regulation and stronger collaboration.
The Ministers responsible have reassured me that a full implementation plan for the Fingleton Review will be presented in the coming weeks, so I will be updating my website with my thoughts when I have more information too. The plan will take into account the UK’s international obligations, national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes. I understand that the plan will shape a modernised, more agile regulatory environment while maintaining the UK’s high standards of safety, security, and environmental protection.
I am really pleased the Government has enacted the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. The Act maintains the Habitat Regulations and Ministers are planning to publish updated guidance on the Habitats Regulations Assessment process in the near future. I believe it is important to ensure Habitats Regulations protect our most valuable habitats and species. We have also introduced a Biodiversity Net Gain policy, which aims to leave habitats in a measurably better state than they were beforehand.
I believe that nature and development have been unnecessarily pitted against each other for too long. This has not only blocked economic growth but has done nothing for nature’s recovery, which we all know is vital now as we head further into a climate crisis- I agree it was vital we designed an Act that encompassed both of these goals, and that is why I am glad that we saw such thorough discussion and amendment to it.
I am also really pleased the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that development resulting in loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats should be refused. Let me assure you that this Act does not change this. This is unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists. Such habitats include ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees, as well as blanket bog and lowland fen (which are peatland habitats). These protections will continue to apply as and when the Planning and Infrastructure Bill comes into force, as it is vital our planet and natural world are equally prioritised in any planning permissions that we see in the future.
Our region will benefit from efforts to expand nature-rich habitats and improve access to our beautiful natural landscapes. Whether it’s planting new woodlands, restoring wetlands, or protecting our local wildlife, these efforts are crucial for the health and well-being of both our environment and our community. I was personally pleased to see our Government’s Homes for Nature commitment which will see a bird-nesting brick or box installed for every new home built, as well as hedgehog highways as standard on every new development for companies participating. This is already some 28 homebuilders, who build more than 100,000 homes a year, who have already signed up for the commitment, and will see us providing the minimum of 300,000 nesting bricks and boxes required to support dwindling swift populations and many more bird species across the country. We are also encouraging homebuilders to incorporate additional features, such as bat roosts, insect bricks and hibernacula, plus developing upon our sustainable urban drainage systems and pollinator-friendly landscaping. I also was lucky to attend a screening in Parliament of David Attenborough’s film Ocean last year, and was truly shocked by what I saw, so I’m also very pleased to hear our Government’s announcement of intentions to ban the destructive practice of bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas, to ensure we are protecting rare marine animals as well as the delicate seabeds on which they rely on. This kind of regeneration is exactly what we need to ensure that we are producing healthier marine ecosystems across English waters, supporting greater biodiversity in our seas for everyone and preserving the underwater life that is vital to seeing a thriving and healed natural world.
The climate crisis is real and it is worsening, but I don’t believe that we should just accept this- we must make real, lasting change now to ensure that our planet is healthy for future generations and wildlife. I therefore welcome that the NPPF makes clear that the planning system should support the transition to net zero by 2050 and take full account of all climate impacts. This includes considering the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change in preparing and assessing planning applications.
World Cancer Day 2026
Thanks to everyone who brought Cancer Research UK’s event in Parliament to my attention. I am so pleased that, in February, our Government launched the National Cancer Plan – outlining how, for the first time, the NHS will commit to ensuring three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 onwards are cancer-free or living well after five years.
While I am proud that, under this Labour Government, early diagnosis rates for cancer are at a record high, I recognise there is still much work to be done. Despite vital signs of recovery in the NHS, too many people living with cancer in our local area are still receiving unacceptable care, experiencing long waiting times and sometimes even having diagnosis of their cancer missed.
That is why I welcome the new National Cancer Plan – an ambitious effort to save 320,000 lives by 2035, marking the biggest improvement in cancer outcomes in a generation. This includes meeting all three cancer waiting time standards by 2029, where 85% of patients start treatment within 62 days of referrals. I know this was a key request in Cancer Research UK’s response to our Government’s call for evidence, and welcome the way in which the Government has responded.
Moving from sickness to prevention is a core shift in our Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England, which underpins the National Cancer Plan. I strongly believe that no one should lose someone to cancer that should have been prevented. I am therefore pleased that the plan tackles the causes of cancer head-on, not by talking but with Government action. I support our Government’s goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 by increasing uptake of HPV vaccinations in community pharmacies and supporting women overdue for their screening appointment with at-home tests.
I was proud to stand on a manifesto commitment to ensure the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes, and I was proud to recently vote for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to achieve this goal. I was pleased to see the National Cancer Plan complement this by rolling-out lung cancer screening nationally by 2030. Furthermore, the sensitivity of bowel cancer screening is going to be increased and additional measures will be introduced to end the obesity epidemic through a new healthy standard for large food and drink retailers, and by accelerating the use of weight-loss jabs.
Finally, this plan means nobody gets handed a diagnosis and is then abandoned to navigate the system alone. Having been formulated using the Public Health and Prevention Minister’s own experience of living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, patient voices are at the heart of this strategy and I welcome the commitment that every cancer patient will get an individual support plan that covers treatment, mental health and employment support.
I know that getting cancer care right means getting healthcare right. That is why the National Cancer Plan is essential to taking the NHS from the worst crisis in its history and making it fit for the future. Hearing directly from constituents in Redcar is vital, and I want you all to know that I take these concerns seriously and will not be complacent in pushing for better outcomes.
Thanks for reading,
Anna
