Environment
- The Jackdaw gas field project has been approved, in a blow to UK environmental campaigners. Jackdaw – which is based in the North Sea, east of Aberdeen – was first approved in 2021 but was repeatedly challenged for its environmental and human impacts. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh’s statement claimed that Jackdaw will increase energy security through domestic gas production and by reducing bills, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham has given support to the “pragmatic approach” and claims that this decision will help to facilitate the green transition for workers.
Asylum and Immigration
- The government’s Asylum and Immigration Bill (2026) is still in its committee stage but will report back to the House of Commons this month. On 17 November we will be joining an Interfaith Lobby for Refugees in Westminster, to call on the government to change course, including by scrapping proposals for a refugee tax, and re-opening refugee family reunion. We would love to see you there – find out everything you need to know about joining here.
- Eight months after we submitted our response to the Earned Settlement consultation, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has finally announced further details on her plans. They will put the majority of those migrating to the UK on much longer routes to the basic security provided by settled status, forcing them to live in limbo on temporary visas. This will drive housing and job insecurity, and push families into financial precarity while denying them the access to essential safety nets that come with settlement. Refugees who arrive on a small boat will be punished through a 30 year route – see JRS UK’s response to the plans and their impact on refugees.
- In late September, Shabana Mahmood announced that Afghan women and Palestinians would be prioritised in the re-opened resettlement route that has been suspended for the past two years. Some charities have celebrated the re-opening of this route whilst highlighting that refugee family reunion routes remain closed. The new named community sponsorship scheme was formally opened, with applications for lead sponsor organisations opening this month.
- We supported the Week Of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention from 19-25 October, sharing stories on social media from across our network, including Caritas Northampton and Jesuit Refugee Service UK.
Social Care
- Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister launched the first national foster carer recruitment campaign, encouraging adults in their 30s and 40s.
- Andy Burnham’s speech at the Labour Party conference revealed that a National Care Service would be introduced in the next parliament, funded by scrapping the pensions triple lock. Yvette Cooper also announced a new national pension scheme for care workers, which the Social Care Institute for Excellence has said could be ‘transformative’.
- The Health Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords, which is set to significantly restructure the NHS, abolishing NHS England and implementing a 10 Year Health Plan.
- Skills for Care published its report on ‘The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’.
- Baroness Hallet published her sixth report as part of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry highlighting the neglect of the care sector and that care homes were insufficiently protected.
Dignity of Work
- At the Labour Party conference, Chancellor John Healey announced a new £100 million local apprenticeship service for young people, emphasising the opportunities that will come from a “new age of industrialisation”. He drew on the British history of work, including mining, mentioned union(s) 13 times and announced the “rebirth” of the Union Learning Fund after its abolition by the Conservatives.
- Meanwhile, the trade union Unite organised a protest outside the Plaid Cymru conference calling on the government to resolve the dispute with Cwm Taf Morgannwg health visitors, who have been on strike since February. Plaid had committed to doing this in the run-up to the Senedd elections in May.
- The Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Kanishka Narayan, made a statement indicating the direction of national AI policy. The speech announced new safety and security measures which could defend the UK from foreign attacks, and called for the expansion of domestic infrastructure. In that vein, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill has reached the report stage, having nearly passed through Parliament.
- Youth Employment UK published their policy recommendations for the upcoming Milburn report, which you can read here.
Poverty
- The Social Housing Bill was undergoing committee stage this month – this bill would most notably reform the Right-to-Buy scheme and increase support for victims of domestic abuse.
- Homelessness charity Crisis published their report, Everyone Home: Laying the foundations to end rough sleeping and homelessness for good. It establishes five foundational policies necessary for ending homelessness permanently. The report was launched at a panel event with Angela Rayner (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government), Matt Downie MBE (Crisis Chief Executive), Chloe Malone (Crisis Expert by Experience), and Juha Kaakinen (Housing First expert).
- You can read Caritas Salford’s hopes for the Autumn Budget here.
Party Conference Round-Up (part 2)
Now that party conference season is over, you can read the full version of our round-up on our website here.
