Latest news with #MaryCreagh
Times
a day ago
- General
- Times
How Keir Starmer's ‘Plan for Change' became the slogan of choice
What links a ban on Manchester City and Chelsea hooligans travelling to the Club World Cup in the US and a nature reserve in Kent? They are all part of the government's 'Plan for Change' — the slogan that is inserted into every government announcement, press release and mentioned as many times as possible in media interviews by ministers. All government departments and agencies have been instructed to include a mention of how every announcement they make is part of the plan, regardless of how tenuous the link is. So when the Home Office announced it was banning troublemaking fans of City and Chelsea from attending the Club World Cup, it was all part of the government's 'Plan for Change to cut down on crime and make our streets safer'. When Mary Creagh, the minister for nature, announced last week a new national nature reserve in Kent, home to 'species including Man and Lady orchids, the Maidstone mining bee and Hazel dormouse and skylarks', she said it was 'in line with our Plan for Change'. Other announcements claiming to be part of the plan include a scheme to digitise the registration of deaths, an announcement on the use of computer evidence in court, a new programme to help maternity staff better identify signs of distress in babies during labour and AI sensors on fridges and kettles that will help vulnerable people to live independently. The phrase has become so central to Downing Street's communication strategy that at one point this year, it ran a leaderboard scoring ministers on how many times they could manage to fit 'Plan for Change' into interviews. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, won the challenge with 16 mentions in a single ten-minute interview on Today on Radio 4 in January. The phrase has even been adopted by government officials, who are usually shielded from political phrases to maintain their neutrality. At a Home Office briefing in April, one official — who had worked on the previous government's Rwanda policy — used the phrase ten times within an eight-minute period. So why is Downing Street so obsessed with cramming in 'Plan for Change' in every nook and cranny of government communications? It all stems from focus groups and polling organised by Starmer's political strategist, Morgan McSweeney, that informed the prime minister's key speech in December that set out six 'milestones' that he wants the voting public to measure his government against at the next election. They are: putting more money in the pockets of working people, building 1.5 million homes, treating 92 per cent of NHS patients within 18 weeks, recruiting 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers, ensuring three quarters of five-year-olds are school-ready and having 95 per cent clean power by 2030. There was concern that the public was unsure of what Starmer stood for and was not crediting his government with changes of policy or direction. The public was also feared to be not separating Starmer's government from the record of previous Conservative administrations. Once members of the public were told that specific policies or announcements were part of a 'Plan for Change' under Labour, they started to give Starmer's government more credit, according to the results from the focus groups and polls. That led to Downing Street's communications team instructing all of the government's special advisers (spads) — the political aides to ministers — to ensure every announcement was accompanied by the slogan. The message came in one of the weekly hour-long ' spad school ' sessions held on Thursday afternoons in No 10. A government aide said: 'The slogan did very well in focus groups because it gives reassurance to members of the public that the government knows what it's doing and has a plan to change the country. 'We were told to put it in every single press notice, every quote and encourage our ministers to say it in broadcast rounds.' However, other political aides are more sceptical and said the test of whether it is working will be following the spending review on June 11, when Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will set out the government's spending plans for the next three years — from 2026 until 2029, when the next general election will probably be held.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Disposable vapes ban comes into force - here's everything you need to know
A ban on disposable vapes has come into force in the UK, making it illegal for retailers to sell them both in shops and online. The change in law is aimed at reducing vaping amongst young people, as well as the litter they create. The ban on disposable vapes - also known as single-use vapes - applies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and includes all disposable vapes, whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. The crackdown follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. What vapes are banned? The government is banning single-use vapes - meaning they either have a battery that cannot be recharged or is not refillable. They are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled. Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. A reusable vape has a rechargeable battery and a refillable container that holds the vaping e-liquid. Why has the government banned them? The change in law has been brought in to prevent the environmental damage caused by vapes, while addressing health concerns from inhaling nicotine. In 2023, up to five million single-use vapes were estimated to be either littered or thrown away every week in the UK – almost four times as many as the previous year. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said England's vape usage had grown by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1% of Brits now buying and using the products. Figures from the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) suggest the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18 to 24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. Defra said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would 'put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets'. Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: 'For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today. 'The Government calls time on these nasty devices.' Who does the ban apply to? The ban applies to all businesses and organisations that sell or supply single-use vapes in the UK. This includes: retailers – such as convenience stores, market stalls, petrol stations, specialist vape shops and supermarkets manufacturers wholesalers importers healthcare settings and stop smoking services Retailers must arrange to recycle any leftover stock of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025. What will happen to retailers that continue to sell them? Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. How else is the government toughening smoking laws? The separate Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aimed at creating the "first smoke-free generation," is currently working its way through Parliament. The bill includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Disposable vapes are officially BANNED in the UK as government cracks down on cheap nicotine dispensers commonly littered and sold to children
A ban on single-use vapes has today come into force across Britain as the government looks to crack down on waste and the growing number of children hooked on nicotine. Around five million disposable vapes were thrown away each week last year rather than being recycled - sparking major environmental concerns as the batteries can leak waste and cause fires. And a survey commissioned by NHS England last October revealed that around one in ten secondary school pupils were regular users of the devices. The new legislation means vapes must be considered 'reusable' - through being refillable or having a charging port - or they will be classed as illegal. Shops have already begun stocking 'rechargeable' versions of vapes which are retailing for the same price as the disposable offerings. Further moves to raise the age of sale of tobacco products and to regulate the displays, flavours and packaging of reusable vapes are also being taken forward through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Nature minister Mary Creagh was asked on Friday whether the new legislation would be enough and said: 'Well let's bring in the ban first. That's what I would say.' 'I'm confident that my colleagues in the Department of Health will not hesitate to use those powers should what we're doing this weekend not achieve the goals. 'But I'm confident that it is already sparking a conversation among young people, getting them to ask the questions, getting them to understand that there's no such place as "away" and that these are really difficult to recycle.' She added that most large vapes on the market do not have replaceable coils meaning they will fall within the scope of the ban. The government is also considering further ways to drive up levels of separately collected electrical waste including vapes as part of reforms to waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations. Under current rules, vape producers already have a legal responsibility to finance their collection for recycling. Vapes contain valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper that are regularly binned in household waste, and if littered, they can cause fires and other damaging or toxic impacts on the environment and wildlife. Major eco organisations last week called on retailers to make more collection points available for the products. Director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) John Dunne also called on shop owners to do more. Mr Dunne said: 'This needs joined-up action from across the waste chain and more effort needs to be done to provide consumers with disposal points at the point of use and not just point of sale.' He added that while the UKVIA works to educate consumers on sustainable vape use and recycling initiatives 'more needs to be done'. 'We would encourage the Government to launch a national consumer education which includes responsible disposal of vapes, why vaping is much less harmful than smoking, and warning of the dangers of buying non-compliant products from the black market or other irregular sellers.' According to research by online nicotine retailer, Haypp, 82 per cent of disposable vape users stockpiled ahead of the ban. Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, urged shops to comply with the new laws, dubbing vapes a 'blight [on] our streets.' He added: 'We would also urge caution to anyone stockpiling disposable vapes. Failing to store disposable vapes correctly could cost lives, given the significant fire risk they pose.'
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Disposable vapes officially banned in the UK from today
Fancy a disposable Elfbar or Lost Mary? You're out of luck. As of today, disposable vapes are now banned from the shelves of all shops in the UK. The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer, ranging from corner shops to supermarkets, to sell them. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes, whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. The single-use vape ban follows the soaring use of them in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. Disposable vapes are non-refillable and unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled. Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. The Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would 'put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets'. Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: 'For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today. The Government calls time on these nasty devices.' Ash deputy chief executive Caroline Cerny said: 'It's promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. 'This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing. 'If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.' Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman added: 'We strongly support robust enforcement activity, starting with the businesses that are already openly flouting the rules by selling illicit products and who will continue to sell disposable vapes once they're outlawed.' More Trending The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said its members had moved quickly to bring new fully compliant products to market well ahead of the June 1 deadline, but warned of 'serious unintended consequences'. 'Vaping was invented to help adult smokers quit and disposable products became the most successful vape products to do so because they are simple to use and most closely replicate the sensation of smoking,' UKVIA director general John Dunne said. 'We are concerned that this ban will encourage former smokers who have already transitioned from cigarettes – which kill 220 people every day in the UK – to return to combustible tobacco or opt for unregulated vapes. 'We also have clear evidence, from countries including the USA and Australia, showing that black market, counterfeit and illicit vape sales spiked when vape bans and restrictions are introduced.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Lidl urgently pulls popular protein snack from shelves over 'health risks' MORE: Peak District visitors could face £1 entry fee to 'access incredible landscape' MORE: Royal Navy scrambled to monitor Russian ship loitering in UK waters
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Disposable vapes banned in Scotland from midnight in bid to clean up health and streets
The ban is in force across the UK from tomorrow. Disposable vapes are banned from the shelves of all shops from Sunday in a bid to cut their use among young people as well as the "avalanche" of litter they create. The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer - ranging from corner shops to supermarkets - to sell them. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. It follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. Disposable vapes are non-refillable and unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled. Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Figures from the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) suggests the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18 to 24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would "put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets". Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: "For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today. The Government calls time on these nasty devices." Ash deputy chief executive Caroline Cerny said: "It's promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. "This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing. "This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste. "If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill." Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: "We have been working with retailers, the Government and Trading Standards for months on providing detailed guidance that sets out how to spot non-compliant vapes after the ban comes into force, as well as advising retailers on what they need to do with any stock of disposables left over on June 1. "We strongly support robust enforcement activity, starting with the businesses that are already openly flouting the rules by selling illicit product and who will continue to sell disposable vapes once they're outlawed. "It is essential that Trading Standards teams are given the resources they need to get illegal vapes and other products off the streets, as these rogue businesses undermine the work of responsible retailers across the country." The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said its members had moved quickly to bring new fully compliant products to market well ahead of the June 1 deadline, but warned of "serious unintended consequences" of bans as a regulatory measure. UKVIA director general John Dunne said: "Vaping was invented to help adult smokers quit and disposable products became the most successful vape products to do so because they are simple to use and most closely replicate the sensation of smoking. "We are concerned that this ban will encourage former smokers who have already transitioned from cigarettes - which kill 220 people every day in the UK - to return to combustible tobacco or opt for unregulated vapes. "We also have clear evidence, from countries including the USA and Australia, showing that black market, counterfeit and illicit vape sales spiked when vape bans and restrictions are introduced." The separate Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament, also includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
