5 great things from our Labour Government this April

Women’s voices to be at the heart of renewed health strategy

Women across the country will be better heard and served under new plans set out in the renewed Women’s Health Strategy, published this week.

Women’s experiences will be put at the centre of care across the healthcare system, ensuring patients’ voices are listened to and acted upon, including exploring ways in which women’s feedback can be directly linked to provider funding and targeted improvements through a new trial.

The move aims to ensure services are held accountable for listening to women, in a bid to stamp out long-standing issues with women being ignored

Crackdown on water companies delivers record funding to restore harm done to waterways

Local communities, water quality and wildlife will benefit from a record £8.5 million paid by water companies into environmental restoration projects as part of a strengthened crackdown on pollution and poor performance across the sector.

This compares to £5.8 million the year before, a 47% increase, and just under £2 million in the 2023/24 financial year.

The Environment Agency ensures this record funding goes directly to charities and projects that restore the harm done to waterways and improve water quality, working to leave them in a better position than before any incident.

Next generation empowered through Technical Excellence Colleges

Around 65,000 learners will now have access to training for high-demand jobs in Britain’s fastest-growing industries, as the government rolls out the next wave of Technical Excellence Colleges as part of the Industrial Strategy.

Backed by £175 million of government funding, 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country will deliver high-quality training in the sectors driving Britain’s growth – advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defence, as well as digital and technologies.

The new Technical Excellence Colleges will equip young people with the high-level technical skills needed to access well-paid, high-skilled jobs, giving them a clear route from education into work

Cultural venues, museums, and libraries to receive funding boost

130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are set to benefit from a £127.8 million funding boost, helping to ensure that everyone can access arts and culture in the places they call home.

Receipients receiving much-needed funds include The Hexagon in Reading, Turner Sims, Southampton, Portsmouth New Theatre Royal and Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival.

The 130 organisations receiving funding today mark the first projects receiving cash from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund. As the cost of living continues to affect families across Britain, funding for these venues will help provide welcoming, affordable spaces for communities to visit, come together and celebrate what makes their local area special