Documents Treasury Minutes – March 2026 (Web) PDF, 2.13 MB, 36 pages Treasury Minutes – March 2026 (Print) PDF, 2.13 MB, 40 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. Details Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty. Updates to this page Published 5 March 2026 Sign up for emails or print this page Get emails about this page Print this page

Applies to England Documents Park homes research report recommendations: summary of responses HTML Details In 2021, the government commissioned a report into the impact of change in the maximum park home sale commission. The report made 4 recommendations. In 2023, MHCLG published a discussion paper seeking stakeholders’ views on the report’s recommendations. This paper sets out a summary of the responses that were received. We have also launched a call for evidence on the park home sales commission payment. Updates to this page Published 5 March 2026 Sign up for emails or print this page Get emails about this page Print this page

The High Commissioner for a Day competition is an opportunity to show how the next generation can lead with vision, integrity, and courage. This year’s theme is Lead Like Her: Voices of the Next Generation. What is High Commissioner for a Day? High Commissioner for a Day is a global initiative that allows girls and young women to step into the role of a senior UK diplomat for one day. The selected participant will observe and take part in real diplomatic work – meeting leaders, contributing ideas, and experiencing how thoughtful, inclusive decision‑making shapes communities. Why enter? This competition is designed to help girls and young women discover their leadership potential and understand how their voices can influence fair and inclusive futures. As High Commissioner for the Day, you will: represent the voice and vision of Belize’s next generation participate in meaningful diplomatic activities share ideas on fairness, inclusion, and community leadership strengthen your confidence and communication skills connect with mentors and networks that support young leaders Your participation supports the UK’s commitment to building an inclusive and equitable partnership with Belize – one shaped by the leaders of tomorrow. Who can apply? You must be: Belizean a girl/young woman aged between 15 and 17 years old available on 29 April 2026 for a full day at the British High Commission in Belmopan How to enter Read the terms and conditions document carefully: Terms and conditions: High Commissioner for a Day 2026 (PDF, 109 KB, 2 pages) Complete the application form: Application form: High Commissioner for a Day 2026. (ODT, 7.93 KB) Create a 1‑minute video that responds to this question: As a woman in diplomacy, what would your priorities be, and how would you use diplomacy and community engagement to make progress? The deadline for complete applications is 7 April 2026 . You should submit your video to: socialmediaofficer0@gmail.com Key dates 7 April 2026 – applications close 15 April 2026 – winner contacted 20 April 2026 – winner announced Tips for a strong entry Keep these things in mind when preparing your entry: let the theme ‘Lead Like Her: Voices of the Next Generation’ guide your message be original, confident, and authentic show creativity in how you express your ideas your video should be a maximum of 60 seconds long a diverse judging panel will ensure fair evaluation

The Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor has launched a process to appoint a new independent Chair for the Criminal Legal Advisory Board. The CLAAB Chair provides independent leadership to the Board, guiding its advice to the Lord Chancellor on the operation and future development of criminal legal aid. The role involves steering discussions on market sustainability, data needs, and the impact of policy changes, as well as overseeing reports, recommendations and representing the Board externally. The new Chair’s appointment follows the end of the tenure of HH Deborah Taylor, who has been leading the Board since 2023. The competition for the role of CLAAB Chair is now live. Applications can be made through the Public Appointment website. The advert will remain open until 24 March 2026.

Location: Vienna Delivered on: 5 March 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you, Mr Chair. And thank you very much Dr Schläppi for your interesting presentation and overview of the work of the CEDAW Committee, which the United Kingdom fully supports. The security, prosperity and stability of our region depends on the full, equal and safe participation of women and girls. The global trajectory remains deeply concerning. Across our region and beyond, rights are being eroded, women human rights defenders face increasing intimidation, and violence against women and girls continues to rise. These challenges demand sustained, collective action. Violence against women and girls is a global emergency. One in three women and girls worldwide continues to experience violence in her lifetime. Such violence undermines democratic institutions, fuels instability, and weakens every pillar of the OSCE’s comprehensive security approach. It is preventable — but only if we act with urgency and consistency. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine continues to inflict profound harm on women and girls. Evidence of conflict‑related sexual violence by Russian forces has been extensively documented, with women and girls facing heightened risks in areas affected by the conflict. CRSV is not incidental, it is organised, deliberate, and used to break societal cohesion and erode the will to fight and recover. Russia’s aggression is not only an assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty; it is an assault on the safety, dignity and rights of women and girls. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give To Gain”, underscores the principle that meaningful progress on gender equality requires deliberate contributions from governments, institutions and individuals. When we invest in women’s safety, rights and leadership, we strengthen societies as a whole. The campaign’s message is clear: gender equality is not a concession, but a collective benefit. The OSCE has the mandate and tools to help drive this collective effort. It is vital that participating States match commitments with action by defending women’s rights in negotiations, resourcing women peacebuilders, and confronting the rising use of digital technologies to perpetrate online harassment and abuse. The United Kingdom remains committed to advancing this agenda. Last December, the Foreign Secretary launched ‘All In’, an initiative bringing together global leaders and experts to galvanise new commitments to end violence against women and girls. This initiative complements the UK’s long‑standing investment in evidence‑based prevention, including the ‘What Works to Prevent Violence’ programme, which has demonstrated that violence can be reduced by up to half in participating communities. We will also continue to champion the Women, Peace and Security agenda. As conflicts intensify, the risks to women and girls — including conflict‑related sexual violence — increase. All participating States should support survivor‑centred approaches, strengthen accountability, and protect the essential role of women mediators and civil society actors. The UK is committed to supporting accountability, including through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative by which the UK aims to strengthen access to justice for all survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. International Women’s Day is not simply a commemoration. It is a call to action — to defend the gains already made, confront the challenges ahead, and accelerate efforts to build a region where every woman and girl can live free from violence, fear and discrimination, and where their full participation is recognised as indispensable to our shared security. Thank you.

The painting has been valued at more than £1.7 million Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting An export bar has been placed on a painting by modern British artist, Howard Hodgkin in an effort to save the masterpiece for the nation. Following expert advice, Ministers have applied an export bar to allow time for a UK buyer to come forward and ensure this culturally important work remains accessible to the public. Howard Hodgkin was a celebrated figure in British contemporary art and is considered to be one of the world’s greatest colourists. His work is often described as abstract, however he famously described his paintings as “representational pictures of emotional situations,” aiming to capture the essence of specific memories, encounters, and feelings. Mrs Acton in Delhi is a vibrant oil on canvas work that marks a turning point in Hodgkin’s career. Hodgkin first travelled to India in 1964 and kept vivid travel diaries which record several days spent with John Stewart Acton and his wife in Delhi in 1967. The painting depicts Mrs Acton reclining on a terrace in Delhi, India, where her husband was a British Council representative. The British Council championed Hodgkin’s work internationally as a representation of British excellence and creative exchange. The British Council is the UK’s primary international organisation for cultural relations, making this work a direct visual record of British diplomatic presence and cultural exchange in India. Hodgkin’s painting was also a centrepiece of the 2017 UK-India Year of Culture, which was a major initiative celebrating the shared history and cultural ties between the two nations. This painting documents the transition in Hodgkin’s style from early Pop Art influences to the emotive abstraction that came to define late twentieth-century British painting. Cultural Property Minister Baroness Twycross said: Howard Hodgkin was one of Britain’s most distinctive artistic voices, and Mrs Acton in Delhi represents a pivotal moment in his remarkable career. This painting is a vibrant and powerful piece from a remarkable artist. I hope this export bar provides the opportunity for a UK buyer to come forward and ensure this important work remains accessible to the public. Mark Hallett, RCEWA Committee Member said: Howard Hodgkin was one of Britain’s most important modern artists and Mrs Acton in Delhi shows him at his best. The picture is a bold and colourful fusion of figurative and abstract forms of painting. Its swirling assemblage of motifs draws on the traditions of European and Indian art, and engages in dialogue with the work of leading contemporaries such as David Hockney, Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield and R.B. Kitaj. Finally, the picture offers a fascinating contribution to the story of modern corporate collecting in the UK. For all these reasons, it cries out to be kept for the nation. The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the painting met the second and third Waverley criteria for its aesthetic importance and outstanding significance to the study of modern British painting, corporate collecting history and networks of patronage and promotion. The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 4 June 2026 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £1,753,400 (plus VAT of £68,480). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for four months. Notes to editors Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the painting should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk. Details of the painting are as follows: Sir Howard Hodgkin (1932-2017), Mrs Acton in Delhi. Oil on canvas, 122 x 147.5cm. Painted 1967-1971 Provenance: Kasmin Gallery, London; J. Walter Thompson Collection, London; Acquired from the above by the present owner. Sold at auction (Bonhams, London, 16 October 2025) The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

Asylum seekers who break the law, illegally work or can support themselves financially will have their accommodation and financial support removed under new laws to be introduced today. The statutory legal duty to provide asylum seekers with support and accommodation will today be revoked. Instead, it will be replaced with a conditional approach, so support is reserved only for those who genuinely need it and follow the law. The measures that will be laid in Parliament today (Thursday 5 March) and come into force in June will remove support payments and accommodation for asylum seekers who illegally work, have the ability to support themselves, have the right to work or have broken the law. Those convicted of serious crimes face removal or deportation. The move comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will introduce new legislation today to restore order and control to our borders. She will make a speech today at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank outlining how these reforms are in line with her British values. The measures deliver on last November’s asylum policy statement, which set out this government’s plan to fix our broken asylum system and maintain the public’s confidence so we can continue provide sanctuary to those genuinely fleeing danger. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: Britain will always provide refuge to people fleeing war and persecution. But taxpayers cannot be expected to fund the lives of those who exploit the system or break our laws. Asylum support and accommodation will now become conditional – reserved only for those who play by our rules. Last year a total of £4 billion was spent on asylum support in the UK. As of December, there were 107,003 individuals in receipt of asylum support, with 30,657 in around 200 asylum hotels, costing the Home Office an average of £53,000 a year. Among this group, around 21,000 migrants could be granted the right to work because they have been waiting for more than 12 months for their asylum claim. Meanwhile, a record-breaking 9,000 illegal working arrests were made across the UK last year – some of which were asylum seekers. Under the tougher policy, these people could be eligible to have their support removed, alongside those who break the law, refuse removal and can financially support themselves. The government has already reduced the number of migrants in asylum hotels by 19% in the past year (to the end of December 2025), and overall asylum support costs by 15% in the last financial year (to the end of March 2025). Tougher rules like those set out could help reduce this even further and lead to greater savings for the taxpayer. It will ensure the UK offers asylum support that is decent and humane, without attracting illegal migrants to the UK and placing an excessive burden on taxpayers. Today’s announcement comes after the Home Secretary visited Denmark last week to see how it has tackled immigration with extraordinary results, bringing asylum claims to a 40-year low. Mahmood has set out that her sweeping reforms to the UK immigration system will follow the Danish model to ramp up removals of those with no right to be here and make it less attractive for illegal migrants to come to Britain. This work includes closing every asylum hotel in the UK and moving migrants to alternative accommodation, such as former military sites like Crowborough, which is already housing male migrants. The government will also reform the interpretation of Article 8 of the ECHR to ramp up removals, threaten visa sanctions on countries who do not take back illegal migrants, create a one-stop-shop to fix the broken appeals system and open new safe and legal routes. Taken together, these are the most sweeping reforms to Britain’s immigration system in modern times. It sits alongside existing work which has seen illegal working enforcement activity in 2025 reach the highest level in British history in a calendar year. Removals have also scaled up to nearly 60,000 since July 2024 – a 31% increase compared to the 19-month period ending June 2024.

Photo: Getty Images Migrants will need to speak English to a higher standard if they wish to stay permanently in the UK, under landmark reforms introduced tomorrow. They are being given a full year’s notice to prepare – giving them the best opportunity to integrate into British life. The change marks the first delivery moment of the government’s Earned Settlement reforms – designed to reward those who contribute, integrate and play by the rules. Since January, applicants for most work visas have been required to meet the higher A level standard in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Most foreign nationals applying for settlement must now meet the new A-level equivalent standard, raised from the current GCSE level. It takes an estimated 200 hours of learning to move between the two levels, which must be proved by a test with a Home Office-approved provider. The move comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will introduce new legislation this week to restore order and control to our borders. She will make a speech tomorrow at the IPPR think tank outlining how these reforms are in line with her British values. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: Migration will always be a vital part of Britain’s story, but the public rightly expect those who come here to integrate, contribute and share our British values. Fluency in English is the single easiest path to integration and contribution. It is how you find work, support your family, and play a full part in British life. Work hard, learn the language, and contribute to your community. That is the contract we are now writing into law. The change will be introduced through an Immigration Rules change tomorrow (5 March) and come into effect in March 2027. Last November, the government began a public consultation on its Earned Settlement reforms. This will see the standard qualifying period for settlement double to 10 years for most migrants – with reductions for those making a positive contribution to Britain’s economy and society. Under the Earned Settlement reforms, skilled frontline public service workers such as doctors and nurses may be able to settle after 5 years – with high earners and entrepreneurs fast-tracked to just 3. The government received more than 200,000 responses to the consultation, which closed in February. Those responses are being considered carefully before further reforms are brought forward.

Photo: Getty Images Since coming to office, the government has stripped visitors from 4 countries of visa-free entry following a surge in asylum claims. Thousands of tourists from Jordan, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Botswana claimed asylum in the UK before visit visas were introduced by this government. Nicaragua and Saint Lucia will be added to the list from today. The measures have had a colossal impact. Asylum claims by nationals from Jordan, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago have fallen by 93%, while claims on arrival at ports have been all but eliminated. The tougher controls are estimated to have prevented more than 6,000 people claiming asylum and over £370 million in associated costs since July 2024. The millions saved can instead be spent on strengthening border security and speeding up returns. People arriving on legal routes made up 39% of more than 100,000 UK asylum claims last year. Support for asylum seekers is costing taxpayers £4 billion a year. From today, Nicaraguan and Saint Lucian nationals will have to apply for a visit visa to travel to the UK. The new requirement follows continued exploitation by Nicaraguan visitors, with almost 90% of asylum claims being made on arrival at a UK port in 2025. This is an unsustainable pressure on the Britain’s borders. Saint Lucians will now need visas due to rising and disproportionately high asylum claims, as well as the threat to border security posed by the country’s Citizenship by Investment programme. This grants citizenship in exchange for a one-off payment of $240,000 to the Saint Lucian government. Asylum claims from these two countries also have above average costs for the Home Office, due to higher proportions presenting as destitute. There are currently almost 500 Saint Lucians and Nicaraguans receiving Home Office support, which is why urgent action is needed. The move comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepares to make a speech later today, where she will make the case for a ‘good migration system’ that provides sanctuary to those in genuine danger while tackling illegal migration with order and control at our borders. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: I will not tolerate systematic abuse of Britain’s generosity by people granted the privilege of visa-free entry. From imposing visa requirements to shutting down visas entirely, I will do whatever it takes to restore order and control to our border. Last week, Home Office data for 2025 revealed the number of people in asylum hotels are down by 19%, and 4% fewer people are claiming asylum The new requirement has been introduced in Immigration Rules changes today, alongside a first of its kind ‘brake’ on visas from 4 nationalities. Students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be refused visas as they are the most likely to claim asylum, with applications soaring by over 470% between 2021 and 2025. The announcement comes alongside the government’s pledge to open further safe and legal routes for those fleeing persecution, as well as deter from dangerous small boat crossings. Last November, the Home Secretary threatened to shut down UK visas for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo unless their governments agreed to take back illegal migrants. Four months later, co-operation has been secured from all 3 countries, with flights off the ground to return foreign criminals and illegal immigrants.

Under new rules introduced today, any foreign offender who has received a suspended sentence of at least 12 months – either at home or abroad – will see their entry clearance refused or revoked, regardless of when the crime took place. This builds on existing powers which allow the UK to deport anyone sentenced to 12 months or more in prison. Last May, the Home Office announced it would lower the threshold for foreign offenders to be considered for deportation. Any migrant who wants to settle in the UK must meet certain character requirements, including a clean criminal record and compliance with immigration requirements. The move comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will introduce new legislation today to restore order and control to our borders. She will make a speech today at the IPPR think tank outlining how these reforms are in line with her British values. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: Coming to the UK from overseas is a privilege, not a right. Any foreign national with a history of crime and violence is not welcome. If you pose a risk to our country, you will be refused entry or removed. The changes, which come into force from 26 March, will bring Immigration Rules in line with reforms in the Sentencing Act 2026. Last November, as part of the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration since the Second World War, the Home Secretary announced a shake-up of human rights laws to make it easier to deport foreign criminals. The government will legislate to reform Article 8 (the right to family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights so that the safety of the British public is prioritised above the rights of foreign offenders. And in April last year, the Home Office announced that foreign nationals who commit sex offences will be excluded from asylum protections in the UK as part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act. The changes come as removals of illegal migrants and foreign criminals under this government have scaled up to nearly 60,000 – the highest rate in a decade.

Flood risk reduced for 31 properties in Sandon Road, Stafford A range of flood doors, flood-resistant air bricks and pumps have been installed Over 30 properties have benefitted from the installation of flood doors, flood‑resistant air bricks, pumps, and targeted repointing of brickwork to seal potential entry points for water. These measures are designed to reduce the risk of water entering homes and to minimise damage should flooding occur. A flood gate being installed at a property. Sandyford Brook is a small river that begins on Stafford Common and flows towards the River Sow, passing close to Sandon Road. Sandyford brook runs through a naturally flat area meaning water does not drain away quickly. Ground subsidence in the area further reduces the effectiveness of the drainage system, meaning water can build up on the road and around nearby properties. By equipping properties with these measures, the scheme aims to give residents greater peace of mind and reduce the long‑term impacts of flooding on homes, livelihoods, and wellbeing. Will Groves, senior flood risk officer for the Environment Agency, said: This scheme provides practical, property‑level resilience measures that will make a real difference to people’s lives. While we cannot prevent flooding entirely, we can ensure homes are better prepared, more resilient, and able to recover more quickly. This project forms part of the Environment Agency’s wider commitment to strengthening flood resilience across Staffordshire. As part of the planning process the Environment Agency is in discussion with a developer about potentially constructing a flood storage area upstream of Sandon which will further reducing flood risk for the community. Together, these measures reflect a collaborative, long-term approach to supporting communities facing the growing challenges of climate-driven extreme weather. Search “flooding” on GOV.UK to find the risk for your home, business and neighbourhood. You can also: Get flood warnings if your home or business in England is at risk of flooding: Get flood warnings by text, phone or email - GOV.UK. Find out more about how to protect your home, belongings and loved ones, visit What to do before or during a flood - GOV.UK.

Environment Agency brings case after discovering waste remained on site Company previously ordered to pay more than £48,000 for operating illegal waste operation Court hearing at Birmingham Magistrates on Monday 2 March 2026 The company, Action Skip Hire Limited, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday 2 March 2026 in a case brought by the Environment Agency. On July 7 2025, the company had been ordered to pay more than £48,000 for operating a waste site without the necessary environmental permit. The magistrates also ordered the company to remove all waste from land off Oxford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, by 7 October 2025. However, a site inspection by Environment Agency officers on 8 October 2025 found the site to still hold various quantities of waste. The waste remaining on site on October 8 2025. The company had been told at the hearing in July that it could request an extension of time to comply with the order but no request had been received. The court was told that the company had ignored all previous attempts by the Environment Agency to engage. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: The Environment Agency will pursue any person or company that fails to uphold the law to protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties. Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health. If anyone has environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111. Background The Charge On 8th October 2025, and continuing, Action Skip Hire Limited disobeyed the Order of Birmingham Magistrates Court dated 7th July 2025, made under Regulation 44 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.They failed to remove all waste from land off Oxford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5NL on or before 7th October 2025. Previous Case https://www.gov.uk/government/news/skip-company-to-pay-over-48000-for-operating-illegal-waste-site