Political monitor uk september 15th edition 247695653053
Published: 15-Sep-25 | By APSCo
Public Policy
Political Monitor UK | September 15th Edition
Since the last monitor, public discourse on immigration has been on the rise. It was foundthat in the year ending June 2025, the UK saw 134.8 million arrivals, with most non-British visitors coming for short stays, while visas for work, study, family, and humanitarian purposes fluctuated, illegal arrivals and asylum claims rose, and grants of settlement and citizenship increased.
Government Reshuffle
Following news that she had underpaid Stamp Duty for a second home, Angela Rayner resignedfrom her ministerial roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary.
Rayner’s resignation brought forward a long-planned Cabinet reshuffle, with changes made detailed in this briefing note. For APSCo, the key points are:
Shabana Mahmood became Home Secretary;
Pat McFadden became Work and Pensions Secretary;
Peter Kyle became Business and Trade Secretary; and
Liz Kendall became Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary.
Bridget Philipson and Wes Streeting remain as Education Secretary and Health Secretary, respectively.
As part of the Cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister announced that the Skillsportfolio will move from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions.
A full junior ministerial reshuffle then look place, with changes made detailed inthis briefing note. For APSCo, the key changes were:
Justin Madders has left the Government;
Feryal Clark has left Government, with Kate Dearden MP becoming the new Employment Rights Minister as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State;
Kanishka Narayan has been appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and expected to lead on AI;
Baroness Smith of Malvern remains as Skills Minister, but now sits jointly in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education;
Janet Daby has left her role as Children’s Minister and Josh MacAlister, who previously led a review of children’s social care, replaces her; and
Dame Angela Eagle has left the Home Office, with Mike Tapp to serve as the next Immigration Minister, responsible for asylum and borders.
Rayner’s resignation has also prompted a race to be the next Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (a position directly-elected by Labour members). This is looking like a two-horse race between Bridget Phillipson (Education Secretary) and Lucy Powell (who was sacked as Leader of the House of Commons in the Cabinet reshuffle.
Read our News and Blogs page on the website for APSCo’s latest Policy Talks (an update on policy activity).
Other News
The Government announced that the Autumn Budget will take place on 26th November. A Budget Consultation portal has opened here, with a deadline of 15th October. APSCo will be making a submission to HM Treasury on behalf of members.
The Home Office has indicated that it may seek to cut the number of visas granted to countries that delay or refuse returns of individuals with no right to remain the UK.
Employment Rights Bill
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the impact of employment rights on businesses tomorrow (16 September 2025). The debate will be opened by Lincoln Jopp (Conservative, Spelthorne).
With Peter Kyle as the new Business Secretary, there has been concernexpressed by some that the Government might seek to water down the Employment Rights Bill. Unite’s General Secretary has pushed the Government to go further on workers’ rights and not to weaken the legislation.
Meanwhile, some businesseshave pushed the Government to walk back on some of the key measures, now Rayner is out of office.
Unions are pressing Keir Starmer to make a populist case for the Bill, arguing that its sweeping protections are overwhelmingly popular across the political spectrum but risk being overlooked without stronger public messaging.
The new Minister responsible for the Employment Rights Bill is Kate Dearden, who has been criticised by the right for her union background.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson gave the keynote addressto the TUC Conference on 9th September, praising the changes being introduced as part of the Employment Rights Bill.
The House of Commons will consideramendments from the House of Lords on 15th October
Umbrella Reforms
Ahead of the Umbrella Company reforms coming into force from April 2026, APSCo submitted a response to Government on members’ behalf, which you can find here.
APSCo also provided members with a pro-forma letter for MPs, which you can use to raise key arguments on the importance of regulating rogue Umbrellas.
APSCo are running further webinars and in-person member meetings on Umbrella Companies. You can find details here, if you’d like to attend and get involved.
APSCo News
You know the legislative process is complex if you’ve been following the Employment Rights Bill. Read our new Legislation Explainer where we simplify the process for you, and explain how APSCo UK and OutSource ensures new legislation avoids inadvertent consequences and makes operating environments as conducive to business growth as possible for members like you.
The Week Ahead
Both Houses of Parliament returned from recess on Monday 1st September.
The Second Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill took place on Tuesday 2nd September, where the principles of giving Mayors new powers over skills and apprenticeships were be discussed. Committee Stage of the Bill will begin from 16th September.
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