Latest Government Updates: Young People, Families, Communities and Support

A number of new government announcements and updates have been published covering education, young people, household finances, adult social care, violence against women and girls, employment rights and energy.

Here is a quick roundup of some of the latest developments.

Free period products in schools and colleges extended

The Department for Education has confirmed that the free period product scheme for schools and colleges in England will continue during the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years.

The scheme enables eligible schools and Department for Education-funded 16–19 education organisations to order free period products for pupils and students who need them. Updated guidance also covers access to products during exams and sports events.

New research published on Votes at 16

New government research has explored the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of young people aged 14–17 ahead of the proposed extension of voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds through the Representation of the People Bill.

More than 3,500 young people took part in a nationally representative survey alongside 32 focus groups. The research examined areas including understanding of elections, voter registration and the voting process.

Read the Votes at 16 research on GOV.UK

National Taskforce for Tackling Misogyny launched

A new National Taskforce for Tackling Misogyny has been launched, bringing together government, local leaders and experts to examine how harmful attitudes towards women and girls can be prevented.

The taskforce will consider misogyny in communities, workplaces and online spaces. Its first meeting will focus specifically on young people, with later work looking at workplaces, digital spaces and social cohesion.

More than £300 million paid through Help to Save

More than £300 million has now been paid to people on low incomes through the government’s Help to Save scheme.

Help to Save allows eligible people to save between £1 and £50 each month and receive a government bonus of 50p for every £1 saved, subject to the scheme’s rules. More than 656,000 accounts have been opened since the scheme began, and eligibility is due to expand further from 2028.

Find out more about Help to Save

Public invited to help shape the future of adult social care

People across England are being invited to register for a new Public Panel on Care as part of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care’s Big Conversation on Care.

Thousands of randomly selected households are receiving invitations, with around 125 people ultimately due to join the panel. Participants do not need previous knowledge or experience of adult social care. Those receiving an invitation have until 11 October 2026 to register.

£14 million to support work preventing violence against women and girls

Frontline services and community initiatives are set to receive new funding aimed at preventing violence and abuse against women and girls.

The package includes a £10 million Prevention Accelerator fund to help promising local projects expand, alongside £4 million for research and evaluation into approaches that prevent violence and abuse. Areas covered include online abuse, safety in public spaces and harmful behaviours in teenage relationships.

New bereavement and pregnancy loss leave rights

New employment rights are set to give more employees a statutory right to time away from work following the death of a close family member.

From April 2027, the new bereavement leave entitlement is expected to cover relationships including spouses or partners, parents, adult children and siblings, as well as step, half, adoptive, kinship care and foster relationships.

Women and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, including miscarriage, termination and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers, will also be entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid leave.

£90 million investment in heat networks

More than 750,000 homes are expected to benefit from new and upgraded heat networks as part of £90 million in government investment.

Heat networks provide heating to multiple buildings from a central source. Funding will support new low-carbon networks as well as improvements to existing systems, with projects planned in areas including London, Bradford, Solihull, Bexley and Greenwich.

Thousands of young adults still have unclaimed Child Trust Funds

Almost three million matured Child Trust Fund accounts have now been claimed or transferred into ISAs, but HMRC says around 827,000 accounts remain unclaimed.

The unclaimed accounts are worth an average of around £2,310. Young adults aged 18–24 who are unsure where their Child Trust Fund is held can use the free GOV.UK online locator service.

Find out more about unclaimed Child Trust Funds

New Vocational GCSEs announced

New Vocational GCSEs are planned as part of changes to technical and vocational education, providing pupils with more opportunities to study practical and career-related subjects alongside traditional GCSEs.

The qualifications will eventually replace existing Technical Awards and will have nationally set content, assessment and grading regulated by Ofqual. Potential subjects include Business Management and Finance, Creative Media Production, Digital Tech, Child Development and Building and Construction.

Some Vocational GCSE subjects are expected to become available from September 2029. The government has also announced plans to increase work experience opportunities for 14–16-year-olds.

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