Delivering in Government: your weekly round up of good news Labour stories

It was a busy week for the Labour government.

While we gathered in Liverpool for our first conference under Andy Burnham, there were plenty of announcements outside the prime minister’s speech.

Here are the seven most exciting ones this week that you can use, whether you’re on the doorstep, sparring on social media, or debating in the pub.

1. Reviving empty high-street buildings

Labour is funding councils to bring derelict buildings back into use.

The plan includes:

• £125 million investment to turn empty shopping centres and disused cinemas into health centres, civic spaces, and community facilities.
• £65 million for rescuing much-loved buildings and businesses, including pubs and sports clubs.
• £20 million to fund High Street Rental Auctions for shops left empty for a year or more, plus a programme to help staff, customers, and communities take co-operative ownership.

2. Nationalising Avanti West Coast

Labour will take one of the country’s busiest rail routes into public ownership.

From 7 March 2027, Avanti’s services will be run publicly, with the aim of cutting delays and improving the journey for passengers.

The government is also putting £50 million into Euston over three years, starting with £11 million for seating, waiting areas, and toilets.

3. Boosting youth jobs and apprenticeships

Labour is launching new schemes to help young people into employment or training.

The new measures include:

• A £2,000 payment to small businesses for every apprentice under 25 they take on, with no application needed.
• 1,000 new youth workers, with the first in place by spring 2027, plus a £450 million fund to build and renovate youth facilities and pay for activities.
• Guaranteed job offers for young disabled people and those with long-term health conditions from April 2027, with wage costs covered for six months.

The youth worker plan is the largest investment in youth services in a generation, according to the government, following a 73% drop in local authority spending between 2010 and 2023.

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4. Free SEND training for teachers

Labour has published the first practical classroom resources for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Teachers will get techniques like breaking instructions into steps and pre-teaching specialist vocabulary, as part of a £200 million investment to tackle the postcode lottery in SEND support.

Fully funded courses for teachers, school leaders, and support staff follow in September 2027. One in three teachers surveyed said they wanted more SEND training.

5. Liaison officers for all abuse victims

Labour is rolling out dedicated support for every domestic abuse survivor from charge to trial.

Until now, only victims of rape and sexual offences got a dedicated Crown Prosecution Service liaison officer. Under the national rollout, every domestic abuse victim will get one too.

Victims will also be able to choose how the CPS contacts them, whether that’s by phone, email, or post.

6. Cheaper electricity for manufacturers

Labour is cutting energy costs for factories across Great Britain.

More than 10,000 manufacturers can apply for up to 25% off their electricity costs, with support starting in April 2027. It’s expected to save businesses hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

Firms that apply by 30 November also get a one-off payment worth around a year of the scheme’s relief, which is only available to this year’s applicants.

7. Free legal help for families facing hardship

Labour is investing in specialist advice for families facing eviction or debt.

The £16 million Legal Support Grant will back 48 frontline organisations across England and Wales, including Citizens Advice and Shelter Cymru, so families can get help before eviction, debt, or welfare disputes escalate into a crisis.

The money runs until March 2029 and follows more than £25 million of investment in legal support by this government.

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