Labour are back in power after 14 years. Keir Starmer has entered Number 10 with a long to-do list, which includes but is not limited to the cost-of-living crisis, immigration, the NHS backlog, housing and a lack of faith in politics.

The Conservatives suffered their worst defeat in their parliamentary history, losing 251 seats, but still leaving them the official opposition. The Liberal Democrats came in third winning 71 seats. While Reform UK polled third when looking at the actual number of votes, this only translated into five seats – one more than the Green Party and Plaid Cymru. The SNP, Sinn Féin and Independents all returned more MPs, despite the SNP losing the majority of their seats.

This issue of Government Business covers several topics that will be on the agenda of the new government. We investigate simplifying recycling as well as some innovative energy projects that are reducing the carbon emissions of public buildings.

With the Euros almost over and the Olympics and Paralympics coming up, we look at how local and central government can reduce the barriers for people to be more active. The Association of Play Industries discusses the value of playgrounds and the Arboricultural Association will look at the importance of trees and tree care.

There’s features from the British Pest Control Association, the British Sign and Graphics Association and the International Stress Management Association. The British Institute of Cleaning Science will discuss the importance of training in cleaning and the Water Hygiene Centre will give an explainer on Legionella.

This issue also includes the relaunch of Government Technology (p.71), with features from TechUK, Socitm and Crown Commercial Service.