The announcement, which came after months of speculation, was welcomed by supporters as a long-overdue step and criticised by opponents as too little, too late. Officials insisted the timing was driven by events rather than politics.
Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, a spokesperson said the situation was being monitored 'extremely closely' and that further measures had not been ruled out. 'We will act on the evidence,' they said. 'Nothing is off the table.'
We have been warning about this for years. Nobody can say they were not told.
Analysts said the development was significant but cautioned against reading too much into a single data point. 'What matters is the trend over the coming months,' said one senior researcher, who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
What happens next
The figures, compiled from official sources and independent surveys, show a marked shift compared with the same period last year. Regional variations were pronounced, with the north and the coastal areas most affected.
Critics argue that the plan fails to address the underlying causes. 'This is a sticking plaster,' said one campaigner. 'Until we tackle the structural problems, we will be back here again in a year's time.'
The history of the issue is long and contested. Previous attempts at reform stalled amid legal challenges and shifting political priorities, leaving many of those involved sceptical that this time will be different.
