The Mirror's campaigning has shone a light on missing people's cases, led to a pledge for a major expansion of free school meals and brought in changes to law in 2025
07:00, 31 Dec 2025
2025 has been a year of change.
From free school meals to Hillsborough Law, the Mirror has been doggedly campaigning on behalf of our readers to improve life for all of us and to end injustices. Here's how our reporting helped bring about change this year.
1. Free schools meals extended
The Mirror's long-running campaign to end hunger in schools scored a major victory when Keir Starmer pledged to extend free school meals to all households on Universal Credit.
More than half a million children will become eligible for nutritious hot dinners from September 2026 in a game-changing boost for families.
The overhaul of strict eligibility rules will lift 100,000 children out of poverty and help parents save up to £500 a year.
The Prime Minister praised our campaign and told Mirror readers: "My government will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to give every child the best start in life."
2. Missing teen found alive
Missing teenager Deante James was found alive after we highlighted his case as part of the Mirror's Missed campaign.
The 17-year-old had gone missing from his home in Enfield, north London, on March 31 while suffering from psychosis, after he unknowingly smoking a joint laced with Spice - a lab-made drug designed to mimic the effects of cannabis.
He was found safe six weeks later. His mum Vandana told us: "I was over the moon - I couldn't stop crying. Thanks so much for everything the Mirror has done - it pushed the police to realise who he was even though his name had been entered onto the system incorrectly. It’s great news and he’s now getting the help he needs."
3. Benefit cuts U-turn
Our reporting on the devastating impact of plans for disability benefit cuts raised hackles in Government.
But the opposition to the move gathered steam, and Labour MPs threatened the biggest revolt of Mr Starmer's premiership in June.
The PM was forced into a climbdown and the reforms were gutted 90 minutes before a crunch vote.
Plans to make it harder for future claimants to qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have been shelved until after a review by Disabilities Minister Stephen Timms.
4. Help for struggling pubs
Struggling boozers were handed a lifeline as communities were given the power to rescue cherished locals.
In a win for the Mirror's campaign to save Britain's pubs, locals will get first refusal when beloved community hubs such as pubs, cafes and clubs are put up for sale to breathe life into struggling high streets.
5. Dentists
Patients struggling to access a dentist were given hope this year as hundreds of thousands of extra appointments were promised.
An extra 700,000 people living in so-called deserts were due to be seen under the plans, as Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the sector was on the road to recovery.
And in a major win for our Dentists for All campaign, changes to the flawed NHS contract in England from April 2026 will mean dentists are incentivised to offer urgent NHS care for serious cases such as infections, severe pain or trauma to teeth.
6. Cosmetic cowboys crackdown
Our crusade against cosmetic cowboys secured a crackdown on dangerous surgical procedures that have killed and harmed patients.
In July, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Mirror had shone a light on the hidden horrors of the industry as he announced new laws to stop backstreet clinics carrying out botched bum lifts, lip fillers and Botox injections.
It comes after mum-of-five Alice Webb, 33, died after having a non-surgical BBL procedure. Her partner, Dane, said: "This victory is a crucial step forward to ensuring no family has to endure the heartbreak we have."
7. Energy drinks ban
Under-16s will be banned from buying highly caffeinated energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster and Prime after our efforts.
The Mirror's campaign came amid warnings the beverages are damaging kids' health and affecting their behaviour at school.
Most supermarkets stopped selling energy drinks to children seven years ago but they were still widely available in corner shops, vending machines and online.
The plans, announced in September, will ban the sale of high caffeine drinks across all retailers, including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines.
8. Hillsborough Law
After a decades-long fight for justice, Hillsborough families saw the introduction of a bill to prevent state cover-ups.
Keir Starmer said the new Hillsborough Law was "in memory of the 97" people killed in the UK's worst ever stadium disaster.
Grieving relatives have spent years battling for justice after police falsely blamed Liverpool supporters for the disaster, with the Mirror backing their fight.
The Prime Minister said the new law would end "the culture of obfuscation and cover-up, so public institutions can never again hide from those they are there to serve".
9. National Day for terror victims and survivors
Victims and survivors of terrorism will be honoured with a new national day of remembrance.
The Mirror's A Place to Remember campaign had pressed the Government to meet victims' calls for an annual day of reflection in memory of those killed in heinous attacks and those left to piece their lives back together.
The Home Office announced in November that the inaugural event will be held on August 21 2026.
Figen and Stuart Murray, whose son Martyn Hett who was one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, said: "It is an important step that formally recognises the profound and enduring loss experienced by victims.
"This day will honour the lives lost and ensure their memory will never fade but it also acknowledges the immense courage of survivors. Their resilience remains a source of national unity.”
10. Puppy farming ban
Just before Christmas, the Government said it would ban cruel puppy farming in its long-awaited Animal Welfare Strategy.
Our crusade to end the horrors of the dog breeding trade led to a law change in 2020 to make it illegal for dealers to sell puppies and kittens they had not bred themselves.
It was known as Lucy's Law after we highlighted the plight of Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who died in 2016 after spending five years in a dark, filthy barn where she was used to breed puppies for sale.
The latest change goes even further to impose an outright ban on puppy farms alongside a swathe of other welfare measures.