I have just been to see Her Majesty the Queen, and I will now form a government – a government that can provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country.

This government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days, and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union.

It will work to keep our nation safe and secure by delivering the change that I set out following the appalling attacks in Manchester and London – cracking down on the ideology of Islamist extremism and all those who support it. And giving the police and the authorities the powers they need to keep our country safe.

The government I lead will put fairness and opportunity at the heart of everything we do, so that we fulfil the promise of Brexit together and – over the next 5 years – build a country in which no one and no community is left behind.

A country in which prosperity and opportunity are shared right across this United Kingdom.

What the country needs more than ever is certainty, and having secured the largest number of votes and the greatest number of seats in the general election, it is clear that only the Conservative & Unionist Party has the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty by commanding a majority in the House of Commons.

As we do, we will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular. Our 2 parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.

This will allow us to come together as a country and channel our energies towards a successful Brexit deal that works for everyone in this country – securing a new partnership with the EU which guarantees our long-term prosperity.

That’s what people voted for last June.

That’s what we will deliver.

Now let’s get to work.

The National Fostering Agency Group (NFA) and Acorn Care and Education Group (Acorn) are 2 of the largest national providers of independent fostering placement services to local authorities across Scotland, England and Wales, helping them match vulnerable children with foster carers.

In January 2017, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that the deal would face an in-depth investigation unless NFA could address concerns over a reduction in competition in 3 areas in the UK in which the companies overlap within the framework agreements put in place by groups of local authorities – Wales, Norfolk and Luton (including the wider Central Bedfordshire/Bedford area).

The CMA had found that less competition would make it more difficult for the local authorities involved to ensure value for money in framework tenders.

To avoid being referred for an in-depth phase 2 investigation, NFA proposed selling Acorn businesses in Wales, Norfolk and Luton (including the wider Central Bedfordshire/Bedford area) to another provider, BSN Social Care. This would include transferring all relevant carers and associated staff to enable BSN Social Care to replicate the competitive constraint provided by Acorn prior to its purchase by NFA.

After consulting on these undertakings, the CMA is satisfied that the sales will protect competition in the affected areas and the ability of the local authorities concerned to obtain good value when tendering for fostering services.

All information on this merger can be found on the case page.