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  • NEWS STORY : Zia Yusuf Resigns as Reform UK Chair Amid Sarah Pochin Burqa Ban Row

    NEWS STORY : Zia Yusuf Resigns as Reform UK Chair Amid Sarah Pochin Burqa Ban Row

    STORY

    Zia Yusuf has stepped down as chairman of Reform UK today, citing irreconcilable differences over the party’s stance on a proposed burqa ban. Yusuf’s departure, announced in a post on X, comes just days after he publicly criticised newly elected MP Sarah Pochin for asking Prime Minister Keir Starmer whether the UK should prohibit the wearing of the burqa in Parliament. Describing Pochin’s intervention as “dumb” Yusuf found himself at odds with senior figures who defended the MP’s comments, ultimately prompting his resignation.

    Yusuf, one of Reform UK’s largest donors, was appointed chairman in July 2024, following the general election. In less than a year, he helped oversee a dramatic increase in membership, from around 14% to 30% in national polling, and supported the party’s historic performance in last summer’s votes. His financial backing and fundraising acumen were credited by many with professionalising Nigel Farage’s fast-growing movement. Yet, behind the scenes, tensions had been simmering over Yusuf’s management style and his outspoken views on social issues.

    Party insiders say the dispute over Pochin’s burqa question was merely the catalyst for a deeper power struggle. Yusuf’s outspoken criticism of the policy, which the party leadership insisted was not official Reform UK policy, was seen by some colleagues as undermining unity at a crucial moment. Earlier this week, senior Reform MPs publicly supported Pochin’s call for debate on face coverings, further isolating Yusuf. In a statement, he lamented that working to elect a Reform government was “no longer a good use of my time” and announced his immediate resignation.

    Nigel Farage paid tribute to Yusuf’s contributions, acknowledging that the businessman had transformed Reform UK’s finances and outreach. “Zia came in and helped take the party to places it had never been before,” Farage said, adding “While today’s decision is regrettable, I respect his right to stand by his principles.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government funds scheme to tackle on-farm drought risk [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government funds scheme to tackle on-farm drought risk [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 4 June 2025.

    Fully funded expert-led studies to assess water security on farms open for applications.

    The Environment Agency have launched applications for a new round of specialist water assessments today (4 June), supporting farmer groups to collaborate on drought resilience measures and delivering on the government’s commitment to food security.

    The £1.1 million package will support 12 fresh screening studies across England, known as Local Resource Options (LROs). They will assess the strengths and weaknesses of different water management options such as multi-farm reservoirs, treated wastewater recycling systems, or collaborative irrigation networks.

    Last year, the fund provided 106 farms with recommendations and attracted positive responses from farmer groups for helping identify risks and facilitate greater co-operation between neighbours.

    Proposals included building rainwater storage and distribution systems for growers of soft fruits like strawberries, wetlands to recycle treated wastewater for potato farmers or shared reservoir and irrigation networks to supply crops and aid peat restoration.

    Environment Agency estimates suggest their top recommendations could provide an additional 12 billion litres of low-cost water per year to farmers, worth £53 million.

    Philip Duffy, Environment Agency Chief Executive said:

    Farmers say responsible access to water is vital for food production and rural economies, particularly during prolonged dry weather.

    This scheme will help us draw up plans for on-farm water storage that work for the environment and food production.

    Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food and Rural Affairs said:

    Every farmer knows you need water to grow. This programme supports farmers to find new ways to manage water collaboratively to protect food security, long term profitability and local communities.

    Storing water on wet days for use during dry periods is a great way to sustainably secure our food systems and farming businesses against the threat of drought.

    Applications are open now for groups including at least two neighbouring farms and will close at 11:59 PM on 20 July 2025.

  • NEWS STORY : Passenger Train Strikes Agricultural Trailer at Nordan Farm Crossing

    NEWS STORY : Passenger Train Strikes Agricultural Trailer at Nordan Farm Crossing

    STORY

    A Transport for Wales passenger service collided with a loaded farm trailer at Nordan Farm user-worked level crossing at approximately 10:37 on Thursday morning. The 08:30 service from Manchester to Cardiff, travelling at around 80 mph, struck the trailer as it was being hauled by a tractor across the crossing.

    The force of the impact caused the trailer to break away from the tractor and become lodged beneath the front of the train. The driver of the train applied full braking and brought the train to a halt roughly 500 metres further along the track. Although the train remained upright and on its rails, the leading driving van trailer and several of the first passenger coaches sustained significant damage.

    Out of the 66 passengers and eight staff on board, six passengers were treated for minor injuries at the scene; the train driver and other crew members escaped unharmed. The tractor driver was also uninjured but visibly shaken by the incident. In addition to damage to the train and trailer, track infrastructure and lineside equipment suffered harm, and a second nearby level crossing was rendered temporarily unusable.

    Nordan Farm is a user-worked crossing equipped with telephone points. Signs at the site direct anyone wishing to cross to first obtain permission from the signaller before opening the gates. Initial findings by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) indicate that the tractor driver did make a phone call to the signaller prior to crossing. Investigators are now examining why the trailer came onto the track in front of the fast-approaching train.

    RAIB has launched a formal investigation to establish the full sequence of events that led to the collision. The inquiry will review the actions of all involved, assess any previous incidents at Nordan Farm crossing, and scrutinise Network Rail’s management of risks at user-worked crossings. The independent body will publish its final report upon completion, aiming to provide safety recommendations and help prevent similar occurrences in the future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Biggest ever investment in city region local transport as Chancellor vows the ‘Renewal of Britain’ [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Biggest ever investment in city region local transport as Chancellor vows the ‘Renewal of Britain’ [June 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 June 2025.

    Working people in cities and towns from Sunderland to Solihull will benefit from the biggest investment in regional transport, as every part of the country prospers under Plan for Change.

    • Chancellor more than doubles investment in local transport in England’s city regions, delivering the biggest ever investment over the next five years.
    • Announcement comes ahead of next week’s Spending Review focused on investment in the Government’s priorities, in Britain’s renewal, and in what matters to you in the place that you live.

    Working people across the North, the Midlands and the South West will benefit from the biggest ever investment in buses, trams and local train infrastructure in city regions as the Chancellor today promises the renewal of Britain to make all parts of the country better off.

    In a speech in Greater Manchester, Reeves is expected to say that “a Britain that is better off cannot rely on a handful of places forging ahead of the rest of the country”, adding that the “result of such thinking has been growth created in too few places, felt by too few people and wide gaps between regions, and between our cities and towns”.

    Reeves will say that the Spending Review next week will take different choices, with investment in a “new economic model – driven by investment in all parts of the country, not just a few”.

    She will unveil the first investment announcements from the Spending Review, with £15.6 billion of funding for local transport projects in England’s city regions – including South Yorkshire, the North East, the East Midlands and Tees Valley. The funding – a more than double real-terms increase in capital spending on local transport in city regions by 2029/30 compared with 2024/25 – will empower local leaders to invest in transport projects that will make a difference to their local area.

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, said:

    Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change.

    For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of Government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off.

    This long-overdue investment outside of London and the South East will see projects like the Metro extension linking Washington to Newcastle and Sunderland and the renewal South Yorkshire’s tram network linking employment and housing areas in Sheffield and Rotherham get off the ground – creating jobs, better commutes, bigger labour markets and more opportunity.

    The game-changing funding comes ahead of next week’s Spending Review when the Chancellor will set out how this government is investing in the country’s future and the priorities of working people to make every part of Britain better off.

    The five-year settlements will mean the Mayor of West Yorkshire can commit to delivering the West Yorkshire Mass Transit, which will be fully integrated with cycling, walking, bus and rail, making journeys quicker, more accessible and more reliable across the region.

    The funding will also mean the Mayor of the West Midlands can build a metro extension to Birmingham’s sports quarter, making a start on his ambitions to deliver mass transit from East Birmingham to North Solihull.

    It will also allow the Mayor of Greater Manchester to transform the Metrolink tram network, with new stops in Bury, north Manchester and Oldham and a Metrolink extension to Stockport town centre.

    The Chancellor is also expected to confirm “a step change in how government approaches and evaluates the case for investing in our regions” following a review of the Treasury’s Green Book and how it is used, “to make sure that this government gives every region a fair hearing when it comes to investments”.

    The full conclusions of the Green Book review will be published on June 11, alongside the wider Spending Review.

    Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

    This government’s decision to back major local transport projects with serious, long-term investment will be critical to driving regional growth. The economic revival of Greater Manchester, enabled by sustained investment in the tram network in particular, has already begun to close the productivity gap with London. To build on that success and replicate it across all our regions in the North, we need to see key projects delivered – including the extension of the Metro to Washington, the replacement of the Sheffield tram fleet, and the extension of Metrolink to Stockport.

    Too many times in the past, a trade-off was made – due to limited funding – between connectivity within and between our regions. The spending rules adopted last autumn mean this government can invest in both at the same time, unlocking far greater productivity gains than prioritising one at the expense of the other.

    Jonny Haseldine, Head of Business Environment at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

    The pathway to the strong and consistent growth the UK economy needs has to come through investment in our regions.

    That means developing regional infrastructure, including transport projects and grid connectivity, improved rail capacity and electrification of key sections of the network.

    These projects can then give firms involved in the supply chains real confidence to start planning and investing in their local economies.

    But it is critical that no corner of the UK gets left behind and regional development works in alignment with national goals.

    More information

    Mayoral breakdown of Transport for City Regions funding:

    Mayoral Combined Authority Funding allocation (27/28-31/32) (1) Projects likely to be taken forward by mayors
    West Midlands £2.4 billion Metro extension connecting Birmingham City Centre to new sports quarter, unlocking £3bn investment from private investors. This is the first phase of new mass transit from East Birmingham to North Solihull.
    West Yorkshire £2.1 billion Spades in the ground to start building West Yorkshire Mass Transit by 2028, with aim for first services by mid-2030s. Transforming six transport corridors in West Yorkshire not covered by the mass transit routes, including through new bus stations at Bradford and Wakefield
    Greater Manchester £2.5 billion Major infrastructure projects to unlock new homes, jobs and better connect communities, including growing and transforming the Metrolink tram network, with new tram stops in Bury, Manchester and Oldham and Metrolink extension to Stockport. A fully electric Bee Network, with zero emission public transport network across bikes, bus and tram by 2030, including purchase of 1,000 new electric buses.
    South Yorkshire £1.5 billion £530m to renew the tram network, providing a fleet of new, replacement vehicles, modernising tram stops, as well maintenance to improve reliability. £350m to reform South Yorkshire’s buses, with franchised buses operating in Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham by 2027 and across the whole of South Yorkshire by 2029.
    Liverpool City Region £1.6 billion £100m for 3 new bus rapid transit routes, to the Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Everton stadium and Anfield. Buying a brand-new fleet of buses for the city region’s franchised bus network, beginning with St Helens and the Wirral in 2026 and then Sefton, Knowsley, North and South Liverpool in 2027.
    North East £1.8 billion Metro extension linking Newcastle and Sunderland via Washington, serving one of the largest advanced manufacturing zones in the UK.
    West of England £0.8 billion £150m to improve rail infrastructure across the region, including funding to support WECA’s ambitions for increased frequency of services between Brabazon and the city centre. £200m for Mass transit development between Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
    Tees Valley £1.0 billion £60m for the Platform 3 extension at Middlesbrough station, unblocking the local network.
    East Midlands £2.0 billion Designing a new mass transit system to connect Derby and Nottingham, encompassing road, rail and bus improvements across the Trent Arc corridor.

    (1): Some of this funding will be brought forward to 2025/26 and 2026/27 to ensure communities see the benefit of this significant investment even earlier.

    Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said:

    It’s great to see the Government investing in the local transport infrastructure that will tangibly improve the lives of millions across our city regions and particularly good to see trams being prioritised in several areas. Fast, frequent and reliable public transport is essential to unlocking opportunity and driving inclusive economic growth.

    We hope to see similar commitments to revenue funding in next week’s Spending Review, alongside support for local authorities to plan, deliver and run the high-quality transport services their communities need.

    Mark Casci, Head of Policy and Representation at West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

    This commitment to fund mass transit in West Yorkshire can be a game changer for the region.

    West Yorkshire is home to a world-class business community, but the region is held back by poor connectivity which impacts upon our productivity.

    By delivering this much needed infrastructure upgrade to the region, West Yorkshire can finally punch its weight and deliver enhanced returns for UK PLC.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Supporting farmers to go green in Zambia [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Supporting farmers to go green in Zambia [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

    The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) backs sustainable farming and eco-tourism in Zambia to cut emissions and create jobs.

    Since 2018, the UK has been supporting the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscapes Project (ZIFL Programme) to support rural communities in the Eastern Province of Zambia, one of the poorest regions of Africa.

    In June 2024, Zambia signed an ERPA (Emission Reductions Purchase Agreements). This agreement will ensure local people receive payments in exchange for reducing emissions.

    With a goal to cut emissions by 30 million tonnes, equivalent to the UK’s annual emissions from livestock farming, the project has already trained over 100,000 farmers in sustainable techniques like crop rotation and agroforestry.

    As well as cutting carbon, the project is also working with the Luambe and Lukusuzi National Parks to help build roads and campsites, creating rural jobs through eco-tourism and ensuring the protection of wildlife.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Helping communities adapt to storms in Bangladesh [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Helping communities adapt to storms in Bangladesh [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

    The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) supports AI-based forecasting to boost extreme weather preparedness in Bangladesh.

    Extreme weather events such as storms are getting more frequent and intense all over the world due to a more unstable climate. For many Bangladeshi coastal communities, tidal surges can be devastating for people’s livelihoods.

    CLARE (Climate, Adaptation and Resilience), a research programme on climate adaptation and resilience jointly run by the UK and Canada, is piloting an innovative AI-based forecasting system to provide early warnings and help with long-term planning against storms.

    When Cyclone Remal hit in 2024, displacing over 120,000 people, the project was able to provide timely information by identifying 30 at-risk embankment points. This allowed local people to effectively mobilise resources in real-time and strengthen embankments to limit damage.

    Once completed, the AI model is set to be adopted by government and humanitarian groups across the country.

    The project shows how we’re providing value for money by helping communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Using data from tide stations and drone surveys, the project will aim to provide highly accurate forecasts for tidal surges.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Protecting mangroves in Madagascar and Indonesia [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Protecting mangroves in Madagascar and Indonesia [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

    The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) supports mangrove conservation to reduce the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity and boost livelihoods.

    Mangrove forests, found in tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas, are a vital home for endangered species such as the white breasted sea eagle and olive ridley turtles. They also support coastal communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.

    Crucially, mangroves play a key role in tackling climate change, with the ability to store up to 4 times more carbon than rainforests.

    However, mangrove forests have been in severe decline for decades. To address this, the UK government is funding the Blue Forest Initiatives programme, led by the UK non-profit Blue Ventures, to protect, restore and sustainably manage mangrove forests in Madagascar and Indonesia.

    The community-led programme is working to prevent deforestation and overfishing while supporting the livelihoods of up to 70,000 people.

    With a goal of protecting approximately 80,000 hectares of mangrove forests – an area larger than the size of 100,000 football pitches, the programme is expected to save 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released.

    By securing the future of these critical ecosystems, the UK is not only combatting climate change but also safeguarding biodiversity and tackling extreme poverty.

  • NEWS STORY : Reform Chair Launches Extraordinary Attack on New MP Sarah Pochin

    NEWS STORY : Reform Chair Launches Extraordinary Attack on New MP Sarah Pochin

    STORY

    Zia Yusuf, the Chair of the Reform Party, has launched an extraordinary attack on the party’s new MP Sarah Pochin, calling her question “dumb” for calling on the Prime Minister to ban the burka. Pochin asked the question of the Prime Minister seemingly unaware that the Reform Party did not have a policy to ban the burka, although Lee Anderson, the party’s chief whip also called for a ban, with a Reform spokesperson repeating that it was “not party policy”. The split comes just weeks after Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, was expelled from the party and the BBC said that Pochin didn’t comment when approached on the matter.

    A Labour spokesperson said in a statement:

    “Nigel Farage could fit all of his MPs in the back of a cab, yet he can’t stop them fighting among themselves”.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Unlocking billions in private capital to tackle climate change [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Unlocking billions in private capital to tackle climate change [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

    The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) mobilises billions in public and private funding for clean energy projects in developing countries.

    Public finance alone is not going to fund the global energy transition. That’s why we need innovative solutions to mobilise private investment to tackle climate change.

    The Climate Investment Funds’ Capital Market Mechanism (CCMM) demonstrates how the UK is playing a leading role in mobilising the necessary finance to support developing countries in their efforts to cut carbon emissions, build renewables and adapt to climate change.

    Launched by the UK Prime Minister at COP29, the mechanism is designed to unlock billions in climate finance by leveraging future loan repayments from previous investments. It could mobilise up to $75 billion in public and private funding for new clean energy projects in developing countries and reduce global emissions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 113th International Labour Conference – UK Statement on Myanmar [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : 113th International Labour Conference – UK Statement on Myanmar [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

    Joint Statement on Myanmar at the General Affairs Committee at ILC 113. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Chair, I have the honour of speaking on behalf of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and my own country, the United Kingdom.

    We would firstly like to thank the ILO Office for their work on this issue, and the work of the ILO Liaison Office and its staff in Yangon who continue to work under extremely difficult circumstances.

    We also wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Myanmar, who have suffered yet more hardship as a result of the terrible earthquake in March, which has seen large-scale destruction of homes, businesses and places of worship, and most sadly, the tragic loss of lives.

    Chair, at this International Labour Conference, we meet to discuss the Myanmar military regime’s ongoing intransigence in observing Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, and Convention 29 on Forced Labour. Since the Commission of Inquiry for Myanmar was established in 2023, we have heard grave reports of continued repression of trade unions and labour rights, including through active suppression of unionization efforts, and the surveillance, harassment and dismissal of those engaging in union activities.

    Trade Unionists continue to be imprisoned, including the General Secretary of the Myanmar Industries Craft and Services Trade Union Federation, Thet Hnin Aung, whom we and the ILO Office have continued to call for the release of.

    We are also concerned by reports of continued systematic exploitation of civilians for different types of forced labour, including as porters, guides, and human shields, as well as for the cultivation, construction and maintenance of military camps, or for the provision of transport, accommodation, food and domestic work.

    Despite our calls for the Myanmar military regime to urgently address these issues, the regime has failed to address the Commission’s recommendations and continues to engage in far-reaching violations and abuses of labour laws and abuses of human rights, as laid out in ILO reporting and other UN-body findings.

    Back in March at the Governing Body we agreed, by consensus, to adopt measures in line with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, against Myanmar. We continue to support these measures, including the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to ensure Myanmar’s compliance with the Commission’s recommendations. It is important the ILO continues to closely monitor developments in Myanmar, including the impact of recent events on workers’ incomes and livelihoods.

    Chair, we continue to believe that such measures should not exacerbate the dire humanitarian and economic situation in Myanmar, only made worse by the recent earthquake. Nor should Article 33 measures impact workers in Myanmar, who continue to suffer much hardship. International trade and business have a key role to play; businesses currently operating in Myanmar should be able to continue whilst respecting responsible business practices and human rights.

    The UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are committed to working with the ILO and its constituents to secure compliance by the Myanmar regime with the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations. We call on all constituents to support the adoption of the draft resolution and ensure that the military regime urgently addresses the grave issues as laid out.

    Chair, we support the draft resolution.

    Thank you.