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  • PRESS RELEASE : Measles outbreaks continue with risk of holidays causing surge [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Measles outbreaks continue with risk of holidays causing surge [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 5 June 2025.

    Latest UKHSA data shows outbreaks continuing, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 so far in May.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today publishes its monthly update on measles cases in England, which shows outbreaks continuing, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 so far in May. Cases have predominantly been in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under, with on-going outbreaks in a number of regions and London reporting almost half of all cases in the past 4 weeks.

    There has also been a global increase in measles cases including Europe over the last year and the Agency is concerned, that with travelling for holidays or to visit family this summer, there is a risk this could lead to another surge of measles cases in England.

    The latest measles epidemiology report on the UKHSA Data Dashboard today reports:

    • since 1 January there have been 420 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England
    • 109 measles cases were confirmed in April and to date 86 in May (number of laboratory confirmed measles cases by month of symptom onset, data reporting lags impact on most recent 4 weeks and therefore the figures are likely to be an underestimate)
    • the majority (276/420, 66%) of these cases were in children aged 10 years and under, but there are also cases being reported in young people and adults
    • London has seen the highest number of cases overall this year (162/420, 39%) and in the last 4 weeks (35/75, 47%)
    • a number of other regions are also reporting outbreaks – with 25% (19/75) of cases in the North West, and 11% (8/75) in the West Midlands in the last 4 weeks

    Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, at least 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.

    However, measles remains endemic in many countries around the world, and with declines in MMR vaccine uptake observed over the last decade, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also seen large measles outbreaks in Europe and other countries.

    An analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reported 127, 350 measles cases in the European Region for 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997.

    This year outbreaks have been seen in several other European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Germany, and WHO recently reported that Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide.

    In England, the decline of the uptake of childhood vaccinations including MMR in the past decade (well below the WHO 95% target) means that many thousands of children are left unprotected with the risk of outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools.

    London has the lowest MMR uptake rates compared with other English regions (MMR2 uptake at 5 years is just 73.3% in London compared to English average of 83.9%).

    From Autumn 2023 to summer 2024, England experienced the biggest outbreak of measles since 2012, particularly affecting young children. Since the peak last year cases have declined but local outbreaks continue.

    Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. The UKHSA is concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks.

    It is important that anyone travelling for summer holidays or to visit family, especially parents of young children, check that all members of their family have received both their MMR vaccines.

    Getting vaccinated means you are also helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine, including infants under 1 year and people with weakened immune systems, who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles.

    Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency:

    It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family. Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.

    Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child and it’s not something you want to experience when away on holiday.

    The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems can’t have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.

    It is never too late to catch up, if you’re not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don’t put it off and regret it later.

    Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:

    Tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations were delivered following NHS action last year to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella, and the recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected.

    Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems. MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme – and I would encourage all parents to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child’s vaccination.

    The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around 3 years and 4 months old.

    Around 99% of those who have 2 doses will be protected against measles and rubella. Although mumps protection is slightly lower, cases in vaccinated people are much less severe.

    Anyone, whatever age, who has not had 2 doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment. It is never too late to catch-up.

    It’s particularly important to check you’ve had both doses if you are:

    • about to start college or university
    • travelling overseas
    • planning a pregnancy
    • a frontline health or social care worker
    • if you work with young children or care for people as part of your work
  • PRESS RELEASE : New vision for UK ports will propel prosperity in Britain’s coastal communities [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New vision for UK ports will propel prosperity in Britain’s coastal communities [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 June 2025.

    Have your say on the draft revised national policy statement for ports until 29 July 2025.

    • plans to boost expansion of maritime ports to propel economic growth and support jobs across the country, as part of the Plan for Change
    • new guidance will help ports save time and money on planning applications to expand sites, opening up jobs and opportunities in coastal communities
    • plans will secure the long-term future of the maritime industry, inviting private investment into coastal communities and supporting development of green technologies, delivering on the UK’s clean energy ambitions

    Coastal communities across England stand to benefit from proposals set out yesterday (4 June 2025), which will better support ports to deliver important national infrastructure more quickly, helping to boost local economies and jobs.

    The proposals aim to streamline the planning process for ports in England and expedite planning applications by more clearly outlining the existing needs for port facilities and how to design applications to meet the latest requirements to avoid process delays.

    For instance, updated proposals will more clearly outline how ports can meet obligations on noise and emissions, increasing the likelihood of achieving successful planning approvals and saving time and money during the planning process. Greater clarity, fewer delays and reduced costs will give ports the confidence they need to expand, creating more local, skilled jobs and driving money back into communities.

    The plans tie in with wider reforms, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and will see ports going further and faster with commercial projects, helping to secure millions of pounds in investment and supporting jobs across the country.

    By enabling ports to go further and faster with their infrastructure projects, the UK aims to build on the levels of investment already flowing into ports.

    Just last month, it was announced that £35 million is being driven into the Port of Liverpool to develop a new deep-water terminal, while just under £1 billion is being invested in the Port of Tyne to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure.

    Revisions to the national policy statement for ports (NPSP) will also see planning decisions judged and approved, against the need to kickstart economic growth and cement the UK as a clean energy superpower.

    Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said:

    Ports are the lifeblood of the UK economy, keeping the country moving and trading, and are vital in unlocking prosperity and opportunity for our coastal communities.

    We are determined to deliver the projects that will make a real difference to local people, turbocharge economic growth and create jobs as part of our Plan for Change.

    The proposals have been published alongside the UK’s port freight demand forecasts, which show an expected rise in UK port freight tonnage overall, particularly of roll-on-roll-off cargo such as cars, buses, trailers, etc, as well as containers and dry bulks.

    Taking these forecasts into account, the revisions will help secure the long-term future of ports, ensuring they are equipped to handle growing trade demands and to best meet the needs of the country in terms of the movements of goods and people.

    Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said:

    The ports industry is optimistic about its long-term future, with significant growth expected in trade volumes and other sectors such as offshore wind. A refreshed ports policy statement is welcome recognition from government of the value of port development and expansion to the UK’s future prosperity. We hope it will speed up planning processes, delivering on shared industry and government economic growth ambitions.

    Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of UK Major Ports Group, said:

    Ports are central to delivering the government’s ambitions on economic growth and clean energy and the draft national policy statement rightly recognises the vital role our sector plays across the UK – alongside the need to unlock its full potential by speeding up consents for sustainable port development.

    With the right policy frameworks, major ports can double the levels of private investment – going further and faster – opportunity for coastal communities nationwide.

    Matt Beeton, Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne, said:

    Growth at our ports is vital to the UK economy. The government’s modernisation agenda will reset the maritime sector, attract significant investment, ensure our ports are fit for the future and boost generational employment opportunities.

    Claudio Veritiero, CEO of Peel Ports Group, said:

    Ports are the unsung heroes of the UK economy, and this is an extremely encouraging development. We have invested more than £1 billion in the last decade and intend to exceed that level of investment in the coming years.

    We want to be able to invest for the future, creating jobs and opportunities right across the country and anything that streamlines that process and allows us to create conditions for economic growth is to be welcomed.

    Professor Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, Chief Executive of Maritime UK, said:

    We welcome this announcement, which will provide valuable support for our coastal communities. These regions represent a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation, vital for strengthening our proud maritime nation. We appreciate the government’s continued commitment to the maritime sector and this announcement highlights just that.

    Industry and the wider public are now invited to give their views on the proposals as part of a consultation on the NPSP.

    This is part of the government’s determination to go lockstep with the sector, to ensure prosperity for industry as well as for people across the UK.

  • NEWS STORY : Former Darts World Champion Rob Cross Disqualified as Company Director Over Unpaid Tax Bill

    NEWS STORY : Former Darts World Champion Rob Cross Disqualified as Company Director Over Unpaid Tax Bill

    STORY

    Rob Cross, the former PDC World Darts Champion famously crowned “Voltage” in 2018, has been banned from serving as a company director for five years after his business failed to pay over £450,000 in taxes. The Insolvency Service announced today that Cross’s company, Rob Cross Darts Limited, fell into liquidation in November 2023 owing more than £400,000 to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) alone.

    Cross, 34, set up Rob Cross Darts Limited in May 2017 to manage his prize money and sponsorship income. However, an investigation revealed that between March 2020 and the date of liquidation, he removed in excess of £300,000 from the company—funds that should have been paid to creditors, including HMRC. By the time the firm went under, the director’s loan account that Cross had racked up stood at £423,608, and the business owed £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT and a further £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

    In a bid to address some of the outstanding debt, Cross entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) last year. Under the IVA, he has undertaken to make regular payments to an insolvency practitioner, with the monthly amount fluctuating based on his future earnings in darts tournaments. Rob Cross Darts Limited had received just over £1 million from his winnings between March 2020 and November 2023, alongside nearly £170,000 in sponsorship money and more than £260,000 from Cross’s management company—but only paid £41,936 to HMRC in that same period.

    Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, emphasised the wider impact of such shortfalls. “When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the nation’s ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools and transport infrastructure,” he said. “Rob Cross’s company owed more than £400,000 in corporation tax alone when it went into liquidation. For more than three years, he withdrew funds from the company that should have gone to HMRC and other creditors. This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds.”

    As part of the disqualification sanction, which began on 5 June, Cross is barred from promoting, forming or managing any company without prior permission from the court, a prohibition set to last until June 2030. Any breach of the ban could land him in court and carry further penalties.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Former world darts champion Rob Cross banned as director over unpaid taxes [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Former world darts champion Rob Cross banned as director over unpaid taxes [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 5 June 2025.

    Darts professional banned after company failed to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax.

    • Former world darts champion Rob Cross has been disqualified as a director after his company failed to pay more than £450,000 in tax
    • The Insolvency Service also found Cross withdrew more than £300,000 from Rob Cross Darts Limited between March 2020 and November 2023 that should have gone to creditors
    • Cross has now been banned as a company director until June 2030 and entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) last year in a bid to pay off some of the money he owes

    Former world darts champion Rob Cross has been banned as a director for five years after his company failed to pay more than £450,000 in tax.

    Cross, known for winning the PDC World Darts Championship in 2018 and five World Series of Darts titles, was the director of Rob Cross Darts Limited, which was set up for the 34-year-old to receive his earnings and prize money.

    However, between March 2020 and November 2023, Cross removed more than £300,000 in company money which should have been paid to creditors, including to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

    He had also taken out more than £400,000 from Rob Cross Darts Limited in the form of a director’s loan account by the time the company went into liquidation.

    In an attempt to repay part of his debts, Cross has entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a legally binding agreement where he has committed to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner. The monthly contributions Cross makes to the IVA will vary depending on the income he receives through his performances at darts tournaments during this year and future years.

    Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the government’s ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools, transport infrastructure, and our national defence.

    Rob Cross’s company owed more than £400,000 in corporation tax alone when it went into liquidation. For more than three years, he withdrew funds from the company which should have gone to HMRC and other creditors.

    This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds. The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities.

    Enforcing these rules consistently is crucial in maintaining a level playing field and preventing companies from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over compliant businesses that properly fulfil their tax obligations.

    Rob Cross Darts Limited was formed in May 2017, with Cross appointed as director on the same day.

    Insolvency Service investigations found that the company received just more than £1 million from Cross’s earnings between the start of March 2020 and the date of liquidation in November 2023.

    A total of £169,500 in sponsorships and £261,901 from his management company was also paid in to the company.

    However, in the same period, Cross withdrew funds of at least £306,403 from the company which he acknowledged was “to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC”.

    A further £665,419 was paid into the personal account of a connected party.

    By the time the company went into liquidation, it owed £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT, and £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

    The company had only paid £41,936 to HMRC between March 2020 and November 2023.

    Cross’s director’s loan account was also overdrawn by £423,608 when the company went into liquidation with liabilities of £579,805.

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Cross, and his ban started on Thursday 5 June.

    It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Further information

    • Rob Cross’s correspondence address is Level Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands. His date of birth is 21 September 1990
  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Lesotho – Martine Sobey [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Lesotho – Martine Sobey [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 June 2025.

    Mrs Martine Sobey has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho in succession to Mr Harry MacDonald who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mrs Sobey will take up her appointment during September 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Martine Sunshine Sobey

    Year Role
    2023 to present Abuja, Climate Change and Nature Team Lead
    2022 to 2023 BEIS-FCDO, Team Leader, Joint International Forests Unit
    2021 to 2022 BEIS, Team Leader Forests, Land Use and Carbon Markets
    2019 to 2020 BEIS, Bilateral Partnerships Lead, International Climate Finance
    2019 Joined Civil Service
    2017 to 2019 Rockefeller Foundation, Senior Manager – Africa Region
    2009 to 2017 Environment, climate and international development consulting roles
    2008 to 2009 King’s College London, Masters in Climate Change, Environment and Globalisation
  • NEWS STORY : Battle of Britain Pilot’s Grave Finally Identified After 85 Years

    NEWS STORY : Battle of Britain Pilot’s Grave Finally Identified After 85 Years

    STORY

    More than eight decades after he was lost in action, Flying Officer Philip Anthony Neville Cox’s final resting place has been confirmed in the Netherlands, and a rededication service was held at his grave yesterday. Cox, who flew with 501 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force during the Battle of Britain, was originally buried as an unknown airman after his Hurricane failed to return from an operation over Dover on 27 July 1940. A body washed ashore a month later on the Dutch coast and was interred as “an unknown British Air Force Officer,” with only fragmentary details of his name and service number recorded. When wartime graves were consolidated into the Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery in 1946, those scant records were lost, leaving his plot unmarked by name for nearly 80 years.

    The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC)—known informally as the MOD War Detectives—led the multi-year effort to uncover Cox’s identity. Collaborating with the RAF Air Historical Branch and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), researchers examined Dutch and German wartime archives and cross-checked survival and loss records. They discovered that although another serviceman named Cox had gone missing, only Flying Officer P.A.N. Cox matched the date and location of the crash, eliminating any doubt.

    Yesterday’s service at Bergen op Zoom was conducted by Reverend Jonathan Steward, station chaplain at RAF Odiham, who spoke of the emotional significance of finally engraving Cox’s name on his headstone. “Having his name forever written in stone is more than symbolic,” Reverend Steward said. “It shows our commitment to honour and commemorate his sacrifice, ensuring it will not be forgotten.” Family members from the UK were present alongside Dutch dignitaries and military representatives, witnessing the unveiling of a new Commonwealth War Graves headstone bearing Cox’s name and rank. A small military party stood in solemn tribute behind the marker, and wreaths were laid to mark the occasion.

    Born in Gloucestershire, Cox was noted in his RAF reports as a skilled pilot and accomplished sportsman, excelling in both fencing and soccer. He joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1932 and quickly earned a reputation for dedication and bravery. His loss on that July day in 1940 came during a critical period of the Battle of Britain, when every pilot’s contribution was vital to the RAF’s defence against the Luftwaffe. Tracey Bowers, a caseworker with the JCCC, expressed gratitude for the tip that first pointed investigators toward the Dutch burial records. “This brave officer served his country for eight years,” she said. “Thanks to painstaking research, Flying Officer Cox will now be remembered by name, and his grave will be cared for by the CWGC in perpetuity.”

    Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, noted that the identification process drew on sources that had never before been connected, including eyewitness accounts, crash-site reports, and local wartime documentation. “It was a privilege to play a part in establishing where this Battle of Britain pilot was laid to rest,” Read said. “The Commission will honour his memory and maintain his grave for generations to come.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : British Army to increase lethality over the next decade while Royal Navy steps up innovation in NATO [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : British Army to increase lethality over the next decade while Royal Navy steps up innovation in NATO [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 5 June 2025.

    British Army and Royal Navy to invest in innovative new programmes, through increased investment in drones and novel technologies to transform warfighting capability.

    The Government is ramping up investment in new and emerging technologies for the Army and Royal Navy to provide a major boost in lethality and the effectiveness of their military operations around the world, following the Strategic Defence Review.

    The Army ​will deliver a tenfold increase in lethality over the next ten years by harnessing firepower, surveillance technology, autonomy, digital connectivity, and data – leading the way in NATO in its use of technology to change how it fights, improving speed and accuracy.

    The Royal Navy will also ramp up new drone systems as part of an evolution in how it fights, moving towards a mix of crewed, uncrewed, and increasingly autonomous capabilities to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO.

    The Defence Secretary will outline the Government’s plan for the biggest transformation of the Armed Forces in memory and its approach to put NATO first during a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels today (Thursday).

    Following the Prime Minister’s commitment to the largest sustained increase to UK defence spending since the end of the Cold War, the Ministry of Defence will move to spending at least 10% of its budget on drones and novel technologies. This delivers on the government’s commitment to invest £5bn on new drone and laser weapon technology, supporting thousands of jobs around the country, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Key to increasing Army lethality will be the ability to rapidly find and strike enemy targets. Prioritisation of the ‘Digital Targeting Web’ will increase the pace and scale of change already being tested through Army initiatives like ASGARD, which is being delivered to British troops deployed with the NATO Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Estonia.

    In the last week, the government launched procurement for a new open framework to encourage defence companies to submit concepts for new digital systems that could be integrated into ASGARD. The aim is to exploit advanced technologies such as AI and uncrewed capabilities, enabling the development of advanced digital ‘Decision’ making on the battlefield.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    We will invest in technology to give our troops the edge in the battlefields of the future; transforming our Armed Forces and boosting our warfighting readiness.

    This will increase our lethality, provide a powerful deterrent to our adversaries, and put the UK at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.

    We will back UK business to innovate at a war time pace; creating highly skilled jobs and fast-tracking the weapons of tomorrow into the hands of our warfighters, as part of our Government’s Plan for Change.

    The government’s Strategic Defence Review plan will commit the UK to step up on European security by leading in NATO, with strengthened nuclear, new tech, and updated conventional capabilities – learning the lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine.

    As part of our commitment to NATO, during his visit, the Defence Secretary will confirm for the first time that UK military liaison officers will join the development of NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) Finland. These officers will work with both Sweden, as the Framework Nation, and Finland as they develop FLF Finland – a vital component to strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank.

    On the sidelines of the meetings, the Defence Secretary is expected to join defence ministers from Canada, Denmark, Norway and Poland who will sign a document to join the UK-led NATO Flight Training Europe project, that delivers a network of training campuses to train pilots for jet fighters, helicopters, and transport aircraft.

    To boost the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier operations, the government will invest in the cutting-edge of NATO capability—moving to have the first ‘hybrid’ carrier airwings in Europe, where the aircraft carrier’s F-35B jet fighters are complemented by autonomous collaborative platforms in the air and drones.

    The Navy is moving towards a “New Hybrid” fleet that exploits autonomy and uncrewed systems – along with conventional warships – for a mix of equipment and weapons. The UK’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers are two of the most powerful warships the UK has ever built and, following the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike programme will evolve into ‘hybrid’ carrier airwings, exploiting the latest technology to combine crewed and uncrewed platforms to make the carrier an even more potent form of deterrence.

    On major deployment to the Indo-Pacific, HMS Prince of Wales is heading up the Carrier Strike Group right now with uncrewed air systems onboard. In the future, the carriers’ crewed air wings will be further augmented with more uncrewed systems.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine’s Security is our Security. Only a Just Peace Can Secure Ukraine’s Future – UK Statement to the OSCE [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine’s Security is our Security. Only a Just Peace Can Secure Ukraine’s Future – UK Statement to the OSCE [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 June 2025.

    UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says that a sustained ceasefire is the quickest route to stop the killing. The UK supports ending the war in Ukraine through a just peace, while Russia obstructs progress.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. Last week, we discussed the Code of Conduct, including its stipulation that “In the event of armed conflict, they will seek to facilitate the effective cessation of hostilities and seek to create conditions favourable to the political solution of the conflict”.

    To that end, the UK shares President Trump’s desire to bring this war to an end, and will continue to work closely with the US, Ukraine and other international partners to secure a just and lasting peace.  We thank Türkiye for hosting talks in Istanbul, including earlier this week. This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our continent. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter President Putin from further aggression in the future.

    As we have noted each week, Ukraine continues to show its commitment to peace: Its constructive engagement with US peace efforts at every turn; agreement in principle to a full and unconditional ceasefire; sending a senior and empowered delegation to Istanbul; and President Zelenskyy’s readiness to meet President Putin face to face.

    Russia, on the other hand, has taken steps to obstruct the pathway to peace.  President Putin continues to reject a complete, unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire that President Zelenskyy endorsed nearly three months ago; refused to share his memorandum on terms for ending this illegal war in advance of Monday’s meeting; and rejected President Zelenskyy’s call for a direct meeting.

    We continue to call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional ceasefire to create the space for negotiations on a framework for a lasting peace.  A sustained ceasefire is the quickest route to stop the killing. Ukraine’s security is our security. UK support for Ukraine remains iron-clad, and our support will be sustained. Thank you, Madame Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 20 million workers set to benefit from new Pension Schemes Bill [June 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : 20 million workers set to benefit from new Pension Schemes Bill [June 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 5 June 2025.

    Millions of people across the UK will find it easier to manage and get more from their pensions thanks to the Government’s new Pension Schemes Bill.

    • The Pension Schemes Bill will tackle schemes delivering poor returns for savers, combine smaller pension pots, and create bigger and better pension funds.
    • These measures will drive costs down and returns up on workers’ retirement savings – putting more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change.

    Millions of people planning their retirement will find it easier to manage and get more from their pension pots thanks to the new Pension Schemes Bill introduced today [Thursday 5 June].

    The Bill is designed to support working people plan for their retirement by making pensions simpler to understand, easier to manage, and drive better value over the long term – delivering on the Plan for Change to put more money into people’s pockets.

    One of its biggest benefits is the merging of small pension pots. Many people build up several small pensions as they move between jobs, and these can be hard to keep track of. The new rules will bring these pots together, helping savers see their full pension picture in one place.

    The Bill also introduces a new system to show how well pension schemes are performing, this will help savers understand whether their scheme is giving them good value and protect them from getting stuck in underperforming schemes for years on end, to help working people feel more secure about their retirement savings.

    For those approaching retirement, the Bill will require schemes to offer clear default options for turning savings into a retirement income. This means people will have clearer, more secure routes to decide how they use their pension money over time.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    Hardworking people across the UK deserve their pensions to work as hard for them as they have worked to save, and our reforms will deliver a huge boost to future generations of pensioners.

    The Bill is about securing better value for savers’ pensions and driving long-term investment in British businesses to boost economic growth in our country.

    As part of our Plan for Change we’re helping people find work, stay in work, and ensuring that work pays them back to give them the secure income in retirement they deserve.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    The Bill is a game changer, delivering bigger pension pots for savers and driving £50 billion of investment directly into the UK economy– putting more money into people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    The Bill will transform the £2 trillion pensions landscape to ensure savers get good returns for each pound they save, and drive investment into the economy, through a suite of measures, including:

    • Requiring DC schemes to prove they are value for money, to protect savers from getting stuck in underperforming schemes.
    • Simplifying retirement choices, with all pension schemes offering default routes to an income in retirement.
    • Bringing together small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme that is certified as delivering good value to savers, making pension saving less hassle and more rewarding.
    • New rules creating multi-employer DC scheme “megafunds” of at least £25 billion, so that bigger and better pension schemes can drive down costs and invest in a wider range of assets.
    • Consolidating and professionalising the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with assets held in six pools that can invest in local areas infrastructure, housing and clean energy.
    • Increased flexibility for Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes to safely release surplus worth collectively £160 billion, to support employers’ investment plans and to benefit scheme members.

    Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said:

    We are ramping up the pace of pensions reform. Workers deserve to get better bang for each buck saved, and these sweeping reforms will make sure they do.

    Pension saving is a long game, but getting this right is urgent so that millions can look forward to a higher income in retirement.

    The Pension Schemes Bill is part of this Government’s significant pension reform agenda. It follows the major consolidation of the UK pension system set out in the Pension Investment Review.

    Today’s legislation will create a more efficient, resilient pension landscape, and lay the foundation for the upcoming Pensions Review to examine outcomes for pensioners and set out how to develop a fair and sustainable pensions system, ultimately benefiting both individual savers and the broader UK economy.

    Andy Briggs, CEO, Phoenix Group said:

    The Bill sets a clear direction for the future of pensions with the emphasis on building scale and ensuring savers receive value for money. People across the country will feel the impact of these changes with plans to consolidate small pots, ensure the dashboard delivers and provide default retirement income options at the point of retirement. Individually these initiatives would be significant but in combination they have the potential make a significant difference to people’s retirement across the UK and we look forward to working through the detail with government and other stakeholders.

    Patrick Heath-Lay, Chief Executive, People’s Partnership said:

    This is a pivotal moment in pension reform. The Bill contains many measures that will require providers to deliver better outcomes for savers and improve the workplace pension system.

    Ian Cornelius, CEO, NEST said:

    At Nest, everything we do is with our members’ best interests at heart. We believe that large, well-governed schemes can drive great outcomes for their members by using their scale and expertise to diversify where money is invested, and gain access to attractive investment opportunities not available to smaller investors at low cost. I am proud of how Nest has used its scale to invest on behalf of our members, developing sophisticated investment opportunities which generate great risk adjusted returns, and play a role in supporting communities in the UK. We welcome this new Pension Schemes Bill, and the invitation it sends to keep innovating in the best interests of UK savers.

    Nausicaa Delfas, Chief Executive, The Pensions Regulator (TPR) said:

    The Pension Schemes Bill is a once in a generation opportunity to address unfinished business in the UK pension system. Making sure all schemes are focused on delivering value for money, helping to stop small, and often forgotten pension pots forming, and guiding savers towards the right retirement products for them, will mean savers benefit from a system fit for the future. We have long advocated for fewer, larger well-run schemes with the size and skill to deliver better outcomes for savers. As such we are also pleased to see the proposed legislative framework for DB superfunds, providing options and choice in defined benefit consolidation.

    Michelle Ostermann, Chief Executive, Pension Protection Fund (PPF) said:

    We welcome the introduction of this important Bill, especially the measures which would give the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) greater flexibility to reduce the levy, enable PPF and Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) member data to be made available for pension dashboards, and better support members with a terminal illness. We will support the government and policy makers as the Bill progresses so we can achieve the best outcomes for all our stakeholders.

    Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Which? said:

    Pensions have become far too complex and fragmented, so it’s good to see the government taking steps to simplify them and ensure schemes provide value for money. Which? has campaigned for years for the consolidation of small pots, so we are delighted that this Bill is seeking to do just that – a move that will provide greater value for savers and support them to keep track of their pensions. “Which? looks forward to working with the government to ensure the pensions system is fit for the future.”

    Jamie Jenkins, Policy Director, Royal London said:

    The Pension Schemes Bill brings together several initiatives aimed at improving the pensions landscape for savers. While there are still many details to work through, this hopefully marks the start of a long-term strategic plan for pensions.

    Patrick Luthi, CEO, NOW:Pensions said:

    NOW:Pensions have been campaigning on small pots for a number of years, and we are pleased to see measures to deliver on the ‘multiple default consolidator’ solution included.  We look forward to seeing the details which will be crucial to supporting members in an efficient way

    Further Information

    • To build scale in the pensions industry and stimulate UK investment, the Pension Schemes Bill will:
    • Require multi-employer Defined Contribution schemes, unless exempt, to have at least £25 billion of assets in their main default arrangement by 2030 or be on route to achieving that scale by 2035 through having £10 billion in their main default.
    • Allow trustees of well-funded Defined Benefit pension schemes to release money back to employers and their scheme members, when safe to do so, unlocking some of the £160 billion surplus funds to be reinvested across the UK economy and boost business productivity and deliver for members.
    • Legislate for Defined Benefit pension scheme superfunds to encourage growth of the superfund market and underpin the security of members’ benefits
    • Remove the restrictions that prevent the Board of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) from reducing the annual pension protection levy it collects, when it is not required – allowing the PPF to collect less from businesses up and down the country
    • Extend the definition of ‘terminal illness’ in the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme legislation, so that eligible members who are diagnosed as terminally ill can receive payments at an earlier stage of their illness.
    • To ensure better outcomes for savers, the Pension Schemes Bill will:
    • Introduce a Value for Money framework to enable a shift in focus from cost towards value and protect savers from becoming stuck in underperforming arrangements for extended periods.
    • Implement Default Pension Benefit Solutions which will mean savers will still have the options available to them through pension freedoms, but they will get an extra offer of support – through being enrolled into default solution(s) – which could include CDC provision, and they can take this or make their own choices.
    • Authorise providers to act as a consolidator scheme which will see members pots automatically transferred to their largest pot. This will also aid the building of scale with pots worth £1,000 or less consolidated into a small number of large, good value schemes.
    • Support the introduction of pensions dashboards to improve engagement by providing users with their whole pensions picture, including workplace and state pensions, securely and all in one place online. By providing this comprehensive overview of retirement savings, pensions dashboards will address key barriers to engagement, such as information fragmentation and lack of visibility.
    • Facilitate PPF and FAS information to be displayed on the Government-backed pensions dashboard service provided by the Money and Pensions Service.
    • The Competent Court measure in the Bill will also re-establish the legal standing of The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) to make enforceable determinations in pensions overpayment recoupment cases without requiring a county court judge’s order, leading to quicker customer journeys and shorter waiting times.
  • NEWS STORY : Government Kicks Off Largest Overhaul of Jobcentres in Decades

    NEWS STORY : Government Kicks Off Largest Overhaul of Jobcentres in Decades

    STORY

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today launched what Ministers are calling the biggest reform of Jobcentres in decades, with the first of several new “jobs and careers service” pilots opening in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The “Pathfinder” initiative promises to move away from a centralised, one-size-fits-all model and give local areas greater say in designing tailored support to help people back into work. Under the new approach, Wakefield’s Jobcentre will introduce a range of innovations aimed at breaking down barriers between jobseekers and employers. As of yesterday, DWP staff began trialling a “Coaching Academy” to provide specialised training for advisers, helping them offer more personalised guidance. Alongside this, the centre held a careers event focused on West Yorkshire’s growing creative sector, drawing participation from local employers such as Production Park, known for hosting Netflix productions.

    “The old tick-box approach simply doesn’t work for people trying to build a better life,” said Employment Minister Alison McGovern. “By involving local leaders in Wakefield to co-design this service, we can ensure support truly reflects regional labour-market needs.”

    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added that the reforms would give people “a better chance of landing a good job when they are treated with dignity and respect at a trusted local Jobcentre.” West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Wakefield Council have together committed almost £40 million to expand employment support, including initiatives that link health services with job coaching.

    The Wakefield pilot is the first of several Pathfinders planned for launch later this year, with others targeting groups such as young people and individuals with health conditions. In each area, DWP officials will test ideas ranging from digital “hubs” where any resident—whether receiving benefits or not—can access employment advice, to events that match local talent to high-growth sectors. Ministers say the move is a core part of the government’s “Get Britain Working” agenda. Alongside boosting the National Living Wage and tightening workplace protections through the Employment Rights Bill, the new Jobcentre strategy aims to deliver more secure, well-paid jobs and improve living standards.

    Local employers have welcomed the more collaborative approach. According to a recent DWP survey, only 9 percent of businesses currently recruit through Jobcentres; officials hope that regular sector-focused events and deeper partnerships with colleges and training providers will raise that figure and connect jobseekers with vacancies more quickly. Full roll-out of the new model across England is expected by late 2026, once lessons from Wakefield and subsequent pilots have been evaluated. In the meantime, communities in other regions are preparing to adopt similar locally-led strategies, with DWP guidance on developing bespoke “Get Britain Working plans” already published.