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  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement to the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties of the OPCW [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement to the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties of the OPCW [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 December 2025.

    Statement to the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

    Mr Chair, Director General, Distinguished Delegates,

    I would like to begin by thanking the Director-General and the Technical Secretariat for their work to prepare for this Conference. I would also like to thank the Director General for his comprehensive overview of the work he has led this year to strengthen this organisation.

    Many thanks also to our outgoing Chair, Ambassador Almir Šahović for effectively steering this Conference this past year. My congratulations to Ambassador Agustín Vásquez Gómez of El Salvador on your appointment as Chair of this Conference – you have the UK’s full support.

    Mr Chair,

    The Chemical Weapons Convention remains a fundamental pillar of international security. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has overseen the complete destruction of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles. Countries are better prepared to detect and respond to the use of chemical weapons. Yet, while the safety and security of so many of us sat here today has increased due to the OPCW’s tireless work, the threat posed by chemical weapons remains. We must continue our work to rid the world of chemical weapons and hold to account those who continue to use them.

    Mr Chair,

    In pursuit of this goal, the UK is fully committed to supporting Syria and the Technical Secretariat to finally eradicate Assad’s legacy chemical weapons programme. The UK has committed £2.8m to the OPCW Syria Voluntary Trust Fund since December 2024. I am pleased to announce that, in the coming months, the UK will be committing a further multi-million pound funding effort for Syrian led destruction operations.

    At the time of the Assad Regime’s collapse last December, there remained concerns that large quantities of potentially undeclared or unverified chemical weapons agents and munitions remained in Syria. The current status, quantities, and locations of such agents and materials remain unknown.

    But, as we meet today, Syria and the Technical Secretariat are working together to account for Assad’s chemical weapons, and to pave the way for their final, complete and verified destruction – thereby protecting the Syrian people and contributing to regional security. We welcome the re-establishment of a Syrian National Authority and the appointment of a new Permanent Representative.

    States Parties must now capitalise on the recently agreed Qatari-Syrian Executive Council Decision on Expedited On-Site Destruction and the progress made to date, to help Syria accelerate its operations in-country. This includes ongoing efforts to identify, locate and secure Assad’s chemical weapons, in parallel to addressing discrepancies in the former regime’s declaration. The OPCW Office for Special Missions will also continue its work to attribute numerous chemical weapon attacks that took place in Syria since 2013. The task ahead is considerable. We encourage all States Parties to support the Secretariat and Syria to close this file through financial and in-kind contributions. The UK is fully committed to supporting Syria and the Secretariat in this endeavour.

    Mr Chair,

    This Conference will elect three members of the Eastern Europe Group on to the Executive Council. The Russian Federation has once again submitted its candidacy to represent the Eastern European Group on the Executive Council. The overwhelming majority of the Eastern European Group do not support this candidacy. Their opposition is rooted in a simple but fundamental truth: Russia is a State Party that repeatedly violates the Chemical Weapons Convention and consistently undermines the credibility of this Organisation.

    We cannot permit a State that breaches the Convention to make decisions on how it is implemented. The Executive Council must be a body of integrity – one that upholds the Convention’s principles and strengthens the OPCW. We urge all Member States to respect the wishes of the Eastern European Group and, in doing so, defend the credibility of this organisation.

    Ukraine has reported over 11,000 Russian uses of toxic chemicals since Russia launched its war of aggression in 2022. Dutch and German security services have concluded that Russia is escalating its use of chemical weapons. The Secretariat has now independently confirmed the presence of CS gas in samples from multiple incidents in Ukraine and these incidents must now be attributed. We will continue to support Ukraine to protect its people against these attacks, and hold Russia to account for it’s actions.

    We are pleased to have worked once again with Canada on the joint procurement of respirators for Ukraine, with the first batch of these having already been delivered to the Ukrainian front-line. This is in addition to the £950,000 that the UK has contributed to the OPCW Assistance to Ukraine fund.

    Russia’s disregard for its obligations under the Convention is well established. Russia used the highly toxic nerve agent, a Novichok on British soil in 2018, leading to the death of Dawn Sturgess. It used a Novichok again to poison Alexei Navalny in 2020. These are appalling examples of flagrant breaches of the convention.

    And they have set a damaging example. We remain deeply concerned by reports of chemical weapon use in Sudan. Sudan has committed to investigate reports of use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces thoroughly. We expect the outcomes of these investigations soon.

    Mr Chair,

    The UK remains committed to supporting international cooperation and assistance as a central pillar of the OPCW’s work. The UK has supported capacity building in East Africa and the Caribbean and I am pleased to highlight that the UK and Ghanian national authorities are now working closely together. This builds on the success of historical UK national authority mentoring initiatives including, most recently, with Zambia. And on the subject of building success – the UK looks forward to being involved and supporting CHEMEX Africa 2 in 2026, which will build on the lessons learned from the first such exercise in 2023.

    The UK was delighted to join last year’s CSP side-event with Czechia, Switzerland, and the OPCW, which highlighted our work on assistance and protection, and the ongoing value of member states working together on this vital issue. We strongly encourage the continuation of this, both with the OPCW and with partners such as the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction, led positively and proactively by Canada this year.

    Industry verification is a cornerstone of the Convention, ensuring compliance and building the foundation for trust among States Parties. The UK therefore welcomes the return to 241 Article VI inspections in 2027 agreed in the budget and calls for adequate resources to be devoted to the verification regime on an ongoing basis.

    We commend the Director-General’s leadership on emerging technologies, and we look forward to the outcome of the Scientific Advisory Board’s review. We also applaud the OPCW’s work to increase geographical representation, enhance engagement with civil society and promote gender equality – especially as we mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

    Mr Chair,

    This occasion is tinged with sadness. For the last time at this Conference, the UK thanks his Excellency, Director General Arias, for leading the Secretariat through a period of significant challenge and change. We recognise his deft diplomacy and applaud his commitment to the Convention. He leaves the Secretariat stronger and better prepared for the future. In the Chem Tech Centre, he leaves tangible proof of his legacy.

    We congratulate Ambassador Dallafior Matter on securing the Executive Council’s recommendation for appointment as the next Director General of this organisation. You can count on the UK’s full support.

    Thank you.

  • NEWS STORY : Head of Office for Budget Responsibility Resigns after Budget Leak

    NEWS STORY : Head of Office for Budget Responsibility Resigns after Budget Leak

    STORY

    Richard Hughes, the chair of the UK’s fiscal watchdog, has resigned following a significant failure that saw the contents of the Government’s annual Budget published nearly an hour ahead of schedule. Hughes, who had led the Office for Budget Responsibility since 2020, stepped down after an internal inquiry concluded the leak amounted to the most serious breakdown in the organisation’s 15-year history.

    According to the inquiry, the early release was caused by a misconfigured website link that made confidential Budget documents publicly accessible before the Chancellor delivered the statement in Parliament. The materials, which included market-sensitive forecasts, had been expected to remain under strict embargo until the official announcement. The error raised concerns about the robustness of the OBR’s internal systems and its ability to safeguard information.

    Hughes said in his resignation letter that he accepted full responsibility and believed his departure was necessary to help restore confidence in the watchdog’s independence and professionalism.

    Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said in a statement:

    “I want to thank Richard Hughes for his public service and for leading the Office for Budget Responsibility over the past five years and for his many years of public service. This government is committed to protecting the independence of the OBR and the integrity of our fiscal framework and institutions.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : British and Indian Army conclude eighth exercise, Ajeya Warrior [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : British and Indian Army conclude eighth exercise, Ajeya Warrior [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 December 2025.

    The UK and India concluded the eighth edition of the biennial army exercise, Ajeya Warrior on 30 November.

    The A (AMBOOR) Company 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles of the British Army and the Indian Army’s 21st Sikh Regiment were undertaking complex training at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan since the start of the exercise on 17 November.  

    Continuing the trend of increasing complexity and interoperability, the exercise this time focused on conducting peace enforcing operations in a counter-terrorism environment as mandated under the chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter. This involved executing simulated operations in a multi-domain urban and semi-urban environment.  

    During the exercise, the two armies shared standard operating procedures and tactics across Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED), small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) operations, company-level skills and drills, urban training, and support weapon employment.  

    This collaboration culminated in a battle group-level final training exercise, where the two forces operated under an integrated command, gaining invaluable experience and exchanging best practices.  

    Beyond the tactical domain, both contingents engaged in fitness and recreational activities, further strengthening camaraderie, alongside team sports and informal cultural exchanges that reinforced mutual respect and understanding. 

    Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India said: 

    Defence and security forms a crucial pillar of UK-India Vision 2035. Exercise Ajeya Warrior is a demonstration of UK’s deepening defence ties with India as we deliver this shared vision over the next decade. Beyond military co-operation, it underscores our shared commitment to peace, stability and a rules-based international order.

    Commodore Chris Saunders MBE Royal Navy, Defence Adviser, British High Commission said: 

    Exercise Ajeya Warrior has seen soldiers of the British and Indian Army operating alongside each other in a demanding urban and semi-urban counter terrorism focussed exercise.  

    The exercise has enhanced shared understanding and interoperability, with both A Company 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and 21st Sikh Regiment demonstrating the rapid transformation being undertaken by both forces in a rapidly evolving operating environment. Ex Ajeya Warrior follows closely on the back of our Navies training together during the recent visit by the UK’s Carrier Strike Group and demonstrates the ever-closer relationship and readiness of both our militaries to face shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. We now greatly look forward to welcoming the Indian Army to the UK for Ex Ajeya Warrior IX in 2027.

  • PRESS RELEASE : A greener and more prosperous future with new Environmental Improvement Plan  [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : A greener and more prosperous future with new Environmental Improvement Plan  [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 December 2025.

    New plan sets course for cleaner rivers and air, as well as more nature and wildlife in England.

    • Targeted and measured delivery plans to set out progress towards environmental targets while supporting economic growth
    • £500 million to supercharge landscape-scale nature recovery across England

    People across England will benefit from cleaner air and water under a strengthened plan to restore the natural environment, backed by hundreds of millions of pounds to revive iconic landscapes.  

    The revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), published today (Monday 1 December), sets out an ambitious five-year roadmap to tackle the nature and climate crisis, improve public health, and support sustainable growth.  

    Communities will see improved air quality thanks to action on fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) – a harmful pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease, and heart conditions. Under a new interim target, population exposure to PM2.5 will be cut by 30% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels – supporting better quality of life and reducing pressure on the NHS.  

    Nature will be boosted with a quarter of a million hectares of wildlife-rich habitats created or restored by 2030 – an area larger than Greater London. This is 110,000 hectares of habitat more than had been previously committed, supporting our aims for a healthier environment, which is essential to growth.    

    A new target to halve the presence of damaging invasive species compared to 25 years ago will protect native wildlife and farmers’ livelihoods. This will help prevent new invasive species from becoming established and manage existing invaders like the American Signal Crayfish and Japanese Knotweed.   

    Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:    

    Our environment faces real challenges, with pollution in our waterways, air quality that’s too low in many areas, and treasured species in decline.   

    This plan marks a step change in restoring nature. Our ambitious targets are backed by real action to cut harmful air pollutants, revive habitats and protect the environment for generations to come. 

    The plan is being supported with new headline commitments and funding announced today. This includes:  

    • £500 million for Landscape Recovery projects, bringing together farmers and land managers to restore nature at scale, creating wildlife-rich environments, reducing flood risk and improving water quality while unlocking economic opportunities through green jobs and nature-based solutions that support rural prosperity  
    • £85 million to improve and restore peatlands, reducing flooding in communities, improving water quality and supporting public health through cleaner air and enhanced access to green spaces for physical and mental wellbeing. This comes alongside £3 million to improve access to nature in Public Forest Estates through facilities including accessible bike trails and all-terrain mobility equipment. 
    • First-ever plan to reduce risks from ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) to health and the environment, with a review of sewage sludge spreading rules to ensure sustainable practices  
    • New Trees Action Plan and measures to reduce damaging methane emissions, particularly from agriculture, alongside exploring new domestic combustion measures to drive climate progress  
    • Environment Act target delivery plans published for the first time, providing clear progress tracking and fixing the lack of rigour in the previous plan  

    The publication follows wider government action on nature and biodiversity, including the reintroduction of beavers to the wild, a commitment to end bee-killing pesticides, and the launch of two National Forests.  

    Government will now work with individuals, communities, farmers, businesses and local authorities to deliver the plan, driving economic growth through green jobs and innovation while ensuring future generations benefit from a greener and more prosperous country.  

    Landscape Recovery is one of the government nature-friendly farming schemes, alongside Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which also deliver positive outcomes for nature and sustainable food production. Over half of farmland is already in one of these schemes, with an improved SFI offer opening next year. 

  • NEWS STORY : UK MP Tulip Siddiq Sentenced to Two Years in Absentia by Bangladeshi Court

    NEWS STORY : UK MP Tulip Siddiq Sentenced to Two Years in Absentia by Bangladeshi Court

    STORY

    A court in Dhaka has sentenced the British-Bangladeshi MP Tulip Siddiq to two years in prison after finding her guilty of corruption in connection with a government land allocation scheme. The verdict, handed down in absentia, alleges that she leveraged her influence over her aunt, the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to facilitate the unlawful transfer of a plot of land to her mother and siblings. Siddiq, who represents Hampstead and Highgate in the UK Parliament and resigned from her ministerial role earlier this year amid scrutiny over her family connections, announced her intention to challenge the ruling and she firmly denied the allegations.Under the terms of the ruling, Siddiq was also fined 100,000 taka (roughly £620). Failure to pay would result in an additional six-month prison term. Her mother, Sheikh Rehana, received a seven-year sentence and her aunt a five-year term for their roles in the same case, which involves the disputed allocation of a government plot in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone. Fourteen other individuals were also convicted, mostly receiving longer sentences.

    In response, Siddiq condemned the trial as a “flawed and farcical” proceeding and described the verdict as politically motivated, arguing that she was denied access to proper defence and that the trial lacked transparency. The UK’s governing party and several international legal commentators echoed concerns about the fairness of the process. Because the UK and Bangladesh have no extradition treaty, it remains unlikely Siddiq will serve the sentence unless she chooses to return.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Budget brings biggest ever boost for better roads [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Budget brings biggest ever boost for better roads [December 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 December 2025.

    Millions of drivers will enjoy smoother, safer road journeys as the Chancellor ensures every region in England feels the benefit of the government’s record £7.3 billion local roads boost.

    • Councils will fix potholes and prevent new ones, thanks to a doubling of roads cash by the end of the Parliament at Budget.
    • A much bigger slice of this cash, over £500 million each year will now only be unlocked by councils that publish pothole data on their website to ensure local authorities are kept accountable.

    Millions of drivers will enjoy smoother, safer road journeys as the Chancellor ensures every region in England feels the benefit of the government’s record £7.3 billion local roads boost. Councils from Blackpool to Milton Keynes will benefit from the record roads funding, enough to fill millions of potholes each year, after the Chancellor doubled annual roads cash at the Budget.

    This follows Wednesday’s Budget which took the fair and necessary choices to strengthen the economy and chose investment over austerity, because growth is our number one mission to create good jobs, raise living standards and improve public services. Despite a decade of damage and historic underinvestment under the previous government, the Chancellor was clear she was determined to defy the forecasts and break Britain out of its cycle of decline through stability, investment and reform.

    Rachel Reeves is also turning up the pressure on local authorities by more than tripling the share of local roads funding that is tied to transparency – from 8% to over 30% of the budget, worth more than £500 million. Councils can only unlock the funding if they publish clear pothole and maintenance data and follow best practice.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    We promised to fix an extra million potholes a year by the end of this Parliament – we’re doing exactly that.

    We are doubling the funding promised by the previous government, making sure well maintained roads keep businesses moving, communities connected and growth reaching every part of the country.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said:

    We’re delivering the biggest-ever investment in road maintenance to fix Britain’s broken roads.

    We’re putting our money where our mouth is, giving councils the long-term investment they need to plan properly and get things right first time, saving you money on costly repairs and making a visible difference in our communities.  

    This isn’t patchwork politics, we are starting the hard work of fixing Britain’s roads for good.

    Each local authority will be able to use its share of the £7.3 billion to identify the roads most in need of repair and deliver immediate improvements for communities and residents.

    Councils will still get their core funding, but a much bigger slice of extra cash will now depend on publishing this information. Those that do so will be able to unlock their full share; those that don’t will miss out.

    Regional allocations for the next four years are as follows:

    • North West: £800 million
    • Yorkshire and the Humber: £500 million
    • East Midlands: £700 million
    • West Midlands: £800 million
    • East of England: £1.2 billion
    • South East: £1.5 billion
    • South West: £1.5 billion
    • London: £300 million
    • North East: £30 million

    This is on top of record investment of almost £1.6 billion for local road maintenance this year, a £500 million increase compared to 2024/25.

    The Budget delivered a package of transport measures including the first national freeze on regulated rail fares in 30 years, £891 million for the Lower Thames Crossing, a project delayed since 2009, and an extension of the landmark electric car grant to help drivers make the switch.

    This comes as the Chancellor delivered the Budget on Wednesday that eases the cost of living, reduces our national debt, and brings down NHS waiting lists. Millions of families will see £150 off their energy bills, prescriptions frozen at £9.90, and our actions will lift around 550,000 children out of poverty.

    Edmund King, AA president, said:

    Potholes are the number one transport concern for drivers and continue to blight too many roads, so this funding should help smooth out the road ahead.

    Providing councils with long-term funding, coupled with the requirement to publish repair data and strategies, is a pragmatic solution. That will enable residents to see how their council is progressing and hold them to account.

    RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:

    This investment is an extremely welcome move. We’ve long called for councils to be given certainty of funding over an extended period so they can properly plan maintenance of their road networks as we believe this will lead to a better, safer driving experience for motorists.

    We also welcome the government linking additional funding to councils who commit to carrying out preventative maintenance, as this stops potholes forming in the first place and extends the life of roads. It’s also far cheaper than continuously patching pothole-ridden roads only to have to pay far more to resurface them.

    Further information

    Figures:

    • All figures are rounded to the nearest hundred million, except the North East which is rounded to the nearest ten million.
    • References to a doubling in funding are comparing £1.067 billion funding allocated by the previous Government for FY2024/25, to £2.134 billion funding allocated by this Government for FY2029/30. Full allocations will be published on GOV.UK on 29 November.
    • Totals include money allocated from the Highways Maintenance Block to Mayoral Strategic Authorities who also receive devolved City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding in 2026/27.

    From 2027/28 onwards, eligible Mayoral Strategic Authority areas (many of which are in the North and Midlands) will receive larger Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements, replacing their CRSTS funding. These devolved funding settlements can be spent on local roads maintenance by Mayors in these regions. As these areas do not receive Highways Maintenance Block funding from 2027/28, areas with a greater proportion of MSAs appear to receive less funding in the figures above, as these figures do not account for new TCR funding. These areas will not miss out, they will simply receive devolved transport settlements rather than a share of HMB from 2027/28.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of a Canon of Windsor [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of a Canon of Windsor [December 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 December 2025.

    The King has approved that The Reverend Martin Lonsdale Evans be appointed to a Canonry of Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor.

    Background

    Martin was educated at the University of Manchester, obtaining an B.A. in Theology and Religious Studies, and trained for Ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon.  Ordained as a Priest in 1996, he served his title as Curate in Morpeth in the Diocese of Newcastle. 

    From 1998 he served as Royal Navy Chaplain including posts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Bahrain, and in 2019 he served additionally as Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet with responsibility for the pastoral and professional oversight of 59 chaplains across the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.  In 2022, he took up his current role as Rector of The Parish of St. Saviour, Jersey, in the Diocese of Salisbury.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Trailblazing scheme to reconnect thousands with HIV treatment [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Trailblazing scheme to reconnect thousands with HIV treatment [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 December 2025.

    The government has launched a scheme which will see thousands of people benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new action plan.

    • Government unveils HIV Action Plan to tackle stigma and end transmissions in England by 2030, backed by £170 million   
    • First ever national programme to re-engage people back into life-saving HIV care and treatment   
    • Opt-out HIV testing in A&E will pick up infections earlier, when treatment is most effective   

    Thousands of people across England will benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new action plan designed to end new transmissions by 2030.   

    The Action Plan, unveiled by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting today [Monday 1 December], tackles the stigma that remains a barrier for too many people – fear of judgement and discrimination means some people avoid getting tested, leaving infections undiagnosed and untreated.   

    At the heart of the plan is a first of its kind national programme will find and support people who are not accessing lifesaving HIV treatment and bring them back into care.     

    HIV is now entirely manageable – with the right treatment, people can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass the virus onto others.   

    Around 5,000 people are no longer in care, with reasons including mental health issues, addiction, poverty or fear of judgement.    

    This targeted support is particularly crucial for groups who are more likely to face problems including racism, stigma, poverty and housing issues that can make their lives more difficult.    

    Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: 

    On World AIDS Day, we honour both the memory of those we have lost and stand together with those living with HIV. 

    I promised to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030 and we are making this a reality thanks to our action plan, with a groundbreaking new HIV prevention programme, at home tests made available through the NHS App, and delivering opt out testing in emergency departments.

    My message is simple – no one should ever have to fight HIV alone. Together, we will end the cycle of transmission, improve treatment and better protect people.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:   

    HIV treatment has been transformed. Today, people living with HIV can enjoy full, healthy lives – and can’t pass the virus on to others. That’s remarkable progress.   

    But we can go further. Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 is ambitious – and this government is determined to make it happen.  

    Our national re-engagement programme, a truly innovative and agile approach, targets the epidemic where it’s growing and leaving no one behind.  We’ll bring people into life-saving care and find infections early, when treatment works best, so everyone can live the full, healthy life they deserve.   

    Thanks to the work of determined campaigners across our country, ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 – a history making, world changing goal – is within reach. This government will now put its shoulder to the wheel to deliver this change.

    Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: 

    We’re making progress – 95% of people living with HIV now know they have the virus. But around 4,700 people remain undiagnosed, including one in three in Black African communities and higher rates of late diagnosis in older age groups. 

    People need testing that meets them where they are, in ways that feel safe and accessible. We need to make starting PrEP straightforward for anyone who wants it, with particular focus on heterosexual and Black communities who are being failed by current disparities. And when someone is diagnosed, they should get consistent, respectful support that helps them stay on treatment and stay engaged in care. 

    This £170 million HIV Action Plan delivers on these priorities, enabling continued progress towards our 2030 goal.

    Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England’s National Medical Director, said:  

    The NHS is fully behind this Action Plan, which gives us the tools to diagnose people earlier, reconnect those who are not currently receiving care, and ensure every person living with HIV receives support without stigma.

    Alongside opt-out HIV testing in A&E, we are launching a new £5 million digital trial so people can order home testing kits through the NHS App – making it easier and more discreet than ever to get checked. 

    With early diagnosis and the right treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass the virus on and this plan brings us a major step closer to ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030.

    Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:  

    The government has an ambition that is both momentous and historic: that England becomes the first country in the world to end new HIV cases. This new plan recognises the scale of the challenge, with the biggest new investment in HIV testing and care in decades.  

    National funding to re-engage people in life-saving HIV care, putting HIV home-testing on the NHS App and long-term funding for opt-out HIV and hepatitis testing in emergency departments will be transformational. This is what people with HIV need. This is what we have been calling for. Now we must work together to make it happen.  

    The leadership involved in pulling off this remarkable suite of initiatives is a tribute to Wes Streeting, Ashley Dalton and Kevin Fenton. We are in their debt, but will not hesitate to hold their feet to the fire.

    Robbie Currie, Chief Executive, National AIDS Trust, said:   

    National AIDS Trust welcomes the commitments in the HIV Action plan which provides a solid foundation for achieving the goal of ending HIV cases by 2030.    

    Re-engaging people who are no longer in care is crucial to ensuring they can live well with HIV, and we’re pleased to see a new national programme dedicated to this. However, stigma, discrimination and inequality still push people away resulting in poorer health outcomes. Stigma training for hospitals is a welcome step towards ensuring healthcare settings are safe and inclusive.   

    We are also delighted to see funding for formula milk – a priority we have campaigned on alongside our partners. This plan can get us on track to achieve the 2030 goals, but success requires rapid action and having the right policies in place across Government.

    Anne Aslett, CEO, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, said:   

    The new HIV Action Plan is an important step toward ending new HIV transmissions in England. We welcome the extra funding for opt-out testing in emergency departments, a model the Foundation first piloted in 2018. The latest results speak volumes, over 90% of people newly diagnosed in EDs had never been tested for HIV before. Smart, targeted investment like this saves lives.  

    With up to 12,000 people living with HIV currently out of care, the £9 million investment in retention is crucial for keeping people healthy and stopping onward transmission. But without bold investment in prevention, including making PrEP widely accessible to everyone who needs it, ending new infections will remain out of reach.

    Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said:   

    Councils are ready to play their part in delivering this national action plan through council-commissioned sexual health clinics, close partnership working, and developing their own locally tailored HIV plans.  

    We are committed to achieving the collective ambition to end new HIV transmission in England by 2030.  

    Local government, the NHS, and our wider partners must continue working together to ensure equitable access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment. This includes reaching underserved communities, supporting innovative approaches such as opt-out testing and a push on tackling HIV stigma in health and social care.

    The Action Plan, backed by over £170 million, is also continuing funding for testing in A&E, meaning if you’re having a routine blood test, you’ll automatically be tested for HIV – unless you choose not to.    

    This testing programme is being delivered across areas with the highest rates, including London and Manchester, reaching thousands of people with undiagnosed infections who might never otherwise visit a sexual health clinic.   

    Communities most affected by HIV will also benefit from a national HIV prevention programme to improve awareness about safer sex, testing and treatment.   

    The prevention programme will work directly with those most at risk, providing tailored support and targeted testing to break down barriers and ensure no one is left behind.   

    Hospital staff will also receive anti-stigma training, so patients can access care without fear of being judged for their HIV status.   

    A groundbreaking £5 million trial, announced on Sunday will see home HIV testing kits ordered at the touch of a button through the NHS App.     

    The trial will allow at-risk patients to order home HIV tests seamlessly, receive results securely, and contact their GP or sexual health clinics – all from their phone.   

    The new digital service will offer a discreet route for those anxious about their sexual health to get tested without visiting a clinic.   

    The Action Plan comes as new UKHSA analysis published today shows HIV testing in England must adapt to reach the groups that need it most. The report reveals that while 95% of people with HIV are diagnosed, around 4,700 people remain undiagnosed – with additional investments in emergency department testing alone insufficient to reach all those in need.

    Gaps remain in testing in lower prevalence areas and general practice settings that reach out to those who need prompt testing, including ethnic minority heterosexual populations and people aged 50 years and over. 

    Today [Monday 1 December], Minister Ashley Dalton will meet with people living with HIV and organisations working in the HIV sector to discuss and hear first-hand about how their experiences could be positively impacted by the HIV Action Plan.   

    Gillian McLauchlan, lead for sexual health for the Association of Directors of Public Health, said:  

    This new HIV Action Plan is particularly welcome because it recognises that only through true collaboration between local authority public health teams, the NHS, and the voluntary and community sector will the UK end HIV transmissions.   

    Sustained and adequate investment is also vital – not just in the fight against HIV but to ensure that everyone can access high quality sexual and reproductive health services at the right time for them.

    James Woolgar, Chair of the English HIV and Sexual Health Commissioners’ Group added:  

    The plan’s promise of continued investment in emergency department testing, the new national re-engagement in care plan, anti-stigma training and education are all very welcome. We of course also need a sustained commitment to the provision of PrEP and other prevention programmes.  

    I am extremely proud of the hard work and progress that local government has made in tackling this issue and, by strengthening collaboration, we can ensure evidence-based interventions reach communities more effectively, reduce inequalities, and tackle stigma. Only then can we reach our collective goal of zero new transmissions by 2030, and support those living with HIV to not only survive, but also thrive.

    Professor Matt Phillips, President, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said:  

    The launch of today’s Action Plan marks a pivotal moment in shifting the dial in the HIV response. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made in recent years, and the work that still lies ahead.  

    Reconnecting those living with HIV who have been lost to care is a critical part of this work, and is key to achieving our target of reaching zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. The publication of this new Action Plan therefore provides us with a real chance to build on recent successes, through better enabling expert care and treatment to be accessed by all those who need it.  

    BASHH stands ready to work alongside the Government to help translate these vital ambitions into reality.

    Dr Tristan Barber, Chair Elect of the British HIV Association (BHIVA) said:  

    The combination of prevention, treatment and testing, with an effective plan to re-engage people with HIV treatment and care, and access peer support, together provide a strong and pragmatic framework for progress.    

    It is vital that we prioritise the groups most affected by HIV, where diagnoses continue to rise. Half of all black African heterosexuals are diagnosed late, and women and young people also find it hard to access prevention using Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which should be available to everyone who needs it.   

    The success of Emergency Department opt-out testing has already shown what is possible so extending it, with the addition of at home testing via the NHS App, alongside renewed investment in sexual health services, will be key to achieving the 2030 goals.

    Dr Amanda Williams, Paediatrician and Chair of the charity Chiva said:  

    Children and young people living with perinatally acquired HIV have to attend healthcare appointments and take medication their whole life, for what is still a highly stigmatised health condition. For many, missing appointments becomes more common in adolescence, and during the transition from paediatric to adult care.  That’s why we’re pleased to see plans to tackle HIV stigma and re-engage people back into care.  

    We welcome the Government’s decision to fund formula milk for all babies born to mothers living with HIV, who need it as part of HIV prevention measures during pregnancy through to post-birth – something that Chiva, The Food Chain and NAT have been calling for. Funding formula milk ensures women can follow medical guidance and are empowered to make informed choices about how to safely feed their babies without financial barriers.

    Dr Zara Haider, President of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, said:   

    We warmly welcome the publication of the HIV Action Plan, especially as it places women firmly within its focus by recognising the unique barriers they face in accessing HIV services. Measures such as funding for formula milk and sterilising equipment for women living with HIV, expanded opt-out testing, and tailored prevention programmes will directly support women who are too often forgotten.   

    With investment in home testing kits, a national HIV prevention programme, and plans to tackle the discrimination that still stops too many from seeking care, this Plan has real potential to improve HIV care in England by ensuring women are not left behind.

    Darren Knight, Chief Executive, George House Trust, said:  

    George House Trust proudly backs the implementation of the new HIV Action Plan. Putting people living with HIV at the heart of this work, tackling HIV stigma, and ensuring everyone can live well and stay engaged in care isn’t just important, it’s essential.   

    We’re ready to collaborate with government, health and care partners, and our voluntary sector partners to work for a world where HIV holds no one back.

    Charlotte Cooke, Director of Services, LGBT Foundation said:   

    LGBT Foundation welcomes the HIV Action Plan. We are pleased that gay and bisexual men remain a priority, alongside men who have sex with men – a community we have long supported and recognised as needing targeted interventions.  

    It is key to invest in prevention in order to achieve zero transmissions by 2023. It is cost-effective, delivers long-term impact, and depends on working together to ensure equitable access and uptake of HIV prevention services. We are committed to playing our part in this effort.

    Sophie Strachan CEO of the Sophia Forum said:   

    We welcome this new ambitious Action Plan and hope that this will help address the health inequities and improve outcomes that prevents further marginalisation of communities who have to date have experienced ongoing health inequalities and poorer health outcomes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [November 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [November 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 30 November 2025.

    The Prime Minister spoke to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this morning.

    The leaders began by taking stock of the situation in Ukraine.

    Peace talks in recent days had gained momentum, but the focus had to be on securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, both underlined.

    The leaders discussed the work being done by the Coalition of the Willing to prepare for a cessation of hostilities and welcomed the close coordination between the grouping and NATO on next steps.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • Matthew Pennycook – 2025 Statement on Reforming Local Plan Making

    Matthew Pennycook – 2025 Statement on Reforming Local Plan Making

    The statement made by Matthew Pennycook, the Minister for Housing and Planning, in the House of Commons on 27 November 2025.

    Following my written statement concerning local plan making and guidance—[Official Report, 27 February 2025; Vol. 762, c. 62WS.]—I am today providing an update on the implementation of our reforms to the plan-making system in England.

    This Government were elected on a manifesto that included a clear commitment to build 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament, and all areas are required to play their part. In order to deliver the homes and growth that the country needs, we expect all local planning authorities to make every effort to get up-to-date local plans in place as soon as possible.

    The plan-led approach is, and must remain, the cornerstone of our planning system. Local plans are the best way for communities to shape decisions about how to deliver the housing and wider development their areas need. In the absence of an up-to-date plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential. It is for these reasons that the level of up-to-date plan coverage we inherited is so problematic.

    As a Government, we have made a clear commitment to achieving universal local plan coverage. To that end, we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible. That is why we introduced transitional arrangements for emerging plans in preparation as part of the changes we made to the national planning policy framework in December last year, and why we have recently awarded over £29 million in funding to 188 local planning authorities to support the rapid preparation of plans that reflect that updated framework.

    However, the current system is optimised neither for speed, nor for community participation. The Government are therefore clear that more fundamental reform to the system is needed, to ensure that local plans are faster to prepare and simpler for end users to access and understand.

    In February, we published the Government’s response to the previous Government’s consultation on implementation of plan-making reforms. I am today publishing more detailed information about the design of the legislation required to implement the new system; how we intend to roll it out across the country, and the resources that will be made available to support plan makers to that end.

    Designing and implementing new plan-making regulations

    We will shortly lay the regulations that will underpin our new approach to plan making. These will reflect our February 2025 response to the previous Government’s consultation on the new plan-making system, and their development has taken into account responses to that consultation, as well as feedback provided through extensive engagement with the sector.

    The regulations will set out a new process for producing plans, with clear steps that a local planning authority will need to take. This should support faster preparation of plans and more frequent updates, in line with our aim of universal coverage of up-to-date plans that reflect local needs.

    The Government are today publishing a summary of what we intend these regulations to contain. This will provide plan makers and other key stakeholders with the information they need to familiarise themselves with the new system in advance of it coming into force early next year.

    Rolling out the new plan-making system

    The Government are acutely aware that many local planning authorities are keen to start work on plans in the new system at the earliest opportunity, to give themselves the best possible chance of success and provide much-needed certainty for their communities.

    Having considered carefully responses to the earlier consultation, I am announcing today that we no longer intend to roll the system out in a series of plan-making waves. Instead, local planning authorities will be encouraged to bring plans forward as soon as possible following the commencement of the regulations early in the new year.

    While authorities will have discretion over how soon they start their plan, regulations will set out final backstop dates for when plan-making must legally have commenced. Local planning authorities covered by the NPPF transitional arrangements will have to commence formal plan making (gateway 1) by 31 October 2026, while those that have a plan that is already over five years old must commence by 30 April 2027. Further information will be set out in the regulations and in guidance.

    We will provide a minimum of £14 million of funding this financial year to support local plan making. This is to help local planning authorities get ambitious plans in place as soon as possible and to support those starting work on a new plan early in the new plan-making system. Further details will be published shortly.

    Guidance and tools to support local authorities

    In February 2025 we launched a new home for local plan-making resources on gov.uk— https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/create-or-update-a-local-plan

    This is already supporting plan makers. Today we are going further by publishing, in draft, the first dedicated guidance and tools to support plan makers bringing forward a local plan in the new system.

    For this initial release we have prioritised resources that can best support plan makers in the earliest stages of plan-making, aiding their understanding of how the new system will work and what they could focus on now to get ready. Additional practical tools and templates have been provided by the Planning Advisory Service, which will further support plan makers with their preparations. These resources form part of a growing digital offer to support plan makers to deliver local plans faster. It will be followed by the timely release of tools and services both this year and beyond.

    Plan making in the current system

    The Government have been clear that they want local planning authorities to continue bringing forward plans as quickly as possible ahead of the new system coming into force. For plans progressing to adoption under the existing plan-making legal framework, we will be setting out in the aforementioned regulations that the final date for submission for examination will be 31 December 2026.

    As set out in the revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024, local plans that reached regulation 19 stage on or before 12 March and needed updating as they were meeting less than 80% of local housing need, are expected to be updated and submitted by 12 June 2026, unless updating the plan required the authority to return to regulation 18. If this was the case, authorities have until 31 December 2026 to reach submission.

    The Government are committed to taking tough action to ensure that local authorities have up-to-date local plans in place. While we hope the need will not arise, we have made it clear that we are willing to make full use of available intervention powers—including taking over a local authority’s plan making directly—if local plans are not progressed as required.

    Duty to co-operate

    The new plan-making system provided by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 does not include the duty to co-operate that was inserted into the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 through the Localism Act 2011 to help bridge the gap in cross-boundary co-operation resulting from the abolition of regional planning. Instead, the new system will rely on revised national policy and the new tier of strategic planning to ensure effective co-operation between plan-making authorities.

    The regulations for the new system will also save the current plan-making system for a period to allow emerging plans to progress to examination by 31 December 2026. Given the above, and to help drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible and progress towards our objective of universal local plan coverage, we have decided not to “save” the duty, thereby removing this requirement for plans in the current system.

    Local planning authorities should continue to collaborate across their boundaries, including on unmet development needs from neighbouring areas, and we expect planning inspectors to continue to examine plans in line with the policies in the NPPF on maintaining effective co-operation. I have written to the chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate to ask that these matters are made clear to local plan inspectors.