Author: admin

  • NEWS STORY : Reform accused of threatening voters with migrant detention centres in Green areas

    NEWS STORY : Reform accused of threatening voters with migrant detention centres in Green areas

    STORY

    Reform UK has been accused of treating immigration policy as a political punishment after Zia Yusuf announced that a future Reform government would prioritise migrant detention centres in Green Party controlled areas. Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesman, said the party would not put migrant detention facilities in constituencies with Reform MPs or in areas where Reform controlled the council. He said that, of the remaining areas, Green controlled councils and Green parliamentary constituencies would be prioritised, adding that voters would “get what they vote for”.

    Reform says the centres would form part of its plan to deport “all illegal migrants”, with proposed facilities holding up to 24,000 people. The announcement has prompted criticism across party lines, with opponents saying it turns asylum and deportation policy into an explicit threat against communities that vote the wrong way. The Green Party described the plan as “abhorrent”, while Labour chair Anna Turley called it a “grotesque policy” and accused Nigel Farage’s party of betraying basic democratic principles by threatening to punish places where people did not support Reform.

  • NEWS STORY : UK and Armenia agree new strategic partnership after talks in Yerevan

    NEWS STORY : UK and Armenia agree new strategic partnership after talks in Yerevan

    STORY

    Sir Keir Starmer and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have agreed a new UK-Armenia Strategic Partnership following talks in Yerevan. The Prime Minister met Pashinyan during a visit to Armenia, where he thanked him for hosting the European Political Community summit. Downing Street said Sir Keir also praised Armenia’s efforts to secure peace in the region and thanked the Armenian leader for his work on the issue.

    The new partnership is intended to strengthen cooperation between the UK and Armenia in defence and security, economic growth and democratic resilience. The talks also covered UK support for Armenia’s resilience, including countering disinformation, improving cyber security and supporting an independent judiciary and media sector.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia [May 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 May 2026.

    The Prime Minister met Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister began by thanking Prime Minister Pashinyan for hosting the European Political Community summit.

    He commended the significant steps Armenia had taken to secure peace in the region and thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his leadership on the issue.

    The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s support for Armenia’s resilience through counter-disinformation, cyber security and supporting an independent judiciary and media industry.

    As part of discussions, the leaders agreed a new UK-Armenia Strategic Partnership to strengthen cooperation on defence and security, economic growth and democratic resilience.

    The leaders looked forward to staying in touch.

  • NEWS STORY : Starmer and von der Leyen pledge closer UK-EU ties on Ukraine, defence and technology

    NEWS STORY : Starmer and von der Leyen pledge closer UK-EU ties on Ukraine, defence and technology

    STORY

    Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have said the UK and EU are committed to improving relations, following talks at the European Political Community summit in Armenia.

    In a joint statement, the two leaders said they had discussed ways to deliver benefits for consumers and businesses, as well as strengthening European security. They also looked ahead to the next UK-EU summit and said both sides should be “ambitious” about what could be achieved together.

    The meeting included discussion of the UK’s planned participation in the EU’s €90 billion, or £78 billion, loan for Ukraine, which they described as a significant step in the UK-EU defence industrial relationship. The leaders also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

    Starmer and von der Leyen also agreed to begin negotiations on UK participation in the European Innovation Council Fund, including the Scaleup Europe Fund. The scheme is intended to support high-growth technology firms and keep promising innovators in Europe.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement following a meeting between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement following a meeting between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer [May 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 May 2026.

    Joint statement following a meeting between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

    At the European Political Community summit in Armenia today we met to discuss our joint commitment to improving the relationship between the UK and EU to deliver for consumers, businesses and collective European security. 

    We also reflected on the UK’s plan to participate in the EU’s €90 billion / £78 billion loan for Ukraine, and agreed it would be a major step forward in the UK- EU defence industrial relationship.

    We underlined our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and applauded their resilience and courage in recent weeks and months.  

    We also agreed to commence negotiations on UK participation in the European Innovation Council Fund, including the Scaleup Europe Fund, which will provide support for promising high-growth tech businesses to scale up and support UK and EU ambitions to keep the most promising innovators in Europe.

    We looked ahead to the UK-EU summit and agreed on the importance of being ambitious in what we could achieve together for the benefit of both sides.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President of France, Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President of France, Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte [May 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 May 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, at the European Political Community Summit earlier today. 

    The leaders reflected on their recent diplomatic discussions, including on the situation in Ukraine.  

    On the situation in the Middle East and the need for an end to the war in Iran, the leaders agreed on the need to reopen of the Strait of Hormuz to restore freedom of navigation and the free flow of global trade. 

    They discussed European support already positioned in the region to reinforce security, and welcomed the close coordination between European allies.

    They looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with leaders from Ukraine, France, Italy, Poland, Canada, Norway, Finland, NATO, the European Commission and the European Council at the EPC [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with leaders from Ukraine, France, Italy, Poland, Canada, Norway, Finland, NATO, the European Commission and the European Council at the EPC [May 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 May 2026.

    The Prime Minister joined leaders from Ukraine, France, Italy, Poland, Canada, Norway, Finland, NATO, the European Commission and the European Council for a meeting on Ukraine this morning.

    The Prime Minister opened the meeting by acknowledging the consistent strength and extraordinary efforts of Ukraine’s frontline to regain territory in recent weeks. 

    The leaders discussed the European Union’s £78 billion loan to Ukraine, and the Prime Minister underlined the opportunity the UK’s involvement would bring for both Ukraine and European security. 

    Reflecting on peace negotiations, the leaders reiterated their support for Ukraine and agreed it was vital economic pressure was maintained on Russia.

    Building on Ukraine’s drone expertise, the group also discussed opportunities to accelerate defence industrial cooperation to provide new technologies to enhance long term security in Europe. 

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • NEWS STORY : Starmer and Zelenskyy agree to deepen defence cooperation ahead of European summit

    NEWS STORY : Starmer and Zelenskyy agree to deepen defence cooperation ahead of European summit

    STORY

    The Prime Minister has met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Armenia, praising Ukraine’s resilience and reaffirming the UK’s long-term support as the war with Russia continues. According to a Downing Street statement, Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the “remarkable courage and strength” shown by President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in the face of ongoing Russian attacks. The Ukrainian leader provided an update on the situation on the frontline, with both sides discussing the current momentum of the conflict.

    The two leaders also agreed on the need to step up defence industrial collaboration with European partners, with a focus on ensuring Ukraine can continue to defend itself “for as long as it takes”. The meeting took place ahead of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, where wider regional security and cooperation are expected to be key themes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [May 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 May 2026.

    The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon, ahead of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan.

    The Prime Minister paid tribute to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people for their remarkable courage and strength in the face of Russia’s ongoing attacks. 

    The leaders discussed Ukraine’s momentum on the battlefield, and the President updated on the latest from the frontline.

    Both agreed on the importance of stepping up defence industrial collaboration with European partners to defend Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    The leaders also reiterated the need to prepare and protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of next winter to boost the country’s resilience to Russia’s ongoing barbaric attacks. 

    Turning to negotiations, the leaders discussed Ukraine’s efforts to secure a durable peace and underlined the importance of maintaining and accelerating sanctions to force Russia to the negotiating table.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again tomorrow.

  • NEWS STORY : Government says no need to change travel plans over jet fuel concerns

    NEWS STORY : Government says no need to change travel plans over jet fuel concerns

    STORY

    The Government has said passengers do not need to change their travel plans, despite concerns about jet fuel supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

    Ministers said UK airlines are not currently reporting a shortage of jet fuel, adding that fuel is usually bought in advance and airports maintain stocks to support resilience. The Government said it is working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to monitor risks and minimise disruption.

    Passengers have been advised to keep checking with their airline before travelling, consult Foreign Office travel advice and ensure they have suitable travel insurance. If a flight is cancelled, passengers departing from a UK airport, arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline, or arriving in the EU on a UK airline are entitled to a refund or alternative flight.