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PRESS RELEASE : UK, Australia and Canada launch peacebuilding fund for Israel and Palestine [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2026.

The UK, Australia and Canada have launched a peace fund to ‌complement broader efforts towards a two-state solution.
- Fund will prioritise long-term peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians to address root causes of conflict and support a sustainable two-state solution
- Initiative jointly announced during meeting of three foreign ministers at Chevening
- Will complement existing efforts to provide humanitarian support in Palestine, crack down on violent settlers, and support the 20-point Gaza peace plan
- Ministers reiterate commitment to tackle antisemitism around the world, and end the security threat from Hamas
The UK is stepping up efforts to tackle the root causes of the Israel-Palestine conflict and support a path to a two-state solution by launching a new International Peace Fund.

The announcement came as UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosted her Australian and Canadian counterparts, Penny Wong and Anita Anand, for talks at Chevening on the Strait of Hormuz, the drive for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and the global crisis of violence against women and girls.

The Peace Fund announcement forms part of the UK’s wider effort to use all available diplomatic, humanitarian and practical levers to support peace in Israel and Palestine. In partnership with Australia and Canada, the Fund will support practical, grassroots initiatives that bring communities together in order to rebuild trust, and reduce the divisions that harm the prospect of long-term peace.

As well as supporting existing programmes to improve their reach and capability, the Fund will also invest in new ventures, spanning all levels of society, from local community projects to support for dialogue between future leaders. Funding will go to a range of projects, particularly those that include youth groups, civil society organisations and women, with an emphasis on relationship building and creating opportunities for engagement that can underpin future peace negotiations.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

Peace, justice and security in the Middle East depends on a two-state solution and it is why our countries have recognised the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel.

But too often Middle East peace is seen as an issue only of international diplomacy. When generations of Israelis and Palestinians have grown up with cycles of conflict and violence, we also need to support the local community organisations who are building dialogue, peace and trust across communities.

That is why the UK is launching the International Peace Fund with Australia and Canada, to support those working tirelessly to foster understanding between Israeli and Palestinian communities and create the conditions for the two states to live side-by-side in peace.

Alongside our international partners, we are clear that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only viable route to a just and lasting peace, with security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. This Fund will help support progress towards that goal from within those communities themselves.

The announcement reinforces the UK’s longstanding leadership in the field of peacebuilding, drawing on experience from similar efforts in Northern Ireland and ongoing work in the Western Balkans to address the underlying drivers of conflict.

This is the latest action taken by the UK to support peace in lockstep with international partners. On Tuesday, alongside Australia and Canada, the Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank to protect Palestinian human rights and clamp down on those harming prospects for peace.

Meeting at Chevening, the three ministers also affirmed their commitment to ensure that Hamas should be disarmed, disempowered and dismantled as part of the 20-point Gaza peace plan, so it can play no part in the future governance of Palestine, and pose no future threat to the security of Israel.

They also discussed the global rise in antisemitic hatred and violence, and reiterated their commitment to protect the freedom and safety of the Jewish communities that have been the target of appalling attacks in the UK, Australia and Canada over the past year.

Background
- The UK, Australia and Canada have each put in £1m to launch the Fund. Once operational, the Fund will seek to bring on other donors and scale up efforts.
- The Fund will complement diplomatic and humanitarian efforts by investing in the social and civic foundations needed for a sustainable peace and working with partners to mobilise wider international support.
- More information on the sanctions announced by the UK, Australia, Canada and further partners this week UK and allies sanction networks enabling settler violence in the West Bank
11/06/2026
Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of John Healey

The comments made by Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, on 11 June 2026.

John was an excellent Defence Secretary.

Every word of warning here needs to be heeded.

11/06/2026
John Healey – 2026 Resignation Letter

The resignation letter sent by John Healey to Keir Starmer, announcing his departure from the Defence Secretary role, on 11 June 2026.

Dear Keir,

This is a letter I never expected to write, and I do so now with great regret and reluctance.

I am proud of what we have done in less than two years as a Labour Government. We’ve stepped up to lead internationally for Ukraine with the Coalition of the Willing and Ukraine Defence Contact Group, established Britain as a leading voice for Europe in NATO, raised defence investment to 2.5% of GDP three years earlier than anyone expected, launched the deepest defence reforms in 50 years, won the biggest UK defence export deals for decades, published a first-of-its-kind Strategic Defence Review, gave our Armed Forces the biggest pay rise in nearly 20 years, boosted military morale, fixed over 1,200 of the worst forces family homes, reset relations with European allies and signed major defence agreements with Germany, Norway and France.

You have led this as PM, earning wide respect at home and abroad. Like me, I know you are exceptionally proud of our Forces and all of those who work in UK Defence.

We came into Government, recognising Britain faced a new era of threat which demanded a new era for defence. The SDR we jointly commissioned set the 10-year vision to transform our Armed Forces, strengthen alliances, invest in the technology that is changing warfare and back British industry to make defence an engine for growth.

This new era for defence required further investment through the Defence Investment Plan. The excellent and extensive cross-Government work that completed in January — overseen by you, me and the Chancellor — confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence.

Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.

Since then, the demands on defence have increased still further, as have the UK commitments you have rightly made to allies. Conflict in the Middle East, with the UK now leading the multinational Strait of Hormuz military mission; High North security, with the UK now leading NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission; increased Russian activity towards the UK and NATO nations and increased attacks in Ukraine, with the Paris Agreement confirming a British deployment to Ukraine after a ceasefire.

We have worked to secure a Defence Investment Plan that does two things. First, deal with the increasing operational demands on defence now and step up the SDR actions to meet the increasing threat. Second, set a clear path to meet the new NATO commitment you agreed to spend 3.5% of GDP in 2035 through the next Spending Review.

As we have regularly discussed, I am certain that a headmark date for 3% of GDP on defence in 2030 is what Britain must set. This commitment would have strong cross-party support. Other European allies are stepping up in this way.

I know how hard you have worked to get to this point. And in funding the DIP, I fully recognise the strain this places on colleagues in other Departments, both now as you have required spending switched into defence and in the future. I am very grateful to those colleagues who have supported this, and I appreciate how difficult their choices will have been.

As I’ve outlined to you, there are credible ways of meeting the mid-term funding challenges, working multi-nationally and as other European nations are doing, to allow us to protect our ability to deliver the missions of our Labour Government.

However, your DIP financial settlement — which I was first given in full on Monday afternoon this week — falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time. The extra support is backloaded when the pressure of operations and imperative to speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years and it rises to just 2.68% of GDP in 2030, when we will reach 2.6% next year with the investment we are already making.

You spelled out the threats last week: “it is our intelligence assessment, and the assessment of other countries in NATO, that there could be an attack by Russia on NATO as soon as 2030.”

You know what defence needs. You made the argument for this powerfully in your speech at the Munich Security Conference back in February. Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.

After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defence Secretary.

I wish you all continuing strength in the exceptional challenges you face as Prime Minister. As always, our Labour Government will continue to have my fullest support.

Rt Hon John Healey MP

11/06/2026
Sadiq Khan – 2026 Comments on Complaining Neighbours

The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 11 June 2026.

Complaining about nightlife when you *checks notes* choose to live in Soho is like living in South Kensington and complaining about the museums.  Or moving to Hackney and grumbling about creatives. Living in Richmond and hating green space. It’s all getting a bit silly, isn’t it?

11/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Free flu jabs for people experiencing homelessness [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Health and Social Care on 11 June 2026.

The government will offer flu vaccination to those experiencing homelessness beginning in Autumn.
- People experiencing homelessness will be given free flu vaccination on the NHS
- Vaccinations will be made available as part of the rollout later this year and ahead of winter
- Government fulfilling its promise to help protect those most at risk People experiencing homelessness in England will be offered free flu jabs on the NHS.
A vaccination programme will support those experiencing rough sleeping and people staying in homeless hostels or night shelters, protecting a group at high risk of serious respiratory illness who are too often left behind.

We know that people experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience worse NHS access, worse outcomes and to die younger. Through the 10 Year Health Plan, this government vowed to end this intolerable injustice by providing an NHS designed to tackle such inequalities and give everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, the means to engage with the NHS on their own terms.

The government is delivering on this promise by offering flu vaccination to people experiencing homelessness – beginning in Autumn – in line with when the next season of flu vaccinations are available.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray said:

For too long, people experiencing homelessness have faced some of the worst health outcomes in the country and have too often been missed by services many of us take for granted.

They should not miss out on potentially life-saving protection against flu when they can be at similar, or even greater, risk from the disease than some groups already eligible for vaccination

This change is about putting that right. By rolling out flu vaccinations to homeless people, we are delivering on our promise to tackle health inequalities and make sure support reaches those who need it most.

The update comes after the government accepted the expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to make NHS pneumococcal and seasonal flu vaccinations available to those experiencing homelessness.

Steve Davies, Regional Head at St Mungo’s said:

Contracting the flu can be dangerous even with a roof over your head. Experiencing homelessness alongside the flu can dramatically increase the risk of hospital admission – and even death.

Health needs generally are becoming more acute amongst the people we support. Initiatives like this go a long way to preventing people who are homeless from being overlooked in this wider crisis in public health.

Under the NHS 10 Year Plan and through wider collaboration across government and charities, we need to continue to ensure that every person facing homelessness has access to a healthcare system that enhances – rather than reduces – their life.

For this policy, those experiencing homelessness means people experiencing rough sleeping and people staying in homeless hostels or night shelters.

JCVI advice shows this group faces very high levels of poor health and can be at similar, or even greater, risk from flu and pneumococcal disease than some groups already routinely eligible for vaccination.

Increasing vaccination among vulnerable groups can also help to protect the wider public by reducing the spread of flu through communities, helping prevent avoidable hospitalisations and easing winter pressures on NHS and emergency services during periods of high seasonal demand.

Caroline Temmink, NHS director of vaccination said:

The NHS is for everyone, and we know that people who are homeless face greater health risks from flu, so it’s right they should receive the same potentially life-saving protection as other eligible at-risk groups.

This is an important decision in tackling health inequalities and the NHS will set out detailed plans for roll out in due course.

Professor Andrew Hayward, UKHSA National Lead for Inclusion Health said:

Respiratory infections including flu are a leading cause of preventable hospital admissions in people experiencing homelessness and contribute to reduced life expectancy.

This commitment to roll out flu vaccines to people using hostels, night-shelters or sleeping rough will make an important contribution to wider cross-government initiatives to reduce the many health harms caused by homelessness.

Homelessness Minister, Alison McGovern said:

Too often, people experiencing homelessness are cut off from routine healthcare, exposed to serious illness, and face much higher risks as a result.

That’s why we are taking action across government to tackle homelessness through £3.6 billion worth of investment and improve access to vital services for those most at risk, in line with our National Plan to End Homelessness.

By making flu jabs available, we are taking practical action to protect lives and ensure support reaches those who need it most.

Many other cohorts and vulnerable groups already receive free flu vaccination, including people over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, people who are immunosuppressed, carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression.

This change builds on that wider protection by making sure homeless people are not overlooked and can get the same chance to stay well through winter.
11/06/2026
NEWS STORY : John Healey Quits as Defence Secretary

STORY

John Healey has resigned as Defence Secretary after a dispute with the Prime Minister and the Treasury over defence spending. Healey said the settlement for the Government’s Defence Investment Plan was not sufficient to meet the security challenges facing the United Kingdom.

In his resignation letter, Healey said the resources available would not provide the level of military readiness he believed was required. The Defence Investment Plan had been delayed for several months while ministers considered future military capability, procurement and spending commitments.

The resignation comes amid wider debate over defence funding, the condition of the Armed Forces and the UK’s ability to respond to threats in Europe and beyond. The departure of the Defence Secretary is expected to intensify scrutiny of the Government’s defence policy and its timetable for increasing military spending.

11/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Violent Offender Callum Peacock Avoids Immediate Prison Sentence After Attack on Girlfriend

STORY

Concerns have been raised after violent offender Callum Peacock avoided an immediate prison sentence after attacking his girlfriend in a violent domestic abuse incident. According to court reporting by the Liverpool Echo, Peacock battered his victim with a golf club, threw bleach and paint at her and burned a memorial shirt belonging to her deceased grandmother.

The case has prompted criticism because of the seriousness of the violence and the distressing nature of the offending. The Liverpool Echo reported that Peacock also threatened the victim in front of police officers following his arrest. He was later sentenced at court and avoided an immediate prison term.

11/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Crisis Hit World Cup Starts in Political Chaos

STORY

The 2026 World Cup has opened under mounting political pressure, with concerns over US immigration rules, visa decisions and security measures threatening to overshadow FIFA’s attempt to present the tournament as a celebration of global unity. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, began in Mexico City, but much of the political controversy centres on the United States, where most of the matches will be played and where Donald Trump’s immigration agenda has become a central issue for travelling fans, officials and campaigners.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the handling of visa issues, saying immigration decisions are ultimately made by Governments rather than by football authorities. However, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States despite having a valid visa, while concerns have also been raised about the treatment of media, support staff and fans from countries affected by travel restrictions or heightened security checks. Infantino has insisted that the competition remains inclusive, but the row has exposed the obvious difficulty of staging a supposedly universal sporting event in a country pursuing a restrictive border policy.

11/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : £290m for simpler, fairer, more accessible farming schemes [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 June 2026.

The new approach will spread funding more fairly, target family farms and give farmers greater certainty.

Farmers in England will soon be able to apply for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26), a simpler and fairer scheme designed to support family farms and meet the challenges of modern farming.

Developed with farmers and industry, SFI26 is backed by £240 million for new agreements, building on more than £560 million already committed. The scheme cuts red tape and pays farmers for taking practical steps that benefit their land – such as improving soil health, keeping waterways clean, and creating space for wildlife.

Applications are expected to open from 30 June 2026 for two groups: small farms and farms without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement. A second application window will open in September 2026, giving all farmers and land managers the opportunity to apply.

Among the new offer are several actions that encourage the reduced use of synthetic fertilisers in favour of more sustainable and environmentally friendly options, cutting input costs and boosting resilience to global market shocks.

At least £50 million will also be available for new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreements this year, supporting targeted environmental improvements where they will have the greatest impact.

Together, these schemes will help boost food production, strengthen farm resilience, support nature recovery, and underpin the UK’s long-term food security.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:

Farmers are fundamental to food security. They produce the food we rely on, support rural communities, and play a vital role in our economy.

Under the previous Sustainable Farming Incentive, a quarter of funding went to just four percent of farms, so we have redesigned it to be simpler and fairer, helping more farms grow, boost productivity and protect the natural environment they depend on.

Building on the Environment Secretary’s commitment at the Oxford and NFU conferences to reform the Sustainable Farming Incentive in partnership with farmers, this new offer delivers greater certainty, fairer access to funding and a simpler, more accessible scheme for farmers.

Notes to editors:
- The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is a government scheme that pays farmers in England to manage their land in ways that improve nature, soil health, and the environment while producing food.
- Of this total budget for SFI26, £60 million has been allocated to Window 1 for small farms and farms without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement. If we don’t allocate the full £60m in Window 1, that unspent budget would be available for Window 2.
- SFI26 will include a series of changes to make the scheme fairer, simpler, and more accessible:
- A new £100,000 annual agreement cap will help ensure funding reaches more farm businesses.
- Each farm business will be able to have one SFI26 agreement, helping spread available funding more fairly across the sector.
- The SFI management payment will end for new agreements, allowing more funding to be directed towards on-farm actions.
- A new cap on adding land to rotational actions after Year 1 will provide greater budget certainty and help support more agreements.
- Nearly all SFI26 actions will move to a standard three-year agreement length, simplifying the scheme and improving access for tenant farmers.
- SFI26 scheme information (scheme rules and guidance, terms and conditions, and the 71 actions farmers can choose from) can be found HERE.
- We expect CSHT to continue supporting important habitats such as species-rich grassland through new targeted agreements, with further details to be announced shortly.
- The government is also progressing the next group of Landscape Recovery projects expected to move into implementation this year, supporting large-scale action to restore rivers, habitats, and landscapes across England.
- On 28 May, we published the Capital Grants offer guidance for this year which will open for applications in July. This new round will make £225 million, 50% more than in 2025, available to farmers to improve farm infrastructure and carry out works that help them make environmental improvements across England.
Environmental Land Management agreements
- If farmers have an ELM agreement that’s coming to an end soon, the government wants to make sure they can access the full SFI26 offer.
- The government is building new functionality into the SFI26 application service that will let these farmers apply for land currently in these expiring agreements before they end. The government expects this to be available from the start of Window 2 in September 2026.
- Some small farms eligible for Window 1 also have land in soon to expire agreements. They may want to consider waiting and applying during Window 2 instead, so they benefit from this new feature and make the most of their SFI26 agreement.
- The government aims to confirm whether this approach will be possible before Window 1 applications open, so affected small farms can decide which application window is right for them.
11/06/2026
NEWS STORY : Trump Faces Criticism After Saying He “Loves” Inflation Rise

STORY

Donald Trump has faced criticism after appearing to welcome new inflation figures showing US prices rising at their fastest rate for three years. The President told reporters that he “loved” the latest inflation numbers, while arguing that price rises would fall sharply once the war with Iran ends. The consumer price index rose by 4.2% year on year in May, up from 3.8% the previous month, with energy prices a major factor behind the increase.

The White House has also said the administration expects inflation to ease when pressure on oil markets reduces, while Trump has insisted that the conflict with Iran is necessary for national security reasons. The crisis hit administration has yet to detail how they intend to end the Iran war and the President failed to explain when inflation would fall.

Democrats have seized on the comment as evidence that Trump is out of touch with families struggling with the cost of living, with Chuck Schumer accusing him of showing contempt for ordinary Americans. The political danger for Trump is that he won the 2024 election partly by attacking inflation under Joe Biden, making any suggestion that he is now relaxed about rising prices especially damaging.

11/06/2026