Author: admin

  • PRESS RELEASE : Applications open for 30 hours funded childcare expansion [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Applications open for 30 hours funded childcare expansion [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 12 May 2025.

    New data finds half a million children already benefitting from 15 hours extended childcare offer as applications open for tens of thousands more from today.

    Tens of thousands more working parents across England will soon see cash back in their pockets as they can now apply for 30 hours of funded childcare from September.

    From today (12 May), all eligible working parents of children who will be 9 months old before 1 September can apply to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week, saving them up to £7,500 a year per child.

    With savings from the government’s free breakfast club rollout and school uniform cap, this rises to up to £8,000 for working parents who also have school-aged children, every year.

    This latest milestone follows the successful rollout of 15 funded hours for children from 9 months last September, with 499,592 children already benefitting from access to more affordable and high-quality early years education and childcare.

    Despite the inherited delivery challenges, the government is committed to increasing access to childcare that gives every child the best start in life. That’s why through the Plan for Change it has already taken urgent action through hundreds of new school-based nurseries and a £2 billion extra investment compared to last year to support the brilliant existing providers deliver the 35,000 additional staff and 70,000 places required to meet demand for September.

    A new government survey of parents who took up the childcare entitlements last September has found that the rollout is breaking down barriers to opportunity and playing a key role in supporting British business and kick-starting economic growth.

    Lower-income families are seeing the biggest impact, with one in five of those earning £20,000 – £40,000 having increased their working hours thanks to the 15 hours brought in last year.

    Looking ahead to this September, of the 2,723 respondents who are planning to increase their childcare hours, over half (1,425) are intending to up their work hours too – good news for families, and good news for employers.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    This government has a clear Plan for Change to break the unfair link between background and opportunity across this country, which starts by ensuring our children start school ready to learn.

    Early years is my number one priority, and making sure families are able to benefit from this rollout is a promise made, and promise kept. But this is just the beginning.

    Through the hard work of the sector, supported by our record investment, landmark school-based nursery rollout and focus on vital early learning support, we will deliver an early years system that gives every child the best start in life.

    The success of the rollout so far is testament to the work and commitment of nurseries, pre-schools and childminders, alongside local authorities, with 6123 of 6337 respondents who applied for government-funded hours last Autumn going on to secure a place.

    Sophie Lovell, from Nottingham, uses the 15 hours for working parents for her little girl. She said:

    The government’s childcare support has been great for our family.

    Having my child in formal childcare has provided wonderful opportunities for her to play, learn, and grow.

    As a parent, balancing everything can be overwhelming, but knowing your child is supported by trained professionals makes all the difference.

    The government has always been clear that early years is about even more than family finances. Access to high-quality early education and childcare helps children build confidence, learn social skills, and prepare for school, and 83% of parents in the government’s survey agree it is important for children’s social development.

    With evidence showing the huge benefits of outdoor play to children from improved problem solving to mental and physical health, the government has also today launched a consultation on how it can help nurseries make better use of outdoor space for play and learning.

    Currently, the government’s early years framework requires provision of outdoor play but only formally recognises indoor space in its requirements for how many children nurseries and childcare providers can take on at any one time. However, 7 in 10 providers say they would make better use of their outdoor space if more flexibility was introduced.

    The consultation will seek to understand whether to allow providers to include high-quality, accessible and safe outdoor space in meeting those requirements, and the appropriate conditions to be put in place should they include gardens and play areas as a full part of the early learning experience for the youngest children.

    Justine Roberts, Founder and CEO of Mumsnet, said:

    We’ve heard from countless women on Mumsnet pushed out of work by unaffordable childcare. This expansion of support is a major step in tackling that – giving parents, especially mothers, the freedom to stay in work if they choose, which benefits families and the economy.

    We urge all eligible parents to check what they’re entitled to and make full use of it.

    Director of Future of Work and Skills at CBI, Matthew Percival said:

    It’s good to see the rollout of the final phase of the UK’s childcare expansion. The CBI made the case that expanding childcare support was good for growth because our members told us that the cost of it was preventing parents from working or taking on more hours.

    Moving from 15 to 30 funded hours gives working families greater flexibility, helps employers access more of the talent they need to grow, and supports a more productive economy.

    Lydia Hopper CEO, Grandir UK said:

    We are supportive of the inclusion of free-flow outdoor space within the EYFS space requirements.

    At Grandir UK, we’ve actively champion free-flow outdoor play – it’s a big part of how we support children’s learning and development. We draw inspiration from Forest School principles, helping children explore nature and learn through play in the fresh air.

    Whether it’s running, climbing, or simply being outside, we know how much this benefits their physical health, builds confidence, and boosts their overall wellbeing.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More scanners across the country for better care of brittle bones [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : More scanners across the country for better care of brittle bones [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 12 May 2025.

    Government announces 29,000 extra bone scans will be delivered each year, helping with earlier diagnosis of illness such as osteoporosis.

    • Government confirms 13 new state-of-the-art DEXA scanners to support better bone care
    • Tens of thousands of patients set to benefit through extra scans
    • Scanners are delivered as part of government commitment upheld in Plan for Change

    29,000 extra bone scans per year will be delivered for patients across England thanks to the government rolling out 13 new DEXA scanners.

    The new scanners were promised as part of the government’s Elective Reform Plan and mark another step closer towards fixing the NHS and making it fit for the future, as set out in the Plan for Change.

    More than one in three women and one in five men will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime and so these scanners are equipped with advanced technology to identify with minute detail the quality of a patient’s bones.

    They will help with early diagnosis of illness such as osteoporosis, which weakens bones, making them so fragile that even a cough or sneeze could cause a painful break for people across the country.

    13 areas will receive the new equipment this year, including hospitals in West Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire serving some of the most under resourced and rural communities, with patients already receiving invitations for appointments to use the new scanners.

    Seven of the new machines will enable trusts to offer new or extended DEXA services, improving access and reducing patient journey times. Another six scanners will replace existing machines, helping to increase the reliability and productivity of bone diagnostic services.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

    Having seen the pain of a family member breaking a hip because of her osteoporosis, I know only too well how debilitating  a condition it can be.

    We know that early diagnosis of brittle bone conditions means faster treatment and better outcomes for patients, which is why I promised before the election that we would deliver an extra 15,000 scans a year. The investment the government is making in new scanners across the country will deliver an extra 29,000 scans a year, almost double what I promised.

    Our Plan for Change is cutting waiting lists by investing in our NHS, which is only possible because of the increase in employers’ national insurance.

    Sue Mann, Clinical Lead for Women’s Health at NHS England, said:

    This is a welcome targeted investment for the NHS Trusts across England set to receive these new scanners from this month – they measure tiny reductions in bone density that can help us diagnose osteoporosis in its early stages, before you break a bone.

    These scanners are key tools for prevention, particularly for some women who are known to be at higher risk of osteoporosis such as those who go through early menopause.

    Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said:

    This investment in scanners is really good news for people with osteoporosis.  We want to thank Wes Streeting for ensuring bone scans are part of his package to modernise scanning technology so we can catch diseases like osteoporosis earlier.

    This, and the recent good news on waiting lists, gives us confidence the NHS is beginning to turn a corner.

    Mr Haitham Hamoda, Trustee and Past Chair British Menopause Society said:

    This is very welcome news. Osteoporosis and related fractures is a significant public health issue. It is estimated that more than one in three women may sustain an osteoporosis related fracture with significant associated morbidity and mortality.

    In addition, women with premature ovarian insufficiency and early menopause have a significantly increased risk of osteoporosis and related fractures. Increasing access and availability to bone density screening and assessment will improve detection and allow earlier discussion of preventative measure and treatment.

    Dr Katharine Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said:

    We welcome the pledge for more DEXA scanners which will help to deliver better care for patients at risk of osteoporosis.

    Increasing capacity to deliver scans in the hospitals and regions that need it most will be an important step to make sure patients receive timely, effective care no matter where they live.

    Over three million appointments have already been delivered since the end of June 2024, smashing the government’s target of delivering 2 million extra operations, scans and appointments.

    Background information:

    The following locations will receive new scanners:

    • Harefield Hospital (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust)
    • North Middlesex Hospital (North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust)
    • Newark Hospital (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation NHS Trust)
    • Royal Victoria Infirmary (The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
    • CDC Ellesmere Port (Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation NHS Trust)
    • Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
    • Cranleigh Village Hospital (Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

    The following locations will receive replacement scanners:

    • Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
    • Wharfedale General Hospital (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
    • Dewsbury Hospital (Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust)
    • Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital (Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust)
    • Salford Royal (Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust)
    • St Catherine’s Hospital (Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)
  • NEWS STORY : Alec Pybus Appointed Interim Chief Executive of Insolvency Service

    NEWS STORY : Alec Pybus Appointed Interim Chief Executive of Insolvency Service

    STORY

    The Insolvency Service has announced that Alec Pybus, formerly Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Dean Beale. Mr. Beale stepped down on 12 May 2025 after more than 30 years with the agency, including six years as CEO. Mr. Beale has taken up a new role as Executive Director at the Centre for Public Interest Audit, an independent body established to enhance audit standards for major UK companies.

    In a statement, Mr. Beale said:

    “It has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive Officer for the past six years. The Insolvency Service will be in safe hands with Alec, who has vast experience and knowledge of this complex sector. I wish him and everyone at the Insolvency Service the very best for the future.”

    Mr. Pybus, who has been working closely with Mr. Beale to ensure a smooth transition, expressed his commitment to the role:

    “I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity, and I am looking forward to taking up this role while a new Chief Executive is recruited.”

    The Department for Business and Trade has initiated the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive. The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the UK government responsible for administering and investigating insolvencies, as well as enforcing company and insolvency law.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Overseas recruitment for care workers to end [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Overseas recruitment for care workers to end [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 May 2025.

    International recruitment for care workers will end under plans announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

    The government’s Immigration White Paper, published in Parliament tomorrow, will include the change as the government takes action to bring down historically high levels of net migration.

    Care workers from overseas have made a huge contribution to social care in the UK, but too many have been subject to shameful levels of abuse and exploitation.

    Workers seeking to support the UK’s care sector arrived to find themselves saddled with debt, treated unfairly, or in extreme cases discover the jobs they were promised did not exist.

    In March, the Home Office revealed over 470 care providers had had their licence to sponsor international staff suspended since 2022.

    Under plans to be outlined on Monday (12 May), the government will go further and put an end to any more overseas recruitment.

    The crackdown on rogue care providers has seen around 40,000 workers displaced, many of whom are ready to rejoin the workforce. They will be given the opportunity to do the jobs they were promised, while long-term plans are drawn up to train homegrown talent into the care sector.

    International workers who are already sponsored to work legally in the sector will be able to continue to extend their stay, change sponsors and apply to settle, including those who need to switch employers following a sponsor licence revocation.

    This government is committed to tackling these issues and has committed to establishing Fair Pay Agreements which will empower worker, employer and other sector representatives to negotiate improvements in the terms of employment. This builds on the announcement in January of the expansion of the Care Workforce Pathway which will support the adult social care sector to professionalise the workforce.

    Together, these measures will move the UK away from a dependence on overseas workers to fulfil our care needs. Baroness Casey has also begun work on an independent commission into adult social care – a once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus on the future of the sector.

    The Immigration White Paper, published in full tomorrow, is part of government efforts to restore order, control and fairness to the system, bring down net migration and promote economic growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister unveils new plan to end years of uncontrolled migration [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister unveils new plan to end years of uncontrolled migration [May 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 May 2025.

    The Prime Minister will today announce an end to Britain’s failed experiment in open borders that saw migration soar to one million a year by ensuring people coming here earn the right to stay in the country.

    • Migration system will back British workers, boost economic growth and control our borders under the Plan for Change
    • New contributions-based model will extend route to settlement from five to 10 years – with reductions for those who contribute to economy
    • New English language requirements across all immigration routes to promote integration

    The Prime Minister will today announce an end to Britain’s failed experiment in open borders that saw migration soar to one million a year by ensuring people coming here earn the right to stay in the country.

    Speaking at a press conference ahead of today’s (Monday 12 May) publication of the Immigration White Paper, the Prime Minister will say that living in this country is a privilege that must be earned.

    New immigration rules will reduce reliance on overseas recruitment, prioritise those who contribute to Britain’s economy and put more money in the pockets of working people, the first priority of our Plan for Change.

    The new system will end automatic settlement and citizenship for anyone living here for five years.

    Instead, migrants must spend a decade in the UK before applying to stay unless they can show a real and lasting contribution to the economy and society.

    Under a new framework to be rolled out high-skilled, high-contributing individuals who play by the rules and contribute to the economy and society would be fast-tracked, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI leaders.

    The government will also raise English language requirements across every immigration route to ensure those wishing to live and work in the UK speak a higher standard of English.

    For the first time this will also extend to all adult dependents by requiring them to demonstrate a basic understanding of English – helping individuals integrate into their local community, find employment and reducing the risk of exploitation and abuse.

    The changes are part of the government’s Plan for Change to turn the page on over a decade of decline that saw Britain’s immigration system spiral out of control with record migration numbers, undermining the confidence of working people.

    The Prime Minister will take a new common-sense approach, one that backs British workers over cheap overseas labour and links migration policy with skills to boost economic growth.

    The full package of radical reforms will be unveiled by the Home Secretary in Parliament later today and builds on action already taken by the government to restore order to the immigration system. More than 24,000 people with no right to be here have been returned since the election – the highest rate in 8 years – including a 16% increase in foreign national offender removals.

    In a press conference today the Prime Minister will announce his overhaul of the broken system, and is expected to say:

    For years we have had a system that encourages businesses to bring in lower paid workers, rather than invest in our young people.

    That is the Britain this broken system has created.

    Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control. Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall.

    We will create a system that is controlled, selective and fair.

    One that recognises those who genuinely contribute to Britain’s growth and society, while restoring common sense and control to our borders.

    This is a clean break from the past and will ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right.

    And when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.

    Lower net migration, higher skills and backing British workers – that is what this White Paper will deliver.

    The Immigration White Paper comes after net migration reached nearly one million in the year ending June 2023 – four times the levels seen in 2019.

    Public services were stretched, housing costs soared, and employers swapped skills investment for cheap overseas labour. In sectors like engineering, apprenticeships almost halved while work visas doubled and communities were asked to absorb record numbers.

    Visas have already fallen by 40% since the government took power, but our new approach will go further and faster – reshaping the system around the needs of the economy and fairness for working people.

    There will be tougher rules on who can come to work, study or bring family. Every part of the system is being tightened. Backdoor routes to settlement will be closed, enforcement will be stepped up as we end abuse of the system.

    Britain will remain open to the best global talent – but the days of mass recruitment to plug avoidable skills gaps will end. New mechanisms will ensure employers wanting visas must show they are investing in British workers and raising skills in this country to boost economic growth.

    We will support businesses to take on British workers through new industry workforce strategies, while introducing much tighter restrictions on recruitment for shortage occupations.

    The full package of policies in the Immigration White Paper will be published later today (Monday 12 May).

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign criminals to face rapid deportation [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign criminals to face rapid deportation [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 May 2025.

    New reforms to deportation and removal rules will make it easier to remove foreign criminals committing crimes in the UK, the Home Office will announce tomorrow.

    Currently the Home Office is only informed of foreign nationals given prison sentences and deportation arrangements focus predominantly on those sentenced to more than a year in prison.

    Under the new arrangements, the Home Office will be informed of all foreign nationals convicted of offences – not just those who receive prison sentences – and will be able to use wider removal powers on other crimes including swifter action to remove people who have recently arrived in the country but have already committed crimes.

    The overhaul will make it easier to remove those who commit offences – including violence against women and girls, street and knife crimes – before the threat they pose escalates.

    The reforms will be announced tomorrow as part of the government’s Immigration White Paper, which will radically reform Britain’s failed immigration system.

    The Home Office will consider all offences, not just those that carry a 12-month custodial sentence, and strengthen powers to remove perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

    Any foreign national placed on the Sex Offenders Register – regardless of sentence length – will be classed as having committed a ‘serious crime’ with no right to asylum protections in the UK.

    Since July 2024, the Home Office has removed 3,594 foreign criminals from the UK – a 16% increase on the same period 12 months prior.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    It is a basic requirement – those who come to the UK should abide by our laws. The system for returning foreign criminals has been far too weak for too long. Already we have increased the number of foreign national offenders being removed since the election. But we need much higher standards. The rules need to be respected and enforced.

    We need to restore control so that net migration comes down and proper standards and order are returned.

    As part of the White Paper, the government will also update refusal policies and immigration rules to mirror these changes. This means if a person commits an offence while on a short-term visa, they will be refused if they make a fresh application.

    New measures will be explored to swiftly cancel visas to those who commit crimes, ensuring action is taken against offenders before they can put down roots in the UK.

    Notes to editors

    • As part of the Government’s Plan for Change to have Safer Streets and Secure Borders, and efforts to digitise information flows, the Government will be working with partners across the criminal justice system to ensure data on convictions of migrants in the UK is shared swiftly so the necessary action can be taken.
  • NEWS STORY : UK Government Unveils Sweeping Immigration Reforms to Curb Net Migration

    NEWS STORY : UK Government Unveils Sweeping Immigration Reforms to Curb Net Migration

    STORY

    The UK Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration policy, aiming to significantly reduce net migration and address public concerns over border control. Prime Minister Keir Starmer introduced the reforms, emphasising the need to end what he described as a “failed free market experiment” in mass immigration. The automatic right to settlement and citizenship after five years will be abolished and migrants will now need to reside in the UK for ten years before applying for permanent status, unless they can demonstrate significant contributions to the economy and society.

    The Government plans to tighten visa rules across various categories, including work, family and study visas. This includes raising salary thresholds for skilled workers and increasing English language requirements for migrants and their dependants. In a controversial measure which will concern the industry who already struggle to find workers, the visa route for foreign care workers will be closed, with the government encouraging investment in domestic workforce training to fill these roles.

    A new digital system will be implemented to track migrants’ legal status and ensure they leave the UK upon visa expiration, with the reforms aiming to streamline asylum procedures and enhance the deportation of individuals who violate immigration laws. Keir Starmer stated that the reforms are designed to restore public confidence in the immigration system and ensure it serves the UK’s economic interests. He emphasised that staying in the UK is a privilege, not a right, and that the new policies will prioritise those who contribute meaningfully to society.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the need to reduce reliance on low-cost foreign labour, particularly in sectors like social care, and to invest in training and better pay for UK workers. Supporters argue that the measures are necessary to control immigration and protect public services, while critics express concerns about potential labour shortages and the impact on sectors that depend on foreign workers. Some opposition figures have accused the government of political opportunism, suggesting the reforms are a response to recent electoral pressures. The Government has not set specific targets for reducing net migration but has indicated a commitment to significant decreases. The effectiveness of these reforms will be closely monitored, with further adjustments possible based on their impact on the UK’s economy and society.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Radical reforms to reduce migration [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Radical reforms to reduce migration [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 May 2025.

    Britain’s failed immigration system will be radically reformed so the system is controlled, managed and fair under a landmark White Paper to be published tomorrow (Monday 12 May).

    The government inherited a chaotic immigration system that saw net migration soar to record levels – driven by a huge increase in overseas recruitment since 2020.

    The government is now delivering on the priorities of working people to bring down numbers, restore control of Britain’s borders and make the system work for the economy.

    The Immigration White Paper will deliver on its manifesto pledge to cut migration by training domestic workers, raising the bar on who can come to the UK and ending reliance on overseas labour.

    It will establish tough new controls to restore order to a failed system that saw net migration almost quadruple to one million between 2019 and 2023.

    New measures mean skills thresholds for work visas will be returned to degree level – reversing a system that saw the proportion of lower-skilled visas issued increase between 2021 and 2024.

    Meanwhile the government will end the chronic underinvestment in domestic skills that has hindered economic growth.

    We will support businesses to take on British workers through new industry workforce strategies, while introducing much tighter restrictions on recruitment for shortage occupations.

    Employers will first need to develop domestic training plans to boost British skills and recruitment levels – increasing productivity and living standards for working people in the UK.

    So migration works for the whole UK, the country will remain open to the best of international talent – enhancing economic growth – while ensuring skilled work for migration purposes must truly mean skilled work.

    The announcement follows major steps the government has already taken to crackdown on those exploiting the system and restoring order to the immigration system – ramping up removals to return 24,000 people with no right to be here since July 2024, the highest rate in eight years.

    But this government is going further. The White Paper establishes whole new approaches to migration across a range of areas – including work, study and family life – based on the principles of control, contribution and community cohesion.

    It delivers on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change to reduce the staggeringly high levels of immigration and replace Britain’s failing approach with a new plan that supports national security, economic renewal and restoring the confidence of the public.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    Migration must be properly controlled and managed so the system is fair. Instead, we’ve seen net migration quadruple in the space of just four years, driven especially by overseas recruitment.

    We inherited a failed immigration system where the previous government replaced free movement with a free market experiment.

    Employers were given much greater freedom to recruit from abroad while action on training fell.

    Overseas recruitment soared at the same time as big increases in the number of people not working or in education here in the UK.

    The last government lost control of the immigration system and there was no proper plan to tackle skills shortages here at home.

    This has undermined public confidence, distorted our labour market, and been really damaging for both our immigration system and our economy.

    Under our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to restore control and order to the immigration system, raise domestic training and skills, and bring down net migration while promoting economic growth.”

    Measures to be set out tomorrow include:

    • Raising the skilled visa threshold to RQF6 (graduate level) to reduce increasing numbers of lower-skilled workers coming to the UK – with salary thresholds reflecting the higher skill level.
    • For occupations below this level, access to the immigration system will be strictly time-limited, granted only on the basis of strong evidence of shortages which are critical to the industrial strategy and where workforce strategies are drawn up so employers also commit to increasing domestic skills and recruitment.
    • Establishing the Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) to inform understanding of where sectors are overly reliant on overseas labour and reverse underinvestment in domestic skills.

    For the first time it means that there will be a national approach to ensuring that action on skills, employer strategies and increasing UK workforce participation are the first response to labour market shortages rather than employers simply turning to immigration to fill gaps.

    Notes to editors

    • The Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) will be made up of the Industrial Strategy Council, Department of Work and Pensions, skills bodies and the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and make recommendations on where workforce strategies are needed.
    • These reforms are just part of government action to restore order, control and fairness to the system, and the full Immigration White Paper will be published in Parliament tomorrow.
  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments at Press Conference in Kyiv

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments at Press Conference in Kyiv

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, in Kyiv on 10 May 2025.

    Volodymyr, friends, it is a real pleasure to be here in Kyiv with you all. With Emmanuel, with Friedrich, and with Donald.

    This is Europe, stepping up, showing our solidarity with Ukraine, and also showing during this week when we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day that we understand the lessons of history.

    The lesson that any veteran of Normandy, of North Africa or any other campaign will tell you but that Putin has not yet grasped:

    There is no glory in aggression and conquest – glory comes from fighting for your country, defending your people, and winning the peace.

    And that is the message of this moment.

    Volodymyr, we stand with you to secure the just and lasting peace that Ukraine deserves.

    It’s almost two months now since you agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire. In that time Russia has launched some of the most deadly attacks on civilians of the entire war. Including here in Kyiv.

    Normal lives, homes, families destroyed.

    This is what Russia offers in place of peace along with delays and smokescreens – like the current 72 hour ceasefire.

    And so all of us here – together with the US – are calling Putin out.

    If he’s serious about peace then he has a chance to show it now – by extending the VE Day pause into a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire with negotiations to follow immediately, once a ceasefire is agreed.

    No more ifs and buts. No more conditions and delays. Putin didn’t need conditions when he wanted a ceasefire to have a parade. And he doesn’t need them now.

    Ukraine has shown their willingness to engage again and again. But again and again Putin has refused.

    So we are clear – all five leaders here, all the leaders of the meeting we just had with the Coalition of the Willing – an unconditional ceasefire rejecting Putin’s conditions. And clear that if he turns his back on peace, we will respond.

    Working with President Trump, with all our partners, we will ramp up sanctions and increase our military aid for Ukraine’s defence to pressure Russia back to the table.

    And that’s what we have been discussing today – as well as securing Ukraine’s future for the longer term.

    Convening the latest meeting of the Coalition of the Willing with partners joining virtually from around Europe and across the world – lining up to support Ukraine’s future strength and security, discussing operational plans and making concrete commitments of support across land, air and sea.

    We want to help Ukraine look to the future with confidence – so we’re working to boost Ukraine’s economy.

    And as a vital step, I’m pleased that UK experts have been on the ground leading work to support the resumption of flights into Ukraine, once a ceasefire is achieved.

    It will take time – but this will be a huge moment in reconnecting Ukraine’s economy, boosting investor confidence, and helping to reunite families separated by this war.

    Ukraine secure and thriving – that is what we all want to see.

    With our 100-year partnership, the Critical Minerals deal with the US, and our Coalition of the Willing, we are building the framework for peace in Ukraine to support a better future for the Ukrainian people.

    And to pledge once again, in our all interests, and on this anniversary, that aggression will never prevail on our continent.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : India and Pakistan – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : India and Pakistan – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2025.

    G7 foreign ministers gave a statement on India and Pakistan.

    Joint statement:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan. Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides.

    We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution.