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  • PRESS RELEASE : Leaders’ declaration on tackling migrant smuggling [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Leaders’ declaration on tackling migrant smuggling [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

    Leaders’ declaration on tackling migrant smuggling.

    We, the Leaders of the G7, reaffirm our enduring efforts to prevent and counter the smuggling of migrants. Taking stock of the G7 Leaders’ statements adopted in Apulia in 2024 and Kananaskis in 2025, we renew our commitment to preventing, countering and dismantling organised criminal networks that profit from the smuggling of migrants, the trafficking in persons and other related crimes, as well as to disrupting the business models of organised criminal enterprises. Partner countries of the G7, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, also support this declaration.

    Migrant smuggling and human trafficking constitute serious transnational crimes that erode the sovereign right of States to control their borders and expose smuggled and trafficked persons to life-threatening risks. We are committed to tackling organised illegal migration. We remain committed to fight against all forms of abuse and exploitation of migrants, ensuring protection of the most vulnerable, including refugees and forcibly displaced persons.

    Accordingly, we task our relevant Ministers to continue taking robust action to further deliver on the G7 Action Plan to Prevent and Counter the Smuggling of Migrants.

    We recognise ongoing work to adopt targeted sanctions and other restrictive measures against individuals and entities involved in migrant smuggling, including online, where consistent with our legal systems. In that regard, we recall our determination, expressed under the Canadian presidency, to intensify our cooperation with online platforms and relevant actors for them to detect, prevent and remove online content used to conduct smuggling operations.

    We will also deepen cooperation with countries of origin and transit to dismantle smuggling and trafficking networks, and to prevent organised illegal migration by strengthening our efforts to build stability in order to enable all individuals to live and thrive in their own countries, safeguarding their safety, rights and dignity, including through improved economic conditions.

    We note the obligations on States to accept return of their own nationals and to enhance processes to ensure timely, safe, lawful and dignified return of those with no legal right to stay in our territories. Respectful of national competences, we take note of new lawful approaches explored by some members with third countries to strengthen migration management.

    This declaration reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Leaders’ declaration on the fight against drug trafficking [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Leaders’ declaration on the fight against drug trafficking [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 July 2026.

    Leaders’ declaration on the fight against drug trafficking.

    We, the Leaders of the G7, are committed to intensifying our fight against drug trafficking. Partner countries of the G7, Brazil and the Republic of Korea, also support this declaration. Global drug trafficking has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by record levels of production, the adaptability of organised crime groups and the rise of global demand. It constitutes a major and increasing threat to national security fuelling corruption and violence.

    We recognize that tackling this transnational organised crime is fundamental for safeguarding our societies, the health of our populations, our economic prosperity and global security. These sophisticated illegal networks recognise no borders. They exploit international vulnerabilities – siphoning vital resources from our economies and weakening the democratic institutions upon which our free societies depend. International cooperation is key to support national efforts to address this threat.

    We reaffirm our determination to have joint and ambitious solutions to disrupt drug trafficking networks, with an evidence-based whole-of-government approach that includes the reduction of drug supply and demand, consistently with our shared values, norms and standards. We are committed to scaling up coordinated actions to prevent, investigate and prosecute all organised criminal groups, and to strengthening the resilience of our systems, in a comprehensive approach. In that regard, we emphasise the continued need to strengthen the global anti-money laundering architecture to prevent financial crime and improve enforcement and asset recovery outcomes, in line with the Financial Action Task Force standards.

    We are committed to taking action to:

    Strengthen maritime and port security to combat drug trafficking

    We recognise that maritime transport is the primary vector for global drug and precursor chemical trafficking. Building on the progress achieved during the Canadian presidency, we commit to strengthen our efforts to intensify our maritime cooperation in order to intercept more shipments of illicit drugs and to further strengthen the resilience of maritime ports and the whole global supply chains against drug trafficking and precursor flows.

    To that end, we will create a G7+ Ports Network to Combat Drug Trafficking to reinforce cooperation between G7 members and their partners’ main maritime ports in coordination with the European Ports Alliance, the European Coalition Against Drugs and similar initiatives. This G7+ initiative will aim to better coordinate, share information and implement best practices, including through possible joint field visits to port authorities and law enforcement agencies, building on international regulations, such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security of the International Maritime Organization and G7 initiatives. To this end, we will set up an Inventory of G7 Initiatives and Best Practices to Counter Drug and Precursor Chemical Trafficking in Ports.

    We task our relevant Ministers to implement the Network by November 2026 and to further strengthen the security of our ports against drug and precursor chemical trafficking, with a particular focus on broadening cooperation with the private sector and enhancing port and shipping security standards.

    Counter the infiltration of legitimate public and private institutions by criminal networks

    The infiltration of legitimate public and private institutions by criminal networks to facilitate international drug trafficking poses a real threat to our societies. It is becoming a central component of the economic model often employed by transnational organised crime groups.

    We are committed to decisively counter any attempt by criminal networks to infiltrate legitimate public and private institutions. We task our relevant Ministers to develop, by November 2026, a comprehensive G7 Action Plan against the infiltration of legitimate public and private institutions by drug trafficking networks and organised criminal groups.

    Support international and regional partners to combat drug production and transportation

    We commit to working together with international and regional partners to strengthen our collective approach to tackling drug use, production and trafficking. This includes working with partners to establish or strengthen national drug observatories, or similar entities, and early warning systems on drug consumption and trafficking, contributing to preparedness and evidence-based responses.

    Recognising that we must counter the production and the transportation of drugs, we welcome the organisation of the Regional Security Conference in the Caribbean in Martinique. We encourage participants to take concrete and ambitious enforcement actions to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking and arms trafficking networks.

    We will support relevant multilateral agencies and processes to further enhance global counternarcotics, including Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics Control Board, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the European Coalition Against Drugs.

    Enhance policy measures for reducing the demand and minimising the consequences of drug use on our communities

    We will spare no effort to reduce demand and minimise the adverse public health and social consequences of drug use. We will do so by adopting a comprehensive approach that includes awareness-raising and health measures for prevention, treatment, risk reduction and recovery. We will enhance awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing on emerging drug threats, support effective law enforcement and public health responses, and strengthen national drug observatories, or similar entities, and early warning mechanisms on new substances and consumption patterns, with a particular focus on those especially exposed.

    Tackle other forms of transnational organised crime and illicit financial flows associated with drug trafficking

    We recognise that drug trafficking networks perpetrate and profit from other forms of cross-border organised crime – including human trafficking – as well as fraud, corruption, money laundering, terrorist financing and related illicit financial flows. These criminal networks also often thrive from crimes that affect the environment, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

    We commit to disrupt the economic infrastructure enabling these illegal activities by strengthening financial investigations to trace, freeze, seize and confiscate associated proceeds and assets, including virtual assets. The follow-the-money approach must be systematically applied, supported by robust and secure information exchange between our respective law enforcement, judicial authorities and financial intelligence units. We will strengthen our collective actions to curb illicit finance, in line with the G7 Financial Crime Call to Action.

    This declaration reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK backs communities on the ocean’s front line with £13.9 million investment [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK backs communities on the ocean’s front line with £13.9 million investment [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 June 2026.

    The funding supports international programmes delivering for people and nature, from flood protection to tackling plastic pollution.

    Ocean ecosystems will be protected and resilience increased in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable coastal communities thanks to £13.9 million UK investment in new funding, Marine Minister Emma Hardy announced today at the eleventh Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.

    Channelled through the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, which marks its fifth anniversary this year, the investment will support three international programmes delivering measurable results for people and nature: PROBLUE, the World Bank’s Blue Economy Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) and the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP).

    PROBLUE is a World Bank-managed fund, supported by multiple donors, that partners with countries to protect and sustainably manage their marine resources.

    ORRAA brings together the finance sector, governments and civil society to develop new ways of investing in the protection of coastal communities and marine environments, particularly in developing countries.

    GPAP is the World Economic Forum’s flagship initiative on plastic pollution. It creates national partnerships that bring together governments, businesses and civil society to tackle plastic pollution and increase investment in waste management and the circular economy transition in over 20 countries.

    A £6.7 million contribution to PROBLUE, up to £2.2 million in additional ORRAA funding and £5 million for GPAP bring the UK’s total commitment to these programmes to over £86 million since 2021.

    Marine Minister Emma Hardy said:

    Behind every statistic is a community better protected from storms, a mangrove forest pulling carbon from the atmosphere, a family no longer at risk of losing their home to rising seas.

    This funding reaffirms the UK’s position at the forefront of international ocean protection. As climate pressures on our oceans intensify, investing in the resilience of coastal communities is not only the right thing to do, but essential.

    In São Tomé and Príncipe, one of the world’s smallest and most climate-exposed nations, UK-backed funding through PROBLUE is building coastal resilience. The programme is working to reduce flood risk for over 800 households and supporting 2000 people through job-focussed interventions. Every dollar of PROBLUE funding has unlocked more than three in wider World Bank investment.

    Off the Kenyan coast, ORRAA-supported work in Vanga Bay is pioneering a new approach to ocean finance: developing one of the world’s first marine biodiversity credit schemes in the global south, creating a sustainable income stream for coastal communities tied directly to the restoration and protection of seagrass ecosystems.

    Karen Sack, Executive Director of ORRAA, said:

    The UK’s Blue Planet Fund has been instrumental in supporting ORRAA’s work in developing an investable finance and insurance product pipeline that supports the resilience of climate vulnerable coastal communities in the Global South, and in building the Alliance.

    This latest wave of funding will be critical as we double-down and scale-up vital action for the health of the Ocean and the communities it supports.

    Clemence Schmid, Director, Global Plastic Action Partnership, World Economic Forum, said:

    Since 2018, the United Kingdom’s continued leadership and partnership have helped the Global Plastic Action Partnership grow into the world’s largest multistakeholder platform tackling plastic pollution, connecting a global community of partners with 25 National Plastic Action Partnerships that translate global ambition into local action.

    At a pivotal moment for the global plastics treaty, this renewed commitment will help strengthen this network. This includes NPAP Kenya, which we are proud to launch at the Our Ocean Conference this week, helping unlock investment, create jobs and accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy.

    We are grateful to the United Kingdom for its continued leadership in advancing the global circular plastics agenda.

    UK Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis OBE said:

    Our ocean is fundamental to life on Earth and this investment will deliver real, measurable benefits for marine nature, from seagrass meadows to coral reefs that shelter extraordinary biodiversity.  

    Tackling plastic pollution, restoring coastal ecosystems and building the finance mechanisms that make long-term marine protection viable are all essential steps in halting and reversing the decline of ocean nature.  

    The UK’s continued leadership through the Blue Planet Fund shows what is possible when we treat the ocean crisis with the urgency it deserves.

    Whilst in Kenya, Minister Hardy also signed a High-Level Global Commitment on Protecting Climate Resilient Coral Reefs on behalf of the UK and its Overseas Territories. The commitment calls on signatories to integrate reef protection into national plans, reduce local pressures on reefs, and mobilise global finance to support their conservation. This builds on the UK’s support of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, which is helping to scale businesses that build sustainable livelihoods and protect coral reefs in critical locations across the globe. 

    These announcement form part of the UK’s broader engagement at a pivotal moment for international ocean and environmental diplomacy, ahead of the first Conference of the Parties to the High Seas Treaty, CBD COP17 and UNFCCC COP31 later this year.

    Delivering this work globally helps protect the UK’s own interests by supporting healthier seas, strengthening food security, and building resilience to climate impacts, recognising that our economy, environment and wellbeing all depend on a thriving natural world.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister secures major jobs and energy investment at G7 to deliver growth and security at home [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister secures major jobs and energy investment at G7 to deliver growth and security at home [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

    Prime Minister secures major jobs and energy investment at G7 to deliver growth and security at home.

    • £1.3 billion in new investment secured from leading companies in France and India to back clean energy and AI projects in the UK
    • More than 1,400 new jobs to be created in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham
    • Major new battery storage and clean power projects to boost energy security and help bring down bills for working people

    The Prime Minister will unveil a major package of international investment into the UK economy at the G7 Summit, delivering more than a thousand jobs, strengthening energy security and helping to bring down costs for working people.

    The deal includes major investments from French and Indian firms into Britain’s clean energy infrastructure and AI sector – backing high-skilled jobs in cities including Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham while helping deliver more stable and affordable energy.

    At a time of rising global instability, including conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Prime Minister is using the summit to work with partners to reduce pressures on household bills, strengthen supply chains and unlock new opportunities for British workers.

    Today’s investments come as the Prime Minister meets world leaders to drive growth and security at home in an increasingly uncertain global context. They include:

    • £25 million investment from Indian based tech firm Hexaware Technologies to expand its UK operations, creating around 1,200 jobs in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham in AI, digital services and quantum technologies
    • £1 billion from InfraVia to invest in a pipeline of battery storage and flexible energy projects across the UK — helping ensure electricity remains available when demand is high, and keeping the grid stable and affordable
    • More than £300 million from Atri Energy Transition to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing creating more than 100 jobs and supporting the UK’s clean energy future

    Together, these investments will support high-skilled jobs, strengthen the UK’s energy independence, and help protect households from volatile global energy prices.

    The government is determined to accelerate the shift to homegrown power, reducing reliance on international fossil fuel markets and helping deliver more stable, affordable energy for families and businesses over the long term.

    Today’s announcement cements the UK’s leadership in clean energy, with the government having secured £90 billion in private investment into renewable projects since taking office.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The world is more dangerous than it has been for a generation, with conflict abroad washing up on our shores.

    That’s why I’m focused on making the UK the best place to do business by offering global investors the stability and competitive environment they need to grow, even in the face of global uncertainty.

    These investments will create thousands of high-skilled jobs, back British innovation and strengthen our energy system so families are better protected from global shocks.

    The announcements also underline the UK’s standing as a leading destination for investment, particularly in new and emerging industries such as AI and clean energy and build on the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

    Hexaware Technologies, which is based in India, is set to expand its presence in the UK through the expansion of its delivery centre in Birmingham and establishment of its R&D Centres in Manchester and Leeds. The investment will support innovation at scale in new and emerging technologies including AI and quantum computing and is expected to create around 1,200 jobs over the next three to five years, supported by £25 million in capital investment.

    Atri Energy Transition – an India-based clean energy investor – will invest more than £300 million in the UK to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing. This includes new facilities supporting more than 100 jobs and helping store energy so it can be used when demand is highest. This will strengthen the UK’s energy security and help protect households from spikes in global energy prices.

    InfraVia’s £1 billion investment will fund a pipeline of projects across the UK, including battery storage and a flexible energy platform that can be switched on to boost supply when renewable energy is low. In practice, this means a more reliable electricity system that can keep the lights on during periods of high demand, helping to stabilise energy prices and reduce the risk of sudden spikes in household bills.

    CEO of Hexaware Technologies Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan said:

    Hexaware has worked alongside businesses in the UK for more than three decades. We have very high ambitions for our growth, creating impact in the UK and proudly supporting the Government’s inclusive vision for AI. 

    Our investments are focused on developing young talent, working with unique published datasets, and collaborating with government at all levels across the country to create a positive impact for the citizens of the UK. These investments in AI research, digital innovation for citizen services, and talent incubation will create meaningful social impact while fuelling and accelerating the UK’s long-term economic growth.

    CEO & Founder of InfraVia Capital Partners Vincent Levita said:

    We believe the launch of Supernova Power is the kind of investment the UK needs as it moves towards a more electrified, digital and low-carbon economy. 

    As digital infrastructure, EV and the wider electrification of industry increase pressure on power systems, flexible generation and battery storage will be essential to maintaining energy security, strengthening grid resilience and enabling more renewable power to come online. This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK’s energy infrastructure market and testimony on the stability of its regulation and commitment towards renewable energy.

    The Prime Minister is working with G7 partners to ease pressures on global energy markets, including efforts to stabilise key shipping routes and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East to help bring down costs for households.

    By securing investment through international engagement, the Government is delivering tangible benefits at home – from new jobs and investment in communities to stronger energy security and lower household bills.

  • PRESS RELEASE : AI tool to slash planning decision times as government accelerates push to build 1.5 million homes [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI tool to slash planning decision times as government accelerates push to build 1.5 million homes [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 June 2026.

    Millions of homeowners could benefit from faster planning decisions, as 2 new AI tools are unveiled to modernise England’s planning permission system.

    • New AI prototype that aims to halve decision times for routine planning applications is now being tested in three English counties
    • Smart use of AI will support plans to modernise England’s planning system and build 1.5 million homes this Parliament
    • Complements existing AI that converts decades of historic planning records into digital data in minutes, which is now available to every council in England

    Millions of homeowners waiting for permission to extend their homes, convert lofts or make other improvements could see faster decisions, with 2 new AI tools unveiled today (Wednesday 17 June) to modernise England’s planning system.

    The first is a new AI prototype that aims to halve the time it takes to process householder planning applications – down from 8, to 4 weeks in an average case.

    It is in early stage testing with Barnet, Camden and Dorset councils. The prototype triages applications, summarises key information and provides planning officers with an initial assessment they can consider when making their decision. It has been created by government together with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local planning authorities.

    The second is that another tool, Extract, is now available to all councils in England as promised by the Prime Minister last year.  It uses AI to help planning officers convert decades-old planning documents and maps, sometimes with handwritten notes, into readily useable data in minutes.

    Householder applications account for nearly 70% of planning applications each year. By reducing the time spent on straightforward cases, the prototype being tested in Barnet, Camden and Dorset could help planning officers focus more on complex applications, including new housing and major developments communities rely on.

    If successful, the technology will be rolled out nationwide by 2027 – with every assessment reviewed and approved by a qualified planning officer before any decision is made.

    The announcement marks another step in the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and use technology to improve public services.

    Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government Ian Murray said:

    When someone wants to add a bedroom or convert their loft, they shouldn’t be waiting months for a straightforward decision. And planning officers shouldn’t be spending hours digging through decades of paper records when making the decisions that really matter.

    These tools give planning officers better support to make quicker decisions – and give families the answers they deserve, faster.

    This isn’t about replacing the expertise and judgement of planning professionals; it’s about taking admin off their desks so they can focus on the skilled work their communities need most.

    Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:

    Our planning system remains heavily reliant on cumbersome paper-based processes that consume the time of expert planning officers and cause delays on even the most routine types of application.

    We are dragging the system into the twenty-first century by harnessing the power of AI to streamline the planning application process, freeing up planners to make quicker and better decisions and reducing unnecessary delays.

    Cllr Ross Houston, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration at Barnet Council, said:

    Barnet has one of the busiest Planning Departments in the country. This new AI-Augmented Planning Decisions tool could significantly reduce the time it takes the council to process householder planning applications submitted by residents. Early participation in this programme has given Barnet a direct influence on the design and development of the tool, which could fundamentally change how planning decisions are supported across England. It is also an important opportunity to gain hands‑on experience of AI‑assisted planning.

    From today, Extract is now available to all local planning authorities in England. It will slash the estimated 250,000 hours a year spent by planning officers manually checking these documents. Digitising and publishing these documents, as data, helps officers and the public access high-quality planning data more easily, and create the right foundation for the next generation of tools that could dramatically reduce delays that plague the system.

    Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on checking old documents. For every application, planning officers must check the local planning rules that apply, many of which are hidden away in hundreds of pages of documents, before reaching a decision.

    This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding. It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process, reduce costs and save time for councils and developers.

    It comes as the government laid regulations in Parliament earlier this month to overhaul planning committees – speeding up decisions on small planning applications, such as larger home extensions and loft conversions, through a new National Scheme of Delegation. 

    Marc Warner, CEO of Faculty, CTO of Accenture, said:

    For decades, England’s gummed up planning system has slowed families seeking simple home improvements – like new windows, or attic conversions.

    By using AI to support planning officers with clear recommendations – with humans retaining final sign off – we will help cut approval times on simple renovations in half.

    This will give councils more time and resource to focus on the bigger infrastructure projects that will improve communities and drive economic growth.

    Lila Ibrahim, Chief AI Readiness Officer, Google DeepMind said:  ​​​

    The UK has an opportunity to build the homes our communities need, but local councils face a mountain of paperwork.

    That’s why we’re co-creating a sophisticated planning tool directly with councils to solve real-world bottlenecks. This will help significantly cut decision times, freeing up planners to focus on the future to get Britain building faster.

    Following trials across 20 local planning authorities in England including Exeter and Hillingdon, Extract is expected to save the average council around 255 hours of manual work digesting documents into digital form. This is down from more than 500 – giving staff more valuable time back to focus on complex work that delivers value for the communities they serve.

    Last year the Prime Minister announced that Extract would be made available to every local planning authority in England by Spring 2026 – today the government is delivering on that commitment.  

    Extract was developed by the government’s expert applied AI team, the Incubator for AI (i.AI), working with MHCLG’s Digital Planning programme. You can read more about i.AI’s work on https://ai.gov.uk/.

    Notes to editors 

    APD is being developed under an MHCLG contract with Google  Cloud, Google DeepMind, and UK AI company Faculty as delivery partners. Alpha trials began in May 2026.

    MHCLG is funding APD (Augmented Planning Decisions) with an £8.2million contract with Google Cloud, Google DeepMind and delivery partner Faculty.

    Subject to successful results, the government expects to expand trials to up to 10 additional councils later in 2026, with national rollout planned from 2027.

    You can find out more about Extract at: Extract – Check and provide your planning data including a video demonstration. It is available for use by local authorities.. It is a specialist tool to support planning officers and council workers; it does not replace them.

    As part of Extract’s rollout, the goal is that three national planning datasets – Article 4 Directions, Conservation Areas, and Tree Preservation Orders – will be published on the Planning Data Platform.

    AI support for householder applications will help planning officers to make recommendations; people will remain the final decision makers.

    Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted in England every year. Householder applications make up the majority of local planning authority workloads.

    Maureen Costello, Vice President, UK, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa, at Google Cloud said:

    True digital transformation happens when advanced innovation is built on a resilient, secure foundation. Google Cloud is proud to partner with the UK Government to bring AI out of the lab and into production-ready public services to deliver faster outcomes for councils nationwide.

    Graham Stallwood, Interim Chief Executive at the Planning Inspectorate said: 

    The Planning Inspectorate is following closely the work being led by MHCLG and Local Authorities to enable greater use of new AI-enabled tools like Extract and the Augmented Planning Decisions Prototype. 

     AI guidance provided by the Planning Inspectorate upholds public and professional responsibility for the information generated and supports human control and oversight. We will keep our guidance under review to maintain this ‘golden rule’ for AI use, as this technology improves and we understand more about the impact on any casework.

    Mike Keily, Chair of the Planning Officers Society said:

    The Planning Officers Society welcomes this key announcement along our Digital Planning journey. Extract is a game changing tool as it unlocks the data trapped in PDFs and makes it available in digital form to be used by AI and other systems. We look forward to future announcements from MHCLG as their investment bears fruit.

    Sarah McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) said:  

    ADEPT welcomes digital advancements that support efficiency, transparency and effective decision-making. By embracing innovative technologies, local authorities can streamline processes and deliver improved outcomes for communities and businesses. Digital innovation enables more collaborative, accessible and future-focused planning, helping towns and communities adapt to changing needs, while supporting economic growth, environmental responsibility and high-quality place-making.

    Dr Wei Yang OBE, CEO at the Digital Task Force for Planning said:

    High-quality, standardised planning data is essential for a modern planning system. Extract can help local planning authorities accelerate the transition from document-based processes to data-enabled planning by making it easier to convert existing planning information into usable digital data. This represents an important step forward in improving efficiency, transparency and evidence-based decision-making across the planning system.

    Rachel Fisher, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said:

    While some of the UK’s planning departments are ahead of the digital curve, not everyone is applying the most up-to-date technology. ‘Extract’ will therefore be a refreshing update to a local planning authority’s toolbox, which can sometimes feel out of date and unfit for purpose in today’s digital landscape.

    With the ability to draw on robust datasets, this new tool could help planners make better-informed decisions. While a planner’s work should never be fully autonomous, tools that help alleviate pressure from hard-working local authorities while helping planners deliver better outcomes for their communities are always welcome.

    RIBA President, Chris Williamson, said:

    Given our research at the end of last year showed that 80% of practices were experiencing significant project delays due to planning system backlogs, with over 10% abandoning projects entirely, we welcome the Government’s willingness to experiment with AI to help speed up applications. This is an exciting opportunity for local planning authorities to benefit from the efficiencies AI can bring to digitise applications, while maintaining the critical human oversight of architects and planners within teams to ensure high-design quality.

  • NEWS STORY : Government Faces Fresh Questions Over Troubled Social Media Ban

    NEWS STORY : Government Faces Fresh Questions Over Troubled Social Media Ban

    STORY

    The Government is facing fresh questions over its planned ban on social media access for under-16s after Ofcom warned that it needs more resources and clearer legal definitions to enforce the policy. The ban is due to come into force from spring 2027 and would prevent major social media platforms from offering services to children under 16.

    The Times reported that Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s director of online safety, had raised concerns about the practical challenges of enforcing the ban, including the need for clarity over which services would be covered. Questions have also been raised over how platforms will verify the age of younger users, with ministers expected to set out further details on age-checking measures in the coming months.

    The policy has also drawn concern from the advertising and technology sectors. The Guardian reported that the ban could lead to a £1.3 billion fall in UK digital advertising spend, with platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook expected to lose access to a significant teenage audience. Ministers have said the measure is needed to protect children online, but the latest concerns add to scrutiny over whether the legislation can be implemented effectively and questions on whether a rushed timetable would lead to mistakes.

  • NEWS STORY : Liberal Democrats Urge Labour to Change Course on EU Relations

    NEWS STORY : Liberal Democrats Urge Labour to Change Course on EU Relations

    STORY

    The Liberal Democrats have urged Labour to change its approach to relations with the European Union, calling for the UK to rejoin the single market through the European Free Trade Association and negotiate a new customs union with the bloc. Ed Davey is expected to argue that the Government’s current position is too limited to deliver major economic benefits.

    The party has said Labour should drop its red lines on the single market and customs union, arguing that Brexit continues to affect trade, labour supply and the wider economy. The proposal would involve politically difficult questions, including the issue of free movement, which EU officials have consistently linked to full single market participation.

    Labour has rejected rejoining the single market or customs union and has instead pursued more limited agreements with the EU, including cooperation on food and veterinary checks, professional qualifications and security. The debate comes ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum and amid renewed scrutiny of the economic consequences of leaving the EU.

  • NEWS STORY : BBC Faces Questions After Ashley Cain Misogyny Claims

    NEWS STORY : BBC Faces Questions After Ashley Cain Misogyny Claims

    STORY

    The BBC is facing further questions over its vetting of presenters after the Guardian reported that Ashley Cain had previously used abusive and misogynistic language about women on social media. Cain presents the BBC Three documentary series Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, which was commissioned for a second series after the corporation praised his ability to connect with young male audiences.

    The Guardian said Cain had used offensive terms about women in posts on X, formerly Twitter, before he began working with the BBC. The newspaper also reported that he had sent abusive messages to female users and made remarks about violence and degrading sexual behaviour. Cain did not respond to the Guardian’s requests for comment, while the BBC said it expected high standards from everyone working with or for the corporation and would consider the information carefully.

    The report comes after a series of controversies involving BBC presenters and follows an external review of BBC workplace culture, which found that unacceptable behaviour by a minority of people within the corporation was not always addressed. The Guardian said the revelations could create an early test for the BBC’s new director general Matt Brittin, who joined the corporation last month.

  • NEWS STORY : British Council Faces Further Cuts Over Covid-Era Loan, Watchdog Says

    NEWS STORY : British Council Faces Further Cuts Over Covid-Era Loan, Watchdog Says

    STORY

    The British Council faces further job losses and the possible closure of operations in 11 countries as it works to repay a £197 million Covid-era Government loan, according to reporting on a National Audit Office assessment. The organisation, which promotes UK culture and education overseas, has faced continuing financial pressure since the pandemic.

    The watchdog said the British Council remained loss-making and was not expected to return to profit until 2029-30. The loan was provided after the pandemic severely affected income from exams, teaching and other services which had previously helped fund the organisation’s international work.

    The findings raise further questions about the future funding of one of the UK’s main soft-power institutions. The British Council operates at arm’s length from Government but relies on public support as well as commercial income to maintain cultural, educational and diplomatic activity overseas.

  • NEWS STORY : Swiss Poll Shows Support for New EU Agreement

    NEWS STORY : Swiss Poll Shows Support for New EU Agreement

    STORY

    A new poll in Switzerland has found support for a proposed agreement to deepen economic ties with the European Union by a margin of around two to one. The agreement would represent one of the most significant changes in Swiss-EU relations for a generation.

    The package covers areas including state aid, transport, free movement and the way Switzerland updates EU-linked laws connected to access to the single market. The agreement has been under discussion in the Swiss Parliament and would be put to voters in a referendum if approved by lawmakers.

    The Swiss People’s Party opposes the deal, citing concerns about EU bureaucracy, wages and immigration. Supporters argue that stable relations with the EU are important for Swiss businesses, including the pharmaceutical sector, which relies heavily on access to European markets.