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  • PRESS RELEASE : Major step forward in Sunderland’s city centre regeneration journey as Homes England invest £27.7m to unlock Sheepfolds neighbourhood [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major step forward in Sunderland’s city centre regeneration journey as Homes England invest £27.7m to unlock Sheepfolds neighbourhood [August 2026]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 6 August 2026.

    Latest investment will unlock the delivery of over 350 new homes in Riverside Sunderland, as partnership working between North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Homes England enters new chapter.

    A major step forward in the transformation of Riverside Sunderland has been confirmed, with Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, backing the Sheepfolds neighbourhood through a £27.7 million investment.

    The funding will help transform the former industrial site, set to be the largest residential neighbourhood with more than 350 homes as part of Riverside Sunderland, with £10 million already invested by the North East Mayor to complement Homes England’s funding package.

    The announcement is the latest example of close collaboration between local authorities, Homes England and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, which recently announced a new delivery partnership to accelerate growth and house building across the North East.

    The partnership includes a joint Major Projects Delivery Unit – one of the first arrangements of its kind in England and the first of its scale in the North East – bringing together expertise, resources and leadership from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Homes England and local authority partners to unlock complex sites, support major developments and drive forward the region’s growth ambitions.

    Tom Bridges, Executive Regional Director, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, at Homes England, said:     

    Our long-standing partnership with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Sunderland City Council continues to deliver real results for local people. This latest funding will enable delivery of the next phase of Riverside Sunderland, one of the most exciting and impressive regeneration projects in England. It will unlock much-needed new homes on brownfield land in the heart of Sunderland and create a vibrant new neighbourhood that connects people to their city centre.  

    We’re building on the great momentum already created by the delivery of Keel Crossing and our wider regeneration efforts throughout the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to transform the city centre for the people of Sunderland.

    Cllr Chris Eynon, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said:

    We’re delighted to have secured funding from Homes England that will enable delivery of infrastructure and public realm that will accelerate housing delivery, improve connectivity, and ensure the neighbourhood is fully integrated with the city centre and surrounding communities. 

    This investment marks another major milestone in delivering our vision for Riverside Sunderland.  Sheepfolds is a key part of our plans to create new homes, jobs and opportunities in the heart of the city, and its connectivity to the former Vaux site, through to the high street and wider city centre means this is a vital next step in our journey to regenerate the whole urban heart of Sunderland.

    North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: 

    Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, and my Plan for Homes is a huge step towards making that happen. We’re committed to building 15,000 new social and affordable homes right across the region in the next decade. 

    But we’re already investing to make that happen. We’re transforming derelict sites, like the one at Sheepfolds, with a vibrant new neighbourhood. It’s just shows that we’re ambitious with our plans for Sunderland whether that’s backing Crown Works Studios, regenerating the city centre or building new affordable homes.” 

    The new Sheepfolds neighbourhood will support Sunderland City Council’s wider ambition to deliver more than 1,000 new homes across the city centre and forms part of the Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone, playing a pivotal role in repopulating and reenergising the city. 

    Homes England’s latest investment will enable the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and public realm across the neighbourhood, including new roads, utilities and active travel routes that are essential to support residential development, while enhancing connectivity between the city centre and surrounding communities.  

    The new works will build on the success of the Keel Crossing pedestrian footbridge, opened last year and unlocked by Homes England funding, which connects the planned housing development and popular nearby leisure venue Sheepfolds Stables to the heart of the city centre.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK continues crackdown on Russia with tough new sanctions [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK continues crackdown on Russia with tough new sanctions [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 August 2026.

    The UK government continues to demonstrate unwavering support for Ukraine as Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband unleashes his first major Russia sanctions package.

    • Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband steps up UK action against Russia, with new sanctions targeting the Kremlin’s military machine, oil and gas revenues and ageing shadow fleet.  
    • Government continues to support Ukraine after the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary welcomed President Zelenskyy to the UK last week. 

    Russian banks, shadow fleet ships and shady businesses have been slapped with UK sanctions for their role in Russia’s barbaric war on Ukraine. 

    In his first major sanctions package, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has reinforced the UK’s commitment to the people of Ukraine by announcing new measures against those supporting the Kremlin’s war effort. 

    The package targets individuals and businesses enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine, further constraining the networks and revenue streams on which the Kremlin relies. 

    Among the 19 targets sanctioned today are six Russian banks propping up its war economy, six newly acquired shadow fleet tankers responsible for dodging Western sanctions and four Russian companies importing tantalum and niobium, rare metals critical for producing military equipment used on the battlefield in Ukraine. 

    Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    Today’s new sanctions demonstrate the UK’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine and bearing down on those propping up the Kremlin’s aggression. 

    Ukraine’s fight is our fight. Those that threaten Ukraine’s freedom and democracy are a threat to Britain’s security at home. That’s why we will continue stepping up the pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace has been reached.

    Today’s action further builds on the Foreign Secretary’s work on Ukraine since taking office. In recent weeks he has held his first bilateral call in the role with Foreign Minister Sybiha, attended the ASEAN conference in Manila where discussions focussed on support for Ukraine and joined the Prime Minister in Portsmouth last week to host President Zelenskyy, where the UK announced support for cutting-edge drone capabilities to bolster Ukraine’s frontline defences. 

    Yesterday the Foreign Secretary travelled to Washington DC where he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions focused on efforts to maintain pressure on Russia and underlined that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from European and transatlantic security.

    Chancellor John Healey MP said: 

    Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute. 

    That’s why we’re introducing new tougher sanctions to choke off the funds that fuel Putin’s illegal war and are targeting his shadow fleet. 

    And the UK will continue to step up our action against Russia and its shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability.

    This year alone the UK has imposed sanctions on over 500 individuals, entities and ships under its Russia sanctions regime, and today’s decisive action sends a clear signal that the UK will not let up on its efforts to hold Russia to account and support Ukraine for as long as it takes. 

    The UK government has now sanctioned over 3,400 individuals, entities and ships under the Russia sanctions regime. The latest measures form part of the UK’s ongoing effort to defend European and NATO security and weaken Russia’s ability to continue waging war in Ukraine. 

    Notes to editors: 

    Designations and specifications: 

    1. FRION SHIP MANAGEMENT LLP 
    2. NORTHERN ENGINEERING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY  
    3. IMO 9402263 (ASTERAS)   
    4. IMO 9326811 (PERSEAS)   
    5. IMO 9470131 (TORVIAN)   
    6. IMO 9378864 (VISUND)   
    7. IMO 9346885 (ZENTURO)    
    8. IMO 9333591 (ARCTIC EXPRESS) 
    9. LLC OZON BANK  
    10. JSC REALIST BANK  
    11. JSC TELEPORT BANK  
    12. PJSC BANK STAVR  
    13. PJSC COMMERCIAL BANK “CENTER-INVEST”  
    14. STATE SPECIALISED RUSSIAN EXPORT-IMPORT BANK (JSC)  
    15. LLC METALLKOMPLEKT   
    16. LLC NIKOM  
    17. LLC TECHNOLUX  
    18. LLC PROMSIZ  
    19. Alexander Aleksandrovich ZHDANOV
  • PRESS RELEASE : Bloomsbury Institute’s student sponsor licence revoked [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bloomsbury Institute’s student sponsor licence revoked [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 6 August 2026.

    The Bloomsbury Institute, a higher education provider in central London, has had its licence to sponsor international students revoked after failing to meet the Basic Compliance Assessment. 

    The Basic Compliance Assessment is an annual check that all sponsors must pass, measuring visa refusal rates, course enrolment and completion. 

    At the time of the assessment, sponsors were required to meet three thresholds: a visa refusal rate of less than 10%, an enrolment rate of at least 90%, and a course completion rate of at least 85%.  

    The assessment was carried out under thresholds that applied before the compliance standards were strengthened on 1 June 2026.  

    The Bloomsbury Institute would also have failed to meet the new, stricter standards. 

    Failure to meet these standards represents a serious breach of its duties as an international student sponsor, and as a result, its licence was revoked on Wednesday 5 August. 

    Student sponsors must meet the standards required to retain their licence. Where standards are not met, the Home Office will take action to protect students and the integrity of the immigration system.  

    The Bloomsbury Institute has been removed from the Register of Student Sponsors and can no longer sponsor new international students under the Student Route.  

    Support for existing students 

    The Home Office’s priority is to minimise disruption for international students already enrolled at the Bloomsbury Institute.  

    Existing students will not be affected immediately, and the Bloomsbury Institute will be permitted to continue teaching its current sponsored students for a short period.  

    A small number of students are expected to be unable to complete their course within that window and they will be supported to transfer to another institution. If they choose not to, they will need to apply for another visa route for which they are eligible or leave the UK.  

    The Home Office will work with the institution, the Department for Education, the Office for Students, and relevant sector bodies throughout this process. 

    Students studying at the Bloomsbury Institute who are not on a Student Visa, including international students with other forms of permission and domestic students, are not affected by the revocation. 

    Further advice for affected students will be available shortly and students can also speak to the Bloomsbury Institute directly. 

    About the Basic Compliance Assessment 

    All institutions licensed to sponsor international students on a Student Visa must pass an annual Basic Compliance Assessment.  

    The assessment measures three metrics: the rate at which visa applications from sponsored students are refused, the proportion of sponsored students who enrol on their course, and the proportion who complete it. 

    Institutions that fail the BCA face enforcement action, up to and including revocation of their licence. 

    From 1 June 2026, the government further strengthened Student Visa compliance standards. Visa refusal rates must be below 5%; course enrolment rate must be at least 95%, and course completion rate must be at least 85%. For assessments submitted from June 2027, the course completion threshold will rise to at least 90%.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Global Talent visa expanded to attract world’s brightest researchers to power British innovation [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Global Talent visa expanded to attract world’s brightest researchers to power British innovation [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 6 August 2026.

    More than 100 innovative research companies can now support the world’s brightest researchers to come and work in the UK through the Global Talent visa.

    • Global names like AstraZeneca and JLR, as well as fast-growing innovators, will benefit from a bigger pool of leading scientists and engineers. 
    • Move cements Britain as top destination for the world’s best talent, enabling innovative businesses to scale and stay in the UK, and laying the foundations for skilled jobs and economic growth in every postcode. 

    An expansion of the Global Talent visa announced today (Thursday 6 August) will give more than 100 of the UK’s most innovative companies the ability to support some of the world’s best scientists and engineers to come to live and work in the UK, unlocking a wave of international talent. 

    The move will help secure the arrival of some of the world’s best and brightest to drive breakthroughs in clean energy, life sciences and AI, while helping key businesses to innovate, scale and stay in the UK, in one more step towards reindustrialising Britain.  

    For the first time, exceptional researchers coming to the UK to work on funded projects can be supported in their move by UK research intensive businesses thanks to the country’s premier visa route for research talent. 

    This move isn’t just about attracting the best researchers from around the world. Bringing in top talent from abroad will enable businesses to undertake cutting-edge R&D projects here in the UK – projects which support jobs for British workers.

    Having already helped over 12,500 talented people from more than 130 countries build their research careers in Britain via the endorsed funder pathway, this expansion of the Global Talent visa route means some of the UK’s most innovative companies can now host top researchers alongside higher education, academic and independent research institutes and bodies.

    World-leading talent brings the ideas, skills and investment that spark entirely new industries, spin out British companies, and create thousands of skilled jobs for workers across the UK. Welcoming the brightest minds drives good growth and opportunity for people in every part of the country, bolstering this government’s effort to make Britain better off.

    The Global Talent visa recognises talented individuals at all career stages who have already proven themselves, including through a number of fast-track pathways – a leading academic appointment, a competitive fellowship, or being named on a funded research grant – so the UK can move quickly to welcome the world’s best. This comes alongside a peer-review pathway for established or potential research leaders who do not hold an eligible appointment, fellowship or research grant.  

    Today’s expansion means that talented research individuals can now be supported by over 100 commercial research businesses, alongside the already approved universities and research institutes. This will include global names like AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover as well as fast-growing innovators, including Added Value Solutions (AVS), Denroy Plastics and Ffilm Cymru. 

    These are innovators at the forefront of developing sustainable technologies of the future like nuclear fusion, creating life changing medicines, putting Britain at the cutting edge of the car industry, and establishing the UK’s leadership in the use of technology in creative industries. 

    Top international talent, whose expertise is recognised through a research grant, will be empowered to boost the UK’s science and tech sector by switching to a new firm, or starting their own spin out. It means more world class researchers choosing Britain to unlock new discoveries in the technologies of the future, from life-saving medicines to quantum computing – supporting the skilled jobs and investment that fuels economic growth in every part of the country. 

    Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, said:  

    The UK is already a magnet for the world’s most brilliant minds – and the discoveries they make here change lives and grow our economy.  

    By expanding the Global Talent visa to more than 100 businesses, we’re making it easier than ever for our most innovative companies to recruit eligible researchers who will develop the medicines, technologies and industries of the future right here in the UK, underpinning our industrial strategy, creating skilled jobs and driving growth in the process.

    UKRI International, Talent and Skills Champion, Professor Christopher Smith, said: 

    By providing a route for exceptional researchers to work in and contribute to the UK, the Global Talent visa is playing an important role in our mission to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth. 

    The expansion of the Global Talent visa to innovative businesses across the country will ensure these benefits are felt across more of the country and in a wide range of sectors, from medicines and AI to the creative and cultural economy.

    The R&D companies covered by the expansion each fall into the eight high-growth sectors identified in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy – including advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, clean energy, life sciences and the creative industries – where access to global talent is critical. 

    Today’s expansion to the Global Talent visa is in addition to the change made in April to simplify the visa’s fast-track academic appointments route to cover all roles at approved UK institutions in academic, research or innovation leadership and development, and all PhD-level roles performing research and innovation as a primary function. These changes support our world-leading research base in attracting the best talent at all career stages, including researchers with high potential in the early stages of their career, to come to the UK. 

    In a further boost to innovative British businesses, the government is preparing to broaden the Future Technology Research and Innovation (FTRI) scheme. This is a UKRI-run scheme under the Government Authorised Exchange visa route that enables eligible UK companies, working on critical technologies, to host international researchers, scientists, interns and technical specialists for research, training and work placements of up to two years.  

    The forthcoming expansion will open FTRI to a wider range of R&D focused businesses, giving more companies in priority technology sectors – like AI, quantum and engineering biology – a way to tap into specialist international expertise. These could be early-career scientists gaining hands-on experience, to seasoned specialists collaborating on cutting-edge projects. 

    Faster, more flexible routes for early-career and experienced researchers are part of the wider government strategy to attract the world’s best to UK shores. Through the £54 million Global Talent Fund, we are helping to bring new research group leaders to the UK – driving breakthroughs in clean energy, life sciences and advanced technologies. This has brought 18 leading researchers to the UK so far, each pursuing work key to the UK’s Industrial Strategy.  

    This is in addition to launching the Global Talent Taskforce – a dedicated resource to identify and attract top international talent to lay down roots in the UK through a dedicated concierge service. 

    Oliver Buckley-Mellor, UK Competitiveness Senior Policy Manager at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said:  

    The UK’s Global Talent visa is one of the most globally competitive routes of its kind, but its potential to boost British science and economic growth was not being fully realised.  

    By opening the endorsed funder route to research-intensive businesses, including several ABPI members, the government is helping to address a key gap in our global talent offer.  

    We were glad to work with UKRI on this expansion, which is a welcome first step that should be built on enable more exceptional global talent to come to the UK.

    Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director, UKQuantum, said: 

    Attracting world‑class international talent is critical to sustaining the UK’s momentum in quantum. UKQuantum is delighted to have worked with UKRI to expand the Global Talent Visa scheme to the high‑growth quantum companies operating in the UK, strengthening the sector’s ability to attract world‑class expertise.

    Kate Barclay MBE, Skills Consultant, BioIndustry Association, said: 

    Our sector thrives on world‑class talent, and the UK’s ability to compete globally depends on attracting and retaining the very best. By supporting our members to take part in this Global Talent visa expansion with UKRI, we are helping innovative life sciences and biotech companies directly access the specialist skills and international experience they need to scale.  

    This expansion is a vital, practical opportunity for BIA members to help shape a more agile, responsive immigration system that reflects the realities of a fast‑moving, high-growth industry.

    Steve Brierley, CEO and founder of Riverlane, said: 

    Riverlane is a Cambridge-born company solving one of the hardest problems in computing today: making quantum computers reliable enough to be useful. Building the team to do that means competing for a small pool of world-class talent across borders.  

    The Global Talent visa gives us a fast, flexible route to bring the best people to the UK, and that speed matters when the field is moving as quickly as quantum is right now.

    Notes to editors 

    • The expansion of the Global Talent visa has been delivered with UKRI’s Visa Advisory Board, with the input of the following membership organisations: AIRTO, BioIndustry Association, BioNow, British Plastics Federation, Composites UK, Creative UK and UK Quantum. 
    • This latest expansion to the Global Talent visa UKRI Endorsed Funder pathway builds on the initial expansion in May to cover the remaining Association for Innovation, Research and Technology Organisation members (including IBM). 
    • The full list of approved host research organisations, including the new businesses, is available here: UKRI list of approved research organisations – GOV.UK
    • Details of eligibility criteria can be found here: Work in the UK as a researcher or academic leader (Global Talent visa): UK Research and Innovation endorsement – GOV.UK
    •  In April, the Home Office simplified the Global Talent visa’s fast-track Academic Appointments route, making all R&I leadership roles and PhD-level research/innovation roles at approved UK institutions eligible for fast-track endorsement, a key commitment from the Immigration White Paper. 
    • The Academic Appointments route provides fast-track endorsement for individuals who have accepted an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK higher education institution or research institute. It is administered by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society on behalf of the Home Office. 
    • It is one of four endorsement pathways open to academics and researchers under the Global Talent visa, alongside Individual Fellowships (fast-track), Endorsed Funders (fast-track), and Peer Review.
    • Alongside the Global Talent visa and other talent mobility routes, ARIA continues to attract world-leading research talent to the UK, with 16 Programme Directors now in post and a further open call for a third cohort due to launch in August 2026. 
    • Those interested in nominating their research intensive organisation to support those on the Global Talent visa can register their interest by completing this form: Register your interest – UK Research and Innovation – Citizen Space
    • The government keeps the UK’s visa and immigration offer, including the Global Talent visa route, under review to ensure the UK can access the high-skilled global talent to drive growth in priority sectors.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Major expansion of community mental health support across England [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major expansion of community mental health support across England [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 5 August 2026.

    £343 million plan will open 159 NHS mental health centres in England, giving people earlier local support and specialist crisis care outside A&E.

    • Up to 159 new NHS mental health centres will open across England from this autumn, bringing crucial support directly into neighbourhoods
    • New centres in communities are designed to catch problems early, so fewer people reach crisis point in the first place
    • People in crisis will get dedicated mental health emergency care rather than a long wait in a busy A&E

    People struggling with their mental health will get help earlier and closer to home, with 159 new NHS mental health facilities opening across England under plans announced today (6 August 2026).

    Backed by £343 million, the rollout is the biggest redesign of mental health services in a generation. It includes:

    • 100 new community mental health centres, offering walk-in support without a referral and without a months-long wait
    • 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments giving people in crisis specialist care in a place designed for them

    Demand for mental health services has risen sharply, particularly among children and young people, with around 1 in 5 people experiencing a common mental health condition each year. Too often, people only receive support once they reach crisis point, leaving families without the help they need and placing greater pressure on NHS services.

    The new centres will make it far easier for people to get the right help the first time they ask for it, by bringing mental health and specialist teams together under one roof – working alongside GPs, councils, the voluntary sector and families, with direct links into housing and employment support.

    The first sites open from autumn this year, with further facilities following from March 2027.

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

    Nobody should be left to struggle with their mental health alone. But every day, thousands of people are waiting months for help, then finding the only door open to them is a busy A&E.

    These new centres will be a lifeline for so many. They will bring NHS services closer to home, making it easier to get support before problems get worse, and ensuring those in crisis get the right care in the right place.

    On the steps of Downing Street, I said we would build a country that acts sooner when people need help. Today is just the start of making that a reality.

    The announcement comes as the Health and Social Care Secretary visits a community mental health centre in Sheffield, one of 6 already operating in England.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    Too many people are only getting mental health support when they reach crisis point, after struggling for far too long to get the help they need.

    These new community mental health centres will help people get support earlier and closer to home, making it easier to get the right care before problems escalate. And when someone does need urgent help, new mental health emergency departments will be able to make sure they are seen quickly by specialist teams in the right setting.

    This is how we can turn the tide on mental ill health – preventing more people from reaching crisis, cutting waits for care and building an NHS which is there for everyone when they need it.

    Some of the community hubs will be newly built facilities, while others will be in libraries, banks and other community or high-street locations to move care closer to where people live, improving access.

    They will all be in the heart of the neighbourhoods they serve and designed as welcoming settings with a non-clinical appearance.

    Alongside this, 59 new mental health emergency departments will provide fast, same-day specialist support for people experiencing a crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E.

    Located with emergency departments and working closely with ambulance and police services, they will provide a calm, therapeutic environment where people can be assessed quickly and connected to the right ongoing care, whether that’s inpatient treatment, support at home or community services. The rollout will more than double the number of dedicated emergency departments in England, taking the total to 82.

    This is the first phase of a wider rollout set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, backed by £343 million in mental health facilities.

    Dr Nick Broughton, National Priority Programme Director for Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodevelopmental Conditions, said:

    Across the country, NHS teams are already working to provide mental health support closer to where people live, alongside specialist care for those who need more urgent help.

    The rollout of more community mental health centres and dedicated mental health emergency departments will build on this work, strengthening both early support in the community and care for people in crisis, while helping services work together more effectively around people’s needs.

    Brian Dow, Deputy Chief Executive at Rethink Mental Illness, said:

    Everyone should be able to access mental health support in their local community, when and where they need it.

    The expansion of neighbourhood mental health centres is a vital step towards making this a reality, building on the promising results of existing pilot sites.

    By bringing together treatment and wider support services under one roof, these centres can transform experiences of care, helping people to access support earlier and preventing them from reaching crisis point.

    Today’s announcement supports the government’s mission to shift care from crisis to prevention, helping people get support earlier and closer to home. It forms part of the forthcoming mental health strategy, which will look beyond the NHS to the role of schools, employers, local government and the voluntary sector in supporting good mental health.

    The mental health strategy will be informed by the upcoming recommendations from Professor Peter Fonagy’s independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.

    By intervening earlier, the government aims to help more children stay in education, more adults remain in or return to work, and reduce the number of people reaching crisis point, helping build a healthier and more resilient Britain.

    Mark Rowland, Chief Executive at the Mental Health Foundation, said:

    Many of the drivers of poor mental health are issues like problem debt, unemployment, and living in insecure, poor-quality housing. Addressing these concerns helps prevent poor mental health and makes recovery more successful.

    By bringing together services in community hubs, the NHS and other services can take an earlier and holistic approach to mental health. Easy access to joined-up, same-day support will make it simpler for people to navigate between different services. It will allow people to get help sooner, stopping poor mental health and other challenges they face from getting worse.

    Tom Pollard Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Mind, said:

    This is a promising step towards more people getting the mental health support they need, when they need it. Too often, we hear from people struggling to access overstretched services whose mental health worsens because of this.

    These plans signal a much-needed shift towards a neighbourhood approach, with preventative, open-access mental health support rooted in communities and integrated with other local services. If fully realised, this could transform the quality and accessibility of mental health support. We hope to see the government build on these principles in the upcoming mental health strategy.

    Lynn Perry, Chief Executive at Barnardo’s, said:

    The mental health of far too many children and young people is at crisis point. We urgently need to shift focus from response to prevention - helping children and young people get the support they need before reaching crisis point. 

    That’s why we welcome the rollout of new mental health centres that are embedded into the neighbourhoods that need them, and hope that the needs of children and young people are placed right at the heart. 

    This is an important step towards giving every child and young person the opportunity to grow up healthier, happier and able to thrive, with support that improves outcomes for life.

    Rosie Phillips, Deputy CEO at Bipolar UK, said:

    The lack of a clear pathway to support for people with bipolar has cost jobs, relationships and, in some cases, lives. Expanding community mental health services is a welcome step towards helping people before they reach crisis point. But, for those who do, it’s reassuring to see more therapeutic alternatives to A&E being prioritised.

    For bipolar, preventative care means faster diagnosis, regular medication reviews, and better access to talking therapies and peer support. If these new services can deliver that, they could be a game changer for people with bipolar and those who love them.

    Professor Subodh Dave, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

    We welcome this recommitment to investing in mental health services, which has the potential to help more people access support earlier and closer to home. To maximise its impact, it will be important to build on past learnings and ensure these new services deliver genuinely joined-up care for patients, without compromising quality.

    New neighbourhood services and same-day emergency care pathways should simplify access to support by reducing repeated assessments and fragmented care. Mental health is a key component of neighbourhood healthcare, and this model must be developed to meet the needs of people with severe mental illness, as this will help to ensure they receive the right care at the right time.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Patients with motor neurone disease set for fast-tracked care [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Patients with motor neurone disease set for fast-tracked care [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 5 August 2026.

    Health and Social Care Secretary announces faster access to care and support for motor neurone disease patients during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre.

    Patients with motor neurone disease (MND) will get faster access to care and support, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper, has set out today (5 August 2026) during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.

    The announcement comes as the government launches action to tackle delays and fragmentation in support for people living with MND and is part of the first phase of fixing the social care system and pursuing Andy Burnham’s ambition to introduce a national care service.

    MND patients and families too often face lengthy waits and have to navigate a complex system spanning health, social care and housing services at a time when every day matters.

    The Rob Burrow Centre brings specialist MND services together under one roof, providing co-ordinated care, treatment and support in a single location, making accessing services easier for people living with MND and their families.

    Learning from this, the new fast-track care pathway will draw on these principles of a more joined-up, person-centred approach and help deliver care and support more consistently and much more quickly across the country, lessening the need for families to navigate multiple services and reducing stress and delays to care.

    As Rob Burrow’s local MP, Yvette Cooper worked closely with Rob and his family, supporting their tireless efforts to raise awareness of the condition and improve support for those affected. She also took part in the Rob Burrow Strictly Come Dancing charity ball in 2022, which helped raise funds for the creation of the Rob Burrow Centre.

    Today, visiting the centre named in Rob’s honour, the Secretary of State paid tribute to the extraordinary legacy left by Rob and his family. It stands as a testament to their determination to improve care, treatment and support for people living with MND, bringing together specialist expertise and helping patients and families access the co-ordinated care they need.

    Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:

    This is Rob Burrow’s legacy. It’s a tribute to Rob, to his family, to Kevin Sinfield, and it’s also a huge inspiration to see their vision brought to life about putting patients and families at the heart of MND care.

    What we’ve got to do now is make sure the principles that apply here about supporting families and patients are applied throughout the National Health Service and also in our social care system too.

    That’s why when Andy Burnham set out a vision for a national care service, we prioritised MND as being something we should focus on now, providing social care support for affected families and speeding it up as well. That’s why, for me, it was a real priority to come here, and it’s been such a privilege for me to support Rob and Rob’s family for so many years, and all of the work that they’ve done.

    Development of the new fast-track pathway will involve working closely with the MND Association, people living with MND, and carers and partners across health, social care and housing. Building on examples of best practice such as the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, the pathway will support more proactive care, improve co-ordination between services, and make it easier for patients and families to access the support they need as quickly as possible.

    Today’s announcement builds on the government’s wider programme of social care reform announced last week and is part of immediate action being taken to deliver improvements now while working with people, families and the care sector to shape a national care service for the future. As part of that reform to social care, the Prime Minister brought forward Baroness Casey’s Independent commission into adult social care by a full year, recognising the urgent need to improve care for people and families who depend on support services.

    While the commission will play a central role in shaping long-term reform, the government is already taking practical action to improve care alongside this new MND pathway, including introducing workforce reforms, strengthening safeguarding arrangements and appointing a dementia tsar.

    In March 2026, Baroness Casey highlighted the need for urgent action to ensure people with MND receive faster access to care and support. In response, the government has already written to local authorities setting out immediate steps they can take to improve services for people living with the condition.

    These include:

    • fast-tracking access to care and support
    • ensuring health and social care services work together to assess and meet people’s needs
    • planning ahead as people’s conditions progress
    • speeding up Disabled Facilities Grant processes
    • waiving the Disabled Facilities Grant means test for people with MND

    These changes mark the important first steps in delivering the government’s vision for a national care service that works around people and families, rather than asking them to fit around services. Through close engagement with people living with MND, their loved ones, specialist organisations and frontline professionals, the government will look to tackle variation in access to support and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

    Alongside improving care and support, the government remains committed to supporting research into better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND.

    Craig Richardson, Deputy Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospital, said:

    We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease here at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Having taken part in the Strictly Burrow Ball back in 2022, and supported the fundraising for the build, we were really grateful for the visit to see the centre first hand. It is really encouraging to see Motor Neurone Disease firmly on the government’s agenda and to have the Secretary of State’s support for the pioneering model of care we are developing here in Leeds.

    Six months since opening, our holistic support sessions, research programme and outreach family work are already starting to take shape. We are confident that, as awareness for the centre and its offering continues to grow, it will establish itself as a nationally recognised model for integrated MND care, which combines outstanding clinical care, family support and research and innovation under one roof, while continuing Rob Burrow’s legacy of hope and compassion for the wider MND community.

    Tanya Curry, Chief Executive of the MND Association, said:

    It’s heartening to hear the Secretary of State today reiterating the government’s commitment, made in light of the Casey Commission’s recommendations, to fast-tracking access to care and support for people with motor neurone disease.

    We hear time and time again of people with MND forced to battle a system that is slow, disjointed and too complex to move quickly enough to support people with a rapidly progressing disease.

    This must change – Ms Cooper’s statement today suggests she agrees and that there is willingness at the highest levels of government to transform the experience for people with MND. We must now see that willingness turned into action, with real solutions implemented nationally and locally, in health and social care.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom remains resolute in our commitment to working with partners to combat terrorism in all its forms – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom remains resolute in our commitment to working with partners to combat terrorism in all its forms – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 August 2026.

    Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the Secretary-General’s latest report, which outlines progress in countering global terrorist threats and underscores the importance of multilateral efforts. 

    We continue our commitment to working with international partners to identify and disrupt these threats, address the underlying drivers of terrorism, and counter extremist narratives. 

    We commend Syria and Iraq for their tireless efforts in the fight against Da’esh. 

    In Syria, a new political chapter presents an opportunity for greater stability and security, and we welcome the Government of Syria’s recent decision to join the Global Coalition against Da’esh as its 90th member.  

    In Iraq, we continue to work closely with the Government as it addresses the generational challenges posed by approximately 6,000 Da’esh detainees, who must face justice for their crimes. 

    The Secretary-General’s report also highlights the challenges that remain as Da’esh and its affiliates seek to regroup and expand, including in West Africa and the Sahel. 

    Recent coordinated attacks in Niger and Mali demonstrate the increasing sophistication and operational reach of terrorist groups in the Sahel, driving displacement, increasing humanitarian need, and undermining stability.  

    Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated regional response. 

    The UK is strengthening counter-terrorism capability in West Africa and the Sahel through targeted support on intelligence sharing, investigations, and counter-terrorism finance activity. 

    This includes supporting regional initiatives, such as Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Côte d’Ivoire’s Counter-Terrorism Academy and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit.

    As the UN notes, ISIL-Khorasan continues to pose a significant threat and we commend Pakistan’s important role in combating the group.

    We also offer our deepest condolences to those killed in the Swat Valley over the weekend.

    President, the United Kingdom welcomes the recent renewal of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which has now entered its twentieth year. 

    The overwhelming support for the Strategy demonstrates continued commitment to multilateral cooperation. 

    As terrorist groups exploit emerging technologies, online spaces, and instability across borders, it is important that this international framework remains fit for purpose. 

    The lesson of the last twenty years is clear. 

    Counter-terrorism succeeds when it is rooted in human rights, the rule of law, and international cooperation, and fails when these foundations are ignored. 

    The United Kingdom remains resolute in our commitment to working with partners to combat terrorism in all of its forms, and in support of the international peace and security mandate.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ofsted wins first successful prosecution of illegal children’s home provider [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ofsted wins first successful prosecution of illegal children’s home provider [August 2026]

    The press release issued by Ofsted on 5 August 2026.

    A company and its directors have been convicted and sentenced for operating unregistered children’s homes in Kent following a criminal prosecution brought by Ofsted.

    • Following a criminal investigation by Ofsted, Catalyst Care Limited becomes the first unregistered children’s home provider to be successfully prosecuted
    • The company and its 2 directors were fined a total of £92,400 after pleading guilty to carrying on and/or managing illegal children’s homes in Kent
    • Directors sent repeated warnings from Ofsted while receiving over £1.7 million from local authorities

    The prosecution marks a significant milestone that highlights the serious risks illegal providers pose to vulnerable children.

    The directors of Catalyst Care Limited were repeatedly warned by Ofsted that they were breaking the law, yet continued operating contrary to the legal requirements for registration. During this time, the homes received over £1.7 million in payments from placing authorities.

    Catalyst Care Limited, and its directors, Davidson Lynch-Shyllon and Miriam Ekathor, pleaded guilty to all charges at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 9 March 2026. On 4 August 2026, they were fined a total of £92,400 for operating 3 unregistered homes in Kent between October 2022 and April 2025, providing accommodation for 9 children. They were also ordered to pay victim surcharges totalling £2,960 and costs of £17,250.

    Lynch-Shyllon and Ekathor were also disqualified from carrying on and/or managing or having a financial interest in a children’s home.

    All children’s homes in England must register with Ofsted and carrying on or managing a home without registration is a criminal offence. Unregistered children’s homes operate outside of independent and regulatory oversight, meaning the children placed there have no assurance of safe or suitable care. There are no guaranteed checks on staff or living conditions, or accountability when things go wrong. Worryingly, many children placed in illegal homes are often those with the most complex needs.

    Criminal investigations into these places are complex and the legal threshold for prosecution is high. Yesterday’s case is the first successful prosecution of its kind, but follows hundreds of warnings issued by Ofsted over the use of unregistered provision, which has grown partly because not enough registered homes are in the right location or have staff with skills to effectively care for children with complex needs. Illegal unregistered providers frequently charge local authorities exorbitant fees, further exploiting a system already under strain.

    Ofsted has recently been granted new powers through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act to help tackle illegal children’s homes. They include the introduction of financial penalties, which will allow Ofsted to issue fines to illegal children’s homes.

    Boosted by increased funding, Ofsted is greatly expanding its Unregistered Social Care team to identify and investigate unregistered providers and pursue enforcement action, including prosecuting, where necessary.

    Ofsted is also consulting on changes to its inspections of local authorities’ children’s services, including how it evaluates local authorities’ use of unregistered children’s homes. Measures proposed include making use of illegal placements a limiting criterion in the framework for inspecting local authority children’s services (ILACS), meaning that a local authority would not be meeting the ‘expected standard’ in the proposed ‘impact of leaders’ evaluation area.

    His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver said:

    It is heartbreaking that so many vulnerable children are placed in unregistered children’s homes where we have no assurance that they are safe or receiving the care they need and deserve.

    This outcome marks an important milestone in our efforts to tackle illegal children’s homes and sends a clear message that operating outside the law will have consequences. We are determined to make increased use of prosecutions to tackle the offenders running these settings. We are currently consulting on proposals to downgrade local authorities who commission these illegal homes.

    Children and Families Minister, Josh MacAlister, said:

    This prosecution is a welcome start to our wider crackdown on illegal children’s homes, and we have given Ofsted new powers to issue fines under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.

    Vulnerable children deserve to be safe and properly cared for, and I want to see more action of this kind. This case should send a clear signal to anyone running an illegal children’s home: the law will catch up with you and you will face consequences.

  • NEWS STORY : Burnham orders urgent review over grooming gang early release loophole

    NEWS STORY : Burnham orders urgent review over grooming gang early release loophole

    STORY

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered an urgent review of historical grooming gang cases after concerns that some offenders could remain eligible for early release despite Government promises to exclude grooming gang members from the scheme. Downing Street said the Prime Minister had personally intervened in the issue.

    The concern relates to offenders convicted for abuse committed before changes to sexual offences legislation in 2003. Some were prosecuted for offences such as indecent assault rather than offences that now fall within the Government’s explicit exclusions, creating the possibility that the legal wording of older convictions could affect eligibility.

    Around 5,000 prisoners are expected to qualify for earlier release under the revised sentencing arrangements, reduced from an earlier estimate of 6,000 after additional categories of serious sexual offenders were excluded. The Ministry of Justice is examining case records to identify grooming-related convictions and determine whether further changes are required before the scheme begins.

  • NEWS STORY : Norwich man Komborero Sibanda found guilty of sexual offences

    NEWS STORY : Norwich man Komborero Sibanda found guilty of sexual offences

    STORY

    Komborero Sibanda has been found guilty following a trial arising from allegations that he sexually assaulted women at a nightclub in Norwich. The case concerned incidents at Mojo’s Nightclub on Prince of Wales Road, with Sibanda having previously denied charges of sexual touching.

    The court had heard that the allegations related to separate incidents involving two women at the venue. Sibanda, who was reported as being 38 when he appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court last year, had pleaded not guilty. He had also faced an allegation of assault involving a security guard following an incident on 25 May 2026.

    Sibanda was found guilty at the trial but avoided prison, being sentenced to a twelve month community order.