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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : New practical advice for families to get children school ready [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New practical advice for families to get children school ready [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 16 April 2026.

    New government guidance and practical advice launched on primary school offer day to help families get children ready for school, backed by language support.

    Families will receive new support from today to help children prepare for school, as the government rolls out a package of measures from primary school offer day through to the first day in September.

    The move comes as over a third (37%) of children are starting school without the basic skills they need for the classroom, with teachers and charities finding many children arriving in Reception unable to use the toilet independently, communicate clearly or follow simple instructions.

    As part of the government’s mission to get a record number of children school ready, the guidance published today – on primary school offer day – will provide parents with a clear idea of what good support looks like from schools and early years settings to help their child transition into Reception.

    For the first time, new guidance sets out how schools, nurseries, and childminders should work together as one system around families to get children ready for Reception – making clear that Offer Day is the starting gun for children beginning their school education.

    It sets three key building blocks for a smooth start: strong relationships with families, close partnership working between schools, nurseries and childminders, and early identification of children’s needs, including SEND.  It includes practical examples to follow, like home visits and stay and play sessions, giving families the opportunity to visit their new school, or for teachers to visit children in their early years setting.

    The package is backed by continued investment in the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme until 2029, and comes as a new national campaign, fronted by award-winning teacher and rapper MC Grammar, gives parents simple ways to practise key skills at home.

    Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey MP said:

    Starting school is a huge milestone – for children and parents. I remember getting my own children ready for their first day, excited and hoping they’d walk through the door feeling confident.

    From the moment families receive their school place, they should feel supported with simple, practical ways to help their child build confidence, independence and the skills they need for the classroom.

    By bringing schools, nurseries, childminders, and families closer together, we can make sure every child gets off to a strong start – arriving at school feeling settled and ready to learn.

    The NELI programme helps children who need extra support with speech and language to catch up during Reception. It has already been shown to deliver strong results, with an evaluation finding that it boosts language skills by an additional four months for children on the programme compared to those that aren’t, or up to seven months for children from more deprived backgrounds.

    The new campaign shows that school readiness is about everyday skills like communication, independence and confidence – not just uniforms or academic ability. It features a new ‘Steps for School’ song by MC Grammar highlighting key skills from getting dressed and using the toilet to listening, speaking and following instructions.

    Jacob Mitchell, known as MC Grammar, said:

    As a former teacher and a dad with children already at school – and one starting next year – I know how much practicing simple skills early can boost confidence when it’s time to start Reception.

    With our new ‘Steps for School’ song, we’re giving families a fun, memorable way to build those everyday skills that will help set children up for a smooth start in September.

    Lee Parkinson, primary school teacher and education content creator Mr P, said:

    Preparation for school is about those small, meaningful interactions that begin at home.

    I’ve seen first-hand the difference these everyday routines can make alongside the care and learning children get in childcare and early years settings, giving them the reassurance they need to thrive.

    I always remind parents it’s never too early to start. Even families with 2–3-year-olds can build confidence and independence through everyday chatting, playing and reading.

    With family life getting more challenging for many, this work forms part of a wider push to make life easier for parents and give children the best start.

    This government is bringing together support from pregnancy through to starting school, including through the rollout of Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority, offering parenting advice, health services and help with children’s development, alongside the first ever guidance to help families manage screen time at home.

  • PRESS RELEASE : On Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic – Joint statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : On Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic – Joint statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2026.

    Ambassador Holland updates on recent Russian activity in the Atlantic, speaking on behalf of Norway, the Netherlands and the UK.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. Norway and the Netherlands have also aligned with this statement.

    The United Kingdom has tabled this current issue today to put on record in this Council an update given by the UK Defence Secretary on 9 April 2026 regarding Russian activity in the Atlantic. I am doing so to provide this information to all States in the spirit of transparency and risk reduction, and to highlight our readiness to respond to activity which threatens our security.

    As stated by my Defence Secretary, the UK – in partnership with Norway and other Allies – has responded to increased Russian activity in the Atlantic, north of the UK.

    This operation involved a Russian Akula Class Submarine and a concurrent deployment of two Specialised Submarines from GUGI, Russia’s Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research. These GUGI units – including the Spy ship YANTAR – are vessels directed by Russia to conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK and its Allies, specifically around Critical Undersea Infrastructure.

    They are designed to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime, and be prepared to sabotage it in conflict. This deployment operated across the North Atlantic including in UK and Allied Exclusive Economic Zones.

    In response to the activity of the Russian submarines, the UK deployed our Armed Forces to track and deter any malign activity by these vessels.

    A Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P8 aircraft, alongside Allies’, ensured the Russian submarines were monitored 24/7. The Akula Submarine subsequently returned home having been closely tracked throughout, and we continued to monitor the two GUGI submarines.

    Our Armed Forces left them with no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert as had been planned, and that their operations had been exposed.

    Those GUGI submarines have now returned home, and this operation – which lasted more than a month – has now concluded.

    I want to thank all the Allies involved, including Norway, with whom we have cooperated closely throughout.

    Chair, we have publicised this operation to make it clear that we are watching and that we see these operations over the Critical Undersea Infrastructure of the UK and our Allies.

    Our message to Russia is this: you cannot operate in secret. We are ready to meet the increased threat in the North Atlantic. The UK and our Allies are ready to respond to any threat to our Critical Undersea Infrastructure. And any attempt to damage our Critical Undersea Infrastructure would have serious consequences.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s approach to the Easter ceasefire demonstrates its contempt for peace – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s approach to the Easter ceasefire demonstrates its contempt for peace – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2026.

    Ambassador Holland says Russia’s approach to the Easter ceasefire demonstrates its contempt for peace, highlighting thousands of ceasefire violations and attempts to distort the narrative. Ukraine made a good faith commitment to a ceasefire and demonstrated its readiness to engage constructively. Russia made a different choice.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    Since this Council last met, Russia has further intensified its war against Ukraine. Its actions once again demonstrate contempt for international law, for civilian life, and for the conditions required to achieve a just and lasting peace.

    In March, Russia launched an average of over 200 drones per day against Ukraine – a wartime high. Early indications suggest April is on course to match that grim record.

    This relentless increase stands in contrast to Ukraine’s consistent call for a permanent ceasefire. A call the Kremlin continues to reject. In the absence of any credible signal from Russia that it was prepared to change its stance on this issue, on 31 March President Zelenskyy proposed a ceasefire over the Easter period. This was a serious offer, made in good faith, and intended to reduce harm to civilians and create space for dialogue.

    Russia’s initial response was dismissive and deliberately vague. In the days that followed, the Kremlin sought to reframe the narrative, belatedly attempting to present the ceasefire as its own initiative. This manoeuvre was revealing and not just for its pettiness. Had Russia been serious about peace, it would have engaged constructively with Ukraine’s proposal from the outset. Instead, presumably to avoid being seen to acknowledge Ukraine’s approach as being constructive, it chose performance over substance, seeking to deflect scrutiny.

    During the so-called “truce” period, there were thousands of violations reported, including shelling and short-range drone launches. At the same time, it is right to acknowledge one limited but notable development: the absence of long-range strike activity during the ceasefire. This should not be overstated.  Regrettably, in the hours after the ceasefire ended, Russia fired nearly 100 drones. But it does underline an important point. Intensification of these attacks is a choice, and so too is restraint.

    Even this limited pause demonstrates that reducing violence and creating conditions more conducive to negotiations is possible, if the political will exists. Ukraine has shown that it is prepared to take such steps. It has signalled readiness for a ceasefire that could serve as a foundation for wider talks. We urge Russia to step up and match this willingness.

    For now, though, Russia, continues to reject peace, regardless of rhetoric. While speaking of negotiations, it has intensified attacks. While gesturing towards ceasefire concepts, it has violated them repeatedly. While attempting to claim the language of restraint, it has intensified its attacks on the ground. This contradiction cannot be ignored. It raises serious questions about Russia’s intentions and its credibility as a negotiating partner.

    Ukraine’s position remains consistent and principled. It seeks a cessation of hostilities not as an end in itself, but as a pathway towards a broader settlement that upholds international law and secures its sovereignty. Ukraine has demonstrated readiness to engage constructively. Russia has so far made a different choice.

    The path to peace begins with an immediate cessation of hostilities, respect for international law, and genuine engagement in good faith. Ukraine is ready. At present, Russia is not.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness [April 2026]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 April 2026.

    The Government has announced that electricity bills will be cut by up to 25% for over 10,000 businesses through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

    • Chancellor announces bold action on businesses’ electricity bills during IMF meetings in Washington, as Government strengthens Britain’s economic security – helping deliver stability, keeping costs down, and boosting competitiveness.
    • Bills cut by up to 25% for over 10,000 manufacturers from April 2027, with no increase to household and business energy bills.
    • British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) to be expanded by 40%, with one-off additional payment in 2027 rolled out to an extra 3,000 businesses and cover support firms would have received from April 2026.

    The Chancellor Rachel Reeves today [16 April] confirmed electricity bill cuts for over 10,000 manufacturers as the next phase of the Government’s plan to boost Britain’s competitiveness.

    The final design of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), first announced in last year’s Modern Industrial Strategy, means the scheme will be expanded to cover an extra 3,000 businesses.

    The announcement comes as the Chancellor is in Washington to set out Britain’s plan for economic security through the Middle East crisis — prioritising stability, keeping costs down for families and businesses, taking back control of our energy costs, and going further and faster on our plan for a stronger, more resilient economy.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    This Government has the right plan for the economy: backing British industry, cutting electricity costs, and building a stronger, more resilient future. 

    Today’s announcement will cut energy bills for over 10,000 manufacturers, helping businesses to compete, win and create good jobs across the country, and to deliver our modern Industrial Strategy.

    Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    We are a government of action, and when global instability puts businesses under pressure we’ll always do what’s needed to support them and ensure Britain’s resilience. By extending the reach of BICS by 40 percent, we’re acting decisively to tackle the number one issue that businesses face head-on.

    This is what our Modern Industrial Strategy is all about: giving businesses certainty and stability in an unstable time, and backing Britain’s fastest growing sectors with the support they need to prosper and deliver good jobs right across our communities.

    Automotive and aerospace, steel, and pharmaceuticals are among the sectors where eligible businesses are to benefit from a one-off additional payment in 2027. This will cover the support firms would have received if BICS had been in place from April 2026.

    Eligibility has also been expanded by 40%, from 7,000 to over 10,000 businesses. This targets support at energy-intensive firms on the number one issue they face – high electricity costs.

    From April 2027, eligible firms will see electricity bills cut by up to 25 percent. Households will see no increase in their bills as a result.

    BICS will exempt eligible businesses from the indirect costs of three electricity schemes: the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs, and the Capacity Market. This is worth around £35–£40 per MWh.

    It is expected to be worth up to £600 million per year from April 2027. Households and other businesses not benefitting will see no increase in their energy bills.

    The scheme will be funded through a combination of changes within the energy system and Exchequer funding, with full detail to be set out in Budget 2026.

    Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said:

    This move marks a significant step towards addressing the high energy costs that are placing growing financial pressure on UK businesses and undermining their international competitiveness.

    By expanding eligibility and introducing backdated payments to the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, the government has shown it is listening to firms grappling with volatility in global energy markets.

    As the UK looks to reshape and modernise its industrial base, this decision provides an opportunity to rethink how we fund our energy infrastructure. Extending this competitiveness-first approach across the wider economy could help support growth.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    The final design of the British Industry Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a major win for Britain’s automotive manufacturers, promising to drive down industrial energy costs and boost competitiveness.

    This decisive first step answers our longstanding calls for energy support that reaches the whole of the automotive manufacturing supply chain and recognises the sector’s critical contribution to the UK economy. It sends a clear and immediate signal that we are open for business and a prime destination for investment.

    Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

    Expanding BICS is the right move to help some firms struggling across the UK. It shows the government has listened to our calls for more energy intensive manufacturing businesses to receive help with the cost of energy.  

    This welcome first step will help make more of these firms remain globally competitive. Companies will also be pleased that support will be backdated to April 2026, as we called for, further acknowledging the impact of recent energy cost volatility.

    Sectors that could benefit include automotive and aerospace, steel producers, metal fabricators, pharmaceutical and medical supplies companies, recycling businesses, plastic producers, nuclear fuel processors, and cooling and ventilation equipment manufacturers.

    A second consultation on the regulatory changes needed to deliver the scheme closes on 14 May 2026. Legislation is expected to be in place by Autumn 2026.

    Please see the Government response to the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme: consultation on scheme eligibility and approach.

    The announcement follows a £420 million boost for around 500 of the UK’s most energy-intensive businesses through the Supercharger, which took effect on 1 April and increased the discount on electricity network charges from 60% to 90% for sectors including steel, cement, glass and chemicals.

    Background

    • Exemptions on Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariff levies will apply from April 2027; Capacity Market exemptions from October 2027.
    • Both large businesses and SMEs will be eligible, with support not prioritised by size. Businesses will receive exemptions on their bills applied site by site based on the share of electricity used to manufacture eligible products at that site.
    • Sites using less than 25% eligible electricity will receive no exemption, 25% to less than 50% will receive a 50% exemption, and 50% or more will receive a 100% exemption.
    • The full list of eligible SIC and HS codes will be available online on gov.uk on 16 April; businesses will need to be able to evidence both.
    • The backdated payment will reflect the support businesses would have received had BICS been in operation from April 2026. Further details will be published separately.
    • Full details of funding arrangements and bill impacts will be published in an Impact Assessment alongside the legislation in Autumn 2026.
    • A scheme review will take place in 2030.
    • Further information and the second consultation is available on gov.uk.
  • PRESS RELEASE : 130 cultural venues, museums, and libraries to receive funding boost that will improve access to arts and culture across the country [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 130 cultural venues, museums, and libraries to receive funding boost that will improve access to arts and culture across the country [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 April 2026.

    130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are set to receive a share of almost £130 million to protect them for present and future generations.

    • Investment forms part of the Arts Everywhere Fund, a bumper £1.5 billion package to support cultural infrastructure projects
    • Organisations such as The Lowry, Stratford East, The Black Country Living Museum and Derbyshire Libraries are amongst 130 receiving a needed cash boost

    130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are set to benefit from a £127.8 million funding boost, helping to ensure that everyone can access arts and culture in the places they call home.

    Venues ranging from The Lowry Centre in Salford, The Hexagon in Reading and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Warwickshire will receive a much needed cash boost to help open up access to facilities, complete much needed building projects and upgrade technology on site.

    The 130 organisations receiving funding today mark the first projects receiving cash from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund. As the cost of living continues to affect families across Britain, funding for these venues will help provide welcoming, affordable spaces for communities to visit, come together and celebrate what makes their local area special.

    Earlier this year, the Culture Secretary committed up to £1.5 billion to the cultural sector over this parliament, with the Arts Everywhere Fund aiming to save more than 1,000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.

    Today’s £127.8 million which is administered and delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is made up of three funds:

    • The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) has allocated £96 million to 74 arts and cultural venues to help theatres, performing arts venues, galleries and grassroots music venues address urgent infrastructure needs. In this round, organisations such as The Lowry Centre Trust in Salford, which has been awarded £8.5 million to upgrade critical infrastructure. This funding will replace escalators with new lifts, providing step-free access to galleries and opening up more of the building. Visitors will benefit from improved access to galleries, theatres, family and conference spaces, along with enhanced café and retail facilities, creating a more inclusive and welcoming experience. Theatre Royal Stratford East in London has also secured £1,750,000 funding to upgrade its building and essential systems, ensuring the theatre remains safe, accessible and welcoming for local people.
    • The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has allocated a share of £25.5 million to support 28 museums to undertake vital infrastructure works, and improve the visitor experience. In this round, organisations such as Black Country Living Museum in Dudley have been awarded £454,159 to safeguard key historic buildings, ensuring they remain safe and open for visitors while preserving the region’s unique heritage. In total the fund has supported 150 museums over the past four years.
    • The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) has allocated a share of £6.3 million to 28 library services to help upgrade buildings and technology to better meet the needs of the community. The fund has already supported 95 projects across England over five years and this round will support organisations such as Derbyshire Libraries which will use £440,000 to refurbish three sites to create more welcoming, flexible spaces for community use, including bookable rooms and areas for local activities. It is hoped that these improvements will encourage more visits from children and families, support community engagement and ensure the libraries remain sustainable and well-used for years to come.

    Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:

    Across the country, people take real pride in where they come from. Our local arts, museums and libraries are a big part of that, telling our stories, reflecting who we are, and bringing communities together.

    That’s why our Arts Everywhere Fund matters. We’re backing the places people care about most, with support for 130 venues across the country announced today.

    Arts and culture aren’t a luxury for a privileged few. They are for everyone, everywhere. They bring people together, open doors, and support our shared sense of belonging. That’s the role they can play as we build a stronger future for our country.

    Arts Council England Chair Sir Nicholas Serota said:

    Arts organisations, museums and libraries are the beating heart of our communities.

    After significant financial pressures in recent years, this vital investment will help organisations to secure futures where they thrive and not just survive.

    We look forward to seeing these cultural spaces flourish as they continue to provide access to excellent art and culture for everyone, everywhere, for many years to come.

    Other examples of funded projects include:

    Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival (CFF) in East Sussex will receive £468,701 in funding which  will modernise the concert hall’s systems, improving accessibility, sustainability, and improve the experience for the audience and artists. This safeguards a vital cultural hub, supporting year-round events, opportunities for young people and community engagement across Brighton & Hove and Sussex. Newstead Abbey (MEND), in Nottinghamshire, is an internationally significant former home of the poet Lord Byron, will receive £1,550,747 for essential roof and drainage repairs. This investment will protect the historic building and its nationally important collections from persistent leaks, ensuring the site remains open for future generations to enjoy. Henleaze Library (LIF) in Bristol is awarded £279,147 to transform it into a more inclusive and flexible community space. The project includes a new front extension for meetings and events, accessible facilities, and digital upgrades allowing community access outside regular hours.

    The next rounds of these funds will open for applications in the coming months. Further details on the Museum Estate and Development Fund, and the new Museum Transformation Programme, along with the Libraries Improvement Fund will be announced in due course.

    ENDS

    Creative Foundations Fund full list of recipients:

    London

    • Southbank Centre – £10,000,000
    • Harrow Arts Centre – £630,014
    • Certain Blacks – £150,000
    • Autograph ABP – £499,950
    • The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Limited – £534,227
    • Theatre Royal Stratford East – £1,750,000
    • St Margaret’s House – £700,000
    • Create London, The White House, Dagenham – £500,000
    • Shoreditch Town Hall – £899,847
    • Kiln Theatre – £296,500
    • London Contemporary Dance (The Place) Limited – £660,000
    • Electric Ballroom CIC – £497,000
    • Rich Mix Cultural Foundation – £2,205,000
    • Royal Ballet and Opera – £5,000,000
    • VocalEyes – £102,254
    • English National Opera – £1,601,293

    North East

    • Northern Stage (Theatrical Productions) Ltd – £192,600
    • Queen’s Hall Arts – £393,068
    • THIRTY-SIX LIME STREET LIMITED – £847,932
    • Baltic Flour Mills Visual Arts Trust – £3,649,800
    • Gateway Studio CIO, New Trinity – £400,000
    • Middlesbrough Council Cultural Services – £2,595,000
    • The Cluny Events (North East) CIC – £334,000

    North West

    • Theatre Porto – £139,000
    • esea contemporary – £359,100
    • The Lowry Centre Trust – £8,500,000
    • Liverpool & Merseyside Theatres Trust Ltd – £999,999
    • Blackburn with Darwen BC – £990,000
    • Skylight Circus Arts – £125,990
    • Octopus Collective Ltd, Barrow – £396,000

    East of England

    • New Wolsey Theatre Company Ltd – £529,340
    • Palace Theatre Watford Limited – £999,896
    • Creative Arts East – £144,226
    • Stagetext – £183,356
    • Wysing Arts Centre – £195,000
    • Firstsite Ltd – £995,000
    • Britten Pears Arts – £1,954,825

    South East

    • Worthing Borough Council – £371,278
    • Brighton Dome & Festival Limited – £468,701
    • Watermill Theatre – £300,000
    • The Mill Arts Centre – £135,000
    • Kent County Council – £865,000
    • Portsmouth New Theatre Royal – £450,000
    • The Hexagon, Reading – £2,068,000
    • Turner Sims, Southampton – £350,000
    • Play to the Crowd, Theatre Royal Winchester – £398,000

    South West

    • TwoCan Inclusive Theatre Company – £283,169
    • Taunton Theatre Association Ltd – £527,083
    • Wiltshire Creative – £3,000,000
    • Friends of the Lyric CIC – £170,000
    • Newlyn Art Gallery Ltd – £726,599
    • Theatre Royal (Plymouth) Ltd – £8,356,000
    • Music Venue Properties – £999,000
    • Trinity Community Arts – £390,000

    East Midlands

    • University of Leicester, Attenborough Arts Centre – £899,999
    • Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, Leicester – £119,725
    • Northampton Theatres Trust – £538,000
    • Nottingham Playhouse – £285,574
    • North Kesteven District Council – £107,777

    West Midlands

    • Stoke on Trent & North Staffordshire Theatre Trust – £295,308
    • Royal Shakespeare Company – £7,298,800
    • Paines Plough – £750,000
    • Birmingham Royal Ballet – £949,953
    • Birmingham Repertory Theatre – £3,047,229
    • Claybody Theatre – £150,000
    • Wolverhampton Arts Centre – £4,999,999

    Yorkshire and the Humber

    • Hull Truck Theatre – £318,911
    • Barnsley Civic Enterprise Ltd Civic – £805,165
    • Kirklees Theatre Trust – £630,000
    • Yorkshire Dance Centre Trust – £750,000
    • Mind the Gap Studio – £100,000
    • Northern Ballet Limited – £522,500
    • Rotherham Theatres – £200,000
    • Scarborough Theatre Trust Ltd – £2,700,000

    Museum Estate and Development Fund full list of recipients:

    London

    • London Transport Museum – £999,999
    • Museum of the Order of St John – £413,015

    North East

    • Hartlepool Borough Council – £2,458,641
    • Chesters Roman Fort – £476,566

    North West

    • Grundy Art Gallery – £357,000
    • People’s History Museum – £2,491,670
    • Port Sunlight Village Trust – £499,999
    • Lancaster City Museum – £94,056
    • Bramall Hall, Stockport Museums – £1,000,000
    • Greater Manchester Transport Society – £244,000
    • The Armitt Museum and Library – £238,098

    East of England

    • Natural History Museum, Colchester – £499,477
    • Sheringham Museum – £456,170

    South East

    • Walmer Castle – £3,080,000
    • The Brickworks Museum – £280,000
    • Whitchurch Silk Mill – £210,045
    • Brading Roman Villa – £80,707

    South West

    • Bristol Museums – £3,567,713

    East Midlands

    • Boston Guildhall – £401,112
    • National Tramway Museum – £492,880
    • Creswell Crags – £184,705
    • Newstead Abbey, Nottingham – £1,550,747

    West Midlands

    • Black Country Living Museum – £454,159
    • Compton Verney – £794,750

    Yorkshire and the Humber

    • Burton Constable Hall – £242,000
    • Oakwell Hall, Kirklees – £1,638,724
    • Yorkshire Museum – £2,000,000
    • Ryedale Folk Museum – £350,676

    Libraries Improvement Fund full list of recipients:

    London

    • London Borough Havering – £499,000
    • London Borough of Barking and Dagenham – £300,000
    • London Borough of Ealing Libraries – £50,000
    • RBG – Sport, Leisure and Library Services, Greenwich Libraries – £121,755
    • Harrow Libraries – £110,000
    • Camden Council – £149,655

    East of England

    • East Ham Co-Working and Study Space – £350,000
    • Suffolk County Council – £500,000
    • Cambridgeshire Community and Cultural Services – £150,000

    North East

    • Hartlepool Borough Council – £94,400
    • Northumberland Libraries – £491,022
    • Gateshead Council – Library Service – £71,794

    North West

    • Manchester City Council – £52,942
    • St Helens Council Library Service – £290,000
    • Rochdale Borough Council – £140,000

    South East

    • Surrey Libraries – £50,000

    South West

    • South Gloucestershire Council (Cultural Services) –  £167,639
    • Devon County Council – £200,000
    • Bristol City Council – £279,147

    East Midlands

    • Derbyshire County Council – £440,000

    West Midlands

    • Walsall Council – £170,000
    • City of Wolverhampton Council –  £270,000
    • Shropshire Libraries –  £299,000
    • Telford & Wrekin – £235,971

    Yorkshire and the Humber

    • Sheffield Libraries – £87,000
    • North Lincolnshire Council – £265,560
    • Hull Culture and Leisure Library – £203,175
    • East Riding Libraries – £300,000
  • PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on water companies delivers record funding to restore harm done to waterways [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on water companies delivers record funding to restore harm done to waterways [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 April 2026.

    Local communities, water quality and wildlife will benefit from a record £8.5 million paid by water companies into environmental restoration projects as part of a strengthened crackdown on pollution and poor performance across the sector.  

    This compares to £5.8 million the year before, a 47% increase, and just under £2 million in the 2023/24 financial year. 

    The Environment Agency ensures this record funding goes directly to charities and projects that restore the harm done to waterways and improve water quality, working to leave them in a better position than before any incident.  

    The funding supports a wide range of local environmental improvements, including habitat restoration and river recovery projects. This will help rebuild habitats for threatened species like water voles and salmon that pollution has driven from Britain’s waterways. 

    Enforcement Undertakings are legally binding agreements between the Environment Agency and companies that have breached environmental rules. The undertaking requires the company concerned to take steps to prevent repetition of the offending and to put right the damage it has caused. Often this will involve a payment to a third-party wildlife trust or environmental charity.  This money can help deliver immediate benefits to the environment, without requiring lengthy and uncertain court proceedings – complementing the EA’s wider enforcement action against serial offenders. 

    Water Minister Emma Hardy said:  

    Water companies must be held to account when they break the law. 

    This enforcement action will see millions go directly into projects that clean up our rivers, restore habitats and benefit local communities, delivering immediate benefits without lengthy court cases. 

    It comes alongside other government action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. We’ve already banned unfair bonuses and introduced landmark legislation to hold water companies to account, and our long-term reforms will mean there is a new, single regulator focused on preventing problems before they occur.

    Severn Trent Water paid the most through Enforcement Undertakings in the period, totalling £4,627,424. All of this money was directed to local charities including the Trent Rivers Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who have the expertise to deliver targeted improvements in the affected catchments through measures such as habitat restoration, barrier removal and water quality improvements. 

    Elsewhere, £300,000 paid by Wessex Water following their pollution of the River Gascoigne will be used by the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust to improve habitats in the area, including vital work to support endangered water vole populations. It will create reedbeds, wetlands and ponds at Yeovil Country Park and along Preston Brook.   

    These payments follow a major increase in enforcement activity, including a record 10,000 inspections of water company sites and a significant rise in criminal investigations. More staff, better data, and increased powers mean the regulator can act faster when breaches occur and enable more targeted regulatory action. 

    Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: 

    As the environmental regulator of the water industry, we are transforming how we enforce the rules – with better data, stronger powers and our largest ever enforcement workforce. 

    This record level of Enforcement Undertakings payments means more money is being reinvested directly into restoring the environment. 

    While we continue to prosecute and sanction the most serious offences, Enforcement Undertakings allow us to hold companies to account more quickly while ensuring money is channelled directly to where damage has occurred, delivering real benefits for people and wildlife.

    Enforcement Undertakings are one of a range of tools available to the Environment Agency. Alongside these agreements, the Environment Agency continues to pursue robust enforcement against offenders, including prosecutions for the most serious offences.  New figures show that £8.5 million has been secured through Environment Agency Enforcement Undertakings (EUs) over the last financial year (2025/26) – the highest annual total on record. 

    Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust, said: 

    We would prefer that pollution events didn’t happen in the first place and continue to push for the necessary action to ensure this – including ambitious reform of the water system.  

    When pollution incidents do occur, it is right that polluters contribute to the costs of caring for the rivers harmed by this. Enforcement Undertakings are one way of channelling vital funds into this crucial work, but this is only a fraction of the investment needed to build catchment resilience to pollution, floods and drought.  

    The Rivers Trust exists to ensure thriving rivers and is well placed to put any, and all, funding to good use to improve our waterways in line with our charity’s mission.

    The government has also introduced stronger powers through the Water (Special Measures) Act, including tougher penalties and new measures to ensure regulators can act more quickly and effectively. 

    Further reforms are planned, including new civil penalties to close gaps in enforcement and ensure that all breaches – including lower-level offences – are dealt with swiftly and proportionately. 

    Today’s announcement forms part of ongoing action to transform the water sector, improve transparency and drive better performance from water companies. 

    Notes to editors 

    • Enforcement Undertakings are voluntary agreements between offenders and the Environment Agency, requiring companies to fund environmental improvements instead of paying fines to the Treasury.  
    • £8 million in Enforcement Undertakings was secured in the 2025/26 financial year, the highest annual total on record.  
    • The Environment Agency carried out a record 10,000 inspections of water company assets this year.  
    • The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 introduces stronger enforcement powers, including cost recovery and new civil penalties. 

    Year Apr 2025 – March 2026 

    Total: £8,505,424.00 

    EU REFCompany NameDate of AcceptanceValue
    EU1089Severn Trent Water Limited29/05/2025£777,424.00
    EU1147Anglian Water Services Ltd02/07/2025£200,000.00
    EU1086Yorkshire Water Services Limited24/07/2025£50,000.00
    EU1095Yorkshire Water Services Limited25/07/2025£300,000.00
    EU1149Wessex Water Services Ltd08/08/2025£300,000.00
    EU1059Yorkshire Water Services Limited29/09/2025£300,000.00
    EU1091Severn Trent Water Limited29/09/2025£600,000.00
    EU1167Severn Trent Water Limited29/09/2025£500,000.00
    EU1131Anglian Water Services Ltd30/09/2025£180,000.00
    EU1148Anglian Water Services Ltd04/11/2025£100,000.00
    EU1172Severn Trent Water Limited11/11/2025£550,000.00
    EU1154Yorkshire Water Services Limited02/12/2025£500,000.00
    EU1151Yorkshire Water Services Limited16/12/2025£350,000.00
    EU843Thames Water Utilities Ltd18/12/2025£373,000.00
    EU1152Yorkshire Water Services Limited19/01/2026£250,000.00
    EU868Severn Trent Water Limited09/02/2026£700,000.00
    EU1099Severn Trent Water Limited09/02/2026£1,500,000.00
    EU1159Yorkshire Water Services Limited10/02/2026£500,000.00
    EU1227Northumbrian Water Ltd04/03/2026£200,000.00
    EU1230Anglian Water Services Ltd25/03/2026£275,000.00
  • PRESS RELEASE : NHS patients to get quicker tests and scans closer to home [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : NHS patients to get quicker tests and scans closer to home [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 April 2026.

    Government invests £237 million to expand Community Diagnostic Centres across England.

    • Patients to get quicker checks, tests and scans closer to home as government invests £237 million in new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs)
    • Four CDCs will open, 17 will be expanded, and 15 will receive enhancements to boost diagnostic capacity and get patients seen quicker.
    • NHS in England carried out record 29 million diagnostic tests in 2025 thanks to government modernisation and investment

    Patients across England will benefit from faster and more convenient tests, checks and scans after the government today announced new investment in 36 new and expanded Community Diagnostic Centres.

    The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million government investment, will significantly boost NHS diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities. 

    The funding is part of the extra £26 billion a year this government is investing in the NHS, which has already helped the NHS in England carry out a record 29 million tests and scans in England last year.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 

    Thanks to this government’s investment and modernisation, the NHS delivered a record number of tests and scans last year. But there’s still a long way to go before we’re catching disease on time.

    I was one of the lucky ones – my kidney cancer was caught early, and today I’m living cancer-free. But it shouldn’t be a question of luck. The NHS should be there for all of us when we need it, catching illness earlier so we can treat it faster.

    As part of the record investment we are making in the NHS’s recovery, these new CDCs are part of the biggest expansion in NHS diagnostics in a generation – continuing the progress we’re making and helping save lives.

    We’re not just investing in more, but delivering differently. The NHS should fit around people’s lives, not require patients to fit their lives around the NHS. Community Diagnostic Centres mean patients can get tests, checks and scans while they’re doing their shopping on the weekend or on the way to pick up the kids from school – without travelling across town to a hospital.

    This is part of the extra £26 billion the government is investing in a new, modern NHS that is fit for the future.

    Professor Stella Vig, National Clinical Director for Elective Care at NHS England, said:

    We’re making it easier to access care, and our network of Community Diagnostic Centres deliver important diagnostic tests nearer to people’s homes, with new, expanded or enhanced centres available to patients across England.

    This expansion means even more patients can have vital checks like MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds in a convenient location at a time that suits them, supporting the NHS’s drive to bring down waiting times even further.

    This government’s investment in and modernisation of the health service has led it to carry out record levels of diagnostics.

    In 2025, the NHS in England carried out a record number of key diagnostic tests – almost 30 million – and has carried out an additional 3.5 million tests in the first 18 months of this government compared to the 18 months prior to July 2024.

    Today’s investment will accelerate this progress even further. 

    Four new CDCs, all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, will open in Gorton, Luton, Boston and Bideford during 2026/27. 

    A further 32 centres will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and additional testing facilities. 

    Of these,17 will be physically expanded with new rooms and state-of-the-art scanning and diagnostic equipment – such as MRI, CT and ultrasound scanners – significantly increasing the range and volume of tests each centre can offer.

    A further 15 will receive targeted enhancements, adding specialist kit, new clinic rooms or additional services such as audiology, ophthalmology and respiratory care to existing facilities.

    Together, these upgrades will mean patients can access a greater range of tests at their local centre, reducing the need to travel to hospital. 

    These upgrades will start benefiting patients as early as this year. 

    Rory Deighton, acute care director at The NHS Alliance, said:

    This is a welcome investment in expanding diagnostic capacity through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs), helping patients access tests, checks and scans more quickly and closer to home.

    NHS leaders know that CDCs can improve efficiency, cut waiting times and ease pressure on hospitals.

    Opening new CDCs is a clear example of how capital investment in the NHS can speed up diagnosis and treatment. A decade of underinvestment in capital has left the health service struggling with outdated buildings and too few modern diagnostic machines. Capital funding is essential if the NHS is to buy the scanners and equipment needed to make it fit for the future.

    Dr Bernie Croal, Royal College of Pathologists’ President, said:

    This additional investment is greatly appreciated. Pathology services form an integral component of Community Diagnostic Centres. From monitoring heart disease to checking kidney function or diagnosing diabetes, the centres bring diagnosis and treatment into community settings. These centres are also instrumental in tackling health inequalities, delivering improved access to diagnostic testing, reduced waiting times and earlier diagnosis for patients.

    Community Diagnostic Centres are local hubs that provide patients with access to a wide range of tests, including MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds.

    CDCs are located in convenient community settings – from high streets, shopping centres, and retail parks to leisure centres – and many are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, so patients can access tests closer to where they live, without needing to travel to hospital.

    Background: 

    ·       There are currently 170 CDCs in operation across England. Four new ones will open, and 32 are being expanded and improved.  

    ·       108 CDCs currently operate for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

    Please find a list of new, refurbished expanded and enhanced CDCs below. 

    New (four) 

    ·       Gorton (Manchester) 

    ·       Luton 

    ·       Bideford 

    ·       Boston 

    Expanded (17) 

    ·       Bridgwater 

    ·       Broad Marsh (Nottingham) 

    ·       Exeter 

    ·       Eltham 

    ·       Hull and East Riding 

    ·       Ipswich 

    ·       Isle of Wight 

    ·       Leeds Seacroft 

    ·       Metrocentre, Gateshead 

    ·       North Bedfordshire 

    ·       Plymouth 

    ·       Stoke-on-Trent 

    ·       Tees Valley 

    ·       Walton Hospital (Chesterfield) 

    ·       Warwickshire North CDC (Nuneaton) 

    ·       Wembley 

    ·       West Swindon 

    Enhanced (15) 

    ·       Andover 

    ·       Buckland Community Hospital (Dover) 

    ·       Cannock Chase 

    ·       Clacton 

    ·       Ely 

    ·       Florence Nightingale (Derby) 

    ·       Grantham 

    ·       Milford 

    ·       Northgate (Great Yarmouth) –  

    ·       Paddington (Liverpool) 

    ·       Redcar 

    ·       Southlands (West Sussex) 

    ·       West Essex 

    ·       West Kent 

    ·       Whitworth Hospital CDC (Matlock) 

    Additional quotes:

    Kieran Winterburn, Alzheimer’s Society’s Head of National Influencing, said:

    Alzheimer’s Society backs the UK Government’s investment to expand and strengthen Community Diagnostic Centres across the country, which presents an important opportunity to improve access to a timely diagnosis. It is essential people with dementia benefit fully from this expansion.

    More than a third of people living with dementia in England have not received a diagnosis. Without one, people are unable to access the support, care and treatment they need, which can increase the risk of avoidable crises and unnecessary hospital admissions.

    Dementia remains the UK’s biggest killer, and while the science is flying and new ways to diagnose dementia are emerging, there is more to do to ensure the UK makes the most of these advances. Other countries, including Italy, Germany and Spain, are already offering wider access to biomarker testing, and we now have a real opportunity in the UK to accelerate progress here too.

    That’s why it is vital the Government’s upcoming Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty places a strong and sustained emphasis on improving diagnosis.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of a new Independent Prevent Commissioner [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of a new Independent Prevent Commissioner [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 April 2026.

    The Home Secretary has announced the appointment of Tim Jacques as the government’s new Independent Prevent Commissioner.

    Today, the Home Secretary has announced the appointment of Tim Jacques as the government’s new Independent Prevent Commissioner, following a robust open competition. 

    In December 2024, the role was created by the former Home Secretary to provide consistent oversight, increase effectiveness and develop insight into the Prevent system over the longer term.

    Tim brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Policing, as well as Senior National Coordinator for Prevent and Pursue. In June 2022 he became an executive advisory board member at The Leadership in Counter Terrorism Alumni Association too. Tim is also Chief Executive Officer of the Vault Youth Zone, Preston, a charity that provides young people access to facilities and activities in sports, arts, performance and enterprise. 

    Welcoming the appointment, the Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

    I am delighted to announce that Timothy Jacques has been appointed as the Independent Prevent Commissioner.

    Protecting the public is this government’s first duty and Prevent remains a vital tool in keeping people safe by intervening early to stop individuals from being drawn into terrorism. I am confident that Mr Jacques’ experience and expertise will support continued improvements to the programme and help ensure Prevent continues to operate effectively and proportionately.

    I’d like to thank Lord Anderson for his time as interim Independent Prevent Commissioner and for his report ‘Lessons for Prevent’, which has made a significant contribution to strengthening Prevent and will continue to shape the government’s work in this area. We are incredibly grateful for the knowledge, sense of purpose and duty he brought to the post.

    Independent Prevent Commissioner, Tim Jacques, said:

    I am delighted, honoured and humbled to be appointed to this important, independent public role. I am grateful to Lord Anderson and his team for the work already undertaken as the Interim Prevent Commissioner, and for his support to me in taking up this position.

    Preventing terrorism matters. I believe the British public want a system that is understandable, accessible, coherent and consistently applied, in a fair and non-discriminatory way.

    Most of all we need a system that works, as best as it possibly can, in preventing terrorist atrocities and terrorist motivated offending, with all the ensuing human cost, and wider societal impact.

    This role was introduced to bring independent, objective oversight and scrutiny of Prevent and its effectiveness. In order meet this requirement I will work with and listen to anyone with a genuine interest in Prevent, be they policy makers, practitioners, proponents, informed observers or those with genuine concerns.

    As part of his role, Mr Jacques will provide independent strategic oversight and a review function for Prevent to ensure that it can meet its objectives as effectively as possible. He will begin his tenure on Tuesday 14 April, the day after Lord Anderson’s tenure finishes. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK supports EU-UN coordination in maintaining international peace and security – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK supports EU-UN coordination in maintaining international peace and security – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 April 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Cooperation between the UN and the European Union.

    The UK shares the EU’s commitment to effective multilateralism. 

    With deepening global instability, close cooperation between the UN and regional organisations remains essential. 

    The UK supports EU-UN coordination in maintaining international peace and security, as set out in the EU-UN Strategic Partnership. 

    We also welcome the strengthening of our own cooperation with the EU since the 2025 UK-EU Summit, and the signing of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.

    We continue to build on this in pursuit of European and international security.

    I will now make three points.

    First, the EU makes a vital contribution to stability in our shared neighbourhood. 

    Like the UK, the EU has consistently championed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which Russia continues to violate through its illegal war. 

    Russia must end its aggression, and any peace must be just, lasting, and consistent with the UN Charter. 

    In the Western Balkans, the EU plays a vital role through the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and contributing to stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina through EUFOR ALTHEA.

    Second, EU-UN cooperation contributes to peace and security well beyond Europe. We welcome the EU’s commitment to the protection of civilians, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and climate-related security.

    In the Middle East, the UK and the EU welcome the current ceasefire as an important step back from escalation and an opportunity to create space for diplomacy. 

    The EU and its Member States have been a consistent voice of support for freedom of navigation and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

    In Sudan, the EU is a valued partner for UN efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring an end to the conflict.

    The Berlin Conference on 15 April, co-hosted by the UK, EU, Germany and others, will be an opportunity to reinforce international focus and drive practical action. 

    We also welcome the EU’s diplomatic and humanitarian engagement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and work on governance, resilience, and peacebuilding in Africa and beyond.

    Third, President, we welcome the commitment shown by the EU and its Member States to the UN as an institution, including through the UN 80 reform process. 

    We share the goal of a reformed UN that is effective and representative. 

    A UN that advances international peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

    We are proud to count the EU as a key partner in this cause.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £50 million boost to defence innovation in South Yorkshire with new Defence Growth Deal [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £50 million boost to defence innovation in South Yorkshire with new Defence Growth Deal [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 April 2026.

    New £50 million South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal expanding cutting-edge defence research to help defence companies and boost skills in a region that already supports 3,200 defence jobs.

    • New Defence Growth Deal to boost skills, research and development and supply chains across South Yorkshire.  
    • Investment will support hundreds of well-paid jobs and make defence an engine for growth.  
    • Yorkshire and the Humber benefits from almost £1 billion a year in defence spending, supporting 3, 200 jobs.   

    South Yorkshire will benefit from a £50 million investment to create highly-skilled jobs and strengthen UK national security.  

    A new Defence Growth Deal, which Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP discussed with industry today at the University of Sheffield, will help defence companies and boost skills by expanding cutting-edge defence research in South Yorkshire.  

    The targeted funding is part of the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal and will catalyse growth across the region by boosting innovative R&D capacity and reinforcing the supply chains defence companies need to equip our Armed Forces. 

    The region is already a defence industry hotbed, with 3,200 jobs in Yorkshire and the Humber directly supported by almost £1 billion of defence spending each year, driving defence as an engine for growth.  

    Major facilities such as the MOD-owned Sheffield Forgemasters and BAE Systems’ advanced artillery factory complement defence SMEs, contributing to growth in the region and producing vital kit which keeps Britain safe now and in the future, such as howitzer gun barrels and steel for the Dreadnought-class next generation of submarines. 

    Luke Pollard MP met with Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, which conducts crucial research to develop hi-tech innovative defence equipment of the future.  

    Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: 

    This £50 million investment will mean South Yorkshire’s superb defence companies can develop innovative new technology, helping strengthen our Armed Forces and keep Britain safe in this new era of threat. 

    With government, industry and academia – such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre – working hand in hand we are making sure this support is really targeted where it will have the biggest impact. 

    Through this Defence Growth Deal our government is backing British, and backing South Yorkshire. We’re harnessing the proud industrial base in this area to make defence an engine for growth, delivering new jobs and skills for local people.

    Today’s discussion included establishing a South Yorkshire Defence Board, deepening collaboration between the government, South Yorkshire’s mayoral authority, industry and academia, working hand-in-hand on making the Growth Deal as effective as possible while attracting long-term public and private investment.  

    South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: 

    In an ever more dangerous world, South Yorkshire has a significant role to play in the defence and security of the United Kingdom and our allies. 

    The £50 million Defence Growth Deal we have been awarded by the government doesn’t simply recognise the expertise and assets we have here today, it will help us to build the technologies and innovations of the future.

    That Deal will mean we can continue making things, creating secure, well‑paid jobs, giving people across South Yorkshire the opportunity to stay near and go far. All while helping to keep the UK and our allies safe, secure and protected.

    This £50 million boost directly responds to the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to supporting the UK’s defence industry’s innovation, and will help make defence an engine for growth by powering investment and jobs across South Yorkshire. 

    The UK is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.