Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister launches national drive to get everyone in for Christmas [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister launches national drive to get everyone in for Christmas [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 August 2026.

    One month after making his first instruction as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham today has announced the next steps in his national drive to end rough sleeping by announcing immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by increased funding of £442 million.

    • Everyone sleeping rough is to be offered a route off the streets this winter if they need it, the first major milestone in the Prime Minister’s commitment to end rough sleeping
    • Under a boosted £442 million package, areas with the greatest need will receive the largest share of support, to get people out of the cold this winter and give people facing long-term homelessness a settled home and the support to keep it
    • In a drive to bring everyone together to play their part, the Prime Minister is announcing a first of its kind national summit on tackling rough sleeping to take place in the Autumn.

    One month after making his first instruction as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham today (Wednesday 19 August) has announced the next steps in his national drive to end rough sleeping by announcing immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by increased funding of £442 million. 

    New accommodation and support will be rolled out across England this winter, learning from innovative approaches put into place during the pandemic. 

    Alongside emergency accommodation to end the need for rough sleeping, the programme, fully funded within MHCLG budgets, will offer practical help with housing, health and other needs, helping people build a more stable future. 

    In addition, the Prime Minister has announced he will host a first of its kind national summit in the Autumn to bring together leaders from across society – from business, finance, charities, health, faith communities and more – to ask what role each of them can play in ending rough sleeping.

    The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding and a landmark summit, reflect the Prime Minister’s approach of bringing everyone together in a national drive to step up and play their part in ending rough sleeping – with everyone pulling in the same direction at a local level to make real change backed by funding at a national level.

    The plans will not only change the lives of those being given somewhere to sleep and a foundation to rebuild their lives but have huge benefits for the whole country, as research from Crisis suggests preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year could save taxpayers around £370 million. 

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

    No-one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station. But we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.

    I won’t accept it. That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping. And it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas.

    We did it in the pandemic. We can do it again. But it needs all of us. Government will put the money in. But I’m asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally too.

    Let’s get people out the cold. And let’s bring back hope.

    Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

    When the Prime Minister pledged to end rough sleeping, we said we’d move urgently from words to action. Today we’re delivering on that promise.

    This funding will help thousands of people leave the streets behind, move into secure homes and get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

    Working alongside councils, mayors and charities, we’re backing local areas to tackle rough sleeping at its roots, giving people the security, dignity and opportunity they deserve, and restoring hope to those who have been let down for far too long.

    The government is also confirming project allocations for this programme, which includes the investment into long term accommodation announced in July. 

    As well as off the street provision, the funding will help local areas deliver more than 1,000 settled homes over the next three years, alongside intensive wraparound support to help people rebuild their lives. Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support, with communities all across England getting support to address rough sleeping in their area. Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping and making the decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it is needed most. 

    Alongside funding allocations, the Government is publishing guidance to help local areas mobilise quickly and deliver a consistent route off the street offer this winter. The guidance will make clear the need to ensure adequate and accessible provision for women experiencing rough sleeping, recognising that women are often underrepresented in official statistics and may be at greater risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation. Guidance encourages local areas to consider single sex accommodation with specialist, intensive and trauma informed support, for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. This will support the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls in the next ten years.

    Charities, faith groups and community organisations are at the heart of efforts to end homelessness. That is why, in addition to holding a first of its kind national summit bringing together leaders across society with a role to play, £8.4 million of the new funding is going specifically to the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund. This takes total funding allocations announced today for 100 different projects to £47 million over three years, helping small and medium-sized organisations provide life-changing support to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

    Together, these measures form the foundation of cross-government work to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, combining immediate action this winter with lasting solutions to help people rebuild their lives for good.

    Notes to editors: 

    • In July, the PM announced £340m of funding for new support to bring forward settled accommodation for people sleeping rough long-term.
    • Today’s announcement builds on this by confirming an additional £102m, which will be used to fund a range of support to provide immediate routes off the street this winter and beyond, including uplifting the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.  
    • This exceptional £442m package is fully funded, from uncommitted MHCLG budgets.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Libya’s leaders must use this window of opportunity to make progress on Libya’s political process – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Libya’s leaders must use this window of opportunity to make progress on Libya’s political process – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 August 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

    Madam President, three points on the political process, the importance of stability, and human rights.

    First, the United Kingdom reaffirms our support for SRSG Tetteh and for all efforts aimed at advancing an inclusive, credible, and Libyan-led political process.

    Almost a year ago, this Council welcomed SRSG Tetteh’s briefing setting out a roadmap towards elections in Libya, and opening a window for making progress in Libya’s political process.

    A year on, its two initial milestones remain to be implemented by Libya’s parties.
    The people of Libya are telling us clearly that they want progress in the political process towards elections and unified, strengthened, and accountable institutions.

    And we urge Libya’s leaders to use this window of opportunity to act to implement the roadmap and move towards elections.

    Two steps that Libya’s leaders could take now to demonstrate both progress and determination to move forward. Implementing the US-facilitated unified budget agreement, and finalising the outcome of the UNSMIL-facilitated ‘4+4’ small convening discussions.

    Second, progress on the political process will support stability, which in turn offers the best prospects for greater economic certainty and a stable Dinar, for jobs and youth employment, for stable fuel and essential goods and services supplies, and for all those things that Ms Bek has described in her briefing.

    Conversely, when progress stalls, stability is put at risk and in recent weeks we have seen concerning signs.

    And we have heard this morning of some of them. 

    Including around the Governor of the Central Bank, the assassination of the Libyan National Army Military Intelligence Chief, and targeted drone attacks on critical infrastructure at Zawiya.

    We have also seen protests resulting from wider frustrations.

    It is the Libyan people who suffer the most from any instability. 

    The window for progress is open, but not indefinite.

    Third, protection of human rights.

    The United Kingdom welcomes announcements on the release of detained individuals in both West and East Libya.

    We encourage Libyan institutions to end the practice of arbitrary detentions.

    To empower law enforcement and legal institutions to investigate human rights violations and to pursue violators regardless of their affiliations, and to dismantle the criminal gangs responsible for organised immigration crime.

    As the Secretary-General’s latest report shows, organised immigration crime creates protection risks, including of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and forcible transfer. 

    It has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, and it risks fuelling instability in Libya and beyond.

    Madam President, the United Kingdom wants democratic choice, security, and prosperity for the people of Libya.

    Through the mandate of this Council, and the work of our UN Mission, the international community is working to support the achievement of these goals.

    We see a window of opportunity now. And we urge and encourage progress in this window, and support those who take the necessary steps to achieve it.

  • PRESS RELEASE : AI to slash 101 wait times and free vital police time [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI to slash 101 wait times and free vital police time [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 August 2026.

    New AI call-routing system for 101 will get callers to the right service faster, while freeing up police to tackle crime and help victims.

    New AI software will slash waiting times for reporting crimes to the police, helping to unclog the 101 service amid huge levels of misdirected, nuisance and prank calls. 

    The police’s non-emergency line receives 20 million calls each year. Around 20% – four million – of these are for non-policing organisations such as local councils, NHS 111 or the 105 power outage helpline.  

    However, the line also receives ridiculous reports on issues from delayed pizza delivery to slow pub service and requests for a lift, wasting vital time that police should be spending tackling crime.  

    Backed by a £1.4 million government investment, the new system will get the public to the right organisation faster, while freeing up call handlers to respond to crime reports, safeguarding concerns and victims more quickly. 

    It is estimated that the new system will save policing up to £8.5 million each year, releasing funds for local forces to invest in their most pressing priorities. 

    Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, said:  

    Police call handlers are wasting hours fielding calls meant for other organisations. Every minute spent on these calls is time taken away from helping people who genuinely need their support.  

    AI is already helping police catch dangerous criminals and speed up investigations. Now, it will help bring control rooms into the 21st century, freeing up time and unlocking millions of pounds. Forces can reinvest those savings into tackling the crime on our streets.

    The system has been developed by the Home Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council, with delivery partner Vodafone Business. It uses an AI model to match why someone is calling 101 to a set of likely reasons, then redirects non-police issues to the correct agency before the caller enters a queue.  

    At present, these calls are only identified after someone has spoken to a handler, wasting the caller’s time and increasing wait times for people who need police assistance.  

    The new system has been subject to rigorous training and testing by the Home Office and police to ensure its performance is not affected by factors such as callers’ accents and phrasing. During pilots in 15 police forces it successfully diverted non-police issues including damage-only road traffic incidents, fly tipping and noise complaints to the right agencies. 

    There are strong safeguards in place to ensure that no one in need of police assistance is ever accidently diverted. Callers are told how the system has understood their reason for calling and must accept or reject this.  

    Where the reason for calling falls into a broad category, additional safeguarding questions are asked. If the system is in any doubt, the call is passed directly to the police without delay. Callers will always be able to speak to a handler if they wish.

    The use of the system may vary by force, depending on what telephone menu services they already have in place. The current 999 system has not changed.

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Contact Operations, A/Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hooper, said: 

    This innovation addresses a long-standing challenge in public contact by using AI to triage and redirect non-police calls. It’ll help forces manage demand more effectively, freeing up call handlers to focus on those who genuinely need police support. 

    By reducing unnecessary call handling, this system marks a major step forward in modernising how the public interacts with policing – making services more efficient, responsive, and easier to navigate. 

    We’re extremely grateful to our partners at the Home Office and Vodafone, whose work and vision have been essential in designing and delivering this capability.

    Nick Gliddon, Business Director, VodafoneThree, said:  

    The 101 service plays a vital role in connecting people with the police when they need them, but not every call requires police intervention. By using AI to understand the reason for a caller’s contact and help direct them to the right service, we can reduce unnecessary demand and help police teams focus their time and resources where they are needed most. This is a practical example of how technology can support public services, making it easier for people to get the help they need while helping to protect valuable police resources.

    As part of its landmark police reform initiatives, the government is investing a record £16.5 million to modernise how the police and public interact. Alongside the new 101 triage system, this will include AI that transcribes 999 and 101 calls, and links crime reports to identify patterns in demand.   

    John Hayward-Cripps, CEO, Neighbourhood Watch Network, said: 

    Neighbourhood Watch volunteers and supporters have long fed back on the delays and poor service from the overloaded 101 service reported to them from local members of the public. This new AI call-routing system is a practical step towards a faster, smarter and more responsive 101 service. By directing non-policing calls to the right organisation at the start, it will help reduce waiting times for the public, protect vital police resources, and ensure officers and call handlers can focus on tackling crime, safeguarding vulnerable people and supporting victims. Neighbourhood Watch fully support this government initiative and hope it can be implemented quickly.

    Al Murray, Interim Director at PoliceAI, said: 

    Every minute spent dealing with a misdirected call is a minute that could be spent helping a victim or responding to a crime. This initiative shows how AI can better redirect non-police related calls from the system, get the public to the right service faster and free police officers to focus on the work only they can do. At a time when policing is facing growing demand, that matters more than ever. It is a powerful example of how technology can improve the public’s experience, strengthen support for victims and make better use of valuable police time.  

    When introduced responsibly and with the right safeguards, AI has the potential to transform public services. This investment will help policing work more efficiently, deliver better value for taxpayers and allow officers and staff to spend more time protecting communities and tackling crime. It’s exactly the kind of practical, people-focused innovation that PoliceAI exists to support.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Better Wifi on Trains [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Better Wifi on Trains [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 18 August 2026.

    • Reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and access to cutting-edge tech for British farmers among 16 new projects backed by £13 million.
    • Funding to help transform access and availability of 5G and 6G networks – boosting connectivity and driving growth.
    • Projects will create high-value jobs across the UK, strengthen national security, and help cement Britain’s position as a global force in satellite communication technology.

    More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food are among a raft of new projects which will bring the benefits of space technology into everyday life.

    The UK Space Agency is funding 16 projects through a £13 million government investment, supporting the companies and workers developing the satellite communications systems the UK will depend on for decades to come.

    Satellites are the backbone of modern life, powering the navigation apps we rely on, the weather forecasts that keep us safe from storms and extreme heat, and the broadband connections that keep friends and family in touch.

    Among the projects receiving support, CGI’s SODOR will trial satellite broadband on ScotRail’s West Highland Line, one of Scotland’s most scenic but remote routes. This will bring reliable connectivity to passengers and commuters in areas where traditional mobile networks struggle to reach. This trial will support the government’s wider work to introduce satellite connectivity on all mainland trains – improving availability and connection speeds for passengers across the country. 

    In agriculture, Farmer Charlie’s GAUFF project is developing affordable satellite-enabled sensors that will give farmers real-time data on their land and crops. That will help deliver better harvests and reduce waste through smarter, more targeted farming, with the technology expected to be available by the end of next summer.

    Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:

    This investment shows the true breadth of UK space innovation and how innovations in the UK’s satellite sector can improve lives, with better connectivity delivering internet access for more train journeys, and smarter farming. through more reliable connections through to support for our farming communities.

    By backing brilliant British companies, we are not only furthering our status as one of the world’s leading space powers, but creating high-quality jobs and new opportunities across the UK.

    Betty Bonnardel MBE, CEO of Farmer Charlie said:

    We are delighted to receive the support of the UK Space Agency, through the European Agency, as it helps Farmer Charlie bring the benefits of precision agriculture to farmers across the UK. 

    By combining affordable sensors with satellite connectivity, we are making it easier for growers to make informed decisions, improve productivity and farm more sustainably anywhere in the UK.

    The 16 projects will be delivered as part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme, backed by £13 million in UK Government funding.

    The space sector is one of our strongest drivers of growth and opportunity – employing more than 55,000 people and bringing £18.6 billion into the economy every year(1.) This investment will take UK space to the next frontier – backing the innovators developing the faster, smarter and more secure satellite systems which will keep us safe and our economy moving.

    Other projects winning backing today include Exobotics Ltd’s STARS project, which will develop ultra-fast satellite communications technology. This will deliver the first satellites in a planned network designed to relay data between satellites and the ground much more quickly.

    Further projects will also improve the UK’s capabilities in deep space and lunar communications, supporting future missions which explore our universe.

    These investments will boost the UK’s ability to shape the curve of progress in space technology – backing the companies who will deliver jobs, investment, and opportunities that will support communities across the country for decades to come. 

    Notes to Editors

    List of Projects

    STARS, Exobotics Ltd, London – £2,100,000

    Working with Archangel Lightworks and University of Nottingham, this project selected under the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit Programme2 will develop and demonstrate a next-generation optical communications capability designed to provide ultra-fast, resilient and near real-time connectivity for satellite operators. The project will deliver the first satellites in a planned future data relay network, helping address growing demand for rapid transfer of mission-critical data.

    Theia – Software Defined Radio Generic Payload Processor, Airbus Defence and Space UK Ltd, Portsmouth – £1,500,000

    This project is developing technology that allows to expand Airbus existing Hyperion Processor (Hyperion Evo) by offering the capability to tailor specific Processor functions to the mission needs as well as reprogramming and updating those functions while in orbit, rather than being locked into a fixed set of functions before and after launch. This makes Airbus On-board Processors and satellites more adaptable, helps operators get more out of them over time, and reduces costs.

    QUAKES: Quick Universal Array for Ka-band, E-band, and S-band Earth Stations, Orbital Astronautics Ltd, Goring–On-Thames – £1,710,000

    QUAKES is building a compact, portable ground station that can connect to multiple satellites at once and handle everything from low-bandwidth sensor data to high-speed broadband. Because it can be quickly deployed with minimal infrastructure, it is well suited to both civilian and defence uses in challenging or remote environments.

    Hybrid Generative Broadcasting & Semantic SATCOM for Satellite Content Delivery in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks, AWTG Ltd, London – £684,000

    This project is using artificial intelligence to make satellite broadcasting more efficient, reducing the amount of data and power needed to deliver high-quality video and media content. Rather than transmitting a full picture every time, the system intelligently reconstructs content at the receiving end, saving bandwidth across satellite, airborne and ground-based networks.

    Optimus, Archangel Lightworks Ltd, Oxford– £1,845,000

    Project Optimus is building a high-speed laser communications system that can transmit data between satellites and the ground at speeds of over 100 gigabits per second — roughly ten times faster than its predecessor. Compact and quick to deploy, it could support everything from broadband internet and Earth observation to space-based data centres.

    NextGen Deep Space & Lunar Ground TT&C Processor (TTCP Lite), BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Limited, Chelmsford – £123,000

    This project is exploring how ground station systems that are used to track and communicate with deep-space missions billions of km away can be modernised. It is an important step towards building a fully-digital ground infrastructure to support future space exploration.

    DTN Network Operations Centre, Aalyria Technologies (UK) Ltd, London – £750,000

    Working with Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, this project is developing networking technology that can maintain reliable communications even across the vast distances of deep space, where signals can take minutes or hours to travel. It will help lay the groundwork for future lunar missions and programmes such as ESA’s Moonlight initiative.

    NG-OGS Accelerator: Accelerating Next-Gen Optical and Quantum Ground Station Networks, Lumino Technologies Ltd, London – £1,140,000

    This project is developing next generation optical ground stations – the facilities on the ground that use lasers to communicate with satellites – making these cheaper and easier to build and deploy at scale. NG-OGS Accelerator will help the UK keep pace with growing demand for high-speed, secure satellite communications as well as enable long-range quantum communications.

    Digital BUC / HPA, ETL Systems Limited, Hereford – £895,000

    This project will modernise satellite ground infrastructure by replacing complex analogue uplink equipment with digital technology. This will enable more flexible, cloud-based satellite services and create infrastructure that is easier to upgrade, more adaptable and better suited to future satellite communications networks.

    “UPLINK-GEO” – Power Scaled Erbium-Doped Fibre Laser and Hollow-Core Fibre Beam Delivery to Enable Optical Ground Stations with Extended Range to GEO and Beyond, Woodrow Scientific Ltd, Southampton – £376,000

    This project is developing more powerful laser technology to extend the range of optical ground stations, allowing them to communicate with satellites in higher orbits further from Earth. This is essential infrastructure for future high-capacity satellite networks that use light rather than radio waves to transmit data.

    Satellites for Digitalisation of Railways (SODOR) CCN 4 – West Highland Line Pilot, CGI IT UK Ltd, Leatherhead – £428,000

    This project will fit a ScotRail train on the West Highland Line with satellite communications equipment to provide reliable broadband in one of the UK’s most remote rail corridors. It will demonstrate how satellite technology can fill connectivity gaps where mobile and broadband networks simply don’t reach.

    NOVACOM2: Propulsion Pressure Regulation Equipment for HET, Nammo UK, Aylesbury – £860,000

    This project is developing and testing advanced components that control the propulsion systems used to manoeuvre electric satellites in orbit. More precise and reliable propulsion technology helps satellites operate more efficiently and extends their working lives, benefiting operators across the global space industry. 

    Gardens, Allotments and Urban Farming Facilitator (GAUFF) Sensor – TN/NTN Optimisation, Farmer Charlie, London – £199,000

    This project is creating low-cost, easy-to-use sensors that help farmers and growers monitor their crops, soil and local environment using a combination of satellite and mobile connectivity. The technology is designed to work in rural areas with poor or no internet coverage, helping to bring the benefits of precision agriculture to more people.

    “UPLINK-4.0” – UPLINK Amplifier Technology to Meet the Challenges of SDA OCT 4.0 Burst-Mode Operation, Woodrow Scientific Ltd, Southampton – £205,000

    This project is developing laser amplifier technology that can deliver much higher bursts of power when needed, allowing ground stations to communicate more reliably with satellites in different orbits. It will help ensure the UK’s optical communications infrastructure is ready for the next generation of satellite constellations.

    Lacuna User Terminal Development, Lacuna Space Ltd, Harwell – £429,000

    This project is developing and manufacturing a new generation of small, affordable devices that connect everyday objects and sensors to the internet via satellite — even in the most remote parts of the world. By building these devices in the UK, the project will also strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.

    TS-SDN based SMO for 5G/6G NTNs,  Aalyria Technologies (UK) Ltd, London, – £472,000

    This project is developing the software interface that allows terrestrial networks and satellite systems to work together seamlessly, so that users can stay connected as they move between areas with mobile coverage and areas only served by satellite. It also uses AI to reduce interference between satellites, improving overall network performance for future 5G and 6G services.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Plans to fast-track more homes near stations [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Plans to fast-track more homes near stations [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 17 August 2026.

    Thousands of quality homes to be built closer to stations, cutting commute times and helping families live closer to work, school and transport.

    Thousands of new homes will be built around England’s train, tram and underground stations under new planning rules introduced today (Monday 17 August), helping families to live closer to work, schools and transport. 

    The common-sense changes will fast-track quality homes in well-connected areas, making better use of underdeveloped land around stations while creating jobs, unlocking investment, driving growth and connecting communities. This builds on the priorities set out by the government to ensure that planning decisions give proper consideration to the proximity of public transport links. 

    Under the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework, there will be a default ‘yes’ for homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations, alongside new minimum expectations for how much housing should be built in these areas. It will also prevent excessive gold-plating where there are clear national standards already in place. 

    It comes as the government passes the quarter-way mark towards its stretching target of 1.5 million homes and goes further to get developments that meet clear standards moving quickly from plans on paper to spades in the ground.  

    Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:   

    “A safe, secure home is the foundation of opportunity, but too many people are being priced out of the communities where they want to live and work. 

    “By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities. 

    “That’s how we’ll tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards for people in every corner of the country.” 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP said: 

    “Making it easier for people to buy their own home is about more than a house. It is about security and families feeling they have a place they can truly call their own. 

    “We want to drive growth in every postcode and help more working people into home ownership. A secure home is the heart of all our lives, helping people put down roots, plan for the future and build a good life for themselves and their families. This is about creating opportunity, prosperity and stronger communities across the country.” 

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:  

    “Earlier this year, we published Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport. The steps announced today act on a key commitment we made as part of that Strategy, to support densification of development around well-connected stations to create vibrant, sustainable and well-connected homes and places. 

    “The changes being announced today turn long-held ambitions into reality for our communities. Densification, combined with high-quality walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport, will support healthier lifestyles, improve access to jobs and services, and protect important public transport services.” 

    Pubs and music venues are the lifeblood of communities, local jobs and high streets – and the changes we are making will protect them from being lost without good reason.  

    The changes will also make it easier for councils to approve developments that create jobs, unlock investment, and deliver the shops, leisure facilities, clean energy and food production local areas need.  

    They build on measures announced last week to back farmers and rural businesses, including making it easier to deliver reservoirs, greenhouses, polytunnels and farm shops.  

    The government is also cutting unnecessary bureaucracy by reducing blanket consultation requirements that have slowed planning decisions.   

    Councils will no longer need sign-off from public bodies where specialist advice is not needed, while expert input will be focused on the cases where it adds most value. Sport England will continue to advise on significant cases, and the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will still be notified of relevant applications so they can play an important role in the planning process.  

    Together, these reforms are part of the government’s wider overhaul of the planning system – tackling the housing crisis, unlocking investment and driving good growth in every postcode.  

  • PRESS RELEASE : Asylum appeals target launched for faster removals [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Asylum appeals target launched for faster removals [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 August 2026.

    Individuals with no right to be in the UK will be able to be deported faster as the government looks to cut waiting times for asylum and immigration appeals by over a third.  

    As of 12 August 2026, the First-tier Tribunal will be expected to hear new asylum and immigration appeals from non-detained foreign national offenders (FNOs) and individuals in receipt of asylum support and accommodation within 24 weeks of being received by the tribunal. Currently, the average wait time for a case to be decided by a judge is 67 weeks.  

    This will speed up the removal of those who are unsuccessful at appeal and have no right to be in the UK, free up space in accommodation and cut costs, contributing to taxpayer savings of an estimated £6.9 billion. 

    Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley, said: 

    For too long, asylum and immigration appeals have been plagued by delays, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill while cases drag on for months and sometimes years. 

    This new 24-week target will see cases resolved faster, reduce reliance on taxpayer-funded accommodation and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the UK.

    The 24-week target will apply to in-scope cases submitted to the First-tier Tribunal from 12 August. But, despite the work of the judiciary, over 150,000 appeals are still waiting to be heard. Wider reform is therefore needed to ensure that the system can deal with cases more quickly and prevent it from becoming a barrier to removal.  

    The Immigration and Asylum Bill, which passed its second reading earlier this month, will create a new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA)  to provide a simpler, faster route for deciding appeals.  

    The IIAA will run alongside the First-tier Tribunal for several years and will gradually take on new cases to allow the tribunal to clear the existing backlog as quickly as possible. Independent adjudicators working for the IIAA will be able to prioritise the most urgent cases and those in the public interest, such as high-harm FNOs and dubious human rights claims.  

    Overall, asylum costs have already fallen by £1 billion since the 2024 general election. The government will also close every asylum hotel by the end of this parliament, with under 170 now in use, down from the peak of 400 in 2023. 

    Nearly 10,000 FNOs have also been removed, up 36% compared to the 21 months before the election. Appeals from FNOs who are detained are already prioritised by the judiciary, with the new timeframes ensuring appeals from FNOs who are not held in detention are also expediated.   

    As well as the new target, the government is increasing capacity in the appeals system. This year sitting days are due to increase by 19% in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber compared with 2024 to 2025, so more cases can be heard and decisions made faster.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to New Zealand [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to New Zealand [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 August 2026.

    Ms Louise Cantillon has been appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands in succession to Ms Iona Thomas OBE, who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Ms Cantillon will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Louise Marie Cantillon

    2021 to 2026Sydney, British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia and New Zealand)
    2020 to 2021Shanghai, Minister Counsellor Creative Consumer and Education, British Consulate
    2018 to 2020Shanghai, Head of Infrastructure and Creative Industries, British Consulate
    2011 to 2018British Council, Head of PMO and Senior Asset Manager Asia
    2008 to 2011Gleeds UK, Construction Project Manager
    2004 to 2011Polartech Ltd, Chief Representative Shanghai, Suzhou and Beijing
    2002 to 2004Manchester Chamber of Commerce, China Trade Manager
    1998 to 2002Beijing, Commercial Officer, British Embassy
  • PRESS RELEASE : 150 rural 4G masts now live so holidaymakers can switch off without being cut off [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 150 rural 4G masts now live so holidaymakers can switch off without being cut off [August 2026]

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

    More than 150 rural 4G mast upgrades are now live, boosting mobile coverage across remote UK areas and helping walkers, visitors and communities stay connected.

    • More than 150 government-funded 4G mast upgrades are now live across the UK through the Shared Rural Network, bringing 4G coverage from EE, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone and ThreeUK to some of Britain’s hardest-to-reach rural areas.   
    • Britain’s walkers, hikers and holidaymakers can stay connected, check weather and route information, and contact emergency services more easily when needed.   
    • National parks, including the Yorkshire Dales and Eryri (Snowdonia), receive biggest boost in mobile coverage from the Shared Rural Network.  

    Walkers, hikers and holidaymakers can stay connected when it counts in Britain’s countryside, as more than 150 4G mast upgrades go live through the UK government’s Shared Rural Network programme.   

    For many people, the point of heading outdoors is to escape their screens. But 4G means people can enjoy the countryside with the peace of mind that support, services and loved ones are still within reach if they need them – from checking the weather before a mountain walk to finding a route, sharing a location or calling for help in an emergency.   

    The UK government is working with mobile network operators through the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme to bring reliable 4G mobile internet to rural areas where commercial rollout is harder and more expensive.   

    The upgrades – all delivered through existing infrastructure to protect scenic spots – mean additional 4G is now available across more than 5,684 square kilometres combined across the UK and includes three of the UK’s most iconic hiking landscapes: the Lake District, Snowdonia and Exmoor.

    From the Scottish Islands and Highlands to Northumberland, Cumbria, Dyfed-Powys and North Wales, the rollout is supporting everything from running payments and bookings for local firms to keeping in touch with customers, accessing online public services and working more flexibly from home or on the move.  

    Some of Britain’s most iconic national parks are among the biggest winners from the Shared Rural Network. Compared to other parks, the Yorkshire Dales and Eryri (Snowdonia) have seen the biggest boosts in mobile coverage rising by around seven percentage points in each, according to new government figures, helping visitors stay connected across some of Britain’s most remote and hard-to-reach landscapes.  

    Minister of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Ian Murray, said:   

    You should be able to switch off in the countryside without being cut off from the help and services you need.   

    These 150 masts are helping change that – giving walkers, visitors and rural communities better access to signal when they are checking a route, contacting family, running a business or calling for help.”   

    Millions of people visit Britain’s national parks each year to walk, cycle, camp, climb and enjoy nature. Better rural 4G means visitors can put their phones away, while still being able to access support or message home if they need to.    

    New analysis shows 42 Shared Rural Network sites have now been activated across the UK’s national parks:  

    • 25 sites in England, including seven in the Lake District and six in the Yorkshire Dales.   
    • 16 sites in Wales, including 12 in Eryri/Snowdonia.   
    • 1 site in Scotland, in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.  

    The SRN programme has achieved its objective of extending 4G coverage to 95% of the UK landmass, a year ahead of schedule.    

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reckless Houthi actions have triggered a serious escalation of violence in the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reckless Houthi actions have triggered a serious escalation of violence in the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

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

    Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

    In recent weeks, we have seen a serious escalation in violence in Yemen and the wider region, as a result of reckless Houthi actions. 

    This includes drone and missile strikes against Saudi Arabia, attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, and violations of Yemeni airspace by Iranian aircraft. 

    Iran must cease its long-standing support for the Houthis, which threatens Yemen’s stability.

    We express our condolences to those who have been killed or injured as a result of these actions, including Yemeni, Pakistani, and Indonesian nationals.

    Last week, this Council delivered a clear message of condemnation for Houthi actions and a call for de-escalation. 

    We urge the Houthis to focus on efforts to achieve peace and alleviate the suffering of Yemenis, rather than seeking to embroil Yemen in a wider regional conflict.

    The United Kingdom reiterates its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and security of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and broader regional stability.

    Secondly, the recent escalation is compounding an already dire humanitarian situation.

    More than 22 million people require humanitarian assistance. 

    Over 18 million face food insecurity. 

    And more than 2.2 million children under five are acutely malnourished.

    As a country heavily dependent on food and fuel imports, Yemen remains particularly vulnerable to further shocks.

    With humanitarian funding under strain and the Food and Agriculture Organisation warning of drought risks and greater food insecurity, a return to large-scale conflict would turn an already dire situation into a catastrophe.

    The United Kingdom will continue to work with partners to support the humanitarian response, building upon the more than $180 million of UK funding last year for life-saving humanitarian assistance.

    We also remain deeply concerned by the Houthis’ continued detention of 73 UN staff and many more NGO and civil society personnel, many who have been held for over two years.

    The Houthis must immediately and unconditionally release all those detained and allow humanitarian actors to operate safely and without obstruction.

    Third, the United Kingdom welcomes the appointment of Dr Afrah Al-Zouba as Yemen’s first female Foreign Minister.

    We look forward to working with her and the wider Government of Yemen to support their efforts to deliver much-needed reforms and to strengthen security and stability, including through the new Yemen National Development Strategy.

    President, the choices made now will determine whether Yemen moves closer to peace or slips back towards deeper conflict and humanitarian crisis.

    The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its support to the role of the UN Special Envoy and an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices, to help build the peaceful future that Yemenis deserve.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Number of T Level pupils hits record high as maths A Levels rise [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Number of T Level pupils hits record high as maths A Levels rise [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 13 August 2026.

    T Level results grow substantially as more students achieve more A and A* grades in A Level maths.

    Students across England are receiving their A Level, T Level and vocational results today.

    This is a time to celebrate the results and the full breadth of ambition as they next embark on their next steps – from brilliant academic institutions to degree apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and careers in sectors the country needs the most.

    In a landmark moment for technical education, over 65% more T Level students received results this year – with almost 20,000 students (up from almost 12,000 in 2025) completing them with a pass rate of over 90%.

    A Level results at grades C and above showed stable improvement this year, standing at 78.1% (up 0.4 ppts on 2025), as well as the level of A or A* grades which stood at 28.3% (up 0.2 ppts on 2025).

    This was a strong year for maths, as the highest ever number of students received A Level maths results today (up 3.7% on 2025) and more A and A* grades were awarded in this subject (up 0.6 ppts). This year also saw more students taking up A Level subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths (up 3.7% on 2025).

    More students applying for their next steps were accepted onto a higher education course this year (up 2% on 2025) and 194,800 English 18-year-olds were accepted into their first choice of university (up 1% on 2025).

    Students’ overall attainment continues to improve compared to results seen before the pandemic, with A Level C+ grades up 2.7 ppts on 2019.

    More young people also took up training in construction this year through vocational technical qualifications, which rose by nearly 20% on 2025 – a strong sign that the pipeline of skilled workers is growing to help build the homes this country needs.

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

    I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results today. I know there will have been a mix of excitement, nerves and relief this morning, but you should all be proud of the hard work that got you here.

    It’s brilliant to see more students succeeding in T Levels, more taking maths and STEM subjects, and more young people progressing to the next stage of their education or training.

    The talent is there in every town and city in this country. Our task is to match that talent with opportunity, whether that’s through university, an apprenticeship or a technical pathway that leads to a great career. That’s how we’ll build a stronger Britain, restore hope and ensure every young person can look to the future with confidence.

    Education Secretary Lucy Powell said:

    Congratulations to everyone getting their results today. You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved and I wish you every success for the future. A big thank you to the teachers and families who have backed you every step of the way.

    The rise in students receiving T-Level results this year is very encouraging, as well as so many students progressing in to higher education. There is no single route to achieving your ambitions.

    That’s why we are opening doors with more high-quality opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential – whether that’s through academic study, technical education or hands-on training for skilled work. Whatever path you choose, today is the start of an exciting future.

    Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

    Today’s exam results are a moment to celebrate the hard work of hundreds of thousands of young people.

    We wish every student the very best of luck as they consider their future plans. Whatever their next step, businesses will value their ideas, determination and potential.

    Academic routes are only one part of the system. Government plans to strengthen technical and vocational education to deliver the skills firms need are welcome. We look forward to working in partnership to help ensure the system delivers for students, businesses and the economy.

    Careers advice, essential employability skills and real-world learning should be embedded throughout the curriculum from an early age. This will help more young people make informed choices and support future business growth.

    Jo Simovic, Senior Program Manager and Emerging Talent Programs Lead said:

    Amazon is proud to support T Levels. Our students make a real difference to the business and their results show just how much they have achieved. What sets T Levels apart is simple: at the end of the placement, students understand our culture, and are fully prepared for the world of work.

    We are delighted that 30 students have gone on to secure apprenticeships across the business, from Mechatronics to Cyber Security. Huge congratulations to every one of them – and to all T Level students collecting their results today. With the regional attainment gap remaining too stubbornly high, we are making sure opportunity is spread as evenly as talent across the country though our RISE teams (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence), which will put a laser focus on those areas and schools where performance is weakest. 

    The education system this government inherited entrenches disadvantage – so we are doing whatever it takes to ensure every child has access to opportunity, regardless of their background. This includes expanding government funded childcare, extending free school meals, rolling our breakfast clubs and ending the two-child cap to help lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

    With more than a million young people aged 16 to 24 currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) – and further growth expected by 2031 without urgent action – the government is determined to ensure the system works for every young person and not just those collecting results today.

    The government has set out the most ambitious programme of youth employment reform in a generation, backed by £2.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost a million young people to earn or learn. An extra £800 million is also being invested in 16 to 19 education in 2026-27, creating thousands more places on high-quality pathways.

    Plans announced by the Prime Minister are also underway to enable students aged 14 and over to combine academic subjects with technical education linked to local employers – placing vocational and academic routes on an equal footing for the first time.

    This comes on top of the government’s reforms to vocational and technical education, including the introduction of V Levels and expanding T Levels, which will break down barriers to education by helping to end the snobbery around hands-on learning.

    These major reforms are widening choices for young people to have successful, skilled careers, on top of today’s results opening doors to exciting routes for students across England.