Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections of 7 June 2026 – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections of 7 June 2026 – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2026.

    Deputy Ambassador James Ford welcomed ODIHR’s preliminary findings that Armenia’s parliamentary elections were orderly and professionally conducted, congratulated Prime Minister Pashinyan, and affirmed UK support for strengthening democratic resilience.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    I thank our Armenian colleagues for their update on the outcome of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

    The United Kingdom welcomes ODIHR’s preliminary findings, which note that election day was orderly and professionally conducted, with voting largely proceeding smoothly across polling stations. We commend Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission for administering the elections, and congratulate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory.

    The UK values ODIHR’s important role in offering independent assessments of electoral processes and was proud to be among the 42 participating States that contributed observers to the mission in Armenia. We remain committed to supporting Armenia to strengthen its democratic resilience and trust that the authorities will engage constructively in addressing the areas identified by ODIHR for further strengthening electoral integrity for future elections.

    The UK looks forward to working with the new, democratically elected Armenian government to deliver on our Strategic Partnership, strengthen regional stability and develop closer relations with European partners.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cycling and walking boom with £4.5 billion for thousands of new routes and safer crossings [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cycling and walking boom with £4.5 billion for thousands of new routes and safer crossings [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 12 June 2026.

    Strategy aims to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings over the next 5 years.

    • more than half (55%) of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2035 under ambitious new targets 
    • a record £4.5 billion is projected to be invested over next 5 years for thousands of new routes and safer crossings connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services 
    • new routes will save households money, improve public health, cut carbon emissions, reduce congestion and boost local economies

    More than half of short journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035 under new national targets announced by the Department for Transport today (12 June 2026). 

    The new cycling and walking investment strategy sets a national target for people to hit the pavement or pedals for 55% of short trips in towns and for 60% of children aged 5 to 16 to travel actively to school by the same year. 
     
    The government is projected to invest over £4.5 billion in active travel over the next 5 years, and will work with Active Travel England and local authorities to deliver:

    • 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes
    • 10,000 safer crossings, connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services by 2030

    This will also encourage people to walk or bike to public transport hubs, such as train stations, making them more achievable and in line with the way people travel every day.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: 

    Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don’t feel they have safe and convenient options to do so. 

    Our new cycling and walking investment strategy sets out how we will change that, with ambitious targets, record levels of investment and a clear plan to make active travel a practical choice for millions more journeys. 

    This is about creating healthier communities, helping households keep more money in their pockets and building a transport network that works better for everyone.

    Secretary of State for Health, James Murray, said:

    The benefits of walking and cycling for our physical health, mental wellbeing and our communities are clear, and even small increases in physical activity can make a big difference. This investment will help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS.

    The cycling and walking investment strategy demonstrates how we’re working across government to deliver for our communities and reduce health inequalities, while helping fulfil our commitments as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan.

    Published alongside Active Travel England’s Worth Every Step delivery plan, the strategy sets out how investment in active travel can save households money, improve public health, cut congestion, reduce carbon emissions and support local economies.

    By getting more people adopting healthier lifestyles, it would free up around 1.7 million GP appointments every year and lead to 4.4 million fewer sick days.

    If households give up a second car in favour of active short trips, it could save families around £1,700 per year on average – that’s more than £17,000 over 10 years.

    National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman said:  

    Every journey made on foot, wheeling or cycling, delivers value – to the person making it, to the community around them and to the economy. It keeps money in our pockets, makes us healthier and happier and boosts our local economy.    

    Yet too many of our streets do not yet make those journeys feel safe, easy or inviting. Our Worth Every Step delivery plan will change that. And it starts with where we’ll get the biggest impact: a more active school run and simple zebra crossings to transform local trips.   

    It’s time to make the cheapest and healthiest way to travel, the easiest way to travel. When streets work for people, everything else follows.

    The strategy marks a new cross-government approach to active travel, bringing together transport, health and investment while giving local leaders a greater role in shaping delivery to meet the needs of their communities. 

    This forms part of the government’s new Pride in Place programme, empowering communities to take greater control over the renewal of their neighbourhoods, including the introduction of 13 new bathing sites in England.

    It also includes plans to develop a coherent transport network designed to make active travel a realistic option for more journeys across England.  

    Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer:

    Increasing physical activity plays a key role in improving health. The greatest health gain from physical activity comes from those who do none starting to do some, and those who do some increasing their level of activity. Walking, wheeling and cycling are great ways to incorporate physical activity to everyday life, across the life course – to encourage this we must make routes practical, safe and equitable. Active Travel England’s work is important in delivering this, and it is encouraging to see this set out in Worth Every Step.

    Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

    I am delighted to support the launch of Worth Every Step and the cycling and walking investment strategy. We are working to double the number of School Streets in the West, so I am particularly pleased to see the national focus on greener travel to school.

    The West of England is proud to now be a top-rated regional authority for active travel. Tens of millions of pounds of regional investment will mean almost 100 miles of new and improved routes, empowering more people to be able to walk, wheel, and cycle – which is better for our health and for our planet.

    Active travel is an important part of getting the West moving. Working together, we can connect our schools and homes with jobs and transport hubs while we roll out better buses and more trains and develop our mass transit plans.

    Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester said:

    This is a strong national commitment to invest in making walking and cycling safe, accessible and a realistic choice for everyday journeys, and I welcome the particular focus on ensuring safe journeys to school.

    Across Greater Manchester, the focus is on enabling people to have more choice in how they travel – making sure all active modes work as part of a joined-up Bee Network. This integrated approach is already making a difference, with around a third of all journeys made actively and 90% of people walking as part of their public transport journeys.

    Across the region, connected public transport and active travel journeys are now more cost effective and convenient than they’ve ever been and alongside work being done to reduce road danger, Greater Manchester’s ten local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester are enabling safer streets, including School Streets which help more children and families travel actively to and from school.

    With this continued investment, I know even more can be done to help more people choose walking, wheeling and cycling every day.

    Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:  

    This third strategy is bigger and braver than we’ve seen before. As the charity behind the country’s first-ever zebra crossings, we’re delighted there will be 10,000 more on our streets. Side road zebras and the commitment to deliver 5,000 safer routes to school will make healthier travel choices for families much easier.

    South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said:

    My ambition is for South Yorkshire to be the healthiest region in the country – that has to start in our neighbourhoods and around our schools. That’s why I made a commitment to make South Yorkshire the best place in the country for children to walk, wheel and cycle, starting with safer journeys to school.

    We’re already delivering on that ambition, working with more than 170 primary schools this year alone through my Mayor’s Walk and Wheel Challenge. We’ll work with hundreds more in the years ahead to help build lifelong healthy habits.

    I welcome the ambition set out in the government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy because it focuses us on something fundamental: quite simply, every parent should feel confident their child can get to school safely. And in South Yorkshire we’re getting on with making that vision a reality through investing tens of millions in safer crossings, safer routes to schools, school streets and trialling innovative simple zebra crossings.

    Working with other Mayors and Active Travel England, we’re showing how devolution can deliver – creating safer neighbourhoods, healthier journeys, and better connections to jobs, opportunity and each other, so everyone in South Yorkshire can stay near and go far.

    Steve Edgell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said:

    The new cycling and walking investment strategy is a major vote of confidence in active travel and recognises the role cycling can play in creating healthier communities, reducing emissions and improving connectivity. The investment in safer routes and crossings is hugely welcome, particularly as we know many people are deterred from cycling because of safety concerns.

    If we want more people choosing active travel, we need both safe infrastructure and affordable access, and this strategy is an important step towards delivering both. The Cycle to Work Scheme has already helped well over 2 million people access a bike, and with 38% of participants new to commuting by bike, it demonstrates that when barriers to cycling are removed, people are keen to make the switch.

    By combining long-term investment in infrastructure with initiatives that make cycling more accessible, the government has an opportunity to drive lasting behaviour change and help more people choose healthier, more sustainable journeys.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement by the Foreign Minister of Australia and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement by the Foreign Minister of Australia and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2026.

    Joint Statement by the Foreign Minister of Australia and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.

    We, the Foreign Minister of Australia and Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, reaffirm our shared commitment to end all forms of gender-based violence. Protecting against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment – including in development, humanitarian and peacekeeping contexts – is a cornerstone of our foreign policy.

    Gender-based violence remains a pervasive human rights abuse, experienced by one in three women globally. This widespread violence has profound social and economic costs, estimated at around USD1.5 trillion – two per cent of global GDP – each year.

    As digital technologies reshape our societies, these harms are being replicated and amplified online. Men and boys are increasingly engaging with misogynistic content that normalises and promotes gender-based violence.

    Technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence is a national security threat. It is increasingly linked to the exploitation of online spaces to spread harmful norms, coordinate abuse, and undermine democratic institutions and women’s social, political and economic participation and gender equality gains. These actions present risks to social cohesion and national security.

    In response, Australia and the United Kingdom are intensifying our efforts to ensure that all women and girls are safe from gender-based violence, and to ensure that perpetrators – online and offline – are held to account. In May, the United Kingdom and Australia came together to launch a new International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls, in partnership with six other countries to drive sustained attention and action at national, regional and international levels.

    Two years on from signing the Australia-UK Memorandum of Understanding to Collaborate on Ending Gender-based Violence, together, we reaffirm our commitment to its full implementation, including through:

    • Prevention and addressing the root causes of violence, including through evidence-based action to challenge harmful norms, behaviours and systems that enable violence against women and girls in all contexts.
    • Holding perpetrators to account and supporting victim-survivors, including strengthening justice responses, improving access to services, and ensuring survivor-centred approaches across both offline and online settings.
    • Coordinated international advocacy to drive a more concerted collective response, including through joint leadership in multilateral fora and initiatives such as the International Coalition to End Violence against Women, the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, and the upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls Summit, to mobilise greater ambition, alignment and accountability.

    Together, we will also strengthen our collaboration on online safety, working to drive renewed international momentum to address the online and technology-facilitated abuse of women and children. This includes addressing some of the most prevalent and fast-growing harms such as non-consensual intimate image abuse, which is increasingly facilitated by generative AI. We will work with partners to align standards, promote safety-by-design and scale proven solutions. Practical actions include piloting and securing endorsements for the Preliminary Model National Framework for Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII), working together through the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, and launching a new round of the Tech Safety Showcase in partnership with UNFPA.

    These efforts align with and advance the objectives of the 2024 Australia-UK Memorandum of Understanding on Online Safety and Security and reinforce our shared commitment to a safer digital environment for all.

    Australia and the United Kingdom remain deeply committed to working together – across both foreign and domestic policy – to ensure all women and girls can live free from gender-based violence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement – Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom and Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement – Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom and Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 11 June 2026.

    Ministers from the UK and New Zealand make joint statement on the New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement.

    This Joint Statement follows the meeting of the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand and Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom on 1 June 2026. 

    At their meeting, the Ministers opened the third Joint Committee of the New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and reaffirmed the strength of the New Zealand–United Kingdom trade relationship which reached a record £4.0bn or NZ$7.4bn of trade in goods and services in 2025. 

    They noted this reflects the strength of the FTA, which celebrated three years since its entry into force on 31 May 2023, and its continued delivery of tangible benefits to businesses and consumers. 

    In 2025, £675.1m or NZ$1,529.6m of traded goods successfully used preferential tariffs; i.e. around 91.5% of goods traded between the UK and New Zealand made use of preferences where one was available. High utilisation of preferential tariffs shows businesses are taking full advantage of the benefits of the FTA – reducing costs, improving market competitiveness and supporting trade growth.  

    Between Jan and Dec 2025: 

    • 88.5% of goods imports into New Zealand from the UK used preferential tariffs. Had this trade occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, it could have encountered an additional £7.9m or NZ$17.9m in duties. 
    • 92.4% of goods imports into the UK from New Zealand used preferential tariffs. Had this trade occurred at standard MFN tariff rates, it could have encountered an additional £98.4m or NZ$222.9m in duties. 

    Ministers noted continued progress under the FTA and ongoing cooperation across its breadth. 

    They welcomed advancements on a tariff rate quota data sharing arrangement between the New Zealand Meat Board and HM Revenue and Customs and noted the Joint Understanding reached by the UK and New Zealand on improving the terms of trade for dealcoholised and partially dealcoholised wines and committing to make as much progress as possible towards a mutually satisfactory outcome over the next year. Ministers also welcomed significant progress on the review of the digital chapter and look forward to concluding discussions and agreeing an outcome that supports shared ambitions for digital trade growth.  

    They agreed that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) strengthens connections between the UK, New Zealand, and other Parties to the Agreement. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the CPTPP’s expansion via the accession of economies able to meet the Agreement’s high standards, the upgrading of the Agreement to ensure it remains of a high quality, and expanding the reach of the Agreement through the CPTPP-EU and CPTPP-ASEAN Dialogues to facilitate trade and support the international trading system. 

    In an increasingly uncertain global environment, the Ministers underscored that open and rules-based trade is central to prosperity and economic security, and reaffirmed their commitment to defend, strengthen, and modernise the rules-based multilateral trading system.  

    They reaffirmed the importance of a strong and effective World Trade Organization, at the core of the multilateral trading system, and the need to work together with urgency to progress, an inclusive and transparent WTO Reform agenda. 

    Ministers noted the importance of advancing gender equality through trade. The UK announced its intention to begin the formal process to join the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA), underscoring the UK’s commitment to ensuring that international trade works for everyone. 

    They welcomed the signing of a new bilateral Double Tax Agreement to better promote cross border trade and investment between the UK and New Zealand, by eliminating double taxation and improving certainty for taxpayers. 

    Ministers committed to continued engagement to progress opportunities under the FTA and identified environment, inclusive, digital and services trade as priorities for further cooperation in the year ahead. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Permanent Secretary of the Department for Work and Pensions Appointed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Permanent Secretary of the Department for Work and Pensions Appointed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 11 June 2026.

    The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Dame Sarah Healey as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Sarah will replace Sir Peter Schofield, who is stepping down from the role in July 2026.

    Sarah is currently Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), and has previously been Permanent Secretary at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

    Sarah has extensive experience of leading and reforming government departments to deliver better services for the public. She will bring this experience to oversee DWP’s vital work reforming the welfare system, overhauling UK pensions and opening up more employment opportunities – especially for young people.

    The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, said:

    I’m delighted to welcome Sarah Healey as Permanent Secretary of DWP. She has an outstanding record across government, and that experience is exactly what’s needed as we work to support people to realise their potential at every stage of life – providing opportunities to those who can work and security for those who cannot.

    Sarah will take forward our agenda to improve outcomes for customers through modern, connected, personalised services. I’d also like to pay tribute to Peter Schofield for his extraordinary commitment to public service over 35 years and wish him all the best for the future.

    The Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, said:

    I am delighted to announce Sarah’s appointment as Permanent Secretary of DWP. Sarah’s impressive track record as a Permanent Secretary and Civil Service leader following a 25 year career in the Service makes her an excellent fit to deliver welfare and pension reform, as well as boosting employment opportunities. 

    I would like to thank Peter Schofield for his 35 years of stellar public service and his excellent leadership of the Department over the last eight years. Peter was instrumental in steering the department through the pandemic, as well as the transformation agenda to complete the Universal Credit programme. Peter has also made a major contribution to the collective leadership of the Civil Service in his eight years as a Permanent Secretary.

    Commenting on her appointment, Sarah Healey said:

    I am delighted to have been appointed as Permanent Secretary of DWP. The department touches millions of lives and I am excited by the opportunity to lead its ambitious reform agenda.

    I leave MHCLG with great pride in what we have accomplished together in the last 3 years, and sincere thanks to my colleagues there for their outstanding commitment and professionalism.

    Sarah will take up her new post on 1st August. The Cabinet Secretary will announce arrangements for her replacement as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shortly.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to deprived nurseries [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to deprived nurseries [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 11 June 2026.

    New push to get qualified nursery teachers into England’s most deprived communities so nurseries can offer more childcare places, helping families save money.

    More qualified nursery teachers will be attracted to England’s most deprived communities with £4,500 bonuses – ensuring tens of thousands more children get the best start in life.

    The move will also help more families access their funded childcare entitlement, worth up to £8,000 a year, by giving nurseries the qualified staff they need to open more places.

    Fewer than one in ten nursery staff currently hold a graduate teaching qualification – yet evidence shows that the more highly qualified the staff, the better the outcomes for children.

    The extra cash bonus will help recruit and retain the best teachers in the communities that need them most, raising the quality of teaching for every child who walks through the door.

    The first wave launches today in 10 areas – including Sandwell, Middlesbrough and Rochdale – with expansion to 30 communities later this year. Areas were selected based on deprivation, teacher shortages and school readiness levels.

    Just 58% of children in the most deprived communities reach the desired level of development by the end of reception, compared to 77% in the least deprived areas. This targeted scheme puts more qualified staff into the communities that have been left behind – levelling the playing field for every child.

    Today’s announcement exceeds the government’s initial pledge – backing nursery teachers across 30 communities, up from the 20 areas first announced last July – delivering on the Education Secretary’s core belief that background should never mean destiny

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    It shouldn’t matter if you’re born in Sandwell or Middlesbrough, in Rochdale or Rotherham – every child deserves the best teachers, with the best tools at their disposal, to give them the very best start in life.

    These measures will help nurseries attract and keep more qualified staff — so they can deliver the funded childcare that saves families up to £8,000 a year in the communities that need it most.

    Alongside the bonus, new partnership grants will for the first time fund nurseries, childminders, and schools to formally work together. Staff will be able to visit each other’s settings, share teaching approaches and build stronger links with families so children arrive at school confident and ready.

    18 new hubs of excellent nursery teaching have also been confirmed today – doubling the network to 36 across England. The Early Years Stronger Practice Hub programme is designed to bring the best nurseries and childminders together to share what works and will host specialist advisors and leads in early language, maths and personal, social and emotional development, delivering tailored training to early years educators so the highest quality teaching and practices reach more children in more communities.

    Further work will follow, including a consultation on how to raise the status and recognition of early years teachers, removing barriers to increased pay in relevant settings.

    This work is part of the mission to get tens of thousands more children school-ready by 2028, combining efforts to upskill the workforce through the Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship and attract new nursery staff via the Do Something Big campaign.

    It will also help families with 30 hours of funded childcare, worth up to £8,000 a year, helping with the cost of living while expanding places through new school-based nurseries in the communities that need them most.

    ENDS

    Additional quotes

    Executive Director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition Sarah Ronan said:

    When disadvantaged children start school 4.7 months behind their better off peers, it’s right that we do everything we can to close that gap as early as possible. Research shows us that graduate teachers can have a positive impact on child development particularly for those at risk of being left behind.

    We welcome this incentive to attract more graduates to work in communities where they can make a difference and change lives and we are particularly pleased to see the Government offer this bonus in even more areas. The expansion of Stronger Practice Hubs is also welcome. A well-trained and supported workforce is the most important lever we have in driving outcomes for children. An investment in early years professionals is an investment in our children.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Support for the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s comprehensive security work and reform agenda – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Support for the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s comprehensive security work and reform agenda – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2026.

    Deputy Ambassador James Ford welcomes the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s report and commends its practical support to Kazakhstan across security, governance and economic and environmental dimensions, highlighting the need for impact, sustainability and alignment with OSCE commitments amid constrained resources.

    Thank you Chair and thank you, Ambassador, for your report. Thank you also to you and your team for your support and hospitality to my Ambassador during his recent visit to Astana, where he saw first-hand the work you are doing across all three dimensions of security.

    The UK supports this balanced approach in many of the areas noted in your report. I won’t list them all here, but they stretch from judicial reform, to the fight against human trafficking, to regional cooperation on environmental issues and water governance.

    The Office’s range of work reflects the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security and evidently delivers tangible benefits for Kazakhstan and the wider region.

    Ambassador, the UK supports your Office’s practical assistance to Kazakhstan, including the work on borders, cybercrime, our shared Vienna Document commitments, and security sector reform.

    We also welcome the Office’s partnership with your hosts on democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law.

    We remain a strong supporter of your mandate. As with all field missions we encourage continued focus on impact, sustainability and close alignment with OSCE commitments, particularly in a constrained resource environment. We reiterate our thanks to the Swiss Chairpersonship for beginning the discussion about the future of field missions throughout the network. We look forward to further substantive discussions on this matter over the coming months.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Baroness Hogg has been reappointed as a non-executive member of the Office for Budget Responsibility [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Baroness Hogg has been reappointed as a non-executive member of the Office for Budget Responsibility [June 2026]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 June 2026.

    Baroness Hogg has been reappointed as a non-executive member of the Office for Budget Responsibility. Her first term was due to end on 19 June 2026. Baroness Hogg has agreed to serve a further one-year term until 19 June 2027.

    Dame Susan Rice will be stepping down as a non-executive member of the Office for Budget Responsibility when her term ends on 19 June 2026. The OBR will shortly launch a recruitment process to appoint Dame Susan Rice’s successor.

    The OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee, Tom Josephs and Professor David Miles, said:

    We are delighted that Baroness Hogg will be serving for a further year. We would like to record our immense gratitude for the invaluable contribution that Dame Susan Rice has made to the OBR over the past three years.

    Further Information

    Baroness Hogg has had a long and varied career in economic journalism and public policy, including as the Head of Number 10 Policy Unit. She has worked as a Director, council member and Chair for numerous private and public sector organisations including Royal Mail, the BBC, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and the Financial Services Authority as well as being the lead independent Director for HM Treasury for six years. She was appointed to the House of Lords as a Conservative peer in 1995 and became a crossbench peer in 2010, following her appointment as Chair of the Financial Reporting Council. She was a member of the House of Lords Economics Affairs Committee from 1999 to 2003.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s actions in Ukraine continue to undermine the prospects for peace – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s actions in Ukraine continue to undermine the prospects for peace – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2026.

    Ambassador Holland underlines the growing gap between Russia’s rhetoric and actions, highlighting intensified attacks and rising civilian casualties. Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness for peace, while Russia continues to obstruct and undermine the path towards a just and lasting settlement.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    We continue to hear claims from Russia that it is open to a peaceful resolution to its war of aggression against Ukraine. But words about peace matter only if they are matched by actions. And there remains a clear and widening gap between Russia’s rhetoric and the reality of its conduct. While speaking of negotiations, Russia continues to reject meaningful opportunities for dialogue and instead intensifies its attacks, with Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure continuing to be impacted.

    The facts on the ground are clear. In May, Russia fired a record 7,100 drones at Ukraine, the third consecutive month in which this grim record was broken. May also saw the highest number of civilian casualties since April 2022. And this pattern has continued into June. In its latest mass attack, Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles, killing at least 23 civilians, including two children, and injuring many more. This is not the conduct of a state preparing the ground for peace. It is the conduct of a state continuing to intensify its aggression.

    By contrast, Ukraine has shown repeatedly that it is ready for peace. It has agreed to proposals for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. It has engaged constructively with negotiations. And it has demonstrated that it is prepared to take serious steps to reduce violence and create space for diplomacy. Ukraine is ready. Russia is not.

    Ukraine’s position was reinforced last weekend, when the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Germany met President Zelenskyy and called on President Putin to agree to an immediate and complete ceasefire. They were equally clear that international borders must not be changed by force, that Ukraine’s sovereign right to choose its own security arrangements must be fully respected, and that any just and lasting peace must be underpinned by robust security guarantees. These are serious, credible and principled foundations for peace.

    Russia, however, continues to advance maximalist objectives. It continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from areas Russia has failed to occupy after years of fighting. It continues to prolong negotiations while intensifying military pressure. And it continues to behave as though sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force are somehow negotiable. They are not.

    There is therefore a fundamental contradiction at the heart of Russia’s position. It speaks of peace but acts for war. It calls for dialogue but refuses to engage seriously. The conclusion is unavoidable: Russia has not chosen peace. And there remains one party actively seeking to prolong this war, and it’s the same country that started it and could end it tomorrow: Russia.

    Mr Chair, the United Kingdom will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine as it exercises its legitimate right of self-defence under the UN Charter. If Russia is serious about peace, it should demonstrate that through its actions by ending its attacks; agreeing to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire; engaging constructively in negotiations; and respecting international law and OSCE principles.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £35 million government funding boost to stop drones smuggling contraband into prisons [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £35 million government funding boost to stop drones smuggling contraband into prisons [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 11 June 2026.

    Up to 13,000 prison cell windows across England and Wales will be fitted with heavy-duty steel grilles to stop drones smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.

    • New counter-drone measures  at  17 prisons at high risk from drones
    • Up to 13,000 cell windows to be reinforced with grilles to thwart criminals smuggling illicit items
    • Part of Government action to ensure prisons cut crime and protect the public    

    Up to 13,000 prison cell windows across England and Wales will be fitted with heavy-duty steel grilles to stop drones smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.

    The roll out, backed by £35m of government funding, will see physical security strengthened at 17 high-risk prisons vulnerable to drone activity. The funding will help to crackdown on criminal gangs exploiting jails with increasingly sophisticated drone operations.  

    The investment includes installing thousands of grilles to cell windows by spring next year – providing a tough physical barrier to block the delivery of contraband which can wreak havoc behind bars.      

    Many of the grilles will be manufactured by prisoners themselves - helping to cut costs and giving offenders skills for the job market so they can leave crime behind.   

    It comes as crooks are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach with drone sightings around prisons increasing by 770% between 2019 and 2023, not only undermining rehabilitation efforts but threatening the safety of both staff and prisoners.    

    Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, said:     

    Drone smuggling fuels violence, debt and disorder in our prisons. It wrecks rehabilitation and puts lives at risk.

    This new investment will further bolster prison defences against drones, building on our work with police to catch and prosecute the criminal gangs responsible. 

    To the criminal gangs using drones to target our prisons, my message is clear: we are shutting down your routes, disrupting your operations and bringing offenders to justice. 

    Today’s announcement builds on £40 million already invested by the Government to strengthen prison security, including £10 million specifically on counter-drone measures such as external netting and wires.    

    A large-scale joint operation between the police and HMPPS has already resulted in over 200 arrests linked to drones smuggling contraband into our prisons.   

    In March, a gang that used drones to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into prisons were sentenced to a combined 22 years’ imprisonment, thanks to an investigation by the Metropolitan Police in partnership with the Prison Service.    

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Countering the Threat from Drones in Prisons, Steff Sharp said:   

    We welcome this investment as it aligns with our continued pursuit of those using drones to smuggle weapons, drugs, phones and other contraband into prisons. These items fuel organised crime, impact local communities and increase the risk of violence towards staff and inmates within prison walls.

    Counter drone activity is complex which is why we are committed to working closely with HMPPS and other partners to make sure this criminality is prevented, intercepted and offenders brought to justice.

    Today’s investment supports wider Government efforts to develop counter-drone capabilities, including by learning from Ukrainian expertise developed on the battlefield and from innovators through a competition launched this year to tackle the illegal use of drones in prisons.   

    More broadly the Government plans to build 14,000 extra places nationwide by 2031 – with 3,100 already added since July 2024 – to keep streets safer and ensure the country never runs out of prison space again.