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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Chad – Helena Owen [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Chad – Helena Owen [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2025.

    Ms Helena Owen has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Chad in succession to Mr Ross Matthews who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Owen will take up her appointment during August 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Helena Owen

    Year Role
    2023 to 2025 FCDO, Deputy Head of Unit (Sudan), Sahel, Sudan and South Sudan Department
    2021 to 2023 Abidjan, Development Counsellor
    2020 to 2021 FCDO, Team Leader, NGO COVID-19 response, then Deputy Head, Humanitarian Response Group
    2019 to 2020 DFID/FCO/DIT, Head of Briefing Hub, UK-Africa Investment Summit
    2017 to 2019 Abuja, Head of Conflict, Stability and Security Fund West Africa
    2014 to 2017 Libya Office in Tunis, HMG Libya Programme Representative, then Head of Libya Programmes
    2013 to 2014 New York, UK Mission to the UN, Senior Policy Adviser, Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation
    2011 to 2013 DFID, G20 Team Leader and France Desk Officer, Global Partnerships’ Department
    2004 to 2010 HM Treasury, Various posts
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK-Funded Livelihoods Strategy and Action Plan project celebrates milestones in Belize [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK-Funded Livelihoods Strategy and Action Plan project celebrates milestones in Belize [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2025.

    The UK FCDO granted $32 million to the UKCIF Coastal Road Upgrading Project to support economic resilience and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in Belize.

    The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) of Belize, the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF), and The Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), proudly highlights the achievements and upcoming milestones of the Livelihoods Strategy and Action Plan (LSAP) under the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF).

    The UK FCDO provided a grant of $32 million to the UKCIF Coastal Road Upgrading Project. Via LSAP, this aims to build economic resilience and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in Gales Point Village and Mullins River Village in Belize.

    Key achievements to date include:

    • formalization and registration support for 80 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including 43 female-owned and 37 male-owned businesses
    • entrepreneurial development training for 72 participants of which 59 completed the certification
    • an upcoming Buy Belizean exhibition in Dangriga Town on June 14, 2025, featuring 14 MSMEs and 6 formalization and support agencies

    On May 24, 2025, a certificate ceremony was held at Gales Point Village Primary School to recognize the accomplishments of 59 participants who completed the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program. This training focused on sustainable, community-based business development and was facilitated by BELTRAIDE through its Small Business Development Centre (SBDCBelize).

  • PRESS RELEASE : Fresh UK-EU collaboration on AI to unlock new avenues for innovation and research [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Fresh UK-EU collaboration on AI to unlock new avenues for innovation and research [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 27 May 2025.

    Building on the UK’s new deal with the EU, plans launched to supercharge AI collaboration across Europe.

    • Building on the UK’s new deal with the EU, plans launched to supercharge AI collaboration across Europe
    • Organisations are invited to step forward to become Britain’s link to the continent’s top supercomputers
    • Collaboration with dedicated ‘AI Factories’ to accelerate breakthroughs and support new jobs across the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change

    Healthcare treatments, clean energy technologies and advanced breakthroughs that could transform lives across the UK are within reach, as the government backs plans for a new AI collaboration with Europe – driving growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

    From today, public research organisations can apply to host the UK’s AI Factory Antenna – a facility that, if approved, would link British research expertise to its advanced supercomputers across Europe.

    Access to cutting-edge compute power – the high-performance processing capability needed to handle vast data and complex models – is the engine of progress in AI. Greater collaboration will help address global challenges like climate change and disease, support the development of advanced AI systems used in healthcare and energy, and drive economic growth – the government’s core mission under the Plan for Change. That is why expanding international collaboration on compute is a key recommendation of the UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan – a blueprint to accelerate the use of AI across the economy.

    Today’s announcement follows the new UK-EU agreement, secured by the Prime Minister earlier this month, which will boost British jobs, help businesses thrive, and put money back in people’s pockets. It underlines the UK’s renewed partnership with Europe – delivering real opportunities, driving economic growth, and building stronger relationships in the national interest.

    Minister for AI, Feryal Clark, said:

    Supercomputers are the turbo-chargers of discovery. By strengthening our partnership with Europe, we’re giving British innovators the compute power to solve climate and health challenges, grow the economy, and deliver our Plan for Change.

    This is about more than faster processing – it’s about putting the UK at the forefront of global AI. With access to some of Europe’s most advanced systems, our researchers and startups will be equipped to lead on cutting-edge breakthroughs and strengthen Britain’s role as a trusted partner in international AI development.

    This expression of interest, open to individual public research organisations or consortia, will identify the UK’s government-backed bid to apply to EuroHPC’s call – with up to €5 million available.

    If successful, the chosen organisation will become the UK’s AI Factory Antenna, acting as the gateway to top European supercomputers through a partnership with an AI Factory on the continent – a site combining EuroHPC compute with access to data, training and software support.

    This will enable UK scientists, startups and public institutions to build larger, more complex AI models – shortening development cycles, accelerating innovation, and creating high-skilled jobs across the country.

    The programme builds on the UK’s growing momentum in compute infrastructure, with £44 billion invested in data centres since July last year, and forms part of wider efforts to ensure the UK has the compute needed to thrive in the age of AI.

    This summer, the government will confirm the next sites for AI Growth Zones – specialist clusters designed to host AI infrastructure, unlock billions in private investment, and create thousands of skilled jobs. These actions will be underpinned by the Compute Strategy, a ten-year roadmap to increase national compute capacity twenty-fold, due later this year.

    Notes to editors

    The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) is an EU-led initiative that pools resources from the EU and participating countries to develop European computing infrastructure and research capabilities. It brings together world-class supercomputing systems from 35 countries, including all 27 EU member states, Norway and Turkey, to drive the next generation of computing technologies.

    The UK joined the EuroHPC JU in May 2024, giving UK researchers free access to EuroHPC’s supercomputers via the UK’s association to Horizon Europe.

    The Expression of Interest (EOI) launched today invites eligible UK public research organisations or consortia to apply to host the UK’s AI Factory Antenna. If successful, the host organisation will form a partnership with an EU-based AI Factory – a site that combines EuroHPC compute with access to data, training and software support for AI development.

    Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 11 June. The EOI process will identify a single organisation or consortium to be endorsed by the UK government for submission to EuroHPC’s call for AI Factory Antennae. The UK government is allocating up to £2.5 million in funding, which will be matched by the EU if the application is successful.

    This is part of a broader effort by the UK government to expand collaboration with the EuroHPC JU –  a recommendation of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. Earlier this year, the government also committed to match-fund upcoming EuroHPC research grants for UK researchers and businesses.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK’s Trade Envoy visits Paraguay [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK’s Trade Envoy visits Paraguay [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 May 2025.

    Fabian Hamilton, United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy for Southern Cone, visited Paraguay for the first time.

    UK Trade Envoy for Southern Cone Fabian Hamilton visited Paraguay and met with Paraguayan authorities and stakeholders to explore new partnership opportunities in sectors including trade, investment, sports, clean energy, and sustainable development.

    The visit demonstrates the UK’s commitment to its Plan for Change by enhancing international relationships that create mutual economic benefits.

    Hamilton’s designation as Trade Envoy for the Southern Cone reflects the UK’s renewed focus on Latin America, a region with high potential for bilateral trade growth.

    “Delighted to welcome the British Parliament’s Trade Envoy to the Southern Cone to Paraguay. His visit marks an important step towards strengthening trade relations and exploring new partnership opportunities”, expressed Danielle Dunne, British Ambassador to Paraguay

    The visit explored several sectors where British expertise can support Paraguay’s sustainable development goals while creating new export opportunities for UK businesses.

    The UK is actively broadening its diplomatic presence worldwide as part of its effort to enhance trade relationships and British interests globally. Paraguay represents an important market within the Southern Cone region, where the UK seeks to increase commercial engagement as part of its broader international trade strategy.

    The United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy programme is a network of parliamentarians integral to supporting the government’s growth mission by providing additional international trade and investment support to ministers.

    There are 32 Trade Envoys covering 79 markets across 6 continents who engage on substantial trade opportunities identified by government. They will play a crucial role in supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s growth priorities, in particular through helping deliver the industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to every region in the UK. They complement the work of our Ambassadors, High Commissioners and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners in their respective markets.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Lead Non-Executive Board Member [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Lead Non-Executive Board Member [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 26 May 2025.

    John Fallon has been appointed as the new Cabinet Office Lead Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM) for a period of three years, concluding in April 2028.

    John is an executive and academic currently holding positions as a Professor of Practice and senior adviser at Northeastern University, an Executive Fellow at London Business School, and Chair of WarChild UK and Blackpool Pride of Place. He served as CEO from 2013 to 2020 at Pearson Plc. John has also held senior roles at PowerGen plc, Centro, and the House of Commons.

    The Cabinet Office Board provides strategic leadership for the department, comprising Cabinet Office ministers, senior executives, and non-executives from outside government. Its purpose is to advise on strategy, monitor performance, and assess significant risks.

    The role of the Cabinet Office Lead NEBM is to provide strategic oversight and leadership for the department’s team of Non-Executives. The Lead NEBM supports ministers and officials by providing expert advice and challenge on delivery and performance. As well as their formal role on the Board and its sub-committees, the Lead NEBM also maintains close working relationships with the Permanent Secretary and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to support the delivery of their priorities.

    The Lead NEBM works with the department to ensure the NEBMs are assigned to work on issues where they will have the most impact and can best support the delivery of the department’s strategic priorities.

    Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office, Cat Little said:

    Lead Non-Executive Board Members provide vital scrutiny and challenge to departmental boards, guiding our work and helping us deliver for people across the country.

    John Fallon will bring a wealth of experience in systems and transformation leadership within complex organisations. I look forward to working with him to deliver the Cabinet Office’s priorities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Non-Executive Board Member [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Non-Executive Board Member [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 26 May 2025.

    Lisa Tremble has been appointed as a Cabinet Office Non-Executive Board Member for a period of three years, concluding in April 2028.

    Lisa is currently the Chief People, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, and a Member of the Management Committee at British Airways. Prior to that, she was a Group Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at Direct Line Group Plc and the Director of External Affairs at Mishcon de Reya LLP.

    The Cabinet Office Board provides strategic leadership for the department, comprising Cabinet Office ministers, senior executives, and non-executives from outside government. Its purpose is to advise on strategy, monitor performance, and assess significant risks.

    The Non-Executive Board Members are responsible for providing support and challenge to the department’s ministers and senior officials on the delivery of key policies and programmes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Faster cancer treatment thanks to new radiotherapy machines [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Faster cancer treatment thanks to new radiotherapy machines [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 26 May 2025.

    Thousands of cancer patients will see faster treatment thanks to new radiotherapy machines.

    • Cutting-edge machines will cut waiting times and help 4,500 more patients get treatment faster
    • Upgraded tech being rolled out at 28 hospitals can cut the rounds of radiotherapy needed and reach cancers in harder to treat areas like chest, abdomen and pelvis
    • Rollout is backed by £70 million provided by government as part of its mission to improve cancer care through its Plan for Change

    Thousands of patients will benefit from faster and safer cancer treatment thanks to new cutting-edge radiotherapy machines being rolled out to every region in the country.

    The government has paid for new linear accelerator (LINAC) machines at 28 hospitals, which use modern technology to reduce delays to treatment and, in some cases, could reduce the number of hospital visits a patient needs to make by half, helping to cut waiting lists faster.

    Replacing these older machines will save as many as 13,000 appointments from being lost to equipment breakdown.

    The machines will be rolled out at hospitals across the country from August, funded by a £70 million government investment as part of its plans to improve cancer care through the Plan for Change.

    By March 2027, up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62 days of referral, helping to treat more cancer patients in faster time.

    Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the machines are safer for patients and can more precisely target tumours, causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissues. They are particularly effective at targeting cancers in harder to treat areas, such as the chest, abdomen and pelvis.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

    There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients. But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of underinvestment under the previous government.

    Thanks to the investment this government is making in our NHS, we will provide more cancer patients with world-class, cutting-edge care.

    By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state of the art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time.

    As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our Plan for Change.

    The tech is being prioritised in hospitals which are currently using outdated treatment machines older than 10 years, meaning patients can be treated faster and reducing cancelled appointments due to faults.

    It will also increase the availability of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) cancer treatments, which can more precisely target tumours.

    NHS national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said:

    Radiotherapy is essential for many cancer patients, so it’s great news that the investment in new machines means that some will need fewer rounds of treatment, as we bring in more sophisticated techniques.

    These machines will deliver more precise treatment for patients, which helps them to recover sooner, as well as enabling the NHS to treat people more efficiently as we continue in our efforts to catch and treat more cancers faster.

    The new LINAC radiotherapy machines were allocated across England by specialised commissioning teams at NHS England, which will help to improve health inequalities by ensuring every radiotherapy service has the modern equipment needed to offer innovative radiotherapy treatments.

    Alongside turbocharging treatment for patients, significant work is being carried out to get cancers diagnosed more quickly than ever before.

    Improved performance against the Faster Diagnosis Standard has led to the equivalent of 4,000 extra patients given the all-clear or a definitive cancer diagnosis within 4 weeks in March 2025 compared to the same time the year before, to reach over 217,000 in total in March 2025.

    Patients are also getting easier access to vital tests, checks and scans, with community diagnostic centres delivering almost 2.5 million on high streets and at other convenient locations in March.

    Senior policy manager at Cancer Research UK, Matt Sample, said:

    All cancer patients, no matter where they live, should have access to the best treatment, so it’s great to see investment in cutting-edge equipment for hospitals across the country.

    Modern LINAC machines can offer more efficient, targeted treatment with fewer side effects for patients, which is why it’s vital that there is sustained funding to replace them routinely.

    The government has a huge opportunity in its upcoming national cancer plan for England to tackle unequal access to optimal treatment, and we look forward to working with them to help give every patient the care they deserve.

    Kate Seymour, Head of External Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

    Today marks an exciting step forward for cancer treatment in England. Many people across the country are facing long delays for care but today proves that better is possible.

    Investment in cutting-edge technology is essential to bring down waiting times and help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.

    The investment in this new technology follows on from the government rolling out 13 new DEXA scanners across the country, which will allow 29,000 extra bone scans per year to be delivered for patients as part of the Plan for Change.

    The government’s Plan for Change will continue to put patients first as it works to end the misery felt by millions up and down the country who have been denied the care they need for too long.

    Over 3 million appointments have already been delivered since the end of June 2024, smashing the government’s target of delivering 2 million extra operations, scans and appointments. This is alongside over 8.3 million more appointments each year becoming available as 1,000 doctors surgeries receive a bricks and mortar upgrade to modernise practices and expand capacity.

    Trusts getting an upgraded scanner

    The 28 trusts receiving an upgraded scanner are:

    • Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
    • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
    • United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
    • University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
    • Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
    • Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
    • Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
    • Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
    • Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
    • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
    • Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
    • University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
    • South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
    • Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
    • Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
    • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
    • University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
    • Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
    • University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Barts Health NHS Trust
    • Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
  • PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever UK defence AI trial conducted across land, sea and air [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever UK defence AI trial conducted across land, sea and air [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 May 2025.

    Sailors and air crews are set to benefit from new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities following the UK’s largest ever multi-domain AI trial, bringing together land, sea and air equipment.

    The trial provides valuable data to develop and validate AI algorithms. It strengthens the UK’s position as a leader in defence innovation, supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

    For the Royal Navy, AI technologies developed through these trials will enhance maritime surveillance, improve threat detection in complex sea environments, while enabling faster decision-making during naval operations.

    The Royal Air Force (RAF) will benefit from advanced target recognition systems that can process information from multiple airborne sensors simultaneously, reducing pilot cognitive load and enabling more effective air operations in challenging conditions.

    Building on previous trials – known as WINTERMUTE – this third iteration involved around 200 scientists from the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl), military personnel from the Royal Navy and RAF, industry representatives and international partners collaborating at Portland Harbour to develop critical AI systems for automatic target detection and recognition.

    Over a five-day period, visual infrared and band radar data was recorded from Royal Navy vessels, ground vehicles, and both manned and unmanned aircraft, operating in mission-based scenarios. The groundbreaking trial follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.

    Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP said:

    We can all see how AI has the potential to impact our lives and enhance our war fighting ability, and UK defence is embracing this leap forward in technology to better support our personnel on the frontline.

    Significant trials like this, working with international and industry partners, demonstrate the rapid progress we’re making to utilise new technology for keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

    The programme included crucial participation from the United States and Australia, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to international defence partnerships, which helps drive long-term national growth and support the government’s Plan for Change.

    Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s Chief Executive, said:

    This innovative trial represents a significant advancement in how we develop and test defence technologies. By bringing together multiple domains and partners, we’re not just collecting data – we’re creating the foundation for mission success and operational advantage that will protect our forces for decades to come.

    The use of these AI systems is designed to support, not replace, human decision-making in defence operations. The technology aims to reduce cognitive burden on military personnel by filtering information and providing clearer battlefield intelligence.

    By curating high-quality data from multiple domains, Dstl is creating the foundation for future AI systems that will provide UK forces with operational advantage in complex environments.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘Get on and Build’ Deputy Prime Minister urges housebuilders [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘Get on and Build’ Deputy Prime Minister urges housebuilders [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 25 May 2025.

    • Councils will get new powers to keep housebuilders on track to ensure they play their part to deliver 1.5 million homes.
    • New housebuilding timeframes must be set before planning permission is granted
    • Developers who repeatedly fail to build out or use planning permissions to trade land speculatively could face new ‘Delayed Homes Penalty’ or be locked out of future permissions by councils
    • Part of the government’s Plan for Change to grow the economy and deliver security for working people.

    Thousands of new homes promised to communities will be delivered faster, thanks to major changes to make sure developers deliver on their commitments and do not leave sites half-finished for years.

    For the first time, under new government proposals announced today, housebuilders will have to commit to delivery timeframes before they get planning permission, making sure they play their part to accelerate housebuilding and tackle the housing crisis head on to deliver security for working people.

    Under new rules, housebuilders will also have to submit annual reports showing their progress to councils to keep them on track. While most developers want to get on and build, those who consistently fail to build out consented sites and those who secure planning permissions simply to trade land speculatively could also face a ‘Delayed Homes Penalty’ worth thousands per unbuilt home, paid directly to local planning authorities.

    Those deliberately sitting on vital land, without building the homes promised, could see their sites acquired by councils where there is a case in the public interest and stripped of future planning permissions, showing the government’s Plan for Change means business to deliver 1.5 million new homes.

    Large housing sites, producing over 2,000 homes, can take at least 14 years to build, meaning working families and young people spend years deprived of homeownership or the ability to rent an affordable home.

    But where more than 40% of homes are affordable, build-out is twice as fast. The government is therefore also testing a new requirement for large sites to be mixed tenure by default – helping to build more homes, including more affordable homes, faster.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:

    “This government has taken radical steps to overhaul the planning system to get Britain building again after years of inaction. In the name of delivering security for working people, we are backing the builders not the blockers. Now it’s time for developers to roll up their sleeves and play their part.

    “We’re going even further to get the homes we need. No more sites with planning permission gathering dust for decades while a generation struggle to get on the housing ladder. Through our Plan for Change, we will deliver 1.5 million homes, fix the housing crisis and make the dream of home ownership a reality for working people.”

    These decisive changes will support housebuilders to adapt to build more, and faster, by incentivising a model that works for developers and communities.

    When major reforms to streamline the planning system were introduced last summer, the industry pledged to work with the government to build out as quickly as possible.

    They now need to make good on that promise. The government continues to back the industry with the tools and support it needs—but in return, the Deputy Prime Minister’s message to housebuilders is they need to get on and build.

    These reforms play a key part of the government’s Plan for Change to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament and deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.

    Work is already underway through the new pro-growth National Planning Policy Framework, including mandatory housing targets for councils, which will drive UK housebuilding to its highest level in over 40 years and add £6.8 billion to the UK economy by 2029/30.

    This is on top of seismic planning reforms through the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill to make it quicker and easier to build 1.5 million homes and boost the economy by up to £7.5 billion over the next decade.

    Housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Cllr Adam Hug said:

    “We are pleased the Government has acted on the LGA’s call for it to be easier for councils to penalise developers and acquire stalled housing sites or sites which have not been built out to timescales contractually agreed, ideally with the recovery being made at pre-planning gain prices.

    “Local government shares ambitions to boost housebuilding and work hard with communities and developers to deliver new sites. Too often they are frustrated when developers do not build the homes they have approved. While intervention of this sort is a last resort, this move is crucial to help ensure meaningful build out of sites.

    “The ability to apply a ’Delayed Homes Penalty’ is a power that councils have been asking for and means that local taxpayers are not missing out on lost income due to slow developers, but it must be set at a level that incentivises build out.

    “Private developers have a key role in solving our chronic housing shortage but they cannot build the homes needed each year on their own. Ahead of the Spending Review, we have also set out the measures needed to empower councils to also be able to build more affordable, good quality homes quickly and at scale.”

    Further information

    The government is publishing a Planning Reform Working Paper entitled ‘Speeding Up Build Out’. This is alongside publishing a technical consultation on requiring transparency and accountability measures for build out rates on housing sites.

    The technical consultation sets out proposals to require developers of 50 or more homes utilising powers introduced in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 to provide:

    • a build out statement with their planning application;
    • a commencement notice when they commence their development; and
    • an annual progress report tracking build out progress,

    The Working Paper on ‘Speeding Up Build Out’ makes proposals for discussion with the sector. This includes:

    • An overall strategy to speed up build out, drawing on the best available evidence of the causes of slow build out.
    • A new proposal on a Delayed Homes Penalty, which would be a last resort measure available for local authorities where a developer has agreed a build out schedule in their planning permission but falls materially (10% or more) behind it, without a good reason. This will require primary legislation and only apply to future planning permissions.
    • Confirmation the government will implement a new power introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 relating to the compulsory purchase of land which will remove risks to the use of compulsory purchase orders on stalled sites.
    • Confirmation the government will implement the reforms to completion notices in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 which local planning authorities can issue if development is unlikely to be completed within a reasonable period.
  • PRESS RELEASE : British firepower deployed on NATO’s eastern flank in show of force [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : British firepower deployed on NATO’s eastern flank in show of force [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 May 2025.

    UK shores up NATO’s eastern flank with deployment to Finland.

    Hundreds of UK military personnel deployed to NATO’s eastern flank to add critical firepower to a major NATO exercise in Northern Finland.

    Exercise Northern Strike will see the UK Armed Forces join thousands of personnel from Finland and Sweden, NATO’s two newest Allies. The show of force and firepower reinforces the Alliance’s readiness, capability, and commitment to defend every inch of NATO territory. This is the latest demonstration of strong collaboration between the UK and our international partners as set out in the government’s Plan for Change.

    New British Army AH64E Apache attack helicopters will fire Hellfire missiles and 30mm guns simulating close support to allied combat forces on the ground, including British Army infantry units.

    Bringing their cutting-edge rocket systems to the battlefield, The British Army’s 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery will fire their Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) throughout and put their troops to the test during a field training exercise. MLRS has been proven in battle in the war in Ukraine and this will be the first time the British Army fire the system on European soil alongside AH64E Apache helicopters.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said :

    Exercise Northern Strike demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and highlights the key capabilities the UK brings to the Alliance. This government’s commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027 ensures the UK’s strength and leadership.

    From the skies over Poland, to the northern reaches of Finland, the UK is standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in leading the way in defending NATO’s eastern flank. Working with our international partners is at the core of this government’s Plan for Change.

    Deepening partnerships with key Allies across the exercise is a key part of this Government’s NATO first policy, to ensure the UK is secure at home and strong abroad. Strengthening NATO by showcasing our capabilities and increasing interoperability assures our allies and deters our adversaries.

    Exercise Northern Strike is part of a wider operation to secure NATO’s eastern flank; Operation RAZOREDGE. RAZOREDGE is made up of 13 exercises involving 13 NATO allies across 6 countries. The UK has contributed assets across air, land and sea with over 6,000 UK personnel taking part alongside 16,500 allied troops.

    Operated by 4 Regiment, Army Air Corps, the Apache Helicopters also support jobs across the country at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire and Suffolk. UK industry also plays a key role with 75 British companies, including 33 SMEs also contributing a range of critical components to the aircraft.

    Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority, and an integral part of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, is critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting all of the Government’s five missions in its plan.