Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Report of the Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje – UK statement [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2025.

The UK underlines appreciation for the work and added value of the OSCE Mission to Skopje over the last 12 months, particularly in supporting government reforms.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Firstly, I would like to welcome back Ambassador Wahl to the Permanent Council. Thank you for the work of your team over the last year, and for your comprehensive and engaging report this morning.

The United Kingdom highly appreciates the work and added value of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and the Mission’s support to government reforms.

The United Kingdom and North Macedonia have developed a strong and supportive bilateral partnership since we established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago. I am delighted that our Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Mickoski during the European Political Community summit last week and announced the new strategic partnership between our two countries. This deepens our mutual commitment to work together on issues of trade and investment, foreign policy, tackling organised crime, infrastructure cooperation and migration.

The UK welcomes the findings of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission that the parliamentary and presidential elections held in North Macedonia last year were competitive and fundamental freedoms were respected, though we note the concerns highlighted over insufficient regulation of the process. We encourage the Government of North Macedonia to continue engagement towards addressing the remaining recommendations in the ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report ahead of municipal elections later this year.

The UK positively notes the OSCE Mission’s achievements over the past 12 months, set out clearly in your Report. We particularly welcome your continued engagement to promote social cohesion and community rights, and your support on criminal justice reform – including work in the last 12 months on judicial independence, promotion of fair trial standards and strengthening cooperation with civil society.

The UK is also pleased to note the Mission’s continued commitment to gender equality – particularly your support for women’s political participation, and your engagement with parliament on the adoption of a new Gender Action Plan for 2025-2027.

Mr Chair, it is vital for the work of all OSCE field operations that participating States agree a Unified Budget for 2025 and beyond. As highlighted in the Report, the continued non-agreement of budgets and the resulting forced subsistence on monthly allotments make it very challenging for field missions to deliver across their mandates and adjust to changing priorities. We urge all participating States to engage constructively with upcoming proposals to resolve the impasse over budgets.

Thank you, Ambassador Wahl. Thank you, Mr Chair.

May 23, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia 2025 – Joint Statement to the OSCE [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2025.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown delivers a joint statement to the OSCE Permanent Council on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and my own country, the United Kingdom.

The 17th of May marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (known as IDAHOBIT). The theme for this year’s international day was “The Power of Communities.”

We recognise the importance of the political, social and economic contribution made by LGBTI+ people in society, in the workplace, and in the family. And we applaud the vital work of LGBTI+ human rights defenders, civil society organisations, and communities who advocate for LGBTI+ human rights in our own countries and around the world.

We will continue to support cooperation between governments and civil society to promote human rights-compliant measures to tackle discrimination, and uphold fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, including in the OSCE.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” – but this is a promise that has not yet been fulfilled for many LGBTI+ people across the world.

We are concerned at the rising levels of stigma, violence and abuse against LGBTI+ people across the OSCE region, particularly against those who are transgender, non-binary, or gender diverse. This is often exacerbated by malicious actors who enable the spread of misinformation online and offline.

We urge all OSCE participating States to protect and respect human rights, and address the needs of all, including LGBTI+people. In particular, we oppose laws and policies that criminalise consensual same-sex relationships, restrict the human rights of LGBTI+ people and exacerbate social stigma, violence and abuse, as well as widening inequality and stalling social and economic development.

Chair. On this IDAHOBIT, we reiterate our solidarity with LGBTI+ communities worldwide, and our steadfast commitment to creating a world in which all LGBTI+ people can be equal, safe and free to live their lives with dignity and respect.

Thank you.

May 23, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Landmark sentencing reforms to ensure prisons never run out of space again [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 May 2025.

Landmark reforms that will end the prison crisis have been announced by the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood.
- Prisoners made to earn their way to release through good behaviour – or face longer behind bars
- No early automatic release for badly behaved offenders
- A massive expansion in the surveillance of offenders through increased use of tagging – backed by around 45% increase in probation funding of up to £700 million
- Reforms follow confirmation of a further £4.7 billion prison building investment – backing the largest expansion since the Victorians
Landmark reforms that will end the prison crisis the government inherited, which threatens the complete breakdown of law and order on Britain’s streets, have been announced by the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood.

The sweeping review, published today by former Justice Secretary David Gauke, recommends comprehensively overhaul sentencing – ensuring jails never run out of space again and dangerous offenders can be kept off the streets. The majority of the recommendations have been accepted today in principle – with a Sentencing Bill due in the coming months.

The reforms will put public protection and cutting crime at the heart of the justice system and ensure the public is never put at risk again from the threat of prisons running out of space and police unable to make arrests.

In the past 14 years just 500 extra places were added to the prison estate, despite the prison population nearly doubling over the last 30 years. To put an end to this crisis, the government confirmed plans last week to invest £4.7 billion more in prison building, putting the government on track to open 14,000 places by 2031. It will be the largest prison expansion since the Victorian era, and 2,400 places have already been opened since July 2024.

Despite this unprecedented construction, the prison population is soaring – with the latest projections showing the country’s jails will be bust within months and 9,500 places short by early 2028 without further action. The government is taking the decisive action needed so we can protect the public and never allow the country to face the breakdown of our justice system again.

Making the case before Parliament today, the Lord Chancellor said:

Our prisons are, once again, running out of space and it is vital that the implications are understood. If our prisons collapse, courts are forced to suspend trials, the police must halt their arrests. Crime goes unpunished, criminals run amok and chaos reigns. We face the breakdown of law and order in this country.

The prison population is now rising by 3,000 each year and we are heading back towards zero capacity. It now falls to this Government to end this cycle of crisis. That starts by building prisons….This investment is necessary but not sufficient. We cannot build our way out of this crisis. Despite building as quickly as we can, demand for places will outstrip supply by 9,500 in early 2028.

Reforms accepted today will once and for all put prisons on a sustainable footing while protecting the public from dangerous criminals.

One key change will be a new “earned progression model” that will see prisoners earn their way to release through good behaviour or face longer in jail. There will be no automatic release for prisoners who misbehave.

The changes mean:
- A prisoner’s release date will now be more dependent on their behaviour. We want to reduce violence in prison and make sure more prisoners engage with activities like education and employment that will reduce crime.
- All offenders on standard determinate sentences will spend at least one-third of their sentence behind bars and have to earn their release at this point or face longer behind bars for bad behaviour.
- While we expect most offenders on these sentences to be released between 33 and 50 per cent – there is no upper limit and the very worst behaved offenders could spend longer in prison.
- Those serving standard determinate sentences for more serious offences will serve at least half in prison.
While David Gauke has suggested maximums of 50 and 67 percent in custody, respectively, for these sentences, the government has decided not to impose these.

In addition, the government has rejected the review’s recommendation to cut the minimum prison term for extended determinate sentences to 50%. The serious violent and sexual offenders serving these sentences will have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence and their release will continue to be down to the Parole Board.

To enforce this approach, the government will introduce a tougher adjudication regime so that bad behaviour in prisons is properly punished.

When released, offenders will enter a new period of “intensive supervision” which will see tens of thousands more offenders tagged and many more placed under home detention.

To support the Probation Service, the government will significantly increase its funding – by around 45% by the final year of the spending review period. This means the annual budget of around £1.6 billion today will rise by up to £700m by 2028/29.

Other major changes include:
- Earlier deportation of foreign national offenders who are blocking up jails – removing foreign prisoners who have already served 30% of their custodial term, down from 50%. The Government will also work up plans to remove foreign prisoners serving less than three years as soon as possible after their sentencing. This builds on the government’s work to surge removals of foreign national offenders, with 4,436 foreign national offenders removed since July 2024 – a 14% increase compared to the same period 12 months prior.
- A presumption against custodial sentences of less than a year – in favour of tough community sentences that better punish offenders and stop them reoffending. Currently, almost 60 percent of those receiving a prison sentence of 12 months or less reoffended within a year. Judges will still retain the power to hand down sentences of 12 months or less to offenders who have breached a court order, including restraining orders and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, and in exceptional circumstances.
The government will expand tough punishments outside jail to force offenders to pay back the victims and communities they have harmed. This includes:
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Exploring wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
The Justice Secretary will also go further than the Review’s recommendations:
- Developing new ways in which offenders can undertake tough, unpaid work, including doing a job for a private sector company with payment going to support victims. This could also include working closely with councils to find the jobs that need doing, including street cleaning and filling in potholes, and assigning an unpaid work team to complete them.
- Expanding the use of ‘medicines which manage problematic sexual arousal’, often referred to as chemical suppressants, on sex offenders following a pilot in south-west England to two additional regions, as part of a nationwide rollout, while exploring making this mandatory.
The Lord Chancellor added:

When discussing sentencing, it is too easy to focus on how we punish offenders when we should talk more about victims. Everything I am announcing today, is in pursuit of a justice system that serves victims.

If our prisons collapse, it is victims who pay the price and by cutting reoffending, we will have fewer victims in future.

As part of the government’s safer streets mission and to make sure victims see justice done, the Lord Chancellor has also accepted recommendations to:
- Increase tagging for VAWG perpetrators – enabling the closer monitoring of cowardly abusers to reassure victims, remove the onus from them to prove breaches had occurred.
- Identify perpetrators of domestic abuse at sentencing – requiring judges to flag domestic abuse at sentencing so prisons, probation and police can better identify and manage abusers.
- Expand Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts – bolstering support for victims and ensuring their abusers are properly supervised and rehabilitated.
- Bolster transparency for victims at sentencing – including the provision of free copies of judges’ sentencing remarks for victims of rape and other sexual offences, and ensuring they receive the information and support they need to navigate the criminal justice system.
Currently offenders can be given exclusion zones, preventing offenders from entering areas their victims might be. Going beyond the Review’s recommendations, the government will explore changes so some offenders are instead locked into specific ‘restriction zones’ monitored by GPS tags so victims can feel safe everywhere else.
May 23, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : DWP blocks £1 billion in incorrect payments in drive to protect people from falling into debt [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 22 May 2025.

More than £1 billion in incorrect Universal Credit (UC) payments have been blocked by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a drive to stop people falling into financial difficulties.
- Over £1 billion of incorrect Universal Credit payments stopped by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – and set to reach £13.6 billion by 2030.
- Drive to block incorrect payments significantly ramped up by Government since last summer.
- Government efforts continue to protect taxpayers’ money from fraud, error and waste to reinvest in public services as part of its Plan for Change.
The milestone was reached after a programme to review payments was ramped up last summer, with more than one million cases now looked at.

Overpayments can ultimately lead to financial difficulties for claimants by causing them to fall into debt.

The ‘Targeted Case Review’ was introduced in 2022 to detect incorrect payments, with around 25,000 claims reviewed in the first year.

Since July 2024, DWP has nearly doubled the number of people working in its UC Targeted Case Review team.

This significant increase in staff has boosted the number of existing claims reviewed to over one million, saving £1 billion in incorrect payments by detecting historic errors and preventing future overpayments that can result in debts accruing.

The number of claim reviews will continue to ramp up now the department has reached its staff target, with nearly 6,000 staff to review claims with forecasted savings of £13.6 billion by 2030.

Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said:

This target could not have been reached without this significant boost to staffing numbers – meaning we now have forecasted savings of £13.6 billion by 2030.

This is a vital programme not only ensuring overpayments are corrected but also makes certain people who are being underpaid receive the money they are entitled to.

We will not tolerate fraud, error or waste and are committed to safeguard taxpayers’ money so it can be invested in the public services we all deserve.

The ‘Targeted Case Review’ team reviews payments to prevent customers falling into or accumulating further debt, identify unreported changes in circumstances, correct claims retrospectively, and refer suspected cases of fraud for investigation.

Reviews verify claimants’ eligibility for the benefits they receive by sending a notification to their online account to request proof of identity and other documentation.

In the Autumn Budget, the government committed to the continuation of Targeted Case Review activity for a further two years, with learnings used to prevent error from entering the welfare system in the first place. This will help provide a fair, high-quality service that ensures customers receive their full entitlement and avoid unnecessary debt.

These major milestones come as the government outlines further plans to strengthen our ability to reduce fraud and error through the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill. This is alongside its work to support people into work and become less reliant on the benefit system to drive productivity and unlock growth as part of its Plan for Change.

Additional Information
- A breakdown of Targeted Case Review programme performance can be found on GOV.UK: Targeted Case Review Management Information – GOV.UK
- Targeted Case Review (TCR) was an initiative announced in May 2022 in the former Government’s publication, Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System and is delivered by the Universal Credit Claim Review (UCR) team.
- Universal Credit (UC) Claim Reviews are not fraud investigations and are not designed to detect attempts to deceive. As part of a claim review, evidence is requested to enable any unreported changes in circumstances to be detected and correct claims where needed. This can include finding over and under payments. Like any other benefit review undertaken by the department, it can lead to a referral to the Counter Fraud Team should fraud be suspected.
- A diligent approach has been maintained to ensure the customer is supported throughout the review process with the expectation that the service be adapted to address any early signs of failings. The programme has been encouraged by the number of examples of agents able to assist customers more broadly than checking claim correctness. For example, signposting to wider support to provide vital help when needed and identifying customers not receiving the right level of Universal Credit.
- Since July 2024, the DWP has significantly increased the number of people working in the UC Targeted Case Review team – recruiting a further 2,500 staff by February 2025 to reach the target of 5,930.
May 23, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s war must end without delay, and the way it ends should matter to us all – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland corrects Russia’s claims that the UK wishes to prolong the war in Ukraine. He calls for it to end without delay but explains why the way in which it ends should matter to all OSCE participating States.

Thank you, Mister Chair. Last week I felt the need to reply to allegations made by our Russian colleagues in this forum that the UK was somehow invested in prolonging their war against Ukraine. I did so because that is genuinely incorrect and I wanted to correct the misrepresentation. Let me explain in more detail.

The UK does not want this war to continue. This has been a truly awful conflict. We have seen death, injury and destruction on a scale not witnessed in Europe for eighty years. I shouldn’t have to repeat this after more than three long years of regularly demanding an end to this war repeatedly in this forum but let me say it again: the UK wants this war to end without delay. But the way in which it ends should matter to us all. And none of us need a history lesson to know why.

Russia believes it is entitled to a sphere of influence in its neighbourhood, a belief that runs against the letter and spirit of the Helsinki Final Act. It has a long track record of establishing frozen conflicts on its periphery which it uses as tools to manipulate and control by dialling up and down the temperature to increase or decrease the levels of political and military instability. This has to stop. It cannot be allowed to repeat this in Ukraine; both because Russia has no right to do so, but also because it almost guarantees a return to war at some point in the future.

The best insurance against further bloodshed is a peace that offers Ukraine the prospect of genuine security, deters Russia from further aggression and that respects the UN Charter and the commitments we all made in the Helsinki Final Act. To allow anything else would be to encourage aggression elsewhere. And an erosion of these laws and norms risks instability for us all. None of us would truly benefit from this outcome, including Russia, even if they fail to see this now.

This is not an attempt to deliver a “strategic defeat” on Russia: it is neither UK policy nor strategy to seek regime change in Russia. It is not the UK who launched little green men into Crimea in 2014. It is not the UK who launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour. And it is not the UK who talks peace but wages war. And just to be really clear, it is not “rabid Russophobia”: we take no issue with the Russian people whose sons and daughters are paying the ultimate price in shockingly high numbers. This is about supporting Ukraine’s self-defence against an unprovoked attack and about defending the commitments that, if respected, are there to keep us all safe.

We welcome the important contributions that the US and Türkiye have made in moving us towards a just and lasting peace. The direct talks in Istanbul on 16 May were a first step, and we welcome the agreement between Russia and Ukraine to exchange one thousand prisoners of war each. But to create space for serious talks, and to bring an end to the killing as quickly as possible, we urge Russia to agree to an immediate, complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, just as Ukraine has done. If Russia does not engage seriously with this process, we are prepared to ratchet up the pressure on Russia with new sanctions, building on our package earlier this week. Not because we want to delay peace, but because we want to pressure Russia to choose peace. For after all, it is Russia’s choice.

Thank you.

May 23, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Major £1.5 billion defence contract with British firm ensures world-class equipment testing for UK forces and secures 1,200 jobs [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 May 2025.

UK Armed Forces will benefit from world-class equipment training and testing under a contract which supports more than 1,200 skilled jobs across the UK.

The five-year £1.5 billion contract extension with British defence firm QinetiQ provides test, trial, training and evaluation of defence equipment and capabilities at 16 Ministry of Defence sites. This includes missile firings, test pilot training and delivering live-threat scenarios.

The Long-Term Partnering Agreement will sustain 1,200 UK jobs, including more than 200 in Scotland and 200 in Wales, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change by boosting jobs and prosperity for working people, while keeping the nation safe.

The investment supports an extensive supply chain of 825 companies, including 590 small-to-medium enterprises – demonstrating the government’s commitment to small businesses and their access to the defence market and ensuring defence is an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK.

The contract will ensure UK Armed Forces equipment remains combat-ready and will support the delivery of future capabilities, including the Global Combat Air Programme’s next-generation combat aircraft.

The Agreement has supported key moments for UK capabilities, including the first launch of a ballistic rocket into space from the UK, the first firing of a high-power laser directed energy weapon – DragonFire – against aerial targets and Europe’s first successful demonstration of teaming a piloted aircraft with an autonomous air vehicle.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Rigorously tested equipment and the trialling of emerging technologies are key to ensuring our Armed Forces are using combat-ready capabilities on the frontline.

The contract will help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad, as we drive forward innovation to bolster our national security and support skilled jobs across the UK.

With hundreds of British businesses supported by this investment through QinetiQ’s supply chain, we are demonstrating how defence is an engine for growth across the UK, and delivering on our Plan for Change.

Under the agreement, QinetiQ will invest in modernising the UK’s equipment testing capabilities to keep pace with operational needs. The contract will also support around 30 early careers professionals, providing development opportunities such as digital training in modelling and simulation for engineers.

Earlier this month, QinetiQ hosted Formidable Shield, a NATO joint strike exercise, at the Hebrides range in Scotland – one of the 16 Ministry of Defence sites managed under the Long-Term Partnering Agreement, which was first signed in 2003.

Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer at QinetiQ, said:

Through the LTPA, we play a vital role helping to protect and enhance the UK’s defence and security. The extension of our partnership with MOD enables us to continue investing to deliver the transformational change in test and evaluation that’s required to ensure our armed forces have operational advantage over disruptive technologies.

We’re seeing increased demand for our services from NATO countries and this LTPA extension positions the UK as a leading centre for T3E, and facilitates the delivery of major equipment platforms as well as future upgrade programmes.

May 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New funding for regulators to cut red tape, like speeding up clinical trials through AI and trialling drones for medical emergencies [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 22 May 2025.

Funding announced for new round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund.
- Fourth round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund opens today to help bring innovations in critical sectors such as healthcare and transport to market quicker
- Builds on the success of 24 projects already backed – including AI to boost clinical trials, drones for emergency medical deliveries, and first-of-its-kind regulatory guidance to speed-up access to innovative medicines and treatments
- Supports delivery of our Plan for Change, speeding up access to new technologies that will deliver better services for the public
New technologies, like drones for delivering vital supplies to smarter medical software using AI to help doctors spot diseases earlier, could reach the public faster through new funding to cut unnecessary red tape and keep pace with innovation (Thursday 22 May).

The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund supports regulators to trial new, more efficient ways of working that allow businesses to bring their innovations to market faster, in turn supporting the economic growth at the centre of our Plan for Change.

The launch of the fourth round – worth £5.5 million in total – builds on its previous phase, which supported 24 pioneering projects across the country unlocking new opportunities in sectors like health, transport, and energy.

Supported projects include exploring safer ways for drones to fly in the same skies as other aircraft – which could contribute £45 billion to the UK economy at its highest potential. These trials have laid the groundwork for future drone deliveries, and helped regulators keep up with new technologies while making sure people are protected and rules are clear and fair. Other projects include using realistic, computer-generated data to speed up results of clinical trials, which could in future help get new medical treatments out sooner.

The fourth round of Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is open to regulators and local authorities across the UK and will include projects in key growth areas such as AI in healthcare, engineering biology, space, and connected and autonomous vehicles. Projects might include smarter ways to test new treatments, manage the use of airspace for drones, or support technologies like lab-grown foods – helping ensure the rules are fit for purpose to bring innovations to market.

This latest round – delivered by the Regulatory Innovation Office – is now open to regulators and local authorities across the UK. It will support bold ideas that back some of the UK’s most promising growth sectors – including AI to support the NHS, engineered biology to improve food security, satellite tech to improve farming and climate tracking, and self-driving vehicles. It’s part of the government’s Plan for Change to make the UK the best place to test and grow new ideas, while making life better for the public.

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Smarter, more agile regulation is key to businesses bringing ideas to market faster, while giving the public confidence in new technologies.

These projects show how regulators can work with industry to unlock breakthroughs – from autonomous drones improving emergency services, to AI that cuts the cost and time spent on clinical trials.

By backing this kind of innovation, we’re helping to make the UK the best place in the world to launch, test and scale new ideas, and drive the economic growth we need to improve lives and deliver our Plan for Change.

Some of the innovative work delivered through the previous round (RPF3) includes:
- In Milton Keynes, funding helped local authorities trial drone deliveries for urgent medical supplies and environmental monitoring. This included exploring new ways such as carrying out low-risk test flights and sensors to track the drones’ path to safely test and approve these services – helping emergency responders and healthcare providers get what they need faster, while reducing emissions and traffic congestion. The project is also laying the foundations for a future UK-wide drone economy, predicted to be worth up to £45 billion by 2030.
- At the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), funding was used to explore the use of synthetic data in clinical trials – specifically through synthetic control arms, which use computer-generated data to replace some of the participants who would normally receive a placebo. This approach can make trials quicker, cheaper, and more inclusive, while still ensuring safety and effectiveness. Patients could benefit from faster access to new treatments, supporting efforts to improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on our NHS.
- The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) supported the aviation industry to reduce regulatory challenges on the safe introduction of hydrogen as an aviation fuel at a commercial scale and making progress towards bringing zero-emission flight to UK skies. Their work will position the UK as a global leader in sustainable aviation, supporting job creation and contributing to net zero goals.
All projects receive tailored support from the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), which helps regulators coordinate efforts and safely trial new approaches.

Notes to editors
- The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF4) opens for bids on Thursday 22 May and will provide up to £5.5 million in total to new regulatory innovation projects.
- An independent evaluation by the National Centre for Social Research that has also been published today found that the third round of the Regulators Pioneer Fund (RPF) helped trial new approaches that would not have happened otherwise, embedding innovation more deeply within their organisations. It also strengthened collaboration between regulators and industry, laying the groundwork for more open, responsive regulation in the future.
Dr Puja Myles, Director of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink at the MHRA, said:

The RPF grant has given us a better understanding of the scenarios when synthetic data could be used to boost sample sizes of clinical trials.

This project is part of the MHRA’s work to promote innovation and embrace emerging technologies in clinical trials, to help get new treatments to patients faster.

Tim Johnson, Director of Policy at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund has been instrumental in helping the UK Civil Aviation Authority explore how it can enable innovators to develop new products and services, including the safe introduction of hydrogen as an aviation fuel.

This support has helped us engage early with those who are researching and developing this technology, understand key regulatory challenges, and starting to lay the groundwork for zero-emission flight in the UK.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking and Milton Keynes City Council, Councillor Shanika Mahendran, said:

Thanks to the RPF, we’ve been able to start building the groundwork for using drones to make services more efficient. It’s given us a chance to explore what safety checks and rules we need to follow so we can move from just testing drones to using them in the long-term.
May 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : British Ambassador Visits Lebanon’s Eastern Borders with Syria [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2025.

The visit underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening Lebanese Army capabilities in extending state authority over its border with Syria.

The British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell visited Lebanon’s eastern borders with Syria to see first hand the UK’s efforts to support the Lebanese Armed Forces’ (LAF) enhanced border security capabilities.

This visit underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening LAF capabilities in extending state authority over its border with Syria, countering smuggling activities, and safeguarding local communities.

During the visit, Ambassador Cowell met with military and local officials. The Ambassador and the Mokhtar of Yanta Riad Saab and other local citizens visited a solar-powered water pumping station as part of initiatives aimed at strengthening civil-military cooperation, within areas of operation for the Land Border Regiments (LBRs).

Following his visit Ambassador Cowell said:

The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security. Our partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces is crucial in helping to maintain stability across Lebanon, and protecting the livelihoods of those living near the border.

I am proud of our support and the UK’s role as a key partner to the LAF; through the UK Integrated Security Fund we have supported the establishment of the Land Border Regiments (LBRs) on the border with Syria since 2013 and have provided over £115m worth of assistance to the LAF.

The Land Border Regiments have helped reinforce the security of this border and the authority of the Lebanese State’s authority over these areas.

In Yanta, I was impressed to see the solar-powered water pumping station project benefiting hundreds in the area. This project delivers a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution to the water supply needs of the Yanta community. An excellent example of the LAF and communities coming together.

May 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Jonathan Hall KC as independent reviewer [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 May 2025.

Following the attacks on 3 prison officers in the separation centre at HMP Frankland on 12 April, the Lord Chancellor announced on 15 May that Jonathan Hall KC will lead the HMP Frankland Independent Review.

The terms of the independent review are as follows:
- Consider whether the facts of the incident, as established by HMPPS’ internal review reveal the need for any changes to how convicted terrorists are placed onto Separation Centres.
- Consider whether the policies, operating procedures, legal framework, and relationships with other agencies that underpin Separation Centres are fit for purpose, including whether an appropriate balance is being struck between security and long-term offender management.
- Provide findings and recommendations on the basis of the above that can be implemented to reduce the likelihood of any such incident occurring in the future.
Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said:

I will do whatever it takes to protect our brave prison officers. I have asked for the review to report back promptly, and to leave no stone unturned so we can prevent such an incident ever happening again.

Jonathan Hall KC

Jonathan Hall KC is the current Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation and Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation. Mr Hall is an experienced barrister in independent practice and King’s Counsel since 2014. He has been involved in complex and high-profile cases involving fraud, law enforcement, and national security.

While Mr Hall will be given access to the information he needs to deliver against the terms of reference, the review will be independent of HMPPS. The report on the Review, including any recommendations, will be submitted to the Lord Chancellor and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice.
May 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Multi-million defence investment creates 700 jobs days after UK-EU security pact [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 May 2025.
- Hundreds of high-skilled jobs created at defence firm MBDA’s expanded Bolton site, working on cutting-edge missile system manufacturing technology
- Announcement comes just days after the Government signs new Security and Defence Partnership that will boost defence procurement opportunities for UK.
- Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit site and hail investment as latest vote of confidence in Government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy.
Britain’s defence industry received yet another boost this week as 700 high-skilled jobs are set to be created following a £200 million investment from European defence company MBDA at its site in Bolton.

The announcement follows new Security and Defence Partnership signed at this week’s EU-UK Summit which will open the door to the EU’s new weapons scheme, leading to significant opportunities for the UK’s world-leading defence industries, driving growth and supporting 430,000 British jobs and livelihoods.

This is the latest win for the UK’s leading defence and advanced manufacturing sectors and is further proof the Government’s Plan for Change is working.

It also represents a major vote of confidence in the upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, which will drive investment in the UK’s high-growth sectors by giving businesses the certainty they need to commit to the UK.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit MBDA’s Bolton site today (22 May) to formally announce the investment, which forms part of a wider £500 million commitment from the company to expand its UK manufacturing and technologies.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

This is great news for Bolton and another win for our world-class defence sector, which will create hundreds of good, well-paid jobs and ensure the UK continues to lead the way on the cutting-edge technologies of the future.

Our new Security and Defence Partnership will unlock access to the EU’s proposed new £150 billion defence fund for UK firms. Coupled with the launch of our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, communities across the country will see how our Plan for Change is working – delivering growth at home and strength abroad.

The investment from MBDA, a leading missile systems manufacturer, will more than double its Bolton footprint by 2028 and grow its apprenticeship and STEM outreach programme, which already includes over 400 early-career professionals UK-wide.

It also supports MBDA’s goal to deliver £10 billion of UK exports by 2032, cementing the UK’s position as a leader in the manufacturing and export of complex weapons systems, and comes after the Government announced a £6.5 billion complex weapons partnership with MBDA in July 2024.

MBDA UK Managing Director Chris Allam said:

We are proud and excited to be building a world class engineering and manufacturing campus in the north-west of England, the centre of complex weapons manufacturing for the UK, and our associated recruitment and training will extend our already great workforce.

MBDA is privileged to have a 10-year Complex Weapons portfolio agreement with the UK Government. This gives us the confidence to invest and better support the UK and its allies. It also helps our supply chain and over 700 SMEs who work with MBDA in the UK. When we expand, they expand with us.

Megan, a manufacturing apprentice at MBDA’s Bolton site, said:

It’s great that our site is expanding and there will be more early-careers opportunities for young people. Becoming an apprentice was an obvious choice for me. Having the chance to learn as part of my full-time job and achieve a recognised qualification and career made it a very easy decision.

Apprenticeships can be unique experience for each person. They provide the chance to excel in industries people are passionate about, and the experiences they get will shape their future. Making the most out of my apprenticeship has led to reward and recognition for my hard work, and I always encourage others to study STEM subjects and do the same.

UK Export Finance CEO Tim Reid said:

Pioneering companies like MBDA UK investing in their people and technologies for the long-term underscore why we are a world leader in defence.

Thanks to our multi-billion-pound direct lending uplift, we can support even more defence firms to expand their production lines and take on more international orders from allies – leading to greater economic growth, stronger supply chains and local jobs back here at home.

The Government is backing the defence sector to deliver skilled jobs and growth across the country as part of its Plan for Change and is providing significant financial support to UK defence companies through UK Export Finance (UKEF).

In March this year, the Chancellor announced a £2 billion increase in UKEF’s Direct Lending capacity for defence exports, taking its overall lending capability to £10 billion.

The UK is one of the largest exporters of defence equipment in the world, and in 2023 the UK won defence contracts worth £14.5 billion.
May 22, 2025