UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK at heart of NATO talks on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK at heart of NATO talks on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 May 2025.

    NATO Allies are in Turkey to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic.

    • UK leading calls for Europe to support Ukraine
    • UK and NATO Allies will commit to building a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at meeting of foreign ministers in Antalya
    • visit follows UK hosted talks with European partners on bolstering security and support for Ukraine

    As President Zelenskyy further demonstrates his commitment to peace by travelling to Istanbul for direct talks with Russia, NATO Allies are gathering in Turkey today to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic, with a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at its core.

    At the NATO informal Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Antalya, the Foreign Secretary will lead calls for the strongest Alliance in history to stand united in the face of a generational threat from our adversaries, and stand behind Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace. Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and central to this government’s plans to deliver growth and prosperity to British working people.

    Ahead of the Hague Summit in June, Allies are meeting in Antalya with a clear message that NATO must step up together to meet this critical moment for our collective security. The Foreign Secretary will say that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security, as security threats from Russia and its enablers continue to mount.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    Today, President Zelenskyy is in Turkey in a further demonstration of his commitment to peace, ready to enter talks direct with Russia and continuing to push for a full ceasefire as a first crucial step.

    As myself and my fellow NATO Allies also travel to Turkey, we are united alongside Ukraine in our determination to secure a just and lasting peace. We are working to deliver more for our collective security and bring this barbaric war to an end.

    Euro-Atlantic security is the foundation of our Plan for Change. Without the security NATO provides, we cannot deliver the growth and prosperity the British people deserve.

    During his remarks in an informal meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the Foreign Secretary will update on UK steps to protect Euro-Atlantic security and disrupt Russia’s reckless actions to force Putin’s hand. He will say that every step the Alliance takes to increase pressure on Russia and achieve peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity at home and abroad.

    Earlier this week, 6 spies working for Russia were sentenced in the UK, as the UK cracks down on Russian espionage attempts on British soil. The successful convictions came about as a result of close international cooperation with a number of NATO Allies, including Bulgaria, France and Germany, demonstrating a unified front against hostile Russian activity.

    The visit follows the UK-hosted Weimar+ meeting on Monday, where representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU joined the Foreign Secretary in London to share Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to peace and freedom.

    It also comes after the Prime Minister’s visit to Oslo last week where the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) announced enhanced support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces through intensive training exercises, increasing interoperability across military platforms and enhancing countering disinformation support as well as allowing JEF Nations to learn from the battlefield experience of Ukraine’s armed forces.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Media law reforms to boost press sustainability and protect independence [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Media law reforms to boost press sustainability and protect independence [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 May 2025.

    People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

    • Long-term sustainability and independence of UK press protected with government plans to modernise media merger rules in public interest
    • Powers to call in media mergers extended beyond TV, radio and newspapers to include online news sites and news magazines
    • Introduction of a 15% cap for state-owned investors will minimise potential ‘chilling effect’ whilst ensuring there is minimal risk of foreign state influence or control

    People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules being set out today, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

    The Culture Secretary will today confirm reforms to extend powers to scrutinise takeovers beyond traditional media to online news sites and magazines for the first time.

    The media mergers regime will now cover acquisitions of UK online news publications and periodical news magazines, expanding beyond just television, radio and print newspapers as it presently stands.

    This reflects modern news consumption habits, with Ofcom reporting that seven in ten UK adults say they consume online news in some capacity.

    The expanded powers will allow greater scrutiny of takeovers that might negatively impact accurate reporting, freedom of expression and media plurality – which are essential to the UK’s democracy.

    The government is also introducing targeted exceptions to allow certain state-owned investment funds – such as sovereign wealth funds or pension funds – to invest up to 15% in UK newspapers and news periodicals. This balanced approach will still limit any scope for foreign state control or influence of news organisations while giving them much-needed flexibility to seek business investment that supports their long-term sustainability.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    Britain’s free and independent press is a national asset like no other and it is right that we have strong measures in place to allow scrutiny of UK takeovers that might go against the public interest.

    These important, modernising reforms are about protecting media plurality and reflect the changing ways in which people are consuming news.

    We are fully upholding the need to safeguard our news media from foreign state control whilst recognising that  news organisations must be able to raise vital funding. We are taking a proportionate, balanced approach to a threshold for low-risk investments that will remove a potential chilling effect on press sustainability, while supporting growth under our Plan for Change.

    Secondary legislation will be laid to enact these changes and will be subject to votes in both Houses of Parliament.

    The proposed amendments to the definition of newspaper for the Foreign State Influence regime will apply with retrospective effect from today.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    Exceptions to Foreign State Influence Regime

    The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 created new rules to prevent foreign states from acquiring ownership, control or influence over UK newspapers and news magazines.

    The legislation covers a number of scenarios in which a foreign power could control or influence the policy of a newspaper or a news magazine enterprise – including if it holds, whether directly or indirectly, any shares or voting rights in a corporate body that carries on a newspaper enterprise, or if it has the right to appoint or remove members of staff.

    The regime defines ‘foreign power’ broadly to include: the sovereign or head of a foreign state, any part of a foreign government including ministers, government agencies and authorities, and any governing political party or its officers. It applies where a foreign power could acquire control or influence over the policy of a newspaper through persons associated with it.

    As permitted by the Act, the Government intends to introduce a number of targeted and specific exceptions to the regime via regulations, which are intended to offset potential negative impacts on inward investment into the press sector without undermining the core principles of the regime.

    The previous government launched a consultation on exceptions to the regime which closed in July 2024. Ministers have carefully considered the responses received, including the views of newspaper groups that the previous government’s suggested thresholds were too low and would place unnecessary restrictions on their ability to raise funding.

    Ministers consider that setting the threshold for State Owned Investors’ investment at 15% of shares or voting rights in a newspaper or news magazine is the most effective, simple and proportionate approach. State Owned Investors (SOIs) include sovereign wealth funds or public pension or social security schemes that make long-term investments on behalf of that state and which in many cases are operated at arms length.

    The new measures carefully balance the need for newspapers and news magazines to have access to a range of investment from SOIs where control or influence by foreign states is unlikely to be a risk. It will avoid the need for the Culture Secretary to refer low levels of investment to the CMA for investigation where there is no likelihood of any material influence.

    The UK has a strong track record for encouraging investment critical to growth within the media industry, and this pro-growth decision will continue that trend while providing a robust regulatory framework that protects press freedom and free speech.

    Extending the scope of the media mergers regime

    In November, the government launched a consultation on proposals to broaden the scope of the UK’s media merger regime. Having taken into account responses to the consultation, the government has decided to expand the scope of the media mergers regime from print newspapers and broadcasters to encompass online news platforms and periodical news magazines.

    This will mean the Culture Secretary has the ability to intervene in a merger involving an online news publication that meets certain conditions relating to turnover or share of supply, where they believe a public interest consideration may be relevant. According to Ofcom’s annual report on news consumption in the UK, 71 percent of UK adults consume online news in some capacity, level with news consumed via TV and on demand (70 percent); and nearly a quarter of UK adults (22 percent) access news via print newspapers, increasing to 34 percent when including their online platforms.

    News publications circulated on a weekly or monthly basis will also be brought in scope of the regime to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose given daily, local, and Sunday publications are already included.

    The measures will ensure that the public interest can be safeguarded across these popular sources of news content for people across the UK. They will enable the Culture Secretary to intervene where necessary to protect the availability of a wide range of accurate and high-quality news, particularly for younger audiences as technology and news habits evolve.

    The announcement follows recommendations from the independent regulator Ofcom as part of its statutory review of media ownership rules.

    The inclusion of online news sites will apply both to the public interest media mergers regime and to the new Foreign State Influence regime.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 15 May 2025.

    Landmark bill passes in Parliament as Great British Energy takes another major step forward.

    • Landmark Great British Energy Bill passes in Parliament
    • publicly-owned energy company to benefit working people by accelerating clean power, bringing energy security and jobs as part of the Plan for Change
    • £4 million renewable scheme opens to give Scottish communities a stake in energy

    Working people will benefit from cleaner, homegrown power, as Great British Energy takes another major step forward today. Legislation for Britain’s new publicly-owned energy company has passed through Parliament and Great British Energy is set to deliver for working people.

    Great British Energy will invest in clean power projects across the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change to become a clean energy superpower – helping to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and protect families’ finances.

    Backed by £8.3 billion over the course of this parliament, the company will speed up the delivery of strategic energy projects and invest alongside the private sector to get new technologies like floating offshore wind up and running as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

    The Energy Secretary is today visiting a hospital in Hull where solar power is saving the hospital hundreds of thousands of pounds each month, allowing money to be reinvested in frontline services.

    That’s why Great British Energy is investing £200 million in funding for new rooftop solar power and renewable energy schemes for schools, hospitals and communities – saving hundreds of millions on their energy bills. In April NHS Humber Health Partnership was awarded nearly £8.5 million from this fund, which will deliver up to £14.2 million in lifetime bills savings.

    As part of this, yesterday Scotland’s community energy fund opened for applications, backed by £4 million from Great British Energy for local clean energy projects – from community-led onshore wind, to solar on rooftops and hydropower in rivers – generating profits which could be reinvested into community projects or take money off people’s bills.

    Meanwhile people in Wales will benefit from nearly £3 million of Great British Energy funding for local renewable projects.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    Great British Energy comes from a simple idea: British people should own and benefit from our own natural resources.

    We are giving people a stake in clean energy and delivering profits for the British people.

    As part of our Plan for Change, this will make us a clean energy superpower and help bring down energy bills for good.

    Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said:

    Great British Energy was created to ensure British people reap the benefits of clean, secure, homegrown energy.

    We now have full backing to scale up the company, crowd in investment, and back clean energy projects across the country.

    Today Great British Energy will host a roundtable in Edinburgh alongside the Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, focussed on the supply chain opportunities in Scotland. It follows Great British Energy’s initial £300 million funding for offshore wind supply chains. This will support Britain’s engineers, technicians, and welders and invest in offshore wind manufacturing components such as floating offshore platforms and cables in the UK’s industrial heartlands.

    As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in the UK’s key sectors including clean energy, this investment is part of the Prime Minister’s drive to ensure that the clean energy future is ‘built in Britain’.

    The Energy Secretary will soon outline Great British Energy’s strategic priorities – including which technologies the government expects the company to focus on and how it should consider the public benefits from investment decisions.

    The Great British Energy Bill received legislative consent from all three devolved governments, the first Bill to under this parliament. This will allow Great British Energy to operate more effectively in every devolved nation and benefit people across the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK advocates clean energy development in Guatemala [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK advocates clean energy development in Guatemala [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

    An official from the UK’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engaged with stakeholders in Guatemala to advance energy transition.

    Mitchell Lloyd, Senior Policy Advisor on International Energy Transition at DENZ visited Guatemala 12-14 May.  He met with the General Directorate of Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, other government departments, private sector and international financing institutions developing clean energy initiatives in Guatemala.

    The discussions included a series of topics ranging from the need to galvanize global and local leadership and foster international cooperation on a clean energy transition, to unlocking clean growth, job opportunities and build robust clean energy supply chains.

    Guatemala has significant potential to develop clean energy projects, with a renewable capacity potential of 3,700 MW that could be integrated into the country’s electricity grid between 2024 and 2040. This includes various sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.

    The visit supports the UK’s government mission to become a clean energy superpower, protecting households from unstable fossil fuel markets, including coal, while at the same time unlocking job opportunities at home and abroad for the clean energy sector.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Managing risk-reduction even in times of crisis – UK Statement to the OSCE [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Managing risk-reduction even in times of crisis – UK Statement to the OSCE [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

    Ambassador Holland reiterates the UK’s support to Ukraine, calls on Russia to end its war and to use this unique Forum for risk-reduction, even in crisis.

    Thank you Madam Chair, dear Kaja, and to the Secretary General, for setting out Estonia’s priorities for the Forum for Security Co-operation this Trimester.  You can count on the UK’s continued support, as you chair our Forum at this crucial time for Euro-Atlantic Security.

    Madam Chair, as we know, the FSC’s mandate is broad and has rightly evolved over decades.  In 1996, our Heads of State and Government adopted a Decision tasking the Forum to manage “preventive diplomacy, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation”.  In the 1996 Budapest Document, Ministers tasked the FSC with: “tackling regional security problems (including crises) flexibly in ways appropriate to each case”.  So not only did our Ministers mandate the Forum to manage risk-reduction, they also saw value in our politico-military dialogue continuing even in times of crisis.

    The OSCE has an extensive acquis and toolkit to do this work.  But it relies on political will to be effective.  Participating States have used the toolkit, including transparency mechanisms, to offer de-escalation.  For example, by Georgia in 2008, by Ukraine – twenty times – in 2014, and again by Ukraine in 2022.  As these examples proved, transparency mechanisms can offer a ladder to defuse a situation or at least an early warning indicator.  But no tool can substitute for the political will required to de-escalate.  Especially if that State has decided to invade, as Russia’s actions have shown so clearly.

    Madam Chair, the Code of Conduct commits us to act in solidarity if OSCE norms and commitments are violated.  As catalogued by the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, there is irrefutable independent evidence of Russia violating international law.  As per the Code, such breaches are a “direct and legitimate” concern for us all.

    That is why our weekly statements will continue reiterating our support for Ukraine and calling for Russia to end its war and return to abiding by the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.  That is why we welcome Estonia’s three Security Dialogue topics on the Code of Conduct; Women, Peace & Security; and protection of children in armed conflicts, keeping a focus on Russia’s invasion.  That is also why we will keep on using this Forum and its tools to execute our mandate, including on risk-reduction and voluntary briefs on military exercises.

    Madam Chair, our Ministers mandated the Forum to hold a weekly politico-military dialogue in order to execute our vital mandate.  We can only do that if we respect the Forum and meet weekly to fulfil, not to frustrate, its work.

    I wish to conclude by welcoming Finland to the FSC Troika, and to thank Denmark for their work as they leave the Troika.  And most importantly, I wish you, Madam Chair, and your able teams here in Vienna and in Tallinn the best of luck this Trimester.  You can count on the support of the UK delegation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foot and Mouth disease controls eased for Germany [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foot and Mouth disease controls eased for Germany [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2025.

    Personal imports for travellers from the EU remain banned.

    Following rigorous technical assessment, Great Britain has officially recognised Germany as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free without vaccination as of 14 May 2025.

    As a result, restrictions previously applied to imports of affected commodities from the containment zone in Germany have now been lifted. This means that exports of FMD-susceptible animals, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, deer and buffaloes, and their products, such as meat and dairy, can resume from the containment zone, provided that all other import conditions are met. This decision follows rigorous technical assessment of the measures applied in Germany and the current disease situation. If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity.

    Personal import restrictions remain in place that prevent travellers from bringing cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security. This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.

    FMD poses no risk to human or food safety, but is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. Livestock keepers should therefore be absolutely rigorous about their biosecurity.

    FMD is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:

    • 03000 200 301 in England
    • 0300 303 8268 in Wales
    • your local Field Services Office in Scotland
  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea: UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea: UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

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

    First, the UK remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea.

    We welcome recent efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and we hope these efforts can help provide the pathway to sustainable peace in Yemen in line with the Special Envoy’s efforts.

    As we have seen with continued threats against neighbouring countries and worrying posturing on the frontlines in Yemen, the risk of escalation remains.

    Through a coordinated international approach, the UK will continue to work towards effectively containing Houthi capabilities.

    Maritime security is essential in upholding stability in the region.

    The UK continues to support the Yemen Coast Guard in protecting their maritime borders, and we look forward to launching the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership alongside the Government of Yemen and international partners in June.

    Second, as highlighted by Ms El Mamoun, women face a disproportionate impact from the conflict in Yemen.

    In 2023, Yemen ranked second-to-last in the Georgetown Institute’s Women, Peace and Security Index, and we have not seen progress since then.

    According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, most of the 4.8 million internally displaced people are women, and 6.2 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence.

    Last year, UK funding supported nearly 1.5 million women and children with essential lifesaving services and enabled 15,000 to receive protection and gender-based violence response services.

    The UK continues to champion the important role that women can play in both ending the conflict in Yemen and upholding sustainable peace.

    In November 2024, the UK hosted a group of Yemeni women leaders and experts on the women, peace and security agenda to provide a vital platform for these important voices.

    The UK also remains committed to supporting the UN Special Envoy’s work to meaningfully engage women activists and women-led organisations to deliver inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen.

    Third, President, as USG Fletcher has said, the humanitarian situation is severe.

    The UK continues to condemn the ongoing detentions of aid workers by the Houthis, and we reiterate our clear call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.

    The Houthis’ unjustified detention of aid workers continues to shrink the humanitarian operating environment in a context where nearly 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

    And finally, we are grateful for the efforts of Dr Ahmad bin Mubarak, the former Prime Minister of Yemen, and we welcome the new Prime Minister, Salem Bin Breik.

    We look forward to working together with the new Prime Minister and continuing our support to the Government of Yemen’s ambitious reform programme.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 14 May 2025.

    The government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report.

    • Government’s final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report highlights progress delivering Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.
    • Progress includes nearly £100 million so far in compensation to victims and over £1.2 billion in interim payments, committing £500,000 to advocacy charities, and greater support for patients with liver damage.
    • Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will also continue his role for another 18 months.

    Nearly £100 million in compensation has been paid to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal so far, alongside over £1.2 billion in interim payments, as the government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report – highlighting progress delivering the Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.

    Recognising the unspeakable suffering of victims, the government accepts all twelve of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with some accepted in full, and others accepted in principle. There are no recommendations that the government has not accepted.

    Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said:

    Today is an important milestone, nearly one year on from the publication of the Inquiry’s report.

    The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably. We remain fully committed to cooperating with the Inquiry, are acting on its twelve recommendations, and are grateful for its work to date.

    We have paid nearly £100 million in compensation so far, and have set aside £11.8 billion to deliver what is one of the most comprehensive compensation schemes in modern history.

    The government is delivering Recommendation 1, to set up a compensation scheme. Compensation is paid through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an independent organisation that was set up on the Inquiry’s recommendation in its Second Interim Report. IBCA has paid out £96.6 million in compensation so far to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal, building on over £1.2 billion already paid out by the government in interim payments.

    Government is delivering Recommendation 10, to empower the voices of infected blood patients, by paying £500,000 to patient advocacy charities. These funds will be paid to specific charities that have been recommended by the Inquiry, and meetings are underway to agree on awards.

    Government is also delivering Recommendation 6, to monitor patients with liver damage, by ensuring that all patients with liver damage will have their care overseen by a medical consultant. Patients with a Hepatitis C diagnosis will receive greater follow-up and monitoring, and NHS England will also be proactively identifying patients with bleeding disorders to ensure they receive appropriate testing, treatment and ongoing monitoring.

    Today, the Government is also announcing that Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will remain in his role for another 18 months. The decision to extend his term was taken to provide continuity for the organisation and the infected blood community, and ensure compensation continues to be delivered without delay.

    The Inquiry has set out its intention to publish a further report on compensation, and the Government remains committed to cooperating with the Inquiry.

    Commenting on his extension, Sir Robert Francis KC said:

    I am honoured to continue serving as ​Interim ​Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

    My priority remains to ensure that we pay compensation to those impacted by the scandal as quickly as possible, while maintaining transparency and compassion throughout our work.​

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury appointed [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury appointed [May 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 May 2025.

    Jim O’Neil has been appointed as a new Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury.

    Jim brings a wealth of experience from investment banking and corporate finance to the Treasury, after a long career at Bank of America. He also has experience in the public sector, spending three years at UK Financial Investments. As Chief Executive of UKFI, he managed the government’s holdings in Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group, and UK Asset Resolution.

    His appointment is part of the government’s plan to deliver its number one mission to kickstart economic growth as part of the Plan for Change, and follows the Chancellor’s commitment to lead the most pro-growth Treasury in the country’s history.

    Jim’s experience will help the government to secure private investment, boost the economy, and ultimately put more pounds in people’s pockets. His deep knowledge of the private sector will help the government to rip out the barriers to growth, provide support for the key industries at home, and work to secure open and fair trade abroad.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    I’m very pleased to welcome Jim as our new Second Permanent Secretary, his extensive knowledge of the private sector will be vital in helping us deliver our number one mission to grow the economy. It’s fantastic to have him join the Treasury’s top team.

    Jim O’Neil said:

    I am delighted to have been appointed Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury at this important time for our country and our economy. We are living through a time of great change globally, making the need for an economy of stability, resilience, and growth all the more important. I look forward to working with the Chancellor, her ministers, and officials across the department to deliver on these missions so the Treasury can bring positive change to the lives of people right across the country.

    Jim is expected to start in his new position in July and will work alongside the two other Second Permanent Secretaries in HM Treasury, Beth Russell who is based at the Darlington Economic Campus and Sam Beckett who is also Chief Economic Adviser. As well as overseeing tax and spending, Beth will continue to be responsible for devolution and regional growth including engagement with regional and local government and others in the north.

    Jim was appointed through a fair and open competition and has completed all of the necessary declarations of interest.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Alexandra Jones, Sally McInnes, Sally Sheard, James Strachan, Aruna Verma and Simon Wessely appointed to the ACNRA Board [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Alexandra Jones, Sally McInnes, Sally Sheard, James Strachan, Aruna Verma and Simon Wessely appointed to the ACNRA Board [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 May 2025.

    The Secretary of State has appointed 6 Board Members to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives for four years from 10 March 2025 to 09 March 2029.

    Alexandra Jones

    Alexandra Jones, the Director of Anti-Money Laundering at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, brings a wealth of experience in governance, compliance, and leadership to her role. At the SRA, Alexandra leads the development and implementation of AML policies, ensuring regulatory compliance across the legal sector. Her career spans diverse sectors, including finance and regulation, providing her with a unique perspective on risk management and ethical considerations.

    Before joining the SRA, Alexandra served as CEO of the Registry Trust, where she gained deep insight into legal and ethical issues related to data access, copyright, and privacy. She also held senior roles at the Financial Ombudsman Service and HSBC Bank, where she managed teams while upholding confidentiality and compliance standards. Her leadership experience is complemented by her commitment to professional development, including studying data ethics at the London School of Economics.

    Alexandra’s career reflects a dedication to promoting transparency and integrity. She is motivated by the vision of safeguarding collective heritage and leveraging it as a resource for education and public engagement.

    Sally McInnes

    Sally McInnes was formerly Head of Unique and Contemporary Content at the National Library of Wales. A professionally trained archivist, she has extensive experience in promoting, preserving and providing access to unique content of national significance, as well as policy development within the Welsh cultural sector.

    Sally has a particular interest in managing digital content, as well as improving professional competence in digital preservation, for which she has earned international recognition. As a former Director of the Digital Preservation Coalition, she worked to raise public and institutional awareness of digital preservation issues in Wales and beyond.

    She has played a leading role in a number of national and international professional networks. In recognition of her contribution to recordkeeping, she was awarded an MBE in 2024 for Services to Documentary History. She is a Fellow of the Archives and Records Association.

    Sally Sheard

    Professor Sally Sheard is Executive Dean of the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, where she also holds the Andrew Geddes and John Rankin Chair of Modern History. She is a health policy analyst and historian, with a research focus on the interface between expert advisers and policymakers.

    Sally has extensive experience of using history in public and policy engagement, including working with national and local government organisations and health authorities. She has written for and appeared in numerous television and radio programmes. In 2018 she wrote and presented the twenty-part BBC Radio 4 series National Health Stories, to mark the seventieth anniversary of the NHS. Her books include The Passionate Economist: how Brian Abel-Smith shaped global health and social welfare (Policy Press, 2013); Making Genetics and Genomics Policy in Britain: from Personal to Population Health (co-authored with Philip Begley; Routledge, 2022) and NICE: A Contemporary History of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (co-authored with Paul Atkinson; Routledge, 2025).

    James Strachan

    James is Chief Executive of Eastleigh Borough Council in south Hampshire, and has been a senior leader in Hampshire local government for 16 years.  In addition to overseeing local services such as waste collection, planning, homelessness support and elections, James is ultimately responsible for information governance at the Council.  Prior to moving to Hampshire, James was Director of Public Services and Marketing at The National Archives, and served as Secretary to the official review of the 30-year rule, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

    James has also worked at the Cabinet Office, and had a career in publishing prior to joining the civil service.  He oversaw the online launch of Encyclopaedia Britannica in Europe and was among the first employees of the mobile network ‘3’, negotiating the first ever mobile highlights deal with the Premier League.  James lives in Salisbury and serves as a magistrate on the West Hampshire Bench, based in Southampton.

    Aruna Verma

    Aruna Verma is a distinguished lawyer, associate professor, and Campus Dean at The University of Law, Moorgate. With a strong background in legal education and practice, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of legal professionals. As an academic leader, she combines her expertise in law with a passion for teaching, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the legal profession.

    Her career spans legal practice, academia, and educational leadership, making her a respected figure in the field. At The University of Law, she oversees academic programs, fosters student engagement, and works closely with industry professionals to bridge the gap between law school and legal practice.

    Beyond academia, Aruna is known for her contributions to legal scholarship, mentorship, and commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. Her leadership ensures that the Moorgate campus remains a hub for aspiring solicitors and barristers, preparing them for the challenges of the ever-evolving legal Landscape.

    With her wealth of experience and dedication to legal education, Aruna Verma continues to make a lasting impact on both students and the legal community. Aruna also sits as a Chair at The Valuation Tribunal and the Chair of Governors at a local school. Aruna is a trained mediator and online dispute resolution specialist.

    Simon Wessely

    Sir Simon Wessely FRS is the Regius Chair of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), part of King’s College London (KCL), the first such chair in the United Kingdom. He is also a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at the Maudsley and King’s College Hospitals.

    After studying medicine and History of Art at Cambridge, he finished his medical training at Oxford. He is an active clinical academic psychiatrist with >1000 publications, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He is a Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Society of Medicine. He was Dean of the IOPPN (2022-23) and is now a Non Executive Director of NHS-England.

    In 2003 he founded the King’s Centre for Military Health Research, which is now ranked 1st globally for publications on military health. He remains the Honorary Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry to the British Army, and works with several charities for Veterans. He was knighted in 2013 for services to military health and psychological medicine. He continues to have a broad interest in how people and populations react to adversity, past present and future.

    He chaired the government’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act (2017-19), which should receive Royal Assent at Easter. He also was a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (2017-23). His amateur interests revolve around history, and he is proud of having written some papers in “proper” history journals. Finally, if you are a follower of “Desert Island Discs” you will know his favourite occupation is arguing in Viennese cafes , perhaps reflecting the fact that his father was born in Central Europe, coming over to the UK in 1939.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Board Members will be remunerated at a rate of £386 per day. James Strachan requested not to be remunerated for this role. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. None of the candidates have declared any significant political activity.