Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : More passengers across Yorkshire to benefit from digital pay-as-you-go [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : More passengers across Yorkshire to benefit from digital pay-as-you-go [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 7 August 2026.

    Expanded ticketing trials are open to all passengers on Northern Railway’s 2 northern routes and include the Leicester to Nottingham, via Derby route.

    • digital ticketing trials extended across Yorkshire for a simpler, smarter way to travel ahead of the creation of Great British Railways
    • follows successful trials, with over 30,000 journeys from Leeds to Harrogate and Doncaster to Sheffield using digital pay-as-you-go already undertaken
    • passengers use an app with GPS that calculates the best fare so they can travel flexibly, knowing they’ll get the best value ticket

    Thousands more rail passengers across Yorkshire will be able to use simpler, flexible ticketing as digital pay-as-you-go technology is extended to all travellers on Northern’s 2 trial routes.

    Digital ticketing allows passengers to download an app that uses GPS to track their journeys to calculate the best fare without physically checking in and out or buying a ticket in advance.

    The technology also helps to minimise fare evasion as it makes sure passengers pay the right fare for their journey and protects passengers who might innocently buy the wrong tickets as digital pay-as-you-go selects for them.

    After launching in 2025, the trials were opened to an initial 2,000 passengers across 2 routes in the North: Leeds to Harrogate and Doncaster to Sheffield.

    Over 30,000 journeys have benefited, with passengers leaving positive reviews, praising how easy the technology is to use. The expanded trials include a third route in the East Midlands, from Leicester to Nottingham via Derby.

    The trials come as part of wider fare and ticketing reforms ahead of Great British Railways (GBR), including the rollout of pay-as-you-go and plans to develop a GBR website, an app that will act as a one-stop shop for passengers to buy tickets, check train times and claim Delay Repay to cut through the confusing options at 14 different operators currently available to passengers.

    Now, the cap on the number of people able to take part has been lifted in response to the trials’ popularity and success in the region, meaning an unlimited number of passengers can benefit from contactless ticketing on these routes.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    Buying a train ticket across much of Yorkshire is far too complicated, with the whole system long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. The digital pay-as-you-go trials have been a huge success and by extending them, we’re making that convenience, accessibility and flexible for even more passengers.

    This is rail reform in action. We’re delivering straightforward, stress-free train travel across the North, supporting passengers, a key step in our mission to boost growth, jobs and homes as we work to set up Great British Railways.

    It comes as part of the government’s mission to put power into the hands of local communities, working with authorities who are best placed to design ticketing solutions that work for their communities.

    Rather than a one-size-fits-all national model, we’re giving them the tools and data to build integrated ticketing that fits their needs.

    This includes the rollout of contactless ticketing with bankcards at over 100 stations in the south-east, connecting trains with London’s airports, bus, Tube and tram networks and making 55 million journeys in the region simpler every year.

    Alex Hornby, Northern’s Commercial and Customer Director, said:

    The future of ticketing is happening right here in the North, which is making train travel simpler, frictionless and more convenient for our customers.

    We’re delighted the trial has been extended until September 2027 as thousands of people will be able to use this innovative technology on 2 of our routes.

    It has already been used to make more than 30,000 journeys on Northern services and we’ve received a lot of positive feedback so far.

    Customers are still welcome to sign up now to try out this digital pay-as-you-go app and receive £15 worth of free credit to their account.

    The government’s £156 million investment in new ticketing schemes means that by 2027, pay-as-you-go will be available at over 100 more stations across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the south-east. A new GBR website and app is also in development, which will serve as a one-stop shop, with passengers able to buy tickets, check train times and access support in one simple-to-use app.

    Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Research at Campaign for Better Transport, said:

    Making public transport easier to use is one of the most effective ways to attract more people on board. Expanding digital pay-as-you-go is a welcome step towards a simpler, more seamless railway, making it easier for passengers to get the best fare without navigating a complex ticketing system. We hope these successful trials pave the way for fully integrated ticketing across the public transport network.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Two new Members appointed to The National Lottery Community Fund Board [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two new Members appointed to The National Lottery Community Fund Board [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 August 2026.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Sunder Katwala and Michelle Mitchell OBE as Board Members of The National Lottery Community Fund, for a four-year term commencing on 5 August 2026 to 4 August 2030.

    Sunder Katwala

    Sunder Katwala is the Director of British Future, an independent, non-partisan thinktank and charity. The organisation engages with questions of identity, immigration and integration, seeking to build confidence and common ground in a changing Britain. Since May 2026, Sunder has been a Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and is a member of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion. 

    He has built a varied career in publishing, journalism, and think tanks, including leading the Fabian Society from 2003 to 2011, working as an Observer journalist, directing research at the Foreign Policy Centre, and a Commissioning Editor at Macmillan.

    Sunder is a published author, regular contributor to national print, broadcast and online media, including as a columnist for the British Asian newspaper Eastern Eye. 

    Michelle Mitchell OBE

    Michelle Mitchell is Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, where she leads the organisation’s work to accelerate progress in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer through world-class research and innovation.

    Over a career spanning some of the UK’s leading charities, Michelle has led major organisational transformation programmes, strengthening impact, sustainability and public benefit at scale. She brings extensive experience of strategic leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement and stewardship of resources in organisations dedicated to improving lives and supporting communities.

    Michelle was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to the charity sector and is an Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, University of Cambridge.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Members of The National Lottery Community Fund are remunerated at £7,848 per annum.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Investigation launched into international aid charity over alleged links with Hamas [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Investigation launched into international aid charity over alleged links with Hamas [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Charity Commission on 7 August 2026.

    The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Al-Khair Foundation and has restricted certain transactions.

    The charity was set up to advance religion, promote education, support social welfare, build religious harmony and offer relief to victims of disasters. It operates in the UK and internationally.

    Last month the Commission received a complaint alleging the charity and its partners had connections to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation. It also alleged the charity had funded the organisation. The regulator immediately started examining the serious concerns raised and gathered more information to inform its assessment. The Commission has now escalated its engagement to a statutory inquiry.

    The Commission is aware that Mohammad Yousef Hasna, an individual employed by an organisation that the Al-Khair Foundation works with to deliver aid in Gaza, has been arrested in the UK and charged by US authorities for conspiring to provide material support to Hamas. The regulator will be considering all relevant information as part of its investigation, which will include verifying his connection to the charity, and wider allegations made about the charity.

    The charity recorded an income of over £74 million pounds in financial year ending 31 July 2025. Due to the concerns of possible serious risk to charitable funds, the Commission has issued a legal order restricting certain financial transactions by the charity without the Commission’s prior consent.

    Scope of the inquiry

    The inquiry will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying or have complied with their legal duties in respect of the administration, governance and management of the charity. The investigation will seek to establish:

    • the nature and extent of the charity’s links to Mr Hasna
    • whether trustees have carried out appropriate checks and due diligence on international partners
    • whether trustees are effectively monitoring the end use of funds internationally and have appropriate policies and procedures in place to protect funds from risk of misuse
    • whether any failings or weaknesses identified in the administration of the Charity are a result of misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees

    The scope of the inquiry can be extended if additional regulatory issues emerge.

    As charity regulator, the Commission cannot investigate criminal matters. In line with the regulator’s policy, if evidence of criminal activity is found, this will be referred to the police which has the power to investigate.

    It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing the issues examined, any action taken, and the inquiry’s outcomes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Venture capital access expanded for early-stage companies in UK [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Venture capital access expanded for early-stage companies in UK [August 2026]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 7 August 2026.

    Intention to invest £100 million through British Business Bank’s Investor Pathways Capital Initiative to boost growth in every postcode.

    • As many as 10 new venture capital funds to be launched across the UK expanding access to venture capital beyond London
    • Economic Secretary to the Treasury visited Sheffield and Leeds to meet businesses, lenders and investors supporting regional growth

    Investors in early-stage companies across the UK can access a multi-million-pound investment boost as the Chancellor backs growth in every postcode through the next £100m phase of the British Business Bank’s Investor Pathways Capital Initiative.

    Supporting talented, first-time venture capital investment fund managers from a wide range of backgrounds, the initiative, which will invest £400m in total, helps businesses scale up as the fund managers provide the catalytic early capital that innovative, early-stage businesses need to scale up drive local growth and create more good British jobs.

    Business large and small have felt the squeeze as the cost of business has risen. The Chancellor is backing investment outside of London into businesses to help tackle this, bolstering efforts to make Britain better off.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MP said:

    One of my priorities as Chancellor is wealth creation. That means building an economy that helps people live well. I know there is a cost of business and it will not go unnoticed.

    This must involve stepping up our support for the businesses who invest in people, and this £100m boost will help provide the fuel to drive new life into local economies up and down the country.

    In June, the British Business Bank committed up to £90m to 10 new microfunds as part of the first Investor Pathways Capital cohort. Applications for the next cohort, which is part of this £100m deployment, will open in Autumn 2026.

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said: 

    We want growth in every postcode and businesses are integral to that as the absolute backbone of our economy.

    Unlocking investment and capital for British businesses, backing firms with practical support and ensuring businesses wherever they are can get the finance they need to grow, innovate and create jobs.

    Separately, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury yesterday met with businesses, lenders and investors from across Yorkshire in Sheffield and Leeds. They discussed how government will support the British Business Bank and industry to work together to ensure the most ambitious of British firms can access the finance they need to invest, create jobs and drive growth in every postcode.

    The visits came as the Government continues to deliver on commitments made at Mansion House to strengthen the UK’s business finance ecosystem. This approach is centred on ensuring growth reaches every part of the country – ensuring firms have the finance and support they need a at every stage of their growth journey – from start-up through to scale-up.

    Recent reforms to the Growth Guarantee Scheme will increase lending capacity by a further £2 billion per year by 2028/29, helping an additional 12,000 smaller businesses access finance each year while extending loan terms and broadening eligibility. These changes are designed to ensure more businesses can secure the funding they need to invest, expand and create jobs.

    The British Business Bank is playing a central role in helping deliver this ambition, supporting businesses throughout their growth journey through debt finance, venture capital and targeted investment programmes. Recent activity has included investments supporting innovative technology businesses, new venture capital funds and underserved communities across the UK’s Nations and regions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 18th anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Georgia – Joint Statement [Augugst 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 18th anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Georgia – Joint Statement [Augugst 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 August 2026.

    The UK has joined France, Germany and Italy in condemning Russia’s ongoing activities in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

    Spokespersons for the governments of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said:

    August 7th is a date when we remember the grave consequences of Russian imperialism. On this day in 2008 the Russian Federation took military action against Georgia, further damaging Georgia’s territorial integrity by occupying the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

    18 years after the Russian aggression, we reaffirm our full support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We welcome Republic of Naoero’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We urge states that have established diplomatic relations with these entities to follow this example.

    We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s ongoing military presence in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of international law as well as Russia’s obligations under the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008. Russia’s ongoing militarization of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to the security of Georgia and to regional and European stability.

    In October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found the Russian Federation guilty of a number of violations committed in the occupied breakaway regions, including excessive use of force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention and unlawful restrictions on day-to-day movement across the administrative boundary line between Georgian-controlled territory and Russian occupied territory. We urge Russia to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights relating to this situation and to fully fulfil the commitments it made on August 12 and September 8, 2008.

    We are concerned about the latest developments in South Ossetia. The “Agreement on Deepening Alliance and Cooperation” signed on 9 May 2026 between Moscow and the de facto authorities of South Ossetia further violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in clear breach of international law. This document, as well as the appointment of a Russian citizen to head the region raise concerns on a possible full-fledged annexation of the region, which would not go unanswered.

    We reaffirm our support for the “Geneva International Discussions” (GID) platform, co-chaired by the European Union, the OSCE, and the United Nations. This is the only framework that will enable the parties to work towards conflict resolution. We commend the work of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and we will continue to support the role of the mission.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We call on the transitional government of South Sudan to cooperate fully with UNMISS – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : We call on the transitional government of South Sudan to cooperate fully with UNMISS – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 August 2026.

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

    As we have heard today, ongoing violence continues to displace civilians and to deepen an already acute humanitarian crisis.

    Women and girls continue to bear the brunt, including through conflict-related sexual violence.

    First, the United Kingdom reiterates the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the political process.

    We urge all parties to use this immediate period to engage in genuine and inclusive dialogue. 

    We welcome the work of AU Special Envoy President Kikwete, and the close cooperation between the UN, the AU, and IGAD in support of peace and dialogue.

    Second, any elections must strengthen, not undermine, peace and stability.

    The South Sudanese people should be able to choose their representatives, and hold them to account. 

    But this can only happen through elections that are credible, peaceful, and inclusive, or they risk a return to conflict.

    That means the conditions envisaged in the 2018 peace agreement must be in place, including sufficient political space, security, and inclusive participation. 

    An election in which major parties cannot participate freely would serve neither democracy nor peace.

    Third, public resources must be managed responsibly, transparently, and in the interests of the South Sudanese people.

    Essential services remain severely underfunded.

    The consequences are felt most acutely by ordinary South Sudanese: just 2 per cent of the national budget is currently spent on health and education.

    Functioning services, particularly healthcare, are increasingly critical as the risk grows of Ebola spreading into South Sudan.

    Finally, UNMISS continues to play a critical role in supporting peace and stability.

    The Mission provides a vital source of protection and support: helping to prevent and respond to intercommunal violence, maintaining a protective presence in areas at risk of conflict, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and supporting vital dialogue between communities.

    We call on the transitional government of South Sudan to cooperate fully with the Mission, and to ensure it can carry out its mandate freely and without obstruction.

    President, the people of South Sudan deserve a future defined not by violence and instability, but by peace, dignity, and accountable governance.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 August 2026.

    Mr Thomas Allan has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain in succession to Mr Alastair Long.

    Mr Allan will take up his appointment during January 2027.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Thomas Philip Allan

    DatesRole
    2023 to 2026FCDO, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa 
    2020 to 2022Cabinet Office, Deputy Director, National Security Secretariat 
    2018 to 2019DFID, Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary 
    2014 to 2017Dar es Salaam, Deputy Head of Office, DFID Tanzania 
    2011 to 2014Sana’a/London, Economic Adviser, DFID Yemen 
    2009 to 2011Freetown, Economic Adviser, DFID Sierra Leone 
    2008 to 2009DFID, Economist, Policy Division 
    2005 to 2008Department of Health, Economist 
    2003 to 2005Addis Ababa, Policy Officer, UNESCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : Two Trustees appointed to the National Gallery Board [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two Trustees appointed to the National Gallery Board [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 6 August 2026.

    Julie Gaskell and Simon Patterson have been appointed as Trustees to the National Gallery Board. These appointments were made by the previous Prime Minister.

    Julie Gaskell has been appointed for a four year term from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2030. Simon Patterson has been appointed for a four year term from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.

    Julie Gaskell 

    Julie Gaskell is a sponsorship strategist with extensive senior experience across the public, private and cultural sectors. She advises rights holders, charities and cultural organisations on partnership development, strategic sponsorship and stakeholder engagement.

    As Head of Partnerships at Wild in Art, Julie contributes to mass appeal public art initiatives. Julie has held senior leadership roles with United Utilities, Widnes Viking RLFC and Stobart Group, where she led corporate communications, sponsorship, stakeholder engagement and organisational strategy.

    Throughout her career, she has contributed to initiatives including the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Liverpool’s 2008 European Capital of Culture, the International Festival for Business (2014 and 2016) and, more recently, We Invented the Weekend 2026 in Salford.

    Simon Patterson 

    Simon Patterson is Chair of the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, where he has served as a Trustee for 10 years, helping to design, build, fundraise and scale Their Royal Highnesses’ major social and environmental programmes, including The Earthshot Prize, The Centre for Early Childhood, Heads Together (mental health), and Homewards (homelessness). Simon is a Senior Partner of Silver Lake, the technology investment firm, where he has worked on many of the firm’s landmark investments over 20 years, including the successful transformation of Dell, collaborating closely with Michael Dell and serving as a board member for 10 years.

    He has also led Silver Lake investments in sports, including New Zealand Rugby and SailGP, and is personally a co-owner of MCC’s London Spirit cricket team in the Hundred tournament.

    He is a Senior Advisor at Chatham House and a Fellow of King’s College Cambridge. Prior roles include Non-Executive Director of Tesco plc and Trustee of the Natural History Museum, where he helped build and fundraise for the museum’s large-scale AI and digital programmes, and its ambitious garden redevelopment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Major step forward in Sunderland’s city centre regeneration journey as Homes England invest £27.7m to unlock Sheepfolds neighbourhood [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major step forward in Sunderland’s city centre regeneration journey as Homes England invest £27.7m to unlock Sheepfolds neighbourhood [August 2026]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 6 August 2026.

    Latest investment will unlock the delivery of over 350 new homes in Riverside Sunderland, as partnership working between North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Homes England enters new chapter.

    A major step forward in the transformation of Riverside Sunderland has been confirmed, with Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, backing the Sheepfolds neighbourhood through a £27.7 million investment.

    The funding will help transform the former industrial site, set to be the largest residential neighbourhood with more than 350 homes as part of Riverside Sunderland, with £10 million already invested by the North East Mayor to complement Homes England’s funding package.

    The announcement is the latest example of close collaboration between local authorities, Homes England and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, which recently announced a new delivery partnership to accelerate growth and house building across the North East.

    The partnership includes a joint Major Projects Delivery Unit – one of the first arrangements of its kind in England and the first of its scale in the North East – bringing together expertise, resources and leadership from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Homes England and local authority partners to unlock complex sites, support major developments and drive forward the region’s growth ambitions.

    Tom Bridges, Executive Regional Director, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, at Homes England, said:     

    Our long-standing partnership with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Sunderland City Council continues to deliver real results for local people. This latest funding will enable delivery of the next phase of Riverside Sunderland, one of the most exciting and impressive regeneration projects in England. It will unlock much-needed new homes on brownfield land in the heart of Sunderland and create a vibrant new neighbourhood that connects people to their city centre.  

    We’re building on the great momentum already created by the delivery of Keel Crossing and our wider regeneration efforts throughout the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to transform the city centre for the people of Sunderland.

    Cllr Chris Eynon, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said:

    We’re delighted to have secured funding from Homes England that will enable delivery of infrastructure and public realm that will accelerate housing delivery, improve connectivity, and ensure the neighbourhood is fully integrated with the city centre and surrounding communities. 

    This investment marks another major milestone in delivering our vision for Riverside Sunderland.  Sheepfolds is a key part of our plans to create new homes, jobs and opportunities in the heart of the city, and its connectivity to the former Vaux site, through to the high street and wider city centre means this is a vital next step in our journey to regenerate the whole urban heart of Sunderland.

    North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: 

    Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, and my Plan for Homes is a huge step towards making that happen. We’re committed to building 15,000 new social and affordable homes right across the region in the next decade. 

    But we’re already investing to make that happen. We’re transforming derelict sites, like the one at Sheepfolds, with a vibrant new neighbourhood. It’s just shows that we’re ambitious with our plans for Sunderland whether that’s backing Crown Works Studios, regenerating the city centre or building new affordable homes.” 

    The new Sheepfolds neighbourhood will support Sunderland City Council’s wider ambition to deliver more than 1,000 new homes across the city centre and forms part of the Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone, playing a pivotal role in repopulating and reenergising the city. 

    Homes England’s latest investment will enable the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and public realm across the neighbourhood, including new roads, utilities and active travel routes that are essential to support residential development, while enhancing connectivity between the city centre and surrounding communities.  

    The new works will build on the success of the Keel Crossing pedestrian footbridge, opened last year and unlocked by Homes England funding, which connects the planned housing development and popular nearby leisure venue Sheepfolds Stables to the heart of the city centre.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK continues crackdown on Russia with tough new sanctions [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK continues crackdown on Russia with tough new sanctions [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 August 2026.

    The UK government continues to demonstrate unwavering support for Ukraine as Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband unleashes his first major Russia sanctions package.

    • Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband steps up UK action against Russia, with new sanctions targeting the Kremlin’s military machine, oil and gas revenues and ageing shadow fleet.  
    • Government continues to support Ukraine after the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary welcomed President Zelenskyy to the UK last week. 

    Russian banks, shadow fleet ships and shady businesses have been slapped with UK sanctions for their role in Russia’s barbaric war on Ukraine. 

    In his first major sanctions package, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has reinforced the UK’s commitment to the people of Ukraine by announcing new measures against those supporting the Kremlin’s war effort. 

    The package targets individuals and businesses enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine, further constraining the networks and revenue streams on which the Kremlin relies. 

    Among the 19 targets sanctioned today are six Russian banks propping up its war economy, six newly acquired shadow fleet tankers responsible for dodging Western sanctions and four Russian companies importing tantalum and niobium, rare metals critical for producing military equipment used on the battlefield in Ukraine. 

    Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    Today’s new sanctions demonstrate the UK’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine and bearing down on those propping up the Kremlin’s aggression. 

    Ukraine’s fight is our fight. Those that threaten Ukraine’s freedom and democracy are a threat to Britain’s security at home. That’s why we will continue stepping up the pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace has been reached.

    Today’s action further builds on the Foreign Secretary’s work on Ukraine since taking office. In recent weeks he has held his first bilateral call in the role with Foreign Minister Sybiha, attended the ASEAN conference in Manila where discussions focussed on support for Ukraine and joined the Prime Minister in Portsmouth last week to host President Zelenskyy, where the UK announced support for cutting-edge drone capabilities to bolster Ukraine’s frontline defences. 

    Yesterday the Foreign Secretary travelled to Washington DC where he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions focused on efforts to maintain pressure on Russia and underlined that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from European and transatlantic security.

    Chancellor John Healey MP said: 

    Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute. 

    That’s why we’re introducing new tougher sanctions to choke off the funds that fuel Putin’s illegal war and are targeting his shadow fleet. 

    And the UK will continue to step up our action against Russia and its shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability.

    This year alone the UK has imposed sanctions on over 500 individuals, entities and ships under its Russia sanctions regime, and today’s decisive action sends a clear signal that the UK will not let up on its efforts to hold Russia to account and support Ukraine for as long as it takes. 

    The UK government has now sanctioned over 3,400 individuals, entities and ships under the Russia sanctions regime. The latest measures form part of the UK’s ongoing effort to defend European and NATO security and weaken Russia’s ability to continue waging war in Ukraine. 

    Notes to editors: 

    Designations and specifications: 

    1. FRION SHIP MANAGEMENT LLP 
    2. NORTHERN ENGINEERING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY  
    3. IMO 9402263 (ASTERAS)   
    4. IMO 9326811 (PERSEAS)   
    5. IMO 9470131 (TORVIAN)   
    6. IMO 9378864 (VISUND)   
    7. IMO 9346885 (ZENTURO)    
    8. IMO 9333591 (ARCTIC EXPRESS) 
    9. LLC OZON BANK  
    10. JSC REALIST BANK  
    11. JSC TELEPORT BANK  
    12. PJSC BANK STAVR  
    13. PJSC COMMERCIAL BANK “CENTER-INVEST”  
    14. STATE SPECIALISED RUSSIAN EXPORT-IMPORT BANK (JSC)  
    15. LLC METALLKOMPLEKT   
    16. LLC NIKOM  
    17. LLC TECHNOLUX  
    18. LLC PROMSIZ  
    19. Alexander Aleksandrovich ZHDANOV