Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Heathrow Airport Limited’s third runway proposal will be basis for expansion [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 November 2025.

Decisive action on third runway to support trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
- scheme chosen to drive a swift and robust policy review to shape plans for Heathrow expansion in line with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations
- review will allow a planning decision by 2029 and London airspace to be redrawn to enable quicker, quieter, and greener flights to take off from a new runway by 2035
- new runway will be a boost for connectivity, supporting national economic growth, improving passenger experience and delivering the Plan for Change, after passenger numbers hit record levels at Heathrow this summer
A third runway at Heathrow is another step closer to take off by 2035, as the Transport Secretary confirms today (25 November 2025) that Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL’s) proposal will be used as the scheme to progress the project.

The proposal will shape the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which is the framework within which the planning decision on expansion at the airport will be made, and any amendments to the ANPS will be subject to consultation next summer.

As the UK’s only hub airport, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country, expanding Heathrow will attract international investment, boost Britain’s connectivity, and support economic growth to deliver the Plan for Change. This summer a record 23.4 million passengers travelled via Heathrow, highlighting the level of passenger demand.

After requesting further information last month from the remaining two promoters, the government has assessed that HAL’s proposal offers the most deliverable option and provides the greatest likelihood of meeting the government’s ambition for a decision on a development consent application within this parliament.

Any amendments to the ANPS will be consulted on next summer after the Transport Secretary committed to completing the process 3 years faster than production of the policy statement in 2018. This will provide an important opportunity for businesses, communities, and the wider aviation sector to have their say.

Selection of the scheme to inform the remainder of the review does not represent a final decision on a third runway scheme or design, and any amendments to the ANPS will be subject to consultation and parliamentary scrutiny next year. Exact details such as the length of the third runway, layout, and associated infrastructure implications will continue to be considered throughout the remainder of the ANPS review.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said:

Heathrow is our only hub airport which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs, underpinning prosperity not only in the South East but across the UK.

Today is another important step to enable a third runway and build on these benefits, setting the direction for the remainder of our work to get the policy framework in place for airport expansion. This will allow a decision on a third runway plan this parliament which meets our key tests including on the environment and economic growth.

We’re acting swiftly and decisively to get this project off the ground so we can realise its transformational potential for passengers, businesses, and our economy sooner.

The government has been clear expansion plans must meet the UK’s legally binding climate obligations alongside balancing delivering economic growth as well as air quality and noise obligations.

The independent Climate Change Committee will be consulted on as part of the review to ensure expansion is consistent with the net zero framework. Today the Transport Secretary has written to the committee requesting advice including on the role of aviation in achieving the UK’s carbon budgets and inviting feedback on proposed updates to the ANPS to ensure alignment with climate commitments.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

We’re taking action where previous governments hesitated, and moving forward with Heathrow’s third runway to drive economic growth, international investment and better connections for our country.

That means opening the door to new growth and opportunity with Heathrow expansion – creating over 100,000 jobs, boosting our economy, and giving businesses and communities the certainty they need to thrive.

A swift and robust review of the ANPS was launched last month to consider airport expansion in light of new environmental and climate obligations and sets out the government’s criteria to consider future planning applications.

The selection of HAL’s scheme at this stage follows a rigorous assessment of the promoter’s proposals. This has determined that HAL’s proposal includes expansion plans that are resilient and efficient.

The government expects that an application for development consent for a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport will be brought forward by the promoter of the scheme, the airport operator, Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL), after the review of the Airports National Policy Statement.

The government is also pressing ahead with modernising airspace across the UK, to deliver quicker, quieter, and more efficient flights with lower emissions, reducing the sector’s climate change impacts.

The newly published Airspace Design Strategic Objectives will mean that the Greater London airspace block will be given priority in airspace modernisation processes. London’s airspace – which sees over 1.1 million takes offs and landings a year – will be redrawn to ensure the capital’s skies are ready for more departures from a third runway from 2035. This will also benefit passengers after record levels of people flying over the summer, by shortening flight routes and improving resilience in the sector.

A consultation has also been launched on simplifying the Air Navigation Guidance to set clear priorities, save carbon emissions, and ensure that people continue to have a meaningful say on airspace changes that affect them.

Today’s milestone follows the approval of Luton expansion earlier this year and Gatwick expansion last month, as the government continues to back aviation projects that will grow the economy and provide highly skilled jobs.

The government is backing the development of green aviation through the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill. This bill will ensure Heathrow contributes to the UK meeting its climate targets by providing economic security for the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market by guaranteeing a set price per unit for UK producers.

An additional £63 million is being invested to speed up construction on new SAF production plants, as the government goes further and faster to deliver growth and reach net zero.
November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 25 November 2025.

England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy through a new levy on overnight stays.
- Mayors to get new power to invest in their areas and drive growth through a charge on overnight stays.
- This will put local leaders on equal footing with top tourist destinations around the world.
- It’s the latest step forward in putting power in the hands of those who know their communities best.
England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy through a new levy on overnight stays.

The fee would apply to visitors’ overnight trips, and it would be up to mayors and other local leaders to introduce a modest charge if it’s right for their area.

The move would ensure UK mayors have the same powers as their counterparts in cities like New York, Paris and Milan, where charges on short-term trips are already commonplace.

The announcement comes ahead of tomorrow’s Budget, which will make the fair and necessary choices to deliver on the government’s mandate for change.

This includes cutting hospital waiting lists by delivering record investment in our public services, cutting debt and borrowing by sticking to our tough spending plans, cutting the cost of living by raising the national living wage for millions of workers, and pushing ahead with the biggest drive for growth in a generation.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said:

Tourists travel from near and far to visit England’s brilliant cities and regions.

We’re giving our mayors powers to harness this and put more money into local priorities, so they can keep driving growth and investing in these communities for years to come.

England attracts over 130 million overnight visits each year.

Under plans set out today, any new levy would apply to visitors at accommodation providers including hotels, holiday lets, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses.

Money raised could then help fund local projects that improve communities and enhance tourists’ experiences, that could potentially help attract more visitors – without needing approval from central government. Research also shows that reasonable fees have minimal impact on visitor numbers.

In London, the levy could go towards improvements to some of the capital’s busiest and famous streets to improve the experience for both visitors and Londoners, as well as supporting the city’s entertainment, sport and culture including helping smaller venues.    Meanwhile in Liverpool, it could help the city to support the major events that drive visitors – such as the upcoming UEFA EURO 2028 – and improving the infrastructure that visitors and locals rely on.

Many cities around the world charge tourists a small fee when they visit, including New York, Paris and Milan.

The announcement is the latest step forward in the government’s mission to devolve power and give those who know their areas best control over how money is spent in their communities.

Businesses, communities and others with an interest in the measure can have their say on how it should work, with a consultation running for 12 weeks.

Further information
- The consultation is available on GOV.UK and will close on 18 February.
- Under the proposals, emergency accommodation, homeless shelters and registered Gypsy and Traveller sites used as primary residences would be exempt. Mayors would also have the power to apply other local exemptions where appropriate, so they can tailor the levy to their local economy.
Additional quotes

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:

Giving Mayors the powers to raise a tourist levy is great news for London.

The extra funding will directly support London’s economy, and help cement our reputation as a global tourism and business destination. It also shows what can be done when ministers work closely with Mayors to devolve more powers to cities and regions.

As part of developing our plans for the levy we will work closely with the hospitality and tourism sectors to ensure it delivers the maximum benefits for London and our brilliant businesses.

Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:

For too long, cities like ours have been expected to compete on a global stage without the basic tools that other places take for granted. Cities like Barcelona and Paris raise tens of millions each year through similar schemes – money that goes straight back into improving the visitor experience and supporting the local people who keep those destinations thriving.

I’m pleased that the government has listened and acted – giving areas like ours the powers we need to support and grow our economies in a sustainable way. Our visitor economy is worth more than £6billion a year and supports over 55,000 local jobs. A modest levy is money that would stay local and be reinvested in the things that make our region stand out: our world-class culture, iconic events, vibrant public spaces and the infrastructure that ties it all together.

Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin said:

Residents and visitors alike know how special our part of the world is, from our people to our culture to our nature. Tourism is now worth a record £2.7 billion to the West’s economy, which is a key industry for our new Growth Strategy over the coming decade.

These new powers are a real vote of confidence in our region taking more control of our future. Proceeds from an overnight visitor levy, that people from across the West are used to paying on holiday ourselves, have the potential to support and enhance the sector’s businesses and workers – including with better transport options.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:

Even a small amount levied on each overnight stay will transform the welcome we can give to people coming to North East England from all over the globe.

This signals the start of a new era of events and festivals we will stage to bring a new focus to our unique world heritage sites at Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral, our stunning coastlines and the iconic Tyne bridges and gorge.

This supports our ambition to double the size of the visitor economy creating thousands of new jobs in the next decade.

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said:

A visitor levy in York and North Yorkshire will be a total gamechanger for our region. We’re home to beautiful towns, villages and cities and receive 41m visitors a year as a result.

A small charge on overnight stays could revolutionise how we deliver transport, support businesses, invest in infrastructure and the visitor economy. Building the healthy and thriving communities for our residents and everyone that comes to visit them.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:

I’m delighted the government has heard the strong case Mayors have made for the power to ask visitors to pay a small fee to help drive growth.

This will allow us to invest more into making our regions even better places to visit, unlocking opportunities and help our businesses thrive.

This is a further vote of confidence in devolution and shows the government is backing mayors to achieve our ambitions.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

It’s great news that the Government is committing to giving regional mayors the powers to introduce a visitor levy – a measure we have long called for. Greater Manchester already has a thriving visitor economy, and a visitor levy will help us sustain good growth over the next decade.

I’m proud that nearly two million people from all over the world choose to visit Greater Manchester every year. The money they spend contributes about £9 billion annually to our economy, supporting over 100,000 jobs. The levy will allow us to invest in the infrastructure these visitors need, like keeping our streets clean and enhancing our public transport system through later running buses and trams, making sure every experience is a positive and memorable one.
November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Two non-executive members appointed to the Independent Monitoring Authority [November 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 25 November 2025.

The Lord Chancellor, in his capacity as Secretary of State for Justice, has approved the appointments of Dr Maike Bohn and Lynne Charles as non-executive members of the Independent Monitoring Authority.

The Lord Chancellor, in his capacity as Secretary of State for Justice, has approved the appointments of Dr Maike Bohn and Lynne Charles as non-executive members of the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) for 3 years from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.

Dr Maike Bohn

Dr Maike Bohn brings significant experience in strategic leadership, international engagement and public policy. As Managing Director of Oxford in Berlin, she led the University of Oxford’s work in Germany and built wide-ranging partnerships across sectors. She is a co-founder of the3million and has held senior roles in executive education, public affairs and marketing at Cardiff University, Jisc and Saïd Business School.

Lynne Charles

Lynne Charles is a former civil servant, with over 20 years’ experience across a number of government departments, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury, with a particular focus on EU and international affairs. Most recently, she served as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Bulgaria. Prior to working for the British government, Lynne worked as an official of the European Parliament, with roles in Brussels and London.

The IMA was established under the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020. Its purposes are to monitor how public bodies implement and apply the citizens’ rights parts of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, and Separation Agreement with the EEA EFTA states, and to promote the adequate and effective implementation and application of those rights.

The IMA has the power to receive complaints, launch inquiries and initiate or intervene in legal proceedings. The IMA also has a duty to review the effectiveness of the legislative framework relating to citizens’ rights. In exercising its functions, the IMA must have regard to the importance of dealing with general or systemic issues in the implementation and application of citizen’ rights.

Appointments to the IMA are made by the Secretary of State and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These appointments have been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor to double down on drive to cut NHS waiting times and rollout of new Neighbourhood Health Centres [November 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 November 2025.

250 Neighbourhood Health Centres to bring patient care closer to home and bring end to postcode lottery of healthcare access.
- £300 million of funding for NHS technology to support work of staff and boost their productivity.
- At the Autumn Budget the Chancellor will take the fair choices to cut NHS waiting times, cut national debt and cut the cost of living – continuing record investment into the NHS.
The Chancellor will double down on the government’s commitment of continuing to slash NHS waiting times in this week’s Budget – today confirming the investment for hundreds of new Neighbourhood Health Centres that will deliver healthcare direct to people’s doorsteps across the country.

At the Budget on Wednesday the Chancellor will set out how the government will take the fair choices to deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting times, cut debt and cut the cost of living.

250 new health ‘one stop shops’ will bring the right local combination from GPs, nurses, dentists and pharmacists together under one roof to best meet the needs of the community, starting in the most deprived areas.

The centres will be part of a new Neighbourhood Health Service that will provide end-to-end care and tailored support – improving access to GPs, helping to prevent complications and avoid the frustration of being passed around the system.

As the Neighbourhood Health Service moves more outpatient care out of hospitals, these centres will provide space for clinics in communities across the country – bringing an end to the postcode lottery of access to healthcare.

Patients will get treatment minutes from home instead of travelling miles to often hard to reach hospitals, so the NHS is organised around patients’ needs – rather than patients organising their lives around the NHS.

Neighbourhood health services will initially focus on improving access to general practice and supporting people with complex needs and long-term conditions – like diabetes and heart failure – in the areas of the highest deprivation. As the programme grows, it will expand to support other patients and priority cohorts.

With construction delivered by a dynamic new approach between the public and private sector, involving both repurposing current estate and new buildings, Neighbourhood Health Centres are a key part of the government’s plan to build an NHS fit for the future, one that fits around people’s lives and is an integral part of their community.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

At the Budget I’ll set out how we’ll deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting times, cut debt and cut the cost of living.

We’re driving down waiting lists by bringing healthcare to patients’ doorsteps and turbocharging NHS productivity with cutting-edge technology.

Our record investment, combined with ruthless efficiency and reform, will deliver the better care and better outcomes our NHS patients deserve.

At the Budget, Rachel Reeves is also set to turbocharge the drive to get waiting lists down by funnelling millions of pounds into upgrading technology in the health system – improving productivity so nurses and doctors can focus on caring for patients and speeding up how quickly patients are treated.

£300 million of new capital investment will go into NHS tech, with new digital tools to be rolled out to NHS staff to support their work and improve productivity – by automating administrative tasks and providing swifter access to patient information, as well as ensuring better staff communication and better coordinated care. This will give nurses, physios, doctors, and other staff more time to care and less time on admin.

Productivity for hospital care such as A&E and surgery is up 2.4% this year, meaning patients are being seen and treated more quickly across the health service. Achieving 2% productivity growth will unlock £17 billion savings over the next three years to be reinvested into the NHS in England to improve patient care.

Health Minister, Karin Smyth said:

Neighbourhood Health Centres fundamentally reimagine how the NHS works – bringing care closer to home and making sure the NHS is organised around patients’ needs, not the other way round.

The Chancellor is rightly boosting investment in the NHS after we inherited a health service on its knees – with Lord Darzi’s investigation uncovering a £40 billion black hole. But funding will only get us so far. We need to use every measure available to us, which is why we’re leveraging in private investment to construct some of these centres, making the most of all expertise and every tool at our disposal.

Our new NHS Rebuild approach will give the health service the investment it needs, repurposing and building a new generation of Neighbourhood Health Centres across the country. It will go hand in hand with reform and efficiency – ensuring proper value for money for taxpayers.

The government has already announced sweeping reforms to the NHS with 18,000 posts cut and NHS England merged back into the Department of Health in order to focus investment at the frontline. The move, which is already underway, will, save over £1bn a year by the end of the Parliament – enough to fund 115,000 extra hip and knee operations.

This government has already made significant progress to get the NHS back on its feet, cutting the waiting list by over 200,000 – the biggest reduction in over 15 years – delivering an extra 5.2 million appointments and providing 135,000 more cancer diagnoses within the 28-day target. This progress is only possible with the funding the NHS has already seen from this government, which is built on further in this Budget.

Further information

Ruth Rankine, director of primary care the NHS Confederation said:

The creation of a Neighbourhood Health Service has the potential to empower the NHS to deliver even more patient-first, joined-up care.

Working in partnership with local authorities, the VCSE sector and other partners is key to maximising the impact of these services, so it is welcome that the government is committed to ensuring local leaders have the flexibility to shape them to meet the specific needs of their communities. Bringing teams together under one roof can significantly improve services for the public and patients and provide more cohesive relationships between health and care professionals.

Innovative use of existing estate across the whole of the NHS as well as local authorities, with the potential for new private sector investment, will support the delivery of neighbourhood services and ensure patients can access them more easily closer to home.
- The NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild programme will deliver the Neighbourhood Health Centres through a mixture of refurbishments to expand and improve sites over the next three years, and new-build sites opening in the medium term.
- The new Neighbourhood Health Centres will be delivered through a combination of Public-Private Partnerships and public investment to bring together infrastructure expertise from different sectors to deliver new facilities on time and on budget – so patients across England get faster treatment in new and convenient buildings. By delivering through a combination of private and public investment the government will be able to build further evidence and compare different models of delivery whilst updated accounting treatment will ensure these are recognised up front in public accounts.
- Lord Darzi’s investigation in the summer of 2024 uncovered a £40 billion black hole in the NHS, and we have already uplifted NHS capital budgets by more than 20% over the SR period (23/24-29/30) to start addressing this. NHS England, NHS Providers, and NHS Confederation have all called for additional routes for infrastructure delivery to be made available to further support the repair and transformation of the NHS estate.
- The government’s new programme – NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild – will give the NHS the tools and opportunity it is asking for, repurposing and building a new generation of Neighbourhood Health Centres across the country that are and free at the point of use.
- More than 100 centres will be opened by 2030 including refurbishments to the Alfred Barrow Health Centre in Barrow-in-Furness, the Stockland Green and Summerfield Primary Care Centres in Birmingham, the Jubilee Gardens Centre in Ealing .
- This government will only supplement public investment with private investment where it provides value for money to the taxpayer. This new PPP model will learn lessons from past and current PPP models, and include improvements so that taxpayers get proper value for money.
- Public-private partnership programmes are used internationally, to support delivery of infrastructure.
November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government gives voice to nature at COP30 climate conference [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 November 2025.

UK accelerates global leadership on nature at COP30.
- First company – a British startup – contributes to the Cali Fund paving the way for others to do the same and mobilise private sector finance for nature at scale
- Minister for Nature works with global partners to mobilise finance for nature, promote sustainable farming for food security and takes action to protect our oceans.
The UK Government has taken bold and ambitious action to protect and restore nature at the COP30 climate meeting.

UK representatives have championed the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems around the world, and the essential work we’re doing back home to restore our forests, landscapes and seas for the British people as part of the Plan for Change.

During COP30, the first payment to the Cali Fund – by a British business – was announced. This marks a major milestone since its launch earlier this year. The Fund enables companies – such as pharmaceutical and biotech companies – to share profits with Indigenous Peoples and local communities who protect the nature that provides genetic resources for their products.

The UK is working closely with the private sector and other governments to support effective implementation of the Fund, including through the Friends of the Cali Fund, and this first contribution is a real milestone in these efforts.

UK-based startup Tierra Viva AI proudly kickstarts contributions to the Cali Fund, paving the way for others to follow and contribute to the Fund at scale.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

British families are already feeling the impact of climate change – from flooding that destroys homes to heatwaves that put vulnerable people at risk.

We cannot tackle nature loss and climate change in isolation; in Brazil we have built the global coalition for ambitious action on nature which is the only way to protect our home for future generations

Ruth Davis, Special Representative for Nature said:

The UK has demonstrated technical expertise and worked alongside our global partners to put nature on the agenda, but there is more to do, and we must now amplify the momentum for action at scale on climate and nature.

This isn’t just about doing the right thing for the planet. Building a stronger and fairer global economy will unlock enormous economic opportunities – we know that investing in nature creates jobs and accelerates growth with new opportunities attracting millions in investment.

At COP30, the UK government has made further commitments to halt and reverse nature loss This includes:
- Launching the UK-Brazil Fertilisers Declaration – a global push to cut emissions from fertiliser production and use. It’s about improving food security and protecting jobs and growth by supporting farmers’ resilience and boosting agricultural productivity.
- Joining the Saltmarsh Breakthrough – protecting these vital coastal ecosystems which anchor key marine food chains, shield communities from floods and lock away more carbon than most forests.
- Becoming a Food Waste Breakthrough Country Champion – driving the global goal to halve food waste by 2030 and cutting methane emissions by keeping food waste out of landfills.  
- Nature actions – COP30 showcased the UK’s role in advancing the global ‘nature actions agenda’. The summit saw the Independent Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits launch its Nature Markets Policy Forum with the UK, France and Indonesia joining as founding members, helping to unlock innovation and investment in high integrity nature credit markets.
- Congo call to action – The UK also furthered its long-standing partnership with the Congo Basin region, joining a Call to Action, to ensure the world recognises the importance of Congo’s forests and funds solutions developed by Congolese institutions and communities.
The UK’s leadership at COP30 echoes our commitments to support the environment at home.

We announced that the second National Forest will be in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, where millions of trees will be planted as part of a wider commitment to allocate over £1 billion this parliament to tree planting. This will support nature recovery, green jobs, and net zero goals.

Further detail on this government’s plan to restore the environment will be set out in the upcoming Environmental Improvement Plan, which will outline the next phase of the UK’s nature recovery ambitions.
November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Trustee appointed to The National Lottery Heritage Fund Board [November 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 November 2025.

The Prime Minister has appointed Dr Heather Reid as the Trustee and Chair of the Scotland Committee to The National Lottery Heritage Fund board.

Dr Heather Reid

Heather Reid has a background in meteorology, climate, natural heritage and science engagement. Her early career was spent as a weather forecaster with the UK Met Office and BBC Scotland. During this time she became Chair of the Institute of Physics in Scotland, a Trustee at Glasgow Science Centre and a leading contributor within Scotland’s education sector on the science and the impacts of climate change.

More recently her career has focused on Non-Executive roles within the Environment sector. She is currently Chair of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and a Board member at NatureScot – Scotland’s nature agency. She has also been appointed to the Board of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. Her passion for science engagement is maintained as Deputy Chair of Dynamic Earth science centre and she continues to be involved in science education advisory roles.

Heather received an OBE for services to physics in 2006 and has been awarded honorary degrees from Paisley University, The University of Glasgow and The Open University. She relaxes by mountain biking and hillwalking and ranks hiking the iconic West Highland Way with her daughter as one of life’s best experiences.

Heather Reid has been appointed for a term of three years on The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund Board, commencing on 24 November 2025.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Scottish Trustees of The National Lottery Heritage Fund Board and National Heritage Memorial Fund are remunerated £20,749 per annum. These appointments have 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.

Heather Reid has declared no such political activity.

Notes to Editors

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor appoints infrastructure and planning adviser to clear path for new investments [November 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 November 2025.

Leading lawyer, Catherine Howard, appointed to advise Chancellor on the next phase of planning and infrastructure reforms as she vows to ‘do what it takes to get Britain building’.
- Extra expertise at the Treasury to help government kickstart economic growth to deliver an economy that works for working people – and rewards working people.
- Comes as part of government commitment to create conditions to attract long-term private sector investment into UK infrastructure, including landmark planning reforms and backing of a third runway at Heathrow
Leading planning lawyer Catherine Howard has been appointed to advise Chancellor Rachel Reeves to help drive through the next phase of the government’s planning reforms with new Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, to ‘get Britain building.’

The Chancellor has vowed that the Autumn Budget will focus on building an economy that works for working people by taking action to reduce inflation, keep a grip on the public finances and kickstart economic growth.

With the Planning and Infrastructure Bill going through Parliament and barriers to private investment being torn down, the Chancellor is pushing ahead to create the conditions to secure vital long-term investments in UK infrastructure and support Britain’s economic renewal.

Specialising in major infrastructure projects, Catherine is currently a Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, with expertise in Development Consent Orders which provide planning permission for nationally significant infrastructure projects, environmental regulation, and Judicial Reviews.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

I am determined we do what it takes to get Britain building, unlock private investment and deliver an economy that works for working people – and rewards working people.

I look forward to working with Catherine to deliver this.

Catherine Howard said:

It is a privilege to take on this position as the Chancellor’s Infrastructure and Planning Adviser, helping the government to achieve a step-change in how we deliver major infrastructure and housing.

With the right framework in place, good decision-making can enable swift progress – improving our natural environment and supporting the government’s Growth Mission. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill makes major strides towards this goal. I look forward to working with stakeholders to consider how we build on this important agenda.

Catherine was initially appointed to work up to four days a week on an unpaid basis until the Autumn Budget. Catherine’s term has been extended until the 1 January 2026 to continue to support the governments planning agenda. Her terms of appointment remain unchanged.

Established processes for the declaration and management of interests have been followed in respect of this appointment. Catherine has confirmed she has not taken part in any political activity in the last five years.
November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : ‘We see you’: Armed forces on patrol around the UK in response to Russian activity [November 2025]

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

Royal Navy intercepts Russian warship and tanker in the Dover Strait and English Channel whilst RAF P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft deployed to Iceland to patrol North Atlantic.

The UK Armed Forces are on patrol from the English Channel to the High North amid increased Russian activity threatening UK waters.

In the past fortnight, Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Severn intercepted Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya off the UK coast, in a round-the-clock shadowing operation as the Russian vessels sailed through the Dover Strait and westward through the English Channel.

HMS Severn later handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, but continued to observe from a distance and remained ready to respond to any unexpected activity.

Commander Grant Dalgleish, HMS Severn’s Commanding Officer, said:

This tasking shows the value of our patrol ships and reinforces the Royal Navy’s close liaison with our NATO allies in safeguarding the British people and protecting the internationally recognised waterways.

I’m immensely proud of the way the ship’s company reacted to this activation, especially coming so quickly after a demanding period of regeneration and operational training.

This comes as the UK has seen a 30% increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years.

On Wednesday, the Defence Secretary confirmed that Russian spy ship Yantar – used for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables – was operating on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland. In a clear message to Putin, the Defence Secretary said: “We see you. We know what you are doing. And we are ready.”

As Yantar lingered in UK’s wider waters, its crew directed lasers at the RAF P-8 pilots tracking it in a reckless and dangerous act. While tracking Yantar, Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and other civilian ships in the area experienced GPS jamming in a further demonstration of unprofessional behaviour, intended to be disruptive and a nuisance. HMS Somerset’s combat capabilities were not affected.

The UK has a wide range of military options at its disposal to keep UK waters safe. Three RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft have deployed to Keflavik Air Base in Iceland in the largest overseas deployment of the RAF P-8 fleet so far.

The P-8s from 120 Squadron are conducting surveillance operations as part of NATO’s collective defence, patrolling for Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

While in Iceland, RAF crews are working closely with NATO allies including the US and Canada, reinforcing the UK’s NATO-first approach and commitment to Euro-Atlantic security in this new era of threat.

These operations reaffirm the UK’s unwavering commitment to national security and protecting critical undersea infrastructure, underpinning this Government’s Plan for Change.

Wing Commander Higgins, Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, said:

This deployment to Iceland highlights the enduring importance of the North Atlantic and Arctic to the security of the Alliance.

Operating the P-8A Poseidon, we continue that legacy by contributing to NATO’s collective defence and ensuring the security of this strategically critical region.

The UK is stepping up on defence and security, backed by the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, including £4 billion on boosting our drone capabilities and over £1 billion on strengthening air and missile defence to protect the UK homeland.

These latest operations come less than a month after HMS Duncan tracked the movements of Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, and frigate HMS Iron Duke was dispatched to monitor Russian Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk.

Last month, two advanced RAF surveillance aircraft conducted a 12-hour mission along Russia’s border to monitor NATO’s eastern and northern flanks. A Rivet Joint electronic intelligence aircraft and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, supported by a US Stratotanker, collectively flew 10,000 miles from the High North, past Belarus and Ukraine, and into the Black Sea.

Both aircraft use advanced sensors to detect Russian activity and deliver critical intelligence for analysis.

This increase in UK Armed Forces activity comes alongside new sanctions. Last week, the Foreign Secretary announced that the UK, US, and Australia are sanctioning Media Land – a Russian cyber crime group responsible for facilitating cyber-attacks on UK-based companies.

November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : No permission, no travel – UK set to enforce ETA scheme [November 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 24 November 2025.

From February 2026, visitors will not be able to travel to the UK without advance permission.

Visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, who do not need a visa will not be able to legally travel to the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 25 February 2026.

This is a significant step towards digitising the immigration system and paves the way for a contactless UK border in the future.

Enforcing will mean that everyone who wants to come to the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa. Carriers will be checking people before they travel.

Since the launch of ETA in October 2023, more than 13.3 million visitors have successfully applied and benefited from faster, smoother travel. ETA is now a fundamental part of travel, including for visitors who take connecting flights and go through UK passport control.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said:

ETAs give us greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration.

ETAs are also better for travellers. Digitising the immigration system ensures the millions of people we welcome to the UK every year enjoy a more seamless travel experience.

While ETA was being rolled out, it was not strictly enforced, to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement. This is the same approach other countries such as the United States and Canada took for their travel schemes.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple through the official UK ETA app, and the cost is competitive at £16. While most people currently get a decision automatically in minutes, it is recommended to allow 3 working days to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.

British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt from needing an ETA. The UK government strongly advises dual British citizens to make sure they have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement, to avoid problems like being denied boarding when travelling to the UK from 25 February 2026.

November 26, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : More targeted R&D investment towards driving UK growth and jobs unveiled by Technology Secretary [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 24 November 2025.

UKRI will deploy significant taxpayer backing to support government priorities, investing billions in UK expertise and innovation for growth and renewal.
- The UK’s public research funding body will deploy a significant portion of £38.6 billion in taxpayer backing to support government priorities, investing billions in UK expertise and innovation for growth and national renewal, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall says
- UKRI to invest £8 billion for specific government priorities and £7 billion for innovative company growth, to build and keep titans of future industries like quantum based in UK, building strong foundations for our economy
- Part of a package of announcements aimed at boosting funding and the in-flow of international talent into high-growth sectors of the future
Record public research funding will be explicitly directed towards supporting promising scale-ups, turbocharging economic growth and job opportunities through our Modern Industrial Strategy, and improving lives, as part of a shake-up of public R&D announced today. The move reinforces the government’s push for national renewal, a Britain built for all, and a fairer economy that works for and rewards working people – work which will be further cemented through announcements at the Budget, later this week.

Addressing research funders and major business leaders from the UK and beyond, the Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said today (Monday 24 November) that public R&D funding had for too long been spread thinly across multiple priorities and projects and now was time for ‘doing fewer things, better’. She outlined a ‘no-compromise’ approach that prioritises funding for the companies with the highest potential to grow into industry titans and into the sectors where the UK already retains a competitive advantage. Setting these priorities clearly, will support the national effort to build strong foundations for our economy and secure our country’s future.

UKRI is the country’s largest public research funder, giving it a central role in ensuring public money is invested in ambitious, pioneering research that will benefit the whole of the UK and provide a clear return on investment for hardworking taxpayers.

Addressing the UKRI Growth Summit in London, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

Scientific research and development is fundamental to building a better Britain: from new treatments for cancer, to breakthroughs in clean, affordable energy.

There is no route to stronger growth in this country, no answer to how we pay our way, or compete with the rest of the world, without science, technology and innovation leading front and centre. But we must be smarter about what we prioritise, for these efforts to succeed.

That is what today is all about. And by increasing funding for critical technologies like AI and engineering biology where the UK already excels, we can go even further.

£9 billion of UKRI’s record £38.6 billion settlement will go towards backing the fields of research in which the UK is among the strongest in the world, like AI and quantum, which could deliver breakthroughs in healthcare or pioneering cybersecurity tech to keep our country safe from threats. Funding for engineering biology will increase nearly three-fold, to £644 million, while funding for AI will more than double to £1.6 billion.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that breakthroughs in AI alone could boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year, which could be worth up to an average £47 billion to the UK each year over a decade. Quantum computing meanwhile could add over £11 billion to the UK’s GDP by 2045.

£8 billion will be allocated to funding research into the government’s priorities, including the Industrial Strategy’s priority areas and others like climate resilience and flood defence.

While another £7 billion will specifically fund innovative company growth to unlock the next generation of UK industry titans, building on the example set by:
- Cambridge-based Paragraf, which has raised around $140 million since it was founded in 2018 as a leader of graphene, powering products like electric cars and medical scanners more efficiently
- IFast, a diagnostics firm, working to detect antibiotic resistance much faster than traditional methods.
- Ceres Power, a clean energy company behind cutting edge fuel cell technology for hydrogen production, employing around 600 people and with a market capitalisation of over £700 million.
The third area that will see funding is £14 billion specifically for curiosity-driven research, which has been at the heart of great discoveries for generations – from the internet to medical breakthroughs that can treat a range of genetic diseases.

Universities will be key beneficiaries from UKRI’s record funding for R&D. Their core block grant and commercialisation funding from DSIT will grow in line with expected inflation over the Spending Review period.

Attracting top science and research talent to the UK, especially in the 8 key sectors of the Modern Industrial Strategy, is essential for achieving cutting-edge breakthroughs that economic growth, jobs, and entire new industries will be founded upon. Today the Science Secretary has also revealed the progress being made in those efforts – with the first 4 world-leading researchers relocating to the UK through the £54 million Global Talent Fund. These lead researchers are expected to also bring up to 10 individuals to support their research projects from abroad.

These leading researchers will be based across the country, and are spearheading work that could transform our health and wealth, ranging from efforts in neurobiology – which could give new insights into Alzheimer’s – to better ways of tackling the pests and diseases that could cost the global agriculture industry over £400 billion in losses every year if left unchecked.

This comes alongside additional leading scientists and academics being welcomed to the UK via other DSIT funded flagship talent and grant schemes delivered through UKRI and the UK’s 4 National Academies.

Alongside this transformative reform to R&D funding and work bringing in the best international talent, the government is also today announcing a raft of further announcements that will help support our R&D sector to turbocharge economic growth in the UK:
- Launching the competition to find the next Chair of UKRI’s Board, as Sir Andrew MacKenzie’s term concludes after adeptly leading the UKRI Board since 2021. We are seeking a leader committed to protecting and growing curiosity-driven research, addressing government priorities and tackling the UK’s biggest challenges. They will also play a key role in enabling R&D-intensive companies to start up, scale up and stay in the UK while helping to leverage the private sector backing that can take discoveries to the next level
- Setting UK researchers 2 ambitious challenges as part of our R&D Missions Accelerator Programme, backed by £4 million in the first year, on industrialising and digitalising construction and developing the infrastructure for our creative content exchange
- Launching the latest round of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards, with £4.5 million available for up to 60 women – building on findings showing that if men and women started and scaled businesses at the same rate, this could add up to £250 billion to the UK economy
- Trebling the government’s investment in the UK’s world-leading Metascience Unit to £49 million. The unit supports research into how we can increase the impact and efficiency of investment in science
UKRI CEO, Professor Sir Ian Chapman said:

The record investment in R&D shows government’s commitment to putting UK research and innovation at the forefront of our national success. At UKRI, our mission is clear: to advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive growth. We will invest strategically in areas where the UK can achieve a significant market share globally. Research and innovation must be central to boosting the UK’s economy and delivering real improvements to people’s lives and livelihoods.

Notes to editors

Universities will see their core flexible research and commercialisation funding grow in line with expected inflation over the next 3 academic years.

Applications for Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards are open until 4 February 2026.

One of the Metascience Unit’s early successes has been the trial of Distributed Peer Review – a novel method of assessing research proposals in which applicants themselves participate in the review process. UKRI will now expand the use of Distributed Peer Review across the organisation, enabling researchers from all disciplines to access funding more quickly and experience fewer delays between proposal development and project initiation. And we are launching a new £6 million grant opportunity for UK-led metascience projects.

Global Talent Fund details

Attracting international talent is the catalyst for creating British jobs, boosting investment, and increasing productivity – just what our economy needs. The £54 million Global Talent Fund is enabling leading scientists and their teams to relocate and thrive in the UK. The Fund is designed to attract a total of 60-80 individuals in top research teams to the UK, working in the 8 high priority sectors critical to our modern Industrial Strategy like life sciences and digital technologies.

This work is supported by the Global Talent Taskforce, which is driving efforts to ensure the UK remains a world leader in attracting and retaining exceptional talent. By bringing the very best minds to the UK, working in fields that will be critical to our health, business, and everyday life, we can pave the way for the products, jobs and even industries that define tomorrow’s economy, to be made and grow in Britain.

The Fund is being delivered by 12 of the UK’s leading universities and research institutions.

Talent recruitment through the Fund is already underway, with the following researchers and academics having joined, or being set to join, institutions in the UK:
- Professor Baljit Khakh, joining Cardiff University as the new Director of UK Dementia Research Institute, from UCLA, United States. His exceptional work in the fields of neurobiology and neurodegeneration have seen him honoured with the H.W Magoun Distinguished Lectureship, the 134th UCLA Faculty Research Lecture, NIH Director’s Pioneer Award and election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS) – the highest accolade in UK science.
- Professor Armin Raznahan, who is being appointed to the W. A. Handley Chair in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. Professor Raznahan is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and will be joining Oxford’s Merton College from his current role at the US National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program (NIMH IRP). His work is focused on improving outcomes for young people with mental health problems.
- Dr Hassan Salem joining the John Innes Centre, from the Max Planck Institute for Biology, Germany. Dr Salem’s research focuses on the relationship between plants an insects, including pests and the diseases they carry – a critical area of work for food security. Crop losses caused by plant diseases and pests could cost the global economy over £400 billion a year if left unchecked.
- Dr Sven Truckenbrodt, who has joined the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology from a research not-for-profit in California, United States. Sven is pioneering work on ‘molecular connectomics’: a new way of mapping how the brain works – which could change how we understand mental health problems. In his career to date he has invented new ways of mapping and tracking brain activity. The Global Talent Fund has allowed Sven to obtain highly specialised microscopes at the cutting edge of available technology, perfectly tailored to his research needs.
The Global Talent Fund, administered by UKRI, is just one part of over £115 million funding that is being dedicated to attracting the very best scientific and research talent to the UK. This includes the expanded Encode: AI for Science Fellowships and the Turing AI Fellowships, which is embedding world-class AI researchers into UK labs, ensuring the UK remains a global hub for cutting-edge research and innovation.

It sits alongside additional DSIT funded flagship talent and grant schemes open to international research talent delivered through UKRI and the UK’s 4 prestigious National Academies. For example, the Royal Society’s Newton International Fellowships and the British Academy’s International Fellowships which are both aimed at attracting outstanding international early-career researchers to the UK.

Today, the Medical Research Council (MRC) is announcing additional funding of up to £8.5 million to expand its ‘early independence’ Career Development Award (CDA) and Clinical Scientist Fellowship (CSF) schemes, making it easier for international researchers to build careers in the UK.

Just last week, the Academy of Medical Sciences announced their latest 3 Professorship Awards, funding top-level researchers working on child mental health, heart disease and cancer to continue their work in the UK.

The Royal Society also recently announced a cohort of exceptional researchers awarded early career fellowships open to domestic and international talent and worth more than £83 million. These early career schemes are supported by DSIT and include the University Research Fellowships, Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships and Newton International Fellowships.

The Royal Society recently announced its first awards for the Faraday Discovery Fellowships and the Royal Academy of Engineering are also expected to announce their first awards for the Green Future Fellowships in due course – both schemes are open to international talent, and have launched additional Accelerated International Application routes for exceptional non-UK-based researchers.
November 26, 2025