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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’ [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’ [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 7 April 2025.

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’ of apprentice engineers, welders, and technicians.

    • Clean energy sector to create thousands of new apprenticeships as part of Plan for Change
    • Energy Secretary tells industry forum that a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians will be required to deliver clean power by 2030, and that government will work with industry to build it, with Regional Skills Pilots in Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire
    • Work and Pensions Secretary says the government will “give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition”

    Young people will be trained to fill thousands of clean energy jobs and apprenticeships needed to deliver clean power by 2030 as part of the government’s Plan for Change to get Britain working and unlock growth.

    The Energy Secretary has told industry, unions and trade bodies that the government will work with them to build a clean power army to hit ambitious targets for clean power by 2030 at a forum convened with the Work and Pensions Secretary today (Monday 7 April 2025).

    The transition to clean power will create thousands of opportunities across the sector, from renewables to upgrading the UK’s grid infrastructure.

    National Grid alone plans to support around 55,000 more jobs by the end of the decade and SSE Transmission plans are supporting a further 37,000 jobs, 17,500 of which would be in Scotland. Scottish Power’s SP Energy Networks plans to double its transmission workforce to create around 1,400 jobs and support a further 11,000 jobs across the UK – with all 3 plans subject to approvals by the regulator.

    The government is driving forward with Regional Skills Pilot in the clean energy sector. Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire have all been identified as key growth regions for clean energy. Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support that is needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030, which will protect households and businesses from unstable fossil fuel markets for good.

    Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers – supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.

    The government is wasting no time in investing in good jobs for British industries, including thousands of new, skilled jobs being supported in the North East of England as contracts for the first carbon capture, usage and storage were signed in December, following a £21.7 billion commitment from the government to ensure the UK’s vision for CCUS becomes a reality. The government has also invested £55 million for port of Cromarty, to transform it into a major hub for the UK’s world-leading floating offshore wind industry, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and generating growth.

    The latest CBI Economics figures show jobs supported by net zero sectors increased by 10% last year, with the average annual wage across the sector at £43,000 – £5,600 higher than the national average.

    The push to support more clean energy jobs comes as the government delivers the most ambitious reforms of the UK’s energy system in a generation and record investment into homegrown clean energy projects.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    The energy sector has always been a source of good, skilled, and unionised jobs for young people across the UK, providing secure, well-paid employment for life.

    To meet our target to reach clean power by 2030, we need a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians – giving thousands of young people the opportunity to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, increasing our energy security and boosting the economy to deliver our Plan for Change.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    With almost a million young people neither earning nor learning it is vital that we give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition.

    Our plan to Get Britian Working will overhaul employment support, giving everyone the tools and skills they need to and build a stronger, more prosperous future for them and their families.

    The government launched its Get Britain Working white paper late last year, outlining the biggest employment reforms in a generation and boost employment including reforming Jobcentres to create a genuinely public employment service so everyone can get personalised skills and employment support, as well as a Youth Guarantee ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn. Alongside government work to drive up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.

    The government is working closely with employers to train up Britain’s young people to seize clean energy opportunities. Trade unions will also have an essential role in building the UK’s skilled energy workforce, with the government determined to drive world-class pay, terms, and conditions in the clean energy sector. The government is already driving better access and conditions for unions in the energy sector- since July EDF Renewables UK and Ireland have signed one of the first renewables industry recognition agreements with Prospect, Unite, GMB and UNISON.

    The government has also launched Skills England and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions.

    Opportunities are already being created through a number of schemes and initiatives to deliver training and skills for apprentices and workers transitioning from the fossil fuel sector, including innovative schemes such as the:

    • Skills Passport: This supports oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance
    • Your Apprenticeship app: A new app designed by the government with extensive input from apprentices to provide easier access to essential tools, resources, and support to help apprentices to thrive in their qualification

    Whilst driving up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.

    CBI Economics analysis commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows that the net zero sector already contributes £83 billion annually to the UK economy, with further investment into projects predicted to grow this even further.

    Government research has also revealed the extent in which apprenticeships can help drive this growth, with apprentices in England across the economy estimated to create £25 billion of economic growth over their lifetime.

    Through investment and initiatives, the government will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to deliver clean power by 2030, which will unlock £40 billion of investment a year and reindustrialise Britain with thousands of good jobs across the country. This underscores the government’s commitment to deliver a jobs-rich clean energy transition, putting communities and trade unions at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future.

    Notes to editors

    Skills is a devolved policy area, and therefore the remit of Skills England and the Your Apprenticeship App will only cover England. However, Skills England will assess skills needs across the whole of the UK and DESNZ is working closely with the devolved governments on ensuring we have the skilled workforce for the clean energy transition, including through the Regional Skills Pilots.

    The RIIO T3 business plans for the UK’s 3 electricity transmission companies are all subject to approval by the energy regulator Ofgem.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Inquiry into the Southport attack begins today [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Inquiry into the Southport attack begins today [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 April 2025.

    The Home Secretary announces the first phase of the Southport Inquiry starts today and appoints Rt Hon Sir Adrian Fulford as chair.

    The Home Secretary previously announced in January 2025 that an inquiry would be launched following the conviction of the perpetrator of the 2024 Southport attack, to examine what went wrong in this horrific case and how services should respond to fixated youth violence.

    Sir Adrian Fulford has been appointed as the chair following consultation with the victims and families of those killed or affected by the attacks and plans to travel to meet them as a first priority.

    This follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in uncovering how this attack happened and to not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

    The brutal murder of three young girls: Bebe, Elsie and Alice in Southport was an unimaginable tragedy – we owe it to their families, and all those affected on that terrible day to quickly understand what went wrong, answer difficult questions and do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening again.

    The Southport Inquiry will provide insights into any failings that allowed a young man with a previous history of violence, to commit this horrendous attack.

    Sir Adrian Fulford will bring a wealth of legal and criminal justice expertise to this role, and I am pleased he has agreed to chair the inquiry.

    The inquiry will be statutory. This follows representations made by families and victims of the attack and means the Inquiry has all the necessary legal powers to receive evidence and hear witness testimony effectively.

    It will take place in 2 phases. The first will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events leading up to it. This will include examining an overall timeline of the perpetrator’s history and interactions with various public bodies including criminal justice, education, social care, and healthcare, as well as decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies.

    The second is expected to examine the wider issues of children and young people being drawn into extreme violence.

    Sir Adrian Fulford will bring an impartial and extensive legal background, particularly on issues relating to policing and the criminal justice system.

    He is a retired Lord Justice of Appeal and former judge of the International Criminal Court 2003 to 2012. Previously, he was the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in 2019 and was the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner between 2017 to 2019.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Declaration of intent between the UK, Bulgaria and Romania on organised immigration crime [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Declaration of intent between the UK, Bulgaria and Romania on organised immigration crime [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2025.

    The United Kingdom (UK) has signed a landmark declaration of intent with Bulgaria and Romania which unites all three countries in tackling cross-border organised immigration crime and criminal financial flows through central southern Europe.

    The UK’s 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) is a key legislation admired globally for its effectiveness in disrupting illicit cash, commodities and assets. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been seized in recent years through this mechanism, targeting organised criminal groups (OCGs) involved in migrant smuggling, sex and drug trafficking, money laundering, in addition to terrorism financing.

    The UK, Bulgaria and Romania will work closely to share best practices and successes from their national legislations since all three have demonstrated remarkable achievements in harming OCGs profits and to further develop their cooperation for tackling financial flows.

    We look forward to working together on this issue.

    Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 April 2025.

    Consultation aims to cut costs of UK staycations for families and small businesses.

    •  New plans to help UK tourism businesses offer better deals and value-for-money packages
    • Plan for Change to cut outdated regulations will allow hotels, attractions, and restaurants to collaborate more easily
    • Families planning their summer holidays will have more choice, better prices, and greater convenience

    The UK’s travel industry is set for a boost as the Government unveils plans to cut red tape as part of its Plan for Change, and make it easier for businesses to offer package deals, giving consumers better value and supporting growth across the tourism sector.

    The measures being looked at in a consultation, could remove barriers that currently prevent small businesses including B&Bs and restaurants from working together to create tailored UK holiday experiences. The measures if implemented, could boost the travel sector and help grow the staycation economy right across the country.

    The proposals will support the domestic travel market to go for growth by giving families and travellers more affordable, flexible, and convenient options for their staycations.

    The proposed measures will make it easier for businesses to bundle offers together, helping hotels, attractions, and restaurants team up to provide exclusive deals.

    • For example, a B&B in the Lake District that may not be able to offer dinner, could team up with a nearby restaurant or pub to offer a discount on an evening meal when purchased together with the room booking.
    • Or a campsite in Cornwall could be able to offer discounts and deals for the local surf school.
    • But it could also apply to trips in towns and cities too, with tourists staying in a London-based hotel could offer discounted show tickets when they refer a consumer who has booked a room with them.

    It will aim to support businesses through measures like setting a time limit for third parties to provide redress to organisers and improving the flexibility of insolvency protection provisions for non-flight packages.

    For UK holidaymakers, these changes will give families better staycation options to help them plan summer holidays. Instead of booking everything separately, these measures would make it easier for consumers to access tailored packages that combine great accommodation with exciting local experiences.

    Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders, said:

    “Right now, a British hotel, local attraction, and restaurant can’t offer a joint deal without jumping through regulatory hoops – and that’s frankly ridiculous. As part of our Plan for Change, we’re fixing that.

    “These common-sense changes will help small businesses, boost British tourism, and give families more choice when booking a staycation. More options, better value, and a stronger UK economy.”

    The 12 week consultation will seek input from businesses and industry leaders on how best to implement these reforms.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Closing Statement [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Closing Statement [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2025.

    UK Closing Statement for the 58th HRC. Delivered in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    The UK remains fully committed to implementing the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. In respect of the resolution L.7 on the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, the UK notes that States take different approaches, appropriate to the constitutions of their country, to implement the Covenant. The Covenant binds the UK in international law but is unincorporated. Unincorporated treaties are not justiciable domestically so UK courts would not normally contribute to identifying gaps in legislation in respect of Covenant rights. The UK continues to progressively realise the rights recognised in the Covenant through a combination of legislation and administrative measures, in accordance with Article 2 (1) of the Covenant.

    The UK also notes that Article 2 (1) of the Covenant accommodates different States’ resources through the progressive realisation of Covenant rights. International human rights law does not, however, accommodate the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is a concept set out in certain international environmental treaties. Any attempt to imply that concept forms part of international human rights law, in resolution L.26 Rev.1 on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, is a mischaracterisation of the law. The UK recognises that the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. The UK remains committed to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), the Paris Agreement, and to accelerating action in this critical decade on the basis of the best available science, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

    The UK thanks for the core groups for their constructive engagement on both resolutions.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back control [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back control [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 April 2025.

    Every quango across government will be reviewed, with a view to close, merge or bring functions back into departments if its continued existence cannot be justified.

    • The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has written to departments to justify every quango otherwise they’ll be closed, merged, or have powers brought back into the department.
    • Changes will drive efficiency and reduce bureaucracy as part of Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, delivering security and renewal for working people.
    • New era of global instability means Government must go further and faster in reform.
    • Government will consider what legislation may be required to deliver these reforms.

    Every quango across government will be reviewed, with a view to close, merge or bring functions back into departments if its continued existence cannot be justified.

    The review, commissioned by the Cabinet Office at the request of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is the latest move to re-wire Whitehall and produce a more productive and agile state. It is part of our Plan for Change, delivering security for working people and national renewal.

    This follows news last month that NHS England will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to put an end to the duplication resulting from two organisations doing the same job in a system currently holding staff back from delivering for patients.

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden MP said:

    We are taking action to ensure decisions of national importance that affect everyone in this country are made by those who have been elected to do so.

    Only by fundamentally re-wiring the state, can we deliver our Plan for Change to secure Britain’s future and serve working people; kick-starting economic growth, rebuilding the NHS and strengthening our borders.

    The review will aim to drive out waste and inefficiency across Whitehall, reducing duplication and bureaucracy – saving the taxpayer money and cutting the cost of ‘doing government’.

    It is expected that quangos with large policy functions could be brought back into departments, bringing ministerial, elected, scrutiny back to major decisions that affect the public. This would also retain the expertise and experience of staff working in these areas.

    All departments must demonstrate the necessity of each one, operating under the presumption that these bodies will be affected unless there is compelling justification for their separate existence.

    Where independence from Ministerial decision making is essential, such as quangos which scrutinise government or protect the rule of law, then these will remain unaffected.

    The Cabinet Secretary and departmental Secretaries of State and Permanent Secretaries will be held directly accountable for the Arms Length Body (ALBs) that continue to exist following the review.

    The review will consider four key principles:

    • Ministerial policy oversight – if a policy is of national importance then Ministers should have appropriate oversight and control of its development. Major decisions that affect the country and the public should be taken by those elected by the country to do so.
    • Duplication and Efficiency – government should drive out duplication and inefficiency wherever possible, this includes if there is duplication of policy or delivery work between ALBs and Ministerial departments.
    • Stakeholder Management – the fact that government needs to engage stakeholders should not be a reason for an ALB to exist, government itself should be working hard to engage with a variety of partners at every stage.
    • Independent Advice – where there is a clear justification for independent advice, then this should be conducted at arms length.

    Many ALBs are set up in legislation, and previous work to deliver these changes has been hampered by the difficulty in updating and changing individual pieces of ALB legislation. As part of this work, the Government will consider what legislation may be required to ensure the reviews announced today can be implemented and delivered upon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched to cut red tape for asset managers and boost growth [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched to cut red tape for asset managers and boost growth [April 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 7 April 2025.

    Red tape will be cut for asset managers, as the Chancellor goes further and faster to drive growth through the Plan for Change.

    • Consultation launched to simplify regulation for Alternative Investment Fund Managers.
    • Changes are expected to save asset managers time and money, while enhancing the UK’s appeal as a premier destination for capital management.
    • Continues action to cut red tape and reduce the burden of regulation on businesses, to go further and faster to drive growth and put more money into people’s pockets through Plan for Change.

    Following the Prime Minister’s commitment to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter last month, the Treasury will consult on changes to rules governing Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs).

    It will be focused on removing unnecessary barriers to investment by making rules less onerous for AIFMs. This will save asset managers millions in time, money and resource – while freeing them to help the UK’s most exciting businesses scale up, grow and create jobs.

    Emma Reynolds, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

    We want to bring security to working people by going further and faster to drive growth through our Plan for Change.

    That means making Britain the number one place to do business and tearing down unnecessary barriers to investment, such as costly regulation that prevents asset management firms from growing and provide capital for businesses across the country to grow.

    Simon Walls, Interim Executive Director of Markets at the FCA, said:

    We want rules, better tailored to UK investment managers. These could allow them to operate more efficiently, further supporting competition, competitiveness and economic growth.

    It’s part of our wider work to streamline the regulatory regime for asset managers, to support the continued competitiveness of our world-leading financial services as outlined in our new strategy.

    Michael Moore, Chief Executive of the British Venture Capital Association, said:

    We welcome the government’s consultation on developing a simpler and more competitive system for alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs). More effective, less burdensome regulation will make the UK private capital industry more globally competitive and help it to boost investment from the UK and international investors into growing British businesses.

    This consultation is an important step in securing the UK’s status as one of the world’s leading private capital hubs. We look forward to engaging on the principles and the detail of the changes, but this provides the opportunity to create a real boost for the Government’s growth mission by developing the UK’s private capital fund ecosystem and increasing inward investment in UK SMEs.

    Together with the FCA we plan to refresh outdated regulatory thresholds. The consultation will take place over the next 9 weeks, providing hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment trusts the opportunity to contribute to the development of a more streamlined regulatory environment.

    Currently, firms face a suite of new regulatory burdens once they hold 100 million euros in assets, which can discourage some firms from growing and financing more investment across the country.

    This inadvertent cliff edge means that smaller asset management firms immediately have to sign up to the same rules as the biggest firms once they reach this threshold, bringing about large costs.

    The consultation aims to create a more graduated regime, where only the largest firms – with the value of over £5 billion are subject to the full scope of requirements, with the majority of firms subject to much less prescriptive rules, helping to reduce admin costs for those businesses.

    Once the consultation has concluded, feedback from the asset management sector will be used to design draft legislation which will then be shared with asset management businesses next year.

    Further information

  • PRESS RELEASE : New hydrogen power projects to boost growth [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New hydrogen power projects to boost growth [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 7 April 2025.

    A new wave of hydrogen powered projects have been shortlisted today to help cut emissions and create thousands of jobs in the UK’s industrial heartlands.

    • 27 hydrogen projects advance to next stage of government’s flagship hydrogen programme
    • innovative projects support hydrogen use in new clean power generation, glass manufacturing, brick making, and sustainable aviation fuel production
    • paves way for thousands of clean energy jobs in manufacturing communities, delivering on the Plan for Change by unlocking growth

    A new wave of hydrogen powered projects have been shortlisted today (Monday 7 April) to help cut emissions and create thousands of jobs in the UK’s industrial heartlands – driving growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Twenty-seven hydrogen projects have been selected for the next stage of the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2) – supporting low-carbon hydrogen production in the UK. The industry has the potential to attract over £1 billion of private sector investment into the UK by 2029, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.

    Hydrogen will help deliver a new era of clean energy across the UK and decarbonise emission-intensive industries. It has already attracted £400 million of private sector investment in towns and cities such as Milford Haven in Wales and High Marnham in Nottinghamshire, and is creating over 700 direct jobs in construction and operations.

    Government support for hydrogen will help create thousands more jobs in the sector and reindustrialising the UK’s proud manufacturing regions. This includes roles for apprentices, graduates and technically trained professionals, such as engineers, welders, skilled construction workers, pipefitters and operations specialists.

    Today’s shortlist includes projects that could use hydrogen to help tackle the climate crisis by decarbonising their manufacturing and industrial practices, including ammonia production, new clean power generation, glass manufacturing, brick making, and sustainable aviation fuel production.

    Industry Minister Sarah Jones, said:

     We are deploying hydrogen at a commercial scale for the first time – not just investing in a technology – but investing in British jobs, our proud manufacturing communities and our energy security.

    From distilleries and sustainable aviation fuel to public transport and clean energy  generation, hydrogen can power our everyday life and unlock clean energy growth across the country as part of our Plan for Change.

    Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in a zero-carbon fuel that can be used for power generation, transport  and industrial processes.

    This builds on the success of the First Hydrogen Allocation Round which saw 11 projects being allocated over £2 billion in government funding. One recipient, Whitelee Green Hydrogen in Scotland, will produce hydrogen for the Inchdairnie Whiskey distillery which intends to sustainably distil whisky by 2027.

    Stretching across England, Scotland, and Wales, this latest wave of shortlisted HAR2 projects showcases the government’s commitment to create skilled jobs and establish clean energy hubs across Great Britain. The HAR2 shortlist could lead to projects that help support strong supply chains and the delivery of the clean energy superpower mission.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said:

    This much-anticipated announcement brings vital clarity to the UK’s hydrogen sector, providing a crucial boost for projects that will drive forward the country’s low-carbon transition.

    The funding support offered through HAR2 gives our members and the wider industry the confidence to gear up for delivery, unlocking investment, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.

    This is great news – not just for the hydrogen sector but for the UK’s ambition to become energy secure and a global leader in clean energy.

    Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:

    We’re thrilled to see many Hydrogen UK members succeed in the second Hydrogen Allocation Round, marking a crucial step for scaling electrolytic hydrogen.

    This progress builds on valuable lessons from past rounds and strengthens UK leadership in clean energy – reinforcing the sector’s crucial role in economic growth and energy security.

    Case studies

    In December 2023, the government announced an initial 11 projects from the First Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), totalling 124 MW of production capacity.

    Five of these projects have signed their contracts, including the Bradford Low Carbon project in Yorkshire and the Cromarty Hydrogen Project in northeast Scotland.

    The Bradford Low Carbon project, in the heart of the city centre, will use renewable electricity to power a 10.6 MW alkaline electrolyser. Being developed by Hygen and Ryze, it will supply the mobility sector, including JCB diggers and Wrightbus – which developed the world’s first hydrogen powered bus.

    The Cromarty Hydrogen Project is being developed by Scottish Power and Storegga. It will use electricity from nearby wind farms to power an 11 MW electrolyser, supplying hydrogen to local industries, including distilleries.

    Notes to editors

    The full list of shortlisted projects can be found here: Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2): shortlisted projects.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA launches campaign to tackle misconceptions on antibiotics [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA launches campaign to tackle misconceptions on antibiotics [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 7 April 2025.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a new digital campaign to help keep antibiotics working and tackle the threat of antibiotic resistance.

    Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat. New attitudinal research by UKHSA highlights that almost half of the UK population (42%) are concerned about how the issue affects them. Yet, over half (54%) are either unsure there’s anything they can individually do to prevent antibiotics becoming less effective at treating infections (28%) or incorrectly believe there’s nothing they can personally do (26%).

    Aiming to bust these misconceptions among young adults aged 18-34, the digital campaign will be led by a new comedic mascot character, ‘Andi Biotic’. ‘Andi’ was developed by UKHSA to take the success of the Keep Antibiotics Working Campaign from 2018 to a new generation. This first stage is a pilot which will test the potential to capture people’s attention and imagination through digital channels.

    Over the course of the 6-week long campaign, ‘Andi Biotic’ will embark on a mission to answer people’s uncertainties about when and how to take antibiotics to help preserve their effectiveness today and for future generations. ‘Andi’ will come to the rescue in a variety of scenarios to make sure people are taking antibiotics in the right way, including:

    • not taking antibiotics for colds and flu, which they don’t work for, and this remains one of the biggest misconceptions about taking antibiotics
    • only taking antibiotics when you have been prescribed them and taking them as directed by a healthcare professional
    • not saving antibiotics for future use

    In this self-reported attitudinal survey, a higher proportion of young adults reported taking antibiotics in the previous 12 months compared to those in the general population (45% compared to 33%).

    The survey also shows that nearly half (41%) of those in these age groups obtain antibiotics incorrectly, compared to 23% in the general population. Incorrect methods include purchasing antibiotics in a shop that was not a pharmacy, obtaining them while abroad without a prescription from a healthcare professional, over the internet, or using medicines originally prescribed for someone else.

    The campaign will launch on UKHSA’s social media channels and at participating GP surgeries and pharmacies throughout April and May.

    Professor Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

    Antibiotic resistance is impacting people every day in this country and is one of the biggest threats to our future health.

    But we can all help tackle the problem. Everyone, especially young people, has the power to help change this by following simple steps to take antibiotics correctly and only when they have been prescribed by a healthcare professional.

    This isn’t just for our own health – it’s about helping protect everyone in our communities and future generations.

    One young adult patient who suffers from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) has spoken about the impact on their life when the UTIs became resistant to antibiotics.They said:

    The UTI was deeply ingrained trapping me in an endless cycle of recurring infections, resisting one antibiotic after another. It destroyed me and my bladder. Any physical enjoyment in my life, such as dancing and intimacy, was drastically impacted. To keep the UTI under control, I have a strict daily regime, drinking gallons of water, and taking a supplement for days after intimacy. I’m a shell of the person I used to be. I didn’t even know what antibiotic resistance was before this. I live in hope for the day a solution that works can be found, so I can dance and live life freely again.

    Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said:

    Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health threat which demands action. By empowering the public with knowledge about when and how to take antibiotics, together we can help preserve their effectiveness.

    Through our National Action Plan, we are taking the necessary action now to ensure antibiotics keep working for us all in the future.

    Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, said:

    Antimicrobial resistance is one of the UK’s biggest health threats, with tens of thousands of people developing antibiotic resistance each year.

    This makes it harder to treat conditions that were once easily managed and could even send us back to a pre-antibiotic era where routine surgeries like C-sections, hip replacements, and cancer treatments would become risky.

    That’s why it’s crucial young people understand the proper use of antibiotics to help prevent drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ now and in the future.

    Antibiotic-resistant bacteria of any kind are less likely to respond to some treatments, which can cause serious complications, including bloodstream infections, sepsis and hospitalisation. People who get a bacterial infection that is resistant to one or more antibiotics are more likely to die from their infection compared to those who have an antibiotic sensitive infection.

    Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally but misuse, including underuse, overuse, and inappropriate use, of antimicrobial medicines is one of the major drivers of drug-resistant infections.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Panama – Greg Houston [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Panama – Greg Houston [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2025.

    Mr Greg Houston has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Panama in succession to Mr James Dauris.  Mr Houston will take up his appointment during July 2025.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Greg Houston

    Year Role
    2022 to present Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Deputy Director and Head of Migration Department
    2020 to 2022 FCDO, Deputy Head North America Department
    2017 to 2020 Bogotá, Deputy Head of Mission
    2013 to 2017 Rome, Political Counsellor
    2011 to 2013 Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), Head of EU Strategy
    2007 to 2011 UK Representation to the EU in Brussels, First Secretary, EU Budget
    2006 to 2007 UK Representation to the EU in Brussels, Second Secretary, EU Customs
    2005 to 2006 Brussels, European Commission, Intern
    2005 Joined FCO