Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : The UK commends the historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 March 2025.

Connor Creeley (UK Delegation to the OSCE) praises the landmark border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which resolves decades of conflict and instability along their shared border.

Thank you Chair.

The UK commends this historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Since the 1990s, there have been repeated outbreaks of violence over the long, shared border. After the most recent clash in September 2022, both governments agreed that enough was enough and began negotiations to resolve the conflict. Through hard work and patient cooperation, a decades-long issue – and source of instability for Central Asia – has now been resolved, with the border delineated.

We note positively that both states achieved this agreement without the need of any third-party mediators. Such actions by our fellow participating States help to reaffirm the OSCE commitments and uphold the Helsinki Final Act’s core principles of non-use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation among States. We hope this peaceful resolution will help to promote stability throughout the region and serve as an example to the wider world.

I encourage both countries to support their local communities on the border. This agreement offers huge potential for regional integration and supports economic cooperation and development. We look forward to the resumption of cross-border trade and travel that will help to build people-to-people ties. The UK will continue to reiterate – in this Council and beyond – the importance of diplomacy to help resolve disputes. We look forward to a new era of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the OSCE stands ready to support.

March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government funds mental health support to help steelworkers [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Wales Office on 28 March 2025.

£3.27 million to boost mental health provision in the local community and help steelworkers into work.
- £3.27 million from the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board committed to boost mental health provision in the local community
- Support will help steelworkers affected by the transition to secure and stay in employment
- Funding to services includes community and schools mental health support.
- Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board has already announced more than £50 million to support workers and businesses.
A fund of more than £3 million will be created by the UK Government in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council to support the mental health and wellbeing of Tata Steel workers and their families in Port Talbot and the wider community.

Chairing the latest meeting of the Tata Steel Port Talbot Transition Board today (27 March) Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens announced £3.27 million to fund mental health support services in Neath Port Talbot for those affected by Tata Steel’s transition to greener steelmaking.

The funding, which is flexible and may be increased depending on demand, is planned to cover services including:
- hiring more counsellors to work directly with affected steelworkers, and providing extra resources and grants to support existing mental health provision
- expanding availability of community and peer support such as through Men’s Sheds, She Sheds and other community groups
- funding mental health support in schools where children are affected by the Tata Steel transition
- Providing specialist advice for steelworkers and their families navigating the welfare system or struggling with debt
- training council and trade union support workers in suicide awareness and prevention
The latest funding comes from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund which, since last July, has announced more than £50 million to help individual steelworkers and businesses in Tata Steel’s supply chain to protect jobs and grow the local economy.

The latest announcement is the first project to support workers’ mental health and wellbeing. In the coming months, there will be tens of millions more in funding allocated to growth and regeneration projects in Port Talbot, ensuring that secure well-paid jobs are available in the local area.

Wellbeing is key to securing and staying in good employment. So this funding will contribute to UK Government’s mission to boost economic growth and raise living standards in Wales, as part of its Plan for Change.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families and for the wider community but we said we would back them in whatever ways were needed. We are helping people learn new skills but we also need to help protect people’s mental health, because well-being is crucial to getting back into work and staying in work.

By boosting direct support services, we are investing in the people of the area and supporting growth in the local economy.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans MS said:

Working alongside our Transition Board partners, we will continue to make sure that the right assistance and support is in place for those impacted by the Tata changes as well as providing opportunities for growth, investment and employment wherever they arise.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt said:

Neath Port Talbot Council welcomes the announcement of this funding and the commitment to support the wellbeing of our local communities through this difficult time. We know the impact of change at the steelworks is being felt deeply across the area, and particularly within Port Talbot itself, where every household will know many others directly or indirectly affected.

This is a vital addition to the support the council is delivering alongside our Transition Board partners, as we adapt to the future of steelmaking in the town and prepare for the new opportunities offered by future investment and developments such as the Celtic Freeport.

Martyn Wagstaff, Mental Health Advisor said:

It’s really important that anyone who is struggling with their mental health asks for help. There is support available and talking to someone is the best way to get better.

This funding from the Transition Board means that people in Neath Port Talbot will be able to access more help when needed.
March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister – North will no longer be held to ransom by broken transport system [March 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 March 2025.

The Prime Minister has announced more funding to deliver the largest rail investment in the North in decades.
- Major package of investment to revive Victorian-era transport system in the North, which comes as government spends more than double as much money per head on local transport in North than the South, including London
- Nearly £1.7 billion boost for local buses, roads and trams in the North this year, and supported with further £415 million to reboot key railways across the Pennines, £270 million investment in bus services and £330 million in road maintenance across the North
- Prime Minister backs regional mayors to accelerate growth plans in their area through radical devolution agenda – bringing a new tram network to West Yorkshire, a new station to Merseyside and an improved transport hub to Bury
- Through its Plan for Change, this government is investing in the North after years of broken promises and delivering on manifesto to boost growth for everyone, everywhere
People across the North will no longer be held back by a broken transport system and empty promises, the Prime Minister has said as he announces more funding to deliver the largest rail investment in the North in decades.

For far too long, working people have been hamstrung by a transport system that no longer works for them. Doctors’ appointments are missed, children late to school, work meetings missed thanks to delays or cancellations. These are the real-world impacts which lead to an insecurity and instability for working people. The Prime Minister will make clear today that his government will not stand by and watch while this blight continues to disrupt the lives of working people.

After years of false promises and under delivery, the government is rolling up its sleeves and delivering change working families will feel. The Prime Minister will today set out plans to make the Liverpool-Hull corridor an economic superpower – rivalling the Oxford-Cambridge arc – kickstarted with £1.7 billion this year.

This transformatory package to reboot the North’s creaking transport system means government more than double on local transport in the North compared to the South and London, delivering on its Plan for Change to boost living standards and provide security and certainty for working people across the country.

This comes on top of funding announced today:
- For the key rail line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, which has been plagued by disruptions and delays for years without a plan to fix it. The route will now be supported with £415 million in funding from government to restore its failing services.
- For local leaders to unleash their areas’ untapped potential with over £1 billion for the North to improve the transport services people use every day – backing regional mayors and ensuring decisions about the North sit with those who call it home. This comes alongside £270 million investment in bus services and £330 million in road maintenance across the North.
The funding, delivered working hand in hand with local leaders, will have a transformative impact on people’s lives, connecting the great towns and cities of the North that have been cut off from each other for far too long, holding back its potential.

The Prime Minister will make clear that these measures will better connect the North to support its thriving industries, unlocking growth in key sectors like Sheffield’s nuclear industry, booming fintech in Leeds, and cutting-edge life sciences in Liverpool. It will also support leading universities left hamstrung by poor connectivity while commuter towns and cities near London benefit from world-leading transport infrastructure.

On a visit to a factory in the North of England today, the Prime Minister is expected to say that today’s funding boost must see local leaders speed up delivery of key projects in their areas, which will transform the lives of working families.

This includes:
- A Mass Transit system for West Yorkshire progressing, with the next stage of the business case expected in the Autumn – bringing growth to the largest city in Europe without a metro transport system.
- A new Merseyrail station in the Baltic Triangle – better connecting the city to ‘Britain’s coolest neighbourhood’ – starting works this Autumn and complete by Spring 2028.
- The Bury Interchange redevelopment fast-tracked with £80 million to improve bus and tram connectivity across Greater Manchester.
Today’s announcement will provide stability for the North following years of uncertainty and broken promises. This administration is choosing a new way of governing, empowering local leaders who have skin in the game to make the changes that working people want to see in their area.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The North is home to a wealth of talent and ingenuity. But for too long, it has been held to ransom by a Victorian-era transport system which has stifled its potential. I lived in Leeds for years, I get that this has real-world impacts – missed appointments, children late to school, work meetings rescheduled – all leading to insecurity and instability for working people.

My government won’t stand by and watch. We are rolling up our sleeves, and today’s downpayment for growth is a vote of confidence in the North’s world-beating industries. The film studios in Bradford, life sciences in Liverpool, the fintech industry in Leeds – it is time they had a government on their side to get the North motoring again.

After years of false promises and under delivery, this government is delivering real change for the North. We are spending double as much on local transport in the North than the South, all done hand-in-hand with our mayors and local leaders. Through our Plan for Change, we are upgrading transport in the North, we are correcting years of unfairness that has gone before, and we are better linking our historic towns and cities. That means boosting living standards, putting more money in the pockets of working people, and restoring pride to communities.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

The transport system outside of London and the South East has been plagued by delays and cancellations, frustrated by strikes and failing infrastructure because upgrades that were promised were never delivered.

That ends with our Plan for Change, because reliable and affordable public transport links are essential for kickstarting economic growth and putting more money in people’s pockets across the Midlands and the North.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

For too long, the North has been left behind and relied on a crumbling transport system that’s not fit to serve the great towns and cities it’s home to.

The Government’s Plan for Change will end that and schemes like the TransPennine Route Upgrade will bolster the region’s neglected potential and make travelling between these historic Northern towns and cities quicker, easier and greener.

Once the TransPennine Route Upgrade is completed, journey times between the major cities of Manchester and Leeds will be slashed from 50 to 42 minutes, with up to six fast services every hour, while journey times from Manchester to York will be reduced by ten minutes.

The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements are already supporting major transport schemes in city regions across England, including the Wednesbury Brierly Hill Metro expansion in the West Midlands and the renewal of the Sheffield Supertram.

Today’s announcement builds on the government’s pro-growth agenda for the North, including more funding to fix potholes, landmark planning changes to turbocharge house building, and Government backing for major regeneration around Old Trafford.
March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government backs next wave of semiconductor start-ups to scale up growth [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 28 March 2025.

Third cohort of semiconductor start-ups backed by government to drive economic growth.
- A third cohort of innovative UK semiconductor businesses are chosen to join ChipStart, to continue driving economic growth and creating high-skilled jobs under the Plan for Change
- These semiconductor startups are developing technologies that will have a direct impact on everyday life – from improving energy efficiency in devices to advancing smart automation and connectivity
- The newly renewed scheme will build on the success of an initial two cohorts, which are on track to raise over £40 million in private investment
New wave of semiconductor start-ups will join ChipStart, a government-backed incubator programme driving our Plan for Change by helping companies scale up, create jobs, and boost growth.

ChipStart provides technical expertise and commercial support to help UK-based semiconductor innovators grow and create high-skilled jobs. Companies from the first two cohorts are already on track to raise over £40 million in private investment.

Semiconductors are a cornerstone of the UK’s tech economy, with the sector already worth £10 billion and projected to grow up to £17 billion by 2030. They power the technology we rely on daily, from smartphones and medical devices to electric cars and cutting-edge AI. They control the flow of electricity in electronic systems and as demand for smarter, more efficient tech grows, the UK is well placed to lead, backed by a world-class innovation ecosystem and a thriving entrepreneurial environment. The UK is the number one country in Europe for venture capital investment, has the lowest corporation tax in the G7, and benefits from a highly skilled workforce and leading academic institutions.

ChipStart – delivered by SiliconCatalyst.UK, leading global start-up accelerator – has successfully helped early-stage semiconductor companies turn their ideas into real-world products by providing expert mentorship, industry connections, and access to cutting-edge design tools.

As part of our Plan for Change, and the wider Industrial Strategy we are supporting these high-potential companies to reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in entrepreneurship, creating the conditions for the next generation of world-changing technologies to thrive and driving growth in communities across the UK.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance said:

The UK’s semiconductor industry is vibrant with innovation, and this third cohort shows just how much potential we have with many exciting start-ups.

This sector holds incredible promise, and with the right partnerships, it will lead us into a future of greater economic growth and technological advancement – a key pillar of our Plan for Change.

This announcement builds on the UK’s growing momentum in semiconductors, following Vishay Intertechnology’s plans to invest £250 million in the UK’s largest semiconductor factory. Announced by the Chancellor during a visit to South Wales yesterday, this investment will strengthen the UK’s domestic semiconductor supply chain – critical for industries like automotive, renewable energy, and defence. With South Wales emerging as a key semiconductor cluster, this investment underscores the UK’s competitive advantage in advanced chip manufacturing.

From the successful second cohort, Qontrol, a University of Bristol spin-out, is developing technology that could transform the internet as we know it. Their precision control systems for photonics – the use of light to process data – could lead to faster, more reliable internet connections, helping to bring high-speed connectivity to rural communities and build the networks needed for next-generation digital services.

This year’s cohort – backed by £1.1 million of government funding – includes RX-Watt, a company pioneering battery-free sensors that can be wirelessly powered using safe microwave signals. Their technology could save industries time and money where they depend on monitoring products and goods in real-time – helping manufacturers prevent costly equipment failures and ensuring critical goods like vaccines are stored at the right temperature throughout the supply chain.

Companies from the first two ChipStart cohorts are already on track to raise over £40 million in private investment, proving the strength of UK semiconductor start-ups and the impressive return on investment associated with government backing.

Another example from the second cohort is KuasaSemi, a Cornwall-based company, is revolutionising the design of semiconductors used in electric vehicles and renewable energy. By developing advanced computer tools to work with new types of materials, they are enabling the creation of faster, more efficient power devices. This means electric cars could charge faster, run longer, and perform better – helping to accelerate the shift to greener, more sustainable energy solutions.

Sean Redmond, Silicon Catalyst UK said:

We have been delighted with the high quality of new semiconductor startup applications we received for our third cohort of ChipStart from across the UK semiconductor clusters. Our now proven incubation process, that provides no cost design tools and chip manufacturing, will help these competitively selected companies attract the right private investment at the right time, launching them onto the global semiconductor stage.

With the help of our experienced semiconductor executive advisors, which includes co-founders of Arm, we can help these young companies make great decisions and build the next generation of UK semiconductor unicorns. The next ten years of semiconductors will be a race to a £2 trillion industry. These new UK scale-ups will be in pole position to win that race.

Wave Photonics, another successful company from the first cohort, is pioneering design technology to accelerate the development and mass production of integrated photonics – circuits that use light instead of electricity. These innovations are paving the way for energy-efficient AI communications, next-generation healthcare sensors, quantum technologies, and more.

James Lee, co-founder of Wave Photonics said:

ChipStart was fantastic preparation for raising and deploying our seed round to deploy our new approach to photonics design for quantum technologies, sensing and datacentre applications.

As well as training and connection to mentors, ChipStart helps you directly plug into the UK semiconductor ecosystem and learn from the successes of the previous generation of UK semiconductor startups.

Notes to editors

Full list of the winning cohort.
1. Chipletti
2. Ethicronics
3. Kahu
4. Kelvin Quantum
5. Unnamed from the University of Glasgow
6. Prospectral
7. Quantopticon
8. RxWatt
9. SiDesign
10. Smith Optical
March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : British Ambassador visits Peten to strengthen conservation of the Mayan Forest [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 March 2025.

UK assistance continues advancing forests protection and sustainable livelihoods of communities in Peten, as the British Ambassador endorses a conservation agreement during her visit.

Ambassador Juliana Correa visited Petén on 26-28 March to learn about the progress of projects supported by DEFRA’s Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF). She met with local authorities, implementing partners and communities.

On 26 March Ambassador Correa had discussions with representatives of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) about the achievements and challenges in natural resource management in the region. She also met with implementing partners of the Guatemalan Mayan Forest sub-landscape, who presented progress in ecosystem restoration, fire prevention, and sustainable forest management.

Representatives of the communities of Cruce a La Colorada, La Pasadita, Paso Caballos, San Miguel, and San Miguel Poptún, explained to the Ambassador how their Climate-Smart Community Development Plans were helping them to better adapt to the effects of climate change and improve their environmental resilience.

During a visit to Uaxactun on 27 March, the Ambassador participated as witness in the signing of a Conservation Agreement between the BLF’s leading implementing organization Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), CONAP, and other partners, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to protecting forests and strengthening community governance models. As part of the focus on sustainability, she visited a forest nursery and a community sawmill, where she learned about the impact of responsible forest management and its contribution to the local economy.

On 28 March, the Ambassador toured the Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association (ARCAS) rescue centre, an organization that has received support from the United Kingdom for the conservation of endangered species and to promote environmental education. Finally, he met with FORESCOM, an organization that promotes the sustainable use of timber and non-timber products, contributing to the economic development of communities and the protection of forests.

DEFRA’s Biodiverse Landscapes Fund seeks to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and communities in regions of high ecological value, such as the Mayan Rainforest. The UK is investing in precious areas covering Guatemala and Belize, which compose the largest tropical forest in Mesoamerica and is a refuge for endangered species. The BLF’s activities in Peten are carried out by WCS, and other implementing partners.

March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The UK demands unconditional ceasefire and withdrawal of M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces from DRC – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 March 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Democratic Republic of the Congo.

First, the UK regrets that despite the clear and urgent message that this Council sent last month, with the unanimous adoption of resolution 2773, M23 and the Rwandan Defence Forces have continued their territorial advance.

We strongly condemn the capture of Walikale.

And we reiterate that the Rwandan Defence Forces must withdraw from sovereign Congolese territory, and all regional actors must cease support for armed groups.

In addition, the UK condemns M23’s continued restrictions on MONUSCO which have prevented the Mission being able to deliver key tasks mandated by this Council.

Second, the UK welcomes efforts to deliver a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

This includes the joint work of EAC and SADC and its creation of a Panel of Facilitators.

The UK also recognises the efforts of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to convene President Tshisekedi and President Kagame for discussions in support of regional processes.

We regret that despite the commitments made, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire has not yet materialised.

In addition, the UK is grateful to Angola and President Lourenco for his exemplary leadership in securing significant agreements for a sustainable peace.

The Luanda process made important steps forward, including agreement on a harmonised plan for neutralising the FDLR, disengaging the Rwandan Defence Forces from DRC and, most recently, agreement by the DRC government to direct talks with M23.

We deeply regret that M23 were not willing to participate in these talks.

Third, as we’ve heard from our breifers, the humanitarian situation in DRC remains dire.

The UK supports the joint calls by EAC and SADC for the reopening of Goma airport and humanitarian supply routes.

We call on all parties to protect civilians, including from sexual and gender-based violence, and immediately end and prevent the abduction and recruitment and the use of children.

The UK has committed over 18 million dollars of humanitarian support to those in need in eastern DRC.

Finally, President, the conflict in eastern DRC is undermining security across the region.

We urge the parties to engage now in the regionally led peace processes to bring it to a sustainable end.

March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Report by the OSCE Coordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities – UK response [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 March 2025.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown highlights the ongoing economic and environmental impacts of Russia’s illegal war of aggression on Ukraine and welcomes the activities of the OCEEA.

Thank you, Ambassador Dzhusupov, for your presentation and welcome to the Permanent Council.

Since your last address to the Permanent Council, we have continued to see the devastating effects of Russia’s brutal and illegal war of aggression. Each day there is yet more impact on Ukraine’s – and the OSCE region’s – economy and environment. We are pleased to see the focus in your report on how your office is working to mitigate the effects of the war, which stretch right across the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security.

Your focus on Economic Good Governance is also particularly crucial. The OCEEA’s initiatives to combat corruption, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism are vital for promoting transparency and integrity within the region. The UK is proud to support the ExB project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets” to build capacity in Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, to deal with this fast-evolving area.

The UK is also pleased to be able to continue to support your office’s pioneering work on climate migration. There is still work to be done to fill knowledge gaps and ensure we have data which show us the relationship between climate change and human mobility. The UK is expanding its work to tackle upstream migration and we are interested in closer collaboration with the OSCE in this area.

Ambassador Dzhusupov, thank you again for your report, and we look forward to supporting you and your able team in the months ahead.

March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Places of worship to be protected from intimidating protests [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 March 2025.

New police powers to protect worshippers from intimidating protests and the new National Holocaust Memorial to be added to list of protected sites.

Places of worship will be better protected from intimidatory protests under new powers being given to police.

The new measures, which will be included as an amendment in the government’s landmark Crime and Policing Bill, will protect synagogues, mosques, churches and other religious sites from intimidating levels of disruption caused by protest activity.

These changes will build on existing laws under the Public Order Act, providing a new threshold for officers to be able to impose conditions – including on the route and timing of a march – where the effect of the protest is to intimidate those attending a place of worship. This will give the police total clarity on how and when they can protect religious sites from the types of protest designed to disrupt them.

Concerns have been raised repeatedly in recent months after protests near synagogues have caused the cancellation of events on the Sabbath and have forced congregants to stay at home due to fears about travelling to their places of worship during large-scale demonstrations, especially in central London. Similarly, during last summer’s violent disorder, thugs targeted mosques in Southport, Hull, Sunderland and other areas, causing significant distress to members of the local community.

The move comes as religious hate crime has continued to rise at an alarming rate, with police-recorded antisemitic hate crimes having soared by 113% in the year ending March 2024, and anti-Muslim hate crimes having risen by 13%.

The Home Secretary has also announced new protections for the Holocaust Memorial planned to be built next to Parliament, with protesters or vandals who climb on the memorial facing imprisonment.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy which must always be protected, but that does not include the right to intimidate or infringe on the fundamental freedoms of others.

That’s why we are giving the police stronger powers to prevent intimidating protests outside places of worship to ensure that people can pray in peace.

The Home Secretary has announced that the new offence for climbing on a war memorial – already announced when the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced – will be extended to cover the new National Holocaust Memorial scheduled to be built next to Parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens.

The preventative measure will ensure that the memorial to the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and all other victims of Nazi persecution will get the protection it deserves, with those breaking the law facing imprisonment.

The move to protect the memorial comes after a rise in disruptive and dangerous tactics used during protests that have caused distress to so many who cherish these sites of cultural and historical significance. The bill measure bans climbing on the most significant memorials built in Britain to commemorate the fallen of World War 1 and World War 2, and the Holocaust Memorial will be added to this protected list.

The new measure to better protect places of worship will not ban protests and recognises the public’s right to take part in peaceful demonstrations. As they currently do, the police will have to make a proportionality assessment before imposing conditions on specific protests – balancing the right to freedom of expression with the right for others to go about their daily lives free from intimidation and serious disruption.

Alongside the new legislation, the government is also providing up to £50 million to protect faith communities next year. This includes £18 million through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, £29.4 million through the Protective Security for Mosques scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £3.5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths.

Lord Khan, Lords Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement, said:

Everyone should be protected to practice their faith freely and safely, and no one should fear attending their place of worship.

The freedom to protest is a key part of a democracy which must be protected. These new powers will add to the significant security funding we are providing places of worship, enabling worshippers – and the many others who rely on these important community assets – to go about their daily lives free from intimidation and fear.

Mark Gardner, Chief Executive of the Community Security Trust, said:

The cumulative impact on central London synagogues of repeated large, noisy protests, often featuring antisemitism and support for terrorism and extremism, has been intolerable.

We welcome these new measures to protect the rights of the Jewish community to pray in peace and we thank the Home Secretary for her ongoing support. Everyone has the right to protest, but there must be a balance so that all communities can attend their places of worship free from hate and without fear of being intimidated.

We also welcome the protection of the forthcoming Holocaust memorial which is set to be built next year – a tribute that will have cultural and historical significance for the entire country.

Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said:

We welcome the Home Secretary’s announcement about measures to protect places of worship under the new Crime and Policing Bill. This is something we have been calling for over recent months.

We also welcome the inclusion of the new Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in the protected list of war memorials. Protests near synagogues have led to serious and unacceptable disruption to our communal life over the last 18 months. The intimidatory protests outside mosques during the violent disorder last summer were similarly intolerable.

The new provisions will ensure the right to free speech does not conflict with freedom of worship or religious practice, and will build towards the more cohesive Britain we all want to see.

The Bishop of Manchester, Rt Revd David Walker, said:

People and families should always expect to be able to worship freely, confident in their own safety. Freedom of speech, including the right to protest, is also important in a free and democratic society. I welcome the government’s commitment to making sure our places of worship are safe and secure, and I look forward to exploring these proposals in more detail.

Further information

The new protest powers for police, being introduced into the bill at committee stage, will create a new threshold for sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, which enable police to impose conditions on public processions and assemblies.

March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Apparent Russian Foreign Interference and Manipulation of Information – UK Statement to the OSCE [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 March 2025.

Politico-Military Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, says that Russia’s citing of a fake UK newspaper article would damage trust and credibility if, as seems likely, it was a deliberate attempt to manipulate the Forum.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I am delivering this statement, on Russia’s Foreign Interference and Manipulation of Information in the FSC, on behalf of the United Kingdom. Norway has aligned with it.

This statement is about a falsified UK source, cited in the Russia FSC statement last week. It appears to be a brazen attempt to manipulate the members of this Forum. As Russia has made no attempt to correct the record, the UK and our Allies must now do so.

We have seen the Russian state using information warfare to attempt to undermine Ukraine and its supporters, sow divisions and bolster support for the Kremlin’s war aims. Each week we use this Forum to hold Russia to account for its information manipulation, the scale and nature of which has been demonstrated through its war on Ukraine. And this is not just confined to the FSC – we continue to see Russia’s attempts to push its information manipulation across international fora. The UK and our Allies stand firm in our commitment to the integrity of the multilateral system, and we will not allow Russia’s deception to be normalised.

Mr Chair, last week, Russia took this an unprecedented step further. In its weekly General Statement, it displayed and quoted from the purported front page of a March edition of a local UK newspaper, the Hull Daily Mail. The headline was evidently designed to stoke criticism amongst the British public of the UK’s continued support for Ukraine. However, it has been clearly established that the image displayed by Russia was a faked image, in which the actual headline of that edition had been replaced with a fake one about Kursk. The newspaper itself has made clear that the image had been faked. Two other newspaper headlines were also displayed which have also been proven to be faked.

The use by Russia of faked newspaper images and headlines was at best, a failure to ensure the authenticity of its sources. At worst, and far more likely given what we know about Russian behaviour, this was a deliberate attempt to manipulate the representatives in this Forum. Either way, this represented an egregious departure from the norms of conduct in international organisations.

The use of falsified documents by States in multilateral fora, and other efforts to sow disinformation, must be called out, and the record corrected. We cannot allow this Forum, or any other international organisation, to be influenced by these attempts to deceive us. Such attempts fundamentally undermine trust and credibility. Without trust, how can we deliver on our mandate of transparency, risk-reduction and Confidence and Security Building Measures? Without the credibility of our counterparts, how can we take seriously what Russia is saying?

Mr Chair, all of us have committed to executing the mandate of this crucial Forum. Trust and credibility are cornerstones of this. We urge Russia to return immediately to professional diplomatic conduct. Its efforts to deter us from supporting Ukraine will not succeed. We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Thank you, Mr Chair.

March 31, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : HMRC late payments interest rates to increase from 6 April 2025 [March 2025]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 27 March 2025.

The HMRC interest rates for late payments will be increased by 1.5% for all taxes from 6 April 2025 following a change in legislation.

This increase was announced at Autumn Budget 2024 and the change will take effect from 6 April 2025.

Information on the interest rates for payments will be updated shortly.

How HMRC interest rates are set

HMRC interest rates are set in legislation and are linked to the Bank of England base rate.

Late payment interest was set at base rate plus 2.5%. From 6 April 2025 this will increase to base rate plus 4.00% for most taxes.

Repayment interest is set at base rate minus 1%, with a lower limit – or ‘minimum floor’ – of 0.5% and remains unchanged.

The differential between late payment interest and repayment interest is in line with the policy of other tax authorities worldwide and compares favourably with commercial practice for interest charged on loans or overdrafts and interest paid on deposits.

The rate of late payment interest encourages prompt payment and ensures fairness for those who pay their tax on time, while the rate of repayment interest fairly compensates taxpayers for loss of use of their money when they overpay.

March 31, 2025