Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Plan to toughen protections for subsea internet cables amid heightened Russian activity [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 29 May 2026.

Government to propose tougher fines and prison sentences for those who damage subsea infrastructure essential for UK internet access.
- Government to propose tougher fines and prison sentences for those who damage subsea infrastructure essential for UK internet access, with consultation planned later this year
- New obligations on subsea cable operators to secure their infrastructure and new emergency powers for government to also be proposed, following rise in suspicious activity by Russian vessels
- Plans set out in speech by UK telecoms minister Liz Lloyd at the Royal United Services Institute.
Ship owners and operators that recklessly damage subsea internet cables will face tougher penalties under new proposals to strengthen national security and deter Russia and other hostile states from sabotaging the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

Subsea telecoms cables carry the data that underpins the economy, with £1.4 trillion in daily UK transactions reliant on the subsea cable industry. They enable everyday communications like calls, instant messaging and social media as well as critical services vital for supply chains, emergency services, the military and key British industries such as finance.

The UK already has a highly resilient system, underpinned by around 64 cables. When cables break, a repair vessel is at the scene within eight days, a world-leading response time. Faults are rare and the overwhelming majority are not malicious, with up to 97%* arising from fishing activity or vessels dragging anchors, and most aren’t noticed by the public. Suspicious activity near subsea cables is, however, being increasingly observed.

In April the British Armed Forces exposed a covert Russian submarine operation carrying out nefarious activity over critical undersea infrastructure in and around UK waters. With the geopolitical environment growing ever more challenging, the government has been rightly reviewing whether the UK’s security and resilience arrangements remain strong enough.

Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on Friday (29 May), telecoms minister Liz Lloyd set out plans to consult on replacing 140-year-old legislation to make the law clearer, and much harder to evade – with tougher fines and prison sentences for vessel owners and operators that intentionally or recklessly damage cables.

She also highlighted that Government is considering new security obligations on cable owners and operators, ensuring they take the necessary steps to prevent, detect and respond to security compromises in a consistent and timely manner.

New emergency powers to direct businesses to protect this infrastructure will also be included in the proposals, which would strengthen government’s ability to respond to major subsea cable incidents and minimise disruption to UK connectivity. The proposals will be set out in detail through a white paper later this year.

Telecoms minister Liz Lloyd said:

The UK already has strong protections in place for our subsea cables, but in a more uncertain world we cannot stand still.

As hostile activity by Russia and others grows, protecting these cables matters more than ever for our economy, security and daily lives. That is why we plan to go further with tougher penalties for reckless damage, stronger security obligations and new powers to respond quickly when incidents happen.

True resilience depends on having a healthy thriving telecoms sector, and government must play an active role in creating the conditions for commercial success. By building a strong domestic industry we don’t just protect infrastructure, we strengthen the UK’s position as a global centre for digital trade.”

For acts of sabotage clearly linked to a hostile state, UK laws already carry life imprisonment for the most serious cases. However, malicious activity below the ocean surface doesn’t always present itself clearly – operating in a ”grey zone” – ambiguous in intent, hard to prove and difficult to prosecute.

In her speech, Minister Lloyd explained how the legal system needed to keep pace with the threat, and that planned legislative proposals for consultation would modernise and strengthen the criminal framework around subsea cables. She said the changes would “send a clear message that if you act recklessly, or if you deliberately target our cables, there will be serious consequences.”

Minister Lloyd also pointed to existing plans to support next-generation of investment in cable upgrades through “common-sense regulation” that “supports growth rather than holds it back” – pointing to exemptions on environmental red tape for the laying, maintenance and removal of subsea cables in deep waters, where impact on marine life is extremely limited.
May 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK expertise supports Guatemala’s vision for modern and sustainable urban mobility [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2026.

On 25 May a UK-led forum in Guatemala City brought together stakeholders to share expertise on urban mobility and infrastructure, sustainable transport solutions and Guatemala’s Metroriel project.

The British Embassy in Guatemala hosted a forum focused on government-to-government (G2G) partnerships and their role in delivering modern urban mobility solutions. The event explored opportunities to support Guatemala’s Metroriel project and wider transport infrastructure development.

The forum brought together more than 100 participants, including representatives from government, academia, the private sector, civil society and the international community. It was opened by President Bernardo Arévalo and UK Ambassador Juliana Correa, highlighting the importance of international dialogue and cooperation in advancing large-scale infrastructure projects.

Experts from the UK Delivery Team and DBT representatives shared practical experience from infrastructure projects delivered across Latin America. These included examples from Peru, where government-to-government partnerships have contributed to the delivery of over $10 billion in high quality, social and climate-resilient infrastructure, with improved efficiency, shorter delivery timelines and strengthened transparency.

These partnerships provide technical support and share expertise to help countries design and deliver complex projects – strengthening local capacity and promoting high standards throughout the process.

The discussion also highlighted how this approach goes beyond project execution and can help optimise the use of public resources, mitigate risks and reinforce institutional capacity. It can help to promote international best practices and supporting infrastructure projects that deliver long-term benefits for citizens.

Following the forum, meetings were held with key government stakeholders to continue exploring opportunities for collaboration. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting dialogue on innovative approaches to infrastructure and urban mobility in Guatemala.

May 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Employment lifeline for young people across the country as Government offers 300,000 new work experience and training placements [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 29 May 2026.

Young people across the country will be helped onto the career ladder thanks to the creation of 300,000 new work experience and training placements in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality.
- New placements announced as Government accelerates its Youth Guarantee to give every young person the chance to earn or learn.
- Expansion of support will help thousands more young people gain hands-on experience, build skills and move into work over the next three years.
- Move comes after Alan Milburn’s interim report into youth unemployment highlighted the vital importance of work experience.
Young people across the country will be helped onto the career ladder thanks to the creation of 300,000 new work experience and training placements in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality.

The new placements, part of a £2.5 billion youth employment support package, will see young people gain hands-on experience, build real skills and move into sustained work.

They come as the Government accelerates its Youth Guarantee to give every young person the chance to earn or learn and reverse the rising numbers not in education, employment, or training (NEET) – currently standing at just over/under one million.

Work experience is widely recognised as a key way to help young people gain the skills and confidence to succeed, and Alan Milburn’s interim report published yesterday (28 May) warned that the first rung of the career ladder has thinned.

The report, commissioned by the Government to identify the root causes of youth unemployment, warned that Britain risks a lost generation unless young people are given real opportunities to gain work experience.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

The evidence is clear, give young people real work experience and the chances of them building a lasting career increase dramatically.

That’s why we are creating 300,000 new placements, backed by some of Britain’s biggest employers, to give young people the skills, confidence and connections they need to get on.

This generation deserves every opportunity to succeed, and this Government is determined to deliver it.

The 300,000 placements will be made up of work experience and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), reaching young people in every corner of the country.

SWAPs are short government-funded programmes for jobseekers claiming benefits, offering training, hands-on experience of the workplace and a guaranteed job interview.

Recent analysis shows around four in ten SWAP participants move into sustained work within six months, earning an average of £1,400 a month, a powerful demonstration that the programme is delivering real, lasting change for young people.

Major employers including Manchester Airport Group, JD and Gatwick Airport are already backing SWAPs, with the construction industry leading the way.

Chief Executive of London Gatwick, Pierre-Hugues Schmit said:

We’re delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to London Gatwick. As a major employer and economic driver in the South-East, we recognise the importance of opening doors for young people.

We are proud of our initiatives such as our long-standing apprenticeship programme, internship opportunities, community outreach and the London Gatwick Aviation Academy.

This SWAP programme delivered in partnership with the DWP and Jobcentre Plus has seen 81 participants achieve a Level 1 NCFE qualification in ‘Introduction to Aviation’, with over half progressing into employment at the airport since February 2026.

At London Gatwick, we are committed to creating clear pathways into well-rewarded, high-skilled careers.

Construction SWAPs broke records in 2025/26, with almost 17,000 starts helping to power the pipeline of skilled workers Britain needs to deliver on its housebuilding and infrastructure ambitions.

The Youth Guarantee package will deliver a range of opportunities to young people – including a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and 50,000 additional youth apprenticeships, supporting the Government’s mission to ensure that getting Britain’s young people into good, productive jobs is central to its wider plan for economic growth.

Additional information
- Nearly 100,000 SWAPs were delivered in 2025/26, an increase of almost 15,000 on the previous year, with a record 25,000 young people aged 16 to 24 starting a SWAP, up from 21,000 the year before.
- Plans are already in place to push delivery even further, with an ambitious target of 115,000 starts next year.
May 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 May 2026.

The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations.
- The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations
- A new Cadets Action Plan will set out the government’s long-term vision for the cadet forces
- The initiative will help deliver on the Strategic Defence Review’s demand for a whole-of-society approach to defence
Tens of thousands of young people across the UK will have the opportunity to discover the cadet forces as the government announces the first ever National Cadets Week, taking place from 5-11 October 2026.

The week will celebrate the UK’s cadet community – one of the country’s most effective youth organisations – and the tens of thousands of young people and adult volunteers who make the cadets a success.

Throughout the week, cadet units across the UK will open their doors to schools, families, and local communities. Cadets and volunteers will take part in outreach activities, delivering presentations to schools and places of work to raise awareness of the programme.

With a strong focus on first aid training, activities will showcase the opportunities available, and inspire new cadets, attract new volunteers, and demonstrate how cadet experiences help prepare young people for adult life.

As part of the Strategic Defence Review’s whole-of-society approach to defence, National Cadets Week aims to deepen the bond between the Armed Forces and communities across the UK.

Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:

Cadet forces are one of the best examples we have of the whole-of-society approach to defence in action, bringing together young people from all backgrounds and giving them the confidence, skills and sense of purpose that benefit their communities and our country as a whole.

None of this would be possible without the thousands of adult volunteers who give their time freely, and I want to thank every one of them. I hope National Cadets Week inspires more people to get involved and support their local cadet force. You don’t need a military background, just a commitment to young people. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

Under the Government’s ‘30 by 30’ campaign launched in August 2025, the MOD is expanding cadet opportunities for a new generation of young people – boosting the cadet forces by 30% by 2030.

This will deliver over 40,000 more cadets across the UK, supporting the government’s commitment to break down the barriers holding back Britain’s young people.

Royal Navy cadet Lila Unlu, age 14, said:

Being a cadet has given me amazing opportunities I would never have experienced in my day-to-day life. It’s taught me so much about resilience, team building, and leadership. Along the way I’ve made some incredible friends, built confidence and created memories and skills that will stay with me for life.

The initiative will showcase the opportunities available through the MOD-sponsored cadet forces: the Royal Navy Cadets (Sea Cadet Corps and Volunteer Cadet Corps), Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force.

A new Cadets Action Plan will be published during National Cadets Week setting out the government’s long-term vision to expand high-quality, accessible cadet provision and ensure more young people from all backgrounds can benefit. This will include modernising the cadet experience, providing an attractive offer to retain and recruit adult volunteers, and ensuring that cadets and volunteers have the right resources and support.

Minister for Schools Standards, Georgia Gould, said:

National Cadets Week will be a fantastic chance to celebrate the incredible difference cadet programmes make to young people’s lives across the UK.

We’re making sure more young people than ever are building confidence and life skills through cadets in schools and we’re going further to make sure every child and young person at every school and college can access a range life-changing extra-curricular activities like sports, outdoor adventure and civic engagement.

Boosting the whole-of-society approach to national resilience, the week will celebrate the dedicated network of adult volunteers who lead local cadet groups.

Through the cadets, young people develop essential life skills, including leadership, teamwork, and resilience, taking part in activities ranging from adventurous training and fieldcraft to flying, sailing, and gaining Civil Aviation Authority-endorsed drone qualifications.

Participants can also work towards nationally recognised qualifications, including BTECs, first aid certifications and The Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Cadets Action Plan will support the growth of the cadet forces, helping more young people to progress into careers in the Armed Forces, public services, and wider defence sector, while strengthening national resilience.
May 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Millions to benefit from Sci Tech deal between UK and France [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 29 May 2026.

Cures for infectious diseases and pioneering improvements in women’s health, and strengthening a partnership between two of Europe’s leading supercomputers.
- Scientists in Britain and France to work together on cures for infectious diseases and pioneering improvements in women’s health
- New funding for partnership which brings together two of Europe’s leading supercomputers to accelerate AI adoption and scientific discovery
- Technology Secretary heads for G7 talks in Paris on improving AI adoption and security and child safety online
Millions of women suffering from complications arising from childbirth, or living with endometriosis, will benefit from the shared research expertise and ambition of the UK and France, under a new partnership inked today.

Working together, both countries will put AI and data at the heart of their work on these historically under-researched, under-diagnosed conditions which have left patients waiting too long for the answers or care they need.

Announced as the Technology Secretary arrives in Paris for talks with G7 Ministers, this partnership will unlock new treatments, enable earlier diagnoses for safer pregnancies and more personalised care. By closing long-standing gaps in women’s health, it has the potential to transform outcomes, and improve the day-to-day lives of millions of women on both sides of the Channel.

The partnership will also bring together global data on diseases like drug-resistant E. coli, enabling faster detection of microbes which can resist treatments, and speeding up how we can identify and tackle infectious outbreaks. Doctors will be better equipped to spot dangerous infections, helping patients get the right treatment sooner and reducing the risk of illness spreading.

In particular, researchers based in the UK and France will use cutting-edge imaging and AI to study infections like tuberculosis, malaria and emerging viruses – ultimately saving lives.

At the heart of this new collaboration is an ambition to make it simpler and faster for British and French institutions to cooperate on biomedical research. Harnessing emerging tech like AI, this will involve everything from joint projects, sharing research expertise in both countries, and working together on joint funding bids – delivering the technologies and products that will benefit people all over the world.

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

This ground-breaking partnership between the UK and France will tackle some of the biggest challenges in women’s health, deliver safer and healthier pregnancies, and accelerate the fight against infectious diseases worldwide. That means new treatments, earlier diagnoses, and more personalised care.

We are determined to build on that spirit of co-operation with our G7 partners this week, to drive forward work on some of the most important issues that affect us all, from AI adoption to keeping kids safe online.

Philippe Baptiste, French minister for higher education, research and space, said:

The renewed dialogue between France and the United Kingdom marks a decisive step in our scientific partnership. Together, we are building a dynamic and ambitious roadmap, transforming our shared vision into concrete actions, notably through enhanced collaboration in Horizon Europe projects. This cooperation, anchored in trust and excellence, will deliver tangible results in artificial intelligence, health, and beyond, for the benefit of both nations.

At today’s G7 talks (Friday 29 May), Ministers will focus their discussions on key issues to protect citizens and spark the growth which will unlock jobs and new opportunities. AI adoption and security and the resilience and resource efficiency of the digital sector will all be on the agenda, along with discussions on how to create a safer online world for children and young people.

As the Technology Secretary arrives in Paris, nearly £900,000 of UK government funding has also been committed to boosting the partnership between the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing which hosts Isambard‑AI and France’s computing centre GENCI.

This will allow researchers at both bases to access world class compute and deliver scientific breakthroughs. Isambard-AI is already supporting cutting-edge research in areas ranging from drug discovery to combat heart disease to climate scenario modelling.

The UK government will also contribute £300,000, matched by €330,000 from the French government enabling early‑career researchers to be supported to live and work in both the UK and France, helping them advance their careers, and unlock new collaboration opportunities – including on major Horizon Europe projects. This is through UKRI’s International Science Partnerships Fund, designed to support UK researchers and innovators collaborate with peers internationally.

Taking the strength of UK-France collaboration even further, Imperial College London and the French National Center for Scientific Research will sign a separate landmark agreement today to collaborate on metabolism research – tackling major health challenges including heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Notes to Editors
- The G7 Digital and Technology Ministerial Summit takes place in Paris on 28–29 May 2025, under the French G7 presidency.
- At the core of the research in women’s health, infectious diseases, data science and advanced bioimaging is the UK–France Strategic Biomedical Alliance in Health and AI, a partnership between the University of Oxford, Université Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur and the UK and French national advanced imaging facilities, the Diamond Light Source and Synchrotron SOLEIL. Together, these partners combine world‑leading science with national bioimaging infrastructure and technology development.
- The Bristol Centre for Supercomputing hosts Isambard AI, one of the UK’s most powerful AI supercomputers, as part of the UK’s AI Research Resource the UK’s national programme providing leading, AI‑specialised computing capacity to researchers and innovators
- The new partnership will allow mutual access to infrastructure like the UK’s Diamond Light Source and France’s Synchrotron SOLEIL, using extremely bright light to reveal the structure of materials and biological systems down to the molecular level.
- GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) is France’s national high-performance computing body.
- The £1.2 million figure combines the £894,000 Isambard AI/GENCI partnership funding and £300,000 per year student mobility funding.
Professor Richard Cornall, Head of the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford, said:

At a time of growing global health threats and rapid technological change, the Alliance brings together leading expertise in AI, advanced imaging and biomedical science to better understand, predict and treat complex disease. Starting with accelerating progress in women’s health, infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, we will create a powerful UK-France capability for biomedical innovation and the joint development of world-leading new technology.

Professor Philippe Guérin, Director of the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) at the University of Oxford, said:

Through this Alliance we will be able to see disease in new ways – combining the technology of two of the world’s most powerful synchrotrons, with the world’s greatest research minds, to understand how infections develop, spread and respond to treatment at an unprecedented level of detail. That deeper understanding will drive innovation in diagnostics and therapies, helping improve outcomes for patients and at the same time strengthening preparedness for future health threats worldwide.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said:

Understanding metabolism is crucial to addressing some of the biggest health challenges of our time – from obesity and diabetes to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases – and our new joint laboratory will put the UK and France at the forefront of this critical area of research. By bringing together world-leading expertise and cutting-edge technologies, including AI and machine learning, we will deepen our understanding of these complex conditions for the benefit of all. Our collaboration with France’s CNRS will create new opportunities to share talent, knowledge and resources – accelerating discovery, driving health-tech innovations and delivering meaningful societal impact.

Professor Gianluigi Botton, Chief Executive of Diamond Light Source, said:

This collaboration represents an exciting step forward in harnessing the full potential of advanced synchrotron imaging, data and AI in healthcare. By strengthening links between UK and French research communities, we are creating new opportunities to better understand disease, accelerate innovation and improve patient care. Diamond is delighted to support this shared ambition to deliver scientific breakthroughs that will have a lasting global impact.
May 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to the Planning Inspectorate Board [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 29 May 2026.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed the appointment of Ben Alexander as the new Chair of the Planning Inspectorate Board. His appointment is expected to commence on 1 July 2026 and run for a period of four years. In addition, the Minister has confirmed a one-year extension to the terms of two existing Inspectorate board members.

Ben will take over from Trudi Elliott, CBE MRTPI, who is completing her second term as Chair. He will lead the Planning Inspectorate as it continues its vital role in the planning system, supporting timely, fair and proportionate decision‑making on nationally significant infrastructure projects, certain planning applications, local plans and planning appeals.

The Planning Inspectorate plays a central role in delivering the government’s ambitions to speed up planning decisions, thereby unlocking housing growth and economic development, while ensuring communities’ voices are heard and environmental protections upheld.

Alongside Ben’s appointment, the Minister has also confirmed extensions to the terms of two existing board members, Adrian Penfold and Oliver Munn, to September 2027, ensuring continuity and stability as the organisation continues to modernise and respond to the government’s ambitious agenda for planning.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:

“I’m delighted to confirm Ben Alexander’s appointment as Chair of the Planning Inspectorate Board.

“Ben has a proven track record of effective leadership, commercial expertise and successfully driving through organisation change in the public sector. He will make an invaluable contribution to ensuring the Inspectorate provides timely, high-quality and cost-effective decisions, recommendations and advice.

“I would also like to thank Trudi Elliott for her outstanding leadership over two terms, and to recognise the continued contribution of board members who have agreed to extend their service.”

Further information

Ben Alexander

Ben is currently Chair of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, an external member of the Cambridge University finance committee and serves as a commercial advisor at the Cabinet Office. He has previously held senior roles in international finance and asset management and brings extensive experience in governance, infrastructure and strategic decision‑making across both the public and private sectors.

May 29, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : £340m pharmacy boost brings faster care to your high street [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 May 2026.

Patients to benefit from more services and treatments from their community pharmacy, as part of new deal.
- Patients will see quicker access to treatments at their local pharmacy, avoiding GP referrals under new agreement
- Government to roll out NHS-funded Independent Prescribing, bringing more care closer to home, as part of £340 million deal
- Qualified pharmacists will deliver more NHS care on the high street, expanding successful Pharmacy
Patients across England will benefit from more services, treatments and better access to medicines from their local pharmacy under a new £340 million government-funded deal.

Under the new contractual framework, pharmacists who hold an Independent Prescribing qualification will be able to assess patients and prescribe medicines directly, building on the success of the Pharmacy First service. This delivers on-the-spot care for common conditions and gives patients access to a wider range of medicines.

The changes, which will be rolled out from Autumn 2026, will reduce the number of referrals back to GPs, boosting efficiency and improving both patient experience and outcomes. It will also lessen the burden on hospitals, as patients will be able to receive further treatment for common conditions from a qualified pharmacist in their community – avoiding the need to go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock said:

Through our landmark 10 Year Health Plan, we are making the most of our highly skilled pharmacists, while boosting access to services and giving patients more care right on their doorstep.

Independent Prescribing will play a major part in delivering this shift – easing pressures on GPs, cutting unnecessary red tape and helping patients get the right care closer to home.

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England said:

Community pharmacies already play a vital role in delivering NHS care closer to home, and this agreement will make it easier for patients to get advice, treatment, and medicines through their local pharmacy.

Expanding independent prescribing will help make better use of the clinical expertise within our community pharmacy teams, helping patients get the right care in the right place while helping reducing pressure on other NHS services.

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, David Webb said:

This is great news for patients that community pharmacists will for the first time be able to prescribe NHS medicines across a range of health conditions as a nationally commissioned service.

I want to thank everyone involved in making possible this huge step towards a more effective use of our highly trained workforce in community pharmacy. Community pharmacies will be enabled to play a more integrated role in neighbourhood health teams, digitally connected and helping people access the medicines they need when they need them.

Over 3.3 million Pharmacy First consultations were delivered between March 2025 to February 2026, an increase of 43% on the previous 12 months. Almost nine in ten (86%) people using the service reported a positive experience of visiting their pharmacy for support for one of the seven common conditions covered by the service.

The £340 million funding package and rollout of Independent Prescribing has been agreed with Community Pharmacy England.

Today’s announcement follows record investment over the past 2 years and a raft of measures to deliver more services to patients, including:
- making the ‘morning-after pill’ available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS for the first time ever, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities
- offering patients suffering depression convenient support at pharmacies when they are prescribed antidepressants, to boost mental health support in the community
- cutting red tape and bureaucracy to give patients easier access to consultations, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver a wider number of services such as medicines and prescriptions advice, Pharmacy First consultations for minor conditions, and carrying out blood pressure checks
- boosting financial incentives for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure.
- boosting funding for medicine supply so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them.
Janet Morrison OBE, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:

We welcome the agreement reached for community pharmacies in 2026/27, which includes an important commitment to a programme of reform for the sector.  It also opens the door to pharmacist prescribing – a first step towards making fuller use of their clinical expertise.

We hope these changes, accompanied by appropriate future investment, will help pharmacies to play an even greater role in supporting patients, improving access to care, and helping people get the advice and treatment they need in their communities.

Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive, Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), said:

Today’s announcement recognises the longstanding and significant economic challenges facing the sector.

We welcome continued efforts to close the widely-acknowledged pharmacy funding gap.

Independent prescribing is a generational opportunity to expand the care that pharmacies can provide to patients. This announcement is the first step in realising this opportunity.

Under Pharmacy First, patients already have access to advice, over-the-counter treatments, and prescription only medicines under Patient Group Directions, which are the instructions for supplying or administering medicines.

This includes a range of minor health conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, eyes and skin, among others. It provides rapid access for patients on their high street whilst taking pressure off GPs.

Community Pharmacies are crucial to the 10 Year Health Plan and shifting care out of hospital and into the community, as part of Neighbourhood Health Services.

Independent Prescribing will be rolled out nationally from Autumn 2026.
May 29, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s war is failing, so Moscow is resorting to escalation and intimidation – UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

The UK supported Ukraine in calling for today’s meeting.

Colleagues, last Friday, Russia asked the Council to meet following an alleged incident in occupied Luhansk, which UN briefers said they had not been able to verify because Russia refuses access to Ukrainian territory which it occupies.

The very next day, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion.

These strikes caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, emergency service facilities, Ukrainian government buildings and cultural institutions. These are not just buildings – they sustain essential service and underpin communities; they are people’s homes.

So far this month, Russian attacks have killed nearly 200 civilians and injured over 1,500 more. May is on track to see the most civilian casualties in Ukraine since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

This weekend also marked the third time Russia has deployed an Oreshnik missile – and the first time in Kyiv Oblast. Russia’s use of this nuclear-capable system in urban environments is brazen and reckless.

We are also deeply concerned by reports that diplomatic sites in Kyiv were struck, including UN premises and a residential complex housing the Albanian Ambassador. And Russia followed up its attack with threats to diplomats to leave the city, warning of another barrage.

Russia attempts to project strength through mass attacks, then comes to this chamber and plays the victim. But the truth is that Moscow’s escalating attacks against civilians betray its weakness.

Russia is desperate because it is going backwards on the battlefield. New intelligence shows that almost half a million Russian soldiers have been killed since the conflict began, while Ukraine still stands firm. Russia’s war is failing, so Moscow is resorting to escalation and intimidation.

Security Council members have been clear that we need peace. But such peace cannot be achieved while Russia continues its campaign against Ukraine’s people. Russia’s escalating attacks do nothing to bring us closer to a peaceful outcome – nor do they bring Russia any closer to achieving Putin’s war aims.

As the Secretary General said, an immediate comprehensive ceasefire is essential.

May 28, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Councils to be prevented from making risky investments [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 28 May 2026.

Taxpayers to be protected from financial mismanagement in local government.

Powers will be used to prevent excessive borrowing, risky investments and poor financial decisions in local government.

Announced today (28th May), these powers will be switched on to help the government find early warning signs by tracking every council’s investments, debt, and revenue to spot financial risk before it becomes a crisis, allowing faster action to protect taxpayers.

How these powers will work and what other measures could be used to find risks will all be considered in a consultation that has launched today.

In recent years, some councils have borrowed excessively in risky financial projects. Woking Borough Council amassed over £2 billion in debt, nearly 100 times its annual budget. And Thurrock Council built up £1.5 billion in debt through borrowing to finance failed investments, though both have curbed excessive borrowing since.

The new metrics will strengthen oversight and transparency and ensure that borrowing across local government is affordable and sustainable.

Local Government Minister Alison McGovern said:

In Woking, Thurrock, and other councils we’ve seen poor investment decisions leaving taxpayers footing a big bill.

We can’t afford to wait until a council is on the brink of collapse to act. That’s why we want to bring in new powers so we can identify the risks and act before its too late.

This is alongside making £78 billion available through the Fair Funding Review to get councils back on their feet through the first multi-year settlement in a decade.

May 28, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Care leavers and ex offenders in the West Midlands helped into jobs through new partnership between government and leading businesses [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 28 May 2026.

Greene King, Severn Trent and other leading UK businesses have joined forces with central and local Government to help more care leavers, ex-offenders and young people with mental health challenges in the West Midlands into quality jobs.
- Businesses, charities and government to work together to help care leavers, ex-offenders and young people with mental health challenges to find jobs
- Partnership aims to help thousands of people each year find meaningful employment
- Builds on launch of Office for the Impact Economy which helps the government to partner with and grow the impact economy – including purpose-driven businesses, impact investors and philanthropists
Greene King, Severn Trent and other leading UK businesses have joined forces with central and local Government to help more care leavers, ex-offenders and young people with mental health challenges in the West Midlands into quality jobs.

Through the partnership, the businesses aim to provide work opportunities for another 500 people from these backgrounds – an increase of 20% – with successful initiatives rolled out nationally to support thousands of people each year.

The Economic Inactivity Partnership brings together 12 businesses that have a strong presence in the region, with five government departments and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

It is supported by purpose-driven business charity ReGenerate and harnesses the power of business to support people who might otherwise struggle to find employment. This includes care leavers, prison leavers or young people with mental health issues, known as “hidden talent”, who businesses frequently find make highly capable and loyal employees.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, announced the partnership at the Severn Trent Academy today in Coventry, where he met care-leavers who work at the business, which offers work experience placements to support individuals with the transition from the care system into the workplace. He also met a number of young apprentices at the start of their careers, who also use the Academy to learn skills and develop their training. The event was attended by representatives from some of the biggest employers in the UK – collectively responsible for employing 1% of the UK workforce – including Amazon, John Lewis, Severn Trent, Keir Construction and Greggs.

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said:

It’s great to be focussing on skilling people up because there’s so much untapped potential across the country.

Giving people the right opportunity at the right time can transform their life. It’s good for them – both for their financial position and their mental health. But it’s also good for our country if we can help people fulfil their potential – whatever their background and whatever challenges they’ve been through.

So I’m thrilled to launch the Economic Inactivity Partnership in the West Midlands to make sure that’s the Britain we’re building.

The pilots will help identify what works in the West Midlands and solutions that can be scaled up across the UK. They include:’
- An AI tool, trained on the insights and best practice partner businesses, including Timpson and Cook Foods, to help employers better understand how and why to employ hidden talent, providing personalised answers to their questions and directing them to the most relevant sources of information and support.
- West Midlands Jobcentre Plus, Severn Trent and Amazon are building a shared talent pool between partnership businesses, enabling hidden talent to be fast-tracked from a placement at one employer into a suitable job at another.
- Following the success of Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs) in Job Centres, the government will work with the partnership to develop options to test SWAPs in a closed prison, including in the West Midlands. And because we want these ideas to have national impact, we will also trial SWAPs in an open prison outside the West Midlands.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister also met several current employees who have joined under Severn Trent’s employment pathway for care leavers. The company is one of the key regional businesses who make up the partnership, alongside Birmingham Airport.

The partnership builds on the launch of the Office for Impact Economy last year, which helps the government to partner with and grow the impact economy – including purpose-driven businesses, impact investors and philanthropists – tackle some of the UK’s biggest social, environmental and economic challenges.

Based in the Cabinet Office, the Office for the Impact Economy acts an interface with the impact economy to help government partner and deliver with philanthropy, impact investors and purpose driven businesses.

Last week, Severn Trent became the latest backer of the Government’s Youth Guarantee, the Government’s scheme to give every young person the chance to earn or learn, with supporters including the Premier League, Channel 4 and Pinewood Studios. The company is creating 400 employment opportunities for young people across the Midlands.

Ed Boyd, CEO of ReGenerate said:

For too long, care leavers, ex-offenders, and young people with mental health conditions have been kept on the margins of the labour market – this is despite the fact that businesses benefit when they recruit them; often gaining talented, hard working and valuable members of their team.

Everyone in this partnership, from the 5 government departments to the 12 major businesses, recognise this reality. It is so exciting to work together to build everything from an AI tool supporting recruiters to a way of sharing opportunities between companies, to reduce the number times a potential employee is sent back to the Jobcentre as they are building their career.

This partnership plans to create 500 more job opportunities for hidden talent in the West Midlands this year alone, and we cannot wait to expand it throughout the UK together in 2027.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

Here in the West Midlands, we have nearly 600,000 people who are out of work, and too many of them feel completely shut out of opportunity. Care leavers, prison leavers, young people who’ve struggled – these are all people who want to work, who want to build a future, but who keep hitting walls that others don’t. That’s both a moral failure and an economic one, because every person locked out of work is talent our economy is missing out on.

This challenge is too big for government or business to solve alone. But when local agencies, central government and purpose-driven businesses work as genuine partners from the start, not as an afterthought, real change becomes possible.

That’s exactly what this Economic Inactivity Partnership does, and our region is the right place to prove it. I’m determined that what we build here can shape how Britain tackles this challenge across the country.

James Jesic, Severn Trent Chief Executive said:

At Severn Trent, we’ve seen first-hand the difference removing barriers to work can make, and creating opportunities can be truly life changing to those who need it. We’re proud to be building something bigger through the Economic Inactivity Partnership and working alongside good business charity ReGenerate, to bring together government and business to drive real, meaningful change. Today’s launch is just the beginning, we’re determined that what starts here in the West Midlands really helps shape the future of hidden talent employment across the UK.
May 28, 2026