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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom will not waver in its defence of human rights – UK Statement at the UN Third Committee [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom will not waver in its defence of human rights – UK Statement at the UN Third Committee [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 October 2025.

    Statement by Eleanor Sanders, Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations at the General Debate of the UN Third Committee.

    This year, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we reflect on the enduring relevance of the UN Charter and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to its three founding pillars: peace and security, human rights, and development.

    The United Kingdom has always been a strong and principled supporter of the UN Human Rights System, which is critical to protecting and realising the human rights and freedoms of people all over the world.

    That is why we are seeking election to the Human Rights Council for the 2026–28 term, with the vote taking place next week. We champion equal and inalienable rights for all, and if elected, we will focus on practical action to realise our shared human rights commitments. 

    By protecting and promoting human rights, we help build stable, resilient, and inclusive societies that are the foundation for peace and cooperation.

    Today, the international human rights landscape faces profound and growing challenges.

    Ongoing conflict, the misuse of technology, persistent inequality, attacks on the rights of women and girls, climate risks, and unchecked abuse of power remain major concerns. As we confront these challenges, it is essential that our solutions place human rights and the rule of law at their heart.

    They are essential tools not afterthoughts or words on a page.

    This is no more vital than in Gaza, where we need an end to fighting, the release of all hostages, the restoration of aid and a lasting framework for peace.

    The man-made famine in Gaza is abhorrent.

    We urge Israel to ensure the protection of civilians and allow the free passage of humanitarian relief in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

    Diplomacy, not violence, is the way to achieve peace, stability and security across the region.

    In Ukraine, Russia continues to disregard the UN Charter through its illegal invasion. Across Ukraine and its temporarily occupied territories, civilians face violations and abuses of their right to life, liberty and security.

    The UN plays a crucial role in independently monitoring and documenting human rights abuses and violations.

    The most recent Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine Report concluded that Russia is committing violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, many of which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    Civilians are killed in their homes; children have been deported, indoctrinated and militarised; prisoners of war suffer widespread and systematic torture.

    Russia must be held to account for its despicable actions.

    We must do more to minimise suffering and prevent lives being shattered by violence and fear.

    In Myanmar, we condemn all human rights violations, especially by the Myanmar military, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure – including schools, hospitals and places of worship – are unacceptable.

    We have provided £900,000 in support to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and established the Myanmar Witness Programme to collect evidence of human rights violations, including identity-based violence. 

    Civil society play a critical role in helping to deliver our collective commitments to human rights for all, advancing accountable systems, empowering communities and holding states to account.

    In Syria, we welcome the progress made towards an inclusive political transition that prioritises a vibrant civil society. It is essential that reforms focus on social cohesion and an improved response to sectarian violence.

    Outside of conflict too, human rights are under threat.

    In 2023, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged China to review its national security and counter-terrorism laws in Xinjiang and strengthen protections for minorities.

    Yet credible evidence of ongoing violations continues to emerge, including in the OHCHR’s 2024 update and statements by UN Special Rapporteurs on Tibet.

    We urge China to respond constructively to these findings and engage meaningfully with UN mechanisms.

    We remain concerned about the national security legislation in Hong Kong, which has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK has called for this law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it, including UK and dual nationals.

    In Iran, over 1000 people were executed in the first nine months of 2025. We are witnessing sustained and widespread human rights violations by the Iranian authorities.

    On the week marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty, we repeat our calls on Iran to establish an immediate moratorium on executions.

    As we celebrate 30 years since the landmark Beijing Platform for Action, we continue to defend and champion the rights of women and girls globally. 

    This includes continuing our efforts to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls, and to promote comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, which are fundamental to gender equality and global health. 

    It means championing gender equality through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, including women’s economic empowerment and the rights of women and girls in situations of conflict and humanitarian crises.

    And as women and girls continue to be disproportionality impacted by climate change, it is vital that we mainstream their needs in response to the climate crisis and recognise them as critical leaders and agents of change.

    In Afghanistan, we condemn the appalling erosion of human rights, particularly for women and girls.

    The exclusion of women from all aspects of public life is a tragic setback for Afghanistan and its people.  

    We are deeply concerned by the Taliban’s ban on women accessing medical education and training in Afghanistan, including preventing women from becoming midwives and nurses. 

    We urge Taliban leaders to reverse their restrictions.

    For human rights to be universal, they need to apply equally to all people, including those with different sexual orientations and gender identities.

    The UK is unwavering in its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights for all, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other LGBT+ individuals. We are deeply concerned by the continued criminalisation, discrimination, and violence faced by LGBT+ communities in many parts of the world.

    Everyone, everywhere, should have dignity and respect. No one should face violence, persecution, or exclusion because of who they are, or who they love, or how they express themselves.

    As we look to the future, it is also essential that our commitment to human rights keeps pace with the rapid evolution of technology.

    Emerging technologies, including AI, offer opportunities to enhance the enjoyment of human rights, but also pose new risks, which we must safeguard against.

    That is why we are focused on maximising those benefits while working internationally to ensure that technology is developed to be safe, secure, and responsible.  

    The United Kingdom will not waver in its defence of human rights. We stand with all those whose voices are silenced, whose identities are criminalised, and whose dignity is denied. We remain a committed partner to the UN and its institutions to make this not an aspiration but a lived reality.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £50 million boost for groundbreaking mental health research [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : £50 million boost for groundbreaking mental health research [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 October 2025.

    People with mental health issues to benefit from groundbreaking research, backed by £50 million in government funding.

    • People with mental health issues to benefit from groundbreaking research, backed by £50 million in government funding, that could deliver more effective treatments
    • Poor mental health affects 1 in 4 people in England, and its impact costs the UK economy £300 billion a year
    • The Mental Health Goals programme will attract industry partnerships and commercial clinical trials to the UK, supporting our £100 billion life sciences sector to grow and delivering on Plan for Change

    People with experience of mental health problems will be brought into the heart of cutting edge research to develop more effective treatments, as part of up to £50 million funding being announced by the Government on Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October).

    This crucial work will make sure that the latest innovations in mental healthcare truly focus on solving the problems that could meaningfully change their lives. This backing will supercharge the efforts of researchers who are bringing the best of British science to help people manage their illness and prevent issues from escalating, with measures also planned to improve access to the UK’s world-class medical research data and facilities.

    Improving life for the millions of Britons living with mental health problems is one of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing the UK today. Poor mental health affects 1 in 4 people in England alone, and is the UK’s single biggest driver of disability, with enormous consequences on people’s quality of life.

    Similarly, the economic impact is vast, with mental health problems costing the economy some £300 billion a year owing to unemployment, staff absence, and the costs of care. Improving this picture forms an important part of delivering the health and economic growth missions that are central to the Plan for Change.

    The funding being announced today, on World Mental Health Day, will:

    • Be used to set up a cohort of 20,000 volunteers, whose health data can be securely used for mental health research. This will provide a better, data-driven, understanding of how our biology links to our mental health.
    • Enable the creation of an Industry Alliance Team: a new point of entry for innovators to get streamlined support to access to the UK’s high quality mental health research facilities, health data, as well as wider support in rapidly standing up clinical trials.
    • Launch a pioneering new Lived Experience Industry Partnership, to ensure that people who have actually experienced mental health problems are at the heart of how research is prioritised and undertaken by industry – giving them an impactful voice in this important work, so that efforts truly focus on tackling problems that can meaningfully change their lives.

    Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

    Mental health problems blight the lives of millions of people across the country. This isn’t something we should just accept. Scientific research has led to breakthroughs that are changing the game for physical problems, like cancer, and heart disease. We should be every bit as ambitious for what science can do in tackling mental health challenges as well.

    That is why this funding matters and what our Plan for Change delivers. By making the right resources readily accessible we can look to a future where mental health is tackled faster, more precisely, and more effectively.

    Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

    Too many people across Britain are struggling with poor mental health. It doesn’t have to be this way – and we’re determined to change it.

    That’s why we are building an NHS fit for the future, including by investing £50 million to back research into breakthrough treatments that could transform millions of lives through effective mental health support, tailored to their needs.

    We are also hiring 8,500 extra mental health workers, delivering more talking therapies and providing better access to help through the NHS App through our 10 Year Health Plan.

    Co-Chair of the Mental Health Goals programme, Professor Kathryn Abel, said:

    This programme goes far beyond funding research – it’s about creating a step change in the way we deliver innovation for improved mental health outcomes. Building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to make the UK the most attractive place in the world for mental health innovation is key for the investment needed for change. At its heart is a new kind of collaboration between people with lived experience and industry, built on mutual respect, aligned priorities and shared purpose. We cannot deliver meaningful progress without industry, and industry cannot succeed without listening to those most affected. This is how we change the system – together.

    Co-Chair of the Mental Health Goals programme, Professor Husseini Manji, said:

    With this landmark investment, we have the chance to do for mental health what has been done in other areas of medicine – turn cutting-edge science into real breakthroughs that change lives. By combining world-class research, powerful data, and the wisdom of lived experience, we will help develop novel therapies truly tailored to patients’ needs. By embedding lived experience at the heart of research, we will ensure that new therapies are designed not just to work in theory, but to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. Our goal is simple: to bring better care to everyone affected by mental health challenges.

    Up to £50 million will be delivered over the next 5 years, under the Government’s Mental Health Goals programme, which was set up to speed up the pace at which new mental health medicines, technologies and therapies can be tested, proven, and then put to work. The Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, will deliver investments enhancing mental health research data and digital infrastructure.

    A central part of the Mental Health Goals programme is ensuring people with lived experience of mental health problems have a genuinely meaningful voice as new treatments and therapies are worked on.

    One example of what this can look like in practice is the work by DATAMIND, a mental health research hub funded principally by the Medical Research Council. DATAMIND worked with people with lived experience of mental health problems to produce a plain-English glossary of commonly-used mental health data science terms. This is a simple tool with powerful results: helping people to understand and have greater influence over how their health data is being used, building trust, and supporting them to engage confidently with research and trials in which they are participating to shape it for the better.

    Major advances in genetics, neuroscience, imaging, and data science, as well emerging new digital technologies that could improve treatment, have immense potential to overhaul how we tackle mental health problems.

    Bolstered by today’s investment, the Mental Health Goals programme will support researchers, the NHS and patients to work together to seize this opportunity. Efforts to improve the story on mental health underpin the wider work of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, to unleash life sciences as a force to better our health and wealth, and the 10 Year Health Plan, which is moving the health service from treatment to prevention.

    Stakeholder support for the Mental Health Goals programme:

    Rachel Hastings-Caplan, Clinical Research Policy Manager at Rethink Mental Illness, said:

    We are delighted to see government investment to develop a new generation of effective mental health treatments. People living with severe mental illness often face limited treatment options and must rely on medications that, while lifesaving, can cause significant side effects. For too long there has been a need for greater investment in mental health research, coupled with improved research infrastructure within the NHS and the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience throughout the process. We are pleased that government is addressing these issues with this new initiative, which we hope will ensure mental health treatments that are effective and make a real difference in people’s lives.

    Dr Vanessa Pinfold, co-founder and research director at The McPin Foundation said:

    We welcome the ambition to put lived experience at the centre of this new investment in mental health research. Those with lived experience of mental health issues should always have a leading role in the design and delivery of this type of research, working as core partners and decision makers. Working with industry, trust needs to be developed carefully. Transparency must be built into the principle of all partnership working, and this level of resource and ambition demonstrates this will be possible. We hope that this investment is a commitment to long-lasting system change and better outcomes for those living with mental health issues.

    Andrew Davies, Executive Director of Digital Health at the ABHI said:

    Mental health remains one of the most significant societal challenges of our time, and we all have a responsibility to support better, more personalised and compassionate care. HealthTech has a vital role to play in this mission, from digital tools that enhance early diagnosis and treatment adherence, to technologies that enable continuous support and recovery. This investment represents an important step forward in harnessing the UK’s world-class research and innovation capabilities to deliver meaningful improvements for people living with mental health conditions.

     Miranda Wolpert, Director of Mental Health at Wellcome, said:

    Mental health conditions affect so many of us, yet for too many, current treatments can fall short. This new investment is a vital step towards unlocking the untapped potential of science to deliver more effective and personalised approaches. Crucially, by bringing people with lived experience together with industry experts , this programme ensures that innovation is driven by the needs of those it aims to serve. It’s an exciting opportunity to reshape mental health care in ways that can make a real and lasting difference.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of missiles delivered to Ukraine months ahead of schedule as UK leads Kyiv trade delegation [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of missiles delivered to Ukraine months ahead of schedule as UK leads Kyiv trade delegation [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 October 2025.

    Crucial missiles for Ukraine are months ahead of their delivery schedule, as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, led a UK trade delegation visit to Kyiv.

    • Hundreds of air defence missiles delivered five months early, with production creating UK jobs.
    • Follows Ukraine’s largest drone producer investing £200m to build drones in Britain, creating 500 jobs.
    • Comes as the UK leads trade delegation to Kyiv to increase military support for Ukraine.

    The missiles, manufactured in Belfast are used to defend Ukraine’s airspace and have been delivered five months ahead of schedule under the UK gifting programme. The same weapons, known as Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), have offered Ukraine protection against threats since Russia launched its illegal invasion in February 2022.

    The announcement comes as Belfast based Thales moves to the next phase of work with their Ukrainian partners. The latest phase of a £1.6 billion deal signed earlier in the year will enable those battle winning missiles to be integrated further into Ukraine’s air defence system, in a significant step for Ukraine’s own sovereign capabilities.

    The ongoing missile manufacturing work in the UK is directly creating 200 jobs as well as supporting a further 700 existing roles, driving economic growth and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

    The UK is stepping up our ironclad commitment to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. This year alone we are spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine, more than ever before.

    It was an honour to lead this trade delegation to Kyiv, and to see so many other countries participating in the event. Driving industrial partnerships is essential so that we can learn from their expertise and together build the industrial base we need to defend the UK, deter our adversaries and support Ukraine.

    Businesses from NATO countries attended Ukraine’s International Defence Industry Conference, demonstrating a united multinational industrial front with global allies and deepening industrial cooperation and military support in the face of Russia’s continued invasion.

    Deeper international collaboration between companies of all sizes is critical to Ukraine’s long-term defence industrial resilience and bolstering its efforts in the war.

    The industry forum saw hundreds of attendees come together to showcase the collective support for Ukraine. Trade missions between the UK and Ukraine have already resulted in more than 30 joint ventures and partnerships, leading to jobs, prosperity and reinforced security in both nations.

    Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:

    The UK’s defence industry stands united in our efforts to increase production capacity, develop innovative new capabilities, and build a resilient industrial ecosystem that endures against the most trying of circumstances. In what has been the most multinational trade mission to Kyiv of its kind, it has been an honour for industry to lead the UK in engaging both within Ukraine and with our Ukrainian counterparts.

    This week has been a stark reminder of the need to increase our industrial support and capacity across Europe. As illegal Russian aggression continues to intensify, European nations must come together and deepen their support. Continued industrial collaboration, both with our government counterparts and international allies, remains the only way we can secure a safe and prosperous future for the people of Ukraine.

    The partnership with Ukraine has resulted in major investment by Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer into the UK, as Ukrspecsystems will invest £200 million in two new facilities in the UK, creating 500 high-skilled jobs and boosting economic growth. 

    This week’s trade delegation visit follows a groundbreaking new technology sharing agreement, Programme LYRA, that will see UK will manufacture and jointly develop cutting-edge military equipment with Ukrainian industry, supporting hundreds of British jobs and strengthening both UK and Ukraine’s national security.

    This agreement recently saw an industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine to jointly develop an advanced new air defence interceptor drone, named Project OCTOPUS. It will lead to the UK mass producing thousands of drones per month to provide Ukraine support in its ongoing fight for freedom.

    These interceptor drones are considerably cheaper than regular air defence missiles and are highly effective in countering the waves of one-way attack drones Russia continues to launch at Ukrainian cities. 

    As part of the historic UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, UK Defence Exports (UKDE) has created the ‘Working with Ukraine’s Defence Sector’ guide for SMEs. This first-of-its-kind resource provides comprehensive guidance on procurement pathways, coalition and donor mechanisms, partnership models, and contact points.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Threatened species and precious habitats to be better protected with new funding boost for overseas conservation projects [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Threatened species and precious habitats to be better protected with new funding boost for overseas conservation projects [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 October 2025.

    New funding for local projects across 12 UK Overseas Territories and 36 developing countries over the next five years.

    • The package will support local action to restore nature, reduce poverty and address climate change around the world
    • This will help protect 1.5 million hectares of forest in Bolivia, recover St Helena’s cloud forest and support critically endangered eagles in the Philippines

    Vital ecosystems and threatened species such as tigers, Philippine eagles, reef sharks, Amazon parrots and sea turtles across the globe are set to benefit from new government funding announced today (Thursday 9th October).

    80 local projects spread across 36 developing countries and 12 UK Overseas Territories, will be funded with the aim of restoring ecosystems, safeguarding nature, securing food and water supplies and improving lives.

    Supporting nature restoration across the world is a crucial part of protecting the long-term health of our economy. More than half of the global economy is estimated to be dependent in some way on the ecosystem services that nature provides.

    Some of the projects receiving funding include: 

    • Bolivian forests – UK investment will help protect up 1.5 million hectares of vital forest, prevent the loss of 200,000 hectares, generate new income for indigenous communities, and secure water supplies.
    • Cloud forest of St Helena – A unique cloud forest which locals depend upon for capturing fresh water will be protected through a project led by the RSPB which will improve water security, and address the key threats of plant pathogens and invasive species.
    • Eagles in the Philippines – A project led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International will help restore the highly biodiverse tropical rainforest of the Pantaron Mountain Range, while improving the livelihoods of local indigenous communities and promoting the protection of the endemic and critically endangered Philippine eagle.
    • Lemurs in Madagascar – A project based in Madagascar will promote regenerative agricultural practices to support reforestation efforts in high-altitude rainforests, improving food security and nutrition for farmers and their families while expanding habitat for eleven endangered lemur species and other unique Malagasy wildlife.

    Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:  

    If we want to prosper into the future, then supporting international action to protect nature is essential.

    When ecosystems break down, food, water, health and economies unravel – fuelling instability, insecurity, and conflict across the globe. By supporting nature recovery across the world today, we are protecting our security and economic prosperity for the future.

    This government is taking action, both in the UK and more widely, to help nature recover and protect some of the world’s most iconic species.

    Shayla Ellick, the RSPB’s St Helena project manager said:

    Thanks to vital support through the Darwin Plus programme, we’re continuing essential research and conservation work to restore St Helena’s cloud forest, home to over 250 species of plants and invertebrates found nowhere else on Earth and the main water source for the people of St Helena.

    We were delighted to receive this latest grant, which builds on our partnership with the St Helena Government, the St Helena National Trust, and Connect Saint Helena, and on previous work funded by the FCDO and through many previous Darwin Plus projects. Together, we’re working to restore this unique ecosystem.

    The money for these projects comes from two funds, the Darwin Initiative, targeting action in low- and middle-income countries, and Darwin Plus, which funds projects supporting biodiversity and conservation projects across the UK Overseas Territories. Since 1993, the Darwin Initiative has awarded over £230m to more than 1,275 projects across 159 countries.

    We also recently announced that a new batch of successful projects will receive funding through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund from October 2025. By tackling illegal wildlife trade – which is often linked to wider criminal networks – we are not only protecting endangered species, but also supporting safer communities, stronger economies and legitimate businesses around the world. 

    The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, another of the UK government’s flagship Biodiversity Challenge Funds, supports innovative and scalable projects that reduce pressure on wildlife from illegal trade and reduce poverty in developing countries.   

    This announcement was made at an event at the Natural History Museum where UK government is working to galvanise international action ahead of COP30. 

    Britain is taking a leading role on the world stage in tackling the twin threats of climate change and nature loss.  We are working with our partners across the world to build global ambition on nature – accelerating delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework, meeting our 30×30 commitment and showing leadership at home by reversing biodiversity loss.

    ENDS 

    NOTES TO EDITORS 

    • The Darwin Initiative is one of the UK government’s flagship Biodiversity Challenge Funds, and awards grants that enable low and middle-income countries to conserve their unique biodiversity, reduce poverty and address climate change.
    • Darwin Plus competitively awards grants to projects that aim to deliver long-term strategic outcomes for the unique biodiversity within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs), supporting the communities who live and work in biodiverse areas to build resilience to climate change.   
    • The total funding included in this package is more than £35 million across over 80 projects.
    • BirdLife International Forest Impact Accelerator Plus – In partnership with BirdLife International, we’re supporting efforts across eight countries (Bolivia, Zambia, Philippines, Nepal, Uganda, Sao Tome and Principe, Kenya, and Indonesia) to engage the private sector in conserving one million hectares of forest, while tackling poverty in the areas around these forests.   
    • Recovering St Helena’s cloud forest for wildlife & water security – The unique cloud forest of St Helena, which locals depend upon for capturing fresh water will be protected through a project led by the RSPB which will improve water security, and provide a model for other key habitats by addressing the key threats of plant pathogens and invasive species, and creating a framework for restoration.
    • Nature’s Neighbours: Sustainable Coexistence between Indigenous People and Philippine Eagles – A project led by Botanical Gardens Conservation International will help restore the highly biodiverse tropical rainforest of the Pantaron Mountain Range, while improving the livelihoods of local indigenous communities and promoting the protection of the endemic and critically endangered Philippine eagle.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 October 2025.

    Ambassador Holland thanks the Secretary General for his presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal, and underlines the UK’s commitment to supporting a positive outcome on OSCE finances.

    Thank you, Secretary General, for your presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal, and for reminding us of the significant financial challenges facing this organisation.

    The United Kingdom recognises and is grateful for the considerable work that has gone into this proposal. We will continue to study the detail carefully, and will respond with more specific questions and points during the upcoming fund manager presentations to the ACMF.

    The UK appreciates that agreeing a Unified Budget for 2026 will be a difficult task. We deeply regret that participating States have been unable to reach consensus on a Unified Budget since 2021, and we recognise that the extended period without a budget or a revised Post Table has impacted the organisation’s ability to respond flexibly to emerging requirements. We commend the efforts of all OSCE staff and structures in delivering against their mandates under the most difficult of circumstances. It is vital that we – as participating States – engage constructively to find solutions which ensure the OSCE is adequately resourced and able to function effectively.

    The UK stands ready to engage constructively in discussions around the 2026 budget, including on future Chair’s Proposals which prioritise putting the OSCE on a more sustainable financial footing while also taking account of global financial realities. We believe it is important that the organisation’s core activities continue to be funded through the Unified Budget to ensure sustainability and predictability.

    Mr Chair, the UK remains committed to supporting a positive outcome on OSCE finances. I encourage all colleagues to focus on the bigger picture at this difficult time for the organisation. I wish Switzerland well in developing the first Chair’s proposal, and thank Finland for their continued efforts towards agreement of the 2025 budget.

    We strongly encourage all participating States to engage constructively and flexibly to achieve consensus on our organisation’s Unified Budget. Most pressingly this means us reaching consensus on the budget for 2025 as a vital first step. We can then build on that through the 2026 budget process to drive necessary reform and prioritisation.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Job advisers to be embedded in GP surgeries as tens of thousands more sick and disabled people offered help into work [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Job advisers to be embedded in GP surgeries as tens of thousands more sick and disabled people offered help into work [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 9 October 2025.

    Over 40,000 more sick or disabled people will receive intensive employment support to move into secure, fulfilling work and out of poverty, thanks to a £167.2 million boost to the Connect to Work programme.

    • Nine further areas across England to benefit from a £167 million investment in Connect to Work – the programme that refuses to write off sick or disabled people.
    • Funding includes putting specialist employment advisers in GP surgeries and mental health services, and community-based referral partners.
    • Comes as part of £1 billion investment to unlock people’s potential, breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Plan for Change.

    The expansion will see the programme rolled out to nine further areas across England, including Cumbria, Oxfordshire, and West Sussex and Brighton, helping those who may have been excluded from the job market to take steps towards employment.

    Total funding is now set to reach over £1 billion across England and Wales over the next five years and provide 300,000 sick or disabled people with help to get into work by the end of the decade.

    With 2.8 million people out of work due to health conditions, it’s part of the Government’s plan to get Britain working again and ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive by modernising jobcentres, locally driven support, and delivering a Youth Guarantee so every young person is either earning or learning. The programme gives areas the resources they need to tailor their support based on local needs and opportunities, helping people with a range of health conditions to find and fulfil potential to work.

    Support includes embedding specialist advisers directly within healthcare teams – from GP surgeries to mental health services – treating employment support as holistic care, while areas such as Portsmouth, the North East and East Sussex are also:

    • Connecting people from community-based health programmes to dedicated employment support.
    • Using Virtual Reality immersive classrooms to support people with interview practice.
    • Helping parents and families access affordable childcare so they can re-enter the workforce.
    • Running workshops to improve participants’ confidence and communication skills.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

    Writing off people with long-term health conditions or disabilities fails them and fails our economy.

    We are giving people a hand up, not a handout, realising their potential and providing them with the skills to succeed as part of our Plan for Change.

    Thanks to local areas hitting the ground running, it is already delivering results – proving that when we invest in people and communities, everyone wins.

    Minister of State for Health Stephen Kinnock said:

    Employment support can be a crucial part of good health, but for too long, we’ve treated health and work in isolation. Our 10 Year Health Plan sets out how we are bringing the two together, through innovative schemes like this one.

    For many people, getting help finding the right work could be as an important part of their prescription as the correct physio or medication.

    This investment is just what the doctor ordered and will help thousands more find the help they need to get back into a job.

    Over one-in-four people out of work cite sickness as a barrier to employment – up from one-in-ten in 2012, while over one-in-three people on Universal Credit have a disability or health condition that limits their ability to work.

    Connect to Work advisers work closely with each person to understand their individual circumstances, career aspirations, and any barriers they face, ensuring the support provided is genuinely tailored to help them secure work that is both suitable and sustainable.

    For people like Chris, this approach has been life-changing:

    Since the start of my journey on Connect to Work, it has given me my confidence back following my accident.

    I have been signposted to organisations to improve my computer skills and I’ve now completed three courses, which will support me in my new career in site management.

    Connect to Work also funded my Site Management Safety Training Scheme course, which has opened more options and played a significant role in my personal development, helping me to stay motivated and focused – I’m extremely thankful for the support.

    Connect to Work is unique in being locally designed and delivered. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, areas are empowered to shape the support around what works best for their communities and target funding where it’s needed most – whether that’s understanding local job markets, cultural needs, or specific challenges their residents face.

    Some of the areas to receive funding today are:

    • The North East: Up to £49.7 million to support 13,800 people who’ve been written off for too long.
    • The South Midlands: Up to £32 million helping 8,050 people across five council areas.
    • Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay: Up to £22.8 million giving 5,950 people their chance.

    North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:

    The North East is an amazing place to work but too many people are facing barriers when they’re trying to find a job.

    However, that’s all about to change as we help thousands of people back to the workplace with tailored support that tackles the issues they’re facing.

    It’s all part of our New Deal for North East Workers, we’re helping local people secure the jobs that work for them. Because when everyone can succeed, our communities and our economy thrive.

    With over £1 billion committed over five years, Connect to Work shows the impact that providing meaningful support can have – one person, one job, one new opportunity at a time.

    Additional Information

    • Connect to Work is voluntary and open to anyone who is disabled, has a health condition, or faces complex barriers to work and meets the programme’s criteria. It supports people to get in or back into work but also people in work at risk of losing their jobs due to their barriers.
    • People can self-refer or be referred by healthcare professionals, councils, or community organisations.
    • Funding for Portsmouth and Solent Connect to Work was announced in September 2025 with the area receiving up to £11.5 million to support 3,600 people.
    • The £1 billion for Connect to Work is separate from the Pathways to Work funding.
  • PRESS RELEASE : First illegal migrants returned under new UK-France agreement [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : First illegal migrants returned under new UK-France agreement [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 October 2025.

    Under the landmark UK-France migration deal, the first groups of small boats arrivals to the UK have been successfully removed on flights to France.

    The first group removals of small boat migrants under the UK’s landmark migration treaty with France have now taken place, marking another momentous step in the government’s efforts to dismantle the criminal networks profiting from human misery.

    The UK-France treaty grants the UK decisive new powers to detain and rapidly remove individuals who enter illegally via small boats, blocking access to the UK asylum system.

    Over the past week, 2 group flights saw 19 individuals returned to France, following the successful returns of an additional 7 individuals in the last month. The second group flight arrived in France earlier today before continuing its journey to Eastern Europe as part of the government’s regular schedule of returns flights.

    Further flights to France under this pilot scheme are scheduled to take place over the coming days and weeks.

    In addition, the UK government continues to work with France to operate a tightly controlled legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK, subject to rigorous security checks. Nine arrivals entered the UK this week through this route.

    This pilot scheme will continue to be ramped up, with both countries having committed to continuously improving the process of this innovative approach.

    The Home Office today has released content from the first group flight last week, including footage of migrants boarding and the aircraft departing.

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

    We must put an end to these dangerous crossings which put lives at risk and money in the pockets of criminal gangs.

    The contrast couldn’t be clearer. The last government’s Rwanda scheme took years and cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and failed to forcefully remove a single person. In a matter of weeks, we’ve returned 26 through our historic agreement with France.

    With flights to France now underway and ramping up, we are sending out a clear message: if you come here illegally, you face being detained and removed, so think twice before making that journey.

    On top of this work, enforcement activity continues to be ramped up, with the National Crime Agency carrying out over 350 disruptions against people-smuggling networks last year – a 40% increase on the previous year.

    Over 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK have been returned, with asylum-related returns up 28% year-on-year.

    The Home Office is now issuing over 31,000 initial asylum decisions every quarter – triple the average under the previous government.

    This co-ordinated approach – combining decisive enforcement action, international cooperation, and controlled routes – demonstrates the government’s comprehensive Plan for Change to strengthen our borders while upholding our humanitarian obligations and dismantling the criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 175 Years since the Public Libraries Act [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : 175 Years since the Public Libraries Act [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 October 2025.

    Baroness Twycross gave the keynote speech at the charity, Libraries Connected, celebration event at Manchester Central Library to mark the 175th anniversary of the first ever Public Libraries Act.

    Earlier this week, I was privileged to be at the reopening of the library in Muswell Hill.

    The refurbishment is part of a £4.9 million investment in their library estate by the London Borough of Haringey.

    One person, who used the library as a child, described the reopening as a ‘homecoming’ and there was a genuine excitement about the much loved building being open for business again.

    As someone who always has at least one book on the go, for whom a weekend or holiday well spent is measured in books read, being Libraries’ Minister is an absolute delight and privilege.

    Some of my own earliest memories are of being taken to the library. My mum walking us to West Norwood Library in London.

    The amazing feeling of being allowed to choose a whole five books to take home.

    Those five books each a passport to five different worlds, each waiting to be unlocked.

    When I was finally old enough – I would get the bus into town on a Saturday morning and go to the library then to Woolworths for pick and mix.

    Woolworths has long gone, but the library is still there, serving the next generation and probably the one after that. 

    I remember our school librarian helping me pick out books—guiding me towards books I was unfamiliar with, a new adventure between the pages of a story.

    So I am sure, like me, you are delighted that the Chancellor last week confirmed this government’s £10 million commitment to have a library in every primary school by the end of this parliament.

    I was fortunate to have books at home, to be encouraged to read and to be read to. I remember my father reading the ‘chapter books’.

    The sheer anticipation as he turned the page to unleash the terror within 101 Dalmatians, the gentle wisdom of Charlotte’s Web, or the mayhem of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

    The act of sharing a story instilled in me not just a love of words – a love of literature – but the fundamental understanding that stories connect us.

    You already know that this marks me out as one of the lucky ones. One of the children whose imagination and attainment was encouraged and lifted by being read to, and by reading for pleasure.

    You know this because you are the guardians of our libraries.

    And I would like to start by thanking you for everything you do – and everything you will do – to make sure that the next 175 years of public libraries are as relevant and as valuable as the first 175 years.

    What marked those very first public libraries out was how they opened up knowledge, information, and creativity to those who could not afford either a subscription to a library, or to buy books themselves.

    At their heart – and in their original form – our libraries are engines of social mobility – a radical opening up of access to information.

    Founded on the notion that everyone should have equal access to knowledge.

    In an age of digital connectedness, where information and ‘facts’ are disputed this trust and this universality is key.

    Libraries are a unique public service open to everyone.

    From toddlers attending their first rhyme time session to pensioners accessing digital services or simply enjoying an afternoon with the daily newspaper.

    The library’s civic function has never been more vital.

    You are bridging the attainment gap, one child, one book, one successful job application written on your computers at a time.

    Librarians are up there as being among the most trusted of all professions. This is a trust earned through professionalism, and a dedication to the truth.

    In an age of mis- and dis-information, the principle of free access to information enshrined in the Public Libraries Act 1850 remains a core principle now. We are witnessing a moment in history where the ability to distinguish truth from lie is critically essential.

    The public library is arguably the purest expression of democracy in action—the idea that knowledge should be freely available to all citizens, regardless of their background or ability to pay.

    The perception of the library as a strictly silent, solemn place belongs to the past.

    One of my first visits to a library as Libraries’ Minister was to Rugby. A library which proudly states on its merchandise ‘we don’t shush, we roar’.

    This simple slogan encapsulates the spirit of the library as a magnificent community hub.

    A welcoming place where residents can speak to their bank, play the piano, use a 3D printer, grab a coffee and where students have a safe space to study. 

    This is the library of the 21st century: a comprehensive public service delivered under one roof and a safe space – signposting people to other services.

    Rugby library is one in which – like so many other libraries – reading to children, and reading for pleasure is at the heart of what they do.

    But one which also acts as an inclusive space that in the month I visited was proudly celebrating Pride Month. 

    175 years on from the 1850 Act, libraries have adapted to a changing society and evolving user needs.

    From the provision of e-books and e-audio to enhanced children’s spaces and early years activities, community partnerships, employability and business support and cultural experiences, libraries continue to deliver a meaningful and impactful service for local people.

    Indeed, the sheer breadth of services you now provide is astonishing.

    Whether it is:

    • Health services, such as those I saw in Harlesden.
    • Or DWP services, such as those I saw in Dagenham
    • Boosting growth and entrepreneurship through business support advice provided through the national network of Business and Intellectual Property Centres like the one I saw in Leeds, alongside its boisterous children’s play area. 

    Everything libraries deliver, is delivered alongside and inspired by the principle of encouraging literacy, open access to knowledge and opening up opportunities to all.

    Libraries are strong partners in delivering the government’s Plan for Change.

    We want to work with library services to inform, engage, and connect the public.

    From supporting health and wellbeing to building businesses and from building stronger, more resilient communities to showcasing high-quality arts and cultural experiences.

    Our Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, speaks passionately about libraries as part of the local cultural and creative landscape in communities as part of her vision for Arts Everywhere.

    Libraries can often be the first place a young person might get exposure to the arts and music.

    Libraries already do lots of work in this area through community events and provision of specialist facilities.

    But we can do more and go further.

    Especially in reaching children and young people who have less opportunity for music enrichment and for whom the library – local and familiar – is a much more accessible space.

    Lisa is very keen to find ways to further support libraries to make this happen. 

    One of my key ambitions as libraries minister is to see strong partnerships built across the library sector to strengthen and enhance the value of all libraries.

    I am pleased that what I have heard about the Libraries Alliance suggests that it will seek to pursue this aim.

    Libraries across all sectors – public, schools, academic, prisons – share a vision and common ambition to provide free access to information and support.

    You already know this but the numbers are worth repeating. A third of the adult population visited a library in the past year.

    Libraries have 6 million members and a total of 143 million physical visits a year.

    There is no doubt that libraries form part of the essential services to communities. Yet, we still need to do more to open up library services to engage underrepresented groups.

    For my part, I will continue to promote the critical contribution public libraries can and do make to so many important Government strategic objectives to my ministerial colleagues across the whole of government.

    But to do this, I need your help – by providing me with robust data on library usage and impact – quantitative as well as qualitative –  that I can use to help me to make your case.

    Next year is, as you will know, the Year of Reading.

    This offers the opportunity for us to focus on groups – particularly boys aged 10-16 – who are least likely to read for pleasure.

    The Year of Reading has been embraced by libraries across the country.

    I know all of you here will do whatever you can to use it to democratise reading, in the truest sense.

    To unlock the joy of reading and the opportunities it presents across society.

    We recognise the irreplaceable value of the service you provide and the pressure you are under.

    Creating and supporting the amazing libraries serving communities across the length and breadth of the country costs money.

    We know that local government finances have faced huge challenges over recent years.

    This has led to closures and cuts in library services in some areas.

    A huge amount of ingenuity has been used to support the statutory library services.

    This government is determined to get local government finances back on a stable and sustainable footing.

    I also know that there are some concerns about what our plans for devolution mean for libraries in affected areas.

    The goal of devolution is to bring decision-making closer to local communities. We think this is the right goal.

    However, we will work with you to maintain the principle of a comprehensive and efficient library service for everyone.

    I was delighted that we secured funding for a new round of the Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) administered by the Arts Council.

    The successful bids for the £5.5 million pot of funding will be announced next March, and I look forward to seeing the transformative impact they will have.

    We have already seen incredible results from this fund.

    Projects such as the transformation of the first floor of Wythenshawe library. Their use of  Libraries Improvement Funding to create a multi-functional culture, creative, digital media and community hub has shown the impact libraries can have in improving local cultural infrastructure with government support.

    This is the model of the future: integrated, vibrant, and multi-purpose.

    And I was delighted to see how the London Borough of Brent had developed two of its libraries through Libraries Improvement Funding, to enable more residents to access services in new and innovative ways.

    And how Warwickshire Libraries used their Libraries Improvement Funding to extend their sensory offer by bringing Discovery Den, the first Sensory Mobile Public Library to the UK. These examples demonstrate the ingenuity and vision that exists across our service.

    They show us that with targeted investment, the public library can and will continue to adapt to the diverse, complex needs of the 21st century population.

    From the first Public Libraries Act 175 years ago to the dynamic community hubs you manage today, the mission remains the same: to open up knowledge, opportunity, and imagination to every single citizen, regardless of their circumstances.

    You are not only custodians of books; you are custodians of trust, of truth, and of our shared potential. You are the guardians of a system that turns a simple choice of five books into a lifetime of opportunity.

    Thank you for your tireless work, your unwavering professionalism, and your profound belief in the power of a book, a safe space, and a community that cares. Let us ensure that together, we don’t just preserve our libraries, but we allow them to roar.

  • PRESS RELEASE : India-UK Joint Statement [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : India-UK Joint Statement [October 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 October 2025.

    India-UK Joint Statement (9 October 2025)

    1.At the invitation of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, Hon’ble Prime Minister of the United Kingdom paid an official visit to India from 08-09 October 2025. Prime Minister Starmer was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Scotland the Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Minister for Investment Mr. Jason Stockwood, and 125 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university Vice Chancellors and cultural leaders.

    2.This is Prime Minister Starmer’s first official visit to India. The visit follows the visit of Prime Minister of India to the United Kingdom on 23–24 July 2025, during which both sides signed the historic India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and adopted the India – UK Vision 2035 and a Defence Industrial Roadmap.

    3.Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer delivered keynote addresses at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai on 09 October 2025. The Leaders held restricted as well as delegation-level talks in Mumbai on 09 October 2025, where they expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed common commitment to global peace, stability, and a rules-based international order. They also discussed global and regional issues of mutual interests.

    Growth

    4.The Prime Ministers welcomed the meeting of the CEO Forum in Mumbai on the sidelines of the India-UK Summit. Both leaders looked forward to the ratification of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as early as possible to realise its benefits.

    5.The Prime Ministers also welcomed the re-setting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) which will support the governance and utilisation of the CETA and drive forward our wider trade and investment partnership.

    6.The strong business delegation accompanying UK Prime Minister demonstrated the opportunities for investment in both countries in the focus sectors of construction, infrastructure and clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, education, sport, culture, financial and professional business services, science, technology and innovation, consumer goods and food. The existing UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB), between NITI Aayog and City of London Corporation, is an example of our shared ambitions for sustainable growth.

    7.Both Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to improving connectivity and enhancing cooperation in the aviation sector and welcomed that both sides are discussing the renewal of India-UK Air Services Agreement, along with other aviation related matters. This provides an opportunity for both countries for closer cooperation across the aerospace sector.

    Technology and Innovation

    8.The Prime Ministers of India and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their shared commitment to harnessing frontier technologies to drive inclusive economic growth, strengthen national security, and shape the future of global innovation. Building on the landmark Technology Security Initiative (TSI), both leaders welcomed the tangible progress made across critical and emerging technologies, including telecommunications, critical minerals, AI, and health tech.

    9.Under the TSI, the leaders expressed happiness at the establishment of:

    • The India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, a joint hub focused on developing AI native network for 6G, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and cyber security for telecoms, with at least £24m of joint funding in the first phase of the project.
    • The India–UK Joint Centre for AI, advancing responsible and trustworthy AI across health, climate, fintech, and engineering biology.
    • UK – India Critical Minerals Processing and Downstream Collaboration Guild to build concrete partnerships which strengthen and diversify critical mineral supply chains and deliver investment and growth in both nations. We also announce Phase 2 of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory to expand Mineral coverage, further integrate advanced technologies, unlock new bilateral investment opportunities and establish a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.

    10.The UK and India continue to work together to advance biotechnology with strategic partnerships being signed between institutions like Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) UK and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) institutions in India, Henry Royce Institute (HRI) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and BRIC – Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD), to deliver transformative outcomes in Biomanufacturing, 3D Bioprinting, and Genomics.

    Defence and Security

    11.The Leaders agreed to expand bilateral exchanges between the armed forces of India and UK through joint exercises, training and capacity building. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the port call of UK’s Carrier Strike Group and the Royal Navy’s exercise KONKAN with the Indian Navy. Both sides committed to robust maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

    12.In the context of cooperation on training, the two Leaders welcomed progress on an arrangement that will see Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors integrated into UK Royal Air Force training, alongside an agreement that will facilitate our strong training and education relationship.

    13.Both Prime Ministers are pleased to confirm the intent to finalise an India – UK Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on cooperation in developing maritime electric propulsion systems for the Indian Naval platforms.

    14.Both leaders also announced the agreement to proceed via government to government route on an initial supply of the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems. This will further support India’s air defence capabilities and, in the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, meet the current and future requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defence, and support a long-term collaboration on complex weapons between our two countries.

    15.The two Prime Ministers unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. They called for zero tolerance for terrorism and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. They agreed to counter radicalisation and violent extremism; combat financing of terrorism and the cross-border movement of terrorists; prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes; tackle terrorist recruitment; enhance cooperation in information sharing, judicial co-operation, capacity building; and strengthen bilateral and multilateral co-operation in these spheres, at the UN and FATF. They condemned in the strongest terms the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. They committed to strengthen co-operation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terrorists, terror entities and their sponsors.

    Climate and Energy

    16.The Leaders reaffirmed the importance of collaboration to achieve net-zero goals. The Prime Ministers welcomed the ‘India-UK Climate Finance Initiative’ to enable scaling up of climate finance, unlocking green growth and new investment opportunities for both countries. They announced a new joint investment in the Climate Tech Start-up Fund. This strategic initiative under the MoU between the UK Government and State Bank of India will enhance support for innovative entrepreneurs working in frontier sectors such as climate technology and AI, driving innovation and fostering growth.

    17.The Leaders welcomed the establishment of Offshore Wind Taskforce. They reiterated their intent to explore possibilities for working together under the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA).

    Education, Culture and People to People

    18.The leaders underlined the importance of youth, cultural and educational exchanges in shaping the future of the bilateral relationship. They expressed commitment to the first Annual Ministerial Strategic Education Dialogue, and the implementation of the Programme of Cultural Co-operation signed by both Ministers of Culture in May 2025.

    19.Acknowledging education as a key area of bilateral cooperation both sides expressed happiness on the progress in opening of campuses of nine leading UK universities in India. The University of Southampton has welcomed its inaugural cohort of Indian students to its campus in Gurugram. The University Grants Commission has also handed over Letters of Intent (LoI) for establishment of branch campuses of University of Liverpool, University of York, University of Aberdeen and University of Bristol in India. Further, Queens University of Belfast and Coventry University have been authorised to open their branch campus in GIFT City. During the visit, Indian authorities also handed over the LoIs for opening of campus of Lancaster University in Bengaluru and in-principle approval for opening campus of University of Surrey in GIFT City.

    20.The Prime Ministers expressed their commitment to continue implementing the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP). While noting the progress in cooperation for curbing irregular migration, both sides reiterated their commitment to continue collaborating in this domain.

    21.Both Leaders recognised the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom as a living bridge between the two countries and appreciated its contribution to strengthening bilateral economic, cultural, and societal links. The Leaders acknowledged the potential of the UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation to bring together the talent in both countries in the areas of Culture, Creative Industries, Arts, Tourism and Sports.

    Regional and Multilateral Cooperation

    22.The Prime Ministers reiterated their shared commitment to global peace, prosperity and rules-based international order. They agreed to work closely in promoting reformed multilateralism, including reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The UK reiterated its long-standing support for India’s legitimate aspirations for permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.

    23.The Leaders acknowledged that the shared values of 2.5 billion peoples spread across diverse geographies constituting the Commonwealth was its strength. They agreed to work closely in the areas of Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Youth Engagement with the new leadership at the Commonwealth Organisation.

    24.The two Prime Ministers expressed support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. They welcomed the ongoing diplomatic efforts by various countries to achieve this.

    25.They reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, calling for restraint, protection of civilians and to comply with international law, and refrain from taking actions that could further escalate the situation and compromise regional stability. They expressed their support for the US peace plan for Gaza and their commitment to working with regional partners to secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the release of the hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid, and their shared commitment to a lasting and just peace as a step towards a Two-State solution, with a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state.

    26.Prime Minister Starmer thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warmth and hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation. The visit reaffirmed the strong growth and positive trajectory of the India – UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which is built upon shared democratic values and deep and enduring bonds of friendship between the two countries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Fraudster, Haralambos Ioannou, spent Covid loan funds on gambling and crypto investments [October 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Fraudster, Haralambos Ioannou, spent Covid loan funds on gambling and crypto investments [October 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 9 October 2025.

    • Haralambos Ioannou fraudulently applied for two separate Bounce Back Loans worth a total of £100,000 for Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd 
    • He spent large amounts of one loan on gambling, crypto investments, cash withdrawals and payments to his then wife  
    • The 49-year-old received a suspended sentence of 22-months in custody with 150 hours of unpaid work to be completed

    The boss of a glazing firm who fraudulently applied for two Covid Bounce Back loans and spent significant sums on gambling and crypto investments has received a sentence of 22 months in custody, suspended for two years. 

    Just months into the pandemic, Haralombos Ioannou secured two maximum-value £50,000 Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only allowed one.   

    The 49-year-old used the first loan legitimately for his glass-fitting company, Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd.  

    However, money from the second loan was used for personal purposes, breaking the rules of the scheme. 

    Ioannou, of Cow Lane, Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire, but previously of South London, was given a 22-month suspended sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday 7 October. 

    Ioannou was also disqualified as a company director for five years and ordered to pay £40,000 in compensation as well as complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

    David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Haralambos Ioannou exploited the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by fraudulently applying for a second Bounce Back Loan when companies could apply for one loan of up to £50,000 for support during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

    He not only fraudulently applied for a second loan but then spent it on activities which had nothing to do with his company’s operations such as gambling, crypto-investments, cash withdrawals and payments to his then partner. 

    The Insolvency Service remains committed to taking robust action against those who abused the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. Government-backed schemes were a lifeline for businesses during the pandemic, and we will continue to pursue those who deliberately  exploited this support at the taxpayers’ expense.

    Ioannou was the sole director of Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd, which was set up in October 2019. 

    The 49-year-old submitted an application for a first loan of £50,000 in May 2020, stating his company’s 2019 turnover was £216,000. 

    He then submitted an application for a second loan of £50,000, but this time declared Opti-Bond’s turnover in 2019 was £236,000. 

    Ioannou received the £100,000 within an eight-day period between late June and early July 2020. 

    After receiving the second loan, Ioannou made 38 transactions totalling almost £20,000 to his personal account. 

    In the same period, around £25,000 of payments were made to gambling companies from this personal account. 

    Aside from gambling, approximately £8,000 of the second loan was transferred to investment and crypto-investment companies. 

    Almost £6,000 of the loan was withdrawn from ATM machines, whilst a further £16,000 of this loan was also transferred to an account in the name of Ioannou’s now ex-wife. 

    Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd entered liquidation in November 2021 but Ioannou failed to inform the liquidator of the company’s first Bounce Back Loan as he was legally required to do.

    Further information

    • Haralambos Ioannou is of Cow Lane, Edlesborough. His date of birth is 21 June 1976. 
    • Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd (company number 08716051)