Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : New deal for young people to end ‘degree by default’ culture and boost youth apprenticeships [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New deal for young people to end ‘degree by default’ culture and boost youth apprenticeships [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 22 June 2026.

    Government promises to deliver a “new deal for young people” with real opportunities to work and renewed social contract where hard work pays off.

    Ministers will unveil plans to crack down on poor‑quality university courses and shift investment further towards youth apprenticeships, as part of a ‘new deal for young people’. 

    The deal delivers a renewed social contract with better opportunities to give young people real choices and real chances to get on, whether through university or high‑quality apprenticeships that lead to decent pay and long‑term careers.

    It comes as too many young people feel university is the only route to success and are working hard for degrees that don’t deliver the future they were promised, as they miss out on better opportunities while amassing thousands in debt.

    While university was once a clear route to social mobility, particularly for working class people, the reality for today’s generation of young people has significantly changed.

    Many students hugely benefit from a degree, and the UK’s university sector is rightly world leading.  But the outdated belief that university is the only path to success has led to a ‘degree by default’ mindset – resulting in too many young people working tirelessly for degrees that don’t unlock the best opportunities to make the most of their talent and hard work.

    Meanwhile poor-quality courses have been profiting from students’ earnest aspirations to achieve a degree and unlock life-changing opportunities.

    Ministers will argue that the needs of this generation of young people have been ignored by successive governments, while the world of work evolved around them and left them behind without the skills they need to succeed.  

    As Alan Milburn’s report outlined, around 1 in 7 young people who are currently not in employment, education or training have a university degree – underlining the need to reform the higher education system so it delivers better outcomes for young people. 

    This government is delivering a decisive break from that past and stepping in to fix a system that has held too many young people back. At the heart of the government’s new deal for working people is further action to tackle poor-quality degrees, helping young people find and access the prestigious alternatives to build strong foundations for their working lives. 

    A major shift in skills funding towards apprenticeships for young people will help ensure students don’t drift into university courses that aren’t right for them. This will help reverse the long‑term decline in starts and refocusing the system on giving young people their first step on the career ladder.

    It is part of a wider drive to tackle youth unemployment and will drive forward the government’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher-level learning – whether academic, technical or through apprenticeships.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    Young people making choices about their future deserve to know that the investment they are making will lead to real opportunities and stable careers. For some that will mean going to university, and we are making this more accessible regardless of background, but for others it will mean technical or vocational routes.

    By raising standards and cracking down on abuse of student loans we’ll ensure our world-leading universities deliver real value for students and the taxpayer.

    For these who choose to pursue a degree, the government is clear that courses must offer strong outcomes and real value for students, and university should remain a route to opportunity but only where it delivers.

    Abuse of the system will not be tolerated, particularly where courses — often delivered through franchising — do not provide good value for students or the taxpayer. 

    As part of this, the government is drawing up options for legislation to limit the growth of some courses with consistently poor returns for students at some providers, making clear that the system must prioritise student outcomes over volume.

    The government is working with the Office for Students (OfS), UCAS and sector partners to make it easier for students to access the information on course outcomes and wage returns. The government will also support people from low-income households to study courses in priority areas through reintroducing targeted maintenance grants from 28/29.  

    New rules will also mean franchised providers with 300 or more franchised students must register with the Office for Students or face losing access to student loan funding, ensuring proper oversight and accountability.

    This action comes after decades where many students have been sold courses with poor outcomes, while some institutions have continued to expand provision that does not lead to better jobs or higher pay, and leaving graduates and taxpayers to pick up the tab.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: 

    The decline in youth apprenticeship starts under the last government has kicked the ladder away from too many young people.  

    We are reversing that, and expanding opportunities for young people, by tilting funding towards the apprenticeships which will enable them to access high-quality training and those first jobs on the career ladder. 

    From the autumn we will also be offering small and medium-sized businesses £2000 for every young apprentice they take on who is under 25 and paying the full training cost – directing money towards where the opportunities are needed most.

    Alongside action to reform higher education, the government will shift further apprenticeships funding into opportunities for young people, reversing the decline in starts and prioritising support for those at the start of their working lives.

    The government is making a record £3.3bn investment in apprenticeships this year with an ambition to see 50,000 more apprenticeship starts for young people by 2029. This would reverse nearly half of the 40% decline in 16–24 apprenticeship starts over the past decade which has left young people locked out of the first rung on the career ladder.

    The government has already tilted funding towards apprenticeships for young people by de-funding some of the courses used largely by older employees well established in their careers to free up more funding for young people, and short courses in key growth areas. 

    New foundation apprenticeships, exclusively for young people, are expanding into sectors like hospitality and retail, opening up more entry‑level routes into work, and helping young people move from education into lasting employment.

    As part of this push, the government has directed Skills England to review funding rates for the apprenticeship standards used mostly by young people, to better prioritise how this funding is used. It will report in the autumn on whether the rates need to be changed to further shift provision towards young people and rebuild the apprenticeship ladder for the next generation.

    This also builds on wider action through the government’s Youth Guarantee which will ensure every young person has the opportunity to earn and learn. This includes financial incentives for businesses to hire young people who have been out of work, providing guaranteed subsidised jobs and reforming the Growth and Skills Levy — helping deliver up to 500,000 opportunities.

    From ending a one size fits all education system and reforming SEND provision in schools, to tackling the harmful impact of social media, the government is stepping in at every stage of a young person’s life to make sure they are supported to learn, grow and to succeed. That means getting the foundations right early on, backing young people through education and training, and opening up real routes into work so no one is left behind.

    Taken together, this will ensure more young people can get a decent job, earn a good wage, and build a secure future — no matter where they come from.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK launches new AI partnership to boost climate security [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK launches new AI partnership to boost climate security [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 June 2026.

    FCDO announces new strategic partnership with the Met Office to drive AI weather forecasting.

    • The Foreign Office and Met Office are joining forces to help improve global preparation for climate shocks.
    • New partnership to be launched at London Climate Action Week, supporting AI forecasting to predict weather patterns as climate security becomes increasingly important for governments around the world.
    • This reflects the Foreign Secretary’s key priority of security – with climate security underpinning all other forms, including economic resilience.

    The UK is deploying its expertise in advanced weather and climate forecasting to support countries most exposed to extreme weather.

    The partnership will help meteorological services in different countries to better predict, withstand and recover from extreme weather events – reducing damage, protecting livelihoods, strengthening economic resilience and enabling communities to rebuild more quickly.

    This represents a significant boost to the UK’s climate and economic security, recognising that shocks to climate systems can have direct consequences for global markets, supply chains and growth.

    This work will take on even greater importance and urgency with an El Niño of potentially record-breaking strength predicted to bring extreme weather to regions across South-East Asia and Africa in the coming months.

    Initial work will focus on improving forecasting in the Philippines, which is at particular risk to weather events, due to its densely populated coast and its location at the heart of the Western Pacific typhoon belt.

    FCDO is supporting the partnership through access to its diplomatic network, providing in-country support from UK embassies such as Manila, and wider efforts to connect British technology and expertise with partner countries.

    Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

    Climate security is affecting all our lives. When countries are devastated by extreme weather, the effects can be felt all over the world, whether it is through the impact on global trade, the disruption of supply chains, or the increase in food and energy prices.

    Our new partnership with the Met Office will help countries across the Global South to protect against extreme weather events, and manage the effects of climate change – using British expertise and technology to create a more stable world.

    The Met Office’s Acting Chief Executive Simon Brown said:

    This strategic partnership will enable us to amplify the impact we already have through combining our priorities, values and strengths – positioning the UK as global leaders in this space and enabling more people to be protected from extreme weather.

    The Met Office is playing a significant role in driving forward AI forecasting around the world. Powerful machine learning means forecasting can be delivered significantly faster, with more accuracy and at much lower cost than existing models.

    The partnership builds on the FCDO and Met Office’s record of improving climate resilience for millions around the world through the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) programme.

    The UK is also backing the technology needed to respond when climate shocks hit. An extension of the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) programme will expand clean energy solutions such as portable electricity systems and zero-emissions generators across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Indo-Pacific. This will help communities keep their power on during crises, while also providing growth opportunities for innovative UK companies.

    Today’s announcements reflect the UK’s modern approach to development, which moves beyond traditional aid to unlock growth, jobs and trade.

    With London a global green finance leader, the UK is well placed to mobilise private capital and reform systems, while acting as an investor and partner rather than a donor. One new research programme will focus on how countries can build long term resilience, including by mobilising finance for climate adaptation.

    Notes to editors:

    FCDO is today announcing:

    • A new FCDO – Met Office Strategic Partnership: A collaboration to boost global access to UK expertise and state-of-the-art technology, so partner countries can better predict extreme weather events. The new partnership between FCDO and the Met Office will support the use of AI forecasting in countries most affected by the climate crisis, including parts of Africa, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. UK experts will share data and models, strengthen capacity and provide technical training. This will mean countries can better prepare for extreme weather and climate risks, boosting global food and energy security.
    • Extension of the FCDO Transforming Energy Access (TEA) Platform: An £88 million extension to the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform. TEA supports communities across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific to access clean energy. The programme is rolling out innovative clean energy technologies and business models, including pay-as-you-go solar battery systems and mini-grids that provide reliable, off-grid clean electricity for households and businesses. By leveraging UK leadership in clean energy research, science and innovation, the programme provides significant growth opportunities for UK tech business and entrepreneurship.
    • The launch of the new SCALE programme: £39 million for a new UK flagship climate adaptation and resilience research programme. This programme will help develop understanding of what is necessary to build resilience to climate change, including on mobilising finance for adaptation and how to ensure systemic resilience at scale. The programme will unlock climate resilience for the most vulnerable people in the Global South, while leveraging UK leadership in cutting-edge science.
    • Investment in the Technical Assistance Facility: £3 million investment in the UK’s natural disaster fund, supporting innovative disaster insurance solutions for partner countries. This ensures vulnerable communities can access disaster finance faster, while driving innovation and new products to help close the climate protection gap. This builds on existing UK investments in innovative disaster insurance, such as the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, a risk pooling facility, owned, operated and registered in the Caribbean for Caribbean governments, which paid out more than $91.9 million in the wake of Hurricane Melissa in late 2025.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New tools to map where environmental pressures impact communities [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New tools to map where environmental pressures impact communities [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 22 June 2026.

    Two new analytical tools launched to identify where environmental, socio-economic and health pressures affect communities across England.

    From today (Monday 22 June), a wide range of users, including local authorities, government, NGOs and others, will be able to see at a street-level where environmental and climate pressures are hitting socio-economically deprived communities hardest. Environmental and climate change impacts are disproportionately felt by those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, with these communities facing greater barriers to action, particularly in areas vulnerable to extreme heat and flooding.

    Launched at the start of London Climate Week, two new analytical tools will provide organisations across England with robust evidence to pinpoint where environmental pressures overlap with socio-economic and health challenges.

    The Index of Multiple Environmental Deprivation (IMED) maps cumulative environmental pressures, including climate risks, air quality, flood risk, noise and access to green space, across England at street-level resolution and other local geographies including Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) 

    The Environmental Equity Index (EEI) builds on this by incorporating socio-economic and health indicators to reveal where these pressures intersect and accumulate. Used together, the tools help identify areas experiencing the greatest combined burdens, supporting more targeted and joined-up responses.

    The tools provide a consistent, transparent evidence base designed for use by a wide range of organisations who can then target resources, strengthen planning decisions and take more joined-up approaches to environmental, socio-economic and health challenges.

    For example, measures such as urban greening, housing retrofit, heat resilient design standards and targeted public health responses need to be prioritised in the most deprived areas.

    John Leyland, Executive Director of Environment and Business at the Environment Agency said:

    Protecting communities from environmental pressures is central to our work at the Environment Agency, but we know that some communities face greater pressures than others.

    That’s why we have developed these tools which provide for the first time a clear picture of environmental pressures across England – so that we can direct our resources where they’re needed most by the communities we serve

    David Drake, Director for People and Nature at Natural England said:

    Natural England’s expertise in green infrastructure, spatial data and nature-based solutions shaped how these tools were designed and what they measure.

    Decision-makers now have something they haven’t had before: a consistent, high-resolution evidence base covering the whole of England that can tell us, at a glance, where environmental disadvantage is greatest so that we can take action.

    Mike Childs, Head of Science, Policy and Research at Friends of the Earth said:

    We’ve known for a long time that some communities are disproportionately affected by environmental harm and exposed on multiple fronts. So today’s launch, which sees these compounding threats tracked officially for the first time, is a significant step towards improving access to information and justice on the environment.

    With these tools, communities and councils can gain a clear understanding of the main environmental risks locally, as well as which areas need to be prioritised for action. We know just how valuable resources like these are for delivering change at the local level thanks to our work with hundreds of local action groups up and down the country. This is a shining example of what collaboration between government, campaign groups and academia can unlock.

    Professor Jon Fairburn (Staffordshire University) and Professor Gordon Mitchell (University of Leeds) said:

    By bringing together rich spatial data into a single, evidence-driven index, IMED reveals the true cumulative burden of environmental deprivation – informing citizens and empowering decision-makers to target interventions where they are needed most.

    This index gives local authorities a clearer, place-based understanding of how environmental pressures -from air quality to heat stress – combine across neighbourhoods, supporting targeted action and better outcomes for communities most in need.

    IMED and EEI support the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The Government has committed £15 million to research programmes aimed at mapping climate vulnerability and improving local adaptive capacities across society, in addition to £5.3 billion on flood management schemes and millions for tree planting and peat land restoration.

    Both tools are available now via Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Mapping Tool, with free guidance, FAQs and support materials on GOV.UK.

    Additional information:

    • You can access the Green Infrastructure Map online
    • IMED combines environmental indicators into a single composite score using national datasets covering England. It can be applied at different geographic scales and aligned with social and health data to reveal where multiple disadvantages overlap.
    • EEI goes further, integrating environmental, social and health indicators into a single composite score designed specifically for urban areas, highlighting communities facing the greatest cumulative pressures across all three domains.
    • Both tools are freely available for use by local authorities, integrated care boards, planning authorities, NGOs, consultancies, government departments and academic researchers.
    • The tools were developed between 2023 and 2025, led by the Environment Agency in collaboration with Natural England, Friends of the Earth, deprivation.org, the Environmental Data Network, and the Universities of Leeds, Staffordshire and Lincoln, with contributions from Defra.
    • London Climate Week takes place from 20-28 June 2026.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 June 2026.

    Three UK-designed long-range strike systems have been flight tested just months after competition launch, as British defence industry deliver battlefield capability at record speed.

    A major UK project to develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukrainian has reached a significant milestone, with three British-designed systems successfully flight tested just months after the competition was launched. 

    Project Brakestop, launched by the Ministry of Defence’s Taskforce Kindred in November 2024, challenged UK industry to develop a low-cost, ground-launched strike weapon capable of hitting targets more than 500km away while carrying a powerful 225kg warhead. 

    The programme was designed to harness the speed, innovation and expertise of British industry to deliver a new capability at a pace rarely seen in defence. Follow on contracts worth around £15 million each have now been awarded to three companies.  

    Ambitious requirements were set for competitors for the new system, including: 

    • A range of at least 500km 
    • Capable of carrying a warhead weighing at least 225kg 
    • A speed of more than 600km/h 
    • Target unit cost of around £400,000 excluding the warhead 
    • Ability to produce at least 20 weapons a month within months of a production order. 

    27 bids from industry were received when the competition opened, and MOD experts carried out detailed technical assessments and held competitive “Dragon’s Den” style pitches in February 2025. Six British companies were awarded contracts worth around £5 million each to design and build prototype weapons for testing in just seven months. 

    Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: 

    The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, and we will continue to provide the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. 

    Project Brakestop shows what happens when we combine that commitment with the talent and ingenuity of British industry. In less than a year, UK companies have taken an ambitious concept from the drawing board to flight testing, delivering a new generation of capability at remarkable speed. 

    This is a clear demonstration that Britain has the industrial strength, innovation and determination to meet the challenges of modern warfare and support our allies.  

    By December 2025, only three suppliers remained, who progressed to flight testing: 

    • MBDA UK, a long-standing strategic partner of the UK who produce systems including Storm Shadow. 
    • MGI Engineering, a UK SME with over 25 years of success in Formula 1 – Brakestop is MGI’s first defence contract.  
    • Rotron Aerospace, a UK SME with a strong history of working with the MOD including the Dismounted Soldier Close Combat and Defence (DSCDP) programme.  

    Each of their systems were tested at the MOD Hebrides Range, a specialist trials site managed by QinetiQ through the Long-Term Partnering Agreement. 

    The announcement comes following a week of UK commitments to Ukraine where the Prime Minister announced at G7, a further £210 million of UK Export Finance support to power Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.

    Whilst on Thursday, The Defence Secretary announced that the UK will provide 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones and over 350 air defence missiles and radars funded from Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan.

    Project Brakestop demonstrates the ability of UK industry to rapidly develop and test complex long-range strike systems. 

    The 225kg warhead that the systems must be capable of carrying has already been successfully developed and tested by another UK company, proving the destructive power of the system. 

    The next phase of Project Brakestop is now underway, with Phase 2 contracts worth around £15 million awarded to multiple suppliers to further develop and produce 15 improved effectors each, alongside launchers and support vehicles. 

    Further testing will take place in the UK in the coming months, followed by additional trials overseas, including in Ukraine. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 22 June 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the reappointment of David Johnstone as the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

    Background

    The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioners Office was established in September 2020 to provide a voice for veterans living in Northern Ireland to ensure fairness and safe access to services. 

    Terms of Appointment

    • This position is part-time for a period of a further three years ending on 31 August 2029.
    • The position attracts a fixed remuneration of £306 per day plus expenses, with an expectation of a time commitment of a maximum of 140 days per year.
    • The position is not pensionable.

    Biography

    David Johnstone was appointed as NI Veterans Commissioner in January 2025. He  formerly served as an Officer in the Royal Irish Regiment (Reserves) from 1988 to 2014, including operational deployment in Iraq. He currently holds the position of Chief Vision Officer at PropFundrs, a Property Developer Consultancy Firm and formerly Chief Executive Officer of an online property platform, a role that required him to be a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Approved Person. David also currently has a senior executive role in local football.

    Regulation

    This appointment is not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Political Activity

    All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements.  Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public. Mr Johnstone has not declared any political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 June 2026.

    Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals projects.

    • Government backs critical minerals projects across the UK, strengthening Britain’s economic security by diversifying supply.
    • £50m investment will turbocharge domestic production of critical minerals to help shore up UK’s supplies of smartphones, fridges and electric vehicle batteries.
    • This builds on over £200m government support for critical minerals projects boosting local jobs and opportunity.

    Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals essential for everyday products – from smartphones and fridges to electric vehicles.

    The funding will boost domestic production, support high-value jobs and reduce the UK’s reliance on overseas imports, helping to protect the economy from global shocks and supply disruptions.

    With global supply chains increasingly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption, the UK has for too long relied heavily on a small number of international suppliers. This investment marks decisive action to strengthen economic resilience, secure vital materials and support long-term growth as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

    The Critical Minerals Strategy will back British companies to accelerate the extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals, while investing in cutting-edge manufacturing capability and attracting private investment into the UK.

    Today (22 June), Industry Minister Chris McDonald will visit Teesside’s Wilton Centre to officially launch the Government’s programme to industry and tour Seloxium and DEScycle – two cutting-edge firms advancing critical minerals processing and metal recycling.

    Industry Minister Chris McDonald said:

    Critical minerals are vital for our national security, and this targeted funding will support companies in ramping up domestic production, helping to create new jobs and opportunities in local communities, whilst building more resilient supply chains.

    Through our Critical Minerals Strategy, we’re leveraging Britain’s mineral wealth, attracting new investment and forming dynamic relationships with partners across the world to boost our economic security.

    Founder of the Critical Minerals Association Jeff Townsend said:

    The UK Government has taken important steps to strengthen the critical minerals sector. As attention turns from policy development to delivery, it is encouraging to see the £50 million grant programme being used to accelerate strategically important UK projects as they reach maturity.

    As the home to Seloxium and DEScycle, the Wilton Centre sits in the heart of the North-East of England Process Industry Cluster. Building on its strong industrial heritage, the North East offers expertise in the recycling, processing and recovery of critical minerals alongside growing lithium development.

    CCO and Co-Founder of DEScycle and Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group at the UK Critical Minerals Association, Fred White said:

    We are nearing construction completion of our world-first demonstration facility, with key equipment installed ahead of commissioning. Our disruptive technology is reshaping how the UK views e-waste, transforming its treatment into a sovereign form of urban mining and Teesside’s world-leading industrial heritage, skilled workforce makes it the ideal location for our facility, deploying infrastructure directly supporting the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

    The funding programme will be delivered through three distinct pillars: 

    • Magnet Hub: £20 million to establish a world-class national facility to develop, test and scale up rare earth magnet manufacturing, alongside skills and training capabilities.
    • Critical Minerals Accelerator: £25 million to support collaborative projects across extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals, accelerating innovation and commercialisation opportunities.
    • Demand Aggregation Platform: a new up to £5 million platform to help UK industry consolidate and pool its critical mineral demand across different industries, unlock investment and secure supply through strategic partnerships.

    Together, these measures will help grow the UK’s domestic capability across the critical minerals value chain, and builds on over £200 million of funding already provided including through the National Wealth Fund, DRIVE35 and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

    A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, Industrial Strategy, and clean energy transition – and the Critical Mineral’s Strategy paves the way to creating resilient supply chains that will help protect British industry during a time of global instability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 21 June 2026.

    Councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 from 22 June 2026, if landlords are found to have serious hazards in their rented properties.

    • Landlords who don’t fix dangerous problems like damp and mould now face fines of up to £7,000
    • New power now in force in the Renters’ Rights Act so councils can take stronger action where landlords fail to fix problems, alongside existing enforcement powers
    • New penalty will speed up fixes, as the Housing Secretary calls on councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle poor conditions

    Private renters will see stronger action on dangerous problems like severe damp and mould, following a new government crackdown.

    Councils can now issue fines (from Monday 22 June) of up to £7,000 if landlords refuse to fix poor conditions.

    The fine will apply to 21 types of hazards that are found to be serious – the most dangerous level – which include freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts. Around 10% of private rented homes are estimated to have at least one of these health and safety problems classified as serious.

    The new penalty sits alongside existing powers councils can use to tackle unsafe homes that put tenants at risk. These include forcing repairs, carrying out emergency works and recovering costs from landlords who fail to act.

    Today (Monday 22 June) the Housing Secretary has written to mayors across England urging councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle unsafe housing and protect tenants.

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:  

    Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.

    These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home – a situation that no family should have to live with.

    Alongside the new fines, this government is updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) for the first time in 20 years. This important system is used to assess health and safety in all types of housing, making it simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action.

    The improved final framework comes into force on Tuesday 23 June and will support quicker enforcement, helping to ensure hazards such as damp, fire risks and unsafe electrics are addressed more effectively.

    Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said:

    Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

    The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes. For renters to feel the benefit, though, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.

    Clara Collingwood, Director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:

    Home is where you should feel safest, but for far too long hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults. It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.

    And now that we have new rights as renters, we need to use them – any tenant living with serious disrepair or damp and mould should know they don’t have to put up with it any longer. With new rights and protections, and section 21 evictions scrapped, we can’t be evicted for complaining and shouldn’t be afraid to report dodgy landlords to the council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 20 June 2026.

    Specialist trained firefighters in reach of communities and an overhaul of fire and rescue assets to the value of almost £100 million have been announced.

    Through the new programme, teams of specialist firefighters will be positioned in key areas and ready to respond to fires across England – delivering help to people on the ground more quickly and taking pressure off local services as the number of incidents continues to grow. 

    The teams have undergone intense training over spring and summer, upskilling in the latest strategies like tactical burning, and travelling to South Africa and Poland to learn from the international community. 

    In the wake of devastating wildfires last year, which included widespread damage across North York Moors National Park, today’s announcement will provide crucial protection to precious countryside and communities.  

    State-of-the-art kit, like dedicated off-road vehicles, will also be available through a wider £97 million investment to fund the largest scale upgrade of National Resilience assets in almost twenty years. 

    Building Safety Minister, Samantha Dixon, said: 

    This country benefits from a dedicated fire and rescue service and as incidents continue to evolve in complexity, it’s critical that we back those on the frontline with the latest equipment.  

    Last year saw some of our most devastating wildfires in recent history and as we head into peak season, we’re getting on and delivering the resource, training and assets needed to minimise the escalating risk.

    The Fire National Resilience programme was established after the 9/11 terrorist attack, recognising that specialist capabilities, personnel and resources were needed to enable fire and rescue services to respond effectively to a national-scale catastrophic incident. 

    The significant cash boost will ensure the dedication of our fire and rescue services is matched with the most up-to-date assets, funding a huge overhaul of existing vehicles and equipment. 

    This will crucially strengthen the country’s national response to the largest and most complex of incidents, from flash flooding to raging wildfires and collapsed structures. 

    These specialist capabilities were used over 1,000 times in 2025 alone to tackle a diverse range of incidents, with devastating wildfires identified as a growing demand on the service.   

    The wildfire teams will be located strategically and hosted by fire and rescue services in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales – deployable to incidents across England by the end of June.

  • PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 June 2026.

    Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.

    • Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7
    • Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home
    • Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime

    Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament. 

    The innovative tags work around the clock and quickly detect if an offender has been drinking by analysing their sweat. If an offender dares to have a drink, an alert is sent to their probation officer who can take action to punish them, such as an order to return to court or even prison. 

    The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between those simply soaking up the atmosphere at pubs and fan zones where alcohol is present, and those risking a red card by actively drinking. 

    The move comes as police forces and local authorities prepare for increased demand during the tournament, with alcohol often linked to incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and disorder around major football fixtures. 

    The technology is playing a significant role in the Government’s mission to take back our streets from alcohol-fuelled harm, which the National Audit Office estimate costs the UK economy £21 billion a year. 

    Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister Lord Timpson said: 

    Major sporting events should be a time for the country to come together and enjoy the game, not for alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder to ruin the occasion. 

    Having this tech fixed around the ankle is the wake-up call to offenders and leaves them with the sobering thought that one slip-up could send them to jail.

    New tagging technology is a critical tool in our efforts to punish offenders, cut reoffending and keep the public safe, and the evidence is increasingly proving its effectiveness. 

    Offenders who are banned from consuming alcohol by the courts have remained sober for 97% of the days they have been tagged since the technology was first rolled out in 2020. 

    They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers. Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classified as having a drinking problem. 

    As part of the Government’s action to make streets safer, tens of thousands more criminals will be tagged over the next three years as part of a major technology expansion. 

    The Government is also introducing, for the first time, a presumption that all prison leavers will be tagged on release as part of intensive supervision with the Probation Service keeping a closer eye on offenders’ behaviour.  

    It is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public. 

    Further information: 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2026.

    Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    • newly appointed Special Envoy will drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war
    • up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence
    • appointment comes after launch of UK-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls

    Britain will continue to drive international action to prevent sexual violence in conflict, following the appointment of the Minister for Human Rights, Chris Elmore as the UK Special Envoy for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

    Up to 30% of women and girls in conflict zones worldwide have experienced conflict-related sexual violence, which is not only a grave human rights violation, but a threat to global peace, security and prosperity. There are immense barriers to reporting, particularly in conflict zones, therefore these figures could be much higher in reality. 

    Men and boys are also affected, notably in Ukraine, where over two thirds of prisoners of war have experienced sexual violence, and in Palestine, where UN reporting has documented the use of sexual violence in detention settings. 

    In the UK’s capacity as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, Minister Elmore will play a leading role in strengthening global advocacy and in advancing trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches across the Alliance’s prevention, protection and accountability efforts.  

    Minister Elmore’s appointment into the Special Envoy role follows the Foreign Secretary’s launch of a new UK-convened International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls. The coalition is bringing countries together to scale up prevention and end this violence everywhere. 

    The UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Chris Elmore MP said:

    “Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave human rights violation and a global threat to peace and security. I commit to working with survivors, international partners and civil society around the world to drive action to end these abhorrent crimes and hold perpetrators to account.” 

    Notes to editors: 

    The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict seeks to recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security – and a potential war crime, crime against humanity, or an underlying act of genocide. For survivors, this day can act as an important moment of global recognition, challenging the stigma that too often silences those with lived experience of this issue, reaffirming their right to be heard and to access justice and support.