Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Cowell affirms UK support to Lebanon’s social protection systems [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2025.

They addressed support for conflict-affected populations, internally displaced persons, and the evolving refugee file.

British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, met with the Minister of Social Affairs (MoSA), Haneen Sayed, to reaffirm the UK’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Lebanese national social protection systems. This includes MoSA’s rights and access programme for people with disabilities and support to vulnerable Lebanese communities through the UK’s £5 million contribution to the AMAN programme.

They discussed ongoing UK support to MoSA programmes on social protection through international and local partners including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Ambassador Cowell congratulated Minister Sayed on the restructuring of the Ministry and her vision and priorities. They also addressed support for conflict-affected populations, internally displaced persons, and the evolving refugee file.

Following the meeting Ambassador Cowell said:

I am proud of our partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs to strengthen vital national social protection systems and reach the most vulnerable Lebanese families. Through recent £5M UK funding, over two hundred thousand vulnerable Lebanese individuals have accessed basic assistance through the AMAN programme.

The UK remains committed to working with the Government of Lebanon and partners to support those in need.

October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : From truffles to trade: Cotswold firm grows with UKEF’s Small Export Builder [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 October 2025.

Award-winning Gloucestershire food specialist enters Southeast Asian markets thanks to government-backed export insurance.

TruffleHunter, a Queen’s Award-winning business from South Cerney in the Cotswold District, has successfully expanded into new international markets thanks to UK Export Finance’s innovative Small Export Builder (SEB) facility.

The speciality food company, which produces truffle-based products and gourmet ingredients, has used the government-backed export insurance to secure contracts worth £22,500 in Malaysia and the Philippines – markets where commercial insurance wouldn’t offer cover for smaller value exports.

UKEF’s SEB allows businesses to start with a credit limit of up to £25,000 and build up to £100,000 in 50% increments, as they establish a positive trading history with their buyers. This approach has given TruffleHunter (an experienced exporter who won the Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2021) the confidence to pursue opportunities in emerging markets where commercial insurers would not offer cover.

TruffleHunter has delivered contracts worth £7,500 in Malaysia and £15,000 in the Philippines, with further orders secured for Thailand and Ecuador and Mexico in the Americas.

Hugh Francis, UKEF Export Finance Manager for Gloucestershire, said:

TruffleHunter’s success demonstrates exactly why we launched the Small Export Builder, which is to help smaller businesses access markets that commercial insurers won’t cover. The beauty of this facility is that it grows with the business, allowing them to build confidence and trading relationships incrementally.

Nigel Whitehouse, CEO of TruffleHunter, said:

The SEB has been a game-changer for our business. The inability to secure commercial insurance for smaller value orders was a real barrier to access new markets for us like Malaysia and the Philippines.

UKEF’s support has given us the confidence to diversify our export base, enter new territories and build relationships with buyers we simply couldn’t have worked with before.

The Small Export Builder is part of UKEF’s enhanced business support announced in the government’s Trade Strategy, designed to make export protection more accessible to smaller businesses seeking financial security when trading internationally.

This latest announcement follows the publication of UKEF’s annual report & accounts for 2024/25. 

Over the last financial year, UKEF provided a record £14.5 billion in new financing, helping over 667 UK companies to export and grow and supported up to 70,000 jobs.

October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Joint migration statement [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 2 October 2025.

A joint statement from European Leaders on managing the challenges of illegal migration following the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Today, at the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, the leaders of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in the presence of the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament, set out a number of steps to be taken collectively to help manage the complex challenges of illegal migration.

They underlined the need for a ‘whole-of-route approach’, and for innovative solutions to keep pace with the ever-evolving challenges of illegal migration. They committed to support one another in their efforts, along the following key themes:
- Take the strongest action against smugglers and secure our borders: ensuring that law enforcement have the powers, data and capabilities to work across borders to target this threat and its enablers effectively, and to manage our external borders. And work together on new ways to target smuggling gangs, such as the use of sanctions regimes.
- Ensure our legislative frameworks and asylum systems are robust: protecting against exploitation, deterring those trying to undermine our systems, and ensuring international frameworks, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Refugee Convention, are implemented in a way that safeguards against abuse and so that governments can tackle modern challenges.
- Take an unequivocal approach to returns: developing common principles using all the tools available – including diplomatic and visa leverage – to enact efficient and effective returns. And forge new and innovative partnerships, including with third countries, to accelerate processing and alleviate domestic pressures.
- Strengthen migration management at the earliest opportunity: working with countries at source and on transit routes, including supporting the work and mandate of agencies like the IOM and UNHCR, on initiatives spanning themes like development, job creation, education, and voluntary returns, to deliver on mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Put innovation at the heart of migration reform: recognising that without a system-wide shift in how we approach this issue we will not be able to secure our borders effectively.
- New frameworks, partnerships, capabilities and pilots that are fair, regulated and fit for the future need to be taken forward to undermine the smuggling gangs’ model and limit illegal migration.
October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK to reform asylum offer to reduce the pull factor for small boat crossings [October 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2025.

Migrants granted asylum in the UK will no longer be automatically given settlement and family reunion rights, under landmark policy changes outlined by the Prime Minister today.
- Changes to the leave granted to asylum seekers in the UK will mean they are no longer automatically given settlement and family reunion rights, balancing protection against persecution with controlling our borders
- Will make the system fairer, in line with our European allies and reduce incentives for asylum seekers travelling illegally to the UK, bypassing other safe countries
- Comes as Prime Minister drives forward progress on tackling illegal migration at EPC Summit in Copenhagen
Migrants granted asylum in the UK will no longer be automatically given settlement and family reunion rights, under landmark policy changes outlined by the Prime Minister today (Thursday 2 October).

In her forthcoming asylum policy reform, the Home Secretary will introduce a fundamental change to the rights provided to those granted asylum in the UK, looking to end automatic family reunion rights and altering the requirements for long-term settlement in the UK.

The Prime Minister is announcing the reforms ahead of his attendance at the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, where he will co-chair a roundtable with leaders on innovative approaches to tackling illegal migration.

The fundamental reforms will be the basis of a fairer system where – as the Home Secretary indicated in her speech to Conference – the route to settlement should be longer, and be earned via contribution to the country. They are also aimed at addressing the pull factors driving high levels of illegal migration to the UK.

The latest step in unpicking the business model of criminal people smugglers and securing our border under the Plan for Change, it builds on progress in recent weeks to show those who come here illegally that the UK is not a soft touch. This follows the first small boat migrant returns to France under the UK-France Treaty and the government unveiling plans to crack down on illegal working through digital ID.

The changes will bring an end to the unfair system that sees those crossing the channel in a small boat having greater rights to settlement and family reunion than those who arrive through proper legal routes and even British citizens.

In line with our values as a tolerant and fair minded country, genuine refugees will not be returned to their home country – and will be entitled to a package of core protection should they receive a positive decision – but they will face a new, longer route to settlement requiring them to contribute, replacing the current 5 years, and they will not have the automatic right to family reunion. Full detail of the reforms will be set out in an Asylum Policy Statement set to be unveiled later in the Autumn.

The asylum core protection announcement builds on plans set out by the Home Secretary earlier this week for a series of further conditions that migrants will have to meet before gaining indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in this country.

This includes being in work, making a certain level of National Insurance contributions, not taking any benefits payments, learning English to a high standard, having a spotless criminal record, and giving back by, for example, working in your local community.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

I believe that if you want to come to the UK, you should contribute to our society. That is the tolerant and fair approach to migration that our communities are built on, but the current system is not fit for purpose.

That is why we’re making fundamental changes to what those granted asylum are afforded in the UK. Settlement must be earned by contributing to our country, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the channel in a boat.

The UK will continue to play its role in welcoming genuine refugees fleeing persecution. But we must also address the pull factors driving dangerous and illegal small boats crossings. There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK, people will have to earn it.

The Prime Minister is set to discuss the changes, as well as other ways European countries can work together to tackle the shared challenge of illegal migration, at the EPC Summit.

In a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, the leaders are set to announce a new partnership backed by up to £3 million to tackle the causes of migration upstream in Western Balkan countries, including by encouraging people to stay in the region and take up jobs there.

Having boosted international cooperation with key partners, the PM will also take the opportunity to reflect on progress made to date to disrupt and deter people smuggling upstream, and discuss how to go further, including through reform of implementation of the ECHR.

This will include the fact the UK is contributing up to £5.75 million under Italy’s Rome Process to tackle migration upstream in key African source and transit companies, reducing movements of migrants towards Europe and supporting the voluntary return of people to countries of origin.

The UK and Germany will deepen collaboration between their respective justice systems to combat migrant smuggling by strengthening law enforcement efforts to bring migrant smuggler networks to justice.

This will include a focus on efforts to seize and disrupt the supply of dangerous small boats equipment and prosecute smugglers, taking full advantage of Germany’s law change to criminalise facilitation of irregular migration to the UK, expected before the end the year.
October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte [October 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2025.

The Prime Minister met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this afternoon in Copenhagen ahead of the European Political Community summit tomorrow.

The leaders began by reflecting on the recent developments on Ukraine and welcomed President Trump’s strong statement in response to Russia’s stalling tactics on a peace deal. They agreed that Putin could not win the war and continues to lie to the Russian people about his successes.

Turning to NATO, both leaders recognised the value of the Eastern Sentry in deterring further reckless aggression from Russia towards the Alliance, while acknowledging the need to consider all options to bolster defences further.

The Prime Minister noted that partners needed to continue to defend the Eastern flank, while remaining sharply focused on equipping Ukraine and its armed forces so they can continue to repel Russia’s illegal invasion.

They agreed to keep in close touch.

October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Støre  of Norway [October 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2025.

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway in Copenhagen this evening ahead of the European Political Community summit tomorrow.

The leaders reflected on the thriving and fast-growing partnership between their two countries, and welcomed how this had already led to Norway selecting the UK to provide frigates to its navy, an agreement worth £10 billion and creating 4,000 jobs.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing close work with Norway to place further economic pressure on Russia, particularly the shadow fleet, in the face of Putin’s brazen aggression in Europe.

They looked forward to seeing each other at the EPC Summit tomorrow.

October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK reimposes UN sanctions on Iran [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

Statement on the UK reimposing UN sanctions on Iran due to significant Iranian non-performance of its JCPoA commitments.

On 28 August 2025, the Foreign Ministers of the UK, France and Germany (the E3) notified the UN Security Council (UNSC) to trigger the mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran due to significant Iranian non-performance of its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) commitments.

Today, the UK has reimposed those sanctions, following an end to the “snapback” process. Today’s sanctions include the reapplication of 121 designations on individuals and entities involved in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles programme.

This follows an announcement by the UK on the 29 September to apply sanctions on over 70 Iranian individuals and organisations linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. UN Iran sanctions have been reimposed following the re-instatement of six UNSC resolutions related to Iran’s nuclear proliferation activities on 28 September 2025.

The UN sanctions that have come back into force include:
- A UN embargo on the transfer of conventional arms to and from Iran;
- A ban on the supply or transfer of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran’s enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy-water related activities or development of nuclear weapon delivery system;
- Financial and trade restrictions related to nuclear and missile programmes; and
- 121 designations targeting those involved in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles programme.
The following individuals and entities are designated under today’s UN sanctions:
- 7th of Tir
- Abbas Rashidi
- Abbas Rezaee Ashtiani
- Abzar Boresh Kaveh Co.
- Ahmad Derakhshandeh
- Ahmad Vahid Dastjerdi
- Ali Akbar Tabatabaei
- Ali Hajinia Leilabadi
- Amin Industrial Complex
- Amir Moayyed Alai
- Amir Rahimi
- Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Group (AMIG)
- Armament Industries Group
- Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran
- Azim Aghajani
- Bahmanyar Morteza Bahmanyar
- Bank Sepah and Bank Sepah International
- Barzagani Tejarat Tavanmad Saccal companies
- Behineh Trading Co.
- Behman Asgarpour
- Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi
- Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi
- Brigadier General Morteza Rezaie
- Brigadier General Qasem Soleimani
- Brigadier-General Mohammad Reza Naqdi
- Cruise Missile Industry Group
- Dawood Agha-Jani
- Defence Industries Organisation (DIO)
- Defense Technology and Science Research Center
- Doostan International Company
- Dr. Mohammad Eslami
- Ehsan Monajemi
- Electro Sanam Company
- Esfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Centre (NFRPC) and Esfahan Nuclear Technology Centre (ENTC)
- Ettehad Technical Group
- Fajr Industrial Group
- Farasakht Industries
- Farayand Technique
- Fater (or Faater) Institute
- Fereidoun Abbasi-Davani
- First East Export Bank, P.L.C
- Gen Hosein Salimi
- General Zolqadr
- Gharagahe Sazandegi Ghaem
- Ghasem Soleymani
- Ghorb Karbala
- Ghorb Nooh
- Haleh Bakhtiar
- Hamid-Reza Mohajerani
- Hara Company
- Houshang Nobari
- Imensazan Consultant Engineers Institute
- Industrial Factories of Precision (IFP) Machinery
- Irano Hind Shipping Company
- IRISL Benelux NV
- Jabber Ibn Hayan
- Jafar Mohammadi
- Javad Rahiqi
- Joza Industrial Co
- Kala-Electric
- Karaj Nuclear Research Centre
- Kaveh Cutting Tools Company
- Kavoshyar Company
- Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters
- Khorasan Metallurgy Industries
- Lt Gen Mohammad Mehdi Nejad Nouri
- M. Babaie Industries
- M. Javad Karimi Sabet
- Maj Gen Yahya Rahim Safavi
- Makin
- Malek Ashtar University
- Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi
- Mesbah Energy Company
- Ministry of Defense Logistics Export
- Mizan Machinery Manufacturing
- Modern Industries Technique Company
- Mohammad Fedai Ashiani
- Mohammad Qannadi
- Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi
- Mohsen Hojati
- Morteza Behzad
- Naser Maleki
- Niru Battery Manufacturing Company
- Novin Energy Company
- Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine
- Omran Sahel
- Oriental Oil Kish
- Parchin Chemical Industries
- Pars Aviation Services Company
- Pars Trash Company
- Pejman Industrial Services Corporation
- Pishgam (Pioneer) Energy Industries
- Qods Aeronautics Industries
- Rah Sahel
- Rahab Engineering Institute
- Rear Admiral Morteza Safari
- Reza-Gholi Esmaeli
- Sabalan Company
- SAD Import Export Company
- Safety Equipment Procurement (SEP)
- Sahand Aluminum Parts Industrial Company (SAPICO)
- Sahel Consultant Engineers
- Sanam Industrial Group
- Sepanir
- Sepasad Engineering Company
- Seyed Jaber Safdari
- Seyyed Hussein Hosseini
- Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG)
- Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG)
- Shahid Karrazi Industries
- Shahid Satarri Industries
- Shahid Sayyade Shirazi Industries
- Sho’a’ Aviation
- South Shipping Line Iran (SSL)
- Special Industries Group
- TAMAS Company
- Tiz Pars
- Vice Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian
- Ya Mahdi Industries Group
- Yas Air
- Yazd Metallurgy Industries
October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : G7 Foreign Ministers Statement on Iran Sanctions Snapback [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

Statement from the G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU on support for the E3 activation of the snapback sanctions and other restrictions against Iran.

“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, stand united in our support for the E3 activation of the snapback reimposing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions and other restrictions against Iran. This action is the result of the Iranian Government’s continued failure to meet its requirements under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“We welcome the re-instatement since 20:00 EDT (00:00 GMT) on 27 September 2025 of previously lifted Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), and 1929 (2010).

“In accordance with our obligations as UN members, we are now proceeding with the swift reintroduction of restrictions reapplied by these UNSC resolutions. We urge all UN member states to fully implement and comply with these sanctions and other restrictions.

“The E3 and the United States have repeatedly offered diplomatic avenues in good faith to Iran to avoid the snapback and reach a durable and comprehensive negotiated resolution. Diplomacy remains essential now that the UNSC process has led to the reimposition of sanctions. We call on Iran to refrain from any escalatory action, immediately engage in direct talks with the United States and make demonstrable progress towards fully meeting its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

“Iran must fully cooperate with the IAEA without any further delay and fully implement its obligations under its NPT-required Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. This includes allowing for IAEA inspections to resume in all its nuclear facilities and accounting for all of the nuclear material it holds, in particular its stockpile of highly enriched uranium for which no credible civilian justification exists. We will continue to work with all parties towards a diplomatic solution to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.”

October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK repeats escalation management questions about Russian violations of NATO airspace: UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

UK Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, repeats questions to Russia, which the UK has asked over the last two weeks, about Russia’s recent violations of NATO airspace.

Madam Chair, in addition to holding each other to account against OSCE principles, this Forum is also mandated to discuss risk reduction.

Last week, the Russian delegation asked what measures its ‘opponents’ are ready to take to stop the escalation of potential military incidents into a high-stakes conflict.

Firstly, we assume the question was directed at NATO, given the wider context of their question. We repeat that NATO is a defensive alliance. Its purpose is to protect. We do not see Russia as an ‘opponent’.

We do, however, agree on the need to prevent unintended escalation. That is why, since the Opening Session of the FSC, the UK has been asking Russia to clarify responsibility for the airspace violations observed in Poland on 9 September. We have not received direct answers to our questions. The Russian delegation has said that the Russian military has no plans to attack Poland but did not deny that Russian drones launched from Russia had flown into NATO airspace. Or what Russia would do to prevent recurrence. So, in the spirit of our Forum’s mandate on risk reduction, we ask our three questions again:

Firstly, if the incursions are unintentional, what steps is Russia taking to prevent recurrence?

Secondly, if they were deliberate, what is Russia’s intent?

Thirdly, will Russia commit to preventing future incursions including assuring NATO members that such violations will cease?

October 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK calls on Russia to treat all Prisoners of War in accordance with international law – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

UK Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, cites the latest OSCE Moscow Mechanism Report on evidence that Russia’s treatment of Prisoners of War are a widespread and systematic violation of international law.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I echo the condemnation by our colleagues on Russia’s escalating airstrikes in Ukraine.

Last week, the Moscow Mechanism reported its latest findings on the treatment of Ukrainian Prisoners of War, by Russia. In addition to previous findings by the Mechanism, ODIHR and the UN, this latest report is also categorical. I quote: “the Russian Federation has engaged in widespread and systematic violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law in its treatment of Ukrainian Prisoners of War”. These violations include how Russia systematically denies Ukrainian soldiers and foreign members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces status as Prisoners of War. The report also evidences “arbitrary killings, torture, ill-treatment, denial of fair trial rights, and unsafe detention and transfer conditions”.

The OSCE’s Code of Conduct compels States to ensure that their armed and security forces abide by international law. It makes clear that breaches of international law, including international humanitarian law, are a “direct and legitimate” concern for us all. That is why the UK calls for Russia to halt these violations, to recognise and protect Prisoner of War status, to end torture and executions and to allow unfettered international monitoring.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

October 6, 2025