Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new candidate for the Commissioner for Public Appointments [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new candidate for the Commissioner for Public Appointments [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 18 June 2026.

    Fiona Cannon OBE has been confirmed as the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has today confirmed Fiona Cannon OBE as the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Fiona brings extensive experience which will support the government’s objectives to bring in the best talent from across the country by holding the government to account on fairness, transparency, and the timeliness and diversity of its appointments.

    The recommendation follows a fair and open recruitment process. Pre-appointment scrutiny by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will follow in due course.

    The current Commissioner, Sir William Shawcross CVO has held the post since September 2021 and his term will end in July.

    The Rt Hon Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said:

    I am delighted to announce Fiona Cannon as the Government’s preferred candidate as the next Commissioner for Public Appointments. Fiona is an excellent candidate with a wealth of expertise, including from across the private sector, and I am sure she will do a fantastic job driving confidence in the system.

    I would like to extend my thanks to Sir William Shawcross for carrying out this important role over the last five years and his commitment to transparency and improving candidates’ experience

    Notes to Editors:

    Fiona is currently the Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Yorkshire Building Society. She was previously the Sustainable Business Director at Lloyds Banking Group. She has served as a Member of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and was appointed an OBE for services to equal opportunities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Changes made to The Crown Estate Board [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Changes made to The Crown Estate Board [June 2026]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 18 June 2026.

    Dan Labbad has been reappointed as Chief Executive and Second Commissioner of The Crown Estate. Anne Kavanagh and Clare Shine have also been reappointed as Board Members of The Crown Estate Board.

    On the recommendation of the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dan Labbad has been reappointed as Chief Executive and Second Commissioner of The Crown Estate, to serve a third four-year term from 1 January 2028. Anne Kavanagh and Clare Shine have also been reappointed as Board Members of The Crown Estate Board for second terms of four years.

    Dan has served as CEO of The Crown Estate since 2019. Prior to The Crown Estate, Dan held a number of senior positions at the global property and infrastructure group Lendlease, including Group Chief Operating Officer and the dual roles of Chief Executive Officer, International Operations and Chief Executive Officer, Europe. Dan has actively championed sustainability and technology throughout his professional life, having previously served as a director of the Green Building Council of Australia and as Chairman of the UK Green Building Council.

    In addition to her existing responsibilities on the Board, Anne will take on additional responsibilities as Commissioner with special responsibility for England, to ensure the Board’s decisions reflect the conditions, priorities and opportunities in England.

    This follows the passage of the Crown Estate Act 2025, which provides for the appointment of Commissioners who, either solely or alongside their wider Board responsibilities, can support the Board’s understanding of English, Welsh and Northern Irish interests. This helps to ensure The Crown Estate’s strategic objectives are aligned with the conditions in each nation. Linked to this, the Crown Estate Act 2025 also increased the maximum number of Commissioners from eight to twelve in line with modern corporate governance standards.

    On 19 May 2026, Michael Plaut OBE was announced as being appointed to The Crown Estate Board to serve a four-year term from 1 July 2026 as Commissioner with special responsibility for Wales. A further announcement on a Commissioner with special responsibility for Northern Ireland will be made in due course.

    This non-executive appointment process was carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. All appointments have been approved by His Majesty The King, following recommendation by the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    All appointments are made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in line with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity to be made public. Dan, Anne, and Clare confirmed that they have not engage in any political activity in the last five years.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Freedom of Expression [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Freedom of Expression [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 June 2026.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Freedom of Expression. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr Vice President,

    We thank the Special Rapporteur for her important work and today’s report. We commend her dedication throughout her mandate during which she has been a principled and authoritative voice for the protection of freedom of expression worldwide. We express our deep appreciation for her leadership, independence, and consistent defence of journalists, human rights defenders, and open civic space.

    We remain committed to the right to freedom of opinion and expression, online and offline including through our role as co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition. This right is foundational to democratic societies, accountability and the protection of all other human rights.

    Digital platforms and large technology companies play an increasingly significant role in shaping public debate. Their decisions have profound implications for access to information, media pluralism, and the safety of users.  We therefore support efforts to promote greater transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in the design and governance of digital platforms.

    We will continue to engage on this important matter, working with partners to ensure that digital technologies strengthen, rather than restrict, freedom of expression.

    Special Rapporteur, what practical steps can states take to ensure technology companies respect freedom of expression while avoiding over-regulation or unintended restrictions on legitimate speech?

    Thank you

  • PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary marks Jewish Cultural Month with £1 million boost for The Jewish Museum London [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary marks Jewish Cultural Month with £1 million boost for The Jewish Museum London [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 17 June 2026.

    The Government has announced up to £1 million is to be awarded to The Jewish Museum London, supporting its vital outreach and engagement programmes with schools and communities, and accelerating its search for a new permanent home.

    The announcement was made by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy during a visit to the launch of ‘Two Rooms’ a new interim space for the Jewish Museum London, while it searches for its permanent home. The space is located at JW3 in North London. The visit marked the opening of two new exhibitions celebrating the richness of the museum’s collections and the long history of Jewish families in Britain.

    The Jewish Museum London closed its Camden site in 2023 and has since continued its work as a “museum without walls”, delivering exhibitions, learning programmes and community engagement activities across the capital. The funding will support the museum’s ongoing audience development and outreach work, while also helping it develop its plans for a new permanent home in the future.

    The news comes as the UK’s first Jewish Cultural Month comes to a close. It also follows the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a comprehensive package of measures to tackle antisemitism. As part of this work, Arts Council England is engaging proactively with Jewish colleagues, creatives and the wider sector, to inform the actions they will take to challenge antisemitism and anti-Jewish racism. The government is also working with the Arts Council on an independent audit to ensure their processes are robust and effective in addressing complaints about antisemitism.

    Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:

    Jewish culture, history and heritage are woven into the fabric of this country, and of our national story. The Jewish Museum London and the Manchester Jewish Museum do extraordinary work keeping these stories alive and opening them up to everyone, and they deserve our full support.

    Today’s investment is about bringing communities together, helping us to understand one another and sending a clear message that in the face of hatred and division, we will always choose unity.

    Nick Viner, Chair of Trustees of Jewish Museum London said:

    I would like to thank the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy. The DCMS support will be invaluable in helping us over the next period as we become more outward facing, expanding our education outreach and increasing our collection loans across the country. It will also help us in our search for a new permanent home, enabling us to create a welcoming space where we can share our stories with the public and create new dialogues. We are very grateful for this strong expression of confidence in our future plans. 

    We value the fact that Government realises the importance of the Jewish Museum’s programme at this time of mounting antisemitism and shares our belief that the British Jewish community is an integral part of the story of immigration and cultural identity in Britain, not a world apart.

    The Jewish Museum London plays a critical role in preserving and sharing Jewish history, heritage and culture with people from all backgrounds. Home to a nationally significant collection, it cares for objects and stories that help deepen understanding of Jewish life in Britain over centuries. This investment will help protect that collection for future generations, while enabling more people across the UK to engage with and benefit from it.

    The funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be distributed through Arts Council England.

    In addition, the government intends to provide Manchester Jewish Museum with a £100,000 investment to support the museum’s vital community work. This funding aims to ease the burden of increased security costs, helping to protect the vibrant events, exhibitions and community activities that make it such a vital part of the city’s cultural life.

    The investment will also fund a new schools outreach pilot that brings children from different backgrounds together to explore Jewish heritage, history and culture. DCMS is developing this as a cultural extension to the Department for Education’s Protecting What Matters commitment to fund community-led school linking projects. The aim is to create safe, welcoming spaces where young people can meet, learn together and build connections that last.

    Beyond this immediate support, the Government is working with communities and stakeholders to ensure that our Jewish cultural institutions have the long-term support they need to remain secure and sustainable. Jewish cultural institutions play an irreplaceable role in our shared national story, and we want to make sure they can continue to thrive by keeping them open, accessible and enriching for everyone.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Specialist police units now deployed under new UK-France deal [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Specialist police units now deployed under new UK-France deal [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 17 June 2026.

    Two new French police units are now on the ground in Northern France, marking a significant step in joint UK-France efforts to stop dangerous illegal crossings.

    Illegal migrants and people smugglers looking to land on UK shores will face enhanced enforcement action as 2 new specialist units are now active on the French beaches.  

    Announced under the landmark UK-France deal and deployed in time for the summer months, the Compagnie de Marche and a brand-new dedicated riot unit are now operational in Northern France to track down illegal migrants and prevent small boat crossings.    

    This enhanced cooperation delivers 125 specialist officers and reservists to disperse migrant groups, pursue criminal smugglers and prevent small boat launches.

    Their deployment comes as international partners continue to target organised immigration crimes across Europe. This includes a recent operation in Germany that seized dozens of boats and engines that could have been used to transport more than 2,000 people to the UK illegally.  

    The raids were the result of an international investigation involving the UK’s National Crime Agency, the German Federal Police and led by the French National Police’s people smuggling unit – showing the success of our international cooperation in action. 

    It follows the Prime Minister’s work to reset international relations in order to broker deals that benefit working people in the UK, including returns deals with France, Iraq, a new treaty with Germany and tighter law enforcement co-operation across the Western Balkans.   

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:    

    Working in lockstep with our closest partners is the only way to make real progress in tackling the shared challenge of illegal migration.   

    These elite units are just one element of the landmark deal between our countries that is taking our collaboration to the next level.     

    Operations like this meant that almost half of all attempted crossings were halted by the French last month – so we’re boosting them further to continue to drive down crossings. 

    Backed by enhanced drone, helicopter, plane and camera surveillance systems, Compagnie de Marche officers will break up launch attempts, seize equipment and disrupt migrants before they reach the water.    

    The elite policing unit has public order powers that will directly address violence on French beaches and enable more dynamic patrols across the coastline.     

    This unit is made up of 75 officers which will be surged across the summer months when crossings are higher. Backed by intelligence and insight, they will be deployed on specific days and to areas where there are expected to be more crossing attempts.    

    The deal builds on action that delivers results, with specialist Compagnie de Marche crack squad linked to 20% of all small boat event preventions in 2025.

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:   

    We are putting the pressure exactly where it needs to be – on French beaches, targeting the criminal gangs and stopping launches before they can happen.    

    The Compagnie de Marche has already played a significant role in preventing illegal crossings. With these officers surged across the summer months, alongside the deployment of a new specialist riot unit, we are going even further to restore order and control at our borders.

    This action follows a surge in joint law enforcement operations in May which stopped almost half (40%) of all small boat crossing attempts from Northern France, building on the 44,000 small boat crossing attempts prevented since the election.    

    A permanent specialist French riot police unit, the Compagnie républicaine de sécurité (CRS), is preventing crossing attempts.    

    Made up of 50 police officers specially trained in the use of riot and crowd control tactics to maintain and restore public order, this team are better equipped to respond to hostile crowds and evolving smuggler tactics and stop illegal migrants in their tracks.     

    The deployment of both units forms just one part of the landmark deal signed by the Home Secretary and her French counterpart to tackle the small boat crisis.     

    Under the agreement, £500 million will be invested to strengthen enforcement action on beaches in Northern France, with a further £160 million available based on the effectiveness of new tactics to stop illegal migration.  

    The new deal will deliver a more than 40% boost to law enforcement officer numbers to crack down on small boat arrivals.    

    For the first time ever, the funding will be conditional and adjusted based on results. If the new tactics are not successful, it will stop after one year and be reallocated.   

    Just last week, UK investigators secured the first sentences for small boat pilots under the government’s Border Security Act. Mohammad Tajik, an Afghan national, and Alnour Mohamed Ali, a Sudanese national, were sentenced to 2 years and 2 years 3 months respectively at Canterbury Crown Court for endangering others during a sea crossing and entering the UK illegally.    

    Since the election, nearly 70,000 illegal migrants have been removed from the UK, and disruption action against people-smuggling gangs has increased by almost 50% in the last year.   

  • PRESS RELEASE : Local areas prepare new Experts at Hand teams [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Local areas prepare new Experts at Hand teams [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 17 June 2026.

    Local areas to begin increasing access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists from September 2026.

    More children and young people with SEND will get specialist support without needing a diagnosis, as the government begins rolling out a new Experts at Hand service across England backed by new £1.8 billion investment.

    Every local area will now begin expanding access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, specialist teachers and educational psychologists who will work directly alongside mainstream schools, early years settings and colleges, helping staff identify needs earlier and put support in place more quickly.

    The new Experts at Hand teams will bring specialist expertise out of waiting lists and into the communities where children learn, ensuring families can access support closer to home rather than having to navigate a complex system before help becomes available.

    The move marks the start of the government’s plans to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), ending a postcode lottery that has left too many families fighting for support and waiting months or years to receive it.

    Today, the government is kickstarting that rollout by publishing guidance for local areas and appointing a national panel of experts to help shape the future system to ensure better support for children and young people with SEND in every classroom.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

    I’ve heard from families who spent years fighting for support their child should simply have received. We are taking decisive action to tackle this issue.

    From September, every local area will start to increase access to speech therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers working directly in mainstream schools. 

    Our new expert panel will help set a new national standard for SEND support, shaped by the people who work with children every day. This is about rolling out the right help, in the right place, without having to fight for it.

    Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill said:

    Every child deserves the right support to learn and thrive – and they deserve that from day one.

    The Experts at Hand service will bring expert health and education professionals into our schools, colleges and early years settings so they can work directly with children and the staff who know them best.

    This is a fundamental shift in how we support children and young people with SEND, and I’m proud that our joint work across government is already beginning to improve things for families across England.

    Jessie Roux, who appeared on The Traitors this year, said:

    Early childhood is a key stage where confidence, communication and self-belief are formed, so early support really matters. I want children to feel seen, included and supported, because every child has different needs and it’s so important that we make reasonable adjustments to support them properly.

    When I was growing up, there wasn’t much understanding or representation around stammering, and I do wish there had been more support like this in schools. I really believe it’s important that both children and parents feel supported, rather than isolated.

    I recently visited a school with the Education Secretary – it was amazing to meet the children. They were so brave and inspiring. It was really lovely to see how much the teachers care.

    The panel brings together leading figures from mainstream and specialist education, health, academia and parental engagement to oversee the development of National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages.

    Co-chaired by Tom Rees and Dr Anne Gordon, it will ensure reforms are informed by the best available evidence and expertise from across education, health and care.

    The panel will also engage with stakeholders to make sure their recommendations are informed by a wide range of views and lived experience. A parental engagement group to support the panel’s work will also be established immediately.

    The National Inclusion Standards will set out what good support looks like across the country, giving schools and colleges clearer expectations and helping ensure children receive consistent support regardless of where they live.

    For children and young people with the most complex needs, we are proposing Specialist Provision Packages that will underpin education, health and care plans (EHCPs), setting out clearly the support they should expect to receive, from specialist teaching and therapies to communication aids and assistive technology.

    The wider reforms will be taken forward through the Education for All Bill, subject to the outcome of our consultation on the proposed reforms, including proposals for a new legal duty to put an Individual Support Plan in place for every child and young person with SEND, ensuring they have a clear route to support and access to high-quality education, health and care wherever they live.

    Tom Rees, CEO of Ormiston Academies Trust, said: 

    I’m delighted to be co-chairing this panel alongside colleagues who bring such deep experience and expertise from across the education and health sectors. 

    We want to build better, more evidence-informed approaches to support children and young people, and to give confidence to parents and practitioners. The panel’s work will help to make this a reality.

    Anne Gordon, Head of Clinical Innovation Research, New Hospital Programme, NHS England, said: 

    I look forward to working with expert colleagues to support children and young people get the support they need to thrive.  Bringing health and education closer together, and working in partnership around what works, is a really exciting opportunity to lay the groundwork for continuing to build best evidenced services.

    Ben Bastin, Chair of Natspec and Head of Treloar College, said: 

    I am excited to join the panel at such a pivotal time for SEND reform. I look forward to bringing both my personal and professional experience of specialist provision and the transition to adulthood to ensure these changes support children and young people in a more inclusive 0 to 25 system.

    Alison Stewart, Deputy Director of Children’s Services, Merton and Wandsworth, said: 

    I am really excited to be part of the Expert Panel and look forward to be part of this important work considering specialist provision packages and national inclusion standards.

    Katherine Walsh, Director of Inclusion at River Learning Trust, said: 

    It is a privilege to join the panel and bring my experience in SEND and inclusive school leadership to help shape an ambitious, equitable system for all learners.

    I look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues to determine and champion evidence-informed strategies, ensuring every child and young person with SEND has access to the high-quality provision and opportunities they deserve to thrive.

    Mark Vickers MBE, CEO of Olive Academies Trust, said: 

    It is a privilege to join the expert panel. The development of the National Inclusion Standards and the Specialist Provision Packages mark an important step forward, and I welcome the opportunity to help shape recommendations that will improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND.  

    Building on my work with DfE’s Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion, I look forward to supporting the transition toward a single, unified school system that is focused on meeting the needs of every child and young person. 

    James Waller, Headteacher of Sunningdale School in Sunderland, said: 

    I’m really pleased to be contributing to the panel at such an important time for our sector, bringing frontline experience into the discussion.

    There is a clear opportunity here to bring together evidence, practice and lived experience to shape approaches that work in practice and make a real difference for children and young people with SEND right across the country.

    Professor Courtenay Norbury, Vice Dean for Research, Faculty of Brain Sciences and Professor of Developmental Disorders of Language and Communication at University College London, said: 

    I’m looking forward to working with colleagues on developing evidence-based support programmes for young people with special educational needs so they can develop the skills they need for school success, wellbeing and future participation in society.

    Dr Karen Guldberg, Professor of Autism Studies and Head of the School of Education at the University of Birmingham said: 

    I am excited to contribute to the National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages, which will be key in empowering schools and staff to create inclusive, supportive learning environments where all children and young people can thrive.

  • PRESS RELEASE : G7 leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : G7 leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

    G7 leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues.

    Ukraine

    We, the Leaders of the G7, stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Ukrainian population suffering from attacks on their critical infrastructure and cultural heritage. We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasize there is now a new momentum.

    To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities. We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production.

    We stress the importance of energy resilience, on the basis of the needs and priorities expressed by Ukrainian authorities. We agree to provide further support to get the country through next winter.

    We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as President Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

    Middle East

    We recognize the breakthrough and the opportunity that currently exist in the Middle East.

    We welcome the announcement of a deal between the United States and Iran, secured under the strong leadership of President Trump, with the support of mediating countries, which provides an historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapon and tackling the threats related to its regional and ballistic activities. We support and are ready to contribute to its implementation.

    We reaffirm that the right of transit passage without restrictions or tolls is the bedrock of international trade. We agree that the multinational, independent, and defensive initiative led by France and the UK can play an important role to facilitate the resumption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz by protecting merchant vessels, reassuring commercial shipping operators, and supporting verification that all mines are removed.

    We strongly support a robust and comprehensive diplomatic follow-on agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding secured by President Trump that can bring peace and security for all in the region. We underline the need for the negotiation to this end to address the threats posed by Iran in the region and beyond and ensure that they never obtain a nuclear weapon. We agree that such a negotiation would benefit from the contributions from relevant regional and international partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We reaffirm that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon.

    In Lebanon, we support, through an immediate robust ceasefire, the Lebanese leadership’s efforts to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah and the monopoly of arms, and to protect Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty with the appropriate international security guarantees.

    In Gaza, we will accelerate humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and the swift implementation of relevant political and security measures. We call for ending violence in the West Bank.

    We commit to accelerate the diversification of energy supply routes in order to reduce global vulnerability to the Strait of Hormuz and to increase our energy stocks. We welcome the potential for Canada to deliver significant additional capacity to global markets in coming years.

    Indo-Pacific

    We highlight the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. We reaffirm our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in particular by force or coercion, in the East and South China Seas and across the Taiwan Strait, which should only be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

    We express deep concern about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. We urge North Korea to resolve the abductions issue immediately. We reiterate the need to jointly address North Korea’s cryptocurrency thefts and cybercrimes.

    We welcome the Global Convergence for Growth Summit convened by President Macron on June 11th 2026, with the participation of China. We reaffirm our common interest in converging with other large economies on the causes of large and persistent global imbalances and on the need to address them. We will continue these efforts within the G20 under the United States’ host year and in other relevant fora.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The countdown begins – UK-India FTA enters into force on July 15th [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The countdown begins – UK-India FTA enters into force on July 15th [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 17 June 2026.

    Businesses to start preparations for historic UK-India trade deal worth £4.8bn to enter into force next month.

    • Milestone trade deal with India to come into effect next month, marking quickest ever turnaround following signature
    • Businesses encouraged to prepare for entry-into-force to feel the benefits of massive tariff cuts
    • UK agreement will be the most comprehensive trade deal India has ever brought into force

    The UK and India have today (Wednesday 17th June) announced their landmark trade deal will enter into force next month so working people and businesses can benefit.

    Businesses, who now have 28 days to prepare for the entry-into-force, will be able to trade under its terms from July 15th, following strenuous efforts to prepare UK and Indian systems. 

    The deal, which is the most comprehensive ever agreed by India, will boost UK GDP by £4.8bn, real wages by £2.2bn and bilateral trade by £25.5bn every year in the long run.

    Industries across the United Kingdom will benefit, with whisky tariffs cut from 150% to 40%, automotives from 100% to 10% under a quota and cosmetics will see tariffs of up to 22% eliminated either from day one or after 10 years.

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

    “We are bringing our landmark trade deal with India into force as quickly as we can, because we want businesses and the public to feel the benefits immediately, including cuts to tariffs of £400m within the first year alone. 

    “The deal gives British exporters an edge over international competitors, and I would encourage all businesses to ensure they are properly prepared to allow them to sell to India’s huge market in the years to come.

    “This week our UK-India Roadshow will begin travelling across all four nations to promote the incredible new opportunities this deal offers.”

    India has never implemented a deal of this size, meaning the UK will have an immediate competitive advantage over other markets.

    The UK will cut tariffs on Indian goods coming into the country such as clothes, footwear, and some food products. Less cost for British businesses importing Indian products could mean cheaper prices and more choice for consumers across the country.

    We have extended the benefit for UK nationals moving to India to work and continue to build entitlement to a UK State Pension from 36 months to 60 months. They will continue to pay National Insurance Contributions during that period, without also having to pay social security contributions in India.

    This is reciprocal for both British and Indian professionals and will be applicable to highly skilled professionals on pre-existing visa routes. This is in line with our arrangements with other countries such as Korea, Japan, and Canada.

    This will be achieved through the UK-India Double Contributions Convention Agreement, which will enter into force at the same time as the UK-India FTA.

    To benefit from the tariff reductions, businesses must register with HMRC. We would now encourage businesses to use the next 28 days to register and ensure they are fully prepared to reap the benefits of this deal.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Greater protections to restore families’ trust in home upgrades [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Greater protections to restore families’ trust in home upgrades [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 17 June 2026.

    Action to protect families in the energy market and hold the retrofit industry to account.

    • New service to provide stronger oversight of retrofit industry – giving families confidence to upgrade their homes and cut bills 
    • Reforms will help fix broken system which led to widespread issues with poor-quality insulation under inherited government schemes 
    • Households to get fairer and faster compensation in the energy market under new measures to strengthen the Ombudsman 

    Families will be better protected when upgrading their homes, giving them confidence to make improvements and cut their bills. 

    Ministers are taking action to hold the retrofit industry to account for delivering home upgrades through a new consumer protection service, under proposals announced today (Wednesday 17 June).  

    Plans being consulted on would create:  

    • a transparent public register of government approved installers
    • a single advice and support service covering the entire time a home is being upgraded 
    • powers to hold installers and delivery partners to account, including bans from working on government schemes if they don’t meet high standards
    • a new data-backed system that spots risks and installer performance issues earlier 

    This will simplify the process for consumers, providing a single point of access offering end-to-end support, quality checks, and routes to redress. 

    In the past, people have faced a broken and fragmented system when installing energy efficiency measures and been left frustrated and let down when things have gone wrong, with no clear way to resolve issues. 

    Ministers are therefore acting to ensure issues which resulted in flawed insulation under legacy government schemes are never allowed to happen again.  

    Consumers will also be supported with faster and fairer compensation in the energy market under new measures to strengthen the Energy Ombudsman, which helps people solve disputes with their energy suppliers.

    If companies are not able to resolve issues directly, customers will be able to escalate their complaints to the Ombudsman within a shorter time frame, getting a decision more quickly – cutting overall waiting times by a month, to a maximum of 10 weeks.

    The Ombudsman will be empowered to fine companies if they do not comply with their ruling, with new measures set to clarify the route for consumers to go through the courts to hold suppliers to account as a last resort.

    Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said:   

    This government inherited a broken system that left too many people in homes damaged by work that lacked clear oversight, without support when things went wrong. 

    That is why we promised to change that system and today we are setting out how we propose to do that. 

    We are building a system that puts consumers first – holding companies to account while introducing better compensation and protections for customers.

    From today, the Installation Assurance Authority (IAA) will now cover the cost of repairs to Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) solid wall insulation up to £25,000, up from £20,000, where these are within the terms of the original, still-valid guarantee. This includes cases where the original installer has gone bust. 

    The National Energy Foundation, a domestic energy charity, will also cover the cost of relevant repairs for some homes with defective ECO4 and GBIS solid wall insulation, where the installer has gone out of business and the guarantee was cancelled, fraudulent or missing. 

    Since identifying issues with poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, government has set up a comprehensive on-site audit programme offering audits at no cost to the consumer, remediated more than 60% of the issues identified with audits, worked with Ofgem to create a dedicated call centre for affected households, and improved the quality assurance and consumer protection systems currently in place. 

    By stamping out bad practice and reforming the broken system inherited by the government, the plans aim to restore families’ trust in the retrofit industry and give them confidence that work will be completed to a high standard. 

    The changes mark the latest step to support families as government accelerates the drive for clean power to protect billpayers from the fossil fuel rollercoaster. 

    By bringing forward the biggest investment in warm homes in British history – including making plug-in solar available in shops, giving homeowners living in properties heated by oil and LPG £9,000 off the cost of a heat pump, and taking decisive action on delinking electricity prices from international as prices – the government is driving forward with plans to upgrade as many homes as possible to cut bills.

    Adam Scorer, CEO, National Energy Action, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

    Strengthening consumer protections for home upgrades is an essential step toward homes that are more affordable to heat and that make people healthier. I welcome a reform agenda considered through the experiences of more vulnerable households with less market power and who stand to benefit most from government support.

    Gillian Cooper, Director of Energy at Citizens Advice, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

    We welcome the commitment to right-first-time installations and a simpler customer journey. Providing routes to impartial advice and redress where needed will give consumers confidence to adopt vital retrofit measures.

    Charlotte Lee, CEO at Heat Pump Association UK, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

    We welcome these proposals as a positive step towards strengthening consumer protection and building confidence in the transition to low-carbon heating. As the heat pump market continues to grow, it is essential that consumers can rely on high standards, clear accountability and effective support should issues arise. 

    The proposed reforms have the potential to improve oversight, strengthen quality assurance and create a more joined-up approach to consumer protection across the sector.  

    Better use of data and clearer delivery obligations should also help identify issues earlier and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain. Consumer trust is fundamental to the successful rollout of heat pumps, and these measures represent an important opportunity to improve customer outcomes while supporting the growth of a high-quality, resilient market.

    Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

    The retrofit market is a confusing landscape for both consumers and trades. The government’s proposals to improve consumer protection are a welcome step forward most notably the consideration to make more trades and related occupations subject to more government oversight. Greater oversight will offer the best protection to consumers and help drive out incompetent installers.

    Lynne Sullivan, OBE, Chair of National Retrofit Hub and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said:  

    The NRH welcomes the comprehensive analysis and scope of the proposed reforms as well as government’s willingness to play a pivotal role; clarity of responsibilities is key to improving customer experience of the retrofit journey, and should become the norm for the retrofit market.

    Anthony Pygram, member of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

    People who struggle to pay for their energy need to be confident that retrofit measures and their installers are trustworthy and, if things do go wrong, they will not lose out. This consultation is an important step in the right direction.

    Ed Dodman, Chief Ombudsman for Energy Ombudsman, said: 

    The measures announced today by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero represent a positive step forward in enhancing consumer protections and reinforcing high standards across the energy sector. In an essential market such as energy, it’s vital that the right steps continue to be taken to strengthen trust, accountability and outcomes for consumers. 

    Strengthening the role of Energy Ombudsman and making the process faster will ensure consumers can not only have quicker access to redress but also have the confidence that issues will be resolved effectively. 

    There is still work to be done, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with government, the regulator, suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the system delivers fair, timely and accessible outcomes for all.

  • PRESS RELEASE : OSCE remains vital to tell truths and hold each other to account – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : OSCE remains vital to tell truths and hold each other to account – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 June 2026.

    Speaking at the Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC), Director of Defence and International Security, Ben Fender, reconfirms support for Ukraine, condemnation for Russia’s war and looks ahead to the UK simultaneously chairing two key OSCE security forums later this year.

    Thank you, Chair and Secretary-General, for your leadership in difficult times.

    This meeting is our annual moment to take stock of security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

    There have been moments of light.  The year has seen voters in Armenia, Hungary and Moldova defeat interference in their democracy.  Real steps towards peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  Ukraine and Moldova open a new chapter in their relations with the EU.

    But Russia’s unprovoked, illegal war against Ukraine is now in its fifth year.  A war that has now gone on longer than the First World War, longer than the Soviet role in the Second World War.  About which our Russian colleague knows so many facts.  And of course we should not count the days of Russia’s aggression from 2022 but 2014, or earlier.

    We stand, as always, in solidarity with Ukraine and its people, who have suffered so much.

    The Kremlin gains nothing by continuing.  Every month that passes leaves 35,000 Russian soldiers dead or injured.  Russia’s economy in worse decline, its young people denied opportunity.   Its army ever more reliant on North Korea, Iran and China.

    On Sunday, Russia’s target was the monastery of the Dormition, dating back to the 11th Century.  The same night two state cinema organisations.  And a well-known art institution, the Mistetski Arsenalna.  Three years ago, I saw for myself the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, another World Heritage Site, with a hole in the ceiling where a missile had hit.  Icons in tatters.  Prayer stalls under the rubble.

    Putin’s war is not just against Ukraine but its culture. And against the civilisation of all of us.  But it is also a war that is making Ukraine’s identify, its resolve, stronger than ever.  And our resolve too. What history should have taught our Russia colleague is that the will of peoples to defend their freedom and security will always be stronger than the will of those who want to take it away.

    The threats posed by the war are not limited to Ukraine.  Russia is eroding norms we all benefit from by its routine use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles and its strikes against civilian populations.  Last week, a drone hit the Chornobyl fuel store – a nuclear site, in the exclusion zone, far from any military activity, on the border of Belarus.  Days before, a Russian drone hit a tower block in a city in Romania.  Many of our countries have been the victim of acts of Russian sabotage.  Poland, of a cyber attack on its energy infrastructure.  Barely a week goes by without reckless behaviour by Russian jets.

    Helsinki principles remain, as they have for half a century, a beacon of hope and stability.  They need upholding, not changing.  The OSCE remains a vital place where we can tell truths and hold each other to account.

    We are confident that the arc of history will bend toward justice.  Ukraine has stopped Russia’s advances.  Allies have never been more generous with their support.

    As the current Chair of the Security Committee, the UK has sought to uphold OSCE principles and support Ukraine, and other victims, of Putin’s war.  Exposed the growing hybrid threats – on which the OSCE should do more.  As it should help states to tackle illegal migration.

    In September, we look forward to taking on the Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation.  Our priorities will be to support these OSCE principles and support Ukraine, hold Russia to account, and promote responsible security management.

    Chair, it will be an honour for us to chair both formal committees of the OSCE’s Pol-Mil Dimension and we look forward to working with you all. Thank you.