Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Space Worms! UK scientists launch microscopic crew into orbit to support future Moon missions [April 2026]

The press release issued by the UK Space Agency on 11 April 2026.

British scientists have launched a crew of microscopic worms to the International Space Station in a pioneering experiment that could help unlock the secrets of long-duration space travel – and support ambitions to reach the Moon and beyond.

The project is a miniature space laboratory designed to study how biological organisms respond to the extreme conditions faced by astronauts. It has been led by the University of Exeter, engineered and built by the University of Leicester at Space Park Leicester, and funded by the UK Space Agency.

It follows the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission to send four astronauts on a 10‑day journey around the Moon and back ahead of a future mission to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. Scientists believe the project could help provide new insights into how biological systems change in space and hence how astronauts can stay fit and healthy while travelling to and from the Moon, as well as during long-term stays following NASA’s plans to build a base there.

The experiment launched on NASA’s Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12.41pm BST today heading for the ISS, where it will be mounted on the outside of the station by a robotic arm, so that researchers can conduct tests on dozens of microscopic worms, called C. elegans nematode worms, controlling the equipment remotely from Earth. These worms, which are 1mm in length, are commonly used in scientific research on Earth.

The mission addresses a critical challenge in humanity’s ambitions to explore the Moon and other planets: the harmful effects of extended space travel on human health. Microgravity can cause bone and muscle loss, fluid shift and vision problems, while radiation exposure can lead to genetic damage and increased cancer risk.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:

It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight. This remarkable mission – backed by government funding – shows the ingenuity and ambition of UK space science, using a small experiment to tackle one of the biggest challenges of long‑duration space travel: protecting human health.

As we prepare for a new era of exploration, including future missions to the Moon, research like this will help astronauts stay healthy and return home safely. It’s a great example of how we’re driving innovation to grow the economy and keep the UK at the forefront of future technologies.

Dr Tim Etheridge, from the University of Exeter, said:

NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space. By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.

The experiment will also show that complex biology experiments can be done in space at miniature scale and relatively lower cost. The project builds on an earlier concept funded by the UK Space Agency and has been developed in partnership with the University of Leicester, which designed and built the hardware, and Voyager Space Technologies, which is managing the mission and launch.

The Petri Pod is a self-contained experiment housed in a unit measuring approximately 10x10x30cm and weighing around 3kg. It contains 12 experimental chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light imaging capabilities.

Each chamber provides a miniaturised ‘life support’ environment, by maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for organisms to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. The specimens receive food and water through an agar carrier.

Initially, the experiment will spend time inside the ISS before being deployed outside on an experimental platform, exposing it to the vacuum and radiation of space along with microgravity for up to 15 weeks.

During the mission, researchers will monitor the worms’ health using fluorescent glowing signals and white light optics, captured via photographic stills and time-lapse video captured with miniature cameras. The system will collect data on temperature, pressure and accumulated radiation dose, with information relayed to Earth.

Professor Mark Sims, project manager for the Fluorescent Deep Space Petri-Pods project at Leicester, said:

FDSPP is Leicester’s first major microgravity life sciences project, and it has been both an interesting and challenging instrument to design and build. The project builds upon previous work with Tim Etheridge and the University of Exeter.

Having now delivered the experiment to Voyager Space Technologies, who provide the interface to NASA and its flight on the International Space Station, the project team at Leicester look forward to seeing the first images from orbit. We hope this will contribute to our understanding of the microgravity environment, and we’re excited about the potential to further develop the instrument concept in the future.

April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan [April 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said that the ceasefire was very welcome and thanked Sharif for Pakistan’s critical role.

They agreed that the upcoming talks were vital to progress the ceasefire towards lasting peace, and to ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Recognising that it was still early days, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK was supportive of this process and hoped it would pave the way to a long-term resolution of the conflict.

They recognised the long and deep ties between the UK and Pakistan and agreed to stay in touch going forward.

April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman of Qatar [April 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and his Excellency the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman in Doha this morning.

The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s solidarity with Qatar following Iran’s indefensible attacks and his gratitude for keeping UK nationals living in the country safe.

He added that the UK-Qatar Joint Squadron had worked well together to defend the region in a time of need. Now that the ceasefire has been agreed, he said, this brought some relief but work must be done to ensure it turns into a lasting peace.

They affirmed their strong support for initiatives to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and for the principle of freedom of navigation. The Prime Minister set out how the UK was convening partners on the political, military and logistical steps necessary.

They committed to further strengthen their relationship, including on defence cooperation economic growth.

The Prime Minister said that his visit to the Gulf had been productive and they looked forward to speaking further soon.

April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New funding to expand specialist patrols [April 2026]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 April 2026.

£5 million funding boost to increase deployment of highly trained officers to identify and disrupt criminals and terrorists in key public spaces.

Communities across the country, particularly Jewish and other faith communities, will be supported by additional specialist officers on the streets thanks to £5 million of new funding.

New funding will increase deployments under Project Servator, a national policing tactic which disrupts criminal activity and protects communities through highly visible and unpredictable deployments.

The specialist officers are trained to spot suspicious activity and identify individuals who are preparing to commit serious crimes, including acts of terrorism.

Funding will be initially focused on supporting communities in London and Manchester, with the Metropolitan Police Service and Greater Manchester Police expected to step up patrols to stop potential terrorist threats and reconnaissance.

It comes during a period of increased concern for some communities across the country as both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate crime have reached record highs.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

At a time of heightened concern for some communities, it is vital that we step up our support.

Project Servator has a proven track record of stopping criminals and terrorists through highly visible, unpredictable deployments that vary in time and location, deterring those planning harm and reassuring the public.

This new funding will back the police with the resources they need to step up patrols, protect communities, and keep people safe in the places where they live, work and worship.

The uplift in Servator deployments follows the arson attack on the Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green, the charging of individuals under the National Security Act for alleged surveillance of Jewish sites, the terrorist attack at Heaton Park synagogue and arson attack at Peacehaven mosque last year.

Project Servator officers disrupt crime through highly visible and unpredictable deployments, consisting of uniformed and plain clothes officers, as well as specialist units. Previous deployments have led to arrests, seizures of drugs and weapons, and the collection of critical intelligence to support counter-terrorism investigations.

Officers also engage with the public and businesses to further heighten awareness, encouraging everyone to stay alert and act swiftly on anything unusual.

Matt Jukes Deputy Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police Service said:

Our communities are the heart of policing, and everything we do is focused on keeping people safe and feeling protected where they live, work and worship. Servator deployments are an important way we deliver that, by placing specialist officers at key locations to deter criminal activity and provide visible reassurance.

In recent months, we have increased our presence around faith and community sites, strengthened the way we support victims and investigate hate crime, and continued to build strong relationships with faith leaders and local representatives. We welcome this funding, which will help us go further in working alongside communities and safeguarding what matters most to them.

This new funding forms part of a package of measures to protect communities across the country, including a record £73.4 million in funding for protective security at Jewish, Muslim, and other faith sites.

It also follows a fundamental reset in how we approach countering extremism so that the government can keep the public safe, with new measures introduced to expand our visa taskforce to stop foreign extremists from ever setting foot on UK soil and bolster our disruption capability to dismantle extremist networks nationwide and keep the public safe.

Greater Manchester Police Inspector Chris Hadfield, our Tactical Lead for Project Servator said:

Project Servator plays a vital role in our approach to public safety, by providing a combination of police visibility, community engagement and partnership working to protect our people across GM.

This additional funding strengthens our commitment to Project Servator and will allow us the opportunity to expand the work we do in disrupting criminal activity. Our specially trained officers spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning to commit an act of crime, while maintaining a strong and reassuring presence within the local communities.

Since launching at GMP in 2016, Project Servator has continued to work in busy areas across the city, as well as maintaining safety at wider public events that visit Manchester, such as the BRIT Awards earlier this year.

Our patrols are highly visible, but deployments are unpredictable, and can happen at any time, in any given location. The teams also regularly conduct deployments in and around local faith communities, supporting with cultural events and holy days.

It is our aim that this funding will continue to support this mission and ensure the public always know the best places to report any suspicious or unusual activity.

Project Servator was devised by the City of London Police.

April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Two new appointments to UK Sea Fish Industry Authority Board [April 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 April 2026.

Two appointments have been made to the board of the UK Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish).

Pam Vick and Paul McCourt have been appointed to the Seafish board for a first term of three years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

Paul McCourt has also been appointed as Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair.

Seafish is a non-departmental public body which strives to create a sustainable, profitable future for the UK seafood industry. It offers regulatory guidance and services to all parts of the seafood industry, including catching and aquaculture, processors, importers, exporters and distributors of seafood, as well as restaurants and retailers.

Seafish appointments are made jointly by Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish Government, and DAERA and Northern Ireland Office. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Seafish Board comprises independents and specialists and it is two independent positions that will be replaced. Industry specialists on the board will be replaced when positions are available.

Biographies

Pam Vick

Pam Vick has been appointed as an Independent Member to the Seafish Board. She brings 20 years’ experience of strategic commercial business development, marketing and communications, and has extensive experience serving on boards across many sectors. Pam is currently Ambassador for Women on Boards UK and a Trustee for the British Ecological Society.

Paul McCourt

Former Chief Financial Officer at InPost UK, Paul McCourt has over 25 years’ experience of financial leadership, having held executive roles at Menzies and Ingenico.

April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK start-up to supply interceptor missiles to UK military and Gulf partners [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 April 2026.

Defence Secretary announces Cambridge Aerospace set to supply new interceptor missiles – known as ‘Skyhammer’ and launchers to the UK Armed Forces and Gulf partners.
- Defence Secretary announces Cambridge Aerospace set to supply new interceptor missiles and launchers to the UK Armed Forces and Gulf partners.
- Interceptor missile known as ‘Skyhammer’ is designed to counter Shahed-style attack drones, with the first deliveries in May.
- Comes as Defence Secretary opens the London Defence Conference, bringing together international leaders and policymakers from government, military, industry, academia.
The UK military and Gulf partners will be better protected against drone attacks, as a veteran-founded British start-up is set to supply new interceptor missiles.

Speaking at the London Defence Conference, Defence Secretary John Healey MP announced the Ministry of Defence intends to buy cutting-edge interceptor missiles, designed to counter Iranian Shahed-style attack drones, for the UK Armed Forces and Gulf partners.

Subject to contract, the substantial first tranche of missiles and launchers will be delivered to the Ministry of Defence in May, with more missiles and associated launchers set to be supplied within the first six months of the agreement.

This innovation demonstrates how the UK defence industry can deliver at pace – learning lessons from the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to deliver cost-effective air defence solutions for the UK and its partners.

Cambridge Aerospace’s new missile, known as ‘Skyhammer’, has a range of 30km and a maximum speed of 700km/h. The deal will further boost British business by creating over 50 new jobs and supporting 125 current jobs at Cambridge Aerospace, making defence an engine for growth. The UK is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

The announcement comes as the Defence Secretary opens the London Defence Conference, speaking to policymakers, industry and academia on a new era for defence and the importance of warfighting readiness.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

We are applying the approach for UK support to Ukraine and accelerating contracts with the most innovative British businesses to rapidly expand support to Gulf partners and equip our own forces with anti-drone tech.

Our government backing for Cambridge Aerospace is a prime case of a veteran-founded UK defence start-up scaling at pace to deliver new interceptor missiles within weeks for our Armed Forced and Gulf partners, and good jobs and security here in the UK.

CEO of Cambridge Aerospace Steven Barrett said:

With aerial threats to the UK and our allies increasing by the day, it is critical that we can defend ourselves effectively. Skyhammer was designed to do exactly that – bringing affordable mass to protect our skies. We welcome the Government’s commitment to supporting UK air defence with scalable, sovereign solutions.

The multi-million pound contract with Cambridge Aerospace is set to include integration, technical support and end user training.

This initiative builds on last month’s roundtable event in London which saw representatives from 13 key UK-based defence companies meeting Gulf ambassadors and defence attachés to explore new industry support for regional allies.

The Ministry of Defence, through the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, is working to speed up financing and licensing for exports to Gulf partners. As part of this, a new Task Force has been created within the NAD Group to collaborate across government to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. 
April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Local museums receive £4 million to improve accessibility to arts and culture [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 10 April 2026.

£4 million of public funding and private philanthropy to improve access to museums and galleries across the country.
- Investment to support local people by improving displays, enhancing collection care and making exhibitions more accessible to visitors
- Partnership between the DCMS and the Wolfson Foundation has funded more than 440 projects over the last 24 years, to help more people engage with arts and culture
24 local museums have received a share of £4 million through the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.

The Fund brings together £2 million in match funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and independent, grant making charity, the Wolfson Foundation. It supports local museums by improving displays, enhancing collection care and making exhibitions more accessible to visitors.

Over the past 24 years, the fund has awarded over £50 million, which has supported more than 440 projects across the country. It supports the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to arts and culture in the place they call home.

Yesterday (Thursday 9 April), the Museums Minister Baroness Twycross and Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, visited Norwich Castle which has been awarded £228,900 in this latest round. They met with local representatives to discuss how the investment will enable Norwich Castle to upgrade the gallery infrastructure, remodel and update display cases and reinterpret collections, improving the visitor experience.

Museums Minister, Baroness Twycross said:

We want to ensure that everyone, everywhere can experience arts and culture in the area they call home and this fund plays a key role in making that possible.

The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund demonstrates how public funding and private philanthropy can work together to open up access to museums and galleries for those who might otherwise face barriers, and help more people enjoy the UK’s world-class collections.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:

Museums are among the great treasures of British cultural life. They preserve the collections and stories that speak of our shared creativity and community heritage. This latest round of funding from the long-standing DCMS/Wolfson partnership allows museums – and particularly regional museums – to upgrade their facilities and improve access to their collections, so more of us can enjoy the fascinating wonders on our doorstep.

Other examples of funded projects include:
- The Black Country Living Museum will receive £272,000 for a project which will revive the Museum’s historic but currently inactive electric trolleybuses and extend the route into the local 1940s-60s High Street. This project will restore the use of the electric transport, protect the area’s nationally significant collection and transform access and deliver a truly unique immersive experience for visitors.
- Museum of Hartlepool has been awarded £218,400 for the creation of a Temporary Exhibitions Gallery and Collections Care Facility. The investment will support essential upgrades to the Museum’s Exhibition and Collections infrastructure by installing new display cases, lighting, flooring, and environmental controls meeting national security and conservation standards. This will improve collections facilities to provide secure, climate-controlled conditions for artefacts in storage, ensuring that treasures can continue to inspire and educate visitors for generations.
- Kirkleatham Museum will receive £272,000 which will help to reimagine Kirkleatham Museum’s permanent galleries around three themes – People and Place, Industry and Innovation, and Heritage and Discovery. The project will support the redevelopment of the Museum’s core gallery spaces, creating modern, accessible and inspiring displays that better reflect the stories, people and heritage of Redcar and Cleveland.
The successful museums and galleries are part of the 15th round of funding from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.

Notes to editors

Full list of recipients:

North West
- Platt Hall (Manchester City Galleries) – £38,700
- Manchester Museum – £200,000
North East
- Segedunum Roman Fort – £213,100
- Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books – £316,200
- Museum of Hartlepool – £218,400
- Kirkleatham Museum – £272,000
South East
- Reading Museum – £80,000
- Weald and Downland Living Museum – £227,000
- Booth Museum of Natural History – £139,900
- Pitt Rivers Museum – £55,000
South West
- SS Great Britain – £46,300
- Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon – £103,000
- Bristol Museum and Art Gallery – £317,100
- The Burton at Bideford – £86,500
West Midlands
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts – £150,000
- British Motor Museum – £147,700
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery – £183,100
- Black Country Living Museum – £272,000
East Midlands
- National Tramway Museum – £210,600
East of England
- Food Museum – £357,600
- Norwich Castle – £228,900
London
- Garden Museum – £75,000
Yorkshire and the Humber
- Thackray Museum of Medicine – £39,900
- Hepworth Wakefield – £22,000
About DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund

The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund provides capital funding for museums and galleries across England to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors. For 2025-27, DCMS and the Wolfson Foundation have each contributed £2 million to the Fund, which has benefitted more than 440 projects in its more than 24-year history.
April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK considers ban on owning signal jamming devices used by car thieves and shoplifters [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 10 April 2026.

The UK government is considering tougher measures against criminals exploiting gadgets designed to hack doorbells and vehicle tracking systems.
- UK government investigates rising misuse of radiofrequency jammers to commit crime, from hacking video doorbells to enable burglaries to bringing airports to a halt
- Devices, disguised as everyday tech like digital watches, are being used by criminals to commit theft and disrupt public services people rely on daily.
- Possessing a jamming device could be made illegal as part of crackdown, subject to public and industry views in new call for evidence launched today
A crackdown of radio frequency jammers, which are designed or modified to block or interfere with wireless communications, is on the cards under government action outlined today.

From blocking GPS signals in vehicles to aid theft, to compromising positions during military operations, misuse of these gadgets happens at all levels of criminal activity, posing a real and growing risk to people and critical national infrastructure.

Criminals often disguise radiofrequency jammers as everyday objects to break into homes by disabling security systems, such as video doorbells, or break into vehicles bypassing security systems and quickly emptying vans of tools. These devices are also used in shoplifting to block wireless security tags, preventing alarms and making theft easier. Additionally, jammers can interfere with mobile coverage and emergency radio networks – hindering how emergency services respond to incidents.

Just one week of disruption to the UK’s vital positioning, navigation and timing infrastructure could cost the UK economy up to £7.64 billion – threatening jobs, businesses and ways of life.

In response, the government is seeking views from the public and key industry stakeholders across the country, including mobile network operators, law enforcement agencies and specialists from the transport and infrastructure sectors, on the current regulations and enforcement for the jammers.

UK Telecoms Minister, Liz Lloyd, said:

We are stepping up efforts to stop the illegal use of jamming devices which are threatening not only our daily lives, but also our vital public services across the country.

This is an opportunity for the public and industry experts to have their say on how we safeguard our homes, businesses, transport networks and more from those seeking to exploit these technologies.

By gathering a broad range of informed opinions, we can make sure any future measures we introduce are rooted in evidence and address the real issues people area facing.

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 bans the use and possession of non-compliant equipment, but proving a person used a jammer to cause interference can be difficult to evidence. The Crime and Policing Bill will make it illegal to possess or share electronic devices used to steal cars and could lead up to 5 years in prison.

The insights from this call for evidence could inform legislation on the possession of all other types of jamming. It will clarify the legitimate uses of radiofrequency jammers, like in secure environments such as in prisons to prevent inmates from using contraband mobile phones or military exercises in combat, and how current regulations could be improved.

Feedback from this call for evidence will inform any future legislation so that any new measures are based on evidence and proportionate, while effectively protecting critical national infrastructure from illegal threats.
April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President of the UAE [April 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi this afternoon.

The Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the people of the UAE and his condolences for the lives lost as a result of Iran’s reckless bombardment. The leaders agreed that Iran’s targeting of civilian infrastructure in the region was indefensible.

The Prime Minister welcomed the ceasefire and urged that all sides work to ensure it is upheld and turned into lasting peace in the region.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders discussed the need to push to restore the free flow of goods to support global supply chains.

On wider bilateral issues, they agreed to continue to strengthen the UK-UAE relationship cross a range of areas, including innovation, trade and investment.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

April 12, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with King and Prime Minister of Bahrain [April 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met with His Majesty the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa this evening in Manama.

The Prime Minister strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and reflected on his conversations so far with other leaders in the region.

He reiterated the importance of ensuring the ceasefire is upheld in order to pave the way for lasting peace. He said that the UK would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bahrain and other allies in the region.

They underlined their commitment to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the need to consider and pursue viable plans to deliver this.

The Prime Minister and Crown Prince also reflected on the long held strong links between their countries and the depth of the relationship, including the strong defence collaboration between the UK and Bahrain and their desire to work on this further.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

April 12, 2026