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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK continues to demand accountability for Russian violations of NATO airspace – Russia is undermining regional security: UK statement to the OSCE [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK continues to demand accountability for Russian violations of NATO airspace – Russia is undermining regional security: UK statement to the OSCE [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 September 2025.

    Ambassador Holland says that recent Russian airspace violations are part of a wider pattern of behaviour that seeks to test NATO’s resolve and distract from Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. The UK demands an honest response from Russia. In the OSCE, credibility matters.

    Thank you, Madame Chair. Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression war in Ukraine continues. I want to be clear to begin with that the international community should not allow Russia’s provocations elsewhere to distract from the urgent need to end this war.

    That said, the United Kingdom remains gravely concerned by the dangerous violations of NATO airspace by Russian military aircraft, including the most recent incursions into the sovereign airspace of Estonia. These actions should not be considered in isolation. They are part of a wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour that seeks to test NATO’s resolve and distract from Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

    Russia continues to engage in reckless manoeuvres that risk escalation and undermine regional security. Let us be clear: NATO is a defensive alliance. Its purpose is to protect, not provoke. That is why the UK has contributed to EASTERN SENTRY to bolster NATO’s security along our entire Eastern Flank. Russia should be in no doubt that NATO and Allies will employ all necessary military and non-military tools, in accordance with international law, to defend ourselves and deter all threats in a manner, timing and domain of our choosing.

    The FSC is mandated to foster military-to-military dialogue, build confidence and reduce risk of escalation between States. If Russia truly wishes to engage in meaningful dialogue, then full and honest participation in these organisations is the obvious mechanism. The UK will continue to ask constructive questions, but we expect honest and direct answers. If direct answers and participation in good faith are not forthcoming, then it will be clear that Russia continues to hide behind misinformation and false narratives. Madame Chair, in this forum, credibility matters.

    At last week’s Opening Session of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), the United Kingdom asked Russia whether they would directly confirm responsibility for the other airspace violations observed in Poland on 9th September. Russia did not respond directly. So, in this spirit we ask again about this violation. If the Russian delegation requires more time to secure an accurate response from Moscow, then we encourage them to do so. We will ask again next week. Our questions are (again):

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

    And secondly, if they are in fact deliberate, what is Russia’s intent?

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

    The United Kingdom stands firmly with Ukraine and with our NATO Allies. We will not be deterred by Russia’s irresponsible acts. We will continue to fully support Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence. And we will continue to demand accountability for violations of international law, whether in the skies over Europe or on the ground in Ukraine. Thank you, Madame Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Record fraud crackdown saves half a billion for public services [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record fraud crackdown saves half a billion for public services [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 24 September 2025.

    Government stops over £480 million ending up in the pockets of fraudsters over twelve months since April 2024 – more money than ever before.

    • Government stops over £480 million ending up in the pockets of fraudsters over twelve months since April 2024 – more money than ever before.
    • New technology and artificial intelligence turns the tide in the fight against public sector fraud, with new tech to prevent repeat of Covid loan fraud.
    • Over a third of the money saved relates to fraud committed by companies and people during the pandemic.      
    • Crackdown means more funding for schools, hospitals and vital public services to deliver the Plan for Change.

    Fraudsters have been stopped from stealing a record £480 million from the taxpayer in the government’s biggest ever fraud crackdown, meaning more money can be used to recruit nurses, teachers and police officers as part of the Plan for Change.

    Over a third of the money saved (£186 million) comes from identifying and recovering fraud committed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Government efforts to date have blocked hundreds of thousands of companies with outstanding or potentially fraudulent Bounce Back Loans from dissolving before they would have to pay anything back. We have also clawed back millions of pounds from companies that took out Covid loans they were not entitled to, or took out multiple loans when only entitled to one.

    This builds on successful convictions in recent months to crack down on opportunists who exploited the Bounce Back Loan Scheme for their own gain, including a woman who invented a company and then sent the loan money to Poland.

    Alongside Covid fraud, the record savings reached in the year to April 2025 include clamping down on people unlawfully claiming single persons council tax discount and removing people from social housing waitlists who wanted to illegally sublet their discounted homes at the taxpayers’ expense.

    Announcing the record figures at an anti-fraud Five Eyes summit in London, Cabinet Office Minister Josh Simons said: 

    Working people expect their taxes to go towards schools, hospitals, roads and the services they and their families use. That money going into the hands of fraudsters is a betrayal of their hard work and the system of paying your fair share. It has to stop.

    That’s why this government has delivered the toughest ever crackdown on fraud, protecting almost half a billion pounds in under 12 months.

    We’re using cutting-edge AI and data tools to stay one step ahead of fraudsters, making sure public funds are protected and used to deliver public services for those who need them most – not line the pockets of scammers and swindlers.

    The savings have been driven by comparing different information the government holds to stop people falsely claiming benefits and discounts that they’re clearly not eligible for.

    The high-tech push brought around £110m back to the exchequer more than the year before, and comes as the government pushes to save £45 billion by using tech to make the public sector more productive, saving money for the NHS and police forces to deliver the Plan for Change.

    The Minister will also unveil a new AI fraud prevention tool that has been built by the government and will be used across all departments after successful tests.

    The AI system scans new policies and procedures for weaknesses before they can be exploited, helping make new policies fraud-proof when they are drafting them. The tool could be essential in stopping fraudsters from taking advantage of government efforts to help people in need amid future emergencies.

    It has been designed to prevent the scale of criminality seen through the Covid pandemic, where millions were lost to people falsely taking advantage of furlough, Covid Grants and Bounce Back Loans.

    Results from early tests show it could save thousands of hours and help prevent millions in potential losses, slashing the time to identify fraud risks by 80% while preserving human oversight.

    The UK will also licence the technology internationally, with Five Eyes partners at the summit considering adoption as part of strengthening global efforts to stop fraud and demonstrating Britain’s role at the forefront of innovation.

    The summit will bring together key allies and showcase the government’s unprecedented use of artificial intelligence, data-matching and specialist investigators to target fraud across more than a thousand different schemes.

    At the summit, Cabinet Office Minister Josh Simons will describe how the record crackdown has been achieved:

    • Over £68 million of wrongful pension payments were prevented across major public sector pension schemes, including the Local Government Pension Scheme, NHS Pension Scheme, Civil Service Pensions and Armed Forces pension schemes. These savings were achieved by identifying cases where pension payments continued after the individual had died, often with relatives continuing to claim benefits they were not entitled to.
    • More than 2,600 people were removed from housing waiting lists they weren’t entitled to be on, including individuals who were subletting or had multiple tenancies unlawfully. 
    • Over 37,000 fraudulent single-person council tax discount claims were stopped, saving £36 million for local councils and taxpayers. These false claims, often made by individuals misrepresenting their household size to secure a 25% discount, were uncovered using advanced data-matching.

    Today’s announcement follows extensive progress on fraud in the last 12 months, including the appointment of a Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner, introduced the Public Authorities Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill, and boosted AI-driven detection, saving hundreds of millions and strengthening public sector fraud prevention – driven by the Public Sector Fraud Authority.

    The majority of the £480 million saved is taxpayer money, with a portion from private sector partners, such as insurance and utilities companies, helping lower consumer costs and support UK business growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New £10 million fund to support UK businesses to deliver next generation of semiconductors [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New £10 million fund to support UK businesses to deliver next generation of semiconductors [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 24 September 2025.

    UK semiconductor innovation boosted as Tech Minister announces £10 million fund.

    • Tech Minister announces £10 million fund to boost UK semiconductor innovation from lab to market
    • Investment supports British companies developing computer chip technologies central to our national security and powering everyday products like phones and cars
    • Funding helps UK’s strongest companies to compete in a global market worth hundreds of billions, supporting growth through the government’s Plan for Change

    People across the country will benefit from smarter, more secure technology in their everyday lives thanks to a £10 million investment in British semiconductors announced by Tech Minister Kanishka Narayan today (Wednesday 24 September).

    The investment is expected to support up to 40 British businesses in accelerating development of the tiny computer chips that are central to powering everything from smartphones and cars to medical devices and renewable energy systems.

    With the UK semiconductor sector on track to grow by 75% by 2030, funding will be targeted at boosting areas where the UK is strongest, to turbocharge investment from around the world and compete in a global market worth hundreds of billions of pounds.

    Companies to benefit from the Innovate UK fund include Paragraf Limited, which develops highly energy-efficient semiconductor devices using graphene technology. These advanced devices could help mobile phone batteries last longer and reduce energy consumption in cars, aircraft, and defence systems. 

    The technology underpins critical national infrastructure, from secure communications and defence systems to satellites and cyber security, making UK semiconductor innovation vital for national resilience.

    Tech Minister, Kanishka Narayan said:

    There is immense potential in the UK semiconductors sector. By investing in its growth, we will build on our country’s strengths, setting ourselves apart in a highly competitive market to unlock new skilled jobs at home and boost our economy.

    We’re backing Britain’s businesses with the support they need to thrive, helping turn world-class research into major advancements such as more efficient mobile phones and TVs – making life easier for people right across the UK.

    Meanwhile, Silicon Microgravity Limited will create matchbox-sized navigation devices that can work without relying on satellite signals. These devices will be used in wearable technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, as well as industrial robots, providing the UK with critical capabilities in navigation technology that strengthens our independence from international systems.

    The fund will provide these companies with access to specialist, ultra-clean semiconductor manufacturing facilities, technical expertise, and business mentoring to help translate their innovations into commercial products.

    These projects build on established UK strengths in cutting-edge semiconductor research and navigation technologies.

    Across the UK, firms such as Pragmatic in Durham and Cambridge, Vishay and KLA in Newport, and Paragraf in Cambridgeshire are driving innovation in cutting edge technologies from flexible electronics and graphene-based devices to power semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The UK’s largest tech company, Arm, is a global leader in chip design, demonstrating how UK expertise can drive the next generation of semiconductor breakthroughs.

    Minister Narayan will announce the funding at the Microelectronics UK Conference, where international industry leaders and government representatives will gather to advance collaboration and innovation in this strategically important sector for our economies.

    This investment will strengthen Britain’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies, while building the domestic semiconductor expertise essential for economic growth and national resilience in an increasingly digital world. It will directly support the government’s Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change mission to fuel economic growth.

    The announcement reinforces the UK’s commitment to building sovereign capabilities in semiconductors, reducing vulnerability to supply chain disruptions whilst creating high-skilled jobs and export opportunities in a sector that will be fundamental to Britain’s future economic success.

    Iain Mauchline, Head of Semiconductors, Innovate UK, said:

    This funding being delivered by Innovate UK (through the Technology Missions Fund and DSIT) is for diverse projects, all developing cutting-edge semiconductor innovations that are fundamental for the UK and our frontier technology areas.

    We’re pleased to provide support for these innovative companies who are using semiconductors as the key enabling technology to make a difference across a vast range of industries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Football clubs partner with Government to help young people into work [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Football clubs partner with Government to help young people into work [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 24 September 2025.

    Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across the country signing up to help the Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn.

    • Every Premier League Football Club Charity now in talks with DWP to support the Youth Guarantee – helping more young people get into work or training.
    • Youth Hub scheme to double to over 200 locations, giving more young people access to employment, skills and wellbeing support at football clubs, libraries and community centres closer to home.
    • EFL in the Community, the charitable arm of the English Football League (EFL), and Rugby Football League confirm new partnerships, harnessing the power of sport to champion young people and break down barriers to opportunities as part of the Plan for Change.

    Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across the country signing up to help the Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn.

    The Government’s highly successful Youth Hubs – which are hosted by sports clubs and other community venues in England, Scotland and Wales – will almost double in number thanks to £25 million investment announced today.

    The funding was announced as it was revealed that every Premier League club charity in England is now discussing with Government how they can help get young people earning or learning, while the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League have also been confirmed as new partners, supporting the same aim.

    This means even more young people across the country are being helped by their local teams, as well as the Government’s other Youth Guarantee partners.

    To mark the expansion of the programme and our partnership with the Premier League, Secretary of State Pat McFadden will visit Selhurst Park, home to the Palace for Life Youth Hub and Crystal Palace football club, where he will meet staff and young people benefitting from the service to see first-hand the impact it is having in the community.

    Youth Hubs offer personalised, wraparound employment, skills and wellbeing support to young people in the areas of highest need. Thanks to this latest investment they will almost double to over 200 places across England, Scotland and Wales in the next three years.

    The Hubs bring support, such as CV and wellbeing advice, directly to young people – taking place in settings right at the heart of the community like sports clubs, libraries and community centres.

    With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, this expansion is helping to inspire a renewed sense of purpose and ambition in young people as well as breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Plan for Change.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said:

    The number of young people not in education, employment or training is unacceptably high, and this Government will not stand by while so many are robbed of their potential and our country of its future.

    Through our £25 million expansion of Youth Hubs and partnerships with the Premier League and other key organisations, we’re creating real opportunities for the next generation, ensuring support is targeted to those most in need.

    This investment will support our mission to give every young person the skills and confidence they need to thrive, as we break down barriers to opportunity under our Plan for Change.

    Run in partnership with Jobcentres, Youth Hubs bring Youth Work Coaches together with local partners including charities, councils and employers to provide everything from CV advice to skills training to careers guidance and wellbeing support. In future, they will also provide access to mental health services, housing and homelessness support.

    Erin is one of many young people who have flourished thanks to the Government-funded support offered by her local Youth Hub.

    Unemployed for two years and struggling with motivation, she visited the Palace for Life Youth Hub. After joining the hospitality programme where she gained valuable experience and confidence, she completed a work placement and was offered a permanent job, marking the start of an exciting new chapter.

    The Secretary of State will host a roundtable at Selhurst Park with existing Youth Guarantee partners including the Premier League and Channel 4, as well as new partners such as the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League.

    Clare Sumner, chief policy and social impact officer at the Premier League said:

    The Premier League is proud to support the expansion of Youth Hubs so young people, whatever their background, can access the opportunities, support and inspiration they deserve.

    Between 2022 and 2025, the Premier League has invested £1.6 billion into wider football and communities, helping support people of all ages who need it most, and create more chances for young people to learn and grow. By working in partnership with Government on the Youth Guarantee, we can build on this foundation and ensure Youth Hubs offer even more opportunities to help young people thrive.

    Together we are showing how football is more than a game, reaching those who need support most, helping them fulfil their potential and strengthening communities nationwide.

    The announcement is the latest example of the Government’s work to tackle the rising number of young people not in education, employment, or training. In August, an additional £45 million was invested to extend funding for eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers across England whilst an extra £100 million will help to train up 40,000 young construction workers as the Government continues to break down barriers to opportunity under the Plan for Change.

    It marks another step in the plan to Get Britain Working and raise living standards by modernising Jobcentres, boosting the National Living Wage, and creating more secure jobs through the Employment Rights Bill.

    Additional information

    Ayesha Baloch, Senior Policy Advisor at Impetus, said: 

    The renewed focus on Youth Hubs is a fantastic opportunity to engage more young people in employment by creating a welcoming space where they truly want to be. Through a culture of hospitality, Youth Hubs have the potential to engage hundreds of thousands of young people currently locked out of the labour market and missing out on key employment support. A vital part of the Youth Guarantee, Hubs are a crucial outlet for ensuring all young people get the support they need to join the labour market and thrive in work.

    Sam Avanzo Windett, Deputy Director at Learning and Work Institute (L&W), said:

    With nearly a million young people not currently earning or learning, further investment in the Government’s Youth Hubs network is welcome. In England, we know that fewer than one in four young people not in education, employment or training are getting help to move into work and around half are not claiming benefits and risk missing out on support altogether. Youth Hubs co-locate services, making it easier for young people to access support and help overcome the associated stigma that deters many young people from engaging with Jobcentre Plus. Engaging and offering more young people help to find a job or improve their skills is essential for our future workforce and to help reach the Government’s aim for an 80 per cent employment rate.

    Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation said: 

    Youth Hubs have made a promising start at providing place-based solutions to help young people into work – meeting young people where they are with targeted support, welcoming spaces, and trusted relationships.

    Expanding them and linking with Youth Guarantee trailblazer areas is an important part of the system response needed to reduce the large number of young people not in education, employment or training, and build a more prosperous future.

    Neil Carberry, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive, and an RFU-qualified rugby referee and coach, said:

    This is the kind of creative thinking needed to encourage more young people into the workforce. It also keeps the ball rolling toward the goal of ensuring local organisations, employers, and recruiters target support effectively at economically inactive people in their communities. As recruiters, we know that all it takes is a small steer, suggestion, or personally delivered coaching to help a young person land a job.

    Becci Newton, Director, Public Policy Research, Institute for Employment Studies, said:  

    The Government’s announcement of substantial new investment in youth hubs across Great Britain is great news for young people, particularly those struggling with unemployment or inactivity. Hubs bring together a range of services to support young people to find work or training. Plus, hubs co-locate services so there can be easy access to support on physical and mental health, housing, transport and other possible issues.

    Our evaluation with young people showed high degrees of satisfaction with youth hubs. Young people appreciated the personalised support available and the welcoming environment which helped to secure their engagement.

    Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy, People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce: 

    Getting more young people into employment, education or training is a top priority for business.  

    Firms know that the longer we leave this young pool of talent to drift away from the workplace the harder it becomes for them to engage. 

    Collaboration with sports organisations can be a match winner. We really welcome this new initiative as a powerful springboard to accelerate Government schemes we know are already making a difference.

    Elizabeth Taylor, ERSA’s Chief Executive said:

    ERSA strongly welcomes the expansion of Youth Hubs, we have long campaigned for this model of co-location with work coaches, employment support providers and community-based organisations, as we know it is an effective way of harnessing engagement and better outcomes for individuals.

    A report published last week (17 September) by ERSA, supported by EFL in the Community, found that Football Club charities are trusted and visible organisations, rooted in some of the most deprived communities in England and Wales, who can effectively engage with disadvantaged groups who may not otherwise access mainstream provision.

    Marc Lovering, RFL Director of Development

    The RFL are huge supporters of the Youth Hubs initiative. The sport makes a positive impact on thousands of young people across the north of England, especially through our charitable Foundations and Community Wellbeing Hubs – and we look forward to building on our work alongside the DWP, other agencies and sports under this exciting new investment.

    • The expansion of Youth Hubs will include a standardised service model to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all Youth Hubs, marking a significant step forward in delivering more accessible, joined-up employment support and connecting young people to a wider range of services such as health, housing, and wellbeing support.
    • The latest ONS young people not in education, employment or training statistics were published on Thursday 21 August at 9.30 here: Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK – Office for National Statistics
  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement – offer to assist with treatments of patients from Gaza in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement – offer to assist with treatments of patients from Gaza in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

    UK and partners call on Israel to restore the medical corridor to the West Bank for vital healthcare.

    As the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip continues to unfold, there is an urgent need to scale up medical treatment of patients from Gaza.

    We, the undersigned, stand ready to provide support in the form of e.g. financial contributions, provision of medical staff or equipment needed for the treatment of patients from Gaza in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

    We strongly appeal to Israel to restore the medical corridor to the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so medical evacuations from Gaza can be resumed and patients can get the treatment that they so urgently need on Palestinian territory.

    We furthermore urge Israel to lift restrictions on deliveries of medicine and medical equipment to Gaza in line with Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law; to urgently and fully enable the UN and other humanitarian partners to do their life-saving work in Gaza; and in line with UN Security Council resolution 2286 (2016) to ensure that medical personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties are respected and protected, their safe and unimpeded passage is facilitated, along with their equipment, transport, and supplies.

    This statement has been signed by:

    • The Foreign Ministers of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
    • The Ministers of Development Cooperation of Finland and the Netherlands
    • The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Ministers meet JLR bosses and supply chain companies to help secure future of car industry [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ministers meet JLR bosses and supply chain companies to help secure future of car industry [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 23 September 2025.

    Peter Kyle and Chris McDonald met JLR’s CEO and senior executives at its Gaydon headquarters to discuss latest situation.

    • Business Secretary and Industry Minister visited Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today to show support for the company and meet with supply chain businesses.
    • Government is in daily contact with JLR and cyber experts to listen to concerns and what support can be provided to get production back online.
    • Government is continuing to work with industry to deliver security for the sector as part of modern Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change.

    Today [23 September], Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Industry Minister Chris McDonald met with JLR’s CEO and senior executives during a visit to the company’s Gaydon headquarters.

    Discussions included talks on the impacts of the cyber incident and how JLR can work towards restarting production. 

    Ministers received in-person briefings on the latest situation, before touring the site and hearing from workers who have been off work since the cyber incident occurred. 

    During these discussions, both Ministers acknowledged the severity of the situation which is impacting a key sector that supports thousands of skilled jobs which enables growth and innovation across the UK’s manufacturing sector.

    This is the latest show of support for the firm and wider auto sector as the government is delivering the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade – including securing landmark trade deals to boost exports and updating the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate to support UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs in the auto industry.

    Following the visit, the Business Secretary and Minister for Industry also visited Webasto’s Sutton Coldfield site to engage with the impacted supply chain firm and learn about the supply chain’s resilience following the cyber incident.  

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

    I know this is a deeply worrying time for all those affected by the ongoing cyber incident and that’s why I visited JLR today to hear from the company, supply chain and workers. 

    Getting JLR back online as soon as possible is my top priority, providing much needed certainty to workers and suppliers. 

    This government is on the side of our world-leading automotive sector and by working closely with JLR and the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact of this incident, as well as helping the sector thrive long into the future through our modern Industrial Strategy.

    Since last week Ministers have met with representatives from businesses, trade unions, trade associations and local authorities to discuss the impacts of the ongoing incident and show support, while the National Cyber Security Centre is working tirelessly to help coordinate the operational response to the incident.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announces the appointment of Independent Expert [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announces the appointment of Independent Expert [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 23 September 2025.

    The Independent Expert will take up the role, within the existing Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) legislative framework, on 23 September 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP has today announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen to the role of Independent Expert on paramilitary group transition to disbandment. The appointment has been made jointly with Jim O’Callaghan, the Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. 

    The Independent Expert will take up the role, within the existing Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) legislative framework, on 23 September 2025 and is expected to complete the scoping and engagement exercise and submit their report by mid-August 2026.

    Biography

    Fleur Ravensbergen is an independent conflict resolution and negotiation practitioner, and a lecturer in conflict resolution and governance at the University of Amsterdam. She has broad and deep experience of supporting dialogue around the world including in the Middle East, Central Africa and Europe. She is a member of the Peace and Security Commission of the Advisory Council of International Affairs (AIV) which advises the Dutch Government and parliament on peace and security. She serves as the Facilitator for ABN AMRO’s Human Rights Grievance and Remedy Mechanism and is an Advisory Council Member for Fight for Humanity – a Geneva-based human rights organisation. Previously she co-founded and was Deputy Director of the Dialogue Advisory Group, an Amsterdam-based NGO that facilitates dialogue in armed conflict. 

    Political Activity

    All UKG appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories within the last five years to be made public.

    The appointee has declared no such political activity in the past five years.

    Regulation

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

    Terms of appointment

    The appointment will be for a period of one year. The Independent Expert role attracts a remuneration of £650 per day and is not pensionable. 

    Background

    The UK Government and the Government of Ireland announced in February 2025 that they would jointly appoint an Independent Expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. 

    The objective of the Independent Expert is, through independent scoping and engagement, to assess whether there is merit in and support for a formal process that ensures the transition to disbandment of paramilitary groups and to produce a report by mid August 2026. 

    The Independent Expert will carry out their work in line with the overarching objectives of the IRC which are:

    • promoting progress towards ending paramilitary activity; and
    • supporting long term peace and stability in society and stable and inclusive devolved Government in Northern Ireland

    In carrying out their functions, the Independent Expert will be mindful throughout of the overarching vision of the Fresh Start Agreement for the “continued transformation of our society,” and the goal of “the primacy of the democratic political process in Northern Ireland and the ending of paramilitarism” as well as the recommitment to tackling paramilitarism made by the parties in the New Decade, New Approach Agreement in 2020.

    Functions

    To achieve their objective, the Independent Expert will carry out a programme of exploratory engagement with inter alia:

    • representatives of communities affected by paramilitarism, including victims of paramilitary activity;
    • representatives of wider society in Northern Ireland;
    • representatives of the statutory agencies likely to have a role in aspects of implementation of a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups aimed at facilitating their disbandment;
    • representatives of paramilitary groups who have an interest in ending the violence and wider harms caused by paramilitary groups  

    To achieve their objective the Independent Expert will consider through this programme of engagement, inter alia, the following:

    • Issues that are currently perceived or presented as a barrier and issues that could enable paramilitary group transition to disbandment;
    • the advantages and disadvantages of a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups aimed at facilitating their transition to disbandment;
    • the feasibility and advisability of such a formal process;
    • levels of willingness to engage in a formal process ;
    • expectations of what would be achieved through participation in such a process;
    • the issues likely to arise over the course of a formal process of engagement; and
    • the extent to which such a process would substantially contribute to furthering the commitments of the Fresh Start Agreement to work collectively to achieve a society free of paramilitarism.

    The Independent Expert will produce a report by mid-August 2026 setting out what could be in scope of a formal process that ensures the transition to disbandment of paramilitary groups and the levels of public support for such a process. This should include recommendations on whether there would be merit in establishing a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups aimed at facilitating their transition towards disbandment, and if so, how such a formal process could be established to have the highest chance of success including in terms of structure, milestones, timeframe and reporting/verification arrangements.

    The Independent Expert should reflect in their report, based on what they have heard through their engagement, on alternative or additional approaches which could help promote progress towards ending paramilitary harm and activity and support long term peace and stability in NI and may merit further consideration.

    Approach and delivery

    In carrying out the functions described above, the Independent Expert will engage the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and respective law enforcement agencies, the NI Executive and other statutory agencies, local councils, political parties, communities, and civic society organisations in order to understand their perspectives on the issue. 

    The Independent Expert will have a strong focus in their work on recommendations aimed at promoting and supporting practical, comprehensive and effective trauma-informed measures and initiatives that aim to bring about the continued transformation of society envisioned in the Fresh Start Agreement.

    Throughout their scoping and engagement, the Independent Expert should actively encourage the ending of all paramilitary and criminal activity. They should make clear that PSNI and their partners will continue to work to bring those involved in paramilitary criminality to justice and that group behaviours will be taken as an indication of levels of commitment to transition to disbandment, in particular, supporting the police and criminal justice system in tackling criminality, including drug dealing, extortion, and child criminal and sexual exploitation. The Independent Expert should remind their interlocutors that the IRC and others have been clear about the behaviours that would demonstrate a commitment to moving from violence and harm and these include:

    • Ending recruitment to paramilitary groups;
    • Giving up paramilitary structures and activity;
    • Ceasing mobilisation of members; 
    • Ceasing to exercise coercive power and control in communities; 
    • Ending of all paramilitary style attacks and all other forms of violence, threat of violence or intimidation; 
    • Disposal of any remaining weaponry and materiel; 
    • Allowing people to exit from paramilitarism without cost or consequence; 
    • Publicly supporting the PSNI and criminal justice system in tackling criminality and committing to democracy and the rule of law; and
    • Engaging with legacy bodies.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New Revolut HQ caps £110 billion week of investment in UK financial services sector [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Revolut HQ caps £110 billion week of investment in UK financial services sector [September 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 23 September 2025.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves will declare the UK ‘open for business’, following a £110 billion investment surge from major financial services firms in the past week alone.

    • £3 billion investment from Revolut will create 1,000 new high-skilled jobs in the UK, including a new global headquarters in London.
    • This latest commitment takes total investment from major financial services companies to over £110 billion – in a single week, following announcements by Blackstone, BlackRock and PayPal. 
    • At the opening of the new London HQ the Chancellor declares UK ‘open for business’ as Leeds Reforms push Britain to the front of global race for financial services businesses, which will help put more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    Global fintech leader Revolut will today (23 September) open its new global headquarters in Canary Wharf, setting out plans to invest £3 billion in the UK and create 1,000 high-skilled jobs over the next five years. 

    This comes on the heels of last week’s £100 billion investment from asset manager Blackstone, £7 billion from BlackRock and £1.25 billion in inward investment from leading US financial firms including PayPal and Bank of America – generating 1,800 new jobs in major cities including London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Manchester. 

    The wave of investment from financial services companies comes just months after the Chancellor cut needless financial red tape to ensure the UK wins the global race for financial services investment as part of the modern industrial strategy.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The UK is well and truly open for business under this government. Through our Leeds Reforms we’re making Britain the best place for financial services companies to do business, pushing us ahead in the global race for investment and putting more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    Nik Storonsky, CEO and Co-founder of Revolut, commented:

    Our mission has always been to simplify money for our customers, and our vision to become the world’s first truly global bank is the ultimate expression of that. From our roots here in the UK, we’ve grown to serve over 65 million customers globally, and today’s opening of our new Global HQ in London is the launchpad for our future. This HQ will be central to driving our growth towards our next milestone of 100 million customers.

    To power that journey from our home market, we are investing £3 billion in the UK over the next five years. This commitment will not only create 1,000 new jobs but will also fuel the innovation from our London hub that will help us deliver on our global ambitions.

    The major investments from financial services firms over the past week include:

    • Blackstone is aiming to invest in excess of £100 billion of assets in the UK over the next decade. This includes their £10 billion investment in a data centre in Blyth. 
    • BlackRock expects to allocate over £7 billion to the UK market next year on behalf of its clients and is investing £500 million into enterprise data centres across the country. 
    • Bank of America is set to create up to 1,000 new jobs in Belfast, marking its first-ever operation in Northern Ireland — a major milestone that underscores the region’s growing role in global financial services. 
    • Citi Group today confirms it is investing £1.1 billion across its UK operations, including a further commitment to growing its presence in Northern Ireland where the bank is already one of the top employers in Belfast now employing over 4,000 people — firmly establishing Belfast as a major technology powerhouse. 
    • In Manchester, S&P Global are investing over £4 million into their Manchester offices which will support 200 permanent jobs boosting their nearly 3,000-strong UK workforce. 
    • As part of the UK’s expanding fintech and digital innovation sector, PayPal is announcing a £150 million investment in product innovations and growth that will benefit customers throughout the UK, reinforcing Britain’s position as a key market for the brand globally.

    These investments in the UK are a vote of confidence in the UK’s economic plan, built on stability, investment and reform.  

    The Leeds Reforms set out the widest ranging reforms to financial regulation in over a decade, making the UK more attractive to global financial services firms. 

    This includes new support for fintech introducing tailored support to help FinTechs, with new start-ups getting a single regulatory point of contact to help them through the scale-up phase. The contact will be able to provide technical support to help them understand the regulatory requirements they need to meet in order to grow.   

    Revolut’s investment marks its commitment to the UK, where it has grown to become a global fintech leader with more than 10,000 employees and revenues of over £3 billion.  

    The company now serves over 65 million customers worldwide, including 12 million in the UK, and has set its sights on reaching 100 million customers globally by mid 2027. Revolut’s success exemplifies the strength of the UK’s fintech sector, which boasts around 3,000 firms supporting tens of thousands of skilled jobs nationwide.

  • PRESS RELEASE : David Crisp and Laura Burnett are appointed to the Treasure Valuation Committee [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : David Crisp and Laura Burnett are appointed to the Treasure Valuation Committee [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 23 September 2025.

    The Secretary of State has appointed David Crisp and Laura Burnett as Trustees to the Treasure Valuation Committee for terms of 5 years.

    David Crisp 

    David Crisp has been a Metal Detectorist for over 36 years and has recorded over 1300 single items. He believes that metal detecting done properly is a benefit to saving our 500,000+year-old Legacy of man-made items from the UK and its dependents. 

    He has been on the committee of the Trowbridge & District Metal Detecting Club for over 30 years and is the finder of the largest single hoard of Roman coins ever found in the UK. For the past two years he has also been Communications Officer to the National Council for Metal Detecting and until last year, was one of the main organisers of the RCM detecting events that have raised huge amounts for cancer care charities.

    Laura Burnett 

    Laura Burnett is a specialist in archaeological finds. She has authored articles and books on medieval and post-medieval objects, writing for public and specialist audiences in local, national and international publications. As a Finds Liaison Officer for 12 years she has extensive experience of the material reported as Treasure, the practical workings of the Act, and the concerns of finders, landowners and museums. She is currently undertaking doctoral research at the University of Exeter on 17th century trade tokens.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government Reappoints a Trustee to the Royal Armouries Board [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government Reappoints a Trustee to the Royal Armouries Board [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 23 September 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Professor Steven Gunn as Trustee of the Royal Armouries for a 4 year term from 1 March 2025.

    Professor Steven Gunn

    Steven Gunn is Fellow and Tutor in History at Merton College, Oxford and Professor of Early Modern History. He teaches and researches the history of later medieval and early modern Britain and Europe. 

    His books include Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (1988), Early Tudor Government, 1485-1558 (1995), War, State and Society in England and the Netherlands, 1477-1559 (2007), Henry VII’s New Men and the Making of Tudor England (2016), The English People at War in the Age of Henry VIII (2018) and An Accidental History of Tudor England: From Daily Life to Sudden Death (2025). 

    He speaks regularly to Historical Association branches and similar groups and has contributed to radio and TV programmes such as In Our Time, Great Lives, Time Team and Cunk on Britain. He is currently researching life and death in Tudor prisons and the political cultures of sixteenth-century European aristocracies.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    This role is not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.

    Professor Steven Gunn has declared no political activity.