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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Homes to be better protected from floods this winter as Taskforce boosts nation’s resilience [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Homes to be better protected from floods this winter as Taskforce boosts nation’s resilience [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 September 2025.

    Latest meeting takes place today chaired by Floods Minister Emma Hardy.

    Communities up and down the country continue to benefit from increased flood protection thanks to the Government’s Floods Resilience Taskforce which convenes today (Monday 8 September).

    In the last winter storm period, the country saw several named storms. This includes in November when the country was met by Storm Bert, causing severe flooding, while Storm Conall arrived a few days later, bringing further rainfall. During the whole period, around 167,000 properties were protected from flooding by Environment Agency assets.

    The group’s fourth meeting will discuss and prepare for possible flooding this winter – while also reflecting on the challenges and achievements of the last 12 months.

    Established in September 2024, the Taskforce was set up to ensure a long-term, strategic approach to bolstering the nation’s resilience to extreme weather, as well as speeding up the delivery of new flood and coastal defence schemes to better protect vulnerable communities.

    Since being launched, the Taskforce has:

    • Facilitated rapid information sharing between partners ahead of and during these incidents, and lessons learned have helped to prepare the nation ahead of this winter.
    • Helped deliver an improved forecasting service for surface water flooding – known as Rapid Flood Guidance. This provides short notice updates on incoming flood risks and helps first responders in their decision-making to protect lives.
    • Established Action Groups focused on three specific services – flood warnings, flood recovery and flood insurance. These groups have been created to deliver systemic improvements to the way the public engages with these services, with updates provided at future meetings as their work develops.

    Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

    I know first-hand the disruption that flooding has on people’s lives and the unexpected costs it causes.

    Since being established last year, our Taskforce has helped ensure communities have the protection they need from the dangers of flooding.

    Under our Plan for Change, we are investing billions to build new flood defences, which will protect homes and businesses across the country.

    Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:

    As we head into autumn, we need to think about flood risk even though drought is still being felt in some parts of the country.

    Our priority is to ensure communities are protected from the risk of flooding as our changing climate brings more extreme weather.

    Working with our partners in the Floods Resilience Taskforce, we will continue to ensure the nation’s flood resilience is bolstered by delivering new flood and coastal defences in towns and cities across the country.

    With a new weather and climate outlook from the Met Office indicating an increased likelihood of a wetter than average autumn is approaching, the gathering of key flood responders – including Floods Minister Emma Hardy, the emergency services, and the Environment Agency – comes at a crucial time.

    Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Will Lang, said:

    While the longer-range forecast leans towards wetter-than-average conditions for the coming months, rainfall is likely to vary significantly across regions. There is an increased likelihood of westerly weather patterns, which typically bring more rainfall to western and northern parts of the UK, while eastern and southern areas may experience drier conditions than the national average suggests.

    Importantly, despite the overall signal for wetter weather, this outlook does not guarantee that current drought conditions will ease consistently across the country.

    This outlook will play a vital role in supporting Taskforce members to prepare for the forthcoming winter period, and ensure communities are better protected from the impacts of flooding.

    During the meeting, the Taskforce will also discuss the Environment Agency’s progress in the development of a new Flood Warning Service, outlining how user feedback has shaped the system to better serve the public. The meeting will also consider the progress made to deliver the current flood and coastal defence programme, while also hearing from the Taskforce’s Insurance Action Group on plans to improve the insurance protection available to homeowners across the country.

    The wider work of the Floods Resilience Taskforce also includes:

    • Delivering the Environment Agency’s new national flood warning and forecasting centre.
    • Initiating a review of multi-agency flood plans, focused on assessing their quality and providing feedback on how they can be strengthened.
    • Developing new toolkits for MPs and Mayors to support their understanding of flood warning systems. This includes practical guidance on flood response and how to support their constituents during flood events.
    • Streamlining the Flood Recovery Framework to enable faster identification of eligibility areas and extended the time by local authorities can claim business and community recovery grants.

    The Government has committed a record investment of £2.65 billion over two years towards building and repairing over 1,000 flood defences. This is alongside pledging a record £7.9 billion over 10 years to deliver the largest capital floods programme history, which will protect 840,000 homes and businesses in England.

    In 2024/25, £36 million was spent to undertake urgent repairs to flood defences damaged in the previous winter’s extreme flooding, with a further £72 million this year to maintain and repair assets. 92.7% of high consequence assets are now at their required condition.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New campaign to prepare British travellers for EU border changes [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New campaign to prepare British travellers for EU border changes [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 September 2025.

    UK government launches campaign to raise awareness of EU’s Entry/Exit System.

    British travellers are being advised to prepare for incoming EU border checks as the government today launches a new awareness campaign around the changes.

    Messages advising the British public about the introduction of new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks at the EU border will be shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages.

    From 12 October 2025, the EU will introduce EES for UK and non-EU nationals, travelling for a short stay. EES is an automated system that will require travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken.

    EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.

    British travellers will need to register on their first visit to a participating country after EES is introduced. This registration is valid for a rolling 3-year period or until the passport expires. Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules. All travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.

    On exit, and for subsequent entries and exits to or from a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either their fingerprints or a photograph at the border.

    European countries using EES will phase this new system in over 6 months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods.

    For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.

    Last year, the government provided these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5 million of funding to support the introduction of border infrastructure. While EES is an EU system, the government have been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.

    A government spokesperson said:

    While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are in constant and close dialogue with our European partners to try and minimise the impact on the British public.​

    While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.

    The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.

    British citizens covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents and UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passports will be exempt from the new requirements.

    Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and EES registration is free. EES checks will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks.

    Whilst checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where checks are completed in the UK, prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

    The UK government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.​

  • PRESS RELEASE : Backing British business – reforms to champion UK defence companies on the world stage [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Backing British business – reforms to champion UK defence companies on the world stage [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 September 2025.

    Defence Industrial Strategy will unveil reforms to champion British defence businesses to increase export sales through cutting red tape and expanded financial backing.

    • Red tape cut to shorten the time it takes for British businesses to complete international export deals.
    • Work to expand financial backing for UK defence firms seek international exports.
    • New Defence Industrial Strategy will make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm.

    British businesses will be championed on the global stage to increase export sales, under reforms taking place in the Defence Industrial Strategy, due for launch later today.

    In a significant change to boost exports, UK firms will be able to apply for export licences whilst they are bidding for international work, rather than having to wait for the process to conclude.

    This move will help UK companies win significant work on the international stage, shortening order timescales and giving greater confidence to overseas customers that UK companies are a reliable choice.

    The Government is also taking steps to expand UK Export Finance (UKEF)’s ability to back major defence contracts, legislating to increase the maximum size of UKEF’s financial portfolio.

    International defence contracts are increasingly demanding state-backed financing to be fulfilled. To ensure the UK remains a highly competitive partner of choice for international defence contracts, the government will bring forward legislation to expand UKEF’s financial capacity and will consider a new strategic approach to defence financing for larger, multi-billion-pound deals.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    We’re backing British businesses to win on the international stage by cutting red tape for major export campaigns.

    Ensuring our firms can bid for international work with greater confidence is an important change that will make defence an engine for growth and good jobs for people across the nation.

    Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing 1600 businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said:

    Exports from the UK’s defence and security sectors have doubled in the last decade. UK-made capability is in demand, and any way that government and industry can work together to speed up this process is welcomed. The ability for businesses large and small to be able to secure licenses during the tender process means that production can begin sooner, workers can be retained, and ultimately, the UK’s competitive advantage can be secured.

    On behalf of our over 1,000 industry members operating in this space, we look forward to partnering with the government to ensure that the UK’s rigorous export licensing systems are maintained while business thrives within that system.

    The UK’s defence industry is a global powerhouse showcasing hundreds of thousands of highly skilled workers and the very latest cutting-edge technologies. The reforms come after the UK recently announced a deal to export at least five Type 26 frigates to Norway in a £10 billion boost to the economy, supporting over 4,000 British jobs for years to come.

    UKEF support has already been a critical enabler for UK defence exports and the work to expand their financial capacity will help boost further opportunities for British companies to secure international orders.

    Defence exports are now worth over £14.5 billion annually and growing – making Britain the world’s second-largest arms exporter after the United States, supporting work to make defence an engine for economic growth and delivering on the Plan for Change.

    The Defence Industrial Strategy is the final sector plan of the eight growth driving sectors identified in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy to be published, and the full collection of sector plans can be found here.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Online safety laws to strengthen to protect people of all ages from devastating self-harm content [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Online safety laws to strengthen to protect people of all ages from devastating self-harm content [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 September 2025.

    Vulnerable people across the UK will be shielded from the most dangerous content online, as new laws are set to be introduced to prevent devastating self-harm material from reaching people of all ages.

    • Vulnerable people to be protected from self-harm content as Online Safety laws to be toughened.
    • Comes as Online Safety Act to be amended to make self-harm content a ‘priority offence’.
    • Tech companies to be legally required to prevent this content from appearing in the first place, protecting users of all ages.

    The government has today (8 September) announced urgent action to toughen the Online Safety Act by putting stricter legal requirements on tech companies to hunt down and remove material that encourages or assists serious self-harm, before it can destroy lives and tear families apart.

    While platforms already have to take specific steps to protect children from this dangerous self-harm content, the government recognises that adults battling mental health challenges are equally at risk from exposure to material that could trigger a mental health crisis or worse.

    The new regulations mean that content encouraging or assisting serious self-harm will be treated as a priority offence for all users.

    The change will trigger the strongest possible legal protections, compelling platforms to use cutting-edge technology to actively seek out and eliminate this content before it can reach users and cause irreparable harm, rather than simply reacting after someone has already been exposed to it.

    Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    This government is determined to keep people safe online. Vile content that promotes self-harm continues to be pushed on social media and can mean potentially heart-wrenching consequences for families across the country.

    Our enhanced protections will make clear to social media companies that taking immediate steps to keep users safe from toxic material that could be the difference between life and death is not an option, but the law.

    Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of Samaritans, said:

    We welcome these efforts to make the Online Safety Act go further to protect both adults and children from dangerous self-harm content. While the internet can be a source of support for people who are struggling, damaging suicide and self-harm content can cost people their lives.

    It’s therefore vital that government continues to take opportunities to strengthen the Act and it’s over to Ofcom now to use their powers to hold platforms to account so we can save more lives lost to suicide.

    Notes to editors

    The regulations will come into force 21 days after they are made, following approval by both Houses of Parliament. We expect this Statutory Instrument (SI) to be laid in the autumn.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [September 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 September 2025.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to Downing Street this evening.

    They discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza, and the Prime Minister reiterated the need for an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine – starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a huge surge in humanitarian aid.

    The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s ongoing work with its partners on a long-term solution, which both leaders agreed is the only way to bring about enduring peace and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis. The Prime Minister welcomed the President’s commitment to reform of the Palestinian Authority as a vital part of this work.

    The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge to recognising a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting later this month, unless Israel changes its course. They both agreed there will be absolutely no role for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine.

    They agreed to speak again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Scotland Growth Deal [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Scotland Growth Deal [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 September 2025.

    Landmark Scotland partnership to create jobs and harness military innovations.

    • Pioneering scheme to unleash potential from Scotland-based businesses and research institutions.
    • Scotland to receive share of £250 million funding to forge long-term partnerships that will boost the local economy and benefit the UK Armed Forces.
    • Builds on Scotland being key to innovation in the space and maritime sectors, driving job creation and cutting-edge research and development.

    Scotland’s economy will be boosted by a pioneering defence programme – backed as part of a £250 million UK-wide investment – to improve collaboration, foster innovation and create jobs.

    Defence Growth Deals are being created as part of a bold initiative to support the growth potential of the defence industry, underpinned by the historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

    Utilising a share of a £250 million of money for UK Defence Growth Deals, Scotland will forge a long-term partnership between the UK and Devolved Governments, uniting business and research institutions in the nation to harness local expertise and resources in support of the UK Armed Forces.

    Defence Secretary John Healey will today [Monday 8 September] announce the new venture as part of the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which will make Defence an engine for growth.

    Central to the DIS, the Defence Growth Deals will unlock growth, innovation, and job creation within key concentrations of defence and dual-use industry across the country, while bolstering the resilience of the UK’s defence industrial base.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence an engine for growth in Scotland, backing jobs, industry and innovators.

    Defence Growth Deals offer a new partnership with UK defence to build on industrial and innovation strengths that regions already hold. Together we aim to drive an increase in defence skills and jobs across Scotland.

    We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm and will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    This is a plan for good jobs paying decent wages in Scotland and beyond.

    Through Defence Growth Deals we will unleash the power of local economies while securing our country – building an economy that works for working people, in every part of this country, just as our Plan for Change promised.

    Latest statistics show that more than 11,000 people in Scotland are already employed due to MOD industry spending, and this work will ensure every ounce of the sector’s potential is realised, driving economic growth and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:

    The UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy will mean a real boost for Scotland’s economy and create highly skilled jobs for years to come – this is the defence dividend. Just last week we saw a £10 billion shipbuilding contract come to Clydeside – that is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a government committed to ensuring Scotland benefits from the global rise in defence spending. Scotland’s defence sector is second to none, and our Defence Industrial Strategy will help ensure it has a thriving future, as part of our Plan for Change.

    Scotland brings a dynamic mix of growth industries to the UK’s defence capabilities, from a rapidly advancing space sector to next-generation maritime innovation centred around the Clyde and Rosyth. The nation’s critical technology superclusters are anchored by world-class academic institutions like the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, creating a fertile environment for defence research and development.

    Scotland’s shipbuilding heritage combined with its emerging space technologies makes it uniquely positioned to benefit from this Defence Growth Deal, driving innovation and job creation across traditional maritime sectors and cutting-edge aerospace industries that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base.

    The nation will have its Defence Growth Deal unveiled in the coming months, working with the Devolved Government and other key stakeholders, the Ministry of Defence is launching a bespoke growth deal which will harness the distinct opportunities and strengths in the nation.

    Detailed policy proposals will be developed collaboratively; areas of focus are expected to include:

    • Skills – addressing regional workforce needs and future capability requirements;
    • Innovation – supporting research, development, and adoption of new technologies;
    • Procurement – aligning local supply chains with Defence priorities;
    • Investment – targeting funding to unlock economic and strategic value;
    • Partnership – fostering impactful relationships that deliver for the people of Scotland.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary flies to Washington on first official visit [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary flies to Washington on first official visit [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 September 2025.

    The Business and Trade Secretary is flying to Washington on Sunday evening to meet White House senior advisors, CEOs and business leaders to make progress on the UK Tech partnership and strengthen the UK US relationship ahead of the State Visit.

    The visit comes only one day after he spoke with over 100 business leaders on Saturday afternoon where he set out his priorities for the department including doubling down on economic growth, the Government’s central mission.

    He is set to meet Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, as well as Sriram Krishnan, Senior AI Advisor at the White House to discuss the AI Pillar of the Tech Partnership.

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    “From day one in the job I’ve been clear that my mission is to drive forward economic growth and to give businesses across the country the opportunities they need to thrive as part of the Plan for Change.

    “My first visit to Washington as Business Secretary is key to strengthening our special relationship as we face global challenges together and building momentum on our Tech Partnership and trade deal ahead of the historic State Visit.”

    While in Washington he will also meet Benito Minicucci, CEO Alaska Airlines and Guillaume Faury, CEO Airbus to further cement our position as a top investment destination.

    After a full day of meetings, the Secretary of State will fly directly to China as part of delivering secure economic growth with one of the world’s largest economies.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Defence Growth Deals Created to Boost Local Economies Under Major Sector Plan [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Defence Growth Deals Created to Boost Local Economies Under Major Sector Plan [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 September 2025.

    Working families across the country will be provided opportunities through the Defence Industrial Strategy, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers, ensuring that the defence dividend is felt in communities from Cornwall to the Highlands.

    • Defence Industrial Strategy launched by Defence Secretary on visit to Veteran-founded, high-tech UK firm.
    • Additional £250 million to unleash the potential of local authorities, businesses and research institutions to support UK defence while boosting economic benefits.
    • UK to be the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm, better equipping the Armed Forces and driving economic growth under the Plan for Change.

    Working families across the country will be provided opportunities through the Defence Industrial Strategy, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers, ensuring that the defence dividend is felt in communities from Cornwall to the Highlands.

    Defence Secretary John Healey will launch the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) on a visit to defence technology firm Rowden, in Bristol, where he will open the firm’s new facility. Veteran-founded firm Rowden produce critical sensing and decision-making capabilities for the Armed Forces and significant growth in recent years means they now boast an engineering and production footprint of more than 20,000 sq ft in Bristol.

    Central to the DIS, local economies will be boosted through the launch of a £250 million fund for Defence Growth Deals – which will improve collaboration, foster innovation and create jobs in areas with untapped potential.

    Five initial Defence Growth Deals will be created across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Building on the success of the Team Barrow approach at the home of nuclear submarine building in Barrow-in-Furness, Defence Growth Deals will identify areas with high growth potential, and bring together industry, local and national government and academia to make sure that potential is realised.

    Each Defence Growth Deal will combine defence and wider government investment to harness local sub-sector strengths, drive innovation, and deliver tailored support where needed, such as in skills, housing, and planning, to boost local economies, attract private investment, and ensure long-term sustainability.

    Initial ADS analysis indicates there could be an additional demand of up to 50,000 defence jobs by 2034/35 with increases in defence spending. Defence Growth Deals will play an important role in capitalising on that skilled employment potential for communities across the UK.

    The five deals will be backed by a total of £250 million of defence spending over the next five years, underpinned by this Government’s historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

    They will forge long-term partnerships between national, devolved and local government, uniting businesses and research institutions to harness local expertise and resources in defence and the dual-use sectors. They will support the UK Armed Forces and deliver benefits for working people through the government’s Plan for Change.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence an engine for growth across the UK, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovators.

    Defence Growth Deals offer a new partnership with UK Defence to build on industrial and innovation strengths that regions already hold. Together we aim to drive an increase in defence skills, SMEs and jobs across all four nations.

    We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm and will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    This is a plan for good jobs paying decent wages in Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow, Sheffield, Plymouth and beyond.

    Through Defence Growth Deals we will unleash the power of local economies while securing our country – building an economy that works for working people, in every part of this country, just as our Plan for Change promised.

    Innovation and industrial power are central to deterrence and decisive factors in war. The conflict in Ukraine provides a stark reminder of the imperative of the necessity for fast replenishment and resupply by industry, and a rapid, continual cycle of innovation between industry and the front line.

    The first Defence Growth Deals will be in:

    • Plymouth – Home to the largest naval base in Western Europe, which will see £4 billion of investment over a 10-year period, the city has recently been designated as the national centre for marine autonomy to drive further innovation in the crucial maritime autonomous systems sector.
    • South Yorkshire – A key region for the research, development and engineering of high-grade components and materials critical to the next generation of maritime, land and air capabilities. This includes specialist steel for gun barrels and nuclear submarines.
    • Wales – The country is becoming a leader in UAV development and testing, from companies such as Tekever in Pembrokeshire, to testing sites including the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, and academic institutions including the Welsh Centre for Defence Autonomy.
    • Scotland – Home to a dynamic mix of growth industries, from a rapidly advancing space sector, to next generation maritime innovation centred around the Clyde and Rosyth, and critical technology superclusters anchored by world-class academic institutions.
    • Northern Ireland – Home to a diverse range of defence and dual use SMEs, the country is recognised as a leading cyber security hub, boosted by Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies and Momentum One Zero. It is also home to Thales and Harland & Wolff, companies that are critical to our support to Ukraine and our maritime strength.
    • The DIS is a long-term investment in both security and high-growth economy – by strengthening the industrial base and preparing for future challenges, it will unlock defence’s potential as an engine for growth under the Government’s Plan for Change.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Major skills boost at the heart of transformative new Defence Industrial Strategy [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major skills boost at the heart of transformative new Defence Industrial Strategy [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 September 2025.

    UK jobs and skills will be the driving force behind making the country a defence industrial leader under a transformative new strategy to be launched next week.

    • £182 million boost for defence talent pipeline, delivering on economic growth through the Plan for Change.
    • In-demand defence technical skills to be boosted through five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, offering new opportunities into defence jobs.
    • Landmark Defence Industrial Strategy set to back British business and adopt innovation lessons from Ukraine.

    UK jobs and skills will be the driving force behind making the country a defence industrial leader under a transformative new strategy to be launched next week [Monday 8 September], including the creation of five defence-focused Technical Excellence Colleges to ensure industry has the workforce needed for the future.

    It follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to BAE Scotstoun where he met shipyard workers to celebrate the UK securing a £10 billion deal with Norway for Type 26 frigates, which will support 4,000 British jobs well into the next decade. The deal highlights the government’s work to back British companies on the global stage and secure working people’s futures.

    The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) will further back British businesses, putting the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation in NATO and ensuring this government’s record uplift in defence spending delivers a lasting dividend for people in every nation and region.

    It will deliver a more integrated, innovative, and resilient defence sector and better equipped Armed Forces – supported by the historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

    New funding of £182 million will support a comprehensive package aimed at harnessing the skills needed for the future, from submarine engineers to specialist welders, and the cyber warfare specialists defence will need in the years to come. Defence is the engine room of national renewal, and this investment is focused on the future of the people who will be driving that work.

    The DIS will support more opportunities for young people, help our Veterans into employment and equip the UK workforce with the expertise needed to meet the new era of threat set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), and the demands of a rapidly evolving defence sector to innovate at a wartime pace.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    It’s British workers who gave UK companies the leading edge in defence innovation and industry.

    Our Defence Industrial Strategy puts skills at the heart of the Government’s plans to make the country safer and boost jobs across the UK.

    This is the biggest defence skills plan in decades, a plan to boost Britain’s security and create well paid, high-skilled jobs for young people for generations to come.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    The defence sector doesn’t just keep the British people safe; it drives growth and unlocks opportunities for young people to learn pioneering skills and pursue a great career.

    This investment and our new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will break down barriers to opportunity for people in every corner of our country, drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change and secure the UK’s place in the world, putting us at the cutting edge of innovation and new technology.

    The Government’s comprehensive defence skills package centres on establishing five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, training people in the skills needed to secure new defence jobs in this growing industry, with applications to go live by the end of this calendar year, and successful TECs to be launched in 2026.

    The package will fund thousands of short courses so that defence employers can upskill new hires and existing staff more quickly. Investing £80 million in our world leading universities will mean they can invest in cutting edge facilities and expand places for more people to study subjects like engineering and computer science that are critical to defence innovation.

    This flagship initiative is complemented by ambitious regional STEM programmes designed to engage thousands of school-age students across four years, actively encouraging them to pursue defence careers.

    Retention and career mobility are addressed through a new apprenticeship and graduate clearing system launching in 2026, plus scoping an innovative Defence Skills Passport which could facilitate smoother transitions for mid-career professionals between the Armed Forces, defence industry, and related sectors.

    The package is a strong demonstration of making defence an engine for growth, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Background

    The skills package includes:

    • Establishing five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges with applications to go live by the end of this calendar year, and with successful TECs to be launched in 2026.
    • Regional STEM initiatives to engage thousands of school-age students over the next four years to pursue careers in defence.
    • Targeted short courses for people working in specific defence industries looking to progress their careers by boosting their skills.
    • Investing in the higher education sector to boost places on defence-related courses.
    • Establishing a Defence Universities Alliance, which will support and encourage defence sector careers and ethical defence research.
    • Explore working with partners, such as UCAS, to provide a wealth of online information, advice, and guidance for prospective students interested in a career in the defence sector.
    • A new apprenticeship and graduate clearing-style system to help support career opportunities across the defence supply-chain.
    • Helping retain our people by scoping a Defence Skills Passport that could enable smoother transfer of mid-career professionals between the Armed Forces, the defence industry and those looking to re-enter from neighbouring industries.
    • Launching a new Destination Defence campaign, working with industry to promote the breadth of exciting roles available across the sector and the opportunities for people to keep our nation safe.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New Ministerial Appointments [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Ministerial Appointments [September 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 September 2025.

    The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

    • Rt Hon David Lammy MP as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He will also be Deputy Prime Minister
    • Rt Hon Darren Jones MP as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He will remain Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
    • Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
    • Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP as Secretary of State for the Home Department
    • Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
    • Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
    • Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade
    • Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
    • Emma Reynolds MP as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
    • Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP as Secretary of State for Scotland
    • Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip). He is a member of Cabinet
    • Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP as Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons. He will attend Cabinet

    Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP and Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP have left the Government.

    • Jason Stockwood as Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury
    • Dan Jarvis MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office. He will remain Minister of State for the Home Department
    • Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern as Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Work and Pensions. She will remain Minister of State (Minister for Skills and Minister for Women and Equalities) in the Department for Education
    • Lord Vallance KCB as Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He will remain Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
    • Michael Shanks MP as Minister of State jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
    • Alison McGovern MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
    • Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
    • Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions
    • Sarah Jones MP as Minister of State for the Home Department

    His Majesty has also been pleased to signify His intention of conferring a Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Jason Stockwood.

    Baroness Gustafsson CBE, Jim McMahon MP, and Daniel Zeichner MP have left the Government.

    • Anna Turley MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Minister without Portfolio). She will attend Cabinet
    • Alex Norris MP as Minister of State in the Home Department
    • Sir Chris Bryant MP as Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
    • Luke Pollard MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence
    • Georgia Gould MP as Minister of State in the Department for Education
    • Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP as Solicitor General
    • Lucy Rigby MP as Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) in HM Treasury

    Maria Eagle MP and Catherine McKinnell MP have left the Government.

    • Rt Hon Ian Murray MP as Minister of State jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
    • Chris Ward MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office
    • Seema Malhotra MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She will remain as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Education
    • Mike Tapp MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Department
    • Louise Sandher-Jones MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence
    • Baroness Levitt KC as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
    • Miatta Fahnbulleh MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
    • Samantha Dixon MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
    • Dr Zubir Ahmed MP as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care

    Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Catherine West MP,  Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, and Lord Khan of Burnley have left the Government.

    • Chris Elmore MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
    • Satvir Kaur MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office*
    • Josh Simons MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office*
    • Josh MacAlister OBE MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education
    • Olivia Bailey MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Equalities in the Department for Education
    • Blair McDougall MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
    • Kate Dearden MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
    • Kanishka Narayan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
    • Anna McMorrin MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Wales Office
    • Matthew Patrick MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office
    • Katie White OBE MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

    Janet Daby MP, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Justin Madders MP, Gareth Thomas MP, Feryal Clark MP, Fleur Anderson MP, and Dame Nia Griffith DBE MP have left the Government.

    *Satvir Kaur MP is currently on maternity leave. Josh Simons MP will serve as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office as maternity cover.

    • Martin McCluskey MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
    • Keir Mather MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport
    • Jake Richards MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice and as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
    • Lilian Greenwood MP as Vice-Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip)
    • Nesil Caliskan MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
    • Sir Nic Dakin MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
    • Christian Wakeford MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
    • Stephen Morgan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
    • Claire Hughes MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
    • Mark Ferguson MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
    • Gregor Poynton MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
    • Imogen Walker MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
    • Jade Botterill MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
    • Deirdre Costigan MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
    • Lord Collins of Highbury as Lord in Waiting (Government Whip). He will remain as Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

    Mike Kane MP, Kerry McCarthy MP, Jeff Smith MP, and Gerald Jones MP have left the Government.