Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Record numbers of children with mental health support in schools [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 10 June 2026.

The government is on track to meet its manifesto promise that every school and college will have access to mental health support teams by the end of 2029.

Nearly six million children and young people can now access mental health support in their school or college – giving them the tools and resilience they need to stay in education and thrive as adults.

This is around 800,000 more pupils than last year, with support teams now working in almost 11,800 schools and colleges across England.

These teams are already making a clear difference. Nine in ten schools and colleges say they are improving children’s mental health and wellbeing, while seven in ten report improved attendance — helping keep pupils in school and on track for their futures.

The link between absence and lost opportunity is stark, with persistently absent pupils earning around £10,000 less by age 28. With around one million 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training – and poor mental health a major barrier – this is a key challenge holding young people back.

This reflects findings in the Milburn Review, which shows early mental health support is too often hard to access, with many young people only receiving help at crisis point. It also highlights a damaging cycle where poor mental health drives disengagement, and disengagement in turn worsens mental health.

By bringing support into schools, these teams are helping break that cycle early – ensuring children get the right support at the right time. Now, nearly 80% of secondary schools have access to a mental health support team, providing timely, practical help as pressures on young people continue to grow.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

As young people navigate the pressures of school and growing up, having the right support around them is crucial — which is why I am proud that today, six million children across England can access a mental health expert in their school.

These teams are giving children the tools to manage life’s challenges, stay in school and achieve — and the evidence shows it is working. That is how we break down barriers so every young person, no matter their background, can get the most out of their education and ultimately, their childhood.

Shannel Duncan, Lead Family Support and Deputy Safeguarding Lead at Tollgate Primary School, said:

Our MHST therapist has had a hugely positive impact on students’ mental health and wellbeing – providing early support and a safe space for young people to talk openly, improving their awareness of coping strategies and emotional resilience.

Through workshops, one-to-one sessions and close collaboration with staff and families, the MHST has created a more supportive and inclusive school environment where students feel listened to, valued and better equipped to manage challenges in and outside of school.

Their continued support is invaluable – ensuring students have ongoing access to timely advice and intervention, building confidence and supporting long-term emotional health across our whole school community.

This builds on the recruitment of an additional 8,500 mental health support workers since June 2024, part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan commitment to deliver more mental health care in the community. Frontline workers, clinicians and mental health experts are also being invited to shape a once-in-a-generation cross-government mental health strategy, driving a fundamental shift towards prevention.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, said:

For far too long, some children and young people have faced mental health challenges without support which has had a detrimental impact on their wellbeing and education.

This government said we would transform mental health care, and today’s announcement shows we’re making great progress. Millions of children now have access to vital mental health support in schools, ensuring they will get the best start in life, while building upon our achievement of recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers across children’s and adult services three years ahead of schedule.”

The government is going further to transform outcomes for young people, including:
- Free breakfast clubs are now reaching millions of children across England, with evidence showing a softer start to the day helps pupils feel calmer, less stressed and ready to learn.
- While attendance and behaviour hubs across the country are targeting the schools with the greatest need, helping drive standards in the classrooms where change is needed most.
10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of a Canon of Windsor [June 2026]

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

The King has approved that The Reverend Elizabeth Mary Ann Burke be appointed to a Canonry of Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Mrs Burke was educated at Chester College, gaining a BA in Theology and Psychology in 1995, and at the University of Surrey, obtaining a Master of Business Administration in 2006. She trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge, from 2011 to 2013, gaining a Master of Pastoral Theology. Ordained priest in 2014, she served her title as Assistant Curate in the Holy Family Mission Community, Plymouth, in the diocese of Exeter, until 2017. Since 2016 she has been an oblate of the Society of the Sacred Cross, Tymawr.

Her professional background spans the military, commercial, and charitable sectors. Beginning her career in 1996 with the Royal Signals (Territorial Army) serving in the UK and Bosnia, she subsequently moved into operations and project office management with Syntegra (BT). Between 2000 and 2006, she held a series of commercial management roles across the telecommunications, pharmaceutical, and digital print industries. Since 2006 she has focused on non-profit and public-sector organisations, notably as a Development Officer for the crime prevention charity Powys Challenge and as a Management Consultant for the Greater London Reserve Forces and Cadet Association.

From 2017 to 2022 she served as Rector of the Holsworthy Benefice in the Diocese of Exeter. In 2022 she took up her current role as Chaplain to the Isles of Scilly, in the Diocese of Truro.

10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Parminder Kohli appointed Chief Executive Officer of Office for Investment

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 10 June 2026.

The Business Secretary Peter Kyle is pleased to announce the appointment of Parminder Kohli as new Chief Executive Officer of the Office for Investment (OFI).

Parminder brings nearly three decades of senior leadership experience, including more than 20 years at Shell, where he has held a range of global roles across strategy, operations and commercial business lines.

He currently serves as Chair of Shell UK Ltd and Executive Vice President for Sustainability and Carbon, leading efforts to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and drive sustainable business transformation.

He has a strong track record of building high-performing organisations, delivering operational excellence, and fostering inclusive, diverse teams. Parminder has also been recognised for his leadership and advocacy, including being named in INvolve’s global lists of senior role models, and was appointed as a Social Mobility Commissioner by the UK Government in 2022.

In his new role, Parminder will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of OFI, ensuring delivery against its key priorities, and strengthening its position as a leader in its field. He will also focus on enhancing collaboration across government and with investors to support the UK’s growth mission.

Minister for Investment Lord Stockwood said:

I am delighted that Parminder Kohli will take up the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Office for Investment.

Parminder brings a wealth of senior leadership experience at a pivotal moment for our growth mission. Securing investment is essential to driving innovation, supporting regional growth, and creating lasting opportunities across the United Kingdom. I am confident that his expertise will play a key role in advancing these priorities and adding strength to an already brilliant team.

I look forward to working closely with Parminder to harness insights from across government and the private sector, strengthening our ability to drive growth through investment. Together, we will continue to foster a culture that values creativity, encourages collaboration, and delivers meaningful outcomes with continuity.

I am very pleased to welcome him to the team.

Commenting on his appointment, Parminder Kohli said:

The UK has extraordinary strengths in innovation, talent and enterprise. I am delighted to be joining the Office for Investment and look forward to working with investors, businesses and partners across government to attract investment that drives growth, creates opportunity and delivers prosperity across the United Kingdom.

Office for Investment Director General Ceri Smith said:

After nearly five years of working to attract investment into the UK, and the past 15 months radically transforming the Office for Investment into a unified and even more effective unit we are entering a new phase that calls for a CEO with a strong private-sector background who can take on a highly visible public leadership profile.

I look forward to welcoming Parminder as the new CEO and to working with him as he takes up the reins.

Parminder will start on 1 October 2026.

10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK Trade Envoy returns to Cambodia to boost trade and investment [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 June 2026.

Matt Western MP, UK Trade Envoy, visits Cambodia to boost trade and investment ties, building on past engagement and reaffirming support for sustainable growth.

Phnom Penh, 10 June 2026 — The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, Matt Western MP, is visiting Cambodia to build on previous engagements and further strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s long‑standing commitment to Cambodia’s sustainable economic growth.

Speaking ahead of the visit the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Matt Western MP said:

It is a pleasure to return to Cambodia at such an important moment in the country’s development. As Cambodia prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status, there is a real opportunity to deepen trade and investment links, strengthen skills and education partnerships, and support the growth of Cambodian businesses. The United Kingdom is proud to work with Cambodia in areas where our strengths and ambitions align, including green infrastructure, financial services and capital markets, and education. These sectors have the potential to support sustainable growth, create jobs, attract investment and unlock long-term prosperity.

Cambodia’s open and outward-looking approach to trade and investment creates significant opportunities for deeper economic cooperation. British businesses are already making a positive contribution across the country, and there is considerable potential to strengthen commercial links further as Cambodia continues its economic transformation. During my visit, I look forward to meeting Cambodian leaders, regulators, businesses and educators to explore how we can deepen our partnership, unlock new opportunities for trade and investment, and support the next chapter of Cambodia’s growth story. By working together, we can build a future-focused partnership that delivers lasting benefits for people and businesses in both our countries.

During his visit, Mr Western will meet with senior Cambodian leaders, including H.E. Dr Sok Siphana, counterparts from the Ministry of Commerce and the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Discussions will focus on Cambodia’s key trade and investment priorities, delivery following the Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF), regulatory reform, and increasing utilisation of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The meetings will also highlight the role of UK expertise and programmes, including the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP), in supporting Cambodia’s long‑term growth.

Mr Western will also meet representatives from Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) to discuss Cambodia’s energy ambitions, financing partnerships, and the current and potential future role of the UK in supporting Cambodia’s energy development and transition.

In addition, he will engage with members of UK–Cambodia Capital Markets Development Working Group, delivered in partnership with BritCham Cambodia, to review progress to date, discuss next steps, and explore opportunities to position UK professional and financial services expertise in support of Cambodia’s capital market development.

As part of the programme, Mr Western will visit British businesses operating in Cambodia, including Reigate Grammar School Phnom Penh and Unilever, to highlight their contributions to job creation, skills development, and inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

He will also attend a networking reception with UK institutions, businesses, the British Chamber of Commerce, and Cambodian counterparts, aimed at strengthening collaboration and deepening partnerships on trade and development.

The UK remains committed to working closely with Cambodian partners to foster mutual prosperity and unlock new trade and investment opportunities that benefit both nations.

10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : The full and effective implementation of reinstated UN sanctions on Iran remains essential – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 June 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Iran.

We meet at a time of heightened tension in the region.

As my Foreign Secretary said, the resumption of conflict between Iran and Israel is in no one’s interest. Both sides must show restraint.

For over two decades, the international community has sought clarity and assurance about the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s proliferation activities.

Instead, Iran has continued to expand its nuclear programme in ways that lack any credible civilian justification.

Iran is the only state without nuclear weapons to accumulate over 400kg of high enriched uranium, as well as persistently fail to meet its safeguard obligations.

Iran’s failure to cooperate fully with the IAEA erodes confidence and raises serious questions about intent.

The IAEA’s reporting from May on Iran’s safeguards implementation was damning.

The Agency is unable to draw safeguards conclusions for Iran, citing sustained gaps in monitoring, a lack of credible cooperation on longstanding issues, including refusal of access to nuclear sites, and an inability to verify the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

That trajectory is deeply troubling.

It risks further weakening the global non-proliferation regime at a time when it is already under strain.

Against this backdrop, the full and effective implementation of reinstated UN sanctions remains essential.

The sanctions measures contained within the six reinstated UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1737, are targeted measures to constrain Iran’s proliferation and protect international security.

They impose a ban on nuclear technology and materials, and impose asset freezes on key individuals and entities linked to Iran’s enrichment programme.

All UN Member States are obliged to comply fully and without exception. Those seeking to evade or undermine these measures should cease immediately.

Any efforts to dilute the restrictions weakens our collective security.

President, we regret that Russia and China continue to impede the sanctions which this Council is entrusted to uphold.

We urge all members of the Council to act in good faith so that the Committee can fulfil its mandate effectively, including through the agreement of 90-day reports and appointments to the Panel of Experts.

We also call for the prompt appointment of a Chair, and we look forward to the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 2231.

President, our objective remains unchanged.

IAEA reports are clear about Iran’s non-compliance, and we are clear in our purpose: we want to see a negotiated settlement that provides verifiable assurances of a peaceful nuclear programme.

The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable diplomatic solution that ensures Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.

10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Pair guilty after waste dumped in Norfolk [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 9 June 2026.

Surveillance cameras spot vehicles – five now prosecuted over village dumps.

A man and a woman have been fined and forced to pay legal costs after waste was dumped in a Norfolk village.

A van owned by Rebecca Simper was seen at 2 locations in Clenchwarton being watched by the Environment Agency. Meanwhile, Luke Webb’s white Ford Transit tipper truck was captured by covert cameras at one of the sites.

Simper admitted owning a vehicle used to dump waste at Kenfield Farm in January 2024, after being presented with footage from an Environment Agency drone camera. She later failed to respond to 4 notices requiring her to name the driver.

King’s Lynn magistrates fined her £200, ordering costs of £1,701.08, and a victim surcharge of £108.

In a separate legal case, but linked to Simper’s by location, Webb was fined £200 by Norwich magistrates’ court for pleading guilty after his truck was caught on camera at Clockcase Road in April 2023.

He also failed to answer official notices requiring him to identify who was behind the wheel. The court awarded costs of £850 to the Environment Agency and an £80 victim surcharge against Webb.

The Environment Agency had been watching both Clockcase Road and the farm since 2018 for signs of criminality. Clockcase Road includes 15 hectares of land close to the Great River Ouse, farmland and residential housing.

Last year, the Environment Agency prosecuted 2 other local men for dumping waste at Clockcase Road. Philip Moore, of West Winch, was fined £600, with costs and a victim surcharge of £1,014, while Fred Harris, of Swavesey, was given 100 hours of unpaid work and identical costs.

Phil Henderson, enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency in East Anglia, said:

We don’t have to prove the identity of the driver to bring prosecutions for waste crime. Vehicles registered to Luke Webb and Rebecca Simper were caught on camera at illegal waste sites. Like 2 men prosecuted over Clockcase Road last year, they have paid the penalty.

Waste crime blights communities. It harms the environment, with a devastating effect on rivers and wildlife.

The Environment Agency is ramping up the fight against waste criminals. Its 10-point plan includes making greater use of restriction notices to shut down illegal waste operations immediately. Ignoring a restriction notice could land someone a year in prison.

More drone flights to track illegal waste sites, more specialist staff to pull apart organised crime gangs, and new tech to match lorry licences to waste permits will all help the Environment Agency spot dumps quicker, disrupt illegal activity sooner, and flag suspect operators before they can move waste illegally.

Simper first came to the Environment Agency’s attention at Clockcase Road on 19 April 2023. Her Ford Luton van was seen there, despite a restriction order barring access.

It was a distinctive blue, with “MT Removals” written on the side. MT Removals was a trading name and not connected to any other company of the same or similar name.

DVLA checks prompted the Environment Agency to write to Simper to ask who was driving. They heard nothing back.

A week later, Luke Webb’s tipper truck with an open back covered by tarpaulin was seen on the land at Clockcase Road, with 2 men inside. When it was driven away, the tarpaulin was gone, with no load.

Having traced the truck to Webb, the Environment Agency wrote to him, asking who was driving that Sunday in late April. He didn’t reply.

Investigators wrote to Webb again twice more. Again, no response.

Webb failed to appear at court in July last year when charged with ignoring the notice, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Justice caught up with the 32-year-old when he surrendered to Norfolk Police last month, and was taken straight to court.

In the first few weeks of 2024, 8 months after Simper’s van was seen at Clockcase Road, it was caught by a drone camera at Kenfield Farm.

A man and woman were seen unloading wood and other material, tossing it onto piles of waste already there. This was in breach of a stop notice issued two years previously that meant the dumping and burning of waste at the farm was illegal.

Luke Webb, of Saddlebow Caravan Park, and Rebecca Simper, 42, of Saddlebow Road, both in Saddlebow, were charged with failing to provide the Environment Agency with information of the driver of their respective vehicles, contrary to section 71 (3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. One count against Webb; 2 against Simper.

She was also charged with controlling, or being in a position to control, her van at Kenfield Farm, to knowingly cause the dumping of controlled waste without an environmental permit, contrary to section 33(1) and (5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Last year, the Environment Agency prosecuted 2 other local men for dumping waste at Clockcase Road. Philip Moore, of West Winch, was fined £600, with costs and a victim surcharge of £1,014, while Fred Moore, of Swavesey, was given 100 hours of unpaid work and identical costs.

Another man, Danny Thorpe, is due to face trial in November for allegedly breaching a restriction order closing the land in Clockcase Road, and ignoring a stop notice at Kenfield Farm. He owns both. Thorpe was also charged with disposing of waste at the farm without a permit and likely to cause pollution or harm to human health.

Anyone who suspects waste crime can report it to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline, 0800 807060, or to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Government crack down on pension scams [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 9 June 2026.

Pension savers will be better protected from scams under new plans announced today (Tuesday 9 June 2026), as the Government acts to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraudsters who rob people of their lifetime savings.
- New safeguard proposed to tackle pension fraud.
- Targeted safeguard to end misuse of Small Self-Administered Schemes with average losses rising to £38,400 per person.
- Part of wider government programme to crack down on pension fraud to ensure more can save with confidence.
Pension scams are among one of the most damaging forms of financial fraud. Fraudsters trick savers into transferring their pension pots into bogus schemes, often leaving victims with no way to recover their losses.

The new proposals would mean that where there is no clear link between a saver and the SSAS scheme they are transferring into, a new warning flag would be triggered, enabling the transfer to be stopped.

The consultation also seeks views on cutting red tape that has been slowing down legitimate transfers, making the process simpler for savers who are not at risk of pension fraud.

Torsten Bell MP, Minister for Pensions, said:

Pension scams can rip away not just people’s savings, but the retirement they are looking forward to. This Government is determined to stay one step ahead of criminals who seek to exploit savers.

Too often we see fraudsters trying to trick workers into transferring their savings into bogus pensions. We are stepping in to automatically block transfers where the warning signs are flashing red.

Today’s consultation is the first step in a wider government programme to tackle pension fraud working with government departments and industry stakeholders, including the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG). Further measures, including potential new legislation, are being developed this year.

Gaucho Rasmussen, Executive Director of Enforcement & Executive General Counsel at The Pensions Regulator (TPR), on behalf of the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG), said:

Fraud wrecks lives – and tackling it demands strong, coordinated action. Through the Pension Scams Action Group, which TPR leads, we are working closely with the DWP, law enforcement, the pensions industry and other partners to identify emerging threats and stop fraudsters in their tracks.

The targeted safeguard proposed is an important step forward in protecting savers. We urge trustees and administrators to have their say.
10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : 24 universities and colleges awarded investment to boost student places and strengthen UK defence industry [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 June 2026.

Universities across England awarded a share of £80 million to offer up to 2,500 student places, as well as help build new facilities to support increased capacity growth over the next decade.
- £80 million of grants for institutions to offer 2,500 new student places so more young people can land key jobs in defence.
- Funding will also help build brand new teaching facilities to support the capacity growth over the next decade.
- Boost to defence-related and technical skills will meet industry needs, bolster national security, and deliver on the Strategic Defence Review and Industrial Strategy.
Thousands more young people will be equipped with the skills needed for a career in the defence sector as the Government awards £80 million to 24 universities and colleges across England.

Institutions from Newcastle to Exeter will use the funding to expand the number of places and improve facilities for courses which are vital to national security including defence-focused engineering and computing.

The grants will help provide the defence industry with the future workforce it needs and give more young people the chance to secure well-paid careers. For instance, workers in the defence nuclear sector earn a wage premium of on average approximately 20% above the national average wage, based on a MOD survey of the main industry organisations.

The 24 winners – selected from 112 applicants – will receive a share of £50 million to create almost 2,500 new student places over five years starting from this autumn. Funding is focused on engineering and computer science, including cyber security, robotics, autonomous technology, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing, where defence has some of its greatest skills needs.

A further £30 million will be invested in projects including building brand new teaching facilities to support the capacity growth over the next decade.

The announcement delivers on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to boost the pipeline of skilled workers who can contribute to the UK’s national security.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

We are creating more opportunities for young people across the UK to learn new skills and secure good, well-paid jobs in defence. This funding will see 24 superb universities and colleges offer more students places to learn these skills of the future.

We know our outstanding Armed Forces are only as strong as the industry that stands behind them, and through this investment we’re strengthening our national security and helping drive defence as an engine for growth.

The funding will support the creation of new undergraduate degrees in areas such as Cyber Defence Intelligence and Autonomous Systems and increase defence-related industry placements and projects. In the coming years, this will create a pipeline of skilled graduates in the defence sector and enable more joint projects between academic institutions and defence industries.

The MOD is the largest provider of apprenticeships in the UK, supporting over 24,000 apprenticeships last year. This is the largest single investment within the £182 million Defence Industrial Strategy skills package, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to ensuring the defence sector has the workforce it needs for the future.

Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith said:

A strong defence sector needs a strong skills pipeline. This investment will help thousands more people gain the qualifications needed for rewarding careers in defence, working to protect our national security and boost our economic growth.

By expanding access to high-demand courses in the defence sector, we are creating new opportunities for learners across the country while helping employers access the skilled workforce they need.

This is a clear example of education and industry working together to deliver growth, strengthen Britain’s defence capability and support the jobs of the future.

The investment comes as part of the government’s Strategic Priorities Grant and boosts places for students from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, helping to build skills and drive growth across the country. Work is ongoing with devolved governments to assess specific skills needs and funding options across the rest of the UK.

The competition, run by the Office for Students, was designed to connect education more closely to the defence sector’s skills needs. This is being delivered through the Government’s commitment to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

The Government’s comprehensive defence skills package also includes £50 million to establish five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Blackpool, Plymouth, Lincoln, Rotherham and Yeovil, training people in the skills needed to secure new defence jobs in this growing industry.

CEO of ADS Group, Kevin Craven said:

Expanding capacity across universities and colleges will open up more high-quality pathways into well-paid jobs in sectors critical to national security, from engineering to cyber – and is the most recent example of MoD putting people first.

Our latest data highlights that increases in defence investment could create 50,000 jobs by 2030, on top of the 180,000 high-quality jobs already found across our sectors. Demand is rising for skilled talent in our sectors, and against our wider complex geopolitical backdrop this is a hugely welcome announcement!

Vivienne Stern, MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:

Universities are central to building the skills needed for a new era of UK defence, drawing on their world-leading teaching, research, and partnerships with industry.

We welcome the outcomes of the £80 million Strategic Priorities Grant competition to strengthen the skills pipeline. With over 100 applications to participate, universities are ready to step up to deliver for the country, providing opportunities for young people and supporting the industry‑aligned talent that the UK defence sector relies on.

It is critical that the wider Strategic Priorities Grant continues to support high-cost subjects that are vital to the UK’s needs”

Notes to editors

The 24 institutions which have been awarded funding are:
- Bournemouth University Higher Education Corporation
- University of Winchester
- Lincoln College
- City College Plymouth
- The University of Birmingham
- University of Liverpool
- Birmingham City University
- University of Durham
- University of Lincoln
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- The University of Surrey
- Teesside University
- The University of Warwick
- The University of Westminster
- Yeovil College
- Aston University
- University of Exeter
- University of Newcastle upon Tyne
- University of Plymouth
- The University of Cumbria
- St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London
- The University of Bath
- New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering
10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : New powers to crack down on hostile foreign state organisations [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 June 2026.

New powers introduced to crack down on organisations carrying out hostile activity on behalf of foreign states, including proxy groups who do their bidding.

The UK will be better protected from hostile activity by foreign states with new powers to crack down on individuals, organisations and proxy groups acting on their behalf, under landmark new legislation introduced to Parliament today (9 June).

The government is delivering on its promise to fast-track legislation after the recent wave of alarming antisemitic attacks in the UK.

The National Security (State Threats) Bill will give the Home Secretary new counter terrorism-style powers to stand up to foreign state organisations and state-linked groups that threaten the UK’s national security and the safety of our communities.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the new law is expected to come into force as early as next month. The Home Secretary will be able to use these new powers immediately and, if she judges it necessary, will do so without delay.

The powers will stop foreign states carrying out hostile activity in the UK – such as criminal damage against Jewish communities and targeting dissidents on UK soil. It will give the police and intelligence agencies stronger tools and powers to disrupt and deter those who work on their behalf.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The recent wave of antisemitic attacks has shocked the nation and left British Jews feeling unsafe in their own communities. That cannot stand.

Where foreign states are found to be engaging in activity that threatens lives or undermines our democratic institutions, we must ensure that such actions have consequences.

We will not tolerate hostile actors paying petty criminals to do their dirty work.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

Foreign states are becoming ever more aggressive – attacking our communities, our way of life, and our institutions – and hiding their tracks behind proxies. We must adapt to keep pace.

Our world-leading police and intelligence agencies do remarkable work every day to keep this country safe, and they will always have the government’s fullest support. That is why we are equipping them with stronger tools to take down these evolving threats wherever they occur.

These new powers should send a clear message to anyone doing the dirty work of a foreign state – we will come after you and you will face the full force of the law.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

In recent years we have seen an increase in state backed threats on UK streets. Eighteen months ago, I commissioned the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation to examine the gaps in our national security legislation, and consider what changes we would need to allow counter terrorism-style powers to be used effectively to counter state threats.

As a result of that work, the new law we are introducing today will enable us to take the strong action required against those foreign adversaries seeking to undermine the UK’s security, interests, and values through covert means.

Our duty is to defend ourselves from these threats, protect our national security, and keep the British people safe.

A new criminal offence will apply to anyone who expresses support for a designated organisation – criminalising the glorification of activities which threaten the UK.

It will also be an offence to assist or receive payment from a designated organisation. This will crack down on foreign states hiding their involvement in hostile activity by outsourcing it to proxy groups, such as organised crime groups.

The bill mirrors these offences from the National Security Act 2023, meaning designated groups can be treated in the same way as a ‘foreign intelligence service’ so harmful acts conducted through proxies can be disrupted.

Collectively, these new measures will make it easier to prosecute perpetrators, deter those who might be susceptible to doing the bidding of a hostile state-linked actor, and mean that anyone convicted could face the severe consequence up to 14 years behind bars.

The new powers come in the wake of a concerning rise in state-backed aggression on UK soil with MI5’s state threats investigations increasing by 35% as of last year – with 20 potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots tracked by MI5 last year alone – and diversifying, as we see more threats to life and increased use of proxy groups.

The Home Secretary confirmed the legislation would be fast-tracked after the recent wave of antisemitic attacks. Whilst a number of these have been claimed by a group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin, there are a number of live investigations and criminal proceedings.

The National Security Act 2023 provided the police and intelligence agencies with extensive new tools to detect and disrupt hostile activity, and a record £600 million additional funding is being invested, however the government must keep pace with the growing scale and increasing complexity of the threats the UK faces.

The government has already brought forward some of strongest measures yet to protect the UK’s national security from state threats. The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme increases transparency of covert influence in our democracy and state threat offenders now face longer behind bars under a tougher sentencing regime. We’ve rolled out new training for front line police officers to increase their understanding and ability to respond to state-directed incidents, and a number of convictions in the past year will continue serve as a reminder to anyone considering acting on behalf of a foreign state that there will be severe consequences.

10/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned about the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighbouring countries – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 June 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Central Africa.

I will make four points focused on: the Ebola outbreak, climate security, the situation in Cameroon, and the impact of the Sudan conflict.

The UK is deeply concerned about the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighbouring countries. The conflict in eastern DRC makes the Ebola response harder. We urge all parties and the international community to work together to curb the outbreak.

The United Kingdom has allocated over $26 million in new funding for the World Health Organisation, the UN and other international partners to strengthen disease surveillance, support frontline health workers, improve infection prevention and control, and help affected communities access lifesaving care.

Second, the United Kingdom welcomes the launch of UNOCA’s Climate, Peace and Security Strategy. Climate change continues to compound insecurity and displacement in the Central Africa region.

We welcome UNOCA’s cooperation with ECCAS and the UN Climate Security Mechanism to develop a new strategy for addressing the impact of climate change. We urge swift implementation of the strategy to improve early warning and conflict-sensitive responses.

Third, we encourage greater efforts to address violence and terrorism in the region. The United Kingdom is concerned by continued violence and insecurity in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the conflict.

We welcome UNOCA’s efforts to support dialogue and urge sustained engagement towards a peaceful, Cameroonian-led solution.

We also encourage further regional cooperation to tackle threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Basin. We note the work of the Multinational Joint Task Force in improving security in Cameroon’s Far-North.

Fourth, as the Secretary-General’s report made clear, the Sudan conflict is having a destabilising impact on the Central Africa region. This includes driving displacement and humanitarian need. We particularly commend Chad’s efforts in hosting refugees fleeing violence.

At the recent international Sudan conference, the UK announced 146 million pounds to support frontline aid workers providing life-saving support to the Sudanese people.

The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the Central Africa region.

10/06/2026