Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the G7 in France this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister began by updating President Zelenskyy on the UK’s latest package of support, including £210 million of UK Export Finance support to power Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.

    The leaders discussed Ukraine’s momentum on the battlefield and reflected on the session held by G7 leaders earlier in the day, which had underlined their unity on Ukraine.

    It was clear there was a collective resolve to put pressure on Putin, both leaders agreed.

    It was now vital G7 countries gave Ukraine the support it needed to continue its success in driving back Russian forces, the Prime Minister added.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : G7 Leaders’ call on the fight against cancer [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : G7 Leaders’ call on the fight against cancer [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    G7 Leaders’ call on the fight against cancer.

    We, the Leaders of the G7, reaffirm our commitment to accelerate the fight against cancer. Partner countries of the G7, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, also support this call on the fight against cancer.

    Cancer kills nearly 10 million people each year worldwide and new cases are projected to increase by 80 per cent globally by 2050, given the aging of the population and its interactions with environmental and behavioural risk factors, placing an ever-greater burden on societies, health systems and economies. Improvements in access to cancer prevention – including through screening, diagnosis and care – can and should be made. While major scientific advances have been achieved in several critical areas, progress should be accelerated by alignment of research efforts and faster translation of innovation into care. In this regard, we welcome that such advances have brought the elimination of cervical cancer within reach and we will accelerate our efforts to that end.

    We are determined to deepen international scientific cooperation, close persistent gaps in prevention and early detection, and ensure that progress in oncology reaches every patient. While acknowledging our existing financing efforts and the shared global responsibility, where we have taken a leadership role, we commit to strengthening our endeavours to advance cancer research and development.

    We commend the scientific advances made through international, regional and national initiatives. We have made concrete progress on aligning our cancer research programmes, strengthening collaboration between leading cancer institutes and advancing interoperable data standards for paediatric and adolescent cancers.

    Accelerating international data access for paediatric, adolescent and young adult cancers.

    We recognize that no single country possesses sufficient data to generate robust evidence across the full range of paediatric, adolescent and young adult tumour types. Building on existing international, regional and national initiatives – in accordance with our legislation, priorities, capacities and resources, and in compliance with applicable rules on privacy, data protection and intellectual property rights – we intend to work towards:

    • Promoting collaboration between existing data resources and programmes, where appropriate, to bridge national registries, advance interoperability standards and enable responsible cross-border data collaboration, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks while respecting national competences.
    • Supporting large-scale, multi-dimensional data integration, including clinical, genomic and imaging data, which enables safe and secure data use without the necessity for direct data transfer, drawing on artificial intelligence, where appropriate and according to legal and regulatory frameworks.
    • Building on existing international, regional and national initiatives to avoid duplication, close gaps and strengthen international research collaboration for paediatric, adolescent and young adult cancers.

    Intensifying our fight against cancers with poor prognosis.

    We recognize that mortality from cancers with poor prognosis is one of the foremost global scientific challenges. Building on existing international, regional and national initiatives, we intend to work towards:

    • Supporting research on cancers with poor prognosis and the work towards establishing a shared international definition and research agenda for cancers with poor prognosis, recognizing them as a major global challenge.
    • Setting ambitious targets for the roll-out of screening programmes and for the diagnosis of more cancers at stage 1, as appropriate within national health systems and country contexts, to improve survival rates for cancers with poor prognosis, and in particular to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality in the next ten years.
    • Fostering innovative international research programmes, improving cooperation on clinical trials and accelerating the translation of scientific advances – including through digital technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum research – into clinical practice for patients.

    Strengthening access to quality cancer care for all.

    We recognize that access to quality cancer care for all remains a pressing challenge. We intend to work towards:

    • Supporting country-led efforts to strengthen resilient and self-reliant health systems capable of delivering high-quality cancer care for all.
    • Encouraging the development of comprehensive cancer centres, as anchors of research excellence, care quality and education internationally.
    • Promoting the secure, responsible and trustworthy use of evidence-based digital technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum research to improve early detection, support clinical decision-making, strengthen palliative care and expand the reach of evidence-based care for all, while preserving patients’ privacy.

    We will remain engaged and review progress on these commitments.

    This call for action reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : G7 Leaders’ call for a coordinated response to the Bundibugyo ebola outrbreak [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : G7 Leaders’ call for a coordinated response to the Bundibugyo ebola outrbreak [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    G7 Leaders’ call for a coordinated response to the Bundibugyo ebola outrbreak.

    We, the Leaders of the G7, call for a strong and coordinated response to address the health security risks posed by the re-emerging outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Partner countries of the G7, Egypt, India, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, also support this call.

    We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the burden that the disease is inflicting on the affected communities and stand in solidarity with the countries affected. The current outbreak is centred in an isolated, conflict-affected area in DRC which makes containment, medical treatment and response logistics challenging. Existing vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies are not fully effective on the rare viral strain at issue. We recognize the courageous efforts undertaken by healthcare workers, volunteers and local communities, and the stepped-up efforts by national governments to respond to this outbreak.

    Recalling previous G7 efforts to combat Ebola, we are committed to working with partner countries to overcome these challenges. In line with our approach of mutually beneficial partnerships, our first goal must be to prevent further spread, both within the affected area in the eastern DRC and to neighbouring countries and other parts of the world. Containing and ending the outbreak will depend on effective contact tracing, infection prevention and control, quarantine and isolation practices, laboratory testing, cross-border preparedness, border surveillance and community engagement. To minimize the outbreak’s impact, we must ensure that the virus remains confined to as small an area as possible, where we can surge medical and humanitarian resources.

    We are resolved to providing and mobilizing support for a coordinated global response to facilitate the development and effective delivery of dedicated vaccines, diagnostics and treatments to fight this outbreak over the next months. We commend G7 members, partners and other institutions that have already brought financial and technical support, including the deployment of medical personnel and expertise, to ensure a rapid international response to this outbreak, and those that will continue to announce additional support. We commend the United States’ rapid deployment of more than 370 million dollars in health and humanitarian resources for the region and its commitment to spend up to an additional 500 million dollars on Ebola response efforts specifically, in addition to 650 million dollars in humanitarian support for the Great Lakes region. We also commend the ongoing European Union support of 493 million euros in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment and health security in the Great Lakes and Uganda region, including 84 million euros in immediate humanitarian aid, development and research funding in response to the outbreak. The Continental Preparedness and Response Plan is mobilizing 518 million dollars to support African countries in preparing for, rapidly detecting, and responding to the outbreak. We call on other countries and partners beyond the G7 to dedicate resources to tackling this global threat through the means they deem most appropriate. Recognizing the important role of the private sector in responding to the outbreak, we also encourage the accelerated development of tools for prevention, preparedness and response.

    In this regard, the G7 affirms its support for the humanitarian reset led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its plan to reach 87 million people with lifesaving aid in 2026. G7 members have provided over two thirds of the funding raised so far this year, and we call on other countries to join our efforts.

    We continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves, along with our partners, to ensure that this dangerous virus does not spread, including across borders. Millions will travel globally for business and tourism, and to enjoy the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the weeks ahead. We must ensure that they can do so safely. To that end, while respecting national prerogatives, we are committed to strengthening the coordination between our national authorities and working towards coherence on appropriate and effective travel, quarantine, and isolation procedures for individuals who have been in the affected regions, in line with the highest international public health and safety standards.

    We note that effective public health measures are hampered by ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC. To that end, we call for all parties to honour their commitments and fully implement the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and the Doha Framework.

    Finally, we call on relevant response actors to improve coordination and avoid duplication to ensure the fastest and most effective response to this crisis. In this context, we encourage alignment with the plans and needs identified by the United Nations.

    The United States will convene a G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting to discuss further collective action and secure broader financial support for an impactful and coordinated global response to this public health emergency.

    This call for action reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More families to benefit from lower bills through plug-in panels [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : More families to benefit from lower bills through plug-in panels [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 June 2026.

    Retailers join government plans to bring plug-in solar panels to UK homes, helping families save money on bills.

    • B&Q and Currys join Government plans to bring plug-in solar to UK homes
    • Rooftop solar panels are already saving families up to £480 a month
    • Government launches consultation for industry views on ensuring consumer safety

    More families are set to save money on bills as flagship retailers Currys, B&Q, Amazon and Lidl join Government plans to bring plug-in solar panels to UK homes. 

    At a roundtable of some of the biggest retailers in the country, with a combined total of almost four thousand stores and significant online presence, Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey discussed the crucial role of plug-in solar in the clean energy revolution.

    Those in attendance included Amazon, Asda, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix and Wickes, who discussed the technology and how it can offer a cheaper route for people to save money on bills.

    This follows rule changes announced by the government earlier this year that will allow UK homeowners to self-install plug-in solar panels in the coming months and builds on savings of up to £480 consumers can already make from rooftop panels.

    Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said:

    Plug-in panels can be transformative for renters or those on lower incomes, so I welcome the conversation today with household names such as B&Q and Currys showing a huge amount of support for getting the panels in people’s homes.

    This easy to install tech can cut people’s bills and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.

    John Boumphrey, UK & Ireland Country Manager, Amazon said: 

    This is a fantastic opportunity to make renewable energy more accessible to people around the UK. Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of carbon-free energy in the UK – we’ve invested in over 40 large scale solar and wind projects to date.

    Enabling households to generate their own power with self-install plug-in solar panels is a practical step that supports household budgets and delivering against net zero goals.

    Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, said:

    We welcome the introduction of plug-in solar panels to the UK market, which will help households to generate their own energy and reduce their bills. This builds on our existing range of portable solar and battery solutions.

    We are working closely with Government and suppliers to understand and help shape the guidance, ensuring any products we offer are safe, compliant and straightforward to install. We look forward to making plug-in solar available to our customers as soon as possible.

    Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB, said:

    At Lidl GB, we want to make sustainable choices affordable and accessible to every household which is why we are supporting DESNZ’s latest steps toward modernising regulations for ‘plug-and-play’ technology.

    By establishing a clear, robust framework to bring plug-in solar to market safely and efficiently, it could unlock a highly effective, low-cost route for people to reduce their energy bills. We welcome this consultation and look forward to working alongside the Government and industry partners to explore how these products can safely play their role in the UK’s clean energy revolution.

    Michelle Gorringe-Smith, Director of New Categories at Currys, said: 

    We’re delighted to be working with DESNZ to bring plug-in solar panels to the UK market. With energy bills continuing to rise, enabling the safe roll-out of these products will mark an important step for consumers across the UK – including the more than 80% of UK households that shop at Currys.

    This technology, already widely used by households throughout Europe, is easy to install and could save many households significant amounts on their energy bills, while helping make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.

    The low-cost panels can be put on balconies or in any outdoor space, providing free solar power that can be used directly through a mains socket like any other device, without an installation cost, thereby reducing the amount of electricity taken from the grid.   

    Alongside the roundtable, the government has today (16 June) launched a consultation seeking industry views on enforcing the rules so consumers can safely install plug-in panels in their homes.

    Households across Britain are already embracing solar power in record numbers. 2025 saw a record 269,000 solar installations completed in the UK – the highest total ever recorded in a calendar year and 37 per cent larger than the year before.

    Around 255,000 of these were rooftop solar – meaning at least 95 per cent of all new solar was installed on homes, businesses and other buildings. This equates to a new rooftop solar installation every two minutes throughout 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes Terms of Reference for Wholesale Digital Markets Champion [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes Terms of Reference for Wholesale Digital Markets Champion [June 2026]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 June 2026.

    Government has today set out in further detail what Chris Woolard will focus on and deliver.

    The published Terms of Reference, Terms of Reference – Wholesale Digital Markets Champion (PDF, 209 KB, 3 pages), sets out how he will lead industry in driving the adoption of digital technologies across UK markets, increasing competitiveness, driving down cost and enhancing resilience.

    On 21 April, the government appointed Chris Woolard CBE as the Wholesale Digital Markets Champion to provide market leadership and support industry progress on the development of a tokenised wholesale financial markets ecosystem, as well as to support the government’s work to deliver a more efficient and competitive financial sector.

    Following a meeting between the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Chris to discuss the forward plan for this work, the Government is today publishing the Terms of Reference for this role, setting out how the Champion will work in partnership with industry and government to accelerate the digitalisation of UK wholesale financial markets.

    Under the Terms of Reference, the Champion will provide leadership to co-ordinate the sector’s wider implementation of digital as outlined in the Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy, which was published on 15 July 2025 as part of the Leeds Reforms. The strategy covers the immediate steps to optimise UK markets by replacing outdated processes, as well as medium to longer term steps to transform UK markets by realising the benefits of emerging technologies, particularly the adoption of tokenisation through use of distributed ledger technology (DLT).

    The Champion will:

    1. Establish a cross-industry taskforce, with representatives from across the market ecosystem, to provide input and support.
    2. Deliver a report to the Chancellor, developed with the sector, covering how UK wholesale markets can best adopt tokenisation and other related technologies, as well as how the sector and government can ensure DLT interoperability.
    3. Promote the delivery of the Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy across the sector.
    4. Co-ordinate with the Chairs of the other workstreams (on AST and DEMAT) as they implement their programmes to deliver T+1 and remove paper shares.

    The Terms of Reference sets out a clear timetable for delivery. The Champion will provide an initial forward look, including plans to establish the industry taskforce, by July 2026. A full report on DLT adoption and interoperability will be submitted to the Chancellor by July 2027. The appointment will run for 18 months, with ongoing work to support implementation of the strategy across the sector. The role is unpaid.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Pubs, shops and local assets protected with communities in charge [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Pubs, shops and local assets protected with communities in charge [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 16 June 2026.

    £61m fund to encourage people to save treasured local assets announced as part of a set of reforms to put more power in the hands of communities.

    • £61 million fund to encourage local people to step in and save pubs, shops and other community gems
    • Communities Secretary Steve Reed announces cash boost in part of a wider £301 million package to support high streets, drive community control and back local people
    • Package builds on wider £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme, handing real power and money to local people who know their areas best

    Pubs, shops and other treasured high street gems will be saved from closure more easily thanks to a new £61 million package to back local communities announced today (16 June). 

    This government’s latest Pride in Place initiative, a new Community Right to Buy Fund, will hand people in deprived areas the money they need to step in and take over community assets at risk of closure otherwise – allowing pints to continue flowing and community centres to keep bringing people together in their areas. 

    Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced the investment at a speech in London earlier today as part of a package of measures, building on wider reforms in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act to allow people to take over treasured assets. This funding is part of the £301 million announced by the government to support our high streets and community spaces. 

    Further action was committed to on tackling profiteering in the temporary accommodation and children’s social care sector, allowing councils to spend taxpayers’ money on what local people want to see, alongside making it easier for social housing tenants to take control over their homes. 

    These reforms build on the government’s commitment to shift more power out of Westminster and empower communities, including through the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme. 

    Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: 

    I am pushing power out of Whitehall and into the hands of the people who actually use these high streets. They know what they need better than any politician in Whitehall. 

    We’re backing communities to step in and save these high street gems, building on our drive to give communities the key to their own future and power over what matters to them.

    The Communities Secretary also announced: 

    • Streamlining Right to Manage: Supporting social housing tenants to come together, take control of their homes and estates, and make housing managers accountable to the people who live there. Reforms include stronger enforcement action where serious mismanagement puts residents’ safety at risk, as well as calling on social landlords to encourage tenants to take up the Right to Manage.  
    • Test and Learn funding: The Test, Learn and Grow programme is putting people at the centre, starting small and building on what works – empowering frontline staff and local places to respond to what users need. Crucially, it is also about growing this way of working. To build regional capability and ensure that learning from the programme is diffused across the country, a £10 million Test, Learn and Grow Capability Fund is being launched to support up to 20 places. The fund will first be targeted at those already involved in the programme, with a specific focus on extending learning beyond individual local authorities and across sub-regions, through Mayoral Strategic Authorities and clusters of local authorities working together. It will then expand to new locations later in the autumn. 
    • Community Power Pilots: Supporting community groups and local authorities in up to 25 areas with £15 million in funding to transform services for residents with their input. 
    • Commitment to tackling profiteering: The government will work with councils in London to compare the prices of temporary accommodation, stopping companies exploiting different parts of the state. Further action will also be taken in the children’s social care sector where profiteering off vulnerable children is leaving councils on the brink. 
    • Commitment to support better use of local data: Ineffective data sharing is hampering local authorities from delivering better, more joined up services. To fix this, DSIT is developing standardised data sharing agreements for central government and wider public sector, including local governments to use, reducing administrative burdens and speeding up processes. 
  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 Summit in Evian today.

    The leaders began by reflecting on discussions at the G7 and the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    With war still raging in Europe, and a conflict thousands of miles away impacting people at home, it was vital the UK and the European Union worked closely together to provide security and opportunity for both sides, the Prime Minister said.

    The leaders agreed to press ahead with a UK-EU Summit on July 22 so that people on both sides could feel the benefits of UK-EU collaboration as soon as possible

    Discussing migration, the Prime Minister welcomed the EU’s new Channel migration plan and updated on the UK’s work with France to deter and intercept illegal crossings.

    They agreed to stay in touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Costa of the European Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Costa of the European Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of the European Council António Costa at the G7 Summit in Evian today.

    The leaders underlined the importance of close cooperation between the UK and Europe, to benefit both sides.

    A closer relationship was vital for European security, resilience and prosperity, they reiterated.

    Both leaders agreed to work closely ahead of the UK-EU summit, which they agreed would be held on July 22.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Early industry engagement increasing speed of Middle East support [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Early industry engagement increasing speed of Middle East support [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    Industry engagement is speeding up support to the Middle East, enabling faster decisions, improved capability access and stronger defence supplier collaboration

    Key points

    • The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) is a key forum for strategic engagement, enabling earlier collaboration and fast responses to urgent operational needs
    • Early market engagement is providing clearer and insight into available capability, supporting quicker, better informed procurement decisions
    • MOD Category Strategies are strengthening  access to critical materials, reducing supply chain delays, and aligning activity with industry through the DIJC Working Group.

    Increasing the speed of support through early industry engagement

    Meeting urgent operational demands in the Middle East relies on earlier, stronger engagement with industry. The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC), alongside the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group’s newly formed Early Market Engagement team, is central to increasing the speed of support. This work supports the Defence Industrial Strategy commitment to provide clearer, earlier demand signals, ensuring suppliers are better positioned to respond to rapidly evolving requirements.

    Through structured engagement, including Strategic Industry Roundtables, MOD has moved beyond traditional procurement approaches to earlier, more open conversations with suppliers. The approach engages industry before requirements are fully defined. By sharing clearer problem statements and operational context, Defence can better understand available capability, test feasibility, and shape delivery options at speed.

    Nathan Hinchliffe, Head of Market Engagement, National Armaments Director Group, said:

    Early and continuous engagement with industry allows us to adapt to rapidly evolving requirements, understand what is feasible, and speed up capability. By bringing industry into the conversation earlier and broadening participation, we are creating a more partnership-based approach that is already helping delivery happen faster and unlocking tangible results.

    Better access and faster delivery

    This approach is widening participation beyond established primes, bringing in Small and Medium -Sized Enterprises (SMEs), academia, and non-traditional suppliers based on capability. Insights gathered from these engagements are directly shaping delivery decisions, particularly in areas such as export processes and procurement routes. For example, industry feedback identified barriers in export approvals, prompting accelerated government-to-government mechanisms and closer coordination with the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). As a result, 37 of 47 export licences have been expedited many significantly faster than standard timelines helping priority capabilities to reach partners more quickly.

    The Middle East context has also highlighted existing structural pressures in the supply chain, including constraints in critical raw materials and long lead times for key components. In response, NAD is developing Category Strategies to improve access to constrained areas such as Sensors, Rocket Motors, and Energetics. This work improves understanding of assembly capacity and the drivers of long lead times, enabling joint identification of opportunities to compress delivery timelines. Activity is being coordinated across MOD and industry through the DIJC Readiness and Resilience Working Group, ensuring alignment and coherence.

    Making this the standard approach

    Together, these efforts represent a shift in how Defence works with industry, embedding early, continuous engagement as a core part of delivery. This demonstrates how Defence Reform and the Defence Industrial Strategy are being implemented in practice to improve pace, access, and outcomes for the frontline.

    Lessons from Middle East support are now shaping a more sustainable, business-as-usual model, including the development of a Coordinating Authority for Market Engagement. By formalising this approach, MOD aims to create a repeatable and scalable framework that improves industry relationships, supports investment confidence, and ensures rapid and resilient delivery of capability to the warfighter.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Public Health Rapid Support Team deploys in response to the Ebola outbreak [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Public Health Rapid Support Team deploys in response to the Ebola outbreak [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 16 June 2026.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is deploying public health specialists from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the region.

    Developed following the 2014 to 2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, UK-PHRST works with low- and middle-income countries to respond and prepare for infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. UK-PHRST brings extensive experience to the current response, including 10 deployments to Eastern DRC during the 2018 to 2019 North Kivu Ebola outbreak – part of more than 50 deployments involving over 100 people in the last 9 years.

    As a key international partner in epidemic disease response, the team is now deploying 7 specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to support the international response to the outbreak:

    • 4 will be based in Eastern DRC, supporting World Health Organization (WHO) field operations across infection prevention and control, epidemiology, and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
    • a further RCCE specialist is being deployed to the WHO country office in Kinshasa
    • an epidemiologist is being deployed to the Republic of Congo to support the wider regional response
    • additional support is being provided remotely by a data modelling expert

    UK-PHRST has worked closely with WHO and UNICEF, offering support in response to the formal requests for assistance through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). 

    Today, UKHSA together with continued funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) also announced the renewal and expansion of the academic partnership underpinning the UK-PHRST more broadly.

    The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will lead a new multi-institutional academic consortium, building on nearly a decade of collaborative research between UKHSA and LSHTM since the UK-PHRST was established in 2016. The expanded partnership brings together world-leading expertise in epidemic preparedness and response, with a central commitment to shared leadership between UK and low- and middle-income country (LMIC) institutions. 

    The £18million 5-year programme will conduct applied research across Africa and Southeast Asia, spanning the readiness, detection and response phases of epidemic outbreaks. Research priorities include equity and gender in outbreak response, mental health and psychosocial support, diagnostics, AI-assisted decision-making, and community engagement. Amid an increasing risk of epidemic threats, this renewal highlights the UK government’s commitment to global health security.

    Dr Edmund Newman, Director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team at UKHSA, said:

    This deployment will help strengthen the existing response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and across the region, with experts in epidemiology, risk communications and community engagement, infection prevention and control and data modelling now on the ground to support.

    We know infectious diseases are not restricted by borders, which is why it’s vital we continue to work collaboratively with the World Health Organization and other international partners, as well as national and local response organisations,  to protect global health security.

    Amid uncertainty in the global landscape, we’re really pleased to announce the renewal and expansion of the UK-PHRST partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which allows us to continue sustainably sharing knowledge and support internationally, delivering cutting edge research and evidence to help prevent outbreaks >from becoming global health emergencies.

    Jenny Chapman, Minister for Africa and International Development, said:

    Ebola is a devastating disease, and this latest outbreak is deeply concerning. The UK is acting fast, working with regional partners to save lives and stop the spread.

    The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team brings world-class expertise, from infection control to community engagement and modelling the data. It demonstrates our commitment to global health security, and supporting the4 African-led response to this crisis.

    We are investing in the research, evidence and local leadership needed to respond faster and more effectively to this deadly disease.

    The UK has committed up to £21 million to support the government-led Ebola response in DRC to support a locally led response, helping to protect frontline workers and vulnerable communities.

    Today (16 June) the Minister for Africa and International Development will join African leaders, the WHO Director-General, the Africa Centres for Disease Prevention Director-General and others at their high level meeting to discuss regional preparedness and response.

    UKHSA continues to monitor the Ebola outbreak closely. The risk to the public in the UK remains very low.