Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Export Bar placed on Historic British Maritime Chart Collection [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 11 August 2025.

A temporary export bar has been placed on a Historic British Maritime Chart Collection, which is at risk of leaving the UK.
- Export bar is to allow time for a UK museum or institution to acquire the collection
- Records of Britain’s most significant commercial chart makers from the late 18th and 19th centuries has been valued at £6 million
An export bar has been placed on an extraordinary collection documenting Britain’s rise as the world’s leading maritime power to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire it.

The historic archive of Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson – comprising the records of Britain’s most significant commercial chart makers from the late 18th and 19th centuries – has been valued at £6 million and represents an important source of knowledge relating to British commercial chartmaking at its prime.

The collection spans over 200 working charts, rare maritime atlases in their original ‘blueback’ bindings, and unique artefacts including a copper plate for an original chart by explorer James Cook and a chair believed to have been used by Lord Nelson.

It is the largest surviving archive documenting the work of commercial chart-making firms from this era. These firms were essential to Britain’s expanding maritime power during the period when the nation rose from being one of several competing European powers to become the dominant global force of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

This extraordinary collection helps us better understand Britain’s transformation into a global maritime power.

I hope that a museum or institution can come forward to help secure this collection for future generations so that researchers and the public can learn about this crucial chapter in British history.

Caroline Shenton, Committee member:

Britain’s position as a global superpower in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was in large part due to its dominance at sea. For this, the Royal Navy and merchant shipping relied on accurate maritime charts of the world’s oceans and far-flung coastlines. This incredible archive, the surviving records of the premier chart-making firm and its predecessors of Imray, Laurie, Norie, and Wilson, sheds light on one of the principal means by which Britannia ruled the waves for several centuries. It is my fervent hope that a suitable home in the UK will be found for this outstanding, beautiful and fascinating collection.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the collection met the first, second, and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding connection with our history and national life, its outstanding aesthetic importance, and its outstanding significance to the study of British commercial chart making, the British Empire and naval history. It was also of outstanding significance to the study of the businesses involved in the commercial publication of maritime charts in the UK from the late 18th century to the early 1900s, shipping routes, and climate change.

The decision on the export licence application for the collection will be deferred for a period ending on 10 November 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the collection at the recommended price of £6,000,000 (plus VAT which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.

ENDS

Notes to editors
1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the panel should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.
2. Details of the item are as follows: The manuscript and printed archive of the maritime publisher Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson. Charting the firm’s birth, rise, and heyday, from the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century.
3. Provenance: Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd
4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.
August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : British High Commissioner Bids Farewell to Kenya [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2025.

High Commissioner Neil Wigan will be leaving Kenya at the end of August to take up a new position of Director General Strategy and Delivery at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.
- British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan OBE, will be leaving his post after two years in the role.
- Mr Wigan leaves for a promotion to Director General Strategy and Delivery within the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan OBE, announced today his departure from Nairobi at the end of this month after two years in Nairobi.

Reflecting on his time in Kenya, the High Commissioner said:

I am extremely sorry to be leaving Kenya after a whirlwind two years. The Kenya-UK partnership has gone from strength to strength – whether in trade, investment, technology, innovation or cultural links, benefitting both countries and peoples.

Since I arrived in 2023, the close partnership between our two great nations has seen the historic visit of His Majesty King Charles III, the signing of the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, Kenyan marines trained by the UK, vital infrastructure investments including Nairobi Railway City and so much more.

I have also seen first hand the incredible potential of Kenya and her people. From taking part in a Maasai elders meeting, to seeing how UK support is helping establish women-led businesses in Wajir, from the tea plantations of Bomet County to the Silicon Savannah, I’ve no doubt that Kenya’s future is bright. I have visited most of Kenya’s counties – I am sorry not have visited them all.

Kenya and the UK are going far, together, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey. Asanteni sana na kwaherini.

Mr Wigan leaves Kenya to take up the new position of Director General Strategy and Delivery at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.
August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Taskforce to tackle regulatory barriers holding back nuclear [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 11 August 2025.

Nuclear Taskforce interim report finds “once-in-a-generation” reform is needed to tackle regulatory barriers.
- Independent expert taskforce finds British nuclear projects are being held back by costly and complex regulation barriers
- Radical “once-in-a-generation” reform is needed to tear down barriers to faster, cheaper nuclear development, while maintaining the highest safety standards
- The government is delivering a golden age of new nuclear to create thousands of good jobs and unlock investment as part of the Plan for Change
Nuclear projects which could create skilled jobs and growth are being held back by regulatory barriers, an independent taskforce commissioned by the government has found.

In its first report published today (Monday 11 August), the taskforce says a “radical reset” is needed to speed up vital nuclear projects and encourage more companies to build in Britain, delivering a new golden age of nuclear with thousands of good jobs and investment – supporting government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

The taskforce, announced by the Prime Minister in February and led by John Fingleton, former CEO of the Office of Fair Trading, will today publish its interim report. The findings reveal an “unnecessarily slow, inefficient and costly” system which is hampering the delivery of clean energy infrastructure needed to power Britain’s future, as well as increasing costs of the UK’s vital nuclear deterrent.

Radical, once-in-a-generation reform could transform nuclear delivery in several critical areas, while maintaining the highest safety standards. These include overly complex and inconsistent regulatory processes, risk-averse cultures that prioritise bureaucracy over proportionate safety measures, and outdated planning frameworks that fail to support new technologies like small modular reactors.

It comes after the Chancellor announced action to reduce the administrative cost of regulation by 25%.

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

For too long, big British infrastructure projects have been held back by needless bureaucracy.

It’s time for a new approach to getting nuclear projects off the ground more quickly, and at a lower cost.

We look forward to working with the expert taskforce to modernise outdated regulations so we can unlock growth, jobs and energy security for the British people.

Nuclear Taskforce lead John Fingleton said:

Nuclear energy is safe and reliable and can contribute to net zero goals. It is also vital to the UK’s strategic deterrent.

However, over recent decades, nuclear regulation has become more complex and costly without always delivering commensurate safety and environmental benefits.

Our interim report identifies our main concerns with the current system which we think is not fit for purpose.

With a view to recommending a once-in-a-generation reset, we now invite views from interested parties on what solutions will better enable the UK to achieve the huge benefits nuclear power offers.

The final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn. As a first step, the government will work with the taskforce to develop a new strategic direction for nuclear operators and regulators to prioritise quick, effective and safe delivery of nuclear programmes.

The government’s nuclear programme is now the most ambitious for a generation and reforms will be essential to unlock the potential of the industry. Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more new nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century combined.

It follows government action earlier this year to shake up the planning rules to make it easier to build nuclear across the country – delivering cheaper clean power, energy security and jobs.

The final report’s recommendations will focus on:
- tackling a culture of risk aversion and reluctance to challenge and debate, impacting costs and time, to ensure that risk management is proportionate
- addressing complex and inconsistent regulations, with processes often duplicated across multiple overlapping regulators
- an outdated planning framework that doesn’t support innovative technologies such as small and advanced modular reactors
- maintaining a range and depth of expertise across the workforce
- the potential for greater standardisation across international regulators, which could cut down complexity, costs, and delays when seeking approvals
- improving the regulatory understanding of the cost of project delays to ensure safety measures are proportionate
August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Job boost for newly qualified nurses and midwives [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 11 August 2025.

Thousands of new jobs will be unlocked across the healthcare sector to make sure there are enough jobs for every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England.
- Qualified nurses and midwives given better job opportunities upon graduation with new Graduate Guarantee
- New support for both graduates and trusts to improve recruitment processes and ensure a seamless transition from training to employment
- Better staffing of the NHS, part of Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future and improve care for patients
Thousands of new jobs will be unlocked across the healthcare sector thanks to government action to make sure there are enough jobs for every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England.

The government’s Graduate Guarantee will ensure thousands of new posts are easier to access by removing barriers for trusts, creating a wealth of opportunities for graduates and ensuring a seamless transition from training to employment.

These new measures aim to tackle graduates’ concerns about job availability, after record numbers of people chose to study nursing during the pandemic, while fewer nurses and midwives leave the profession.

While this demonstrates real progress in health professionals choosing to stay and thrive in their NHS careers, it has created barriers in the workforce – with up to 3 times as many graduates as there are vacancies in some areas.

To address this, the government has committed to a comprehensive package of reform and support, which will see more healthcare professionals deployed across a wide variety of sectors, improving access for patients as part of our Plan for Change.

This package comes as a result of collegiate and good faith working between government, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing, demonstrating that by working together, the NHS, patients and staff all benefit.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:

It is absurd that we are training thousands of nurses and midwives every year, only to leave them without a job before their career has started.

No one who dedicates themselves to a nursing or midwifery career should be left in limbo, when their skills are so urgently needed in the effort to rebuild our NHS.

I am sending a clear message to every newly qualified nurse and midwife: we’re here to support you from day one so you can provide the best care for patients and cut waiting lists. This new guarantee will benefit nurses, midwives and patients, helping to build an NHS fit for the future as part of our Plan for Change.

NHS providers will begin recruiting newly qualified nurses and midwives before vacancies formally arise, with trusts supported to employ staff based on projected need rather than headcount, ensuring the NHS has the right number of staff to provide the best possible care to patients everywhere.

Additionally, every newly qualified nurse and midwife will receive the backing they need to succeed in their first role, which includes an online hub with important information and advice for those applying for roles.

Vacant maternity support worker posts will be temporarily converted to Band 5 midwifery roles, backed by £8 million to create new opportunities specifically for newly qualified midwives and further ease the recruitment strain.

Chief Nursing Officer for England, Duncan Burton, said:

Having been a student nurse, I know how important it is to feel supported, valued, and able to get on with the job you have trained so hard to do.

Every nurse and midwife deserves the guarantee of a job to apply for when they graduate, so we’re unlocking more opportunities right across health and care and providing refreshed online advice and support with applications to help ensure a smooth transition into employment.

We have more nurses and midwives than ever before choosing to stay working in the NHS, which is fantastic for patients, but we must ensure our newest graduates get the same opportunity to put their skills and passion to use without frustrating delays.

Royal College of Nursing General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said:

Our student members have led the way in calling for ministers and healthcare leaders to provide certainty and clarity on jobs. Today’s announcement is welcome news that should provide hope to students as they come towards the end of their education and training.

When the health service urgently needs nursing staff, it was absurd to leave people in limbo. The test of this will be if students can find jobs, vacant posts are filled, and patients receive the care they deserve.

Ministers have to continue listening to nursing staff who are crying out to have their critical work valued – today’s action takes us all a little closer.

Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said:

We’re pleased that the government has listened to the voices of student midwives who are desperate to start their career, only to find those opportunities blocked. I know today’s announcement will come as a relief to so many of the RCM’s student midwife members.

These are people, mainly women, who have worked incredibly hard to complete their degree and are trained and ready to support our current midwifery workforce at a time when so many maternity services are under pressure. Ensuring we have the right midwifery staff, in the right places, at the right time, with the right education and training has never been so crucial as services are striving to improve safety.

Today’s new package of support is centred on patient care and the nursing and midwifery workforce, signalling a fundamental shift towards valuing and nurturing newly qualified professionals from day one of their careers, backed by investing in training and guaranteeing employment opportunities.

For newly qualified nurses and midwives, these changes mean greater certainty and access to a wide and diverse range of roles.

For the health service, they mean better workforce planning, improved retention and enhanced capacity to deliver patient care. For patients, they mean shorter waiting times and access to a well-supported, confident workforce.

Our Plan for Change is already delivering on making the NHS fit for the future, by working with staff to improve working conditions and ultimately patients’ experience.

Paul Rees MBE, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said:

A guaranteed opportunity for a role after years of hard work in education is excellent news for future nursing and midwifery graduates. It means highly trained professionals can move into roles more quickly, utilising their skills and knowledge for the benefit of patients and communities.

This is critically important at a time of rising demand for health and social care. We will continue working to place all new graduates on our register quickly and safely, so they can begin their roles at the earliest opportunity.

Steph Lawrence MBE, Chief Executive at the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN), said:

The QICN welcomes this news which will ensure we retain our newly registered nurses and also give them a good start to their journey as a registered nurse. It will be essential to ensure this occurs across all sectors of the NHS and in particular in community, given the shift from hospital to community.

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

Our healthcare graduates power the NHS and this guarantee of additional support into employment is good news for students, the NHS and the country. This commitment comes at the perfect time as thousands of healthcare students prepare to start their university experience.

Our NHS is the envy of the world, and our universities stand ready to strengthen their partnerships with the NHS to deliver the workforce pipeline on which the future health sector depends.
August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : More foreign criminals to be deported before appeals heard [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 August 2025.

‘Deport Now Appeal Later’ scheme nearly trebled to 23 countries, with more to follow in the future.

More foreign criminals will have their appeals heard from abroad, preventing them from gaming the system to delay their deportation from the UK, in the latest step to restore order to the UK’s immigration system as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

The scope of the ‘Deport Now Appeal Later’ scheme will be nearly trebled from eight countries to 23, with foreign nationals from those countries (listed below) now expected to be deported to their home countries before they can appeal against that decision, increasing the UK’s ability to remove foreign criminals at the earliest opportunity, and easing pressure on the detention and prison estate.

Under the expanded scheme, foreign nationals who have had their human rights claim refused will be removed from the UK to their home country before they can appeal the decision. Individuals can then take part in their UK appeal hearing from overseas using video technology.

Previously, offenders from the countries in question could remain in the UK for months or years while their cases were worked through the appeals system, placing a burden on the taxpayer even beyond the end of their prison sentence. The Government is in continuous discussions with a range of other countries about joining the scheme.

This represents the Government’s latest tool in its comprehensive approach to scaling up our ability to remove foreign criminals. This has seen almost 5,200 removed since July 2024 – an increase of 14% compared to the same 12 months prior and builds on wider action to deliver on the British public’s priorities for safer streets and secure borders through our Plan for Change.

On Sunday, further measures were announced to allow foreign national offenders to be deported immediately after sentencing, saving taxpayer money by removing more foreign criminals directly from our prisons.

In addition, the Home Office is legislating to ensure that asylum seekers who commit notifiable sex offences can be stripped of their right to claim refugee protections under new powers in the Borders Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill.

We have also invested £5 million for the deployment of specialist staff to almost 80 jails with one clear mission – speeding up removals.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country. Under this scheme, we’re investing in international partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer.

In addition to the measures set out above, the government’s Immigration White Paper in May has also set out new plans to tighten the rules around how Article 8 of the Human Rights Act – the ‘right to a family life’ – may be used when appealing against deportation orders or the rejection of asylum claims, to ensure that the UK’s immigration rules are no longer abused.

These measures support the Government’s Plan for Change mission to secure borders through systematic immigration reform. The approach includes returning 35,000 people with no right to remain since July 2024, surging illegal working raids and arrests by 50%, and increasing asylum decision-making by more than 116%.

August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The Government of Israel’s decision to further escalate its military operations in Gaza is wrong – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 August 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.

The United Kingdom requested this meeting alongside Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia in response to the Government of Israel’s decision to further escalate its military operations in Gaza.

As my Prime Minister said, this decision is wrong, and we urge the Government of Israel to reconsider immediately.

Expanding military operations will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict. It will not secure the release of the hostages. It will only deepen the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

This is not a path to resolution, it is a path to more bloodshed.

President, just this week the Security Council heard harrowing testimony from Ilay David, the brother of Evyatar David who was cruelly taken by Hamas on 7 October. He has been held hostage in appalling and inhuman conditions for over 21 months.

The Security Council has in its four resolutions since 7 October called for the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages. I repeat that call today.

We are clear that Hamas must disarm and can play no future part in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.

But, as many family members of the hostages have warned, this decision by the Israeli Government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages. Instead, it risks further endangering their lives.

This escalation will only exacerbate an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, uprooting a million more people and forcing them into dangerously overcrowded, unsanitary and under-supplied areas.

In Gaza, children and babies are suffering from starvation. Hundreds of civilians have been killed trying to access basic food supplies. This inhumanity cannot be justified.

The partial aid access Israel granted in late July has proven woefully inadequate.

We have a clear message for Israel: urgently and permanently lift all restrictions on aid delivery. Yesterday, the UK announced a further $11.4 million for OCHA’s Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund.

It is vital the UN and established humanitarian partners can operate safely and at scale, in line with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

And Israel must not bar humanitarian NGOs from their essential work, through unreasonable and arbitrary registration requirements. All land routes must be opened for essential supplies, including food, baby formula, medicine, shelter, fuel and clean water.

President, a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.

We urge the parties to engage in good faith negotiations and show political will to secure a ceasefire deal and commit to a path to peace.

The recent conference on the two-state solution last week was a powerful demonstration of international resolve to achieve a brighter future for the region.

The UK will continue working with our partners on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution.

This is the only way to guarantee Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security, and dignity.

August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign criminals to face immediate deportation [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 10 August 2025.

Foreign criminals will for the first time face immediate deportation after sentencing as the Government strengthens border security through the Plan for Change.
- Law change to allow immediate deportation of convicted foreign criminals
- Follows recent changes that will allow foreign prisoners to be deported 30% into their jail term
- Part of Plan for Change to restore control to our borders and keep streets safe
The new power announced today (10 August) will get foreign national offenders out of our prisons, saving money for British taxpayers and protecting the public from dangerous criminals.

The change follows legislation introduced by the Government in June, which will mean most foreign prisoners can now be deported after serving 30 percent of their prison time, rather than 50 percent.

Today, the Government has announced it will go even further—stripping back a decades-old law to introduce new powers for immediate deportation from prison. Offenders who are deported are barred from re-entering the UK, keeping their victims and the wider public safe. Terrorists, murderers and others serving life sentences will continue to have to serve their prison sentence before being considered for deportation.

Ramping up removals of foreign national offenders has been a priority for this Government with almost 5,200 deported since July 2024 – an increase of 14% compared to the same 12 months prior. We have also invested £5 million for the deployment of specialist staff to almost 80 jails with one clear mission – speeding up removals. These are all now in post.

This is part of our Plan for Change to fix the broken criminal justice system we inherited and make our streets safer. This includes building 14,000 more prison places, reforming sentencing and ensuring victims get the support they need.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said:

This Government is taking radical action to deport foreign criminals, as part of our Plan for Change. Deportations are up under this Government, and with this new law they will happen earlier than ever before.

Our message is clear: if you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.

These measures build on broader work during the Government’s first year in office to deliver on the British public’s priorities for border security and ramp up returns which has now seen 35,000 people with no right to be here returned since the election, including over 5,000 FNOs.

The changes will apply to prisoners serving fixed-term, or determinate, sentences and discretion to not use the measure on a case-by-case basis will be retained. For example, where there is clear evidence a prisoner is planning further crimes against UK interests such as posing a threat to national security they will not be released.

Foreign offenders make up around 12% percent of the total prison population with prison places costing £54,000 a year on average.

The measures will apply to all foreign national offenders already in custody as well as those newly sentenced, ensuring that taxpayers’ money will not be wasted on incarcerating foreign criminals in the future.

We are committed to further ramping up returns activity, including exploring returns hubs, introducing a ground-breaking new returns treaty with France which will see small boat arrivals detained and returned to France, and will set out major reforms to the asylum appeals system later this year, working with a range of countries to strengthen law enforcement, border security and returns.

Our Immigration White Paper will end the addiction to cheap overseas labour that saw net migration explode to nearly one million in recent years by replacing it with an immigration system that is controlled, selective and fair and boosting opportunities for homegrown talent. The White Paper also includes plans to introduce legislation that tightens the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and sets out reforms to make it easier to remove foreign criminals convicted of any offence before the threat they pose escalates.

The changes to enable the immediate deportation of foreign prisoners require primary legislation and will be brought before Parliament in due course.

Further information
- In May, the Independent Sentencing Review recommended the law change so most foreign prisoners could be deported after serving 30 percent of their prison time, rather than 50 percent, and up to four years before their release, rather than the current 18 months.
- The Government laid secondary legislation in June and this is expected to come into force in September, at which point prisoners with no right to be in the country will face deportation 30% into their prison part of their sentence rather than the current 50%.
- This will be reduced to 0% once the primary legislation this power requires is in force.
August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Pets for heroes – new measures to transform military housing into family homes [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 August 2025.

Armed Forces families will benefit from new freedoms to keep pets, decorate and personalise their houses, and run businesses from home.
- Forces families living in military housing will enjoy greater freedoms to make their house feel more like home.
- The new Consumer Charter will cut the red tape and make it easier for families to own pets, decorate properties and run businesses from their homes.
- Reforms follow the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) commitment of more than £1.5 billion extra for forces family housing, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
Thousands of Armed Forces families will benefit from new freedoms to keep pets and personalise their homes as part of the Government’s commitment to improve forces housing.

The measures, announced today, include greater freedoms to own pets, decorate and personalise houses, and run businesses from home.

The latest improvements to military family housing — some already in effect from 9 August — mark a key milestone in delivering the Government’s new Consumer Charter. Defence Secretary John Healey has pledged to put forces families at the heart of defence housing reform, vowing to “stop the rot” and raise standards across service accommodation nationwide.

The Charter is part of the forthcoming Defence Housing Strategy, which will set out plans for a generational renewal of forces housing, helping renew the nation’s contract with those who serve and supporting the Government’s Plan for Change.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe every day. But for too long, military families have lived in substandard housing without basic consumer rights.

These new measures are a key milestone as we deliver on our Consumer Charter to stop the rot in military accommodation and ensure our heroes and their loved ones live in houses they can truly call home.

By introducing greater freedoms, including pet ownership, we are ensuring forces families up and down the UK can live and work in homes fit for modern life.

Until now, military families faced a lengthy and bureaucratic approval process to own pets. From this week, they can keep up to two dogs, cats or smaller pets without needing permission — recognising the vital role pets play in family life and mental wellbeing.

The comfort and companionship that pets provide is especially important for military families, whose partner or parent may be away for many months at a time on deployment. Safeguards remain in place to protect the welfare of animals and support families if any issues arise.

Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns, said:

As a dog owner and Royal Marine who served for 24 years, much of it in Service accommodation, I’m delighted to be making it easier for our dedicated personnel to own family pets.

Recognising the unique demands of Service family life, it is also right that we make it easier for family members to run businesses from military housing.

Another measure, that comes into effect this week, involves streamlining processes for service family members running a business from their home, ensuring a standardised approach across the UK. Those already running a business will also benefit from a named housing officer, who can offer advice and support on processes, delivering on another promise set out in the Consumer Charter.

In the future, families will also have more freedom to decorate their houses. This could include adding wireless wall lamps and decorative decals for creative wall designs or borders.

Improvements to housing are underpinned by an investment of more than £7 billion this Parliament in military accommodation, which includes an extra £1.5 billion through the Strategic Defence Review to support urgent repairs and the long-term renewal of military family homes across the UK. This record investment follows the Government’s landmark deal to bring back 36,000 military homes into public ownership, as part of the Prime Minister’s pledge to deliver homes fit for heroes.
August 16, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : We condemn the Government of Israel’s decision to further expand its military operations in Gaza [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 August 2025.

Joint statement delivered by Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, Slovenian Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.

We, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, have called for today’s urgent meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Gaza.

We condemn the Government of Israel’s decision to further expand its military operations in Gaza.

This plan risks violating international humanitarian law. We call on Israel to urgently reverse this decision and not to implement it.

And we reiterate that any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.

Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering.

Just this week, the Security Council heard a harrowing testimony from Ilay David, the brother of Evyatar David who was cruelly taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October and has been held in atrocious conditions in Gaza for over 22 months.

His briefing was a stark reminder that the suffering of the remaining hostages and their families must end.
The Security Council has consistently called for the unconditional and immediate release of all the hostages.

And we are clear that Hamas must disarm and play no future part in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.

But this decision by the Israeli Government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risks further endangering their lives.

It will also worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and risks further death and mass displacement of Palestinian civilians.

The IPC has warned that famine is unfolding in Gaza. Children are dying from starvation.

Hunger is so severe that desperate civilians are taking the risk of getting killed at aid distribution sites in order to feed their families.

This is a manmade crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza.

We have a clear message for Israel: lift restrictions on aid delivery to allow the UN and established humanitarian partners to operate safely and at scale, in line with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

It is also vital that international NGOs can operate in Gaza. Israel’s unreasonable visa and registration requirements must be removed and all land routes opened for essential supplies, including food, baby formula, medicine, fuel and clean water.

After 22 months of suffering in Gaza, now is the time for diplomacy, not more war.

The ceasefire earlier this year showed what can be achieved when there is political will. It ended the bloodshed. Hostages were reunited with their loved ones. Effective humanitarian aid reached those in desperate need.

The international conference on the two-state solution last month, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was a powerful demonstration of the strength of international resolve to secure a better future and deliver long-term peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the region.

We call on both parties to secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, and to urgently advance efforts to achieve a two-state solution.

August 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Joint leaders’ statement on Peace for Ukraine [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 August 2025.

Statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President von der Leyen and President Stubb on Peace for Ukraine ahead of President Trump’s planned meeting with President Putin.

We welcome President Trump’s work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federation’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.

We are convinced that only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war can succeed.

We stand ready to support this work diplomatically as well as by upholding our substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the Coalition of the Willing, and by upholding and imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.

We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.

We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

We reiterate that Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum, and successive Russian commitments. We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

We continue to stand firmly by the side of Ukraine. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests. And we will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests.

August 15, 2025