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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Deadline set for unsafe cladding removal [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Deadline set for unsafe cladding removal [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 July 2025.

    Strict deadlines for landlords to fix unsafe cladding and over £1 billion allocated to make social tenants safe.

    • New legislation will set strict deadlines for landlords to fix unsafe cladding or face the consequences
    • Next phase of Remediation Acceleration Plan proposes new powers for government to remediate buildings if landlords fail to do so
    • New joint plan for accelerating social housing remediation backed by over £1 billion in new investment

    Thousands of buildings with unsafe cladding are set to be fixed faster thanks to new legislation and over £1 billion of investment in social housing remediation.

    The government is today (17 July) publishing a joint plan with the social housing sector to accelerate remediation across England, as well as setting out plans for a new law as part of the second phase of the Remediation Acceleration Plan.

    At the heart of the joint plan on social housing remediation is a commitment by government to invest over £1 billion to give social landlords equal access to government funding schemes as private building owners.  There is no time to waste, and today the Cladding Safety Scheme guidance has been changed so that the equal access policy can be implemented with immediate effect.

    As part of this work, housing associations, local authorities and regulators are committing to accelerate work to assess and fix social housing buildings, and to improve support to social tenants before, during and after remedial works.

    A new Remediation Bill is also being brought forward to make sure that landlords are held to account for fixing unsafe cladding and to tackle the slow pace of action across the sector.

    The legislation – which will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary timetable allows – will require landlords of buildings 18m or more in height with unsafe cladding to complete remediation by the end of 2029, and landlords of buildings 11-18m in height to complete remediation by the end of 2031.

    Those who fail to comply without reasonable excuse could face unlimited fines or imprisonment. New legislation will also give named bodies, such as Homes England and local authorities, powers to remediate buildings with unsafe cladding if the landlord fails to do so.

    These reforms will help to make homes safer, reinforcing the government’s mission to restore confidence in building safety, and make sure that tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire can never happen again. They will also help the sector to build the affordable homes that the country needs.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:

    “Today we have given social landlords access to over £1 billion to remediate unsafe cladding and make residents safe. The social sector is ready to rise to the challenge and make sure that residents are safe in their homes.

    “We are also today sending a clear message to those responsible for a building still wrapped in unsafe cladding: act now or face the consequences. Our Remediation Bill will include a new duty on you to make your building safe by a specified date, and new powers to impose serious penalties on those who fail to comply with the duty, and ultimately to bypass them if necessary to make the building safe.”

    Building Safety and Fire Minister, Alex Norris said:

    “We are determined to make buildings safe and protect residents. Since publishing our Remediation Acceleration Plan, we’ve made strong progress, and this update goes further to drive accountability and remove barriers to speed up remediation.

    “There is now a clear pathway to remediate every building with unsafe cladding. We expect everyone to play their part in giving residents and leaseholders the peace of mind that they deserve.”

    Additional support has also been announced for leaseholders, including long-term support to help replace Waking Watch measures and shield leaseholders from costly interim safety measures.

    For the first time, government funding will also be made available to support fire-safety cladding remediation works on buildings under 11 metres, in exceptional cases where no alternative viable funding route exists.

    The government has also recently laid regulations for the Building Safety Levy, delivering on a key commitment from the initial Remediation Acceleration Plan.  The levy is expected to raise £3.4 billion over the next decade to help fund remediation and will come into force from October 2026.

    To maintain the viability of housing delivery, the levy has exemptions for affordable housing, supported housing and for development of fewer than ten dwellings as well as a discount for previously developed land.

    Through Local Remediation Acceleration Plans, Mayoral Strategic Authorities will work closely with regulators and draw on local expertise to drive progress in their areas.  These locally tailored plans will address unsafe buildings more effectively and ensure residents feel safe in their homes. The government has provided over £5 million to Metro Mayors to support them in this effort.

    A new National Remediation system, now being rolled out by Homes England, will also support regulators with up-to date building safety data and help hold failing landlords to account.

    Since publication of the Remediation Action Plan in December 2024, 24,000 more residents are living in homes that have been remediated.  Progress is being made, and must continue until every unsafe building is fixed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chief of the Air Staff speech at Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chief of the Air Staff speech at Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 17 July 2025.

    Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton’s speech at the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference 17 July 2025.

    Susannah thank you very much and Dave thank you A – for being here and B – for giving such a great presentation, I am now starting to doubt the fact that I took out the animal videos from last year out of my presentation.

    As you heard yesterday this is the last appearance for me as the CAS at the Global Air Space Chiefs Conference and I am going to miss it. This conference provides a fantastic opportunity for us to get to know each other, build relationships, and most importantly to share ideas.

    Combined with RIAT and the invitation to our crews, to our industries, and to our spouses, this always feels like a very special event.

    You might remember that two years ago I showed this picture of Caitlin and me on holiday in Greece as a mechanism to try and build a rapport or relationship. I got in trouble because I hadn’t cleared it with her before I showed it but I’m doing it again, it’ll be fine.

    I wanted to start today by saying a huge thank you to the global air and space chief community for your friendship and support over the two years while I’ve been chief and particularly over the last year.

    Some of you know that Caitlin was not at RIAT last year as she underwent a pretty aggressive form of chemotherapy, and that camaraderie and support that I felt from this international community was incredible. It’s those bonds of friendship and understanding that will sustain us both in peacetime and in war.

    I am pleased to say that Caitlin is doing well and she’ll be back at RIAT.

    And for those of you who are wondering she is still a divorce lawyer. So, if she hands you her business card you should be afraid, if she hands your spouse her business card – be very very afraid!

    Two years ago in 2023 when I stood on this stage, the war in Ukraine was just over a year old and my key conclusion was that after 3 decades of peace dividend and fighting impressive counter-terrorism campaigns globally, we – the Royal Air Force and other air forces needed to change if we were going to avoid the kind of war that we saw playing out in Ukraine.

    Our response to this demand for change intellectually was to update our air operating concept. At the heart of it is this idea of decision superiority supported by agility, integration, and resilience.

    Roll forward a year, last year we focused on deterrence. In whatever way you describe it, warfare is costly, and I argued that our job as military leaders was to stop these wars from starting.

    I also explained last year where our priorities lay in terms of developing the capabilities to ensure we could deter the kind of fight we’ve seen in Ukraine.

    It started with command and control. Capabilities to counter the A2 AD threat. Integrated area missile and defence and agile combat employment. And taking a leaf out of Dave’s book I also showed you this picture of my good friend Patrick Sanders, shortly after he finished being the head of the British Army at Glastonbury. I’m pleased to say that Patrick has gone past his Glasto phase and is now a successful podcaster and it’s really good, I can really recommend it. But Patrick was in the news again last weekend with a warning that we should head as we think about the pace of change.

    As you heard from the Minister, last month the UK published its Strategic Defence Review, a vision about making Britain safer, secure at home, and strong abroad. It played back to us much of the logic and analysis we’ve talked about in conferences like this for several years. As you’ve heard today, it focuses on warfighting readiness, it’s clear about putting NATO first, and using defence as and engine for growth, with UK innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine, and a whole of society response.

    This is a radical shift for the UK.

    And all of that is before The Hague Summit where many of our allies signed up to spend significantly more on Defence.

    This is a watershed moment for the UK and the West.

    Throughout my whole career Defence budgets have shrunk, armed forces have got smaller. I was at RAF Cranwell recently talking to our officer cadets about to graduate and coming out into their next phase of training and into the Air Force. I told them that they are entering an air force that none of us have known. An Air Force where budgets are growing, and numbers are increasing.

    Last year, I also talked about the high low mix and its importance and autonomous collaborative platforms, and you’ve heard about that from the minister this morning.

    I got Jim Beck our Director of Capability, who we saw yesterday, to promise in front of all of you he would deliver this year the first of a family of ACPs that would improve the lethality and survivability of our crewed platforms.

    I want to pay tribute to Jim today and the wider team for delivering in April this year StormShroud.

    It is an impressive capability that was delivered with a different attitude towards risk both in terms of its acquisition and in the terms of the way it’s operated.  It also delivered through collaboration with warfighters, traditional defence industry, and new entrants to it.

    I am enormously proud of what Jim, the team and the wider team have done to deliver it, and I am enormously pleased that what SDR sets out is a direction of travel that we have been on as air forces for several years.

    But the SDR is clear, and I’m clear that we have to do this quickly, and we can’t do it on our own.

    To borrow a phrase from my great friend Jabba Steur the Dutch chief, we need to be ready to fight tonight, tomorrow, and together.

    These alliances, that these conferences help build are incredibly important to us, and frankly the alliance with the United States of America is the most important of all.

    Arthur Tedder and Tooey Spatz, the first Chief of Staff for the US Air Force, forged a relationship during the second world war that sustained them through peace. Today the relationships we form in peacetime need to sustain us through war.

    This year has seen many of us in this room flying alongside our US friends and fighting alongside them globally.

    But is not just about working together as allies, this evolving battlespace demands that we work together across all 5 domains, and that’s why that is the theme of this conference how do we integrate air and space power into this evolving battlespace.

    I want to use 3 stories from the past, present and future to illustrate why this is important and what lessons we might draw about how we do it.

    Now looking round the room, I think quite a lot of us in the room remember the early days in our career the end of the Cold War.

    Every self-respecting junior officer would have read Tom Clancy’s Red Storm Rising.

    In it, NATO face the task of repelling Russian aggression from Eastern Europe through or by, as Tom said,

    ‘…penetrating the most concentrated SAM belt the world had ever known.’

    In Tom Clancy’s day that was a job for Air Forces it required large packages of aircraft, it was what our flag exercises, Red Flag, Green Flag, Maple Flag, were all about. Honing our Large Force Employment skills – we relished the opportunity; we loved flying and fighting alongside the very best from other nations.

    I’m sure just the mention of it evokes warm memories at the time when it was the air force that we knew and loved, when we had more hair, slimmer waists, and we didn’t groan when we got out of chairs.

    This was air power’s World Cup. I was also going to say this was, for our American audience, it’s like the World Series, but I found out that Donald Trump seems to recognise Soccer is the more important game, and if you’re going to have a world event you do have to invite people from other countries to it, just saying. Sorry Dave!

    This was a complex mission and attrition was expected. In Tom Clancy’s novel, more than a dozen of the most technologically advanced aircraft the West had were lost on that first mission. In the 1980s we had the mass to cope with that kind of level of attrition. Today, we know that this is going to require more than just brilliant air forces. Even the most ardent advocate of air power, Dave Deptula agrees.

    In Tom Clancy’s time, other terrestrial domains lacked the tools to be able to really influence this fight. Space and cyber weren’t even nascent capabilities.

    Today, not only is it feasible to integrate effects across multi domains, it is essential. And this is hard, it’s hard to do it on a national level, trying to do it multi-nationally, across a continent is exponentially more difficult but it is the challenge of our generation, and our adversaries know that and they’re trying to emulate us. Fortunately, however they are showing us how not to do it.

    When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, it looked like integrated multi-domain operations. With two combined armies, supported by strategic fires, tactical and strategic air power provided by VKS, land launched, sea launched, air launched cruise missile, electronic warfare, and critical space and cyber effects, surely that was integrated?

    But the reality is Russia’s sees air power differently to the west, in the western way of warfare, air power is at the heart of the way we fight. In Russia it’s about supporting the land campaign, and we know as Justin Bronkin and Dag Henrikson have pointed out that Russia has always struggled to integrate air power emissions to deliver strategic effect. So in those first few hours and days after the war started, what we saw was Russia’s actions were stove pipped, they were deconflicted in time and space and fratricide both electronically and kinetically was commonplace. But three years and a million causalities later, Russia is learning. And we have to learn too, as General Patton said,

    Our job as air chiefs is to educate our aviators and our commander so that we are ready for the next Storm Rising. There’s no way I could write it.

    I’ve stood on this stage and said, that we should not image that Ukraine is the way in which we would fight in the future. Ukraine is a 19th Century war, fought with 20th Century tactics and 21st Century weapons.

    What we need to do is fight 21st Century war, with 21st Century capabilities, and 21st Century thinking.

    2025 has given for us some examples of how this air led innovation and integration can make a difference. We’ve heard about Ukraine’s audacious attack against Russia’s strategic assets and operations in Iran have really shown us what exquisite air power integrated with other multi-domain effects can do at both the strategic and campaign level.

    But when the war starts, we know that it’s going to be a dynamic environment, and so whilst the tactics and the targets might be the same as they were in Tom Clancy’s day, the threat has changed, and the tactics need to change too.

    There’s breadth, scale, depth coupled with three years of operational experience mean the threat is much greater than it was in Tom Clancy’s time. And so the tactics need to change, and we need an integrated approach.

    We need space, cyber, land, sea, and air to work together.

    We know space will deliver PNT, we know it will deliver ISR, we know it will deliver battle damage assessment, but it can also be used to disrupt our adversaries’ communications. We can shield our own forces from their satellites.

    Cyber can disrupt and degrade C2 systems.

    The maritime environment might deliver fires or air defence.

    The land domain might launch Stromshroud, project special forces or launch attacks against key targets.

    We get this right; we create control of the air. We might be limited in time and geography, but it opens up the opportunity for our forces to target and exploit other opportunities.

    But no plan survives contact with the enemy and we need a mechanism to adapt and react, to ensure that we’re able to exploit opportunities and make the right decisions at the right time in this complex environment.

    In the UK we’ve developed NEXUS, it’s our combat cloud and it will form part of the digital targeting web the minister talked about this morning and it’s through that that we’ll deliver the tempo and deliver that all domain C2. But C2 is about more than the network, it’s about our commanders, our decision making and our training. We’ve got challenge in NATO in particular, how do we command and control in a dynamic environment, multi-domain operations when we’re structured by component and organised by components or geography.

    NATO’s land component commander argues that it’s the Army’s task, the Army should, alone deal with the counter A2 AD threat in Kaliningrad. He might be right in that specific environment, but it’s not proven or tested. It would be like me saying that actually it’s air power that should be the soul force that blunts Russian attacks into NATO territory. We need to lift ourselves out of these historic rivalries and reductive arguments and think about how we deliver truly integrated multi-domain effects.

    How do we set the board at risk in the way Dave said yesterday to make sure we are ready for the next Storm Rising.

    We can learn lessons from other campaigns and operations and the next panel will talk about some of those. But I think we need to test, to train, and to educate our people.

    In the real world, exercises like Bamboo Eagle provide high-end, multi-domain, multinational and long-range exercises where we can test ourselves against these kinds of scenarios. Red Flag has always been the pinnacle air exercise, in this case Red Flag was just the starter to the main course which was exercise Bamboo Eagle.

    175 aircraft from Canada, the UK, Australia, and the US. In an operation that ranged right across the indo-pacific. But we don’t just need to rely on the real world anymore, the synthetic environment provides us with opportunities to test and train in ways we’ve not been able to before.

    In the UK, we’ve developed Gladiator, a synthetic, multi-domain environment that connects national and international components so they can mission rehearse the most complex of multi-domain operations that we are unable to imagine.

    Earlier last year, in Exercise Cobra Warrior, the weather meant that we were unable to conduct some of the flying that we intended, quite a common thing in the UK.

    What we did was, we flew the mission in Gladiator. The full COMAO flew real-time, and then the combined synthetic and real picture that came from that was fed into the was fed into the ops centre which allowed our C2 and ISR teams to test themselves as though it had been for real.

    We can no longer wait to find out what we know and adapt when the war starts.

    For those, like Dave and Shawn Harris who have walked the corridors of the USAF’s School of Advanced Air and Space Power Studies, they’ll see this quote.

    We need to provide those opportunities for our people, so that they are ready for the next Storm Rising.

    The Americans have shown the way with Bamboo Eagle and the phenomenal capability off the coast of California, but I think we need something like this in Europe too.

    Somewhere where we can bring our Armies, Navies, and Air Forces together. Where we can test the land component commander’s assertion that he can alone address the counter A2 AD task in Kaliningrad. Where we can find out how do we command and control multi-domain effects in NATO when we’re organised by components.

    We have talked and sat around the NATO Air Chiefs table about creating some airspace we can turn on and off over the North Sea. But for our agencies and our airlines it’s all a bit too difficult.

    Now to be fair, North Sea might not be the right place. Our friends in Sweden and Finland have got a lot of space and are keen to help. What I would like to do is to see our European and NATO forces pool our resources and create that capacity and capability here in Europe.

    So let me sum up.

    We have to be ready for this next Storm Rising.

    We know it is going to be harder than it was in Tom Clancy’s day.

    Fighting a bespoke, exquisite air campaign that’s not integrated into this evolving battlespace will lead to campaign failure.

    What we need is genuinely integrated multi-domain effects, at this operational and strategic level not just at the tactical level where we know that we excel. How we do that is through thinking and practice. We can do some of that in synthetic environment and that also allows us an opportunity to exploit some of those tools that Keith and others talked about yesterday. But we need to do it in the real world too, so we can identify the frictions and fix them.

    I’ll be honest, I don’t know the answer to this NATO conundrum about command and control and how we do that command and control integrated action and deliver multi-domain effects when we’re organised by component. But the answer to it starts with thinking and practice, and it’s through that we will be able to deter, to fight and to win – tonight, tomorrow and together.

    Thank you very much.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Marjorie Ngwenya reappointed to the Prudential Regulation Committee [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Marjorie Ngwenya reappointed to the Prudential Regulation Committee [July 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 17 July 2025.

    The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has today confirmed the reappointment of Marjorie Ngwenya as an External Member of the Prudential Regulation Committee (PRC).

    Marjorie will serve a further three-year term, from 5 September 2025 to 4 September 2028.

    The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, said:

    I am pleased to confirm the reappointment of Marjorie Ngwenya to the Prudential Regulation Committee. During her first term, Marjorie made significant contributions to the Committee’s work, and her continued service will help to ensure that the committee retains the benefit of her extensive industry experience and expertise, so it can deliver on the government’s mission to regulate for growth.

    Further information

    • Marjorie is a former chairperson of the Canon Collins Trust (UK) and a trustee of the Legal Resources Centre (South Africa).
    • Marjorie is a past President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and served on the IFoA’s governing council for eight years. In her executive career, she was a member of the Group Executive Committee of Liberty Group in South Africa, serving as Chief Strategist. Prior to that, she was Chief Risk Officer for Old Mutual’s African Operations.
    • Marjorie has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

    About the Prudential Regulation Committee

    The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) supervises banks, insurers and major investment firms. The PRA’s most important decisions are taken by the Prudential Regulation Committee, chaired by the Governor of the Bank of England.  The Committee comprises the Governor of the Bank of England; Deputy Governors for Financial Stability, Markets and Banking, and Prudential Regulation; the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority; a member appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Chancellor; and six other external members appointed by the Chancellor.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for British business as new partnership breaks down barriers to infrastructure delivery in South Africa [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for British business as new partnership breaks down barriers to infrastructure delivery in South Africa [July 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 17 July 2025.

    Chancellor launches new Infrastructure Partnership with South Africa, opening up significant investment and export opportunities for UK firms.

    • Best-in-class British expertise will speed up delivery of major projects in the country, helping to deliver growth and good jobs as part of our Plan for Change.
    • Builds further on the first-of-its-kind UK Growth & Investment Partnership launched globally with the nation at the end of 2024.

    British businesses will have more opportunities to expand, invest and export to South Africa through a flagship partnership launched today, 17 July.

    At an event in Durban, Chancellor Rachel Reeves hailed the agreement as having the potential to be transformative for the best and brightest British firms doing business in the country who had long been looking for government support in unlocking commercial opportunities in areas like architectural design, engineering, and professional and business services.

    The UK is the biggest international investor in South Africa, but businesses have faced challenges such as project delays due to blockers on infrastructure delivery. British expertise will be brought in to unblock these barriers on building, speeding up a pipeline of projects which British firms are well-placed to win tenders for. This will help growth and development in South Africa, and also help Britain get better return on its investments in the country.

    This model of Government-to-Government (G2G) Infrastructure Partnership has previously delivered strong growth and jobs in countries such as Peru, with companies such as Arup and Turner & Townsend building a track-record of international delivery and bringing economic growth to the UK.

    The Chancellor saw first-hand how those two businesses have already been showcasing British expertise in designing, planning and building infrastructure in South Africa during her visit in February to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town – a site expansion project which Arup and Turner & Townsend won the contracts for.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    This is exactly what our Plan for Change is all about – backing British businesses who have been held back for too long to compete and win on the global stage.  By unlocking these opportunities, we’re opening doors for British expertise in engineering, design and project management, creating a pipeline of work in South Africa to support good jobs paying decent wages.

    When British businesses thrive abroad, it strengthens our economy at home – delivering security for working people and putting more money in their pockets. That’s the foundation of sustainable growth that our Plan for Change is designed to deliver.

    South Africa’s Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, said:

    This landmark partnership with the UK reflects our vision to ensure that public assets deliver real value for our people and to turn South Africa into a construction site which will help grow our economy and create jobs. By injecting technical expertise and delivery support into stalled projects within the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure, we are turning neglected buildings and land into opportunities for job creation, economic growth, and restored dignity.

    This agreement is about far more than bricks and mortar; it’s about ensuring every rand spent on public assets advances the public good, accelerates infrastructure delivery, and grows our economy.

    Funded with a mix of UK ODA and non-ODA, the G2G Partnership will formalise UK support via technical assistance for new initiatives to improve South Africa’s management of public assets, accelerate project delivery in selected local municipalities, and launch an initiative to bring in external consultants to drive major projects and override longstanding inefficiencies.

    The G2G Partnership enhances the thriving collaboration between the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and South Africa’s Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. It builds on the close business relationship between both countries and paves the way to unlocking new export opportunities for UK businesses, primarily in the professional and business services and infrastructure sectors, bringing economic growth to the UK.

    Today’s announcement also further builds on the UK’s Growth and Investment Partnership with South Africa, a first-of-its-kind collaboration initiated by Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his visit to Cape Town in November 2024. Projects announced to date through the Growth and Investment Partnership include initiatives around inclusive agriculture, export promotion, and rail reform delivered by Crossrail international.

    It comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed the UK-Germany Treaty in London this afternoon. Included within this is a commitment for public financial institutions in the UK and Germany to work together in mobilising private capital into high-growth industries, opening up opportunities for innovative British businesses. Reeves will mark the agreement in a meeting with her counterpart Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, in Durban later this afternoon.

    Coupled with the launch of the UK-SA Infrastructure Partnership, the agreements recognise infrastructure as key to growth and that cooperating with international partners to invest in that infrastructure is a route to delivering the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy: with more good jobs and more money in the pockets of working people across our countries.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Our Modern Industrial Strategy, and Trade Strategy, are about playing to the UK’s strengths.

    Our businesses lead the way in engineering and major infrastructure projects, and partnerships like these help unlock new exports, investment and job-creating contracts.

    This Government-to-Government Partnership builds on the UK’s thriving business relationship with South Africa and shows how our Plan for Change is paving the way for growth at home by unlocking new opportunities abroad.

    As the government unlocks infrastructure pipelines abroad, it has today published its pipeline of infrastructure projects at home through the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

    The 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy includes investment of at least £725 billion into infrastructure over the next decade across eight growth-driving sectors where Britain holds a cutting-edge on the world stage, while the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also speed up and streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure – cutting unnecessary red tape which stifles delivery. The measures in the Bill are expected to boost the UK economy by £7.5 billion over the next 10 years – with planning reforms having the largest positive growth effect from a single measure ever scored by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany [July 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 July 2025.

    The Prime Minister met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Downing Street this afternoon following the signing of a new UK-Germany bilateral treaty, the first of its kind.

    The leaders reflected on the importance of the Treaty in demonstrating the UK and Germany’s status as the closest of strategic partners and celebrated the opportunity to deepen ties, tackle shared challenges, and invest in shared strengths together.

    The Prime Minister thanked Chancellor Merz for his commitment to introduce legislation to be adopted by the end of the year to make it illegal to facilitate illegal migration to the UK. The Prime Minister said that this will make a significant difference in disrupting the criminal networks driving small boats crossings to the UK. Both leaders agreed that tackling irregular migration is an absolute priority and they would look at how they could go further together to tackle it.

    The Prime Minister also welcomed the news that Germany would be opening its eGates for frequent travellers from the UK by the end of the summer and looked forward to this being extended to all travellers as soon as possible.

    On defence and security, the leaders reflected on the important commitments made today to deliver the new Deep Precision Strike capability within the next decade and agreed that closer cooperation on defence exports and between their defence industries will pose valuable opportunities for economic growth in both the UK and Germany.

    They agreed that it remains vital to provide steadfast support to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war, and that they would stand together with Ukraine as long as it takes.

    Turning to the situation in the Middle East, the leaders agreed that the situation in Gaza was unacceptable. They underlined the urgent need for a ceasefire, and the return of all hostages, to pave the way for a two-state solution and a secure future for Palestinians and Israelis.

    Finally, the leaders reflected on how the Treaty signed today would be the basis of a relationship between their two countries that would be closer than ever and looked forward to continuing to work together on their shared priorities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Report by OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report by OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 July 2025.

    Deputy Ambassador James Ford thanks Director of OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre for the institution’s work across the region, which remains crucial in the face of Russia’s malign activities.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.  And thank you, Director for this report and presentation.  You hold a crucial and busy role in what you accurately described as a volatile and unpredictable security environment.  Also, for several weeks in this period, you executed these responsibilities while also ably deputising as Officer-in-Charge.  We are grateful to you and the many colleagues who have supported you.

    The operating environment for the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) is more challenging today than it has been at any point since it was created in 1990.  Russia’s war in Ukraine and its malign activities across the Euro-Atlantic area continue to be the primary challenges.

    Through the CPC and its tools, over many years, the OSCE sought to reduce tensions and contribute to a lasting peace in Ukraine.  Regrettably, Russia consistently undermined and stymied this work before launching its full-scale invasion in 2022.

    It is essential that the OSCE supports Ukraine to deal with the consequences of Russia’s illegal war and to build its democratic and societal resilience.  We are grateful, therefore, to the CPC’s role in coordinating the Support Programme for Ukraine.

    Mr Chair, the Russian Federation has a long track record of establishing frozen conflicts on its periphery which it uses as tools to manipulate and control.  Georgia has been under hybrid attack from Russia since the 2008 war which saw 20% of Georgian territory effectively annexed. We reaffirm our full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In Moldova, the UK is strengthening its commitment to defend democratic institutions from increasing levels of malign interference from Moscow.

    We call on Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, and rebuild the trust that underpins the OSCE and our common security.

    More positively, we congratulate Armenia and Azerbaijan on the progress made towards a peace agreement and the normalisation of relations, including the meeting between both leaders held on 10 July in Abu Dhabi.  It is important that both parties maintain and build upon this dialogue. Finalisation of this peace treaty is the best route to delivering security and stability in the South Caucasus, and we urge both parties to seize this historic opportunity.

    Mr Chair, we welcome the technological advancements described in the Director’s report and the suggestion that the CPC explores the use of emerging technology to enhance its capabilities.  The CPC has pioneered the use of technology to support confidence-building measures, transparency and peace agreements.  It is right that the OSCE should continue to be at the forefront of these innovations and to be ready for the day when they are needed.

    However, the CPC needs to be adequately resourced if it is to do this work and fulfil its mandate.  The assessment in Ms Fearon’s report on how the chronic lack of financial sustainability is negatively impacting the work of the CPC is sobering and concerning. The lack of agreement on a Unified Budget continues to severely constrain all parts of the organisation in delivering their mandates. And we again urge all participating States to engage constructively with budget proposals and ensure the organisation is resourced to carry out its work effectively in line with the OSCE principles we have all signed up to.

    Director, your report is a reminder of the value and necessity of the OSCE’s unique conflict cycle toolbox.  I would like to thank you, your staff, and the field presences for your ongoing support to participating States facing conflict situations. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Full steam ahead for Devolution Priority Programme [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Full steam ahead for Devolution Priority Programme [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 July 2025.

    • Six areas receive confirmation as priority areas for English devolution
    • Areas finalised will have new mayors with powers to ensure housing and transport work for their communities
    • Devolution Priority Programme forms key part of government’s mission to shift power out of Whitehall and into communities as part of Plan for Change

    The government’s devolution revolution has taken another step forward and all places on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) are now set to get their own mayors with powers over housing, transport and other vital areas, as ministers confirm each area has met key legal tests to proceed.

    Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, and Hampshire and the Solent joined the Programme in February. Subject to local councils’ agreement, they will now be able to move forward with the creation of Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

    Mayor-led authorities represent a proven model for unlocking regional growth, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change and putting more money into working people’s pockets, while also empowering them to direct change in their communities.

    The government has also published reports on the responses received to the public consultations that took place in each DPP area earlier this year.

    Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon OBE MP said:

    We are taking the next step in our devolution revolution, shifting power out of Whitehall and into our communities as part of our Plan for Change.

    These sweeping new powers for communities will put them on the fast track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing.

    The six devolution priority areas are leading the way towards a new era of devolved power in England and a stronger relationship between central and local government. We stand ready to work with local leaders in realising their areas’ incredible potential.

    Inaugural mayoral elections will take place in May 2026 for Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, and Hampshire and the Solent.

    Following a request from the local authority leaders across Cumbria and Cheshire and Warrington, the government has agreed to align inaugural mayoral elections in these two areas with the vast majority of local elections in May 2027.

    The government will continue to work with affected councils over the summer, including confirming funding for new authorities, with thirty-year investment funds remaining a core part of the offer. Funding will also be standardised to increase transparency and fairness.

    The news follows the introduction of the new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in Parliament last week. The Bill aims to de-centralise power and ignite regional growth, helping local people take back control of their regions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia – UK response [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia – UK response [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 July 2025.

    Ambassador Holland welcomes the OSCE Mission’s engagement with the Government of Serbia during the reporting period, and its continued focus on democratic governance, rule of law, media freedom and minority rights.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    I would like to welcome the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia to the Permanent Council for the first time. Welcome, Carolina, and thank you for this comprehensive Report on the Mission’s activities and achievements.

    Your Report clearly sets out the political context for the Mission’s work over the last 12 months. The UK welcomes your engagement with the Government of Serbia throughout this period, and the Mission’s continued focus on democratic governance, rule of law, media freedom and minority rights.

    We are closely following ongoing protests in Serbia, which have been largely peaceful and well-policed. We commend the police for their professionalism but note with concern some recent reports of excessive force. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his visit in April, it’s important that all action is proportionate, legal, and upholds fundamental rights.

    The UK welcomes the engagement of the OSCE Mission in support of media reforms and journalist safety. We share the concerns set out in your report about the delays in media law reforms and the concerning number of attacks against journalists. We thank the Mission for its proactive role in the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists.

    We regret that Serbia was not able to re-elect a new Council for its Electronic Media Regulator (REM) in line with the 2023 Law on Electronic Media. We are grateful for the ongoing work of the Mission, and personal involvement of the OSCE’s RFOM in ensuring the current selection process is inclusive, and hope that a new, more effective, Council can be formed swifty.

    The UK also particularly appreciates the Mission’s continued commitment to mainstreaming a gender equality perspective across all areas of Mission activity. We also thank the mission for its work on improving the representation of minority communities in public institutions, especially the Police, where the Mission’s work has resulted in key improvements to the selection process.

    The UK urges both Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue and to deliver on their existing commitments. We also underline the importance of ensuring justice and accountability for all acts of violence. We continue to call on Serbia to cooperate fully with efforts to hold to account those responsible for the 2023 Banjska attacks.

    Mr Chair, we regret that it is again necessary to underline the negative impact the continued non-agreement of the Unified Budget is having on the work of OSCE field missions, including through cancelled programmes and staff attrition. We again urge all participating States to engage constructively with budget proposals and ensure field operations have the resources they need to effectively deliver their mandates.

    Acting Head of Mission, I would like to thank you once again for your leadership of the OSCE Mission to Serbia during the last 7 months. I wish you and your team success in your work over the coming year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendship and bilateral cooperation [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendship and bilateral cooperation [July 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 July 2025.

    Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendship and bilateral cooperation.

    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”,

    Guided by the desire to join forces for a prosperous, secure and sustainable future for their citizens and their open, democratic societies in the face of fundamental changes of the geopolitical environment;

    Inspired by a common will to address the momentous new challenges to Euro-Atlantic security in an era characterised by increased strategic competition, challenges to the rules-based international order and challenges to their democracies from increasing hybrid threats;

    Identifying the Russian Federation’s brutal war of aggression on the European continent as the most significant and direct threat to their security;

    Convinced that they will better master these challenges by deepening their close cooperation as European neighbours and allies on the basis of the strong ties that connect their countries, peoples and governments and their shared history, values and interests;

    Determined to join forces to assert these values and interests in close cooperation in a changing world, and to uphold peace and security for their citizens; convinced of the need to pursue a broad, integrated and multifaceted approach to their security;

    Guided by their steadfast commitment to individual liberty, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in open societies, and by their will to work together for the good of the European continent and of an international order based on shared rules, norms and principles;

    Convinced that prosperity and security can only be guaranteed by limiting the increase of global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and conserving biodiversity and ecosystems; recognising the importance of their free and open market economies and of delivering mutual growth, including through their trade and investment relationship, to provide high-quality jobs to their citizens and underpin their prosperity while ensuring growth aligns with their net zero commitments and a just transition;

    Convinced of the imperative of international cooperation to seize the opportunities and mitigate the risks of technological change; reaffirming the critical role that science, innovation and technology as well as education play in contributing to their collective security and their sustainable economic growth and prosperity, and recognising the value of building cooperation in critical areas of science and technology that will shape their futures;

    Recalling the Federal Republic of Germany’s membership in the European Union and the commitments and obligations resulting therefrom; and the legal framework for the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland underpinned by the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; sharing the view that their cooperation is consistent with and benefits from the wider relationship of the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that a positive development of the latter is in their shared interest;

    Reaffirming their ironclad commitment to the Transatlantic Alliance as the bedrock of their security, based on shared values, and a shared commitment to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, and underpinned by enhanced European contributions;

    Commending the Agreement on Defence cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed at Trinity House in London on 23 October 2024;

    Mindful of the vital role, specific responsibilities and interests of municipalities, the German Länder, the German Bundestag and Bundesrat in the Federal Republic of Germany, and of the devolved governments, Parliaments and legislative assemblies and the Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,

    HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

    Chapter 1

    Diplomacy, Security and Development

    ARTICLE 1

    • The Parties shall consult each other on foreign and security policy matters to enable the closest cooperation across all shared priorities. They shall work together on their respective policies and seek to establish joint approaches, including with regard to their collaboration with global partners and in multilateral and other settings.
    • The Parties shall pursue deep exchanges on strategic aspects of security policy, including deterrence and defence, nuclear issues, arms control, non-proliferation, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threats space security, counter-terrorism and the broader international security architecture, in order to support the security of Europe and the world. They shall increase cooperation on intelligence and national security capabilities in order to contribute effectively to this goal.
    • The Parties shall deepen their cooperation to understand, counter and respond to threats and hostile actions by state and non-state actors. The Parties shall work together on their approaches to crisis management, consular support and conflict resolution and prevention.
    • The Parties emphasise the importance of close cooperation on sanctions policy and implementation, to strengthen their effectiveness.
    • Foreign Ministers shall hold an annual Strategic Dialogue. A Senior Level Officials Group shall meet annually to coordinate foreign, security and defence policy.

    ARTICLE 2

    • The Parties shall strive to strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union, including through the Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Federal Republic of Germany affirms its deep and unwavering commitment to its role as a founding member of the European Union, which remains a foundation of its policy decisions.
    • The Parties shall seek to intensify the trilateral cooperation with the French Republic, as well as their cooperation with other partners, and within multilateral formats such as the G7 and the United Nations, in order to jointly address international challenges.

    ARTICLE 3

    (1) The Parties reaffirm their commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as the foundation of their collective defence and to their obligations as stipulated in the North Atlantic Treaty of 4 April 1949, in particular Article 5. The Federal Republic of Germany reaffirms its deep commitment to its obligations as a member of the European Union, including paragraph 7 of Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union.

    (2) The Parties shall work together as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies to ensure the Alliance continues to strengthen collective deterrence and defence against all threats and from all directions and to enhance the European contribution to Europe’s own security. To this end, they shall coordinate their positions, including in the area of deterrence and defence, and ensure that increased contributions and investments deliver on their commitments. They commit to working towards fostering close and effective cooperation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union.

    • Conscious of the close alignment of their vital interests and convinced that there is no strategic threat to one which would not be a strategic threat to the other, the Parties affirm as close Allies their deep commitment to each other’s defence and shall assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other.

    ARTICLE 4

    (1) The Parties share deep concern at the threats and challenges posed by hybrid threats and foreign interference from state actors and their proxies using increasingly aggressive actions to undermine their security and democratic values, and those of their Allies and partners. These include inter alia sabotage, malicious cyber activity, foreign information manipulation and interference and the malign use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

    (2) The Parties shall work to strengthen resilience as well as build capacity and capability to detect, deter, disrupt, and respond to these threats. They acknowledge the key roles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the G7, and the European Union in this regard. To achieve this, the Parties shall consider means such as information sharing, the development of tools, coordination of disruption and response options, and exchanges of lessons learned and other means.

    (3) The Parties shall continue to cooperate in the field of cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. They also agree to promote responsible behaviour in cyberspace.

    ARTICLE 5

    Guided by the principles of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Parties shall cooperate strategically on sustainable development, crisis prevention and response, peacebuilding, stabilisation and humanitarian assistance. They shall support strong coordination in the nexus between humanitarian, development and peace efforts. They shall work together on the protection and promotion of global public goods including climate, biodiversity, global health and education. Jointly they shall fight inequalities worldwide, including through the empowerment of women and girls. They will work together on anticipatory action to improve local resilience and promote inclusive and locally led responses to crises. Both countries shall contribute jointly to strengthening and reforming the multilateral system and the international financial architecture, making them more just, effective and sustainable and ensuring they deliver for the most vulnerable. They shall hold a regular intergovernmental dialogue on these topics.

    ARTICLE 6

    The Parties shall seek closer collaboration to address health threats and advance global health priorities including pandemic prevention, preparedness and response as well as anti-microbial resistance and the ‘One-Health’ approach. They shall work on these issues both bilaterally and via more coordinated, effective, and efficient global health institutions. The Parties shall share experiences to tackle common domestic health issues.

    Chapter 2

    Defence Cooperation

    ARTICLE 7

    (1) In this new era for enhanced European defence, the Parties share the strategic objective to reinforce Euro-Atlantic security and ensure effective deterrence against potential aggressors by building credible, resilient defence forces, strengthening their capability across all domains. The Parties shall seek to support their defence industries and enhance bilateral military interoperability, interchangeability and integration. They shall ensure their mutual support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, committing to working together towards the vision of a peaceful and secure Euro-Atlantic area.

    (2) The Parties remain committed to improving and further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. They shall build a long-term partnership to improve and further enhance European defence, also with a view to enabling enhanced cooperation with Allies and partners.

    (3) The Parties shall intensify their cooperation through joint political leadership, enhanced dialogue, and agreed mechanisms. They shall deepen their cooperation on deterrence and regularly review their collaboration in order to meet future threats across all domains: Land, Sea, Air, Space and Cyber.

    (4) Sharing a special interest and focus on the northern and eastern flanks of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Parties shall work together, alongside their North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies, to strengthen deterrence and defence to these areas, coordinating their forces where possible.

    (5) The Parties reaffirm their determination to meet their commitments as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies, to be prepared for high-intensity and multi-domain collective defence. They shall provide such forces, capabilities, resources and infrastructure as are needed to enable the execution of the Defence Plans of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

    (6) The Parties shall seek to enhance industrial and capability cooperation through a long-term joint approach endeavouring to deliver effective military capabilities efficiently, minimising national constraints, and strengthening industrial competitiveness.

    (7) The Parties shall endeavour to maintain a close dialogue on defence issues of mutual interest and global horizon-scanning, including on nuclear issues.

    ARTICLE 8

    (1) The Parties recognise the importance of having a reliable agenda with regard to transfers and exports in order to ensure the economic and political success of their industrial and intergovernmental cooperation and their respective competence to authorise the transfer or export, from their territory, of defence-related products from intergovernmental programmes or developed by their industries.

    (2) Recognising the joint and unanimous invitation dated 25 June 2025 from the contracting parties of the Agreement on Defence Export Controls concluded by the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Spain on 17 September 2021 (the “Agreement on Defence Export Controls ”) to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to accede to such Agreement on Defence Export Controls, the Parties agree to preliminarily apply as between them, in their cooperation on defence export controls, Articles 1 to 5 and Annexes 1 to 3 of the Agreement on Defence Export Controls until the date on which the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accedes to such Agreement on Defence Export Controls.

    (3) In the event that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accedes to the Agreement on Defence Export Controls, paragraph 2 of the present Article shall cease to have effect.

    Chapter 3

    Internal Security, Justice and Migration

    ARTICLE 9

    • The Parties shall cooperate closely and equitably to counter state and non-state threats to their internal security, including to critical infrastructure, making best use of all suitable policy, legal, operational, diplomatic and technological tools and mechanisms and ensuring that law enforcement bodies and intelligence agencies have the right tools and capabilities.
    • The Parties shall work together bilaterally and through multilateral organisations to improve their law enforcement capabilities. They shall work with INTERPOL to support the integrity of the international system and prevent abuse by malign actors. They acknowledge the vital role of European Union agencies, such as Europol and Eurojust, in this regard. They shall consider further ways to strengthen their response to organised crime and terrorism, noting the challenges posed by hybrid threats.

    (3) The Parties agree that it is in their common interest to cooperate closely on preventing and countering transnational serious and organised crime, including criminal offences falling within the jurisdiction of the customs authorities. They re-confirm their cooperation in the joint efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter the financing of terrorism and their fight against illicit financial flows and other shared organised crime threats, such as drug trafficking.

    (4) The Parties shall continue to hold a Home Affairs Dialogue at senior official level at least annually which covers the full range of Home Affairs issues, including tackling serious and organised crime, including migrant smuggling, and border security. The Parties shall pursue a comparable bilateral exchange on criminal offences falling within the jurisdiction of the customs authorities.

    (5) The Parties shall strengthen collaboration to counter terrorist threats to both their countries, including on protective security measures against emerging threats.

    ARTICLE 10

    (1) The Parties are committed to fostering the most effective cooperation in criminal justice matters between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany.

    (2) The Parties shall work to intensify collaboration on the rule of law, including in its promotion overseas, and exchange learning on the modernisation of their domestic justice systems.

    (3) The Parties shall share information, best practice and technical assistance in civil and family matters.

    ARTICLE 11

    (1) Recognising the challenge from irregular migration and global pressures, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany commit to being active leaders in the global conversation on migration, asylum and borders. The Parties shall cooperate in the joint fight against organised cross-border crime involving migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. They will support the provision of mutual legal assistance and the prosecution of offenders involved in the smuggling of migrants into and between the two countries. The Parties affirm their joint commitment to border security and regulated migration systems.

    (2) The Parties shall deepen comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit to address the upstream drivers of irregular migration, including by meeting humanitarian needs, providing education and skills training, boosting employment, and building resilience to conflict and climate change. The Parties recognise that safe and legal pathways in line with national competences are important for regular and orderly migration. Both Parties support a safe, regulated migration system, and share a firm commitment to international law and human rights standards.

    Chapter 4

    Economic Growth, Resilience and Competitiveness

    ARTICLE 12

    • The Parties shall work together to support economic growth, job creation, digital transition and innovation. This includes delivering a just industrial transformation that enables a sustainable and carbon-neutral future and takes into account the needs of future generations. They shall therefore identify vulnerabilities and collaborate on policies.
    • The Parties acknowledge strong business-to-business and people-to-people ties, including many Small and Medium Enterprises, as the foundation of their economic relationship, and agree to take forward joint work in the field of promoting trade and investment, to further build value chains between their countries.
    • The Parties shall work together to deliver their shared ambition of mobilising investment in opportunities that will grow their economies. In doing so, they shall take into consideration the important role of private sector investment and the benefits of coordinating activities between public financial institutions.
    • The Parties recognise the need to strengthen the multilateral trading system particularly by supporting reform of the World Trade Organisation including through discussions in relevant international fora such as the G7 and G20.

    (5) The Parties agree to continue the structured annual dialogue between their ministries of finance, and explore further opportunities to support exchanges between economic experts.

    ARTICLE 13

    • The Parties, acknowledging the strength and complementarity of their economies as well as the importance of a favourable business environment, commit to working with business to drive growth and strengthen the business, commercial and industrial links between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany. The Parties shall focus their cooperation particularly on those areas where it will be most effective in securing the future competitiveness of their economies.
    • The Parties shall work jointly to take full advantage of the significant economic opportunities arising from the green transition, including in particular the renewable energy potential in the North Sea.
    • The Parties recognise the importance of long-term industrial cooperation and shall work together to identify opportunities for coordination and cooperation in the context of their industrial transformations.
    • The Parties shall enhance transport connectivity and collaborate in the field of sustainable, innovative and universally accessible transport solutions and mobility, including cooperation to support the decarbonisation of transport. To this end, they will seek to facilitate direct long distance rail passenger services between their countries.
    • The Parties share the common goal of strengthening the international competitiveness of their aerospace industries and at the same time significantly reducing the climate impact of aviation. Therefore, the Parties agree to further strengthen the existing bilateral activities in the field of aerospace research and to engage in consultations between the ministries and their national research institutions on a regular basis.
    • The Parties’ responsible ministries agree to a structured exchange to address the issues of inclusive and sustainable employment and social policy, just transition of the economy, society and the work environment, and ethical principles and shared values in the context of digital transformation, ensuring that digitalisation and the evolving digital society meet the rights and needs of citizens and the work environment in both countries.
    • The Parties shall work together to enhance their domestic housing policies, to promote innovative approaches to sustainable construction and buildings, and to share best practice on urban matters, with a view to achieving cities that are socially, ecologically, and economically balanced They shall cooperate in multilateral settings on these matters.

    ARTICLE 14

    The Parties commit to working together to safeguard economic stability. They shall strive to strengthen economic resilience to safeguard and protect their national security and deliver secure, sustainable and resilient growth. They shall increase dialogue on economic security to enhance cooperation on priorities such as supply chain resilience, including for critical raw materials, critical technology and critical infrastructure as well as protective toolkits.

    ARTICLE 15

    (1) The Parties shall intensify their cooperation in the field of science, technology, research and innovation, including in critical and emerging areas and research security. The Parties agree to consider funding channels and other means to develop joint bilateral and multilateral activities.

    (2) The Parties shall place special emphasis on their cooperation on innovative or disruptive technologies, ensuring they are able to capitalise more effectively on their strengths in basic and applied research to enable their businesses to grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services.

    (3) The Parties shall promote the global development and deployment of technologies, with particular attention to ensuring the secure and responsible advancement of fields such as artificial intelligence or space.

    (4) The Parties agree to regular and structured exchanges on science, innovation and technology, building on existing structures including the Science, Innovation and Technology Dialogue. The Parties commit to cooperate on current and future challenges across research and innovation, and emerging and critical technologies. This cooperation will include promoting technology development and adoption, international governance, competition policy, sustainability and exchanges on regulatory issues consistent with national competence.

    ARTICLE 16

    (1) The Parties shall intensify their cooperation in the field of digitalisation and modernisation of the state, including digitalisation of society, economy, science, government and public administration. The Parties agree to consider funding channels and other means to develop joint bilateral and multilateral activities.

    (2) The Parties agree to regular and structured exchanges on digitalisation and the modernisation of the state, building on existing structures including a dialogue on digital policy. The Parties commit to cooperate on current and future challenges across digital and data affairs, digitalisation of the state and digital sovereignty.

    Chapter 5

    Open and Resilient Societies

    ARTICLE 17

    • The Parties shall cooperate on strategies for strengthening the resilience of their democracies in order to build resilient societies which are able to contribute to their countries’ security and to withstand the increasing attempts of interference and manipulation.
    • The Parties shall deepen their cooperation in the fight against all forms of hate crime, whilst promoting freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.

    ARTICLE 18

    • The Parties shall strive to reduce obstacles in order to promote exchanges between their citizens on all levels. They shall work towards strengthening people-to-people contacts. The Parties shall promote smoother border fluidity and will provide each other’s citizens access to automated border technology.
    • Particular focus shall be placed on increasing exchange between young people. The Parties value bilateral school and youth exchanges, and shall facilitate such exchanges, supporting the development of relevant structures and initiatives, such as the “UK-German Connection”.
    • The Parties recognise the importance of vocational training, university education and learning opportunities such as internships. The Parties shall jointly endeavour to increase exchanges within their own legislative frameworks with regard to education, skills and training.
    • The Parties shall promote closer relations in all fields of cultural expression, including activities to promote dialogue and cooperation to share best practice between cultural institutions; close cooperation of the British Council and Goethe-Institut; and establishment of an intergovernmental Working Group on Creative Technology.
    • The Parties acknowledge the important role of civil society and they shall strive to support the work of educational institutions, cultural bodies and political organisations.
    • The Parties shall use the annual meetings of the Cultural Commission to the ends of this Article.

    Chapter 6

    Climate, Energy, Nature, Environment and Agriculture

    ARTICLE 19

    • The Parties shall further deepen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change and to pursue efforts to limit the increase of global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, including through implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Outcome of the first Global Stocktake adopted at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) and the Glasgow Climate Pact adopted at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26).
    • The Parties shall enhance their climate foreign policy collaboration and cooperation, including through the UK-Germany Climate Diplomacy Dialogue, to make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development, address the interplay between climate, environment, peace, and security, and support developing countries to decarbonise their economies and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
    • Recognising the significant societal, environmental economic, and geopolitical impacts of the global energy transition and the shift towards climate neutrality, the Parties shall intensify their dialogue to anticipate and address emerging foreign policy and security challenges.

    ARTICLE 20

    • The Parties intend to work together under the Joint Declaration of Cooperation on Energy and Climate, including the Hydrogen Partnership, to realise their shared ambitions regarding: renewable energy; the role of hydrogen, in particular from renewable sources; carbon capture utilisation and storage, in particular in hard-to-abate sectors; energy security; net zero strategies and policies; and green transition. The scope and priorities for this work shall be reviewed by annual senior official and ministerial meetings.
    • The Parties shall work together to achieve their respective domestic emissions reductions targets, to enhance domestic and global just energy transition resilience and security, including by improving energy and resource efficiency, and to provide secure, sustainable and affordable clean energy derived from renewable sources, in an effort to implement the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
    • Recognising their leading role in the North Seas, they shall work together to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy, electricity, hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructures.

    ARTICLE 21

    • The Parties shall cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally to promote environmental protection and halt and reverse biodiversity loss in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including through restoring nature, halting and reversing deforestation, protecting the ocean, reducing plastic, chemical and air pollution and pursuing nature-based solutions.
    • The Parties shall work together to promote resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems internationally, including high animal welfare standards. They shall focus in particular on achieving global food security and nutrition including as a means of pursuing global stability and security.

    Chapter 7

    Forms of Cooperation

    ARTICLE 22

    The Parties agree to hold government ministerial consultations led by Heads of Government every two years, which shall endorse an Implementation Plan of projects under the Treaty for the following two-year period. The venue for the consultations shall alternate between the two countries. Ministerial level dialogues on individual policy themes shall take place whenever both Parties deem appropriate. The Parties’ foreign ministries shall meet annually to review the bilateral relationship in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty.

    ARTICLE 23

    Existing cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding between line ministries shall be continued and pursued in the framework of this Treaty.

    Final Provisions

    ARTICLE 24

    This Treaty and its application shall be without prejudice to the Parties’ obligations stemming from international law and, in respect of the Federal Republic of Germany, its obligations stemming from its European Union membership. Nothing in this Treaty shall affect the Federal Republic of Germany’s obligations under European Union law.

    ARTICLE 25

    This Treaty shall apply:

    (a) to the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany; and

    (b)     to the territory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and may be extended to any or all of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man by mutual agreement between the Parties by exchange of notes.

    ARTICLE 26

    The Parties may agree, in writing, to amend this Treaty. Such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with Article 30.

    ARTICLE 27

    (1) A Party may terminate this Treaty by giving the other Party notice in writing. Such termination shall take effect six months after the date of the notification, or on such date as the Parties may agree.

    (2) Either Party may request consultations regarding whether the termination of this Treaty should take effect on a date later than that provided in paragraph 1.

    ARTICLE 28

    Any disputes concerning the interpretation, application or implementation of the Treaty shall be resolved solely by negotiation between the Parties.

    ARTICLE 29

    Registration of this Treaty with the Secretariat of the United Nations, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations, shall be initiated by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland immediately following its entry into force. The Federal Republic of Germany shall be informed of registration, and of the United Nations registration number, as soon as this has been confirmed by the Secretariat of the United Nations.

    ARTICLE 30

    (1) The present Treaty is subject to ratification; the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged as soon as possible.

    (2) The present Treaty shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Nuclear fusion boost as government sets to unblock planning rules [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Nuclear fusion boost as government sets to unblock planning rules [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 17 July 2025.

    Government confirms the UK will be the first country in the world to develop fusion-specific planning rules.

    • Government backs innovation and growth with plan to develop National Policy Statement to unblock fusion projects
    • forms part of golden age of nuclear plans through the government’s clean energy superpower mission
    • UK will become the first country in the world to develop fusion-specific planning rules – helping support thousands of skilled jobs as part of the Plan for Change

    New clean energy jobs and growth for British businesses are set to be unlocked as the government confirms the UK will be the first country in the world to develop fusion-specific planning rules.

    The plans will see fusion introduced into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime, putting fusion energy projects on the same footing as other clean energy technologies such as solar, onshore wind and nuclear.

    This will drive growth and unlock benefits for places such as Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and South Yorkshire where the fusion industry is already supporting thousands of jobs – revitalising industrial heartlands with the clean energy of the future.

    Currently, fusion projects must submit an application to the local authority with no set timelines for approval and no guidance on which sites are appropriate – hindering the technology’s development in the UK.

    The introduction of a National Policy Statement will provide clarity to developers and streamline the planning process for fusion, giving applicants clearer guidance on where and how quickly projects can be developed. This will give industry certainty, break down regulatory barriers and get projects built quicker to cement the UK’s position at the forefront of the global race for fusion.

    The Spending Review also delivered a commitment to invest over £2.5 billion in fusion research and development. This includes progressing with the STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) which aims to develop and build a world-leading fusion power plant by 2040 in Nottinghamshire, creating thousands of new jobs with the potential to unlock limitless clean power.

    A thriving fusion industry in the UK will support the growth of other technologies, including superconductors, robotics and advanced materials, which in turn will provide highly-skilled jobs for British scientists, engineers and construction workers as part of the Plan for Change.

    The government’s clean energy mission is the only route to energy security, lower bills and good jobs for the country, and by setting out clearer planning rules for investors, the UK will maintain its optimum position for fusion industry investment.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    The future of fusion energy starts now. We are backing the builders not the blockers – paving the way for the UK to become a clean energy superpower and ensuring that limitless fusion energy plays a key role in our future clean energy mix.

    We are ensuring the clean energy of the future gets built in Britain, supporting the creation of highly skilled jobs and driving growth into our industrial heartlands as part of our Plan for Change.

    This clarity for investors follows a major backing of £61.9 billion for clean homegrown power in the Spending Review, in which a golden age of nuclear was confirmed with the selection of Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s first small modular reactors and £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C.

    Developing the fusion NPS will also help fusion energy projects move faster along the process from identifying sites to the start of construction.

    This follows the government’s £20 million investment into the ‘Starmaker One’ British fusion investment fund which is expected to unlock £100 million of private investment in the UK – driving economic growth.

    Tim Bestwick, CEO, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), said:

    The inclusion of fusion energy in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime is a clear indication of the government’s support for fusion.

    Fusion promises to be a safe, sustainable part of the world’s future energy supply and the UK has a huge opportunity to become a global hub of fusion and related technology.

    Fusion-specific planning rules will help provide certainty about investing in UK fusion developments, and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in the quest to commercialise fusion energy.

    Notes to editors

    The government plans to consult on a detailed National Policy Statement for fusion energy by March 2026.