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PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of young disabled people to be offered guaranteed jobs [September 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 27 September 2026.

Thousands of young disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are set to be offered a fast-tracked job under the government’s Jobs Guarantee.
- Young people set to benefit from fully funded jobs as government continues to tackle UK’s persistently high disability employment gap.
- Number of NEET young people who report having a disability has doubled in the past decade.
- New fast track for those on health benefits part of £2.5 billion investment to support almost a million young people towards employment.
Under the scheme, eligible young people on health benefits will be offered a guaranteed job on a voluntary basis from week 13 after their Work Capability Assessment.

They will receive mentoring and tailored support with their mental health, finances and housing to prepare them for work, while employers will be supported with onboarding costs.

The government will also cover 100% of wage costs up to 25 hours a week for six months.

The move marks a significant expansion of the Jobs Guarantee, a government scheme launched earlier this year for long-term unemployed young people aged 18 to 24 who have been claiming Universal Credit for 18 months.

The expansion to young people on health benefits will start from April 2027 and comes as part of the government’s £3.5 billion investment to deliver the most significant employment reforms in a generation to tackle the UK’s persistently high disability employment gap.

These reforms include the ‘right to try’ guarantee announced earlier this year, which will enable those on sickness benefits to try to work without the immediate fear of losing their benefits.

Earlier this year, Alan Milburn’s interim report found that nearly half of young people who are NEET in the UK (45%) report having a disability – more than doubling from 21.1% in 2013/14.

Widening eligibility for the scheme to young disabled people means thousands will have the chance to join the scheme which is intended to help up to 90,000 young people into work by the end of the Parliament.

This comes as part of the government’s efforts to tackle the UK’s persistently high disability employment gap, including the ‘right to try’ announced earlier this year, which will enable those on sickness benefits to try work without the immediate fear of losing their benefits.

The government believes every young person should have the opportunity to earn or learn, with £2.5 billion committed over the next three years to Youth Guarantee schemes including £3,000 payments for businesses who hire a young person out of work for six months, and an expansion of youth apprenticeships.

Emma Taylor, Chief People Officer at Tesco, said:

We welcome the Government’s expansion of the Jobs Guarantee, which will help more young people with disabilities and long-term health conditions access the opportunities, experience and support they need to get started in the world of work.

At Tesco, we’ve always been committed to helping young people develop the skills and confidence required for a long-term career, and we recognise that creating more ways into employment for those facing additional barriers is vital if every young person is to have the chance to fulfil their potential.

As a Disability Confident Leader, inclusion is a long-standing priority for Tesco and we’re proud to support initiatives that help widen access to work while creating meaningful opportunities for more young people to succeed.

Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at the national disability charity Sense, said:

We welcome investment that gives more young disabled people the opportunity to get into work. Too many who want to work are still locked out by barriers, including a lack of appropriate support, inaccessible workplaces and negative attitudes.

These jobs must be accessible, work for the individual and lead to lasting opportunities. Young disabled people need tailored support and inclusive workplaces, and success should be measured not just by how many start a job, but whether they have the support and opportunities to build the future they choose.

Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said:

Many young people with mental health problems tell us that they’d love to work but can’t find the right support or opportunities in order to do so. If delivered in a genuinely supportive way, this offer could be life changing for a young person struggling with their mental health.

For far too long young people have been let down, with less opportunities and support than previous generations. Focussing on providing genuine opportunity to harness their motivations and ambitions is a really positive step forward, and we look forward to seeing the full detail.

Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of Mencap, said:

This is very welcome news. Young people with a learning disability are disproportionately likely to be out of work and not in education, employment or training. Earlier access to paid work, tailored support and mentoring could help prevent them from becoming trapped in long-term unemployment.

The voluntary nature of the scheme will give young people with a learning disability the confidence to explore work opportunities and show what they can do, without losing the support they need. If delivered well, with backing from employers and vital support like Access to Work, this could help tackle the NEETs crisis and get more young people with a learning disability into work.

Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK:

Expanding access to the Jobs Guarantee for young disabled people is welcome news. Fast-tracking access to these opportunities has the potential to make a hugely positive difference to young people’s morale, allowing them to gain paid work experience and develop new skills that can make a real difference to their confidence, wellbeing and future employment prospects. Making this support easier to access could help more young people to take those important first steps into work.

James Taylor, Executive Director at disability equality charity Scope:

This scheme could give many young disabled people a much-needed foot in the door. For too long, disabled young people have been locked out of work by barriers beyond their control. They have been overlooked when they apply for jobs, denied the support they need at work, and too often left without the opportunities they deserve.

Young disabled people have a wealth of talent and skills, and it’s positive to see the government putting money behind them to unlock their potential. That means the right adjustments, tailored support and opportunities to move into accessible, secure, and lasting jobs.

Laura Davis, Chief Executive of British Association for Supported Employment/Inclusive Trading

It is hugely encouraging to see the government recognising the significant barriers that many young disabled, neurodivergent people and those with long-term health conditions face in accessing good careers, by extending the Jobs Guarantee to include young people on health benefits. We hope to see strong alignment with evidence-based programmes, with the right join-up, young people with the most complex support needs will not have to choose between receiving the support they need and accessing opportunities to build a meaningful career.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

Retail has a proud history of providing accessible first routes into the workforce. The expansion of the Jobs Guarantee gives more young disabled people a fair shot at building a career without the risk of losing vital safeguards. Retailers welcome this investment and look forward to playing a central role in delivering these opportunities from 2027.

Retail is already stepping up to support anybody not in employment, education or training through the Opening Shift programme, a new, national retail work experience initiative in partnership with DWP, which is already offering more than 11,000 work experience placements to young people furthest from the labour market.

Sarah Yong, Deputy CEO at Youth Futures Foundation, the What Works Centre for Youth Employment, said:

We welcome the news that the Jobs Guarantee will be widened to include young people with disabilities and health barriers who feel they would be able to enter employment with support. We know that these young people are disproportionately represented in the NEET statistics and are finding their pathway into suitable work increasingly challenging; they need to be given a chance and the right support to take this chance.

The Jobs Guarantee to date has been informed by the evidence of what works and it will be important for this to continue as it expands and evolves. Evidence in our Youth Employment Toolkit tells us that targeted wage subsidy interventions with wrap around support, which enable young people to gain real employment experience, can be most effective when targeted well for young people facing the greatest barriers to work.
28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary unveils plan for schools to tackle misogyny [September 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 26 September 2026.

New whole-school approach to give schools new package of support to tackle misogyny and combat influence of figures like Andrew Tate.

Children will be better protected against misogyny as the Education Secretary sets out a new plan to challenge toxic influences and tackle harmful attitudes in schools.

Schools will be supported with a practical framework to tackle misogyny with resources including practical guides, teacher training and parent support.

The new approach will help to create a culture of respect and belonging, and embed positive attitudes from classroom teaching and enrichment activities to pastoral support and interactions beyond the school gates.

It will help young people build healthy relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and develop the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex online and offline world.

The challenges children face today extend far beyond the classroom. New data shows that half (50%) of girls reported hearing misogynistic comments from other pupils during a week at school in May, while nearly a third (30%) of year 10 and 11 pupils said they had recently heard comments that made them worry about the safety of girls.

This new strategy builds on the government’s strengthened Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum now being taught in schools, improving teaching about healthy relationships, recognising harmful behaviour and navigating online risks, including deepfakes, and other harmful content.

The announcement is part of the government’s wider efforts to tackle misogyny, including the new partnership with major employers announced earlier today by the Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson.

To support teachers with the new curriculum, the government is investing £150,000 in a new RSHE expert advisory group. Bringing together expert organisations and practitioners, the group will develop new resources to support teachers delivering sensitive and complex topics confidently.

Two new programmes have also begun work this week, through the government’s £16 million Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Prevention Programme. One programme will work with secondary pupils to improve attitudes towards healthy relationships, while the other will working with boys to challenge harmful attitudes and negative online influences. These pilots will test the most effective ways to promote healthy relationships and challenge harmful attitudes before being rolled out to further schools.

The government is also working with the Youth Endowment Fund who are running a series of programmes with children aged 12 to 16 to promote respect, build resilience and provide positive role models.

Young people will also benefit from strengthened teaching on media literacy through future curriculum reforms, helping them better understand online content, challenge manipulation and think critically about what they see online.

28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : 1000 new youth workers to help reduce the risk of unemployment [September 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 26 September 2026.
- Young people will be able to access specialised support in their community, as the government makes largest investment into youth services in a generation.
- In addition, a £450 million programme will also help build and improve youth facilities and fund enriching activities in England’s most underserved areas.
Young people across England are set to benefit from specialised support outside of home and school, as the government launches a major drive to support the training and employment of 1000 new youth workers.

It comes as the government makes the largest investment into youth services in a generation following a drop of local authority spending of 73% between 2010 and 2023, which led to the loss of vital youth worker roles and youth services across England.

The 1000 new youth workers announced today is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce. The first workers are set to be in position by spring 2027, as part of the government’s plan to support young people ahead of the social media ban for under 16s coming into force.

The youth workers will work with young people aged 11 plus, within community spaces and through outreach to ensure the most vulnerable young people have access to support, including those at highest risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). The specialist youth workers will collaborate with multi-agency teams across education and training, health and crime prevention to support young people to engage in a range of activities including sport, arts, mentoring and wider youth services.

This initiative will provide a significant step towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

The number of youth facilities is also set to increase thanks to a £450 million programme. The new ‘Youth Matters’ Fund will open for applications soon and will help build, improve and expand spaces for young people to connect, while funding more youth work and enriching in-person activities, such as sports, music and volunteering, ahead of the upcoming social media ban.

Today’s announcement is the latest part of the government’s National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, launched by Lisa Nandy in December 2025 and co-produced with 14,000 young people through a landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey. The survey highlighted that many young people have been left without access to safe, supportive environments or a community to belong to, while reliance on online interaction has grown in the absence of face-to-face opportunities.

In response the National Youth Strategy set out how young people will benefit from over £500 million of government investment, with an ambitious delivery plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade. The move is designed to hand power back to local communities, and allow young people to design services around the skills and opportunities they need to shape their futures.
28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Boarded-up high streets brought back to life with £210m boost [September 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 25 September 2026.

Delivers on the Prime Minister’s promise to put power back in local hands and bring good growth to every postcode.

Derelict high street buildings will be transformed into shared workspaces, cafes and community hubs, to bring people back into town centres as part of a £210m package announced today (25 September).

People are proud of where they live, but too many have watched their high streets be hollowed out, with shops shuttered, buildings boarded up and once-busy hubs left empty.

Now the government is putting that right, by revamping vacant shopping centres, disused cinemas and abandoned local eyesores.

Through the new £125m Derelict Buildings Fund, government will support local authorities to transform these buildings into what their communities need, from health centres to civic spaces.

An additional £65m will be invested in helping communities right across England rescue and revamp beloved buildings and businesses at risk of closure, like pubs and sports clubs. This builds on existing schemes like the Pride in Place programme, which has helped locals take over the youth centre in Ramsgate and redevelop the former Brunswick Shopping Centre in Scarborough.

And a further £20 million will be split equally between High Street Rental Auctions, letting out properties vacant for 12 months or more, and a new Co-operative Development Programme so local people share in their high street’s success.

This drives forward the Prime Minister’s mission to shift power back to communities, from letting mayors keep a share of income tax to reinvest in local priorities, to supporting the establishment of strategic authorities in every part of England.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

People don’t measure growth by looking at a spreadsheet. They measure it by looking at their local high street. Are shops opening or are the shutters down? Does the place feel like it’s moving forward or being left behind?

The truth is that too many high streets have been left to hollow out, leaving town centres a shell of what they once were. That must change, and today’s funding will help put power back into the hands of locals who know their area best.

That’s how we restore pride and bring hope back. Not by telling people things are getting better, but by giving them the power to see and feel the difference where they live.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, said:

Nobody knows a high street better than the community that it belongs to. That’s why this money puts power directly into their hands.

We’ll see boarded-up buildings that have been left to rack and ruin turned into places people are proud to visit again, the pubs and clubs that mean so much to them thriving once more, and local businesses growing and creating jobs that put money back into their own community.

That’s what this government is about. Backing the people who know their communities best, and giving them the tools to shape their own future and breathe new life into their high streets.

First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh said:

For too long, places in every part of the country have been overlooked by Westminster. High streets neglected, town centres left in decline and local assets left to decay.

This investment will help to regenerate and breathe new life into our communities – giving local people the resources and powers they need to make a real change.

This is what devolution means in practice – empowering local leaders to fix things that are broken and protect the things that matter most to people.

This is what a rewired state looks like: a Government focused on delivering for the people of the country and empowering communities in the hands of the people who live in them.

The £10 million regional Co-operative Development Programme will help mayors and strategic authorities set up more co-operative businesses, owned and run by the staff, customers and communities who use them, so local people share directly in their high street’s success.

Work forms part of a broader programme coordinated through the Place Regeneration taskforce, spearheaded by the First Secretary of State along with departments, ministers and local government to deliver a roadmap to rebuild Britain. This work will regenerate communities, breathe new life into our high streets and deliver maximum benefit to the people who live there.

Later this year, the government will go further still, publishing a full high streets strategy to transform town centres across England and bring lasting pride back to Britain’s communities.

The £210m package confirmed today is from MHCLG funding already earmarked for high street support and regeneration.

28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Our focus must be on helping people move beyond prolonged displacement – UK statement at the UN Security Council [September 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 September 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Refugees.

As we heard today, over 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide.

For more than two thirds of refugees, displacement is not a passing crisis.

It lasts five years or more, with no durable solution in sight.

A childhood spent entirely in a camp.

A home never returned to.

A family still waiting to rebuild.

Seventy-five years after the adoption of the Refugee Convention, this is the clearest possible case for change.

The United Kingdom supports UNHCR’s 50 by 35 vision.

Our focus must be on helping people move beyond prolonged displacement, rather than leaving them trapped in exile, unable to rebuild their lives.

But delivering that shift requires change.

It starts with protection.

We need asylum systems that work for refugees, host communities, and the Member States that sustain them.

That means strengthening our collective ability to distinguish fairly between refugees and migrants.

It also means confronting organised criminal networks that profit from dangerous journeys.

To “protect protection”, asylum systems must be credible, effective, and trusted by the people and governments that sustain them.

Change also means backing nationally led solutions and development interventions.

The United Kingdom is putting that into practice.

We are working with international financial institutions to direct development finance towards refugee-hosting countries.

That helps ensure host communities are not left to carry the burden alone and supports the inclusion of refugees into national systems.

We are also working in more than 50 countries, including efforts to bring nearly 200,000 refugee children into national education systems.

But fundamentally, we must confront why people are fleeing in the first place.

War. Instability. Repression.

This Council exists to address precisely those threats.

Yet too often we respond to displacement rather than helping to prevent it.

In Sudan, that means uniting behind a ceasefire to end the conflict driving displacement.

In Syria, it means supporting stability that enables safe and sustainable return.

In Yemen, it means de-escalating a conflict that is once again driving displacement and humanitarian suffering, and recommitting to a UN-led political process.

This Council has the tools to address the root causes of displacement.

What it needs is the political will to use them.

The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Refugee Convention is the moment to show that this system can adapt.

The UK will use this anniversary year, and the road to the Global Refugee Forum in 2027, to work with UNHCR, international financial institutions, and Member States, to keep the system credible, sustainable, and fit for today’s world.

28/09/2026
NEWS STORY : St Martins Preparatory School Minibus Licence Suspended Following Compliance Failings

STORY

St Martins Preparatory School Limited in Grimsby has had its restricted public service vehicle operator’s licence suspended for 14 days after a public inquiry identified serious maintenance and compliance failings. The suspension runs from 25 September until 9 October 2026, while the number of vehicles permitted under the licence has been reduced from two to one until further notice.

Deputy Traffic Commissioner Gerallt Evans found that the operator had failed to inspect its vehicles at the declared intervals, maintain proper records and meet undertakings concerning drivers’ hours. The inquiry also considered a March 2025 MoT failure involving a school minibus with a tyre cut through to the cord. Evans concluded that the directors had delegated responsibility for compliance to members of staff who lacked the necessary qualifications and resources.

The commissioner acknowledged that vehicles had been withdrawn from service, staff had received some training and the operator had cooperated with the latest investigation. However, he concluded that the negative features significantly outweighed those improvements and said the licence had avoided revocation by the narrowest margin. The operator must now appoint a clearly identified person responsible for the licence and arrange an independent audit of its transport safety and compliance systems in March 2027.

28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK steps up humanitarian support for vulnerable civilians in Yemen following Houthi escalation [September 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 September 2026.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis displaced by escalating Houthi violence will be supported by new UK funding.

Tens of thousands of civilians in Government of Yemen-controlled areas who have been displaced by escalating Houthi violence will be supported by new UK funding, announced today in response to the declining humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Delivered through the UN emergency appeal for Yemen, the £10m package will provide access to child nutrition and food supplies, as well as emergency healthcare for women and children and vaccines to protect against life-threatening diseases.

More than 130,000 Yemenis are estimated to have been displaced following the recent escalation in conflict, where over two weeks of renewed Houthi aggression has deepened the suffering for the most vulnerable. The UK is acting to respond.

Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty said:

“The Houthis’ decision to escalate the conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact. It attempts to undermine the stability of the region and has already cost civilian lives.

“The humanitarian situation that is unfolding is catastrophic, with many displaced. Today’s package of support will provide essential access to food, healthcare and nutrition support for the most vulnerable Yemenis impacted by the recent escalation.

“We remain committed to working with the Government of Yemen, humanitarian partners and international partners to protect civilians, preserve humanitarian delivery and return to a political process.

“This government’s position is clear – the Houthis must cease in their attacks and urgently engage with a UN negotiated process.”

The Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty, spoke with the Yemeni Prime Minister on Tuesday [22 September] and met with the Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Dr Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazeer, during his visit to the UN General Assembly this week. He reiterated the UK’s support for the internationally recognised Government of Yemen and stressed the need for sustained international assistance to those affected by the conflict.

The UK condemns the Houthis’ resumption of hostilities following years of efforts to secure progress through dialogue. This government has been clear that the Houthis must end their attacks immediately and allow safe, unimpeded humanitarian access.

The UK is coordinating efforts to support regional stability and is working closely with international partners to secure a strong political response. This includes via multilateral forums, where the UK joined Bahrain in calling an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council following the latest Houthi escalation earlier this month and raising the conflict at the UNSC.

28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Sixth powerful attack submarine departs Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials [September 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 September 2026.

UK and Euro-Atlantic security will soon be boosted, as the Royal Navy’s sixth powerful attack submarine departs from Barrow-in-Furness.
- Latest Astute Class submarine, HMS Agamemnon has sailed from the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
- She will now undergo sea trials – a major step towards delivering the highly capable attack submarine to bolster security for the UK and the Euro-Atlantic.
- The UK’s submarine industrial base is benefitting from £6 billion of Government investment over the Spending Review period and sustains thousands of jobs.
The newest Royal Navy conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Agamemnon and nicknamed ‘Awesome Aggie’, will now begin sea trials – a period of testing ahead of joining active service with the Royal Navy.

The Astute Class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. Weighing 7,400 tonnes and at 97 metres long, they are just short of the length of two Olympic swimming pools. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Submarines nuclear reactor, produced in Derby in the Midlands, the submarine will not need to refuel for the duration of her service life.

The submarine’s high-tech capabilities include stealthy precision strike, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. HMS Agamemnon will be armed with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk IV land attack missiles, able to strike targets at a range of more than 1,000 miles.

Alongside their role supporting the continuous at sea deterrent, Astute-class submarines are also involved in protecting maritime task groups and providing support to UK, NATO and coalition operations.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

Having seen first-hand the dedication and pride of the workforce in Barrow, and that of the thousands of people who work across our submarine supply chain in the United Kingdom, I know how much this milestone will mean to each and every one of them.

As one of the most advanced submarines ever built, HMS Agamemnon will play a major role in further boosting our security here at home and across NATO.

Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting MP said:

Deterrence is the bedrock of our national security. Another formidable attack submarine going to sea strengthens that deterrence and demonstrates how we are stepping up to meet the threats of a more dangerous world.

I’ve been on board HMS Agamemnon and met her submariners and the skilled workers who delivered this incredible feat of engineering. It’s a powerful reminder of how strengthening our defence creates good jobs, opens up opportunity, and reindustrialises our country.

HMS Agamemnon’s departure from Barrow-in-Furness is the result of years of work by a highly skilled workforce. This includes the engineers, technicians and specialists at BAE Systems and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), together with the ship’s company who will take her into service. Their combined expertise reflects the depth of skill sustained in Barrow and across the UK’s submarine enterprise.

Maddy McTernan, Chief of Defence Nuclear, said:

HMS Agamemnon’s departure is a significant moment for the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise and is a clear demonstration of the engineering and industrial excellence of the Barrow workforce and across the wider UK supply chain.

Submarine production will continue to boost British industry for decades to come backed by the commitments announced in the recent Defence Investment Plan.

Royal Navy First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said:

In an increasingly dangerous world, sea power remains fundamental to keeping our country and people safe. Our submarine fleet is essential to that effort, which is why I am delighted that HMS Agamemnon, the sixth of our Astute-class submarines, has now begun sea trials and will soon arrive at HMNB Clyde to join the fleet.

She embodies the best of British engineering and the professionalism of our submariners and will be one of the most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

As we continue to strengthen our warfighting readiness, HMS Agamemnon will play a central role in keeping the United Kingdom safe, contributing to NATO’s collective defence and ensuring we are ready to lead, fight and win.

Building on commitments to continuous submarine production made in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, and reinforced in the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), the completion of HMS Agamemnon demonstrates the strength and reliability of British industry and its world-leading nuclear technology.

The DIP is backed by £298 billion over the next four years, including £47 billion for investment in our submarine build programmes, which also covers maintenance and infrastructure. Part of that spend will enable the UK to produce a submarine every 18 months in support of the SSN-AUKUS programme.

Recognising Barrow’s role as a strategic national asset, DNE spending is fuelling substantial growth and expansion in the town. The economic certainty from the government’s commitment to the submarine building programme underpins the 10-year Plan for Barrow, backed by the £200 million Barrow Transformation Fund. More than 14,000 roles in Barrow-in-Furness are supported by defence nuclear work, with 1,800 additional roles created in Barrow under this government.

HMS Agamemnon has been delivered as part of a national endeavour by the MOD’s DNE, the partnership organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The DNE supports over 47,000 jobs across the UK, including thousands of highly-skilled roles involved in submarine production.

Marking entry into the Royal Navy, HMS Agamemnon was formally commissioned by His Majesty the King in a ceremony on 22 September 2025. She is the sixth Navy vessel to bear the name.

The seventh and final submarine in the class, Achilles, is at an advanced stage of construction in Barrow. The Astute Class will be succeeded by up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines from the late 2030s, with steel due to be cut for the first-in-class in Barrow next year, continuing the town’s role at the heart of AUKUS delivery.
28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Biggest ever overhaul of SEND teacher training begins [September 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 September 2026.

First-of-their-kind training materials published in first step towards every teacher being supported to teach children and young people with SEND.

Every single teacher in England will be empowered to better support children and young people with SEND, as government kickstarts the most comprehensive teacher training offer in a generation.

Developed by training experts Ambition Institute, and building on expertise from the sector, the first-of-their-kind free, adaptable and practical training materials for schools and post-16 settings are now available to be used in the way that works best for them, throughout the year or on existing training days.

The materials will put inclusion at the heart of every classroom and workshop, giving teachers practical techniques such as breaking instructions into digestible steps, pre-teaching specialist vocabulary, and carving out time for children and young people to practise it.

They will go hand in hand with online training for early years staff, developed and delivered by early years charity Dingley’s Promise, supporting staff to use age-appropriate inclusive practices from day one – like using visual timetables to help children with transitions between activities, or adapting environments to reduce unnecessary noise that can be a barrier to communication and emotional regulation.

The move is the first step as part of the government’s wider £200 million investment into teacher training to transform support for children and young people with SEND, ending a postcode lottery that has left too many families fighting for support.

Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould, said:

Every child and young person deserves the chance to thrive, whatever their needs, and that starts with brilliant teaching.

I’ve heard from teachers, parents and young people across the country about the need for more investment in teacher training and today we are responding to those concerns.

We are backing staff with the tools to spot and support additional needs from the earliest years, making sure all children and young people feel included.

One in three teachers in a recent survey said they want more training on supporting children with SEND. Alongside this, a quarter of surveyed teaching assistants in schools reported that a lack of sufficient training was a barrier to them effectively providing support for these pupils.

This is just start of reforms to change that, with further resources due to published in January and April next year. New fully funded training courses will then follow in September next year available to teachers, leaders and support staff across the country.

The offer fits into the government’s wider work to ensure there is a pathway for every child, no matter their background or needs. As research finds that young people with SEND are around 80 per cent more likely to be NEET, than average, it is more important than ever to deliver the right support earlier so every child is set up to achieve later in life.

Claire Heywood, Vice Principal at Kidderminster College, who provided feedback on the materials, said:

The strongest feature of these materials is that they place inclusive practice at the heart of high-quality teaching, recognising that meeting the needs of learners with SEND is an integral part of effective teaching and learning.

The attention given to vocational and technical learning, learner independence, progression and preparation for adulthood means the resources feel both evidence-informed and genuinely relevant to the further education sector.

Crucially, they provide staff with practical approaches and tools that can be readily applied in the classroom and workshops to support the success of all learners.

Hilary Spencer, Chief Executive of Ambition Institute, said:

Every child and young person deserves to feel included and able to achieve their potential. We know that educators across the country want to feel more confident and well-equipped to support children and young people with SEND.

Our aim throughout has been to create practical, adaptable materials that help teachers and support staff to respond to a wide range of needs and strengthen their inclusive teaching practice.

At Ambition Institute, our mission is to help educators serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep getting better. We hope these materials contribute to helping every child and young person thrive, whatever their starting point.

Catherine Mole, CEO of Dingley’s Promise, said:

We are delighted to have been selected to lead on this vital training programme. This programme offers early years educators the opportunity to upskill and gain more confidence to support children with SEND at no cost to themselves or the setting and shows the increasing value being placed on early years education and its impact.

This government investment is a key step towards ensuring that every child has access to the right support at the earliest point possible to give many more children the best start in life. We would encourage all early years settings to access this training and take a whole setting approach to inclusion as we know first-hand how transformational this can be”.

28/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE : British companies to access prized Ukraine data to develop AI drone swarms [September 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 September 2026.

British companies will gain access to extensive battlefield data from Ukraine for the first time to develop new AI models for advanced drone swarms.
- New AI-enabled drone swarms will be made in Britain, using battlefield data from Ukraine.
- Coveted database available to up to 12 UK companies under inaugural competition which will move to testing at pace.
- This advanced technology could boost the UK’s ability to deliver supplies and target enemy capabilities, as the Prime Minister’s AI Taskforce puts AI to work to strengthen national security and reindustrialise Britain.
The UK is the first international partner to access Ukraine’s coveted Avengers AI Labs, following a landmark deal struck by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The database holds imagery and video gathered by uncrewed aerial systems in Ukraine, using daylight and thermal sensors, and is used to develop, train and evaluate AI models.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is now inviting UK companies to submit proposals for how they would use the data to create AI models for the next generation of battlefield drones. This is the first competition under the UK-Ukraine AI Partnership and could see the creation of models that let drone swarms keep working when communications are degraded or satellite navigation is unavailable.

Drone swarms can fly, swim or drive autonomously, using AI to work together, identify threats and targets and reach decisions, always with appropriate human involvement. For UK forces, that means a small number of sailors, soldiers and aircrew could direct large numbers of drones at once, on tasks from logistics resupply to precise targeting of enemy capabilities and hunting submarines in the North Atlantic.

This comes as the Prime Minister drove forward global work on AI at the UN General Assembly in New York, both to ensure it is being used as a force for good and to maximise opportunities to use the technology to deliver safety and security for people at home. The Prime Minister announced the launch of work between the UK and US on a new AI and Autonomy partnership. This collaboration will help the UK protect critical national infrastructure, from sea lanes to air space – enabling us to detect threats and deter our adversaries using the latest AI technology developed on both sides of the Atlantic.

Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting MP said:

Ukraine is the frontline of freedom for us all. On my recent visit to Kyiv, I saw first-hand the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people. I also saw the extraordinary innovation which is allowing them to repel Putin’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

This world-first access to real battlefield data will allow British companies to continue pushing the frontier of defence innovation, deterring our enemies and making us safer at home as well as further strengthening Ukraine.

AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said:

This is the Prime Minister’s AI Taskforce delivering: bringing together Ukraine’s hard-won battlefield experience with Britain’s best AI companies to develop and deploy capabilities faster.

It is exactly the kind of practical partnership the Taskforce was set up to drive, supporting our ally Ukraine while strengthening sovereign capability here in Britain.

The database includes sensor information from over 6 million detections of objects, such as tanks, artillery, air defence systems, infantry, and aerial targets, including Shahed drones and reconnaissance Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles.

Access to the extensive database will be initially available for up to 12 UK companies and their proposals must be applicable to both Ukrainian and British defence requirements. To advance this work at pace, those companies will be selected in just a matter of weeks and their exploitation of the data is expected to begin soon after.

The work is being led by the MOD’s Taskforce RAID (Rapid AI Delivery) – a team dedicated to ensuring soldiers, sailors and aircrew have access to smarter technology that helps them make better decisions, take on dangerous tasks with less risk, and outpace adversaries who are rapidly developing their own AI capabilities. 

The activity demonstrates the Prime Minister’s AI Taskforce turning the Government’s ambitions for AI into real-world capability. Working jointly with the MOD’s Taskforce RAID they are harnessing British expertise to strengthen national security, support our allies and reindustrialise Britain by building the industries of the future here in the UK.

The recent agreement, which forms a key part of the UK and Ukraine’s 100 Year Partnership, underlines the close relationship between both countries to drive global security and stability and ensure Ukraine has the capability and means to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion.

Background

The MOD is seeking innovative proposals covering one or more of the following areas within drone operations:
- Autonomous Target Recognition: AI-enabled detection, classification, prioritisation and tracking of operationally relevant objects across complex and contested environments.
- Distributed Decision-Making: Enabling multiple autonomous systems to dynamically adapt routes, priorities and behaviours in response to changing battlefield conditions, without relying on a single point of control.
- Adaptive Mission Execution: AI approaches enabling multiple autonomous systems to coordinate actions under constrained communications and decentralised control.
- Collaborative Sensing and Information Fusion: Methods for sharing, fusing and exploiting information across multiple platforms and sensors to improve situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
28/09/2026