Blog

  • NEWS STORY : UK Commits £331 Million to Climate and Nature Security

    NEWS STORY : UK Commits £331 Million to Climate and Nature Security

    STORY

    The UK Government has announced £331 million of international funding intended to address security risks associated with climate change and the loss of natural habitats. The package was unveiled by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband at the United Nations General Assembly.

    Of the total, £330 million will be provided to the Global Environment Facility between 2026 and 2030. The funding will support sustainable agriculture and fishing, access to food and clean water, and measures addressing desertification, deforestation, drought and flooding.

    A further £1 million will be given to the United Nations Climate Security Mechanism, which works with countries to identify environmental pressures that could contribute to conflict and humanitarian emergencies. The Government said climate related disruption can affect the UK through higher food prices, disrupted supply chains, displacement and greater international instability.

  • NEWS STORY : Defence Industry Promises 50,000 Annual Opportunities for Young People

    NEWS STORY : Defence Industry Promises 50,000 Annual Opportunities for Young People

    STORY

    The Government and major defence companies have agreed to provide 40,000 employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities for young people each year by 2030. The annual number is intended to rise to 50,000 by 2035.

    Companies participating in the agreement include Airbus, Babcock, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and Thales. The commitments include at least 14,000 apprenticeships by 2035 and a 25 per cent increase in work experience placements and programmes for young people who are not in employment, education or training.

    The agreement will form part of the forthcoming Defence Jobs Plan and follows a £182 million Government package for defence skills. Ministers say approximately 53,000 additional workers will be required across the defence industry by 2035, while the wider Defence Investment Plan is expected to support more than 60,000 new roles.

  • NEWS STORY : Free Summer Bus Scheme Provided 14.5 Million Child Journeys

    NEWS STORY : Free Summer Bus Scheme Provided 14.5 Million Child Journeys

    STORY

    More than 14.5 million free bus journeys were made by children during August under the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme. Children aged between five and 15 were able to travel without charge on participating services across England.

    Figures supplied by participating operators showed substantial increases in child passenger numbers. The Bee Network in Greater Manchester carried nearly 1.7 million children during the month, an increase of 748,000 compared with the previous summer, while one service in north east England recorded a rise of 710 per cent.

    The Government said the scheme formed part of its wider attempt to reduce the cost of bus travel and encourage greater use of public transport. A £2 bus fare cap is due to begin in January 2027, while time restrictions on concessionary passes for disabled passengers are also being removed.

  • NEWS STORY : UK Pledges £88 Million for Humanitarian Support in Gaza and the West Bank

    NEWS STORY : UK Pledges £88 Million for Humanitarian Support in Gaza and the West Bank

    STORY

    The UK Government has announced an £88 million package of humanitarian and early recovery support for Palestinians. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the funding during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    The package is intended to provide healthcare, clean water, sanitation, waste management and protection services in Gaza and the West Bank. The Government expects supported facilities to provide medical consultations for as many as 900,000 people, while 1,000 children with blast injuries could receive rehabilitation and prosthetic treatment.

    Funding is also expected to provide emergency water supplies for 150,000 people and mental health support for 21,000 people. The package includes previously announced commitments alongside new funding, with the Government allocating a total bilateral aid budget of £127 million for Palestine during the 2026 to 2027 financial year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Trump of the United States [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Trump of the United States [September 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 September 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, at the United Nations General Assembly today. 

    The leaders began by emphasising the value of the closeness of the relationship between the UK and the US, noting their warm and constructive phone calls since the Prime Minister took office. 

    They welcomed the importance of trade between the two countries, with the Prime Minister noting how existing agreements brought clear benefits to British people back home. He said he was committed to making Britain feel good about itself again, through setting a clear direction and reindustrialisation, and making sure this was a draw-a-line moment for the country. 

    The leaders discussed migration, with the Prime Minister setting out how summer small boat crossings were at the lowest in six years and net migration is also down, while noting the valuable contribution made by those who came legally to Britain.

    Turning to international affairs, the leaders spoke about the importance of reopening global shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and how Iran must never have a nuclear weapon, with the Prime Minister noting how the conflict clearly impacted the cost of living at home. The leaders also discussed the importance of securing a lasting peace in Ukraine, with the President recognising the strength of the UK’s support for the Ukrainian people since the war began. On Diego Garcia, the Prime Minister said he was committed to working with all parties to find a solution. On the Falkland Islands, the Prime Minister set out that Britain would stand firm in the face of threats. Finally, the leaders discussed the case of British citizen Jimmy Lai, with the Prime Minister reiterating the need for his immediate release.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New plan for Britain’s first Workplace Health System [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New plan for Britain’s first Workplace Health System [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 23 September 2026.

    Earlier and better support for people with health conditions or disabilities in the workplace is key to driving growth and productivity, says a new report published by the co-chair of Keep Britain Working today [23 September 2026].

    In his latest update, Sir Charlie Mayfield sets out the work being done with employers, providers and those with lived experience to deliver Britain’s first Workplace Health System. 

    Around 300,000 people with a health condition leave work every year.

    But much of this is preventable. Someone absent for four to six weeks has a 96 percent chance of returning. After a year, fewer than half do. 

    Since 2019, the number of working-age people out of work due to ill health has risen by 800,000, with a total cost to the economy of around £212 billion a year.

    The new plan aims to build better, more inclusive workplaces and better workplace health provision to prevent ill health conditions from escalating and to support people in work with health conditions or disabilities, to achieve more successful returns after absences from work.

    It brings together employers, the NHS, local authorities and other support services to ensure people don’t fall out of work unnecessarily and companies have better data on workplace health and inclusion to drive change.

    Eleven regional Vanguards, including nine Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Cornwall Council, Hull City Council and Worcestershire City Council, and more than 200 Vanguard organisations are already building and testing the new system with employers, unions and disabled people across all four nations of the UK.

    Examples include: 

    • Liverpool City Region testing draft return-to-work plans developed with employers.
    • Hull City Council, in partnership with provider Latus, creating the Hull Resilience Hub, a buyer’s pool letting local SMEs access occupational health services at the same prices as large corporates.
    • South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will be trialling independent case workers sitting part-time within businesses to support employees with health concerns.

    Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review and Co-Chair of the Keep Britain Working programme, said:

    Britain has spent too long treating economic inactivity as a welfare problem. It is not.

    Instead, it’s one of the largest and most attainable growth opportunities this country has.

    We’ve had a National Health Service for almost 80 years. We’ve never had a Workplace Health System. That is why the same people appear on the welfare bill, on NHS waiting lists and in the productivity figures without anyone being able to join them up.

    It’s also why we are missing the best moments to help people. The new Workplace Health System would change that.

    Ten months of building and testing with employers, mayors, providers, unions and disabled people have made us even clearer about what needs to change and more confident that a new system that helps to drive economic growth is within reach.

    The task now is to build it.

    An employer standard is being developed with the British Standards Institution, alongside affordable support for smaller firms through pooled buying and insurance routes, so good workplace health support is not just available to big companies.

    Sir Charlie’s work sits within a £3.5 billion employment support package. WorkWell, backed by £259 million will support up to 250,000 people to stay in or return to work. Connect to Work will reach 300,000 sick or disabled people with tailored support. Over 1,000 full-time Pathways to Work advisers are already in place across Britain.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

    Too many people fall out of work because of a health problem that could have been caught earlier, and too many employers have no way of knowing whether they are getting this right.

    This programme is working hand in hand with employers, mayors and local leaders to change that, so that good workplace health support is not just for big companies and it delivers growth across every postcode.

    Alongside this, the programme is also focusing on intelligence. Few employers can currently tell how well they keep staff with health conditions in work, or whether people are still in work six months on. Fewer still have the insights that could fuel their prevention efforts. A new employer data project and work and health prototype are being developed this autumn aims to address these gaps.

    Over the next year the programme will continue to work with BSI to develop a standard  and test and refine employer commitments with the Vanguard to build the evidence on what works.

    Minister of State for Work and Health Ally McGovern, said:

    Anyone can find themself with an illness that could stop them working.  
    Getting help quickly rather than waiting for the problem to get worse is the right way to support good health and a strong economy.

    The government is also committed to further steps to bring about effective and sustainable welfare reform, and this will be guided by the Milburn and Timms reviews, which are due to conclude later this year.

    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

    Too many people are being written off from good work when the right support could help them thrive.

    Through our Healthy Working Life programme, we’re bringing together health services, employment support and employers, so people can get the help they need at the right time rather than being bounced between disconnected services.

    Supporting people with health conditions and disabilities to access good work isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s key to unlocking talent and building a healthier, wealthier West Yorkshire.

    Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: 

    I want South Yorkshire to become the healthiest region in the country, a place where everyone has the chance to work, support their families and pursue their dreams. At the moment, all too many people don’t have that chance because of poor health.  
    Our trial will help us work alongside employers, employees and health experts to find practical ways of supporting people to stay well, stay in work, or return to work when they’re ready.  
    By testing new ideas and listening to the voices of both working people and employers, we can help create healthier workplaces where people and businesses can get on, contribute to our communities and our economy, and help us build the South Yorkshire we all want to see.

    Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 

    Greater Manchester has long championed the link between good work, good health and economic prosperity. Through our Live Well approach, Good Employment Charter and Get Greater Manchester Working plan, we’re focused on helping more people stay in work, particularly when they’re facing health or other challenges. We welcome the focus on prevention and look forward to working with partners to put effective solutions into practice.

    Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

    Creating a Workplace Health System approach will bring organisations together to work better to provide the right support, at the right time, to help keep more people in work.

    We know that the longer people are off work, the harder it can be to return. This is why early personalised support is so important, particularly for long-term sickness and poor mental health. In partnership with local councils, Integrated Care Boards, the government, and community organisations, in the West we’ll build a more joined‑up, preventative system that helps people sooner.

    The West of England is already the country’s fastest-growing regional economy. Through our new Skills Strategy, our ambition is to also have the highest employment rate in the UK.  We’re working with employers to enable them to find and retain the talent and workforce they need to thrive, while making it easier for residents of all ages to access training, advice and pathways into work.

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 

    Too many people across the West Midlands want to work and get on in life, but are being held back by barriers that they should be getting help to overcome.

    Good work is about more than a pay packet. It brings security, independence, and pride, and when people are locked out of work, we’re also missing out on their skills and talent.

    West Midlands Works is about changing that. By working alongside the Keep Britain Working programme and employers, we can give people the right support to get into work, stay in work and build a better future for themselves and their families.

    Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

    People shouldn’t be written off because they develop a health condition – and businesses shouldn’t have to lose good, experienced workers because the right support wasn’t there soon enough.

    In the Liverpool City Region, we’re proud to be playing our part in helping to test practical ways of changing that; stepping in earlier, working directly with employers and making it easier for people to stay in work or return when they’re ready. That matters just as much for a small business employing ten people as it does for a company employing thousands.

    If we can get this right, the prize is huge: more people able to keep the security and independence that comes with work, businesses holding on to the skills they need, and a stronger, more productive economy as a result. It’s the kind of common sense reform that can make a real difference to people’s lives.

    Alistair Cochrane, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said: 

    Royal Mail is proud to support Keep Britain Working to help more people stay in and return to work.

    We are already applying learnings from the programme to strengthen support for our employees’ wellbeing, particularly those at risk of musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, which are the leading causes of sick absence in our business.

    We are introducing practical measures such as upskilling managers on mental health, removing barriers for employees seeking help with their health, and making it as easy as possible to return after long-term sick leave.

    Anne Hayes, Director of Standards Development, BSI, said: 

    We support the KBW review’s conclusion that supporting more people into work represents an economic opportunity for the UK.

    Our research has found that employers play a critical role in this, with nearly half of staff who are not confident raising health concerns with their employer having left a role or taken extended leave as a result.

    The standard we are developing with KBW will be a vital tool to help employers work effectively to build workplace cultures rooted in trust so that individuals and organisations alike can flourish.

    John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, CBI:

    The progress of the Keep Britain Working Review shows what can be achieved when government and business work together to turn ambition into practical action.

    Making affordability a key test is particularly important at a time when cost pressures are constraining firms’ ability to hire and invest. Bringing down the wider cost of doing business will help give employers the confidence and headroom to create jobs, invest in their people and play their full part in delivering this shared ambition.

    Jack Latus, CEO of Latus Group, said: 

    Every person who leaves work because of ill health is a loss to their employer, their local economy and the public finances.

    Too often, someone develops a health condition and slowly drifts away from their job with isolation and long silent periods on a fit note making things worse.

    Prevention has to happen where people spend their working lives.

    Good workplace health support means acting early, staying in touch, and working together on a return before a health problem becomes a lost job.

    In Hull, the Resilience Hub is giving local SMEs that support and Latus are delighted to be part of the Keep Britain Working movement, working to explore how earlier insights from employees can better support them, and at the right time.

    Kate Thompson, executive director of people and organisational development at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

    We want to be a leading employer for staff health and wellbeing and are delighted to be part of the Keep Britain Working movement.

    Our staff health needs assessment, which brings together demographic information and survey questions, provides real insights into our varied workforce.

    It has already helped focus our preventative and proactive work where it’s most needed, including projects on musculoskeletal conditions and financial wellbeing. The next stage is to make the data readily available to the right people, so they can identify health and wellbeing priorities for their teams.

    Staff health and wellbeing is part of our overall focus on staff satisfaction, as we know that happy, healthy staff provide better patient care. It also helps us to reduce sickness absence, improve productivity and drive value for public money.

    Additional information

    1. Keep Britain Working is an independent review turned delivery programme tackling health-related economic inactivity and promoting healthy, inclusive workplaces. It is co-chaired by Sir Charlie Mayfield, alongside the three Secretaries of State. Read more at Keep Britain Working – GOV.UK.
    2. Read the report A National Growth Opportunity – GOV.UK.
    3. Around 300,000 people with a health condition leave work every year. Someone absent for four to six weeks has a 96% chance of returning. After a year, fewer than half do. 
    4. Preventing a modest share of that avoidable loss, and narrowing the employment gap experienced by disabled people, is enough to move the national numbers. A one percent increase in participation that would mean c.330,000 more people in work, which is equivalent to the productive capacity of a city the size of Cardiff.
    5. List of Regional Vanguards:
    • Cornwall Council 
    • East Midlands 
    • Greater London Authority 
    • Greater Manchester 
    • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority 
    • North East Combined Mayoral Authority 
    • South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority 
    • West Midlands Combined Mayoral Authority 
    • West of England Combined Mayoral Authority 
    • West Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority 
    • Worcestershire County Council
  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 September 2026.

    A Joint Statement between the United Kingdom and the Philippines concluding the second Joint Economic and Trade Committee Ministerial Meeting.

    On Tuesday 22 September 2026, the UK and the Philippines held the second Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting.

    The meeting was convened in Metro Manila and led by UK Minister of State for Trade, Anas Sarwar, of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty of the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry.

    Minister Sarwar and Undersecretary Gepty endorsed a refreshed programme of work, enhancing collaboration in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and economic development, and discussed potential cooperation in grid modernisation, civil nuclear energy, trade digitalisation, and space.

    The programme of work will be delivered over the next 12-18 months through the established sector working groups, and relevant government and private sector partners.

    Agriculture

    Minister Sarwar and Undersecretary Gepty highlighted the robust cooperation between the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), such as capacity building on precision breeding, anti-microbial resistance, fisheries, and food safety, among others, as well as support in the development of the regionalisation guidelines for African Swine Fever in the Philippines, vital for protections of UK pork exports.

    Building on these accomplishments, they agreed to continue collaboration in facilitating market access for key agricultural exports, and expanding cooperation to aquaculture, biotechnology, animal and plant health, and climate resilient agriculture.

    They welcomed agreement to formalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agriculture Trade and Cooperation, consolidating all agricultural initiatives under a dedicated framework.

    Energy

    Minister Sarwar and Undersecretary Gepty recognised the importance of energy cooperation in light of their respective energy transition plans, and prevailing challenges affecting energy security and supply. In this context, they welcomed the continued support of the UK in the development of offshore wind regulation and policy, and promotion of market opportunities in port development in the Philippines. Recognising other energy sources, both sides will scope areas for cooperation in civil nuclear energy, including radioactive waste management. Initiatives on grid modernisation, including smart grids and microgrids will be also considered under the programme of work.

    Infrastructure

    The UK and the Philippines recognised the work undertaken by the Sector Working Group to finalise the Financing Framework, which will be signed on 23 September 2026, and enable UK Export Finance (UKEF) support to be considered for priority Philippine government infrastructure projects. UKEF currently has up to £5 billion of capacity available for eligible projects in the Philippines.

    The UK and the Philippines recognised the progress of technical assistance projects, in the form of feasibility studies and policy frameworks, under the Growth and Investment Partnerships Framework. The Philippines also acknowledged the UK’s interest in renegotiating the Double Taxation Agreement to reflect modern international standards and current economic circumstances.

    Economic Development

    The UK and the Philippines noted the completion of key cooperation activities on cybersecurity, health technology assessment, regulatory reform and consumer protection. They also welcomed the launch of initiatives to support greater utilisation of the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme and strengthen Philippine exporters’ readiness to access the UK market, through activities such as trade promotion, business matchmaking, and technical exchanges on market access requirements.

    They recognised the potential of improving further the 2025 DCTS utilisation rate of 68%, and the introduction of more liberal rules of origin for garments. In addition, both countries committed to continue cooperation on health technology assessment, and economic and financial policy exchange under the UK-ASEAN Economic Integration Programme.

    Emerging Areas

    Minister Sarwar and Undersecretary Gepty agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in emerging areas such as space and trade digitalisation. They recognised that the programme of work is dynamic and may be updated as priorities and activities evolve.

    Regular exchanges on multilateral and regional trade issues, including on economic security and green sector developments, will be conducted at Senior Officials’ level.

    Bilateral, regional and multilateral economic engagements

    Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Philippines was £3.1 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2026, with £1.3 billion UK exports and £1.8 billion UK imports.

    In view of the 5th Anniversary of ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership this year, Minister Sarwar and Undersecretary Gepty welcomed the updated Work Plan and the new Joint Ministerial Declaration delivered at the 6th ASEAN Economic Ministers-UK Consultation. Furthermore, the Philippines acknowledged the UK’s support to one of its Priority Economic Deliverables under its 2026 ASEAN Chairship, particularly on the establishment of the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries.

    The Philippines congratulated the UK on the completion of its Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process with Canada on 1 September 2026, completing its accession with all CPTPP parties. The Philippines expressed appreciation on the UK’s support for its application to establish a CPTPP Accession Working Group.

    Business sector engagement

    Prior to the JETCO meeting, Minister Sarwar and Undersecretary Gepty led a roundtable with business leaders, providing an opportunity to hear directly from the private sector on challenges, opportunities, and priorities for strengthening the bilateral trade and investment relationship.

    They welcomed the inputs from the business community and affirmed the importance of continued government-business engagement in identifying concrete opportunities to deepen economic ties between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.

  • Heidi Alexander – 2026 Speech on Active Travel

    Heidi Alexander – 2026 Speech on Active Travel

    The speech made by Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, in Manchester on 22 September 2026.

    Good morning, everyone. And thank you, Chris [Boardman], for that introduction.

    It’s really, really good to be here with so many of you this morning (22 September 2026).

    I’ve often found myself in Manchester in recent months – I’ve no idea why – but somebody (perhaps that bloke called Andy [Burnham]) tells me it’s the place to be.

    I also know there is a panel discussion later, so I won’t take up too much time in my opening remarks.

    However, I did want to touch on briefly about the why, the how and the what of this government’s approach to active travel.

    Why active travel matters – to me personally and to the government as a whole. 

    How we want to work with you.  

    And what we, and I mean all of us here, are delivering.

    Personal reflections

    So let’s start, as all good stories as they do, in Swindon – my hometown.

    For me, it starts with a blue bike with a white basket and a set of very solid stabilisers – which was my first bike as a 3- or 4-year-old.

    Now it won’t surprise anyone that, in the 1980s, the town which gave us 6 roundabouts in one (which is otherwise known as the magic roundabout) – wasn’t particularly cycle-friendly.

    But it never really stopped me.

     As a teenager, a bike gave me my first job.

    Two early morning paper rounds, on my dad’s old road bike, with 2 massive orange bags nestled under either armpit, all done in the hours before college. I just wish I could get up those same hills now without stopping.

    It gave me good health.

    A way to clear my head out on the hills of the Ridgeway when I was doing my A-levels – a route I still do now but with the aid of an electric Brompton.

    It gave me independence, which is at the heart of what I believe active travel is all about. And it gave me joy. It never really leaves you, does it?

    It didn’t leave me in my 20s, when I cycled 7 miles across London when I first moved to our capital city to do a temp job, because I couldn’t afford the cost of a travel card.

    It didn’t leave me as the Deputy Mayor of London, where, alongside Will Norman, I helped deliver segregated cycle lanes and lower speeds on some of London’s busiest roads. 

    People often ask me what I’m most proud of from my time working as Deputy Mayor of London and everyone always thinks I will say the Elizabeth line.

    But I’m just as proud of delivering segregated cycling infrastructure on Cycleway 4 going down to Greenwich, which now gives thousands and thousands of people joy every day.

    So my determination to deliver on active travel hasn’t left me.

    Building the integrated transport network

    And as Transport Secretary, I’m really serious about building that integrated transport network.

    I’m really serious about increasing the use of public transport.

    And if we’re serious about giving people the choice and the tools to get out and get on, then the days of active travel being an afterthought, or a bolt-on, must end.

    Instead, I think we need to see walking, wheeling and cycling for what they are.

    Essential parts of everyday journeys. That walk to the bus stop. Wheeling along a station platform. The cycle to work, to school, or to the shops.

    It’s not about pitting one mode of travel against another. No one is declaring war on this or that. And you definitely won’t find me leading a charge of the lycra brigade.

    I simply want to give people greater choice in their lives.

    I want a coherent transport system where each stage of a journey complements the next.

    Where accessibility is baked in. Where signage is clear and simple. Where all of us – from Olympians like Chris [Boardman] to fair-weather cyclists like me – feel confident and safe to choose the more active option.

    Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Not necessarily.

    Look outside here [Manchester] and you’ll see a city setting the benchmark.

    The Bee Network

    I truly believe that the Bee Network is devolution’s greatest success story.

    And I’m not just saying that to flatter Chris, who was one of its main architects.

    Nor to curry favour with my new boss, who was its biggest champion. But I say it simply because it’s true.

    And let’s not forget, the Bee Network was originally the active travel plan for Greater Manchester.

    Andy loved it so much he brought the rest of the transport network under its banner.

    A one-stop shop for getting around this great city – and it started with a bold vision for active travel. 

    And just look at the results: 700 million active travel trips taken last year.

    That’s almost a walk, a wheel or a cycle every working day for each resident.  

    And this isn’t by accident, but by design.

    We’ve seen a surge in active travel where new safe routes have been completed.

    Like on the Chorlton Cycle Way or on Oxford Road – showing the demand for active travel exists, we just need to give people a chance to realise it.

    The future of active travel

    Yes, that’s about better infrastructure – of course it is.

    But it’s also about where the power to make decisions lies.

    Decisions about pavement parking. Decisions about school streets. And it’s that ability to see and meet an area’s needs.

    The small things national leaders are blind to, yet which are blindingly obvious to many of you. which is why I’ve always felt the levers of power must be held locally.

    And I’m so pleased that devolutionary spirit runs through the latest cycling and walking investment strategy.

    Delivered locally by mayors and councils. Supported nationally by Active Travel England.

    The vision is simple: safe, easy, accessible choices for more people in more places.

    Taken together, billions will be invested in active travel by 2030.

    Most of that will be devolved to local government, meaning record multi-year funding to make good on their long-term plans.

    And we must be ambitious.

    At least 60% of children should be walking and cycling to school by 2035 – building on the landmark agreement we’ve signed with mayors to deliver 3,500 miles of footways, safer crossings and cycle lanes.

    It’s why we are supporting local pilots, including for wayfinding, as we move towards a consistent national Active Travel Network.

    And finally, it’s why, today, I can announce £104 million to transform the National Cycle Network. That means maintaining and expanding the 12,000-mile network.

    Fixing bridges and updating signage. As well as developing new routes around the High Speed Two (HS2) line.

    Heart of government’s vision

    So let me finish with this.

    I can think of few better ways to deliver on the Prime Minister’s vision than by going hell for leather on active travel.

    Because when Andy talks of giving people hope, I see the millions of extra journeys we’re unlocking by foot, by cycle or wheels – journeys that connect us to jobs, to friends, to the things that matter most. 

    When Andy talks of places in which we’re proud to live, I see roads that are less congested and more safe. High streets with a new lease of life. Women and girls able to breathe a little easier when walking home alone.

    And when Andy talks of Britain back on its feet, I see the sick days we avoid, the productivity we gain, and the burden we lift on the NHS – all by being more active.

    In the end, active travel is more than just another way to get around.

    It’s about connecting people with the lives they aspire to lead. While designing places in which we all aspire to live. 

    And so a conversation about footways, junctions and wayfinding ends up being a reflection on the type of country we want to be.

    That’s why conferences like this matter.

    It’s why the work all of you do matters so much.

    And it’s why I am determined to work with you to put active travel at the heart of our transport network.

    Thank you and enjoy the rest of the conference.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ASEAN-UK joint declaration on economic cooperation [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : ASEAN-UK joint declaration on economic cooperation [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science and Trade on 22 September 2026.

    Joint ministerial declaration on future economic cooperation between ASEAN and the United Kingdom.

    Preamble 

    We, the Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), gather to mark the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership and to set a focused agenda for enhanced and substantive future economic cooperation. ASEAN and the UK share a diverse economic and commercial relationship that continues to flourish. We recall the 2021 Joint Ministerial Declaration on Future Economic Cooperation and its successful implementation underpinned by the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (2022-2026), which have laid a strong foundation for our maturing partnership. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise that the overall vision in the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030 centred on six inter-related strategic goals: 1) Action-Oriented Community; 2) Sustainable Community; 3) Enterprising, Bold and Innovative Community; 4) Adaptable and Pro-Active Community; 5) Nimble and Resilient Community; and 6) Inclusive, Participatory and Collaborative Community, remains relevant and will serve as an important foundation for further developing ASEAN-UK economic relations. ASEAN and the UK further recognise the UK’s Trade Strategy 2025 and its commitment to open, predictable and modern trade arrangements. We acknowledge UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 that sets out long-term industrial vision as key drivers of future economic growth. The alignment between the priorities of ASEAN and the UK in economic integration, digital transformation, innovation and creativity, sustainable and inclusive growth, and commitment to open and rules-based trade provides a strong basis for deepening economic and trade cooperation, and maximising mutual opportunities. 

    Maintaining Open Markets 

    1. 

    ASEAN and the UK reaffirm our shared commitment to uphold a predictable, open, free, non-discriminatory, transparent, fair, inclusive, sustainable and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, ASEAN Centrality and implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo‑Pacific (AOIP). We note the continued deepening of our economic ties, with the ASEAN-UK trade relationship reaching over £62.0 billion in 2025, underscoring the growing scale and strategic importance of our partnership. 

    Strengthening Economic Resilience 

    2. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise the increasingly complex and rapidly shifting global landscape shaped by evolving geopolitical dynamics and emerging economic uncertainties. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthen economic resilience by enhancing the openness, stability, adaptability and competitiveness of our interconnected economies. We will work together to promote fair, open and rules-based markets that enable trade, investment, resilient supply chains and future-oriented industries to flourish amid these challenges. 

    3. 

    ASEAN and the UK welcome continued knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices on policies, frameworks and initiatives that strengthen economic resilience and support our ability to respond to emerging global shifts. We look forward to continued regular engagement to deepen cooperation on risk mitigation, economic continuity planning and supply chain resilience, amongst others. Through these sustained interactions, we aim to reinforce a stable and predictable economic environment and secured long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth for our nations. 

    Financial Services 

    4. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise that well‑functioning and inclusive financial systems are essential to strengthening regional integration and supporting trade and investment flows. We acknowledge the importance of regulatory cooperation in fostering predictable, efficient and interoperable financial markets. We will enhance regulatory dialogue and cooperation to support broader access to financial services to foster economic participation, market confidence and sustainable growth across the regions. 

    5. 

    We understand the transformative role of Financial Technology, digital payments and cross-border payment connectivity in expanding financial inclusion and facilitating smoother regional transactions. We will deepen collaboration in these areas, supporting efforts to enhance financial inclusion and accessibility while improving the efficiency of cross-border transactions. 

    6. 

    Sustainable finance is critical to advancing climate-aligned goals and supporting the development of green industries and unlocking regional green capabilities. We reaffirm the importance of a just, inclusive and orderly transition across the region and will advance cooperation on sustainable finance, including through knowledge-sharing, capacity building and investment facilitation to support long-term economic resilience. 

    Regulatory Reform 

    7. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise the importance of predictable, transparent and agile regulatory environments that facilitate trade and investment and contribute to a conducive business environment. We will collaborate to simplify, streamline and where appropriate, support regulatory harmonisation in agreed areas, including measures that support stronger consumer product safety regime and safer, more reliable markets. 

    8. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise that internationally aligned standards and sound regulatory practices are essential for interoperability, market confidence, and deeper regional integration. We underscore the value of regulatory systems that are risk-based, transparent and future-ready. We will work together to promote the adoption of international standards and the enhancement of good regulatory practices, including through the ASEAN‑UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP), to strengthen institutional capacity and support greater regulatory coherence between ASEAN and the UK. 

    9. 

    We acknowledge the importance of regulatory frameworks that remain responsive to the rapid technological advancement and evolving market landscapes. We will enhance cooperation, including through technical assistance, to improve cross-sector regulatory alignment, intellectual property (IP) ecosystems and regional efforts towards IP harmonisation. 

    Digital Economy, Science, Technology and Innovation 

    10. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise that the digital economy is a key driver of growth, innovation and regional competitiveness, and the importance of strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks to support digital trade. We will work together to support ASEAN’s implementation of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), fostering trusted cross-border data flows, paperless trade and interoperable digital trade systems that enhance connectivity, efficiency and economic opportunities across the region. 

    11. 

    We understand the advantages that digitalised customs, logistics and trade systems bring to regional integration and business efficiency. We highlight the importance of a secure and streamlined digital trade ecosystem. We will collaborate to support the digitalisation of ASEAN’s trade and customs ecosystem to enhance effective cross-border trade procedures. 

    12. 

    We recognise the critical role of emerging technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship to drive productivity, resilience and long-term competitiveness, and we understand the importance of their responsible and inclusive adoption. We will support ASEAN’s adoption of advanced and emerging technologies through standards cooperation, knowledge sharing, readiness assessment and capacity building programmes. 

    13. 

    We will strengthen the regional technology commercialisation ecosystems to enhance the link between innovations and economic development in ASEAN. We will deepen collaboration that leverages technical expertise and partnerships to enhance institutional readiness, promote innovation uptake and support an inclusive and commercially enabling technology environment across the region. 

    Clean Energy 

    14. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise the importance of resilient and diversified clean energy and the urgent need to scale clean energy solutions to support secure, affordable, sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth, and acknowledge the importance of accelerating innovation and facilitating the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies. We will deepen our cooperation on clean energy, innovation and technology transfer, supporting efforts to accelerate low-carbon and resilient solutions across the regions while strengthening regional interconnectivity, energy security, including through more resilient energy supply chains, and supporting a just, inclusive and orderly energy transition. 

    15. 

    We recognise that clear and predictable regulatory environments and robust investment frameworks are essential to unlock regional renewable energy potential, and we underscore the value of long-term planning and cross-border energy infrastructure development, including overland and subsea interconnections. We will work together to support the region’s energy transition efforts through cooperation, technical assistance and funding to support the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid, including cross-border electricity trade, regional power interconnection, grid modernisation, and the deployment of energy storage systems, to advance energy connectivity and promote efficient, reliable and affordable clean energy systems. 

    16. 

    We encourage exploring opportunities for cooperation on emerging clean energy technologies and other related areas, including civil nuclear energy, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy integration, offshore wind, hydrogen, and digitalisation of energy systems, through knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, technical cooperation and capacity building. 

    Public-Private Sector Partnership 

    17. 

    ASEAN and the UK underscore the significant contribution of public-private sector partnership that drives economic growth. We understand the important work of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) and how the UK’s private sector can support in advancing economic integration in our region, including through innovation, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. 

    Cross-cutting enablers: Professional and Business Services, Skills and Inclusion 

    18. 

    ASEAN and the UK recognise that high quality professional and business services are fundamental to enabling transparent, efficient and trusted commercial environments, and we underscore the role of these services in supporting innovation, creativity, deeper regional integration and investment. 

    19. 

    We recognise that inclusive skills development is essential to ensuring that all segments of society can participate in and benefit from economic transformation. We acknowledge the importance of aligning skills development with evolving industry needs. 

    20. 

    We recognise that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of regional economies and that women and underserved groups are central to inclusive growth, and we understand the need to expand economic participation and capability development. We will promote inclusive skills programmes and targeted MSMEs support, including initiatives that enhance access to finance, digital capabilities and trade-related skills, ensuring smaller businesses can participate more effectively in regional and global value chains. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 63 – Joint Statement for the Item 4 General Debate [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 63 – Joint Statement for the Item 4 General Debate [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 September 2026.

    Joint Statement for the Item 4 General Debate. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

    Mr Vice-President,

    I deliver this statement on behalf of a group of eleven countries that remain firmly committed to the two-State solution, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the New York Declaration, as the only credible path to a just and lasting peace, security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a serious obstacle to peace. Continued settlement expansion, the establishment of new outposts, land seizures, and rising settler violence further threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state.

    With the rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground, we have taken new measures, supported European restrictions, or are actively considering measures to defend the viability of the two-state solution, including restrictions targeting settlement activity and those who support, facilitate or profit from it.

    We call on Israel immediately to fully comply with its obligations under international law, halt settlement expansion, prevent and punish settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces. We also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and our condemnation of terrorism, including the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October.

    We will continue to work to uphold international law and protect the two-State solution.

    This statement was on behalf of the UK, Canada, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.