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  • PRESS RELEASE : UK targets hostile and heinous Russian activity with latest sanctions [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK targets hostile and heinous Russian activity with latest sanctions [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

    The UK is exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile and heinous activity at every level, from its systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children to recent attempts to interfere in upcoming Armenian elections.

    • The UK has sanctioned 85 individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children, alongside those driving Russia’s information warfare campaigns 
    • In some of the toughest action to date, the UK is exposing and combatting hostile Russian activity across multiple fronts, including recent attempts to interfere in Armenian elections 
    • An additional £1.2 million in UK funding will help identify and return Ukrainian children to their homes and communities

    The UK is today [Monday 11 May] exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile and heinous activity at every level, from its systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children to recent attempts to interfere in upcoming Armenian elections.  

    Today’s action represents some of the toughest measures the UK has taken to target hostile Russian activity to date, directly hitting 85 individuals and entities. As Russia relentlessly seeks to undermine democratic process and global support for Ukraine, this latest tranche of sanctions cracks down on malicious information warfare campaigns. 

    New measures target 49 individuals working for the Social Design Agency (SDA), including writers, translators and video makers responsible for deceptive Kremlin propaganda. The SDA has been tasked and funded by the Kremlin to deliver a series of interference operations designed to undermine democracy and weaken support for Ukraine.   

    In continuing to expose Russia’s hostile and malign activities, the UK is today calling out that the Social Design Agency has planned campaigns which were almost certainly tasked by the Russian Presidential Administration, including seeking to establish pro-Russia organisations in Armenia and influence a change in power towards pro-Russia figures.   

    Elsewhere, the UK can also reveal that sanctioned entity ANO Dialog is tasked by the Russian Presidential Administration and has worked alongside Russian intelligence services to carry out malign influence campaigns on behalf of the Government of Russia. ANO Dialog has also coordinated with Russian intelligence on interference plans aimed at Armenian domestic politics. 

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  

    The UK will not stand idly by as Putin seeks to sow lies and pro-Kremlin narratives abroad.   

    Today’s sanctions are a strong step in exposing and disrupting the depths Russia is willing to go, to interfere and undermine democracy, and destroy Ukraine’s future through the abhorrent deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.   

    The UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad and we will continue to work alongside our allies to support every effort to identify and trace the children that have been cruelly taken from their communities and bring them home.

    Among those sanctioned today for their role in the heinous policy of Russification of Ukrainian children is the Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth, known as the ‘Warrior Centre’.  Here, Ukrainian children are subjected to military training and pro‑Kremlin ideology.  

    Also sanctioned is Yulia Sergeevna Velichko, Minister for Youth Policy in the so‑called ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’, for her role in implementing state‑led initiatives for the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, including the issuing of Russian passports to children from temporarily occupied territories and organising programmes that expose them to Russian ideology.  

    The announcement comes as Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty travels to Brussels to attend the High-Level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. While in Brussels, the Minister will announce a further £1.2 million of UK funding for the Verification Centre and Tracing Mechanism, helping to identify and locate Ukrainian children who have been cruelly taken from their homes.   

    The UK will continue to crack down on those who carry out malign activity on behalf of the Kremlin and organisations seeking to spread lies and undermine democracy in defence of our values. To date, the UK has sanctioned over 3,300 targets to clamp down on those fuelling Russia’s war efforts, from disrupting military supply chains to tackling the weaponisation of irregular migration.

    Notes to editors:  

    • This latest sanction package includes 29 targets linked to Russia’s systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children, and a further 56 designations targeting those responsible for the Kremlin’s information warfare.  
    • Russia’s heinous policy of forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children is a clear attempt to sever cultural and national ties to their home country. To date, over 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia and within the temporarily occupied territories. Sanctions are a critical tool in the UK’s arsenal to expose these injustices, uncover the perpetrators and defend the identity and values Ukraine is fighting to protect.  
    • The Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth operates a network of facilities across Russia and Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.   
    • Among those forcibly deported, an estimated 6,000 children have been taken to re‑education camps, where they are subjected to propaganda designed to erase Ukrainian identity and instil pro‑Russian, highly militarised beliefs.  
    • The UK is providing a further £1.2million to the tracing and verification of illegally deported Ukrainian children. This includes   
    • £600,000 for the Verification Centre which is locating these children and provided strong evidence to the UN Commission of Inquiry to support their conclusions that Russia’s actions constitute crimes against humanity.  
    • £600,000 for the Ukrainian led Tracing programme which is tracing and locating thousands of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia.
  • NEWS STORY : Tammy Sandhu Appointed UK Ambassador to the Holy See

    NEWS STORY : Tammy Sandhu Appointed UK Ambassador to the Holy See

    STORY

    Tarandip “Tammy” Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has announced. She will succeed Christopher John Trott CVO, who is moving to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

    Sandhu is due to take up the role in August 2026. She has been undertaking pre-posting training, including Italian language training, since 2025, ahead of the appointment.

    Her previous diplomatic posts include His Majesty’s Consul General in San Francisco from 2023 to 2025, and Deputy Consul General in San Francisco from 2021 to 2023. She has also served in Chennai as Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Department for International Trade, in Brussels as Deputy Spokesperson at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU, and in Rabat as Second Secretary for political and economic affairs.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See – Tammy Sandhu [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See – Tammy Sandhu [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

    Ms Tarandip Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Christopher John Trott CVO.

    Ms Tarandip Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Christopher John Trott CVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Sandhu will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Tarandip (Tammy) Kaur Sandhu

    YearRole
    2025 to presentPre-posting Training (including Italian language training)
    2023 to 2025San Francisco, His Majesty’s Consul General
    2021 to 2023San Francisco, Deputy Consul General
    2020FCDO, Chair, Race and Ethnicity Network
    2017 to 2020FCO, Human Resources Directorate
    2014 to 2017Chennai, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Department for International Trade
    2012 to 2014Brussels, Deputy Spokesperson, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
    2009 to 2012Rabat, Second Secretary (Political/Economic)
    2009Pre-posting Training (including French language training)
    2007 to 2008FCO, Counter Terrorism Department
    2005 to 2007FCO, Parliamentary Relations Department
    2005Joined FCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : Multimillion-pound competition drives cutting-edge innovation in rail industry [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Multimillion-pound competition drives cutting-edge innovation in rail industry [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 May 2026.

    Modernising track and train will help improve the passenger experience, while supporting jobs, growth and homes in Britain.

    • rail industry innovation boosted as ninth round of the First-of-a-Kind competition launched with entries aimed at improving passenger experience on the railways
    • government partners with Innovate UK to provide £4.8 million funding to back ambitious new projects in lead up to the creation of Great British Railways
    • previous winners applauded for creating tech-led solutions and utilising AI to improve train performance and on-platform safety

    Railway passengers and staff to benefit as the Department for Transport (DfT) funds the development of pioneering, tech-led projects aimed at improving safety and reliability on Britain’s rail network.

    Opening today (11 May 2026) in partnership with Innovate UK, the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition offers £4.8 million grant funding to new projects so innovators can bring their ideas to life and present them to industry, boosting their chances of being rolled out on the network.

    The competition aims to address persistent issues on the railway, such as safety concerns, service reliability or anti-social behaviour. This year, applicants will put forward ideas to help deliver major projects on time and in budget, improve the passenger service performance and reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    Innovation is central to bringing Britain’s railway into the 21st century and our funding for the First-of-a-Kind competition puts this principle into action, helping turn creative concepts into real-life solutions.

    Supporting new ideas is all part of our plan to modernise track and train under Great British Railways, designing and adopting world-leading technology that improves passenger experience while supporting jobs, growth and homes.

    Now in its ninth round, the FOAK competition has been backed with £62.5 million in government funding to date. Previous winners include Transmission Dynamics Ltd, 1 of 7 project entrants from 2025, who developed intelligent roadside warning and analysis systems designed to prevent disruption following collisions between large goods vehicles and low-clearance bridges or tunnels.

    See the list of FOAK rail competition 2025 winners for more information.

    Trials of the technology are underway, including in Northumberland, where the detection system alerted Network Rail when a bridge was recently struck, enabling the team to quickly assess damage and minimise the likelihood of disruption for passengers travelling on the East Coast Mainline.

    Claire Spooner, Director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said:

    Since 2017, Innovate UK has delivered the Department for Transport-funded First-of-a-Kind competition to accelerate the development, demonstration and adoption of breakthrough technologies into rail innovation.

    FOAK26 marks the next step, introducing more focused, industry-led challenges aligned to DfT priorities and supported by strong sponsorship across the sector. By working closely with industry partners and stakeholders, FOAK26 will maximise the impact of public investment, support the commercialisation of innovation and drive economic growth by helping new solutions reach the rail network faster.

    Another of the FOAK competition winners from 2025 developed an automated monitoring system to track deliveries to an HS2 development site. The cameras worked by integrating AI software, alerting site workers to the delivery of time-critical supplies, helping to keep projects on track.

    Hao Zheng, Co-founder and CEO of Robok Limited, said:

    Innovate UK’s FOAK funding allowed us to develop SiteFlow with EKFB on a live HS2 site, turning existing CCTV into supplier-assurance and safety insight. That foundation is now enabling us to take the product to the wider HS2 community and to scale this practical AI across UK infrastructure.

    Noel Dolphin, GB Managing Director of Furrer+Frey, said:

    The FOAK competition has allowed us to take risks and innovate further and faster than we otherwise would. We’ve taken sound, but commercially risky concepts and used FOAK funding to develop and demonstrate them, working with a broad range of partners, into real-world products.

    Developing Lineform AI in the FOAK 2025 has already delivered cost savings to Network Rail and UK infrastructure.

    These projects will help to deliver better services for passengers, encouraging more people to travel by rail as the government rebuilds a publicly owned railway that the country can rely on and be proud of under Great British Railways (GBR).

    As a single organisation, GBR will deliver lasting change and build a railway fit for Britain’s future, owned by the public, for the public. The full public ownership programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with 8 out of the 14 train operators now publicly owned and operators managing more than 1,100 stations. By bringing track and train under a single directing mind, GBR will drive up standards for passengers and make journeys easier and better value for money.

  • NEWS STORY : Starmer Vows to Fight On After Election Setback

    NEWS STORY : Starmer Vows to Fight On After Election Setback

    STORY

    Sir Keir Starmer has said he will not “walk away” from what he called a battle for the “soul of the nation”, as he attempted to reassert his authority after Labour’s poor performance in last week’s local elections. In a major speech in London, the Prime Minister accepted that the Government had to move faster and prove its critics wrong, but rejected suggestions that he should stand aside.

    The speech came amid growing pressure inside Labour following the party’s losses to Reform UK, the Greens and other opponents. Starmer warned that Britain could go down a “very dark path” if mainstream politics failed to respond to public anger, and argued that Labour had to offer a stronger alternative rather than imitate Nigel Farage’s party.

    Starmer said his Government would focus on practical measures to improve living standards, rebuild public services and restore trust in politics. He also pointed to closer cooperation with the European Union, including a proposed youth mobility scheme, while insisting that the UK would not rejoin the EU. The Prime Minister framed the approach as part of a wider effort to give voters a sense of hope and economic security.

    The speech also included a pledge to bring British Steel into public ownership if required, with new legislation expected in the King’s Speech on Wednesday. Ministers said the move would give the Government the option to take British Steel into national ownership as part of efforts to protect the industry and support domestic production.

  • 2026 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

    2026 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

    2026 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

    Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
    Election: Local government elections, Thursday 7 May 2026
    Overall electorate: 188,414
    Total ballot papers: 70,182
    Overall turnout: 37.25%
    Overall status: Reform UK majority. The council’s published political make-up after the election is Reform UK 42, Labour 11, Liberal Democrats 8 and Independents 2.

    Seat summary:

    Reform UK: 42
    Labour Party: 11
    Liberal Democrats: 8
    Independents: 2

    Total seats: 63

    Athersley and New Lodge
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Ian Paul Earp, Reform UK; Jayne Hulme, Reform UK; Rocky Laybourn, Reform UK
    Electorate: 8,511
    Ballot papers: 2,379
    Turnout: 28%
    Spoilt ballots: 6
    Majority: 264
    Candidates: Ian Paul Earp, Reform UK, 1,181; Jayne Hulme, Reform UK, 1,164; Rocky Laybourn, Reform UK, 1,122; Dave Leech, Labour Party, 858; Sarah Jane Tattersall, Labour Party, 828; Neil Wright, Labour Party, 733; Rebecca Jean Trotman, The Green Party, 146; Lina Soura, The Green Party, 142; Andrew Allerton, Conservative Party Candidate, 113; Sue Wright, Liberal Democrats, 101; Neil Philip Calvert, Liberal Democrats, 96; Matthew Nicholson, Liberal Democrats, 79.

    Central
    Result: Labour Party won all three seats
    Elected: Nicola Sumner, Labour Party; Janine Moyes, Labour Party; Martin Joseph O’Donoghue, Labour Party
    Electorate: 8,410
    Ballot papers: 2,801
    Turnout: 33.3%
    Spoilt ballots: 6
    Majority: 56
    Candidates: Nicola Sumner, Labour Party, 1,208; Janine Moyes, Labour Party, 1,137; Martin Joseph O’Donoghue, Labour Party, 1,089; Gerald Bateman, Reform UK, 1,033; Christopher Mark Mannion, Reform UK, 1,023; Patricia Smith, Reform UK, 1,012; Nick Milne, The Green Party, 286; Eloise Morris, The Green Party, 277; Sam Bullcock, Liberal Democrats, 264; Davinder Pinder, The Green Party, 238; Andrew Micklethwaite, Liberal Democrats, 221; Pietro Politano, Liberal Democrats, 219; Elaine Weems, Conservative Party Candidate, 104.

    Cudworth
    Result: Labour Party won two seats; Reform UK won one seat
    Elected: Steve Houghton, Labour Party; Joe Hayward, Labour Party; Stanley John Bryan, Reform UK
    Electorate: 8,322
    Ballot papers: 2,960
    Turnout: 35.6%
    Spoilt ballots: 13
    Majority: 15
    Candidates: Steve Houghton, Labour Party, 1,306; Joe Hayward, Labour Party, 1,303; Stanley John Bryan, Reform UK, 1,283; Diane Bryan, Reform UK, 1,268; Anita Cherryholme, Labour Party, 1,229; Richard Szenk, Reform UK, 1,119; Richard Knights, The Green Party, 238; Dale Jackson, The Green Party, 190; Elizabeth Foers, Liberal Democrats, 107; Peter Forbes, Conservative Party Candidate, 106; Gary Marsh, Conservative Party Candidate, 85; Thomas Wright, Liberal Democrats, 83; Glenn Lawrence, Liberal Democrats, 72.

    Darfield and Great Houghton
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: David Goddard, Reform UK; Gary Hall, Reform UK; Scott McKenzie, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,247
    Ballot papers: 3,490
    Turnout: 38%
    Spoilt ballots: 11
    Majority: 304
    Candidates: David Goddard, Reform UK, 1,674; Gary Hall, Reform UK, 1,621; Scott McKenzie, Reform UK, 1,573; Kevin John Howard Osborne, Labour Party, 1,269; Pauline Markham, Labour Party, 1,268; Richard Thomas Ullyott, Labour Party, 1,085; Ehren Holt, The Green Party, 323; Paul Hand-Davis, Conservative Party Candidate, 203; John Norton, Conservative Party Candidate, 189; Simon Richard Hulme, Liberal Democrats, 180; Alison Palmer, Liberal Democrats, 180; Gregory Harrison Needham, Liberal Democrats, 157.

    Darton East
    Result: Liberal Democrats won all three seats
    Elected: Dickie Denton, Liberal Democrats; Leyla Nayeri, Liberal Democrats; Carl Snowden, Liberal Democrats
    Electorate: 9,010
    Ballot papers: 3,804
    Turnout: 42%
    Spoilt ballots: 11
    Majority: 331
    Candidates: Dickie Denton, Liberal Democrats, 1,724; Leyla Nayeri, Liberal Democrats, 1,529; Carl Snowden, Liberal Democrats, 1,472; Kirsty Bogic, Reform UK, 1,141; Nina Musgrave, Reform UK, 1,127; Eunice Asante, Reform UK, 1,082; Teresa Wilcockson, Labour Party, 851; Stephen John Morgan, Labour Party, 685; Wayne Martindale, Labour Party, 586; Tom Heyes, The Green Party, 270; Phil Atkinson, The Green Party, 217; Roger Haw, Conservative Party Candidate, 100; Phil Weems, Conservative Party Candidate, 99.

    Darton West
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Sam Burdett, Reform UK; Andy Cudworth, Reform UK; Luca Turner, Reform UK
    Electorate: 8,924
    Ballot papers: 3,888
    Turnout: 44%
    Spoilt ballots: 7
    Majority: 6
    Candidates: Sam Burdett, Reform UK, 1,607; Andy Cudworth, Reform UK, 1,544; Luca Turner, Reform UK, 1,510; Trevor Raymond Cave, Labour Party, 1,504; Sharon Howard, Labour Party, 1,460; Simon John Jordan Williamson, Labour Party, 1,319; Trevor Anthony Mayne, The Green Party, 456; Kabir Nepal, The Green Party, 453; Sophie Alice Parkinson, The Green Party, 420; David Rodger, Conservative Party Candidate, 232; Kevin Bennett, Liberal Democrats, 202; Mike Toon, Conservative Party Candidate, 187; Jo Mathewson, Liberal Democrats, 183; Patrick Smith, Liberal Democrats, 157.

    Dearne North
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Luke Wheat, Reform UK; Brian Kilner, Reform UK; Neil Young, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,022
    Ballot papers: 2,411
    Turnout: 27%
    Spoilt ballots: 7
    Majority: 370
    Candidates: Luke Wheat, Reform UK, 1,157; Brian Kilner, Reform UK, 1,146; Neil Young, Reform UK, 1,141; Sue Bellamy, Labour Party, 771; Wendy Cain, Labour Party, 748; Martin Morrell, Labour Party, 634; Ian Martin James Berry, The Green Party, 276; Brian John Evans, Liberal Democrats, 129; Francis McCane, Conservative Party Candidate, 112; Rhiannon Rees, Liberal Democrats, 112; Hayden George Prescott, Liberal Democrats, 108; Helen Smith, Conservative Party Candidate, 97; Maxine Spencer, English Democrats – “Putting England First!”, 81; Janus Polenceusz, English Democrats – “Putting England First!”, 62; Gary Knight, English Democrats – “Putting England First!”, 57.

    Dearne South
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Mark Anthony Langridge, Reform UK; Christopher Alan Charlton, Reform UK; Kay Kilner, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,422
    Ballot papers: 2,722
    Turnout: 29%
    Spoilt ballots: 4
    Majority: 364
    Candidates: Mark Anthony Langridge, Reform UK, 1,489; Christopher Alan Charlton, Reform UK, 1,330; Kay Kilner, Reform UK, 1,301; Janine Marie Bowler, Labour Party, 937; John Michael Cooper, Labour Party, 918; Deborah Jane Pearson, Labour Party, 798; Matthew Lewis Jackson, The Green Party, 233; Linda Fielding, Liberal Democrats, 115; David Allan Jarvis, Social Democratic Party, 111; Jonathan Cutts, Liberal Democrats, 105; Keith Geal, Conservative Party Candidate, 93; Mandy Lowe-Flello, Liberal Democrats, 90; Warwick Bettney, Social Democratic Party, 70; Rosemary Sharon Jackson, Conservative Party Candidate, 68.

    Dodworth, Stainborough and Tankersley
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Betty Barnes, Reform UK; Melvyn Bird, Reform UK; Michael Naughton, Reform UK
    Electorate: 7,583
    Ballot papers: 3,442
    Turnout: 45%
    Spoilt ballots: 5
    Majority: 62
    Candidates: Betty Barnes, Reform UK, 1,354; Melvyn Bird, Reform UK, 1,301; Michael Naughton, Reform UK, 1,284; Chris Wray, Liberal Democrats, 1,222; Andy Waters, Liberal Democrats, 1,109; Janet Wray, Liberal Democrats, 1,051; Thomas Beech, Labour Party, 540; Chris Newton, Labour Party, 525; Rachael Yardley, Labour Party, 487; Becky Thompson, The Green Party, 213; Lee Dorian Long, The Green Party, 199; Debbie Toon, Conservative Party Candidate, 190; Roland Cornelius Powell, The Green Party, 188; Lee Ogden, Conservative Party Candidate, 185; John Wilson, Conservative Party Candidate, 171.

    Hoyland Milton
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Brian Gregory, Reform UK; Michael James Davies, Reform UK; Rachael Grace Kay, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,789
    Ballot papers: 3,724
    Turnout: 38%
    Spoilt ballots: 6
    Majority: 319
    Candidates: Brian Gregory, Reform UK, 1,746; Michael James Davies, Reform UK, 1,725; Rachael Grace Kay, Reform UK, 1,629; Robin Franklin, Labour Party, 1,310; Tim Shepherd, Labour Party, 1,296; Mick Stowe, Labour Party, 1,172; Charlie Evans, The Green Party, 455; Barnaby Churchill, Liberal Democrats, 201; Gina Rayner, Liberal Democrats, 185; Peter Murray, Conservative Party Candidate, 169; Gareth Parkin, Conservative Party Candidate, 155; Claire Redmond, Liberal Democrats, 154; Angela Ruth Waller, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 115.

    Kingstone
    Result: Liberal Democrats won all three seats
    Elected: Steve Bullcock, Liberal Democrats; Philip Wright, Liberal Democrats; Ian Guest, Liberal Democrats
    Electorate: 8,757
    Ballot papers: 3,290
    Turnout: 38%
    Spoilt ballots: 5
    Majority: 148
    Candidates: Steve Bullcock, Liberal Democrats, 1,317; Philip Wright, Liberal Democrats, 1,128; Ian Guest, Liberal Democrats, 1,094; Granville Corker, Reform UK, 946; Sharon Gillis, Reform UK, 890; David Miller, Reform UK, 880; Nieve Elliott, Labour Party, 755; Amy Holling, Labour Party, 691; Deniss Kurnovs, Labour Party, 574; Peter Gordon Giles, The Green Party, 302; Clare Louise Simone Winder, The Green Party, 292; Laur Tupling, The Green Party, 257; Andrew Millner, Conservative Party Candidate, 140; Garry Needham, Conservative Party Candidate, 108; Tracey-Ann Holland, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 29.

    Monk Bretton
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Paul Kelly, Reform UK; Kate Milner, Reform UK; Alan Parker, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,485
    Ballot papers: 3,329
    Turnout: 35%
    Spoilt ballots: 2
    Majority: 448
    Candidates: Paul Kelly, Reform UK, 1,543; Kate Milner, Reform UK, 1,495; Alan Parker, Reform UK, 1,474; Amy Caroline Brookes, Labour Party, 1,026; Kenneth Richardson, Labour Party, 1,023; Margaret Sheard, Labour Party, 1,023; Rachel Jane Stewart, Independent, 437; Brigid Rose Baker, The Green Party, 305; Jessica Hackleton Green, The Green Party, 272; Thomas Collings, Conservative Party Candidate, 172; Peter James Fielding, Liberal Democrats, 146; Elaine Micklethwaite, Liberal Democrats, 135; Kevin Orrell, Conservative Party Candidate, 132; Sue Rose, Liberal Democrats, 116.

    North East
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Martin Richard Bancroft, Reform UK; William John Brown, Reform UK; John Sidebottom, Reform UK
    Electorate: 8,563
    Ballot papers: 2,624
    Turnout: 30.6%
    Spoilt ballots: 7
    Majority: 231
    Candidates: Martin Richard Bancroft, Reform UK, 1,243; William John Brown, Reform UK, 1,212; John Sidebottom, Reform UK, 1,158; Ashley James Peace, Labour Party, 927; Ruth Booker, Labour Party, 909; Dorothy Coates, Labour Party, 834; Raymond Archer, Independent, 266; Jane Margaret Sellars, The Green Party, 167; Sophie Jane Steele, The Green Party, 166; Alison White, The Green Party, 135; James Clay, Conservative Party Candidate, 114; Ann Shelbourne, Conservative Party Candidate, 96; Alex Mathewson, Liberal Democrats, 72; Alexis Rose Fielding-Webb, Liberal Democrats, 71; Geoff Reid, Liberal Democrats, 57.

    Old Town
    Result: Labour Party won all three seats
    Elected: Phil Lofts, Labour Party; Jo Newing, Labour Party; Brandon James Green, Labour Party
    Electorate: 8,654
    Ballot papers: 3,523
    Turnout: 41%
    Spoilt ballots: 6
    Majority: 150
    Candidates: Phil Lofts, Labour Party, 1,391; Jo Newing, Labour Party, 1,382; Brandon James Green, Labour Party, 1,352; David Shaun Cunningham, Reform UK, 1,202; Simon Nettleton, Reform UK, 1,163; Ian Westwood, Reform UK, 1,153; Clive Pickering, Liberal Democrats, 483; Eloise Bailey, Liberal Democrats, 477; Will Fielding, Liberal Democrats, 386; Ken Baker, The Green Party, 313; Gillian Margaret Nixon, The Green Party, 307; Ken Smith, The Green Party, 213; Michael Barraclough, Conservative Party Candidate, 189; Steve Dangerfield, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 41.

    Penistone East
    Result: Labour Party won two seats; Reform UK won one seat
    Elected: Alex Burnett, Labour Party; Kay Hughes, Reform UK; Frances Nixon, Labour Party
    Electorate: 8,662
    Ballot papers: 4,878
    Turnout: 56%
    Spoilt ballots: 9
    Majority: 13
    Candidates: Alex Burnett, Labour Party, 2,040; Kay Hughes, Reform UK, 1,669; Frances Nixon, Labour Party, 1,645; John Roberts, Labour Party, 1,632; Peter Millar, Reform UK, 1,604; James Perigo, Reform UK, 1,529; Robert Barnard, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,050; Steven Burkinshaw, Conservative Party Candidate, 843; Tom Lindley, Conservative Party Candidate, 703; Kate Helen Raynor, The Green Party, 402; Freya Nepal, The Green Party, 346; Catherine Rogerson, Liberal Democrats, 312; Matthew James Summers, Liberal Democrats, 189; Adam Wiszniewski, Liberal Democrats, 115.

    Penistone West
    Result: Liberal Democrats won two seats; Reform UK won one seat
    Elected: David Greenhough, Liberal Democrats; Florentine Bootha-King, Liberal Democrats; Vicky Jackson, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,790
    Ballot papers: 4,767
    Turnout: 48.7%
    Spoilt ballots: 28
    Majority: 1
    Candidates: David Greenhough, Liberal Democrats, 1,680; Florentine Bootha-King, Liberal Democrats, 1,562; Vicky Jackson, Reform UK, 1,399; Kirk Harper, Reform UK, 1,398; Sue Waters, Liberal Democrats, 1,396; Sam Jones, Reform UK, 1,365; Sue Cutting, Labour Party, 821; Willow Kate Raynor, The Green Party, 668; Paul Ian Sammon, Labour Party, 637; Bryan Anthony Worth, Labour Party, 602; Richard Thomas James Trotman, The Green Party, 556; Lawrence Maitland, Conservative Party Candidate, 393; Ian White, Conservative Party Candidate, 352; Samuel Wilkinson, Conservative Party Candidate, 321; David Wood, Independent, 276; Rori Cook, Social Democratic Party, 180.

    Rockingham
    Result: Reform UK won two seats; Independent won one seat
    Elected: Pat Gregory, Reform UK; Andy Wray, Independent; Christopher Denton, Reform UK
    Electorate: 8,406
    Ballot papers: 3,320
    Turnout: 39.5%
    Spoilt ballots: 8
    Majority: 139
    Candidates: Pat Gregory, Reform UK, 1,462; Andy Wray, Independent, 1,377; Christopher Denton, Reform UK, 1,291; Adam Harrington, Reform UK, 1,152; Sherry Holling, Labour Party, 784; Edana Rose Guest, Labour Party, 667; Michelle Klepper, Labour Party, 638; Lucy Louise Benoit, The Green Party, 407; Amelia Rushworth, The Green Party, 263; Gill Millner, Conservative Party Candidate, 176; Clive Watkinson, Conservative Party Candidate, 159; Sam Calvert, Liberal Democrats, 133; Anita Kimberley, Liberal Democrats, 113; Ian Hague-Brown, Liberal Democrats, 100.

    Royston
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Terry Durkin, Reform UK; Nick Everest, Reform UK; Stefan McCrum, Reform UK
    Electorate: 8,311
    Ballot papers: 2,855
    Turnout: 34%
    Spoilt ballots: 7
    Majority: 46
    Candidates: Terry Durkin, Reform UK, 1,246; Nick Everest, Reform UK, 1,226; Stefan McCrum, Reform UK, 1,151; Caroline Makinson, Labour Party, 1,105; Pauline McCarthy, Labour Party, 969; Lewis Cusworth, Labour Party, 922; Angela Pollard, The Green Party, 291; Neil Fisher, Independent, 254; Michael Close, Conservative Party Candidate, 155; Tina Adkin, Liberal Democrats, 152; George Hill, Conservative Party Candidate, 133; Jonathan Hood, Liberal Democrats, 111; Jon Palmer, Liberal Democrats, 106.

    Stairfoot
    Result: Reform UK won all three seats
    Elected: Edward Dillingham, Reform UK; Andrew Gillis, Reform UK; Liam Hardcastle, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,145
    Ballot papers: 2,842
    Turnout: 31.1%
    Spoilt ballots: 3
    Majority: 372
    Candidates: Edward Dillingham, Reform UK, 1,322; Andrew Gillis, Reform UK, 1,318; Liam Hardcastle, Reform UK, 1,314; Karen Dyson, Labour Party, 942; Ian Patrick Shirt, Labour Party, 844; Paul Murray, Labour Party, 835; Pete Wall, The Green Party, 275; Nell Dru Stockton, The Green Party, 263; Louise Cassidy, Liberal Democrats, 185; Marie Bates, Conservative Party Candidate, 175; James Robert Kitching, Liberal Democrats, 145; Charlotte Wilkinson, Conservative Party Candidate, 134; Lee Ross, Liberal Democrats, 99.

    Wombwell
    Result: Reform UK won two seats; Labour Party won one seat
    Elected: Andy Arnold, Reform UK; James Lewis Higginbottom, Labour Party; Theresa Arnold, Reform UK
    Electorate: 10,505
    Ballot papers: 3,440
    Turnout: 33%
    Spoilt ballots: 8
    Majority: 23
    Candidates: Andy Arnold, Reform UK, 1,535; James Lewis Higginbottom, Labour Party, 1,514; Theresa Arnold, Reform UK, 1,448; Brenda Eastwood, Labour Party, 1,425; Deborah Hirst, Reform UK, 1,376; Robert Frost, Labour Party, 1,347; Jessica Claire Roebuck, The Green Party, 361; Mark Brook, Conservative Party Candidate, 153; Tracy Skinner, Conservative Party Candidate, 134; Robert W Green, Liberal Democrats, 122; Josh Foers, Liberal Democrats, 115; Suzanne Gill, Liberal Democrats, 90.

    Worsbrough
    Result: Independent won one seat; Reform UK won two seats
    Elected: Jake Michael Lodge, Independent; Gill Carr, Reform UK; Mike Lycett, Reform UK
    Electorate: 9,896
    Ballot papers: 3,693
    Turnout: 37%
    Spoilt ballots: 2
    Majority: 133
    Candidates: Jake Michael Lodge, Independent, 1,595; Gill Carr, Reform UK, 1,392; Mike Lycett, Reform UK, 1,377; Simon Glen Moore, Reform UK, 1,244; Roy Bowser, Labour Party, 1,028; John William Clarke, Labour Party, 1,015; David Lee Webster, Labour Party, 609; Amy Louise Walker, The Green Party, 333; Rachel Louise Lloyd, The Green Party, 326; Sarah Calvert, Liberal Democrats, 199; Jonathan Bennett, Conservative Party Candidate, 163; Joshua Green, Liberal Democrats, 126; Adrian Thompson, Conservative Party Candidate, 111; Alex Wright, Liberal Democrats, 110.

  • 2026 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS – Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

    2026 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS – Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

    2026 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS – Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

    Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
    Election: Borough Elections, Thursday 7 May 2026

    Seat summary:

    Liberal Democrats: 11
    Conservatives: 2
    Tunbridge Wells Alliance: 1
    Independents for Tunbridge Wells: 1
    Reform UK: 0
    Green Party: 0
    Labour: 0
    English Democrats: 0
    Independent: 0

    Total seats declared: 15

    Cranbrook Sissinghurst and Frittenden
    Result: Conservative HOLD
    Elected: Alexander Ellison, Conservatives
    Majority: 553
    Candidates: Alexander Ellison, Conservatives, 1,227; Matthew Beattie, Reform UK, 674; Vivian Alice Widgery, Liberal Democrats, 384; Paul Jeremy Keith Froome, Green Party, 370.

    Culverden
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Elected: David Osborne, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 717
    Candidates: David Osborne, Liberal Democrats, 1,402; Robert George Alexander Dunn, Conservatives, 685; Tina Seymour, Reform UK, 406; Mark McBennett, Green Party, 230; Aleksander Klimanski, Labour, 85; Ahsan Azam Ahmad, Independent, 27.

    Hawkhurst Sandhurst and Benenden
    Result: Tunbridge Wells Alliance GAIN
    Elected: Ellen Neville, Tunbridge Wells Alliance
    Majority: 49
    Candidates: Ellen Neville, Tunbridge Wells Alliance, 943; Rosanna Taylor-Smith, Conservatives, 894; John Spence, Reform UK, 767; Michael Edward Appelbe, Liberal Democrats, 373.

    Paddock Wood
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Elected: Christopher Digby, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 313
    Turnout details: 3,033 total votes; electorate 7,052; 6 rejected ballot papers
    Candidates: Christopher Digby, Liberal Democrats, 1,195; Begnat Robichaud, Reform UK, 882; Lynne Scott, Conservatives, 749; Trevor Tyrone Bisdee, Green Party, 207.

    Pantiles
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Elected: Pamela Wilkinson, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 315
    Candidates: Pamela Wilkinson, Liberal Democrats, 1,246; Daniel Dzenkowski, Conservatives, 931; Kris Niewolski, Reform UK, 531; Joe Mattei, Green Party, 232; Frankel Nutland, Labour, 100.

    Park
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Elected: Richard Brown, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 992
    Turnout details: 3,144 total votes; electorate 6,748; 2 rejected ballot papers
    Candidates: Richard Brown, Liberal Democrats, 1,515; Mike Jerrom, Reform UK, 523; David Allister Scott, Conservatives, 497; Nick Pope, Tunbridge Wells Alliance, 268; Alasdair James Milner Fraser, Green Party, 250; Stephen Edward Roger Burgess, Labour, 91.

    Pembury and Capel
    Result: Independents for Tunbridge Wells GAIN
    Elected: David Hayward, Independents for Tunbridge Wells
    Majority: 18
    Turnout details: 3,142 total votes; electorate 6,649; 3 rejected ballot papers
    Candidates: David Hayward, Independents for Tunbridge Wells, 934; Niccholas Slessor-Pavely, Liberal Democrats, 916; Valeria Dachille, Reform UK, 659; Andrew George Hobart, Conservatives, 466; Susan Lovell, Green Party, 167.

    Rural Tunbridge Wells
    Result: Conservative HOLD
    Elected: David Knight, Conservatives
    Majority: 343
    Turnout details: 3,939 total votes; electorate 7,902; 5 rejected ballot papers
    Candidates: David Knight, Conservatives, 1,474; Susan Hindle Barone, Liberal Democrats, 1,131; Dennis Deane, Reform UK, 987; Helen Claire Yeo, Green Party, 274; Anne Priscilla Musker, Labour, 73.

    Rusthall and Speldhurst
    Result: Liberal Democrat GAIN
    Elected: Ian William Standing, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 475
    Candidates: Ian William Standing, Liberal Democrats, 1,192; David Sumner, Conservatives, 717; Robert Grindley, Reform UK, 655; Kit Hawes-Webb, Tunbridge Wells Alliance, 352; Gregory James Holder, Labour, 317; Stephanie Gandon, Green Party, 264.

    Sherwood
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD; Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Seats: 2
    Elected: Courtney Souper, Liberal Democrats; Andrew Wallace, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 195, calculated from the second-placed elected candidate over the highest non-elected candidate
    Candidates: Courtney Souper, Liberal Democrats, 847; Andrew Wallace, Liberal Democrats, 787; Chris Hoare, Reform UK, 592; Oliver Kinkade, Reform UK, 549; Christian Robert Atwood, Conservatives, 453; Kate Sergeant, Green Party, 445; Eben Phoebe Lenton, Green Party, 420; Ellis Wiggins, Conservatives, 384; Tina Kesterton, Labour, 176.

    Southborough and Bidborough
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD; Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Seats: 2
    Elected: Kimberley Johnson, Liberal Democrats; Ash Shukla, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 812, calculated from the second-placed elected candidate over the highest non-elected candidate
    Candidates: Kimberley Johnson, Liberal Democrats, 1,614; Ash Shukla, Liberal Democrats, 1,531; Steven Humphreys, Reform UK, 719; Robert Mayall, Reform UK, 675; Richard Long, Conservatives, 652; Jack Bradley, Conservatives, 615; Maria Gavin, Green Party, 435; Iqbal Sidhu, Green Party, 280; Aaron James Brand, English Democrats, 62.

    St James’
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Elected: Gavin Barrass, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 1,113
    Candidates: Gavin Barrass, Liberal Democrats, 1,478; Philip Dwyer, Reform UK, 365; Lucy Ann Miller, Green Party, 316; George Barr, Conservatives, 271; Nicholas Maltby, Labour, 130.

    St John’s
    Result: Liberal Democrat HOLD
    Elected: Ukonu Obasi, Liberal Democrats
    Majority: 754
    Candidates: Ukonu Obasi, Liberal Democrats, 1,047; Chris Pendleton, Reform UK, 293; Lewis Patrick Jenkins, Green Party, 254; Alex Lewis-Grey, Conservatives, 220; Lorna Blackmore, Labour, 71.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Digital future of Essex supercharged with 9,500 more homes and businesses getting upgraded broadband [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Digital future of Essex supercharged with 9,500 more homes and businesses getting upgraded broadband [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 11 May 2026.

    • An extra 9,500 homes and businesses in Essex to receive faster, reliable internet as part of the government’s Project Gigabit roll out.  
    • Expansion of gigabit rollout to cover full fibre blackspots in urban areas, as well as the countryside.  
    • Openreach will extend its broadband rollout to additional homes, supported by £8.3 million government funding.  

    More than 9,500 more homes and businesses in Essex burdened with older broadband will be upgraded to fast and reliable internet as the government expands its Project Gigabit rollout. 

    Building on the success of upgrades in rural Essex – where over 10,000 premises are already set to benefit from this agreement and 500 have been completed already – this marks the first Project Gigabit contract to target pockets of poor connectivity in towns and cities as well as the countryside. 

    Backed by an extra £8.3 million in government funding, Openreach is extending its broadband rollout to more homes and businesses in Essex – connecting communities that would have otherwise missed out in earlier commercial plans. This latest investment builds on the £1.2 billion originally earmarked for the provider to build in disconnected areas.  

    Work to connect the premises will begin immediately, covering areas including, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Basildon, Clacton and Ardleigh. 

    UK Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said: 

    “Project Gigabit is bringing better internet to more blackspots across the UK, thanks to government backing. This is the very first contract that’s focusing on urban areas, not just the countryside.  

    “Pockets of our towns and cities are still left disconnected. To reach our 99% coverage target, it is vital no urban neighbourhood slips through the net. 

    “We’ve already got the ball rolling to connect areas of Essex missing out, and now we’re extending our efforts so that even more residents can access the digital opportunities they deserve.”  

    Kieran Wines, Openreach Partnership Director for London and the South East, said:  

    “As well as reaching rural communities, it’s vital we keep strengthening connectivity in towns and cities. This Project Gigabit contract helps us extend full fibre broadband into more urban neighbourhoods across Essex, adding to the almost 575,000 homes and businesses across the county that we’ve already reached through our own rollout.” 

    While much of Essex can be quickly upgraded through existing underground ducting that avoids the need for digging up roads, some areas – including housing estates, business parks and blocks of flats – are currently connected via underground cables without it, making them too costly for providers to reach via commercial rollout due to the additional engineering works.  

    Over 1.3 million premises across the UK have been upgraded thanks to government support to date, largely in rural areas where gigabit coverage is lower. Connecting hard-to-reach premises in urban areas will be vital to achieving the government’s target of full gigabit coverage by 2030 and the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity across the country.

  • NEWS STORY : Cambridge South Station to Open in June 2026

    NEWS STORY : Cambridge South Station to Open in June 2026

    STORY

    The new Cambridge South railway station will open to passengers on Sunday 28 June 2026, the Government has announced. The station, which has been backed by £250 million of Government funding, will serve the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and provide direct rail access to one of Europe’s largest medical research facilities.

    The Department for Transport said the station is expected to handle around 1.8 million passengers a year. It will offer up to nine trains an hour to Cambridge city centre, as well as services to London, Birmingham and Stansted Airport. The Government said up to 20 services will call at Cambridge South during peak hours, improving access for workers, visitors and businesses linked to the Biomedical Campus.

    The station will be the first new station to carry Great British Railways branding, as the Government continues its rail reform and public ownership programme. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said the project would improve access to jobs, homes and “world-class facilities”, while Network Rail chief executive Jeremy Westlake said the station would provide better connections across the UK and beyond.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South – new station’s opening date revealed [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South – new station’s opening date revealed [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 May 2026.

    New Cambridge South rail station opening in June 2026.

    • date revealed for opening of new Cambridge South station next month giving direct rail link to Europe’s largest medical research facility and its 40,000 daily visitors
    • backed by £250 million government funding the station will host up to 9 trains an hour to Cambridge alongside further direct services to London, Stansted and Birmingham Airport – boosting access to jobs, opportunities and housing
    • Cambridge South will be the first new Great British Railways branded station as the rail reform programme ramps up with over 660 million passengers now travelling on publicly owned services annually

    Passengers will soon be able to take trains from the new Cambridge South station after its opening date was revealed today (11 May 2026). Services will begin calling at Cambridge South on Sunday 28 June before the station’s official opening ceremony takes place the following day.

    The first Great British Railways (GBR) branded station in the country, Cambridge South, is expected to welcome 1.8 million passengers annually as the government’s public ownership programme gathers steam.

    The station will benefit from up to 9 trains an hour to the centre of Cambridge as well as a direct link to the city’s Biomedical Campus, with its world-class science, NHS hospitals and business facilities. The Cambridge Biomedical Campus contributes £4.7 billion annually to the UK economy, a figure expected to rise to £18.2 billion by 2050 alongside a doubling of its 20,000 current employees, thanks in part to the boost brought by the new station.

    Passengers will also be able to take trains to London, Birmingham, Stansted Airport and international rail services via St Pancras, with up to 20 services calling at Cambridge South in peak hours. This signals a huge boost to vital links to jobs, housing and businesses.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    Backed by £250 million government investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and world-class facilities for people across the region, boosting the growth of the Biomedical Campus as one of the most important engines of growth in the country.

    As the first new Great British Railways branded station, the opening is an important milestone for our railways and a sign of the real change public ownership will deliver. Faster connections supporting economic growth, thousands more jobs and homes and a railway that works for the communities it serves.

    The opening comes as the public ownership programme continues apace alongside the creation of GBR, which will coordinate the whole rail network in the UK. The creation of GBR will end the country’s convoluted rail system involving over 17 different organisations, cut through the frustrating bureaucracy and instead run Britain’s railways as a single organisation for the first time in decades.

    As a single organisation, GBR will deliver lasting change and build a railway fit for Britain’s future, owned by the public, for the public. The full public ownership programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with 8 out of the 14 train operators now publicly owned and operators managing more than 1,100 stations.

    Jeremy Westlake, Chief Executive for Network Rail said:

    We’re excited to welcome passengers to this landmark station from next month, providing direct access to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and better connections across the UK and beyond. Cambridge South station will significantly improve travel and connectivity for campus staff, visitors and the wider community for many years to come.

    Thousands of people have worked tirelessly on this fantastic project to build a modern, accessible and sustainable station that reflects the excellence of the work that is being undertaken in Europe’s largest biomedical facility. It’s been a truly collaborative experience working alongside government, contractors, industry partners and the wider rail network to make this station a reality and we’re really proud of the result and the role it will play in connecting people to jobs, research and opportunity across the region.

    Alongside setting up GBR, the government is focused on getting better value for passengers now and keeping the cost of rail tickets down. Regulated rail fares have been frozen across England until March 2027 so passengers are not paying a penny more on season tickets, peak returns for commuters and off-peak returns between major cities.

    Cambridge South station has been built thanks to more than £250 million of government funding, alongside £5 million contributions from AstraZeneca, Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority and the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership.