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  • PRESS RELEASE : Evidence shows Russia continues to incur catastrophic losses for minimal gains in an unsustainable war – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Evidence shows Russia continues to incur catastrophic losses for minimal gains in an unsustainable war – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2026.

    UK Senior Military Advisor, Colonel Joby Rimmer says evidence based military analysis shows Russia’s war in Ukraine is unsustainable, with increasingly catastrophic human and fiscal losses delivering only limited military returns, reinforcing the need for facts, not propaganda, in assessing European security.

    The United Kingdom remains unequivocally committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Our support for Ukraine is long term, coordinated, and grounded in the shared understanding that European security is indivisible. Upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act is not optional; it is essential to stability across the OSCE area. Continued support to Ukraine is both a legal and strategic necessity.

    The United Kingdom attaches particular importance to the core purpose of the Forum for Security Co-operation: to discuss politico-military issues on the basis of professional military expertise, factual analysis, and transparency. Our assessments are grounded in open-source information and, wherever possible, independent third‑party verification, not in state-sponsored propaganda. Preserving the FSC as a space for professional politico‑military dialogue, rather than one shaped by escalation through disingenuous politicisation, is essential if this body is to contribute meaningfully to risk and escalation management and stability.

    With that in mind and in line with the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security and drawing on open‑source reporting and observable trends, our statement today highlights the growing imbalance between the costs Russia is incurring in Ukraine and the limited military gains it is achieving. These dynamics have clear implications for regional stability, military sustainability, and escalation management — core concerns of the FSC.

    At the outset, let me be clear: the United Kingdom is horrified by the scale of human loss that this war has produced. All military casualties are tragic. Mass casualties, force degradation, and fiscal strain in any major military power have direct implications for regional stability, escalation risk, and the overall security environment that concerns this Forum. These dynamics affect us all, not only Russia. In 2025, Russian forces reportedly sustained approximately 420,000 casualties, including up to 200,000 killed, while occupying an additional estimated 0.8 per cent of Ukrainian territory. In 2026, those returns have worsened further.

    In 2026, Russian losses remain exceptionally high. Even during winter, when operations were partially constrained, average monthly casualties in early 2026 exceeded 30,000, only slightly below the 2025 monthly average of around 35,000. As Russian forces inevitably intensify assaults over the summer and move toward the dense urban belt in Donetsk oblast, casualty rates are likely to return to, or surpass, last year’s record levels. The proportion of losses that are killed, captured, or permanently wounded is reportedly at its highest level to date, placing additional strain on Russia’s mobilisation system.

    These losses add to an estimated cumulative total of roughly 1.3 million casualties since the start of the full‑scale invasion. From a security‑governance perspective, these figures point to a conflict trajectory that is neither militarily decisive nor sustainable over the longer term without increasingly severe political and economic trade‑offs. But this is a conscious choice that President Putin has made.

    As the pool of volunteers shrinks, Russia faces narrowing mobilisation options. Financial incentives have become more expensive, while large‑scale compulsory mobilisation would risk domestic instability. Most of Russia’s pre‑war professional force has been depleted, forcing commanders to rely on basic, attritional tactics conducted by minimally trained recruits.

    Russia’s inability to generate a strategic reserve further undermines operational effectiveness and increases instability along the line of contact. Forces cannot be concentrated for offensive action without exposing other sectors, a vulnerability exploited by Ukrainian counter‑operations near Dobropillia and Kupiansk, where approximately 200 square kilometres have recently been liberated.

    These personnel challenges are reflected in rising costs. Russian spending on military manpower increased from approximately USD 39 billion in 2024 to over USD 50 billion in 2025, or around ten per cent of total government spending. Reports indicate that compensation payments to families of fallen soldiers now exceed spending on salaries for serving personnel — an indicator of both the scale of losses and their long‑term fiscal impact.

    These cumulative military pressures underline a broader point relevant to this Forum: prolonged violations of the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act — sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes — carry mounting costs not only for the victims of aggression, but also for the aggressor’s own security and stability.

    Russia’s continued aggression has weakened its own military capacity, eroded its economic foundations, and increased risk across the OSCE area. The United Kingdom takes no satisfaction in the scale of Russian casualties. The loss of life is a tragic consequence of a war that Russia alone chose to initiate and can move to end.

    By contrast, Ukraine’s partners remain united, better resourced, and resolved to continue support for as long as required. Support increased significantly in 2025, and long‑term financial instruments now underpin Ukraine’s resilience into 2027. We will not tire, we will not fragment, and we will not be deterred by escalation narratives. Our commitment to Ukraine is grounded in international law, reinforced by capability, and sustained by collective will.

    Finally, the UK stands in solidarity with Romania and we commend the measured and responsible response to the repeated and unacceptable violations of its sovereign airspace. The UK remains firmly committed to NATO’s collective defence, including through the deployment of Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons under NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission, and we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression.

  • NEWS STORY : Right to Buy overhaul to tighten access to council home sales

    NEWS STORY : Right to Buy overhaul to tighten access to council home sales

    STORY

    The Government has confirmed a further overhaul of Right to Buy in England, saying the changes are aimed at protecting scarce social housing while still keeping a route into home ownership for long term tenants. The reforms will increase the minimum qualifying period from three years to ten, cut discounts so they begin at 5% of a property’s value and rise by 1% a year to a maximum of 15% or the cash cap, and introduce a 35 year exemption for newly built social homes so they cannot be sold under the scheme during that period.

    Ministers said the measures are intended to help councils rebuild housing stock that has been depleted by past sales. The Government has already said councils will be allowed to keep 100% of Right to Buy receipts, and the latest announcement forms part of a wider effort to increase the supply of social and affordable homes. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said reform was needed to better protect social housing while maintaining what the Government called a responsible route into ownership.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Right to Buy overhaul to safeguard social housing [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Right to Buy overhaul to safeguard social housing [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 28 April 2026.

    The government has today (Tuesday 28 April) confirmed it will bring forward further reforms to Right to Buy.

    Right to Buy is a government scheme allowing eligible council tenants in England to buy their home at a discount.  

    Last year the government published its consultation response to overhaul Right to Buy that will support councils to better protect and rebuild depleted housing stock while maintaining a responsible route into homeownership for longstanding tenants.  

    New reforms to be brought forward will include: 

    • Increasing the minimum eligibility period from three to ten years before tenants can apply to buy their home.  
    • Amending discount rules so that discounts start at 5% of the property value and increase by 1% each year up to the maximum discount of 15% of the property value or the cash cap (whichever is lower).  
    • A 35-year new build exemption period so new social homes cannot be sold under Right to Buy for 35 years after they are built.  

    Since the consultation, the government has also been undertaking further policy development and analysis to explore more effective fraud prevention to mitigate vulnerable tenants being pressured into buying and reviewing how the Right to Buy scheme applies in rural areas.

    The government has already taken steps to give councils more confidence to ramp up the delivery of new social homes, including reducing maximum cash discounts to £16,000 – £38,000 depending on the area. Councils can also retain all of the receipts from sales and combine those receipts with grant funding to build and buy more homes. 

    The ‘cost floor’ protection has been extended from 15 to 30 years, meaning landlords can limit discounts so that the sale price does not fall below the amount spent on building, repairing and maintaining the properties. The government has been exploring further reforms to the cost floor to better protect council investment in existing homes. 

    The changes will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.

    Additional quotes

    Gavin Smart, CEO, Chartered Institute of Housing:

    “CIH welcomes the government’s continued focus on reforming Right to Buy and the clear recognition that change is needed to better protect and rebuild our social housing. The measures confirmed today are a positive step towards addressing the long-standing imbalance between homes sold and those replaced.

    “We also welcome the further work on fraud prevention and the scheme’s impact in rural areas, both of which are crucial to ensuring Right to Buy operates fairly and sustainably.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : This Treaty has been a truly  vital pillar of international peace and security – UK Statement at the UN General Assembly [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : This Treaty has been a truly  vital pillar of international peace and security – UK Statement at the UN General Assembly [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 April 2026.

    Statement by Steven Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

    For more than fifty years, this Treaty has been a truly  vital pillar of international peace and security.   

    It has helped limit the spread of nuclear weapons;  facilitated access to clean and reliable energy; and has built confidence for responsible nuclear trade.  

    In short, it has delivered real benefits for people around the world.  

    The United Kingdom remains fully committed to the Treaty and our obligations under it, including Article Six.  

    But we should not take the Treaty, or the stability it helps provide, for granted.    

    Over the next few weeks, our task is to renew our common commitment to the principles of the Treaty so that it can continue to support the security of us all.  

    Since this Conference last met, Russia has developed novel nuclear systems, continued its unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, in which it has relentlessly attacked civilian targets, including with medium-range ballistic missiles, and reckless behaviour in relation to  Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl, and it has engaged in coercive nuclear signalling. 

    Iran is in non-compliance with its safeguards obligations, and the DPRK continues to develop nuclear weapons. 

    Furthermore, China is rapidly and opaquely expanding its nuclear arsenal and has not fully engaged in meaningful transparency or risk reduction measures.   

    Against that backdrop, the UK’s position is clear.  

    Firstly, we will work to support the IAEA and countries around the world in tackling the major nuclear proliferation challenges, above all, the programmes in Iran and DPRK. 

    We have been clear that a negotiated outcome is the only long-term solution to the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme. 

    And we remain committed to avoiding conflict on the Korean peninsula. 

    We urge the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, re-engage in meaningful dialogue,  and return to full compliance with the NPT.    

    Secondly, nuclear deterrence remains the bedrock of UK security and our commitment to NATO. 

    We have and will continue to take the steps necessary to maintain our deterrence capability, always with the aims and obligations of the NPT in mind.  

    At the same time, we continue our work to create the conditions to support nuclear disarmament when the security circumstances allow. 

    Our approach is pragmatic and principled. 

    We believe the right approach is to proceed step by step, in a transparent, verifiable, and irreversible manner, based on the principles of increased and undiminished security for all.   

    Our focus is on practical efforts.  

    This includes our continued support for negotiations to commence in the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut‑Off Treaty;  maintaining our voluntary moratorium on conducting nuclear test explosions;  and our support for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).    

    We are fully committed to the P5 Process  and have taken our role as Chair seriously this year, using meetings under our Chair to promote active engagement and practical measures between nuclear weapons states to reduce risks.  

    We strongly support US efforts to intensify discussions among the P5 on strategic stability, including through proposed multilateral strategic stability talks.  

    The United Kingdom strongly supports the principle and practice of Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zones.

     We will continue discussions with ASEAN Member States to establish a path for the UK to sign the Protocol to the Bangkok Treaty to progress the establishment of the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.  

    Thirdly,  as access to peaceful nuclear energy expands, with the obvious benefits to the climate and people around the world, the need for rigorous safeguards becomes greater.  

    The International Atomic Energy Agency and its safeguards system underpins the effective implementation of the Treaty, providing assurance that nuclear programmes are exclusively peaceful. 

    It is essential this Conference supports that work.  

    The UK’s goal on peaceful uses of nuclear technology is clear: to work with others to make sure that civil nuclear technology is used safely and responsibly, in a way that builds trust between countries.  

    We are driving the largest expansion of civil nuclear power in a generation, including through Small Modular Reactors.  

    And we are working with partners and the IAEA to make sure technologies are used safely and responsibly, from cancer treatment to food security and clean energy, so that every country can  benefit.

    As we enter a period of unprecedented growth in nuclear power, the NPT will continue to play an integral role in building global confidence in safe and secure expansion, without increased risk of proliferation.  

    Mr President, the UK believes that the Treaty remains the only credible route to tackle the nuclear challenges of the decades to come.  

    We must use the next few weeks to unite behind it.    

    We want this Conference to deliver a consensus outcome that strengthens implementation of the NPT.  

    Whether or not we can get there, the Treaty’s role in global security is enduring and undiminished.   

    But a collective signal that, despite our differences, we can come together to restate common commitments would further strengthen it and send a powerful message.    

    So, Mr President, at this Conference, we will all play our part, working with all States Parties in a spirit of pragmatism, in support of the Treaty and its enduring role in the years ahead.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We must step up efforts together to safeguard international waterways from disruption – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : We must step up efforts together to safeguard international waterways from disruption – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 April 2026.

    Statement by Steven Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories, at the UN Security Council Meeting on the safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain.

    Thank you to Bahrain for bringing us together and for your leadership in this Council. 

    That leadership is more important than ever, in the face of growing threats to maritime and indeed regional security from the Black Sea to the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, or indeed globally, as pointed out from the Russian shadow fleet.

    With reckless attacks and actions putting security and prosperity at risk, we must step up efforts together to safeguard international waterways from disruption, to protect mariners who find themselves in dangerous waters, are denied passage and put at risk, and stand up for all of those most affected, including some of the world’s most vulnerable people, particularly when it comes to food security or supplies of critical products and medicines.

     The United Kingdom, with its long history as a seafaring nation, has long been committed to maritime security. 

    And I say that also as a Member of Parliament for the diverse port city of Cardiff, with a proud merchant marine tradition and heritage throughout history. I am particularly glad to join Bahrain and this Council in that effort today.

    The most pressing issue, of course, before us is the Strait of Hormuz.

    This crisis is not just affecting international shipping, it is driving up costs and sending shockwaves throughout energy markets and supply chains far beyond the region with impact for all of our citizens, our communities and their cost of living.

    So, we must get the Strait reopened fully and unconditionally.

    Freedom of navigation must be restored, in line with international law. Shipping and seafarers must not be used as leverage, and there is no place for tolls or permissions in international straits.

    Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free.

    Throughout this crisis, the UK has been clear: Iran must not be able to hold the global economy hostage or indeed threaten regional and international security.

    That is why we need renewed action to protect supply chains, uphold freedom of navigation, and the primacy of UNCLOS.

    We must also broaden collaboration within the International Maritime Organisation, which, of course, the UK is proud to host.

    That is exactly how the UK has been approaching these critical challenges.

    In early April, my colleague, the Foreign Secretary, convened more than 40 countries to coordinate action on the Strait of Hormuz.

    And on the 17th, she supported Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron in convening over 50 nations to work on getting the Strait open and protecting vessels.

    In recent days, she has engaged in meetings across multiple countries with a dozen Foreign Ministers.

    And yesterday, our Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again.

    So, the UK will continue to play its part, and this Council has a vital role to play.

    That is why, with 135 others, we welcomed Resolution 2817, led by Bahrain and the GCC, condemning Iran’s reckless and unacceptable attacks against regional neighbours, and its disruption of international trade, energy security, and the economies of all of us.

    We are grateful for Bahrain’s efforts to pass a further resolution, underscoring the importance of protecting navigational rights and freedoms. 

    It is regrettable that Russia and China vetoed this resolution, protecting Iran. 

    Therefore, the UK will continue to work with Bahrain, Council members and partners to uphold international law, defend freedom of navigation, protect innocent seafarers, and keep our international sea lanes open and secure.

    Because global stability depends on us stepping up, together, and we welcome this discussion.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK backs company building breakthrough AI that can discover new knowledge [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK backs company building breakthrough AI that can discover new knowledge [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 27 April 2026.

    The UK government’s Sovereign AI is backing Ineffable Intelligence, co-investing with the British Business Bank to scale a UK-built, self-learning AI that can generate new knowledge and drive breakthroughs.

    • Sovereign AI backs Ineffable Intelligence, co‑investing with the British Business Bank to help the company scale its breakthrough technology from the UK
    • Ineffable, anchored in Britain, is building a new kind of AI that can learn for itself and discover new knowledge – not just repeat patterns from human data
    • Founded by AI pioneer David Silver, the company has the potential to unlock major breakthroughs across science, medicine and engineering

    The UK is backing Ineffable Intelligence, a new British AI company building algorithms that can learn for themselves and uncover new knowledge – rather than simply copying what humans already know.

    Ineffable Intelligence is the latest frontier AI company to receive backing through the UK government’s Sovereign AI Fund, which is designed to help the UK’s most promising AI startups grow, scale and succeed from Britain.

    Founded by one of the world’s leading AI scientists, Ineffable is developing a new generation of algorithms that learn through experience – more like humans do.

    Instead of being trained only on vast amounts of existing data, these systems interact with their environment, test ideas, and improve over time, allowing them to discover new solutions and insights on their own – opening the door to breakthroughs in science, medicine, engineering and beyond.

    Sovereign AI and the British Business Bank will co-invest in the AI firm, supporting the company as it builds its technology, grows its team and scales its operations from the UK.

    The company is led by David Silver, one of the most influential figures in modern AI. A Professor at University College London and formerly Head of Reinforcement Learning at Google DeepMind, his work helped power some of the biggest AI breakthroughs of the last decade, including AlphaGo – the system that famously beat the world champion at the game of Go.

    He founded Ineffable to take the next leap forward: building AI that can go beyond imitation and generate genuinely new knowledge.

    Sovereign AI is designed to be different from any previous government-backed unit, acting like a venture capital fund with the muscle of the state behind it – moving fast, backing ambition and cutting through the red tape that so often holds brilliant ideas back. It will invest directly in the UK’s most promising AI startups, help them scale quickly, and give them the support they need to compete with the best in the world.

    Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    Sovereign AI is our bet on Britain – we believe in this nation’s entrepreneurs and innovators and we are backing them to seize the benefits of AI for the UK.

    This investment in Ineffable will support a company at the very frontier of AI, with the potential to transform entire sectors, underlining our determination to ensure that the UK isn’t just an AI taker but an AI maker.

    It also demonstrates Sovereign AI moving at real speed – locking down its second direct investment in just a couple of months, while also securing a really effective partnership with the British Business Bank.

    AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said:

    David Silver is one of the world’s foremost AI leaders, now taking one of the world’s most innovative approaches to frontier AI. I am delighted that he is doing so right here in the UK, backed by the full support of the British state. 

    With support from Sovereign AI and the British Business Bank, we are together showing what British AI can be: the best talent, backed by exceptional state capacity, building AI in Britain, changing the world with it.

    Josephine Kant, Head of Ventures at the Sovereign AI Unit, said:

    Very few founders in the world could credibly set out to build a superlearner – a system that discovers new knowledge from its own experience, rather than ours. David is one of them. From AlphaGo to AlphaZero to AlphaProof, he has spent nearly 2 decades turning reinforcement learning from a research idea into the results the rest of the field builds on.

    Ineffable is being built in the UK – and that matters. Our job at Sovereign AI is to make sure founders with this level of ambition never have to choose between it and their home – backing them with the speed of venture and the strength of a nation, and standing behind them for the long term as they build category-defining companies.

    Charlotte Lawrence, Managing Director of Direct Equity, British Business Bank, said:

    David Silver is a generational talent who has consistently been on the cutting edge of AI development. Ineffable Intelligence has the potential to produce a paradigm shift in our scientific and technology landscape, and we are incredibly excited to be supporting him and his team in this endeavour.

    Launched just a matter of weeks ago, today’s investment brings the total number of companies backed by the Unit so far to 8. 

    Others already receiving support include Callosum – a company building a new class of AI infrastructure who are getting equity investment.

    Meanwhile, a further 6 startups will receive access to the AI Research Resource (AIRR) supercomputer network – with Sovereign AI getting a right of first refusal on future investments for a number of recipients. Putting some of the nation’s foremost supercomputing capacity behind some of the country’s most promising new companies tackles a critical hurdle: the need for vast amounts of specialist hardware like GPUs, to train advanced AI models, test ideas and run complex simulations. The companies are: Prima Mente, Cosine, Cursive, Doubleword, Twig Bio and Odyssey.

    AI is the defining technology of our era. For Britain to forge its own destiny in the years ahead, the UK needs to have homegrown AI capacity and capabilities. That means backing the very best AI innovators, founders and entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life in the UK, and grow them here to maximum success.

    It comes ahead of the Technology Secretary setting out later this week plans to boost our sovereign AI – which is now essential to the UK’s national security and economic power.

    Notes to editors

    The Fund will invest directly in promising UK AI companies to help them scale in the UK. Our investments will be focused on companies at the early and growth-stage.

    Typical equity investments will be worth around £1-10 million, though every company’s circumstances will be different. 

    Like most venture capital funds we do not comment on specific investment figures as they are commercially sensitive.

    The announcement of funding in Ineffable Intelligence through the Sovereign AI Fund is in addition to the investment from the British Business Bank.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Speech at USDAW Conference

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Speech at USDAW Conference

    The speech made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 27 April 2026.

    Thank you…

    Thank you, Jane.

    Thank you Joanne.

    It is great to be here for your annual delegate meeting as General Secretary.

    And I’ve heard that yesterday and today that this is going really well here.

    So it’s fantastic to be invited to be with you, and it’s always great to be here in this room, in this environment at your conference.

    I was here two years ago and I was here several years before that.

    But last time I was here as Leader of the Opposition. This time I am here as Prime Minister working with you to deliver the change that we need across our country.

    But I want to start by sharing something with you…

    It’s from a shopworker called Finnola…

    Who is here with us today…

    She’s an USDAW rep…

    She’s worked in a supermarket for eleven years…

    And last year, at the TUC Congress reception…

    Finnola found me and just gave me a letter for me to read.

    I want to share it with you because this is the letter. She said:

    “A few years ago, I was verbally abused by a customer when I asked if he needed assistance.

    “He started shouting racist remarks at me. And he threatened to go after my children.”

    She said: “I felt so scared, my legs were shaking.”

    Finnola then said in her letter to me: “The next day I wanted to stay at home. My mental health was in a terrible place.

    “But as a single parent, reliant on Statutory Sick Pay, I couldn’t afford to lose a day of pay.”

    And the reason why Finnola had given me the letter – and she went on to say:

    “This is why the Employment Rights Bill is so important.

    “ It will increase the responsibility for employers to protect workers like me from harassment.

    “And it will mean all workers will have access to sick pay from day one.”

    Finnola thank you – I think you are in Region C. Would you mind standing up so we can give you a round of applause?

    Finnola – thank you for handing that letter to me.

    What you went through was really awful.

    But the really important thing is – we heard you… 

    We passed that Bill…

    We stood firm on the side of working people.

    And it is now, Finnola, the law of this land…

    For you and every single person in this country…

    To finally enjoy the protections you deserve at work.

    Sick pay – from day one…

    Paternity leave – from day one…

    Fire and rehire – scrapped…

    Protection for whistle-blowers…

    No more gagging orders on sexual harassment…

    No more exploitative zero-hour contracts…

    Stronger collective consultation rights – and I know how important that is for shopworkers…

    And, underpinning all of that…

    A proper living wage…

    The embodiment of the simple demand…

    That has always guided the labour movement…

    A fair day’s pay – for a fair day’s work…

    That is what we have delivered, together.

    That is a Britain fair for all.

    And delegates – it’s more than just a change in the law.

    Because as Finnola said in another part of her letter…

    We faced huge resistance.

    I mean – we announced those proposals back in 2022 – nearly four years ago now. 

    And from day one…

    Some people wanted to stop it at all costs. 

    It’s a reminder for all of us that everything in politics…

    Everything that the labour movement has achieved over the years…

    It’s always hard-won and hard-fought for…

    Everything.

    You have to stand firm…

    You have to stand together…

    You have to fight.

    But when we do that… 

    Then together – we send a message to every corner of our country…

    To the shop-workers…

    But also to the cleaners…

    The carers…

    The drivers…

    Technicians…

    Cooks…

    Bar tenders…

    The working people of this country…

    That whatever your job, whatever your background…

    You deserve security, respect and fair pay at work…

    That is the Britain we are building…

    A country – that is fair for all.

    And conference I’ll always fight for working people… 

    Because I know exactly whose side I’m on.

    Let me tell you about another worker…

    A carer. 

    Works long hour on low pay.

    Year after year after year.

    She was a care worker during the pandemic.

    Fourteen-hour shifts, often overnight.

    And do you know – in the pandemic, just like Finnola…

    Some care workers didn’t have sick pay…

    So if they were sick – they had to stay at home and simply not got paid at all.

    In the pandemic – as we were all clapping for them…

    Recognising what they were doing for our country.

    Well, delegates…

    That care-worker is my sister.

    And every day I ask myself – does Britain work for her?

    Does Britain work for people like my late brother?

    I’ve had a life touched by opportunity – I grew up working class and I’ve been lucky.

    But Nick, my brother… 

    He had difficulties learning and spent his entire adult life going from one job to the next.

    Does Britain work for people like him?

    Because there are millions of people like that.

    People who have been ignored by politics for years. 

    People who don’t get the dignity and respect that they deserve…

    And who don’t get the opportunity…

    To go as far as their talent and effort would take them.

    So yes – I know whose side I am on.

    I’m on the side of the young people, whose gifts lie in their hands…

    Who work hard – want their talents to be recognised…

    Just want an opportunity in their community.

    That’s why I’m boosting apprenticeships…

    Setting up new Technical Excellence Colleges…

    Investing in special needs education…

    And giving every young person in the country, struggling to find work…

    The guarantee of training, work support or an apprenticeship.

    I’m on the side of the children who during austerity had to go to school without breakfast.

    Cold, because they couldn’t afford to put their heating on…

    Tired, because the same thing happened yesterday and the day before that and the day before that.

    That’s why I’ve extended free school meals…

    Why I’m setting up free breakfast clubs in every primary school…

    And why I’ve ended the shameful two-child benefit limit…

    Lifting – nearly half a million children out of poverty and giving them the chance that they deserve in life.

    And I’m on the side of working people, just like my sister…

    The backbone of this country…

    People who work harder and harder…

    But see their pay getting them less and less…

    The people – who worry about the cost of living…

    They’re not asking for the world…

    They want a bit of security…

    Peace of mind…

    And a little bit of extra money…

    So they can treat their kids, every now and again.

    That’s who’s side I am on, delegates… 

    That is why I’ve frozen rail fares…

    Frozen prescription charges…

    Given renters more power…

    Capped ground rents…

    Raised the living wage by a record amount…

    And why – whatever happens in the Middle East…

    We have cut your energy bills…

    And we have capped them until July.

    Delegates…

    That is another thing I will always stand firm on.

    I will never let this country be dragged into a war that is not in our interest – never. 

    That is a lesson British politics should have learnt a long time ago, with Iraq.

    And yet – when the rush to war began on Iran…

    I was heavily criticised by others…

    Who had no thought for the consequences…

    For our country – for your family.

    But that is not how I operate.

    Because I have working people in my minds eye…

    For every decision.

    And yet, delegates…

    I have to level with you about Iran. 

    Because the truth is – the economic consequences could still be with us for some time.

    You don’t need to be a politician to know that…

    You can see it on every petrol forecourt across the country.

    I’ll repeat what I just said, because it’s important…

    In April – because of decisions we made at the budget…

    Your gas bills came down.

    And they will stay down until July – whatever happens in Iran.

    Fuel duty is also frozen until September.

    We’ve supported people who heat their homes using oil. 

    And we are monitoring this daily…

    So delegates for example – tomorrow…

    I am chairing a meeting in COBR on the impact…

    Bringing in people from the Bank of England…

    So you can be sure…

    We will stand by working people in this crisis.

    But look – just like with Iraq years ago, there is a deeper lesson here. 

    One that British politics has continually refused to learn.

    Because what Iran shows – is that once again…

    Events happening miles away from Britain…

    Have the capacity to hurt our living standards, our future, and our security.

    And so our response will define, not just this Government…

    But arguably – this generation.

    And so this time it must be different.

    We cannot respond to this moment…

    By thinking we just need to get back to the status quo…

    That is the mistake that was made after the 2008 financial crash, with austerity…

    It was made in Brexit…

    Covid…

    And the Ukraine war… 

    And we cannot add Iran to that list.

    Because the status quo manifestly failed working people…

    It kept your wages low…

    The economy stagnant…

    And your public services – decimated.

    In other words – the status quo…

    Made working people like you: pay the price.

    I would not go back to that – even if I could…

    And delegates – we can’t…

    Because the world has changed.

    It is more volatile and dangerous now than at any other point in my lifetime, and I’m sure in yours.

    It will test and test again, every element of our security…

    Our economic security…

    Our energy security…

    Our defence security. 

    That’s why we’ve had to confront such difficult decisions…

    We are working at pace to give Britain a stronger foundation…

    Trying to make us a more resilient country…

    So that we can weather, not just this storm…

    But all the storms that are going to be much more frequent in this dangerous world. 

    It’s about resilience.

    That’s what gives us security and control…

    Without it, we are constantly pushed off course by events beyond our borders.

    But with it, we have the power to act…

    We can strengthen our security…

    Take control of our future…

    And with that control… 

    We can deliver the fairer Britain that working people want to see.

    Now you can see this in everything we’ve done…

    Before and during the Middle East crisis.

    Yes – we capped your energy bills…

    But we’ve also invested in clean British energy…

    That’s the only way to free us from tyrants like Putin who can manipulate gas prices…

    And so we’ve backed British power…

    Taken control of our energy security.

    Yes – we’ve stayed out of the war…

    But we’ve also rebuilt our alliances in Europe…

    Boosted our defences with the biggest sustained investment since the Cold War…

    Backed British jobs…

    And taken control of our defence security.

    And yes – we have taken steps to push your wages up, as you deserve…

    But we’ve also launched an ambitious industrial strategy…

    Repaired the public finances…

    And given ordinary people, in places like Blackpool…

    The power to decide how we rebuild together…

    That’s our Pride in Place investment programme…

    We put those with skin in the game…

    In charge of their community… 

    To give you more control over what matters to you.

    And delegates – I know what matters to you, particularly in this room, and those that you represent…

    Is security in your workplace.

    Greater stability in the hours that you work…

    Regular hours – each week…

    So you can plan work around your family life.

    This is my point…

    Security isn’t something that is delivered by Government…

    It is something that has to be felt.

    And you should feel safe and secure in your workplace…

    That is fundamental.

    It is your right.

    Now, I started this by reading out Finnola’s letter…

    And when you do that with a letter, during a speech like this…

    You can give the impression, you know that…

    This example is extraordinary.

    But it’s not – is it?

    Finnola’s experience is the kind of thing happens every day, right across this country…

    Working people, grafters – go to work, do the right thing, keep our high streets thriving…

    And yet too often they are abused or assaulted by people who think they can get away with it…

    And just cheat the system.

    It’s disgraceful. 

    It is disgraceful – that people, just working in their shop, have to take abuse from customers.

    It is disgraceful – that people feel sick to the stomach thinking about how they are going to get through the day…

    And it is disgraceful – that people can have their lives and livelihoods ruined by persistent shop theft.

    So – first of all, I want you to know – that we see this…

    We’re not going to dismiss it…

    We’re not going to fob you off with half-measures.

    We are currently reforming the police across the country…

    So we can free up their time and their money…

    To focus more on street policing…

    Neighbourhood policing…

    Cracking down on anti-social behaviour…

    We’ve already got an extra 3000 neighbourhood police on the streets…

    And there’s more to come.

    We’ve scrapped the ridiculous regulation…

    Where stolen goods worth less than £200 would not be properly investigated…

    That was a shoplifters’ charter – and we’ve ended it. And not before time.

    And we’ve toughened up punishment too…

    We’re giving police stronger powers…

    Making the abuse and assault of retail workers a specific crime…

    Giving you the same protections as emergency workers. And you deserve it.

    And look – I’m not blind to how big this challenge is…

    But the number of people charged has gone up by 17% in the latest stats…

    Shop theft is down – it’s only slightly down…

    But the tide could be turning.

    There’s also the hope of technology…

    Because in some parts of the country…

    Police and retailers have been using technology that sends CCTV footage through to the police – immediately.

    So there’s no delay…

    No risk that the footage might be wiped before evidence can be collated…

    You’re all familiar with that.

    It all happens straight away, goes straight through…

    And in some of those areas where those trials are taking place…

    The police are solving double the number of shop thefts – double.

    So I want to see that rolled out across the country…

    Make a real difference…

    Because this Government has your back…

    We are calling time on the free-for-all…

    And we are standing firm, together…

    Against the disgraceful crime of shop theft. 

    (5)

    And you know – what is true of shoplifting…

    Is true of everything… 

    It is how we change this country…

    We change it – together. 

    I know times are tough – they’ve been tough for years…

    I’ve seen it through my own family.

    And so given everything that working people have been through because of politics… 

    I know it’s a bit rich for politicians to say – Britain needs you…

    I get that.

    But I’ve always believed in partnership.

    Those have always been my values when it comes to this movement…

    To business…

    To the whole country.

    Because I fundamentally believe…

    That the common bond of our country…

    The ground that we all share and love… .

    It is stronger than the grievance and division we see in so much of politics.

    And so – bottling the pride that you all feel…

    For your workplace…

    Your community…

    Your country…

    That is the key to changing Britain…

    And coming out of this period… 

    Stronger and fairer.

    And I tell you now…

    I will fight for that with every breath I have…

    I will fight for working people…

    Fight – for the tolerant, decent, respectful Britain that I know and I love…

    Because that is my politics and it is time…

    To strengthen our security…

    Take control of our future…

    And build a Britain that is fair for all.

    Thank you so much conference.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statement to the 10th Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statement to the 10th Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 April 2026.

    The Convention on Nuclear Safety is the key international legally binding instrument for nuclear safety that currently has 98 Contracting Parties.

    President,

    The United Kingdom remains gravely concerned about the nuclear safety risks arising from the Russian Federation’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including its continued presence at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). This situation is preventing Ukraine’s competent authorities from exercising effective regulatory control and from fully discharging their responsibilities as a Contracting Party under the Convention on Nuclear Safety.

    We reject the Russian Federation’s claims that the ZNPP has been transferred to Russian Federation jurisdiction, and its attempt to report on the facility under the Convention. We fully align with the consistent position of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that ZNPP is a Ukrainian nuclear installation.

    Under Article 4 of the Convention only Ukraine is entitled to report on the safety of ZNPP. Any reporting by a State that neither lawfully owns nor regulates a nuclear installation is not credible and risks undermining the integrity of the entire peer review process. We therefore look to this Review Meeting, under your leadership, to reject such reporting and to uphold the principles on which the Convention is based.

    The Russian Federation’s actions have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the objectives and obligations of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, exposing nuclear installations to risks they are neither designed nor licensed to endure and directly undermine the Convention’s core aim of preventing accidents and mitigating their radiological consequences. Interference with independent regulatory oversight and with the responsibilities of the license holder, including through the presence of unauthorised personnel at ZNPP, prevent the legally responsible Ukrainian organisations from meeting their obligations under Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention and are fundamentally incompatible with its first objective of achieving and maintaining a high level of nuclear safety.

    We commend Ukraine for its continued commitment to participate in this Review Meeting and to meet its obligations under the Convention on Nuclear Safety in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

    Finally, we express our full support for the IAEA’s work with Ukraine to help reduce the risk of a nuclear accident and to maintain nuclear safety under unprecedented conditions. We pay tribute to IAEA staff who continue to operate with professionalism and dedication in the most challenging circumstances.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Entertainment on-demand for Armed Forces personnel at home and abroad [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Entertainment on-demand for Armed Forces personnel at home and abroad [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 April 2026.

    Members of the Armed Forces will soon have expanded access to media and entertainment, from top-flight sports like football and rugby to podcasts, gaming, and the latest and Defence news.

    • Renewed BFBS contract will expand secure access to premium media for Service personnel, including from top-flight football to streaming services.
    • New plans for a next-generation digital platform will future-proof media experiences and allow entertainment on-the-go.
    • Enhancing our Armed Forces Offer to personnel, boosting morale and fostering community.

    Members of the Armed Forces will soon have expanded access to media and entertainment, from top-flight sports like football and rugby to podcasts, gaming, and the latest and Defence news.  

    The Ministry of Defence has extended their commitment to BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) with a new 10-year contract, expanding and adapting their service to a new media landscape, and ensuring that Service communities remain  connected and informed wherever they are in the world at the touch of a button.   

    Media organisation and military charity BFBS plays a vital role in improving the experience and morale for service personnel and families wherever they are based, sustaining morale, fostering community, and alleviating isolation on deployment.  

    This agreement is backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP from April 2027.  BFBS will develop new ways to connect with our service personnel, adapting their offer and technology, ensuring secure access in the most remote environments and investing in new entertainment platforms including gaming, catering to the tastes of all our personnel.  

    Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:  

    BFBS are at the heart of service life, providing our personnel with access to secure, trusted entertainment, ranging from live football matches to the latest movie releases, and keeping our people engaged in Forces life from gaming to developing news. 

    This 10-year contract renewal demonstrates our long-term commitment to our people – and will ensure they have media access relevant to their needs, devices and interests, wherever they serve. Our message to our Armed Forces community is clear: this government is on your side.

    The contract builds on more than eight decades of BFBS’s dedication to connecting and entertaining the UK Armed Forces, bringing continued value for money. As a registered charity, BFBS is uniquely positioned to secure content partnerships that would not typically be achievable through commercial procurement. For example, their premium overseas television lineup — including movies, series and major live sport bring our personnel a huge morale boost and a vital connection to home life.  

    Ben Chapman, BFBS CEO said:   

    We are very excited to announce this new contract with the MOD, and to fulfil our mission of uniting the UK Armed Forces and their families with trusted, creative media experiences for the next decade.   

    We are living in complex geopolitical times, with Defence at the top of the global agenda, and never has the media landscape been more disrupted. BFBS plays a vital role in supporting the operational readiness and welfare of our military wherever they are serving, and we help to maintain a healthy democracy by ensuring that all those who serve our country have access to trusted, relevant, and secure media.”  

    The commitment to extend this service is part of Government’s wider efforts to strengthen the Offer for our Armed Forces personnel, including landmark action to buy back and renew nearly 40,000 military family homes, a new childcare scheme saving eligible forces families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year per child by reimbursing early years childcare costs, and the establishment of a new, independently-appointed Armed Forces Commissioner with the power to investigate issues raised directly by personnel and their families. 

    About BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service)   

    • BFBS is a military charity and media organisation that entertains, informs, connects, and champions the UK Armed Forces.    
    • They help to keep people in touch, building morale among the Forces wherever they serve, offering them a way to share experiences with other personnel, as well as a valuable connection to life back home.     
    • BFBS bring trusted and secure entertainment, news, sport, and information services to the military, their families, and veterans worldwide. With their first broadcast in 1943, BFBS have been providing our service personnel with access to some of their favourite television shows and movies for over 80 years, helping them stay connected with home and keeping them up to date on the latest news, entertainment and sport fixtures.  
    • They currently provide up to 16 core channels on the BFBS TV set top box with 30+ channels live and on demand on the BFBS TV Player for those based overseas.  
    • See bfbs.com for the latest global Defence news and stories.
  • PRESS RELEASE : 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 April 2026.

    Deputy Ambassador James Ford marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, honouring those affected and stressing the enduring human and environmental consequences, while warning that Russia’s war against Ukraine has revived acute nuclear safety risks across the OSCE region.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    As the Ukrainian Ambassador has noted, this Sunday marks the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, one of the most devastating nuclear disasters in history. And it is right that we pause to remember those who lost their lives, to honour the courage of the first responders and health workers, and to reflect on the profound and lasting human and environmental consequences of the disaster.

    Forty years on, Chornobyl remains a powerful symbol of loss. Entire communities were displaced and lives were permanently altered. The health, social and environmental effects extended far beyond the immediate vicinity of the site and continue to affect people across borders and generations. These human realities must remain at the heart of our commemoration.

    Chornobyl was also a turning point for the international community. It exposed the catastrophic consequences of secrecy, weak governance and the failure to uphold safety norms. In response, States strengthened nuclear safety standards, reinforced emergency preparedness, and deepened international cooperation. Above all, Chornobyl made clear that nuclear safety is indivisible. An accident in one place can have consequences far beyond national borders.

    That lesson is as relevant today as it was in 1986. As we mark this anniversary, we cannot ignore that nuclear safety risks in the OSCE area have once again become acute owing to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Power disruptions, security challenges and physical damage across Ukraine’s nuclear facilities serve as stark reminders of how fragile even well-established safety arrangements can be when basic norms are ignored.

    The conditions required for nuclear safety, stability, transparency, professional operation and respect for international frameworks cannot be taken for granted. When safety norms and international law are disregarded, the risks of miscalculation and escalation grow, with potentially severe and lasting consequences.

    Mr Chair, the OSCE’s concept of security recognises that military, environmental and human security are deeply interconnected. Nuclear safety sits squarely within this framework. It depends on strong institutions, transparency, cooperation, and respect for sovereignty and international obligations.

    The fortieth anniversary of Chornobyl is therefore more than a moment of remembrance. It is a call for vigilance, responsibility and resolve. By honouring those affected by Chornobyl, we reaffirm our shared duty to uphold the principles that protect us all – now and in the future.

    Thank you.