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PRESS RELEASE : UK Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North Atlantic to keep UK safe [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 February 2026.

UK will bolster regional security by deploying a Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North.
- UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North in 2026 in a major boost for regional security.
- Powerful show of force with Royal Navy warships, F-35 jets and helicopters to deter Russian aggression and protect vital undersea infrastructure.
- Deployment will include major exercises alongside US, Canadian, and Northern European allies.
Britain will send its Carrier Strike Group back to sea in 2026 in a major show of force across the Euro-Atlantic and High North, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence at a time of rising Russian threats in the region.

Known as ‘Operation Firecrest’ and led by HMS Prince of Wales – the largest warship in the Royal Navy – the UK will deploy the strike group across the North Atlantic and Arctic. It will include world-class Royal Navy warships and RAF fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to bolster defence and security.

It comes as Russia’s military activity in the North Atlantic continues to increase. Over the past two years, there has been a 30% increase in Russian navy vessels threatening UK waters.

The deployment will see the UK and US working side-by-side on Euro-Atlantic security around the North American East Coast, boosting the historic alliance between the two nations. The Carrier Strike Group will sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, with US jets also expected to operate from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales.

The deployment will include activity under NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, launched this week, strengthening the Alliance’s security in a region where melting sea ice is opening new routes and increasing threat from hostile state activity.

With growing concern over Russian operations in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap and the increased risk to critical undersea cables and pipelines, the deployment will send a clear message that the UK will always defend its waters, protect critical infrastructure, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Allies.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

I’m proud that we’re stepping up UK leadership on High North and Atlantic security.

This deployment will help make Britain warfighting ready, boost our contribution to NATO, and strengthen our operations with key allies, keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Operation Firecrest will involve thousands of personnel from all three services of the Armed Forces, demonstrating Britain’s ability to project force wherever it is needed and operate seamlessly within NATO. The Carrier Strike Group will exercise alongside NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1, itself being led by the UK, with HMS Dragon acting as the command ship of the NATO maritime group throughout 2026.

Parts of the deployment will fall under NATO command, including close cooperation with operational headquarters Joint Force Command Norfolk, which is set to be under the command of a British officer for the first time.

The deployment will be carried out alongside key allies including the United States, Canada, and Joint Expeditionary Force nations, building on the UK’s growing defence cooperation in the High North and reaffirming the strength of the historic UK–US defence relationship.

This reinforces the UK’s commitment to High North security and builds on the Defence Secretary’s commitment to double the number of UK troops deployed to Norway, from 1,000 to 2,000.

It also reaffirms the Government’s commitment to stepping up on defence. The UK has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – to ensure that Britain and our allies are safe.

The deployment follows the success of the UK’s 2025 Carrier Strike Group mission to the Indo-Pacific, which saw over 1,000 F-35 sorties and activity with over 30 nations, and resulted in the UK’s Carrier Strike Group being certified fully ‘mission ready’ and committed to NATO.
February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 February 2026.

New acoustic weapon detection system will help keep soldier safe on the battlefield by helping to locate and target positions of enemy gunfire, mortars and explosions.
- 250 jobs across the country sustained after new contract signed with Leonardo UK.
- System to be in soldiers’ hands five years ahead of schedule, with rollout to frontline troops within 12 months.
- 29 UK SMEs to benefit as part of the supply chain, helping to make UK defence an engine for growth.
British soldiers will be able to more aggressively hunt, detect, and locate hostile gunfire, as well as receive a further layer of protection on the battlefield, with the early delivery of new technology.

Through SONUS – a new system to detect enemy weapons – UK forces will now have access to a capability that weighs 70% less than its predecessor, making it easier to transport and able to deploy in under three minutes.

SONUS works by detecting acoustic pressure waves from gunfire, mortars and explosions.

This form of detection means the system can operate covertly, without emitting an electronic signature, helping troops to avoid enemy fire. It will also enable soldiers to identify targets faster and more accurately, meaning they can take evasive or offensive action more effectively.

Defence supplier Leonardo UK have been awarded the £18.3 million contract by the Army five-years earlier than originally planned. The works sustains 250 jobs across the UK, notably at Leonardo’s Basildon site, as well as through 29 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The procurement is happening as part of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

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

We’ve accelerated our procurement of this equipment by five years to provide additional layers of safety for our personnel through more durable, lightweight systems in a new era of threat.

Making defence an engine for growth is a key priority for this government and this deal sustains jobs across the UK, benefits multiple SMEs and boosts our Armed Forces.

The SONUS platforms will be delivered to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, the British Army’s dedicated Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, over the next 12 months.

Brigadier M Birch, Senior Responsible Owner for the Land ISTAR Programme, said:

This investment in Leonardo’s SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating System demonstrates the Army’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the front line.

It will significantly enhance our ability to protect our people and respond to emerging threats, ensuring the Army remains ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Olly Manning, Vice President Mission Systems at Leonardo, said:

Leonardo has over 40 years of experience in passive acoustic weapon-locating technology, with battle-proven systems that have seen operational use with over 13 armed forces – many of whom are NATO members.

We are looking forward to working in partnership with the British Army to ensure SONUS provides them with an accurate, robust and reliable passive detection system that will keep our Armed Forces safe – now and into the future.

The investment helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) – improving warfighting readiness, strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base, and making defence as an engine for growth.

Through procurement reforms, the Army prioritised fast tracking important weapon-locating systems as part of the Army’s initiative to modernise and double their lethality by 2027. Its accelerated delivery was achieved by the LAND ISTAR Team, working with Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and Task Force RAPSTONE.
February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : FCDO statement on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2026.

FCDO statement on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

We welcome the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh which took place on 12 February 2026. The peaceful electoral process delivered conclusive results. This represents an important step forward in Bangladesh’s ambitions and the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.

We look forward to the new government advancing democratic, economic, and social reforms. We will work closely with Bangladesh on our shared priorities of economic growth, migration, climate and security, building on the strong connections between our people.

February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to warn that Europe must move away from overdependence on the US, to interdependence – and a more European NATO [February 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 February 2026.

Europe must shift from overdependence on the United States and towards a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU, the Prime Minister will say today.

Europe must shift from overdependence on the United States and towards a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU, the Prime Minister will say today [Saturday 14 February].

In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, he will argue that in the face of the looming threat from Russia, the UK’s future prosperity and security rest on closer defence and security ties with Europe, and vice versa.

The Prime Minister is expected to say:

We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore. Because we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward – we would surrender it. And I won’t let that happen.

There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history – and it is today’s reality too.

[…]

He will say that the US remains an indispensable ally, and they have made an unparalleled contribution to European security. But as their own national security posture evolves, Europe must shift from overdependence to interdependence – forging a new path towards sovereign deterrence and hard power.

He will add:

I’m talking about a vision of European security and greater European autonomy, that does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden sharing in full, and remakes the ties that have served us so well.

Arguing that Europe’s fragmented defence industrial base has contributed to gaps and duplication – he will say that leaders must focus on collective effort to build a stronger, more integrated defence capability, backed by historic increases in spending.

British companies already account for over a quarter of the continent’s defence industrial base. They are a job-creating, community-building machine, employing around 239,000 people across the UK –

We want to bring our leadership in defence, tech and AI together with Europe – to multiply our strengths and build a shared industrial base across Europe which can turbocharge our defence production.

[…]

As I see it – Europe is a sleeping giant. Our economies dwarf Russia’s, ten times over.

We have huge defence capabilities. Yet, too often, all of this has added up to less than the sum of its parts.

Across Europe, fragmented industrial planning and long, drawn out procurement mechanisms have led to gaps in some areas – and massive duplication in others.

To meet the threats we face, the UK defence budget is rising to record levels – delivering the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling £270 billion this parliament alone. In his speech, the Prime Minister will also signal the UK’s willingness to participate in innovative joint solutions alongside European partners to accelerate new defence investment and ensure spending increases are used to their full potential.

He will also point to the UK’s existing bilateral co-operation – including our £10 billion deal with Norway to supply their Navy with frigates, our £8 billion Typhoon deal with Turkey, and ongoing collaboration with Germany, Italy and France to deliver next generation long-range missiles – as a signal for what could be achieved by joint work on a greater scale, all while delivering jobs and growth at home.

He will add:

We must level with the public and build consent for the decisions we will have to take to keep us all safe.

Because, if we don’t, the peddlers of easy answers on the extreme left and the extreme right are ready. They will offer their solutions instead.

It’s striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much. Soft on Russia and weak on NATO – if not outright opposed.

And determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology.

The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation. The lamps would go out across Europe once again. But we will not let that happen.

If we want to repair our social fabric, if we believe in our values, in democracy, liberty, the rule of law, then this is the moment to stand up and fight for them, and prove that they are worth fighting for.

That’s why we must work together and show that by taking responsibility for our own security. In a volatile world, we help our people look forward not with fear, but with determination – and hope.

February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany and President Macron of France [February 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 February 2026.

The Prime Minister met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Munich Security Conference this afternoon.

Addressing the scale of the challenge facing Europe, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together, alongside other partners, to enhance our collective defence and security.

They agreed that Europe needs to step up and do more to share the burden while protecting the enduring strength of the Euro-Atlantic partnership.

We must take advantage of our huge defence capability in order to bolster our shared security and deliver for people at home, the Prime Minister added.

They confirmed their enduring support for Ukraine, especially in the face of Russia’s horrific recent attacks, and the ongoing work to secure a just and lasting peace.

They looked forward to further discussions in Munich this weekend.

February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New employer grant to boost quality in early years education [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 13 February 2026.

A new package of support will help early years settings strengthen their workforce and improve outcomes for children from the very start.

Early years staff across the country will be supported to upskill and qualify as teachers through new paid degree apprenticeships, as the government marks the close of National Apprenticeship Week and continues its work to raise the quality of early education and improve children’s life chances.

The new early years teacher degree apprenticeship will allow 400 staff to earn while they learn, gaining the skills to teach in nurseries and early years settings, improving the quality of early education children receive in the years that matter most.

By raising skills and creating clear routes to higher pay, the programme will help make early years a more attractive and rewarding profession, supporting recruitment and retention for the staff who are central to giving children the best start in life.

High-quality early education and childcare makes a lasting difference to a child’s life. The evidence is clear that the better trained the staff in nurseries and early years settings are, the more children benefit.

Research show that providers with graduate-level early years staff deliver better outcomes for children. For every 10% increase in settings employing a graduate, the proportion of children reaching a good level of development rises by around 1.2%.

Backed by a £3.2 million grant to support employers, the programme will contribute £9,000 per apprentice each year to cover training costs. The government will also provide an additional £8,000 per apprentice to help employers cover backfill, training and National Insurance costs, so that no provider is left out of pocket.

Department for Education data shows those with degree-level qualifications in early years typically earn around £5.50 more per hour than those trained to A-level standard, underlining how apprenticeships can boost pay while strengthening quality across the sector.

The announcement comes as part of National Apprenticeship Week, when employers, providers and government showcase how apprenticeships unlock opportunity, build skills and drive economic growth. Department for Education analysis estimates apprentices will contribute £25 billion to England’s economy across their working lives.

Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey said:

These degree apprenticeships give early years staff the chance to build skilled, well-paid and rewarding careers while continuing to do the vital work they do every day for children and families.

High-quality early education can change the course of a child’s life. When we back the people who guide children through those first crucial years, we help build their confidence, prepare them for school and set them up to thrive in the years ahead.

Backing progression and better pay in early years is good for families, good for the workforce and good for our country.

Completing the apprenticeship gives early years staff the skills and status to lead learning, not just support it, meaning they can work within higher staff-to-child ratios and progress into better-paid, senior roles across early years settings.

The £8,000 support grant will be paid to training providers, who will pass the funding directly on to early years settings employing the apprentice.

Sophie Hayter, Qualification Lead at Kido Nurseries and Pre-Schools said:

This is a significant and welcome step forward for our sector. By investing directly in the professional development of early years practitioners and providing funding to settings to support, the government is recognising the vital importance of highly skilled educators in shaping children’s earliest experiences.

This funding not only strengthens workforce quality and sustainability, but also ensures more children can benefit from graduate-level expertise during the most critical stage of their development.

This investment is part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy and supports its long-term ambition to have an Early Years Teacher in every setting, helping address the current shortfall of graduate-level staff across the sector.

It follows the announcement of a record £9.5 billion investment delivering affordable and high-quality childcare places for families all over the country. Working parents can now save up to £7,500 a year through expanded funded hours, supported by clearer guidance to ensure families are not hit with unexpected charges. Funding rates are also increasing above inflation to help nurseries and childcare providers maintain quality as access expands.

More widely, the government is using apprenticeships to unlock opportunity and tackle skills shortages across the country, with a series of announcements this week reinforcing its commitment to high-quality training and clear routes into work.

The government has unveiled a series of further measures during National Apprenticeship Week to expand opportunities across the country.

As part of the government’s education estates strategy announced this week, construction firms working on school building projects will have to show that they are providing opportunities for apprenticeships and T Level students, creating around 13,000 new opportunities.

Further measures announced during National Apprenticeship Week include new pilots to match ‘near miss’ applicants with similar apprenticeship opportunities in their area, alongside a new online platform giving young people clearer, more accessible information about apprenticeships and career outcomes.

February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : The UK welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces to bring an end to the fighting in North-East Syria – UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

I will make three points.

First, echoing the statement of the Council yesterday, the United Kingdom welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces in late January to bring an end to the fighting in North-East Syria.

The UK has engaged closely with both sides, and we commend the work of the US to help broker this agreement.

This is a critical step towards a stable and unified Syria.

We encourage all involved to commit to de-escalation and to avoid destabilising action.

There have been important steps in the implementation of the agreement, including the Presidential decree on the protection of Kurdish rights.

It is critical that momentum is maintained, and full integration of SDF military and civilian structures into the Syrian state is carried out in a timely and equitable manner.

Second, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region, with significant displacement and disruption of services and humanitarian provision, including in Kobane and Al Hol camp.

Now that an agreement has been reached, we call for sustained, unimpeded humanitarian access across the country.

The UK continues to provide humanitarian support in IDP camps through our implementing partners.

We remain concerned by conditions in these facilities, and reports of escaped Daesh detainees.

We encourage the Syrian Government to develop a robust transition plan for securing and managing the camps, in coordination with the UN and international partners, to mitigate security risks.

Third, Ms Dureid, you gave us a powerful testimony on the importance of the inclusion of women in political processes.

We must seize this opportunity to advance women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and their leadership in all political and decision-making processes in Syria.

The UN has an important role to play in supporting this and other elements of Syria’s transition, and we look forward to the swift establishment of the Special Envoy’s Office in Damascus.

February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Funding boost for young people’s mental health services [February 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 February 2026.

Early Support Hubs across England to receive a £7 million funding boost to bolster services for young people.
- 10,000 extra interventions to help young people facing mental health challenges.
- Delivers on 10 Year Health Plan commitment to extend mental health support for children and young people.
- Comes as nation marks Children and Young People’s Mental Health Week.
Thousands more young people will get the mental health support they need thanks to a £7 million funding boost for Early Support Hubs across England.

Early Support Hubs are community-based services, which provide drop-in mental health support for young people aged 11-25 with a range of issues, helping to prevent more severe mental illness without the need for a referral or doctor’s appointment. 

The investment will allow the 24 existing hubs to expand services in local communities, delivering 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions over the next twelve months. This could include counselling, group work, therapeutic support and specialist advice.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said:

No young person should suffer in silence with their mental health. We’re investing in the wellbeing of the next generation, making sure every young person has the best start in life and the support they need to grow, to flourish, and to thrive.

Early Support Hubs are already making a real difference and this funding boost will expand services to support more young people in communities across the country.

Alongside this, we’re investing an extra £688 million in mental health services this year and are well on our way to recruiting 8,500 additional mental health workers across children’s and adult services.

Findings from the Early Support Hubs programme will shape the government’s plans for the rollout Young Futures Hubs, informing how open-access mental health care is delivered in the future. 

There is a high demand for mental health services within communities. In 2023, approximately 1 in 5 people aged 8 to 25 years had a mental disorder.

Early Support Hubs are a step towards meeting that demand. Research also indicates the hubs attract groups that are less likely to engage with traditional NHS or school-based services, including older teenagers and those from an ethnic minority background. 

Minister for Early Education, Olivia Bailey said:

Every young person deserves access to mental health support when they need it, without barriers or long waits.

Early Support Hubs are making a real difference in communities, complementing the rollout of mental health support teams in all schools in England which has already reached six in ten children.

These services are vital so that every young person can achieve and thrive, getting timely support in their local areas, whether that’s group sessions, or simply a safe space to talk.

Des Fletcher, a young person who has received support from the Early Support Hub, Young Devon said: 

I have struggled with anxiety and low mood which has had a big impact on my life. Young Devon is the only service that actually gives that time, effort and non-judgemental space for me to be me. 

Support like this is so important for young people that might be struggling. I hope that young people in every community can have a place like this to turn to for their mental health and wellbeing.

Funding for Early Support Hubs is just one of the many ways this government is supporting young people’s mental health, including investing an extra £688 million in mental health services this year, hiring 7,000 additional mental health workers, as well as accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges.

Landmark legislation to reform the Mental Health Act has also strengthened the rights of children and young people around their care and treatment. 

This government is building an NHS fit for the future, giving mental health the attention it deserves, creating the healthiest ever generation of children, and ensuring everyone receives the support they need, closer to home.

Connie Muttock, Head of Policy at the Centre for Young Lives, said: 

Childhood is a crucial window where the right support can be transformational. Early Support Hubs can be a lifeline, providing accessible, youth-friendly community spaces meeting young people’s needs holistically. 

The decision to extend funding for these vital services is welcome, and we very much hope this is the first part of a large and long-term package of support to match the scale of the mental health crisis young people are currently coping with alone.

Gemma Byrne, Policy and Influencing Manager at Mind, said:

We’re delighted to see the extension of funding for 24 early support hubs around the country.

As children, young people and their families navigate long waiting lists, these hubs are a lifeline offering tailored support in the heart of local communities without needing a referral.

We now need to see a national commitment to delivering a hub in every local authority area by 2035, to make sure every young person with a mental health problem can get the care they need before reaching crisis point.

Andy Bell, Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health, said:

Today’s announcement to extend funding for 24 early support hubs for young people’s mental health is a welcome step and will make a real difference. We have long called for a national rollout of hubs so that all children and young people can access timely, community-based mental health support.

It is vital that insights from this programme shape the Government’s plans for Young Futures Hubs, informing how open-access mental health provision is delivered and sustained. As set out in the Government’s manifesto, this must mean genuinely open access, co-produced with young people, with mental health support available up to the age of 25.

Cassandra Harrison, CEO of Youth Access said: 

We welcome the Government’s decision to extend funding for 24 early support hubs for another year.

These hubs make a real difference to thousands of young people struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, providing vital, community-based support and advice that helps prevent problems from escalating and eases pressure on the NHS.

It is now essential that there is a clear plan for the long-term sustainability and expansion of these hubs, ensuring that community-based support remains at the heart of the national approach to children and young people’s mental health.

Jack O’Neill, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Influencing, The Children’s Society said: 

This will come as a relief to the thousands of young people who rely on early support when problems first surface, before they escalate into crisis or cause lasting harm.

 The extra year of funding provides vital breathing space as demand from young people continues to rise across the country. But this must be more than a stopgap. It is crucial that this work shapes the future of local services young people depend on. There is little sense in redesigning the system without securing and building on what we already know works.
February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK spends over £400 million on long-range weapons as cooperation scales up with European allies [February 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 February 2026.

UK will spend over £400 million this financial year on hypersonic and long-range weapons including joint projects with France, Germany, and Italy.

The UK is scaling up cooperation with key European allies to develop new long-range precision and hypersonic weapons, with spending on projects set to exceed £400 million this financial year.

Britain is progressing the Stratus joint missile programme with France and Italy – leading the work to develop a next generation stealth replacement to the Storm Shadow missile.

Stratus, which is developing both stealth and high-speed missile variants, already sustains over 1,300 high-skilled jobs in the UK. The new missiles will be able to defeat high-value targets, destroy enemy ships, and suppress enemy air defences.

At the same time, Britian’s new long-range weapon programme with Germany is progressing rapidly with a new joint study phase about to begin, accelerating both future stealth and hypersonic weapons. This follows the landmark UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement signed within the first months of this Government in 2024.

The new system – known as Deep Precision Strike – will have a range of over 2,000 km and be among the most advanced systems ever designed by the UK, coming into service in the 2030s. Long-range weapons are crucial to protecting the UK and our allies and boosting NATO deterrence.

The government has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – to ensure that Britain and our allies are safe.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

To meet this new era of rising threats, we need hard power, strong alliances and sure diplomacy.

We can see from the war in Ukraine the decisive impact of long-range precision weapons, so the UK is stepping up, investing more than £400 million for long-range and hypersonic weapons this year.

Alongside Germany, France and Italy, we will deliver the cutting-edge weapons that will keep the UK and NATO safe, boost deterrence, and build a new deal for European security.

Hypersonic weapons investment this year also includes funding for developing critical technologies, ground and flight testing, as well as significant funding for academic skills and training including funding post-graduate study.

The Defence Secretary is expected to discuss these projects and deepening industrial cooperation during crucial meetings with European and international allies at the Munich Security Conference.

This ramped up missile cooperation by European allies comes as Russia’s aggression in Ukraine continues. In early February, UK Defence Intelligence confirmed that Russia conducted a major multi-axis and multi-weapon strike on Ukraine, using long range bombers, hypersonic missiles, over 60 ballistic and cruise missiles, and 450 one-way attack drones.

The Defence Secretary is expected to talk to allies during a series of bilateral meetings at the Munich Security Conference about boosting support for Ukraine, defending Europe against growing Russian threats, and enhancing industrial partnerships with key allies and partners.

February 16, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury appointed [February 2026]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 13 February 2026.

Professor Brian Bell has been appointed as the new Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury and Head of the Government Economic Service, replacing Sam Beckett.

Professor Bell will be the principal advisor to the Chancellor and the Prime Minister on the macroeconomy and fiscal policy, leading the Treasury’s economics function and its work to deliver the government’s economic objectives. He will commence the role on Monday 9th March.

He replaces Sam Beckett, who held the role from 2023 until her retirement earlier this year.

Professor Bell is currently Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee and a Professor of Economics at King’s Business School, King’s College London. He has previously held roles at the Bank of England and the International Monetary Fund, as well as positions in the private sector, working as an economist and proprietary trader for hedge funds and investment banks in London.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

“Thanks to the choices we’ve made we have had six interest rate cuts since the election, inflation is falling faster than expected and we have beaten the OBR’s growth forecasts. Through stability, investment and reform, this government has the right plan for our economy and the appointment of Professor Brian Bell will strengthen our economic leadership as we deliver for working people.”

James Bowler, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“I am very pleased to welcome Brian to HM Treasury as Director General Economics and Fiscal, and Chief Economic Advisor. His extensive experience in economic research and policymaking, at leading financial institutions, and the financial services sector will be invaluable as we work to deliver the government’s economic agenda.

“I look forward to working with him as he leads the department’s economic analysis, advice to ministers, and Government Economic Service.”

Professor Brian Bell said:

“This is a pivotal moment for the UK economy, with an ambitious plan to deliver growth, reduce the cost of living and improve economic security for households and businesses across the country.

“I look forward to working with colleagues across the Treasury, the wider civil service and our partners to provide rigorous economic advice to the Chancellor and the Prime Minister, and to help ensure policy decisions deliver real benefits for people and communities in every part of the UK.”

February 16, 2026