Blog

PRESS RELEASE : £3bn investment to end postcode lottery for children with SEND [December 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 11 December 2025.

Around 50,000 specialist places to be created nationwide – making sure more children with SEND can thrive alongside their friends at their local school.

Children with SEND will benefit from a brilliant education close to home as the government announces at least £3 billion to create tens of thousands of new specialist places in mainstream schools.

The Education Secretary has today (11 December 2025) announced a transformational expansion of specialist, calm learning spaces in mainstream schools, equipped with facilities to support children with special educational needs and disabilities, following the launch of the largest national conversation on SEND in a generation.

It will mean young people won’t have to travel miles from home to have their needs met, and can instead get support in tailor-made spaces with the right facilities while also mixing with other classes for subjects or parts of the day that are appropriate for them.

For too long, children with SEND have been forgotten, with families forced to fight for the support they deserve and a school place that meets their needs. At least 180,000 pupils with SEND currently receive transport to school – journeys that for many are longer than 3 miles, and for 9% are in single occupancy vehicles such as taxis.

In addition, the government has confirmed it will deliver on all 10,000 places – in all areas – due to be created by planned special free schools. It will do this either by building the planned schools, or by giving local authorities the funding to create the equivalent number of specialist places themselves – often more quickly than through free school projects. This is on top of the tens of thousands of places created through the new £3 billion investment.

Today’s announcement will lay the groundwork for significant future reform of the SEND support system – helping to make schools inclusive by design, so every child, in every corner of the country can have their needs met where they live. We will set out more details in the Schools White Paper and subsequent allocation of funding on how this investment will support pupils in mainstream settings, as well as how we will ensure specialist places in mainstream become a core part of the local school offer in all parts of the country.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

A child’s background should not determine where they end up. Education is the route to opportunity, and opportunity should be for every child, regardless of their individual needs and circumstances.

For too many families, the reality has been very different, but this government will fix the broken education system for children and young people with SEND by making sure that their local school is also the right school. Ahead our reforms next year, we’re laying the foundations of a new system that shifts children with SEND from forgotten to included and earns the confidence of parents.

This £3 billion investment will transform lives. It will open the door to opportunity for tens of thousands of children with SEND, giving them the chance to learn, belong and succeed in their local community. This is how we build an education system that works for every child.

Today’s cash boost – which will see 2026 to 2027 allocations issued in spring – builds on the £740 million already invested to create over 10,000 specialist places.

It will help create calming spaces, supporting children with needs such as autism or ADHD who may feel overstimulated by busy school environments, as well as breakout spaces for children who need more support – giving children the helping hand they need to access mainstream education.

Anna Heaton, Executive Principal and Trust Lead for Secondary SEND and Inclusion:

At Delta Academies Trust, inclusion means doing all we can to break down barriers to learning, enabling all our learners to participate and achieve together.

Our resourced provision units provide a bridge back to learning for our most vulnerable learners and help us ensure pupils access the support they need to fulfil their potential. This results in greatly improved attendance and engagement in learning, but the benefits for our pupils and their families go far beyond this in terms of improving mental health and wellbeing.

One family told us that the resourced provision unit had transformed their child from one who didn’t want to do anything and couldn’t see a future, into someone who wants to learn and wants to talk about what they will do next.

The government is also today confirming the outcome of its review of mainstream free schools. To prioritise the investment in specialist places being announced today, a number of mainstream free school projects will not go ahead, reflecting the government’s commitment to putting school places where they’re needed most, now and in the future.

The number of primary school pupils has been falling since 2019, with the number of secondary school pupils due to begin falling from next year. Meanwhile, the number of young people with SEND has risen to at least 1.7 million – an increase of 400,000 pupils since 2020.

Those projects that will continue are those that meet the needs of communities, responding to demographic and housing demand without creating surplus places. New schools that provide a unique offer for students who would otherwise not get it, without damaging the viability of existing local schools and colleges, will also be supported.

The capital investment is part of the government’s £38 billion investment in the education estate from 2025 to 2026 to 2029 to 2030, which also includes funding for the expansion of the School rebuilding programme – driving up the standards of classrooms across the country. The government has confirmed today that applications for the further 250 rebuilding projects will open in the new year and that those schools with the most severe need will be prioritised to ensure every child can achieve and thrive.

Today’s announcement is a pivotal step to improving the life chances of children with SEND across the country, but the work will not, and cannot, stop here.

Full plans to improve the SEND system will be set out through the Schools White Paper early in the new year.

December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : National plan to halve long-term rough sleeping and prevent homelessness [December 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 11 December 2025.

The National Plan to End Homelessness has been launched today, and will support the most vulnerable people in our society.
- Launch of cross-government plan to prevent homelessness before it occurs.
- Informed by people with lived experience, frontline workers and the sector, it puts real world insight into action.
- £3.5 billion investment over the next 3 years will ensure action is taken towards ending homelessness and rough sleeping.
Today, the government launches a bold new National Plan to End Homelessness to support the most vulnerable in our society to find their feet and improve their lives.  

Unveiled today and backed by £3.5 billion of investment, this landmark strategy has been shaped by the voices of those who have experienced homelessness as well as those involved in the Inter-ministerial Group on Homelessness.  

As the coldest months of the year settle in and Christmas fast approaches, for many, the harsh reality of homelessness becomes harder than ever – whether for someone bedding down on the street, or children struggling in temporary accommodation. Currently a family is being made homeless or threatened with homelessness every five minutes.  

The National Plan to End Homelessness has three key pledges to be achieved by the end of this parliament – to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers, end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families and prevent more households from becoming homeless in the first place. It will be underpinned by clear, ambitious goals for lasting change, including a duty on public services to work together to prevent homelessness, a boost to the supply of good-quality temporary homes, and £3.5 billion – a £1 billion funding boost over and above previous commitments – to support rough sleeping and support services. 

Today’s announcement follows the Royal Assent of the government’s landmark Renters’ Rights Act, which puts an end to Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions that can often contribute to households finding themselves homeless. Alongside this, the government is investing £39 billion in the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, helping to give more people a secure roof over their head as part of our commitment to build 1.5 million homes.  

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:  

Homelessness is one of the most profound challenges we face as a society, because at the heart, it’s about people. Families deserve stability, children need a safe place to grow, and individuals simply want the dignity of a home.

This strategy is shaped by the voices of those who’ve lived through homelessness and the frontline workers who fight tirelessly to prevent it. 

Through our new strategy we can build a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated. With record investment, new duties on public services, and a relentless focus on accountability, we will turn ambition into reality.”

Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said:     

Everyone deserves a roof over their head.  And for those experiencing the worst of homelessness right now – our children – they deserve a place to play and a bedroom to do their homework in. It’s our collective responsibility to make that a reality, for anyone at risk of homelessness, be it sofa-surfing or getting stuck on the streets. 

By working together including government, local leaders, charities, and communities, we can stop homelessness before it happens and ensure that when people do fall into crisis, support is swift and effective.   

The prize is big.  Right now, taxpayers are paying the price of failure, with temporary accommodation costs skyrocketing.  And the next generation of British young people can’t succeed without the space they need.  This strategy sets us on a better path – to save money and change lives.” 

By the end of this Parliament, the National Plan to End Homelessness will:  
- Increase the rate of prevention to protect thousands more households from homelessness. Central to this target is a proposed ‘Duty to Collaborate’, which will be brought forward in legislation for public bodies to work together to prevent homelessness. This builds on cross-government efforts to cut homelessness linked to prisons, social care and hospitals. This strategy sets clear targets on this issue for the first time, including halving the number who become homeless on their first night out of prison and ensuring that no eligible person is discharged to the street after a hospital stay. It also sets a clear long-term ambition that no one should be made homelessness from a public institution.
- Halve the number of people experiencing long-term rough sleeping. For too long, people who have spent years on the streets, often with the most complex needs, have been left with no help. This strategy rewires the system to focus support where it’s needed most. A new £124 million supported housing scheme has been launched to get over 2,500 people across England off the streets and into more stable housing as well as preventing those from getting to the streets in the first place. The Plan also includes a new £15m Long-Term Rough Sleeping Innovation Programme, which will help councils develop fresh solutions, alongside £37 million of funding for a new Ending Homelessness in Communities programme which will increase support and improve the vital services that are provided by the voluntary, community and faith sector at the frontline of this crisis.
- End the unlawful use of B&Bs for families. This will bring relief to the 2,070 households trapped beyond the six-week limit in unsuitable conditions – often in one room and no cooking facilities. The builds on the commitment in the recently published Child Poverty Strategy, which ensures mothers and newborn babies are not discharged from hospital into this B&B accommodation.
The plan will boost the supply of good-quality temporary homes, backed by £950 million through the Fourth Round of the Local Authority Housing Fund. Our expanded £30 million Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme will also prevent poor quality emergency accommodation being used. The government will work to improve the quality and suitability of temporary accommodation, enforcing strong protections against poor housing conditions, including out-of-area placements.  

An additional £50 million of in-year funding (25/26) is also to be allocated to local authorities through MHCLG’s Homelessness Prevention Grant. This funding is intended to focus on prevention, making sure individuals and households who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness are given the right help to stay in their homes. 

Preventing homelessness is everyone’s responsibility and this strategy makes that clear. Every council will now publish a tailored action plan alongside their local homelessness strategy, including setting local targets on key outcomes, with targeted expert support for areas facing the greatest challenges. The government is also calling on Mayors to lead with ambition, backed by new funding to drive collaboration between councils, services, and partners. This is backed by a stripping away of bureaucracy, simplifying funding for councils and ending bidding processes so they can focus on spending money on meeting local needs.  

To deliver lasting change, we’re launching a National Workforce Programme to equip frontline teams with essential training and expert advice. Progress will be tracked through national reports, overseen by the Inter-Ministerial Group, ensuring transparency, accountability, and momentum as we work together to end homelessness for good.  

This strategy is just part of the way government is supporting people to have a safe and secure roof over their head. Taken together, alongside the reforms to the private rented sector and drive to build the homes the country needs, the government is committed putting a stop to the threat of homelessness for families and individuals across the country.  
December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Peace in Ukraine needs to be built on foundations that strengthen the rules that protect us all – UK statement to the OSCE [December 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2025.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford highlights Ukraine’s constructive approach, condemns Russia’s ongoing aggression, and affirms the UK’s commitment to defending international law and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. Peace in Ukraine must be built on foundations that reinforce the rules safeguarding European security.

Thank you, Chair.

The UK fully supports efforts to secure peace in Ukraine. We welcome the progress that has been made and agree with the joint statement from Ukraine and the US that “real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace”.

Ukraine has demonstrated time and again its constructive and realistic approach to peace, including the intensive discussions that have taken place over the past couple of weeks. Ultimately it is for the Ukrainian people and leadership to determine the terms that are acceptable to them. The UK will continue to stand by Ukraine, both because it is the right thing to do and because the outcome matters to us all.

Russia’s war against Ukraine is an assault not only on a sovereign state but also on the principles that underpin European security. Without provocation, Russia violated every single Helsinki principle: respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, refraining from the threat or use of force.

But it is in all of our interests that these principles endure – because they are the guardrails that prevent the next conflict. History shows us that the way wars end shapes the peace that follows. Our task is to ensure that, in Ukraine, peace is built on foundations that strengthen – not weaken – the rules that protect us all.

Standing up for Ukraine is standing up for our own security. If borders can be redrawn by force, none of us can rely on the rules that keep us safe. We don’t call for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine because we are idealists or of course for any of the cynical reasons that the Kremlin’s disinformation would have some believe. It is required because it is right and because legitimising this illegal invasion would erode the foundations of peace in Europe for generations to come.

Our message must be clear: International law matters. The UN Charter matters. The Helsinki Final Act matters. These are not abstract words; they are the framework that keeps Europe secure. If we fail to defend them, we will pay a far higher price later.

Thank you.

December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New funding to help small businesses cut their costs [December 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 11 December 2025.

Small businesses across the UK will benefit from new Government funding and support to help them invest in sustainability, to cut their operating costs and boost their business.
- Government announces £2 million funding boost to help more SMEs cut costs
- Funding is part of a range of new measures to support small business growth, in the Government’s response to the Willow Review
- 67% of SMEs who adopted sustainable practices like installing solar panels reported reduced costs
Small businesses across the UK will benefit from new Government funding and support to help them invest in sustainability, to cut their operating costs and boost their business.

This includes an additional £2 million in funding via the ‘Made Smarter Adoption Programme’ specifically to help SMEs lower their bills and become more energy efficient through investment in technology in areas like heating, insulation and solar power.

This forms part of the Government’s response to the Willow Review Report, which found that 67% of SMEs who adopted sustainable practices, like installing solar panels or selling energy back to the grid, reported reduced operational costs – a clear return on investment.

The Willow Review report, published earlier this year, is an independent government-backed report spearheaded by Small Business Britain and supported by Barclays. It aims to unlock the economic opportunity of sustainability for the UK’s 5.7 million small and medium sized businesses.

Blair McDougall, Minister for Small Business, said:

Investing in sustainability is good for growth, cutting costs, and saving SMEs money to spend on growing their business.

That is why, as part of our Plan for Small Business, we are supporting SMEs through measures including brand new funding and an improved support offer via the Business Growth Service.

Katie White, Minister for Climate, said:

Clean energy is the economic opportunity of the 21st century and we are ensuring small business have the tools they need to take advantage of clean technologies and energy efficiency.

The Willow Review recommendations will help the small businesses that power Britain unlock the financial benefits of sustainability, as we accelerate towards net zero.

The Government’s response is part of wider work to support small businesses to transition to net zero, to save them costs.

This includes schemes like the Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial, which is giving 600 small hospitality businesses free energy usage and assessments of how to reduce their emissions and bills. This will deliver savings of over £3 million for businesses while also preventing 2,700 tonnes of carbon pollution over a year – the equivalent of around 1,600 return flights from London to New York

As well as the mass roll out of smart meters to small businesses across the country, helping millions of consumers manage their energy use so that they can improve their efficiency and save money on bills.

Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain, said:

We are delighted to see such a positive and practical response to the Willow Review. This is a strong step towards helping SMEs turn sustainability into new opportunities and better growth, benefitting not only the businesses, but also the wider economy.

We look forward to continuing working with the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure small businesses can fully make the most of the opportunities that sustainability brings.

Abdul Qureshi, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, said:

We are pleased to see this support being made available to help more small businesses build resiliency, reduce costs, and unlock growth opportunities from the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Both the public and private sector have important roles to play in achieving this, and as a leading lender to UK SMEs, we are focused on fulfilling that role through initiatives such as our Green Loans for Business and our recently announced joint partnership with Sustainable Ventures to support UK climate innovators through The National Climate Tech Accelerator.

Recognising that growth, innovation, and sustainability can go hand-in-hand, the response forms part of the Government’s Plan for Small Business, the most substantial package of support for the UK’s 5.7 million SMEs in a generation, helping unleash their full potential, to create jobs and grow the economy.
December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with the Coalition of the Willing [December 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 December 2025.

The Prime Minister co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing this afternoon.

The Prime Minister updated allies on this week’s engagements with other international partners and on the continued intensive work on the US-led peace plan.

They all agreed this is a pivotal moment for Ukraine, its people, and for the security we all share across the Euro-Atlantic region.

President Zelenskyy updated the group on the continued Russian bombardment of Ukraine, killing innocent civilians and destroying critical infrastructure.

The leaders then discussed the significant progress made in starving Russia’s war machine through coordinated sanctions and enforcement, and in stepping up support for Ukraine. They also discussed the progress made on mobilising frozen Russian Sovereign Assets.

As Ukraine enters its fourth winter of fighting, the leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to fund military support. The Prime Minister underscored that the UK would continue to work closely with partners to maintain pressure on Russia and provide Ukraine with the support it needs for as long as it takes.

December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The Mechanism should be a small, temporary and efficient structure – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

Statement by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

Today’s briefing occurs at an important time for the Mechanism.

In the first half of 2026 Council Members will engage in detailed discussions on the future of the Mechanism.

Whilst the details of those discussions will take place over the months ahead there are some general principles which, in our view, should guide the work of the Council.

First, and as the Council has agreed previously, the Mechanism should be a small, temporary and efficient structure, whose functions and size diminish over time and whose staffing and structure should be commensurate with those functions.

Given the completion of the Mechanism’s core crimes work, it is natural and appropriate that, in future, the Mechanism should be a substantially smaller institution than has been the case to date.

This would be reflective of the truly residual nature of the institution at this later stage in the justice cycle.

In order to achieve this, it would be appropriate to transfer certain functions currently performed by the Mechanism either to States or to other institutional structures.

The UK is grateful for the work which the Mechanism and the principals have already undertaken in assessing how this could be achieved in practice.

We are pleased that there appears to be a considerable degree of agreement between the Prosecutor, President and Secretary General on this matter.

This is welcome and provides a strong starting point for the work that lies ahead.

There will, of course, be a range of proposals and we stand ready to consider those.

However, to comment briefly on a specific example, the UK can see a strong case for the transfer of work relating to the provision of assistance to national jurisdictions away from the Mechanism.

Such work remains valuable, as is attested to, by the ongoing demand for this assistance from States.

But such a workstream may not need to be provided by the Mechanism as currently structured.

Nonetheless, Mr President, it is also clear that some functions will, of necessity, need to remain at the international level.

This includes certain judicial functions, for instance, where there is a need for consistency in decision-making.

As we move ahead with this work, we look forward to receiving the upcoming OIOS and Secretary General reports, which we are confident will prove of assistance to Council Members.

In relation to the archives, we agree with the principle that, where possible, these should be housed as close as possible to affected communities.

We hope and expect that this will prove to be the case in respect of the archives of the ICTR.

We hope the same will also apply to the archives of the ICTY and, at minimum, we see a good case for these to be located in Europe.

Finally, and on a different note, we wish to extend our gratitudes to the Mechanism for facilitating a visit by representatives of Council Members to the UN Detention Unit in The Hague during this reporting period.

This enabled Council members to see for themselves the fully satisfactory nature of the provision there.

December 15, 2025
NEWS STORY : Resident Doctors in England to stage Strike after Rejecting Government Offer

STORY

Resident doctors in England have voted overwhelmingly to press ahead with a five day strike beginning on 17 December 2025, after rejecting the Government’s latest offer aimed at ending their long running dispute over pay, training and working conditions. The ballot showed a large majority against the proposal, with turnout significantly higher than in previous consultations. The decision comes as the NHS faces severe winter pressures, with hospitals already stretched by an intense seasonal flu wave.

The walkout has drawn sharp criticism from the Prime Minister in recent days. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said that the prospect of industrial action during what he described as one of the most challenging periods the health service has faced in years was deeply concerning, urging doctors to reconsider and accept the deal on the table. Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, echoed that sentiment, warning that the timing of the strike could cause serious disruption to patient care and undermine efforts to stabilise services during the winter surge.

Resident doctors’ representatives insist the Government’s offer fails to address longstanding concerns about real terms pay erosion and career progression, and argue that the Government’s comments amount to unfair pressure rather than meaningful negotiation. NHS leaders are now preparing for significant operational strain next week, with trusts activating contingency plans to protect urgent and emergency care as the strike approaches.

December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK secures £840m in valuable fishing opportunities for 2026 [December 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 December 2025.

Agreements between the UK, EU, Norway and other coastal states secure access to over 80 stocks for British fishing industry.

The UK has reached agreement with the EU, Norway and other coastal states on catch opportunities for shared stocks for 2026, including agreements for popular whitefish stocks in the North Sea. These provide access to over 520,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for 2026, worth an estimated £830 million.

Additionally, the UK participated in multilateral consultations which brings the total UK fishing opportunities secured in deals to £840m. This includes an increase of bluefin tuna quota from 63 tonnes up to 231 tonnes.

The deals come amid challenging scientific evidence showing that certain stocks, such as cod, whiting, haddock, sole and plaice are under significant pressure. As part of the agreements all parties are required to take action to recover stocks and safeguard them for future generations.

Fisheries Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

This year, more than others, it has been vitally important to respond to concerning scientific evidence about fish stock levels.

By working closely with the EU, Norway and other countries, the UK has secured over 520,000 tonnes of valuable fishing opportunities for British fisheries next year while taking action to safeguard stocks for future generations.

This is a balanced and sustainable approach which will help recover important stocks to healthy and productive levels whilst also giving fishing communities the opportunities they need to thrive.”

The negotiations demonstrate the UK’s commitment to working constructively with the EU, Norway and other coastal states to navigate difficult scientific advice and find pragmatic solutions that protect marine ecosystems whilst supporting coastal communities.

Sustainability has been at the heart of the UK’s approach to negotiations. The UK has based its approach on the best available science from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, to manage fisheries sustainably while securing opportunities for UK fleets.

This approach has also considers the experiences of stakeholders within the UK most affected by the outcome of these negotiations, including the UK fishing industry, the recreational sector, and environmental NGOs.

Throughout the negotiations, the UK government has worked closely with the devolved governments to ensure the benefits are spread across the UK.

ENDS

Negotiations breakdown in detail

As an independent coastal state, the UK negotiates with other coastal states each year to manage shared fisheries. These talks determine the total allowable catches (TACs) for around 100 fish stocks – setting limits on how much can be caught the following year based on the health and vulnerability of each stock and ensuring that fishing levels respond to the latest scientific advice about which stocks need protection and which can sustain higher catches.

UK-EU bilateral

Through a bilateral deal with the EU, the UK has secured fishing opportunities of 150,000 tonnes for the UK fishing industry worth around £430 million, based on historic landing prices. The UK also secured continued access to fish non-quota stocks in EU waters, worth around £25 million in 2024.

In the face of challenging scientific evidence, the UK has secured key priorities for UK industry, including increased opportunities for the pollack and seabass fisheries, a commercially viable total allowable catch (TAC) for Irish Sea herring, the removal of a maximum landing size for spurdog, and geographical flexibility for sole in the Celtic Sea (Area 7).

In direct response to the depleted status of cod, whiting, haddock, sole and plaice stocks in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea and Channel, the agreement will see the introduction of new technical measures for EU and UK vessels to reduce overfishing of these vulnerable stocks. For example, the adoption of larger mesh sizes for some EU and UK vessels in the Celtic Sea and Channel and new selectivity devices for the Nephrops fishery in the Irish sea.

Defra will continue to work closely with the fishing industry to support them to implement new measures in 2026.

UK-EU-Norway trilateral

The trilateral deal with the EU and Norway secures UK fisheries 290,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities in the North Sea and surrounding waters, worth up to £380 million based on historic landing prices.

This year the UK have also secured a landmark deal on North Sea herring to deliver more sustainable trilateral management of the stock. The trilateral agreement secured a workable outcome for the UK whitefish industry in the face of very challenging scientific advice, alongside measures to help protect Northern Shelf cod which will be implemented from January 2026.

Coastal States negotiations 

The UK has reached agreement with other coastal States on fishing opportunities for blue whiting and Norwegian spring-spawning (Atlanto-Scandian) herring in the North-East Atlantic in 2026. These opportunities are worth an estimated £20 million to the UK fleet, based on 2024 landing prices. TACs for these two stocks have been agreed in line with ICES advice.  

Discussions on the 2026 TAC for mackerel, and associated management measures, are ongoing among coastal States.  

North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)

The UK worked with other parties to secure new monitoring, control and surveillance measures. This included taking steps to bring the NEAFC scheme into alignment with guidelines published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations on at-sea transhipment.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)

Following negotiations with Contracting Parties to the Northwest Atlantic Fishing Organization (NAFO), the UK has secured fishing opportunities for cod in the North-West Atlantic, worth an estimated £5 million based on historic landing prices.

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

The UK secured an increase from 63 tonnes to 230.65 tonnes of bluefin tuna per year for 2026 to 2028. This will enable the further development of commercial and recreational bluefin tuna fisheries in the UK and Crown Dependencies from 2026 to 2028. UK fishing opportunities secured in this forum for 2026 are worth around £5m based on historic landing prices. The UK also progressed important measures to further tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and to protect vulnerable species of sharks.

UN General Assembly Consultations (UNGA)

At the UN General Assembly consultations on the sustainable fisheries resolution, the UK secured references to the latest findings regarding the status of global fish stocks and new text addressing bycatch of endangered albatross and petrels.

NOTES TO EDITORS
- The outcome of annual fisheries negotiations will be published in the Secretary of State determination of fishing opportunities for British boats by the end of the year.
- The values in this press notice are based on full uptake of fishing opportunities and 2024 landing prices. In cases where 2024 landing prices were unavailable, historic prices or the price of a comparable TAC have been used as an alternative. All figures are rounded and may change slightly once a full analysis has been completed.
- Consistent prices are applied across each year to allow for a direct year-on-year comparison of negotiated outcomes, avoiding accounting for price fluctuations due to other factors external to the negotiations.
- Bilateral fisheries negotiations between the UK and the Faroe Islands are currently on-going.  
- Negotiations with other coastal States on North-East Atlantic mackerel are ongoing.
December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK “All In” on AUKUS submarine and tech delivery as partnership powers full steam ahead [December 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 December 2025.

The Defence Secretary met with his US and Australian counterparts in the United States to discuss the progress on AUKUS.
- AUKUS partnership “full steam ahead” as US review concludes and focus shifts to delivery.
- UK has committed £6 billion to AUKUS in the last 18 months alone, bolstering Britain’s security and driving growth.
- Continuous UK submarine building under AUKUS set to deliver up to 12 new attack submarines and support over 20,000 British jobs.
Attack submarines and advanced military technology will help protect the UK, US and Australia as all three nations fully commit to the historic partnership, with the work set to create more than 7,000 UK jobs.

Following the conclusion of the United States’ AUKUS review, the partnership is “full steam ahead” for delivery of cutting-edge equipment which will help deter adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.

Defence Secretary John Healey joined his counterparts, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, at the Pentagon today to collectively shift the focus of the AUKUS partnership to delivery – declaring that business as usual is “not an option”.

With global instability rising, the three nations agreed that AUKUS must now move at pace to translate plans into hard capability. The meeting marked a decisive shift towards delivery for submarine development and turning advanced military technology projects into frontline warfighting capabilities under Pillar II.

The UK is backing this commitment with action, investing £6 billion under the current government into critical infrastructure at Barrow and Derby that will realise the ability to construct a new AUKUS submarine every 18 months.

SSN-AUKUS will be the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, creating more than 7,000 new jobs across the UK supply chain and backing 21,000 jobs at peak production, making defence an engine for growth and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

That benefit is already being felt, with more than 3,000 new jobs across key UK sites for nuclear work have been created since July 2024, with an additional 4,400 construction roles expected to be created over the coming years.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

This is full steam ahead for AUKUS. Our reviews are done. Now, we deliver.

In this new era of threat, with adversaries who are increasingly cooperating, business as usual is not an option.

AUKUS is too significant and the stakes are too high for it to be allowed to drift. Our driving focus now is overcoming any barriers to delivery. And the UK is all in.

With billions being invested in UK infrastructure, this programme demonstrates defence as an engine for growth – boosting our shared security, keeping our people safe and creating good jobs across our three nations. The work builds on the UK leadership as part of the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine, and the UK’s move to be at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, including through the pioneering hybrid Navy approach announced earlier this week. Britain is also providing increased technical and military assistance to Australia through the Geelong Treaty to accelerate Australian capability to operate nuclear-powered submarines.

AUKUS will deliver significant economic benefits for communities across the UK. The partnership will expand Britain’s submarine fleet with up to 12 attack boats, supported by continuous production delivering a new submarine every 18 months.

The wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise is projected to support around 65,000 UK jobs by 2030. These are highly skilled, well-paid positions, with nuclear sector salaries averaging £45,500 – 20% above the national average. This investment is bringing prosperity to areas of Britain with the greatest need, demonstrating how defence spending delivers real benefits to working people across the country.
December 15, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Ministry of Defence confirms the death of Lance Corporal George Thomas Hooley [December 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 December 2025.

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Lance Corporal George Hooley, who died in Ukraine on 9 December 2025.

Lance Corporal Hooley died following a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability, away from the front lines. He was 28 years old.

Lance Corporal Hooley was born on 12 February 1997. He joined the Army in November 2015, attending the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick where he completed the renowned Pre-Parachute Selection Course (P Company). Completing the course top of his cohort as ‘P Company Champion’, he joined The Parachute Regiment.

Lance Corporal Hooley was an exceptional soldier and an impressive junior leader with extensive operational experience. He progressed swiftly through key promotion courses. He completed The Parachute Regiment’s Junior Non-Commissioned Officers’ course in October 2020, passing with a Distinction grade, and securing promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal. More recently, he completed the Section Commanders’ Battle Course, held at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon, again securing an impressive Distinction grade. As a result of his exceptional performance and potential, Lance Corporal Hooley was due to promote to Corporal in January 2026, and as such, was trusted with the responsibilities of a Corporal on this, his latest, deployment. Lance Corporal Hooley had previously deployed to Afghanistan, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

His Commanding Officer said:

Lance Corporal Hooley’s future within The Parachute Regiment was incredibly bright, and I have no doubt that he would have continued to perform at the very front of his peer-group over the coming years. All members of The Parachute Regiment mourn his loss; however, our sorrow is nothing compared to that being felt by his family, our thoughts and prayers are with them at this incredibly difficult time.

His Company Commander said:

If you met George Hooley, you remembered it. His energy and enthusiasm were simply extraordinary. He provided spark that lifted others, a drive that inspired, and a zest for life that reminded us all how to live with purpose and joy. And we loved him for it. George had a rare gift: a deep kindness and genuine time for everyone. Whether you were a lifelong friend, a colleague, or someone he had just met, he made you feel valued. He listened – properly listened – and he cared. His door was always open, and his heart even more so.

At work, he was the model of professionalism. George didn’t just do his job; he excelled at it. A born soldier, he set the standard – the other soldiers watched to learn how things should be done, he made us all better, individually and collectively. He approached every task with dedication, integrity and pride. His colleagues will tell you that he wasn’t just part of the team, he was the character within it. The glue. The laughter. The calm voice of sense. The soldier who made the hard days easy and the good days memorable.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Lance Corporal George Hooley served our country with distinction and professionalism. He was an exceptional soldier who will be very deeply missed.

My thoughts are with George’s family, loved ones and his colleagues. The tributes that have been paid to him are a testament to his exceptional attitude and ability.

George’s tragic death reminds us of the courage and commitment with which our outstanding Armed Forces serve every day to protect our nation.

December 15, 2025