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PRESS RELEASE : Cowardly criminals forced to face victims under flagship Bill [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 May 2025.

Victims will be better protected than ever thanks to new measures across the justice system following the introduction of the Victims and Courts Bill (7 May).
- New powers for judges to punish offenders who refuse to attend sentencing
- Parental responsibility to be restricted for perpetrators of child sex offences
- New powers for Victims’ Commissioner to hold government to account
For the first time ever, judges will be able to hand down prison punishments for cowardly criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing.

The powers of the Victims’ Commissioner will also be strengthened, empowering them to play a greater role in individual cases and requiring them to produce an independent report on compliance with the Victims’ Code.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood said:

This Bill will deliver long overdue reforms to ensure victims see justice done and are given the vital support they need as they rebuild their lives.

There is still more work to do as we fix a justice system that was left on the brink of collapse, but this Bill is a step towards rebuilding victims’ confidence through our Plan for Change.

Measures in the Bill to force offenders to attend their sentencing will go further than ever before. In recognition that those facing long sentences or Whole Life Orders may not be deterred solely by additional time behind bars, this government is going further and giving judges the power to impose a range of prison sanctions on top of additional years on their sentence to ensure heinous criminals who refuse to attend can be appropriately punished.

The Bill also extends the eligibility to all cases in the Crown Court, meaning that all offenders who attempt to evade justice could be subject to tough sanctions – such as confinement to their cell and loss of privileges, like extra time in the gym – as well as up to two more years behind bars.

Offenders who have been ordered to attend by a judge but whose disruptive and disrespectful behaviour results in their removal from the courtroom will also be punishable by the same means.

Minister Davies-Jones said:

I would like to thank the remarkable families of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena and countless others who have campaigned tirelessly for offenders to have to face the reality of their crimes by attending their sentencing.

Justice isn’t optional – we’ll make sure criminals face their victims.

The Bill will also provide greater protection to victims by automatically restricting parental responsibility for vile offenders sentenced for a serious sexual abuse offence against their own child.

Predatory parents will be prevented from actively taking steps in the child’s life, including requesting updates about the child’s schooling or seeking to interfere with their activities, better enabling the family to move forwards with their lives.

London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, said:

For too long, offenders found guilty of some of the most heinous crimes have refused to attend sentencing hearings and face justice, their victims, and their victims’ families.

I have worked closely with Jebina Islam, Farah Naz, and Ayse Hussein in spearheading this campaign and I want to pay tribute to their tireless campaigning, and also thank the family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who have fought so hard for this. Over the last few years, I have met with Ministers, the Judiciary, and justice partners to help shape these proposals to ensure they meet the needs of victims. I am pleased this Government has listened and acted on our concerns and have included other measures, such as prison sanctions, which I hope will put an end to this cruel injustice.

This Bill will also bring in other important reforms I have long called for, such as measures to remove parental responsibility from convicted child sex offenders, to ensure these victims are better protected, and new powers to strengthen the vital work of the Victims’ Commissioner. These are all welcome changes and I’ll continue to do everything I can to ensure victims’ and survivors’ voices and experiences are at the heart of criminal justice reform.

To ensure the government and other agencies are held to account in delivering for victims, the Bill also bolsters the role of the Victims’ Commissioner. Under the new legislation, the Commissioner will be able to play a greater role in individual cases which raise systemic issues ensuring lessons are learned to benefit other victims or witnesses.

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:

These important and welcome reforms give the Victims’ Commissioner the statutory powers needed to deliver on the role’s promise: championing victims’ rights, scrutinising compliance with the Victims’ Code, holding agencies to account, and spotlighting the true victim experience to drive meaningful change. This marks a step towards a more accountable system that puts victims first.

Crucially, it introduces much-needed oversight and accountability to how agencies respond to anti-social behaviour – an area where victims have too often felt unheard and unsupported.

Taken together, the Bill delivers on multiple manifesto commitments and the Government’s Plan for Change – giving victims greater confidence in the justice system.

Further information

The Commissioner will also be required to produce an independent report on compliance with the Victims’ Code, holding agencies to account on their statutory requirement to comply with the Code. Providing independent scrutiny from a victim-focused perspective and calling out agencies who are not fulfilling their duty will ensure victims are aware of their rights, improving their experience of the justice system.

Further measures within the Bill include:
- Updating the Victim Contact Scheme and establishing a new Victim Helpline so victims have a clear route to request information about an offender’s release
- Placing a duty on local authorities and social housing providers to co-operate with the Victims’ Commissioner in relation to victims ASB
- Increased flexibility for the Director of Public Prosecutions in appointing Crown Prosecutors
- Lord Chancellor can now prescribe, through Regulations, rates at which private prosecutors may recover their costs from Central Funds
- Increased time limit for the Attorney General to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that it is unduly lenient where a request is made to the Attorney General in the last 14 days of the current 28-day time-limit
May 7, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : £50 million equipment and technology grants to boost food production and farm profitability [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 May 2025.

Grants will support farmers to invest in equipment and access technology, helping to boost profits, production and nature.

Farmers across England will be able to apply to grants totalling £50 million to improve access to new technology able to boost productivity, profitability and food security, the government announced today (Wednesday 7 May).

From seed-planting robots which decrease costs, to pesticide spreaders which help reduce chemical use, or slurry separator systems which bring down reliance on expensive fertilisers, the grants will enable farmers to cut costs while increasing efficiency and sustainability.

The £46.7 million Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) will support farmers with three types of grant, worth up to £25,000 each, to invest in day-to-day equipment to boost productivity, manage slurry or improve animal health and welfare.

In addition, the £5 million Investor Partnerships programme will blend government grant money with private investment to bring cutting edge technology to market, giving farmers and food producers faster and more widespread access to state-of-the-art innovations.

A successful pilot has already reduced reliance on seasonal labour through bringing high-yield broccoli harvesters to market and helped crops grow healthier and faster without chemicals by using new seed cleaning technologies. This new grant will go even further to protect food supply chains and create a more sustainable, profitable agricultural sector.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said:

Equipment and technology help drive farming forward and we will work with investors to fund more resilient, sustainable farms boosting profitability, productivity and food security.

This is the Plan for Change in action and these grants will help provide our farmers with the equipment necessary to adapt, compete, and grow no matter what challenges lie ahead.

Today’s announcement builds on significant government grants already available to the farming sector, with £45.6 million announced last month to drive the development of new inventions and technologies, helping farmers increase their profits, boost food production and help nature.

May 7, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : A record 299,419 returns filed in the first week of the new tax year [May 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 7 May 2025.

Nearly 300,000 customers file their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year at earliest opportunity.
- Thousands of taxpayers filed their tax return on 6 April 2025.
- People who file their Self Assessment tax returns early and are owed a tax refund can receive it sooner.
- Customers can set up a budget payment plan at any time to make regular payments towards their tax bill.
A record nearly 300,000 people have filed their tax return in the first week of the new tax year, almost 10 months ahead of the deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.

Self Assessment customers can submit their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year between 6 April 2025, the first day of the new tax year, and the deadline on 31 January 2026.

Thousands more people are choosing to file their tax returns during the first week of the new tax year (6 to 12 April), with an extra 28,503 filing in 2025, compared to 270,916 people in 2020.

There were 57,815 early filers on the opening day, which was a Sunday, compared to 67,870 people who filed on Saturday 6 April 2024. HMRC is encouraging people to file early so they know what tax they owe sooner, plan for any payments in advance and can avoid the stress of leaving it until January.

Jade Milbourne, 34, runs a dog grooming salon with her business partner. They offer high-quality dog grooming and teeth cleaning services for dogs ranging from Chihuahuas to German Shepherds. Jade has been running the business for 5 years and believes the way to stay on top of her tax return each year is to stay organised.

Jade said:

Filing early means that I have plenty of time to pay my tax bill. I set aside money from my wage each month and pay it as soon as I can, but also have the flexibility and time to save up more money, if needed.

I always find the more organised you are throughout the year, the less stressful it is to complete my tax return.

Anyone who thinks they may need to complete a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year can use the checker tool on GOV.UK to find out. New entrants to Self Assessment must register to receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

Filing your Self Assessment early means you can spend more time growing your business and doing the things you love, rather than worrying about your tax return.

You too can join the thousands of customers who have already done their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by searching ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK and get started today.

Filing early will help with financial budgeting and spread the cost of the tax bill over the year. Customers can set up a budget payment plan to make either weekly or monthly direct debit payments towards their Self Assessment tax bill.

In cases where tax has been overpaid, refunds can be claimed as soon as the return has been processed. Customers will be able to check if they are due a refund in the HMRC app. It also means people can take their time to complete their return, ensuring all the information submitted is accurate. This will result in fewer mistakes and potential penalties.

HMRC has updated guidance on filing tax returns early and help around paying tax bills on GOV.UK.

People may need to complete a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year and pay any tax owed if they:
- are newly self-employed with a total income over £1,000
- are self-employed and earn below £1,000 and wish to have Class 2 National Insurance contributions treated as paid
- have received any untaxed income over £2,500
- are renting out one or more properties
- claim Child Benefit and they or their partner have an income above £60,000
- are a partner in a business partnership
- have taxable income earned from savings and investments more than the £10,000 have dividend income of more than £10,000
- have Capital Gains Tax to pay on assets that were sold for a profit above the Capital Gains threshold
A full list of who needs to complete a tax return is available on GOV.UK.

Criminals use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. Before sharing their personal or financial details, people should search ‘HMRC phishing and scams’ on GOV.UK to check the sender or caller is genuine.

Customers should never share their HMRC sign-in details. Someone could use them to steal from them or claim benefits or a refund in their name.
May 7, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Rapists and domestic abusers have sentences increased after Solicitor General intervenes [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 7 May 2025.

Violent offenders who abused women have had their sentences increased after Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred their cases to the Court of Appeal.

Rapists and domestic abusers, as well as other criminals, have had their sentences increased during the first three months of this year under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Data published by the Attorney General’s Office shows that out of a total 48 cases heard by the Court of Appeal between January and March 2025, 33 sentences were increased.

Of these 33 sentences, 15 cases related to violent and sexual offences against women and girls. Nine were drug-related sentences and other offences included robbery, manslaughter, and conspiracy to traffic contraband into prison.

The largest sentence increase was for Rico Persechino who saw his jail term extended by six years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal.

Rico Persechino was part of an organised criminal group operating in Surrey that carried out multiple burglaries, a violent assault, and stole more than £215,000 of high-value cars.

Persechino’s sentence was increased from seven years’ and six months to 13 years’ and six months on 13 March 2025 after it was referred to the Court of Appeal.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme exists to protect victims, and referrals to the Court of Appeal this year show that more perpetrators of violence against women and girls are being kept in jail for longer.

As Solicitor General, I will continue to refer cases that are unduly lenient to the courts to ensure that justice is secured, victims in these cases are protected, and that public trust in the criminal justice system can be restored.

Other cases between January and March that saw significant sentences increase include:
- Stuart Worby, 45, from Malthouse Court, Dereham, who had his sentence increased from 12 years to 17 years after giving a woman medication which caused her to have an abortion.
- Ryan Sutton, 24, from Worcester, who groomed and raped a 10-year-old he met on social media had his sentence increased by three years to a total of nine years’ imprisonment with a licence extension of 12 months.
- Jie Zhang, 42, from West London, had her sentence more than doubled from three years to eight years’ imprisonment for leading an international prostitution ring that recruited sex-workers from East Asia and Europe to work in brothels across London.
Notes to editors

The ULS scheme came into force on 1st February 1989. It was introduced after public outcry over the lenient sentencing of the offenders involved in the 1986 rape of a 21-year-old. The first ever ULS hearing took place in July 1989 for a man who committed incest and had his sentence doubled from three to six years.

The scheme was extended in 2017 to include an additional 19 terror-related offences, and again in 2019 to cover more sexual offences as well as coercive control and stalking and harassment involving violence.

Only one person needs to ask for a sentence to be reviewed and only certain types of case can be reviewed, such as: murder, manslaughter, rape and robbery.
May 7, 2025
NEWS STORY : Amadu Tavares Convicted for Working as Door Supervisor with Suspended Licence

STORY

Amadu Tavares has been convicted for working as a door supervisor at No6 Cocktail Bar in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, despite having his Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence suspended. The SIA had suspended Tavares’s licence on 10 April 2024. However, on 10 May 2024, Cambridgeshire Police conducted licence checks at the venue and discovered that Tavares was working illegally. He failed to attend two interviews under caution with SIA investigators in July 2024. On 15 January 2025, Tavares pleaded guilty at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court to offences under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. He was fined £200, ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge, and £280 in prosecution costs.

Nicola Bolton, Criminal Investigations Manager at the SIA, stated: “Our priority is public protection. We carefully review the actions of licence holders and suspend or revoke licences when necessary to keep people safe. Mr Tavares chose to ignore the suspension of his licence, putting public safety at risk and undermining the integrity of the industry. The sentence handed down by the court will serve as a strong reminder that non-compliance has serious consequences.”

By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Engaging in licensable conduct without a licence is an offence under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

May 7, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 7 May 2025.

Motorists could benefit from cheaper charging costs and more transparent prices at the pump.
- Supermarkets, retail parks and offices could save up to tens of thousands on their energy bills per year by installing solar power in their car parks
- motorists could benefit from more charging points and shaded parking spots in new ‘solar carports’ through the Plan for Change
- Fuel Finder to drive down prices at the pump and save motorist 1 to 6p per litre
Motorists could benefit from cheaper charging costs through the introduction of solar canopies in car parks to save drivers money as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

The government has today launched a call for evidence to understand how to harness the untapped potential of solar in car parks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Supermarkets, retail parks, and offices could also save money on their energy bills by turning their carparks into ‘solar carports’, saving up to £28,000 a year and powering businesses and homes across the UK.

Petrol and diesel motorists are also set to be supported by the government’s flagship Fuel Finder scheme – which today appointed a supplier to begin the first phase of delivery that requires all petrol stations to share prices within 30 minutes of a change, driving down prices at the pump and saving drivers between 1 to 6p a litre on average.

Mandating solar on car parks supports the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower, unlocking underutilised space which can be used to power homes and businesses with clean, cheap, secure power.

The Energy Secretary has already approved nearly 3 GW of new solar capacity since July, enough to power the equivalent of 1 million homes. Proposals would help boost Britain’s energy security by bringing bills down in the long-term for families through the Plan for Change.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

Right now, the sun is shining on hundreds of thousands of car parking spaces across the country which could be used to power our homes and businesses.

We want to work with businesses and car park operators to turn our car parks into solar carports to save families and businesses money with clean, homegrown British energy through our Plan for Change.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said:

We’re committed to ensuring electric car drivers are always close to a charger and can save money when making the switch. Today is another positive example of how we’re harnessing the net zero transition to give drivers more choice and help them get around with greater peace of mind.

There are now more than 76,500 public electric vehicle charging devices available across the UK, as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change by investing £2.3 billion to help drivers switch to electric vehicles while backing British carmakers and protecting jobs.

Solar carports are already mandatory in some European countries, including France and Slovenia, providing their countries with an abundance of cheaper solar power.

Initial estimates suggest that an 80-space car park could save around £28,000 per year in electricity bills by installing solar carports and using all electricity generated. The call for evidence is seeking additional evidence on the potential benefits of the policy.

Companies could also make back the cost of installing solar in carparks by selling energy back to the grid or through long-term power purchase agreements.

Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Asset Managers of Metrocentre said:

With the largest number of EV charging points of any shopping centre in the country, and over 5,000 PV panels in action, including those on car ports in Green and Blue Mall car parks, we have already taken great steps to secure a more sustainable future.

We welcome the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s call for evidence which will allow us to invest further into these facilities to support the government’s national agenda.

Solar canopies have proven to improve the experience for customers, providing shaded cover for cars during heatwaves, creating a cooler environment for both vehicles and pedestrians.

The Clean Power Action Plan set an ambition of 45 to 47 GW by 2030. Ground-mounted solar currently occupies around less than 0.1% of total and area of the UK.

It is estimated that the solar sector supports 17,500 direct and indirect jobs across the UK, with more jobs possible from the rollout of mandatory solar carports.

Case studies
- The Bentley Motors manufacturing facility in Cheshire is the largest solar carport in the UK, with 10,000 solar panels and a capacity of 2.7 MW. Along with other installed solar arrays and 6.6 MW of battery storage, the car park enables all of Bentley’s manufacturing operations to be powered by solar
- Eastbourne District General Hospital became the first solar carport to power a hospital, cutting the hospital’s emissions by 222 tonnes in the first year
- Stourton Park & Ride in Leeds hosts a 1.2 MW solar carport, providing EV charging infrastructure for 26 spaces
- The Metrocentre in Gateshead has over 5,300 rooftop and carport solar panels providing enough power to supply 40% of their annual electricity usage.
Notes to Editors

The illustrative estimates of the potential financial savings associated with the installation of solar canopies has been produced to serve as a reference point for further respondents. For the calculation, a car parking business would install 80 solar canopy solar bays over a 2.4m x 5.0m car parking space, with a generation intensity of 1 MW for every 5000m2. Considering the practical limitations of solar power generation, we assume a load factor of 11% which was published in our cost generation report. To then calculate the saving if 100% of this electricity was self-consumed by the business, we used the average of our central commercial electricity prices forecasts from 2025 to 2054.

The homes powered estimate reflects the equivalent number of homes that could be powered based on an estimate of the annual generation from the 3GW of solar capacity approved by the Energy Secretary since July. It is not possible to continuously power a home through intermittent renewables – this capacity will work alongside the rest of the electricity system to power homes and businesses. The estimate is calculated using household consumption estimates sourced from the published Subnational Electricity and Gas Consumption Report and actual load factors as per the Energy Trends publication. The actual generation will vary based on site specific factors.

See more information on solar industry statistics.
May 7, 2025
NEWS STORY : Government Launches Digital Exam Records Pilot to Modernise Education System

STORY

The UK government has announced a new initiative to digitise exam records, aiming to modernise the education system and reduce administrative burdens on schools and colleges. The pilot programme will see over 95,000 students in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands receive their GCSE results through the newly developed Education Record app this summer.

The move is part of the government’s broader “Plan for Change” which seeks to integrate technology into public services to enhance efficiency and cut costs. By transitioning from paper-based certificates to digital records, the Department for Education estimates potential savings of up to £30 million annually once the programme is fully implemented nationwide. These savings could fund the salaries of more than 600 new teachers in further education.

Education Minister Stephen Morgan highlighted the benefits of the digital shift, stating:

“It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy.”

The Education Record app is designed to consolidate students’ academic achievements into a single, easily accessible platform. This will facilitate smoother transitions when applying for further education, apprenticeships, or employment, eliminating the need for manual handling of paper documents.

Hathershaw College in Oldham has been trialling the app since spring 2024. Principal Mark Giles reported positive feedback from both students and staff, noting that the digital records were accurate, verifiable, and promptly available for presentation to educational providers. He also suggested potential future applications of the app, such as assisting parents during their children’s transition from primary to secondary education.

This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise public services through technology, aiming for significant productivity savings across various sectors. The success of this pilot could pave the way for a nationwide rollout, marking a significant step towards a more efficient and digitally integrated education system.

May 7, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government brings exam records into 21st century [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 7 May 2025.

New digital exam results pilot launched to help schools and colleges to save up to £30m a year and cut back bureaucracy.

Exam certificates will go digital for thousands of students this summer as part of a modernised ‘education record’ to be introduced by government.

The new digital records will do away with the need to manually pass on paper files when young people leave school, bringing their paperwork into one easy to access Education Record app they can use when applying for further education, apprenticeships or employment – saving time scrabbling around for documents. More than 95,000 young people in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands will also receive their GCSE results via the app this summer, ahead of a future national roll out.

The government estimates the move could save schools and colleges up to £30m per year once the full roll out is complete, enough money to pay the salaries of more than 600 new teachers in further education. The savings can be ploughed back into boosting skills to support the government’s growth mission.

The Education Record app is part of wider government drive to overhaul how the public sector uses technology.

Education Minister Stephen Morgan said:

It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy.

This government is slashing red tape through our Plan for Change to drive growth, cut admin for teachers and give tens of thousands of young people more opportunities to get on in skilled careers.

Earlier this week, Minister Morgan visited the Hathershaw College school in Oldham, which has been trialling the Education Record app since spring 2024. Following the success of this localised trial, the DfE is scaling up the roll out.

Mark Giles, Principal at the Hathershaw College school, said:

We were proud to support the DfE last summer with the initial trial. The support from the DfE was excellent and the feedback from students and staff was very positive as the education record was accurate, verifiable and could be presented to providers without delay.

We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools, and in the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school.

This comes alongside a wider government march to modernise public services – led by the Technology Secretary who has launched his department as the digital centre of government to overhaul digital services and target £45 billion in productivity savings every year.

The government continues its drive to transform post-16 education, with changes to English and maths requirements that will see up to 10,000 more apprentices qualify each year in key sectors, and new shorter apprenticeships announced during National Apprenticeship Week. Changes to end point assessments will also mean it is even easier for businesses and providers to support getting people into the workforce. A £302m government cash injection to fix, maintain and improve FE College buildings across England, will also ensure FE colleges are able to attract and retain learners.

In March the Chancellor announced a £625m investment in construction skills that will help to train up to 60,000 more engineers, electricians and builders by 2029. The funding complements the new Construction Skills Hubs, funded by industry, which will also speed up the training of construction workers crucial to supporting the government’s homebuilding drive.

May 7, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK strengthens security relationship with Europe ahead of UK-EU summit [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2025.

Foreign Secretary heads to EU Foreign Ministers meeting to highlight the need for a new, ambitious security relationship.
- UK joins high-level Gymnich talks with the EU Foreign Ministers in Poland at critical time as well as travelling to the Western Balkans
- support for Ukraine will be high on the agenda as well as enhancing UK-EU security and defence ties
- strengthening the UK’s security partnership with Europe will deliver on the government’s Plan for Change by bolstering national security
The UK is continuing to engage with Europe highlighting the need for a new, ambitious security relationship, as the Foreign Secretary attends high-level Gymnich EU talks in Poland (7 May).

At the discussion on foreign affairs, David Lammy will underline how closer cooperation on security and defence is in the interests of both the UK and the EU and will discuss uniting across the continent to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Lammy, who was the first Foreign Secretary since Brexit to attend a formal meeting of EU foreign ministers in October, has been laying the foundations for stronger ties with Europe since taking office.

Following leader-level discussions in London between the Prime Minister and the President of the European Union Commission on 24 April, he will continue to make the case for a long-term UK-EU strategic partnership that will support economic growth, protect citizens, and support European collective security and defence.

The meeting comes days ahead of the UK-EU Summit (19 May), which will cover a range of UK-EU issues and look to foster a stable, positive and forward-looking relationship.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

We are working hand-in-hand with our European allies to build a safer, more secure, and more prosperous Europe. Together, we will stand firm against aggression, defend our shared values, and deliver lasting peace.

In the face of Russian aggression, NATO’s Eastern Flank has never been more important. We are resolute in defending Europe’s security.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this commitment reminds us that our collective defence of freedom and peace in Europe remains as vital today as it was 8 decades ago.

As part of his visit, the Foreign Secretary will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). He will meet political leaders to emphasise UK support for domestic action to respond to the ongoing political crisis, including through the formation of a new state-level coalition focused on Euro-Atlantic integration.

He will also visit the EUFOR military base, which is playing a key role in maintaining security in BiH and therefore contributing to regional stability.

Ongoing instability in the region risks a return to violence and threatens collective security, including through irregular migration and serious and organised crime.
May 7, 2025
NEWS STORY : Biden Accuses Trump of ‘Modern-Day Appeasement’ Over Ukraine in Scathing Interview

STORY

In his first major interview since leaving office, former U.S. President Joe Biden launched a pointed critique of his successor, Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining Western unity and emboldening Russia through what Biden termed “modern-day appeasement” toward Vladimir Putin. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Biden condemned Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to concede territory to Russia as part of a peace deal, likening it to the failed appeasement policies of the 1930s. He expressed concern that Trump’s stance could erode transatlantic alliances and diminish Europe’s confidence in the United States.

Biden also criticised Trump’s confrontational meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The meeting ended abruptly without a clear resolution, drawing international criticism. Reflecting on his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, Biden stated that stepping down earlier likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome, and he defended his administration’s support for Ukraine and commitment to NATO.

May 7, 2025