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  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to develop new deep strike ballistic missile for Ukraine [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to develop new deep strike ballistic missile for Ukraine [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 January 2026.

    The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine’s firepower to defend itself from Putin’s war machine.

    • New ballistic missile could carry a 200kg warhead over a range of more than 500 kilometres.
    • Missile will provide Ukraine a long range-punch to counter Russian aggression
    • Project aims to boost UK defence industry, supporting innovation and growth while stepping up support for Ukraine into 2026.

    The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine’s firepower to defend itself from Putin’s war machine.

    Under Project Nightfall, the UK has launched a competition to rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometres and designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference.

    Nightfall missiles will be capable of being launched from a range of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and withdrawing within minutes – allowing Ukrainian forces to hit key military targets before Russian forces can respond.

    With a 200kg conventional high explosive warhead, high precision production rate of 10 systems per month and a maximum price of £800,000 per missile, NIGHTFALL is intended to provide Ukraine with a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike option, with minimal foreign export controls.

    The Nightfall project builds on the UK’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine, particularly to its long range capabilities, through the gifting of thousands of deep strike one-way attack drones.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry.

    Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he’s seriously escalating his illegal war.

    We were close enough to hear the air raid sirens around Lviv on our journey to Kyiv, it was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions.

    We won’t stand for this, which is why we are determined to put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back.

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

    A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about.

    In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow.

    The project aims for three industry teams to each be awarded a £9 million development contract to design, develop and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings.

    Nightfall is a project focused on rapid prototyping, spiral development, resilience to electronic warfare, and the ability to scale manufacturing quickly, particularly in the UK.

    Whilst aimed at supporting Ukraine, Nightfall will also inform future UK Armed Forces’ long range strike projects.

    The detailed Nightfall requirements were shared with Industry Partners on the 19 December 2025 that had signed the required confidentiality and security arrangements. The deadline to receive Nightfall development proposals is the 9th February 2026, with development contract(s) aimed to be awarded in March 2026.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Limiting Social Media for under-16s

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Limiting Social Media for under-16s

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, on 12 January 2026.

    Enough is enough.

    Social media is taking childhood from our children.

    Today, Laura Trott and I met with a group of parents crying out for stronger safeguards for children online. That’s why we have a plan to introduce age limits for social media access for under 16s.

  • Rupert Lowe – 2026 Comments on Nadhim Zahawi’s Defection to Reform UK

    Rupert Lowe – 2026 Comments on Nadhim Zahawi’s Defection to Reform UK

    The comments made by Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, on 12 January 2026.

    Zahawi passionately backed an amnesty for all illegal migrants. This is mental, absolutely mental.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2026 Comments on his Defection to Reform UK

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2026 Comments on his Defection to Reform UK

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi on 12 January 2026.

    Today I became the newest member of the Reform Party UK, because Britain is broken and Nigel Farage is the only person who is capable of building the team to fix it.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2015 Comments on Racist Comments made by Nigel Farage

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2015 Comments on Racist Comments made by Nigel Farage

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi on Twitter (X) on 12 March 2015.

    I’m not British born Nigel Farage. I am as British as you are, your comments are offensive and racist. I would be frightened to live in a country run by you.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Defection of Nadhim Zahawi

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Defection of Nadhim Zahawi

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 12 January 2026.

    Farage backed Boris Johnson’s disastrous Brexit deal and Liz Truss’s catastrophic mini-budget.

    No wonder he’s welcoming someone who enthusiastically supported both.

  • Liz Kendall – 2026 Statement on Grok’s Image Generation

    Liz Kendall – 2026 Statement on Grok’s Image Generation

    The statement made by Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on 9 January 2026.

    Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent. It is an insult and totally unacceptable for Grok to still allow this if you’re willing to pay for it. I expect Ofcom to use the full legal powers Parliament has given them.

    I, and more importantly the public – would expect to see Ofcom update on next steps in days not weeks.

    I would remind xAI that the Online Safety Act Includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law. If Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support.

    We will be banning nudification apps in the Crime and Policing Bill which is in parliament now.

    We are in the coming weeks bringing in to force powers to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent.

    I expect all platforms to abide by Ofcom’s new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) guidance and if they do not, I am prepared to go further.

    We are as determined to ensure women and girls are safe online as we are to ensure they are safe in the real world. No excuses.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK strengthens its commitment to protecting human rights defenders [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK strengthens its commitment to protecting human rights defenders [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 January 2026.

    The UK Government has published the Guiding Principles on Supporting Human Rights Defenders, reaffirming its commitment to promoting and protecting those who work to uphold fundamental rights worldwide.

    This document sets out how the UK seeks to support individuals and organisations at risk for their work in defence of human rights. The principles include: 

    • Diplomatic action to raise visibility and provide protection. 
    • Practical support, such as guidance and resources to reduce risks. 
    • International collaboration with governments, civil society and multilateral bodies. 
    • Promotion of safe environments, where defenders can work free from threats or reprisals. 

    Human rights defenders play a vital role in building fair and democratic societies. Yet many face intimidation, violence and criminalisation. Through these principles, the UK aims to strengthen protection and ensure their work can continue safely. 

    To read the full principles and access additional resources, visit the official link.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Josh Simons [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Josh Simons [January 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 January 2026.

    The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment:

    • Josh Simons MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He will remain Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
  • NEWS STORY : Former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi Defects to Reform

    NEWS STORY : Former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi Defects to Reform

    STORY

    Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK, giving Nigel Farage his highest-profile recruit so far and landing another blow on the Conservatives as they try to steady themselves after last year’s election.

    Zahawi announced the defection today at a press conference in central London alongside Farage, casting the country’s direction in stark terms and arguing that Reform’s leadership team is now the best route to change. Zahawi said that he hadn’t been promised a role within Reform and had defected as he said that the “UK was sick.”

    A former MP for Stratford-on-Avon, Zahawi rose quickly through ministerial ranks and became a prominent public figure during the pandemic as vaccines minister before serving briefly as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2022. He later became Conservative Party chair but was sacked in 2023 after an investigation found he had breached the ministerial code in relation to his tax affairs.

    The defection is politically awkward for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, with Reform seeking to present itself as the natural home for disillusioned Tory voters and figures from the Johnson-era wing of the party. Farage, for his part, used Zahawi’s switch to reinforce the argument that Reform is broadening beyond a single-person vehicle and is increasingly able to attract established political names.