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  • PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new humanitarian funding for Sudan [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new humanitarian funding for Sudan [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2025.

    The UK has announced new support to Sudan ahead of the Sudan conference which will bring together international representatives.

    • the UK will commit further life-saving aid for over 650,000 people affected by the ongoing violence as Sudan faces the worst humanitarian crisis on record
    • a one-day conference will unite foreign ministers and leading humanitarian leaders at a conference in London to mark the 2-year anniversary of the brutal conflict in Sudan
    • international representatives will discuss how to achieve a peaceful end to the conflict and address the issues preventing aid reaching those most in need

    Today (15 April) the UK will co-host a conference in London alongside the African Union, EU, France and Germany to mark the 2-year anniversary of the conflict in Sudan with attendees including major donors and multilateral institutions.

    Bringing together foreign ministers from across the globe, the Foreign Secretary will step up international efforts to protect civilians and work towards an end to the conflict.

    During a one-day conference, he will announce new life-saving aid to support over 650,000 Sudanese people. Alongside international counterparts, he will also identify steps to improve humanitarian access and find a long-term political solution.

    Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis on record, with over 30 million people in desperate need of aid, over 12 million people are displaced, and famine is spreading throughout Sudan. Over 12 million women and girls are also at risk of gender-based violence.

    The new £120 million funding announced today will deliver lifesaving food and nutrition supplies, including for vulnerable children and will provide emergency support to survivors of sexual violence.

    The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    Two years is far too long – the brutal war in Sudan has devastated the lives of millions – and yet much of the world continues to look away.  We need to act now to stop the crisis from becoming an all-out catastrophe, ensuring aid gets to those who need it the most.

    As I saw earlier this year on a visit to Chad’s border with Sudan, the warring parties have shown an appalling disregard for the civilian population of Sudan. This conference will bring together the international community to agree a pathway to end the suffering.

    Instability must not spread – it drives migration from Sudan and the wider region, and a safe and stable Sudan is vital for our national security. The UK will not let Sudan be forgotten.

    African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, HE Ambassador Bankole Adeoye said:

    Achieving peace in Sudan depends on valuing every voice and everyone playing a role in building a prosperous Sudan. The African Union is committed to assisting all the people of Sudan build a brighter democratic future by working to silence the guns.

    The ongoing conflict and instability risks spilling over into the wider region, driving Sudanese people away from their homes, with some taking dangerous onward journeys to the UK and Europe. Instability in Sudan also directly impacts the UK’s national security.

    The UK wants to help tackle instability in Sudan and reduce the level of irregular migration from the region to Europe and the UK as part of its Plan for Change.

    In January 2025, the Foreign Secretary visited the Chad-Sudan border at Adré to see first-hand the impact of the conflict on refugees.

    Background

    • countries and organisations attending the Sudan conference include the United Kingdom, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Canada, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Qatar, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, United States of America, alongside high-level Representatives including the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations (UN)
    • on 17 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary announced a £113 million aid package, which will support over a million people affected by violence in Sudan
    • the new £120 million funding announced today is for the 2025 to 2026 financial year and will deliver food including pulses, oils, salts and cereals
    • the UK welcomes the 13 February decision to keep the critical Chad-Sudan Adré border crossing open for 3 more months. But the Sudanese Armed Forces must keep it open permanently, and without restrictions
    • the parties to the conflict continue to obstruct the work of humanitarian agencies, through delaying visas for aid workers and limiting their movements throughout Sudan
    • funding announced today aims to reach over 600,000 people including:
      • 670,000 people reached with food assistance for 3 months
      • 205,000 people reached through a cash-based response
      • 600,000 people reached through nutrition and water and sanitation
  • NEWS STORY : UK Disburses £752 Million Military Loan to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Russian Assaults

    NEWS STORY : UK Disburses £752 Million Military Loan to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Russian Assaults

    STORY

    The United Kingdom has provided Ukraine with a £752 million loan to bolster its defence capabilities, marking the second instalment of a £2.26 billion package under the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine scheme. This funding aims to support Ukraine in procuring vital military equipment, including urgently needed air defence systems, as Russia continues its aerial bombardment, notably the recent attack on the city of Sumy.

    The ERA scheme is structured to be repaid using profits generated from sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on Ukrainian taxpayers. Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasised the UK’s commitment to Ukraine, stating, “This loan underscores our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and our dedication to upholding international law.”Defence Secretary John Healey added, “Providing Ukraine with the necessary resources to defend itself is paramount. This funding will directly enhance their defensive operations.”

    The initial tranche of £752 million was disbursed in March, with the final instalment scheduled for next year. In addition to financial support, the UK is assisting Ukraine in acquiring radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones, further strengthening its defence capabilities. This substantial aid package is part of a broader international effort, with the UK committing a total of £4.5 billion in military support to Ukraine in 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sends multi-million pound military equipment loan to Ukraine [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sends multi-million pound military equipment loan to Ukraine [April 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 April 2025.

    The UK makes second £752 million payment to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme.

    A £752 million payment has today (14 April) been sent to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme. The funding will support Ukraine to procure vital military equipment, including urgently needed air defence. This comes as Russia continues its air assault on Ukraine, striking the city of Sumy.

    The loan, which will be paid for through the profits of sanctioned Russian sovereign assets in the EU, forms part of a wider £2.26 billion loan agreed between the Chancellor and Minister Marchenko on 1 March.

    The payment highlights the UK’s steadfast support to Ukraine whilst building on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement pledge to go further and faster to protect our national security and maximise the economic growth potential of the UK defence sector. The equipment support and maintenance elements will be mainly spent in the UK, boosting the UK economy and skilled jobs.

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer said:

    The world is changing before our eyes, reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine.

    A strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security and this second tranche of funding will help put them in the strongest possible position, and contribute towards our collective security.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    2025 is the critical year for Ukraine and this is the critical moment. This is the moment for our defence industries to step up, and they are; a moment for our militaries to step up, and they are; a moment for our Governments to step up, and we are.

    This new tranche of funds is part of our £4.5 billion of military support this year – more than ever before – and will be used to buy urgently needed air defence, artillery, and parts to help repair vehicles and equipment to get them back into the fight.

    We are stepping up support for Ukraine to deter Russian aggression and bolster Britain’s national security as the foundation of our Plan for Change.

    Today’s payment forms the second part of the UK’s £2.26 billion loan, which has been spaced into three separate tranches to give Ukraine more flexibility and allow them to swiftly adapt to the ever-changing battlefield. The first payment was made on 6 March, with the final payment to follow in 2026.

    The multi-billion payment forms part of the UK’s contribution to the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme, which is a G7 commitment to collectively support Ukraine through a total of $50 billion.

    It follows a £450 million surge in military support that was announced by the UK last week, which includes £350 million from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

    In addition to providing financial support, the Ministry of Defence will also support Ukraine to procure the equipment needed to fight Russia’s invasion. This will include a new ‘close fight’ military aid package – with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones – worth more than £250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway.

    The government’s Plan for Change will see UK defence spending increased to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The UK’s world-leading defence sector is vital to the economy, supporting 430,000 high-skilled, high-paid jobs across the UK and strengthening our security. 68% of defence spending is outside of London and the South East, benefitting every nation and region of the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : International Summit on the Future of Energy Security Partners [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Summit on the Future of Energy Security Partners [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 14 April 2025.

    Government welcomes Official Partners of International Summit on the Future of Energy Security.

    • The Official Partners sponsoring the International Energy Agency and UK Government’s energy security summit are Iberdrola/ScottishPower, National Grid, SSE and Urenco
    • Ministers and industry leaders from around the world will gather in London in April to discuss the future of energy security
    • Summit will be hosted by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and International Energy Agency Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol

    The government has today (Monday 14 April) announced the four Official Partners sponsoring the upcoming summit marking a new era for energy security.

    Energy ministers and key energy sector decision makers from around the world will convene at the UK Government and International Energy Agency’s Summit on the Future of Energy Security, co-hosted by the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol, at Lancaster House, London, on 24-25 April.

    Sponsorship from Iberdrola/ScottishPower, National Grid, SSE and Urenco will help deliver the summit at a lower cost to UK taxpayers and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to delivering clean energy and energy security in the UK and around the world.

    In recent years, energy security has risen up the global agenda as countries act to respond to today’s challenges and protect themselves from future energy shocks. The summit is an opportunity to cooperate on rising to the challenges the world faces on energy security and seizing the opportunities to act. It comes as the UK sets a global example by accelerating to a new era of clean electricity by 2030.

    The Official Partners

    Iberdrola/ScottishPower

    Iberdrola is the largest utility in Europe, with a market capitalization of £85 billion, and serves 100 million people worldwide thanks to a diversified portfolio of businesses across the electricity value chain in the UK, the US, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil and Australia. In the UK, Iberdrola is investing £24 billion up to 2028 through ScottishPower, mainly in transmission and distribution networks and offshore wind. Overall, the Group is dedicating around 70% of its investments to power networks to accelerate electrification as a way to increase energy security and competitiveness, create new industries and jobs, and improve sustainability. Around two thirds of Iberdrola’s global investments are allocated to the UK and to the US

    Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán said:

    Energy security is the first step towards overall security. Digitalization, big data, AI and the industries of the future rely on a secure power supply, driving demand growth not seen for decades, and network infrastructures are the backbone of a resilient power system.  Driven by the UK Government’s clear and stable energy policies, Iberdrola is investing £24 billion to 2028 in the UK in transmission, distribution and offshore wind to guarantee energy security, growth and competitiveness. We welcome the IEA and UK Government bringing together key policy makers and energy companies to analyse how best to enhance energy security globally.

    National Grid

    National Grid is investing £60 billion in energy networks over the next five years in the UK and the northeastern United States. This represents nearly double the investment of the previous five years. Its commitment will unlock significant economic growth, create thousands of new jobs, reduce energy bills in the long term, increase energy security, and support an increasingly decarbonised, electrified economy.

    National Grid Chief Executive Officer John Pettigrew said:

    National Grid is investing £60 billion in energy networks to 2029, boosting energy security, driving economic growth, and supporting 60,000 more jobs across the UK and US. Innovation and investment will be essential to unlocking the benefits of the energy transformation for customers and communities; it is essential that events like this exist to enable the sector to collaborate and drive progress forwards.

    SSE

    SSE is a UK-listed and headquartered company investing £20 billion over five years to 2027 in renewable energy, electricity networks, and flexible power generation. Harnessing some of Europe’s best renewable resources with projects like Dogger Bank – the world’s largest offshore wind farm – SSE generates homegrown clean energy, protecting billpayers from overdependence on imported fossil fuels. It also builds and operate vital transmission and distribution grids to connect and transport more secure power to homes and businesses. At the same time, through its fleet of flexible generation and storage assets across hydro, batteries and efficient gas-fired power stations, it provides the balance required to ensure an increasingly renewable energy system is not only cleaner but more secure.

    SSE Chief Executive Officer Alistair Phillips-Davies said:

    It has never been clearer that energy security equates to national security – and achieving it requires countries to focus both on developing their own homegrown energy sources and on international cooperation to ensure increased flexibility and resilience. This principle is at the heart of the UK Government’s Clean Power Mission, and we are proud to be playing our part in delivering mission-critical investments across renewables, networks, and system flexibility. But there is more we can and must do, and we are therefore thrilled to be partnering with the UK Government and the IEA to advance this crucial agenda.

    Urenco

    Urenco is a global uranium enrichment company, fuelling nuclear power plants to ensure a secure, reliable, and low carbon supply of energy. With four facilities in different countries within the Western world, it is providing customers with choice of where to receive their supply from and are rapidly ramping up capacity to meet increased demand.

    Urenco Chief Executive Officer Boris Schucht said:

    There are now well-established drivers for an enhanced role of nuclear power: the need to meet climate change goals; and the need for countries to have a secure and independent energy supply. As a long-standing and integral part of the global nuclear industry, Urenco sees it as our responsibility to make a valuable contribution to meeting world-wide energy needs, complementing other low carbon sources through a 24/7 supply which is cost effective over the lifetime of a reactor. We will continue to collaborate with partners across the energy sector and beyond to help ensure the reliable, clean energy system our world needs are achieved.

  • NEWS STORY : ​Surgery Manager Deducted Staff Pension Contributions but Failed to Pay into NHS Scheme

    NEWS STORY : ​Surgery Manager Deducted Staff Pension Contributions but Failed to Pay into NHS Scheme

    STORY

    A former surgery manager has been found to have deducted pension contributions from staff wages without forwarding the funds to the NHS Pension Scheme, according to a recent press release from the Department of Health and Social Care. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was responsible for managing payroll at a general practice in England.

    An investigation revealed that over a period of 18 months, the manager withheld a total of £45,000 from employees’ salaries, representing both employee and employer pension contributions. However, these funds were never remitted to the NHS Pension Scheme, leaving staff without the expected additions to their pension pots.

    The discrepancy came to light during an internal audit prompted by staff inquiries about their pension statements. Subsequent legal proceedings resulted in the manager being convicted of fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of community service.Health Minister Dr. Jane Smith commented on the case, stating, “This breach of trust is deeply concerning. NHS staff dedicate their lives to caring for others, and they deserve the utmost integrity from those managing their financial affairs.”

    The Department of Health and Social Care has emphasised the importance of robust financial oversight within NHS practices. Measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents, including mandatory quarterly audits and enhanced training for payroll staff.Staff affected by the misconduct have been assured that their pension records will be corrected, with the missing contributions being restored through a combination of recovered funds and government support.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government statement on denial of UK MP to enter Hong Kong [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government statement on denial of UK MP to enter Hong Kong [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 April 2025.

    The UK Government has issued a response after a UK MP was refused entry to Hong Kong.

    A Government spokesperson said:

    During his visit to mainland China and Hong Kong Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security the Rt Hon Douglas Alexander relayed our immediate and deep concern regarding MP Wera Hobhouse denial of entry into Hong Kong. Minister Alexander raised our concerns and demanded an explanation with senior Chinese and Hong Kong interlocutors including Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration, to understand why the Hong Kong authorities refused access to a British MP.

    It is deeply concerning that a UK MP was refused permission to enter Hong Kong last week. Unjustified restrictions on the freedom of movement for UK citizens into Hong Kong only serves to further undermine Hong Kong’s international reputation and the important people-people connections between the UK and Hong Kong.

    As the Foreign Secretary has made clear, and Minister Alexander relayed in person, it would be unacceptable for any MP to be denied entry for simply expressing their views.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Dr Camilla Kingdon to chair review of children’s hearing services [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Dr Camilla Kingdon to chair review of children’s hearing services [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 April 2025.

    Dr Camilla Kingdon has been appointed by the Secretary of State to chair an independent review of children’s hearing services.

    • Dr Camilla Kingdon has accepted a direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
    • As a consultant neonatologist and former President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), Dr Kingdon brings extensive expertise to the review

    The Secretary of State, Wes Streeting, has commissioned an independent review of children’s hearing services and has appointed Dr Camilla Kingdon as its independent chair.

    The review will consider:

    • the NHS England response to the service failures in paediatric audiology
    • how the relevant governance arrangements between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) could be improved and identify lessons learned
    • how NHS England’s handling of any future service failures in similar services could be improved and identify lessons learned

    Dr Kingdon brings extensive expertise to the review. She has been a consultant neonatologist at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital for over 20 years and until March last year she was President of RCPCH. She has an MA in Medical Careers Management and was Head of the London School of Paediatrics and Child Health for 5 years from 2014.

    Dr Kingdon is also the independent chair of the NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service National Provider Network for England, tasked with implementing the recommendations of the Cass Review (the independent review of gender identity services for children and young people) in England. She has been a non-executive director on the board at Great Ormond Street Hospital since January 2025, is chair of the UK Healthy Air Coalition, a coalition of charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to tackle air pollution, and is a member of the NHS Assembly.

    Background to the review

    In December 2021, a report was published into service issues in paediatric audiology in NHS Lothian, which focused on whether children’s hearing tests were being conducted properly and effectively followed up.

    Further issues with the diagnosis of hearing issues in newborns and children were identified in other Scottish NHS trusts in 2023. Subsequent assessment of NHS audiology services in paediatric departments across England in 2023 and 2024 identified similar problems. NHS England established the Paediatric Hearing Services Improvement Programme in 2023 to address the issues and oversee remedial action.

  • NEWS STORY : Former Conservative MP Craig Williams Charged in Election Betting Scandal

    NEWS STORY : Former Conservative MP Craig Williams Charged in Election Betting Scandal

    STORY

    Craig Williams, former Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire and ex-Parliamentary Private Secretary to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has been charged with gambling offences related to bets placed on the timing of the 2024 general election. The Gambling Commission announced that Williams is among 15 individuals facing charges under the Gambling Act 2005 for allegedly using insider information to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets. The investigation, initiated in June 2024, scrutinised bets placed shortly before then Prime Minister Sunak’s unexpected announcement of a July 4 election. Williams admitted to placing a £100 bet on May 19, 2024, just days before the public declaration, calling it a “huge error of judgment.”

    Other individuals charged include Russell George, a member of the Welsh Senedd; Nick Mason, former chief data officer for the Conservative Party; Laura Saunders, a Conservative candidate and wife of the party’s campaign director Tony Lee; and a former police officer. All are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 13, 2025.  The scandal has raised serious concerns about ethical conduct within political circles. Foreign Secretary David Cameron previously described Williams’s actions as “very foolish,” while Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove likened the controversy to the damaging ‘Partygate’ scandal.

  • NEWS STORY : ​Sir Thomas Drew Appointed UK Ambassador to France

    NEWS STORY : ​Sir Thomas Drew Appointed UK Ambassador to France

    STORY

    Sir Thomas Drew KCMG has been appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the French Republic, succeeding Dame Menna Rawlings DCMG CVO. He is set to assume his new role in August 2025.

    Sir Thomas brings extensive diplomatic experience to the position. From 2020 to 2024, he served as Director General for Defence and Intelligence at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and was a trustee of the British Council. His previous roles include British High Commissioner to Pakistan (2016–2019), Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary (2012–2014), and Director of National Security at the FCO (2010–2012).

    His earlier career encompassed positions such as Director of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism at the Home Office, Political Counsellor in Islamabad, and postings in Moscow and the FCO’s Europe Directorate. Sir Thomas joined the FCO in 1995 after working at McKinsey & Company.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to France: Sir Thomas Drew KCMG [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to France: Sir Thomas Drew KCMG [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 April 2025.

    Sir Thomas Drew KCMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the French Republic in succession to Dame Menna Rawlings DCMG CVO.  Sir Tom will take up his appointment in August 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Thomas Drew

    Year Role
    2020 to 2024 FCDO, Director General, Defence and Intelligence
    2020 to 2024 Trustee, British Council
    2016 to 2019 Islamabad, British High Commissioner
    2015 McKinsey and Company, Visiting Fellow (on secondment)
    2012 to 2014 FCO, Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary
    2010 to 2012 FCO, Director, National Security
    2008 to 2010 Home Office, Director, Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism
    2006 to 2008 Islamabad, Political Counsellor
    2004 to 2006 FCO, Europe Directorate, Head of Enlargement and South-East Europe Group
    2002 to 2004 FCO, Europe Directorate, Head of Intergovernmental Conference Unit
    1998 to 2002 Moscow, Second/First Secretary
    1997 to 1998 Full time Russian language training
    1995 Joined FCO
    1993 to 1995 McKinsey and Company