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  • PRESS RELEASE : Biggest shake up in decades to tackle local crime [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Biggest shake up in decades to tackle local crime [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 30 April 2026.

    Biggest crime-fighting shake up in decades as police gain new powers to tackle local crime as the landmark Crime and Policing Bill receives Royal Assent.

    Community policing will finally have the powers it needs to effectively tackle local issues as the landmark Crime and Policing Act becomes law.

    For too long, community policing has been continuously downgraded, lacking the resources and powers it needs to properly protect the communities it serves.

    Today, the government has delivered a series of vital measures to tackle the whole spectrum of criminality.

    New powers for police and the wider criminal justice system will help realise this government’s mission to restore confidence in policing and to tackle the epidemic of serious violence and violence against women and girls.

    Minister for Crime and Policing Sarah Jones said:

    This is the biggest overhaul of our crime‑fighting powers in a generation. It puts policing back on the side of the public and gives officers the tools they need to tackle the problems people see on their streets every day.

    From banning repeat offenders from town centres and protecting shop workers, to cracking down on exploitative gangs and strengthening victims’ rights, this Bill is about restoring order and rebuilding confidence.

    Our message is clear: If you spread fear, exploit the vulnerable or fuel violence, the law will catch up with you.

    The Crime and Policing Act has over 70 measures including tougher police powers to crackdown on antisocial behaviour and retail crime by:

    • introducing respect orders to enable the police to ban repeat offenders from town centres and other locations
    • removing the requirement for police to issue a prior warning before seizing any vehicle used in an anti-social manner
    • ending the outdated treatment of theft under the value of £200 as a summary-only offence so perpetrators can be punished properly
    • introducing a bespoke offence for assaulting a retail worker with a possible sentence of six months in prison

    These new measures will be underpinned by the government’s neighbourhood policing guarantee to deliver an additional 13,000 neighbourhood officers by the end of this parliament.

    To tackle the epidemic of online stalking and to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm:

    • helping police manage online stalkers and protect victims through new ‘Right to Know’ guidance on disclosing the identity of an online stalker to victims at the earliest opportunity
    • more powers for courts to impose stalking protection orders directly when a defendant is convicted or acquitted, to keep perpetrators away from victims and prevent further harm
    • there will be a standalone offence of child criminal exploitation with a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and accompanying orders which will allow courts to intervene early to prevent children from being harmed
    • the act introduces a new criminal offence of cuckooing (home takeover for illegal activity) with a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment
    • it is also introducing a new offence for internal concealment of drugs and other specified items including forcing individuals to hide items inside their bodies

    The act has also introduced further laws around the sale of knives online as the government aims to halve knife crime in a decade:

    • tech bosses will have personal criminal liability for failing to act on illegal knife and weapons content on their platforms resulting in a total fine of up to £70,000 for each offence
    • there will be a mandatory two-step verification for online knife purchases at both point of sale and delivery using photographic ID
    • retailers are legally required to report any bulk purchases of bladed articles made online, to tackle organised crime
    • there is a new offence of possession of a knife with intent to cause unlawful violence with a sentence of up to seven years in prison

    This government has already delivered over 3,000 neighbourhood officers, launched a national centre for tackling knife crime and deployed the largest crackdown on violence against women and girls in British history.

    With the Crime and Policing Act now law, those efforts will go further and faster, delivering safer streets and stronger communities across England and Wales.

    John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch said:  

    The nature of crime has changed considerably, and major police reform is needed to keep pace. Greater focus on and investment in police capacity, particularly neighbourhood policing, has been needed for a long time.  

    People want to feel safe and to have greater trust in law enforcement. So it is reassuring for our members and the wider public to see that the government is listening to these concerns and is willing to act.

    Neil Basu QPM former head of Counter Terrorism Policing said: 

    I welcome the Crime and Policing Act as a serious and necessary step in keeping order on our streets and giving the police the powers they need to tackle modern crime. 

    Measures such as stronger action against prolific offenders, better protection for shop workers, and a renewed focus on neighbourhood safety are not only justified, but overdue. 

    The act reflects the reality that crime has changed. From organised fraud to technology-enabled theft, law enforcement must be equipped to act quickly and effectively if it is to keep pace. 

    Professor Emmeline Taylor, Professor of Criminology at City St George’s, University of London said: 

    This is a welcome and important step forward from the government in tackling the harms that most affect everyday life. Alongside stronger action on antisocial behaviour, theft and violence, it also recognises the serious impact of stalking, child exploitation and the abuse of vulnerable people. With effective enforcement and sustained neighbourhood policing, these reforms have the potential to make a real difference.

    Ryan Wain, Senior Director at the Tony Blair Institute, said: 

    These new measures are a welcome signal that government is taking not just crime, but its impact on Brits, seriously. Last week’s crime statistics showed, thankfully, there’s been a decrease in serious crimes including homicide, knife crime, and robbery under this government. 

    But we know there’s often a difference between the statistics and what people feel. And what people feel is scared. The communities they want to take pride in are vandalised. Antisocial behaviour is a given. Phones are gripped tighter as we walk down the street.

    By bringing power back to our local police, today’s measures should protect our town centres and our community. Britain doesn’t just need to be told that crime is being tackled, it needs to see it, and it needs to feel it.

    Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: 

    This Crime and Policing Act is a crucial step in addressing the growing challenges facing our town and city centres, particularly at night. Antisocial behaviour and repeat offending have placed significant strain on venues, workers, and public safety.

    Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said: 

    The new Crime and Policing Act is a long-overdue turning point in the fight against retail crime. With 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every single day and 5.5 million thefts a year, the extraordinary levels of retail crime cannot be accepted as simply part of the job.  

    The BRC, alongside others, have campaigned relentlessly for these changes. Stronger laws on assault and theft will send a clear warning to would-be offenders, but laws alone won’t keep retail workers safe. What matters now is consistent, visible police enforcement so colleagues can genuinely feel safe and protected at work. 

    Harvinder Saimbhi, CEO of ASBHelp said: 

    As the national charity supporting victims of anti-social behaviour, we welcome the dual approach respect orders bring, tackling both the harmful behaviour and the underlying causes, whilst also offering the potential for safer communities and better long-term outcomes for victims. We look forward to working with government on their implementation, at both a local and national level.

    Rebecca Bryant, CEO of Resolve said: 

    Resolve welcomes the government’s continued focus on tackling anti‑social behaviour and strengthening neighbourhood policing. Our members see every day the impact that persistent ASB, exploitation and serious violence have on victims and communities, and it is vital that frontline practitioners have the tools, powers and support they need to respond effectively. 

    The measures set out in the Crime and Policing Act represent a significant shift in the national approach. Powers such as respect orders, strengthened vehicle‑seizure provisions and new offences relating to exploitation and cuckooing have the potential to improve outcomes for victims when used confidently and proportionately as part of a wider problem‑solving approach.

    A spokesperson for Samsung said: 

    Samsung is committed to continuing to work closely with both the Home Office and Met Police on tackling the issue of phone theft in the UK. We are supportive of the new phone theft search measures included in the Crime and Policing Act.

    RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 

    RAC data shows a quarter of drivers have suffered some form of vehicle crime, so the government’s move to make the possession and distribution of tech designed to steal cars illegal is very welcome.  

    Currently, the number of cars being stolen far outstrips the number of people convicted of committing the offence, and it’s so often the case that signal jammers and signal amplifiers are used to do this right outside owners’ homes. We hope this law change will reduce the number of vehicles stolen so fewer people have to go through this traumatic experience.

    Edmund King, AA president, said:

    Strengthening the penalties for thieves caught carrying signal jammers is an important measure from the government which is widely supported. Too many cars are stolen to order and literally ‘gone in 60 seconds’ by crooks using signal jammers. 

    While ‘smash and grab’ car crime has declined, those using modern techniques has increased, so it is right that the law keeps pace. It could also help bring down insurance premiums as every claim for a stolen vehicle adds pounds to everyone’s premiums.

    Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said: 

    The BRC has long advocated for these additional protections, which send a clear message that violent and abusive behaviour, as well as theft will not be tolerated. Retail crime has escalated since the pandemic, with our latest survey showing 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every single day, alongside 5.5m shoplifting offences last year. 

    Retailers have been playing their part, spending £5bn over the past five years on crime prevention measures. Government has now taken action, so now it is now essential that the police make full use of this new legislation to step up their response to such incidents.  

    By working together, we can achieve better outcomes that support and protect all our hardworking colleagues.

    Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: 

    The Crime and Policing Act marks a turning point in the way that shop theft and abuse will be treated by the justice system. Convenience retailers and shopworkers can feel more confident that action will be taken against prolific shop thieves as the government enshrines in law tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers and clarity on how shop theft will be dealt with in courts.  

    These new powers need to be backed by local police forces on the ground and the wider justice system sending a clear message that when shop theft incidents are reported, police will respond and justice will be served to break the awful cycle of reoffending that causes significant damage to communities.

    Paul Gerrard, Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs and Policy, Co-op, said:  

    Shopworkers have had to tolerate unacceptable levels of theft, abuse and violence for far too long, and it’s not right. Local shops are an anchor in communities, and that is why Co-op, my colleagues and our members spoke-up, often when others wouldn’t, to say criminal behaviour, violence and abuse ‘should not be part of the job’. The tide of criminality can be turned, we saw crime levels reducing in the Co-op by more than 20% in 2025. But this is just the start.  

    As we continue to invest significantly in wide-ranging safety and security measures, forge successful partnerships with local police forces and see a significant increase in police attendance, this landmark Act from the government has the power to drive further sustained change, and we all must seize this opportunity and continue to do all we can to protect local community stores, and those that work in them.

    Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark:  

    Primark welcomes the government’s Crime and Policing Act becoming law. This is a significant and positive step forward for the retail sector and shows what can be achieved through strong collaboration between government and retailers. 

    Making assault against a retail worker a specific offence sends a clear signal that violence and abuse will not be tolerated, while removing the effective £200 threshold for shoplifting ensures every offence is taken seriously. Together, these measures will help protect hardworking colleagues, improve the shopping experience for customers and support the long-term future of our high streets and town centres as vital hubs of employment, economic activity and community life.  

    We look forward to continuing to work with government, the police, fellow retailers and others to support their effective implementation.

    Hetal Patel, National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said:

    Retail crime, including violence, theft and harassment, remains a deep concern for our members.  

    Theft is traumatic for shopkeepers and a social blight but also imposes a series of direct and indirect economic costs for shops in lost stock and expensive security measures, which undermine their financial viability.  

    For these reasons, the Fed has campaigned long and hard for measures like the removal of the £200 threshold and the introduction of a standalone offence of assaulting a shopworker.  

    We welcome the government’s active approach in this area and the measures outlined in the Act. More broadly, we will continue to call for more active intervention from Community Policing teams so that this issue is taken more seriously and that shoplifting is not seen as a victimless crime.

    Nick McDonnell – Auror VP Global Trust & Safety and Law Enforcement Partnerships, said:  

    The Crime and Policing Act is an important step towards creating safer stores and high streets across the UK. This is about recognising that retail crime is not just about shoplifting – it’s also about the violence, threats and intimidation directed at vulnerable frontline colleagues every day. We know through retailer reporting in Auror that 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for up to 70 per cent of retail crime, while those repeat offenders are also four times more likely to be violent, and this new Act will be part of the solution to hold those repeat offenders to account.  

    It’s now up to the retail sector, law enforcement and government to support the effective reporting of retail crime, information sharing and collaboration to surface the scale of the issue so we can stop violent and organised crime in its tracks. Auror is proud to support that collaboration across the UK and through further government leadership like this Act, we’ll see safer stores for millions of frontline colleagues and the communities they serve. 

    Currys COO Lindsay Haselhurst said:  

    The Crime & Policing Act is an important step towards tackling retail crime and will make a real difference to our store colleagues.  It’s particularly welcome that assaulting a retail worker will now be treated as a standalone offence. No one should face the threat of violence for simply doing their job, and treating these offences properly will help protect our colleagues and send a clear message that this kind of behaviour isn’t acceptable. 

    Ending the outdated approach to theft under £200 is another welcome change. Shop theft is not a victimless crime, so it’s great to see that perpetrators can no longer act with impunity.

    Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said: 

    The Crime and Policing Act is a significant piece of legislation and we are pleased that the government engaged with retailers and listened to the experiences of our store colleagues in dealing with retail crime.

    No one should feel unsafe at work, and we’ve invested tens of millions of pounds over the last four years on a range of security measures to keep people safe. We strongly welcome the government introducing a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker and hope it will make a real difference in improving the safety of our high streets.

    Dal Babu, former Chief Superintendent at the Metropolitan Police, said:   

    The new Crime and Police Act is a piece of legislation that I welcome. It will help police to deal with the emerging problems of some demonstrators masking up to use anonymity to attack police and deliberately disrespect memorials to the dead. 

    Although the majority of protestors are law abiding a hard core from across the political spectrum attend marches masked up, with pyrotechnics designed to attack police and oppositions. The new legislation will help deal with this worrying trend.

    Ian Morrison, Director of Policy and Evidence at Historic England said:  

    Our war memorials are important for keeping parts of our national story from being forgotten and the government’s Crime and Policing Act will help protect the stories these memorials help to tell. 

    Patrick Green, CEO of The Ben Kinsella Trust and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:  

    The Crime and Policing Act is a major step forward from this government because it brings our knife crime laws up to date with the online world young people are growing up in. By tightening online sales, strengthening age verification, criminalising possession with intent to cause harm and improving enforcement, it closes dangerous loopholes that have existed for far too long. These changes will help prevent serious violence and better protect children and young people.

    Pooja Kanda, member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:  

    I lost my innocent son three years ago to knife crime he was murdered with a ninja sword obtained online. Since then, my family and I have campaigned for stricter laws to protect youths from obtaining weapons online and stricter age verifications.  

    The Crime and Policing Act is a big step forward, and I’m grateful the government has listened to our relentless campaigning and introduced what we now call Ronan’s Law. This law will close loopholes and introduce a vital level of safety that was missing. By passing this legislation, they have taken a crucial step towards protecting lives.

    Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell MBE, CEO of Dwaynamics and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said: 

    I welcome the progression of the Crime and Policing Act and the strengthened measures being introduced. From my lived experience of losing my son to knife crime, and through my daily work supporting young people and families impacted by violence, I know just how critical it is that we take firm and decisive action. 

    The tougher penalties around knife possession, sales, and intent send a clear message and the focus on tackling child criminal exploitation is both necessary and long overdue.

    However, laws alone cannot solve this. It takes partnership, prevention, and sustained support on the ground all of which this government is pioneering with passion and determination to make happen.

    Martin Cosser, CEO of Charlie’s Promise, father of Charlie Cosser and member of the Government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said: 

    We are encouraged to see meaningful and positive progress through the government’s introduction of the Crime and Policing Act, which represents one of the most significant steps forward in tackling serious violence in recent decades. 

    At Charlie’s Promise, we work every day with young people, families and communities affected by knife crime. We know first-hand the devastating and far-reaching impact it has. Measures such as stronger action on illegal knife content online, a new offence for child criminal exploitation, and increased powers to address anti-social behaviour are all important and welcome developments. 

    In particular, holding technology companies to greater account is long overdue. The online space plays a critical role in shaping behaviour, and it is vital that those who enable harmful content are held responsible. 

    While legislation alone cannot solve this complex issue, it is a crucial step in the right direction. What matters now is effective implementation, proper resourcing, and continued collaboration between government, policing, charities, and communities focusing on the route causes and early intervention. 

    We remain committed to working alongside all partners to ensure these changes translate into real, lasting impact, keeping young people safe and preventing other families from experiencing the unimaginable loss that we have endured.” 

    Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:  

    Too many children have had their lives ruined by criminal exploitation – forced to do terrible things, receiving criminal sentences, or even losing their lives. Some are themselves treated as adults, facing punishment instead of support, because of prejudice among professionals towards them.  

    Their voices are often ignored and overlooked, meaning missed opportunities to prevent abuses against them, and the harm they cause to victims of the crimes they are forced to commit.  

    This new offence will give much-needed clarity that exploited children are victims of abuse, and I am grateful the government has accepted it must apply equally to all children.

    Daniel Morris, Assistant Director of Young People and Families at Catch22, says: 

    The introduction of child criminal exploitation (CCE) as a specific criminal offence is an incredibly positive step forward in recognising the horrific impact of this form of child abuse. 

    People who exploit children must be prosecuted  for the unimaginable lasting harm they cause, and the new CCE offence rightly acknowledges the seriousness of grooming and exploitation for criminal gain. Proper safeguarding of child victims is key, and Catch22 will continue to work with the Home Office to ensure statutory guidance puts this into practice.  

    To further draw a line under the criminal exploitation of children, we must now see investment into specialist support for its victims to address the long-term impact and mental scars it leaves.

    Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti‑Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army, said: 

    We welcome measures in the Crime and Policing Act to prevent and tackle child criminal exploitation at the earliest possible stage. For many of the adult survivors of modern slavery we support, exploitation began when they were children. When this continues unchecked for years, the trauma is deeper and the road to recovery can be far more complex.  

    The creation of a standalone offence of “cuckooing” is also an important step forward. Many people we support have experienced their homes being taken over through coercion and control but have struggled to have this recognised as criminal exploitation. This offence will help close that gap and strengthen protection for those at risk.” 

    Protecting vulnerable people as early as possible is essential to preventing long-term harm and helping individuals build safer futures. 

    Emma and Philip Dix, Founders of the Joe Dix Foundation and members of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said: 

    The Joe Dix Foundation particularly supports the government’s introduction of the new child criminal exploitation law because it represents a crucial step toward recognizing and addressing the complex realities faced by vulnerable young people. Too often, children coerced into criminal activity are treated primarily as offenders rather than victims of manipulation, grooming, and abuse.  

    This legislation helps shift that perspective by prioritizing safeguarding, early intervention, and accountability for those who exploit children for criminal gain. By strengthening legal protections and improving coordination between agencies, the law offers a more compassionate and effective framework to prevent harm, support recovery, and ensure that young people are given the protection and opportunities they deserve.

    CEO of The Children’s Society, Mark Russell, said:  

    For too long, children groomed and coerced into criminal exploitation have been treated as offenders, when they are, in fact, victims of abuse.  

    The government creating a specific offence of child criminal exploitation is a long overdue shift – putting the focus where it belongs: on the organised criminals and networks exploiting children. 

    However, this legislation will only succeed when implemented consistently, nationwide, and backed by increased funding for specialist victim support. 

    We will carry on our work with law makers, breaking the cycles of harm for child exploitation victims to give them the hope and support they need to rebuild their young lives.

    Tracey Burley, Chief Executive of St Giles, said:  

    We strongly welcome the government’s introduction of new offences relating to enforced concealment and cuckooing and hope they will provide greater protection for people subjected to traumatic, degrading and exploitative abuse. 

    It is vital that the application of this legislation safeguards vulnerable and coerced young people, while clearly distinguishing them from the perpetrators who groom, manipulate and exploit them for criminal gain. 

    All stakeholders must continue to work together to ensure these important changes are implemented fairly and effectively – in a way that protects victims, holds offenders to account, and does not unfairly criminalise young people or create further barriers to their future opportunities.

    The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, said:  

    Strengthening and extending the use of stalking protection orders is an important step forward for victims. These orders are a vital tool in keeping people safe and in addressing stalkers’ behaviour; making them easier to obtain and accessible on conviction should help protection be put in place sooner. 

    In stalking cases, speed is critical, and our overburdened court system can still slow access to protection. It is therefore encouraging that, during the passage of the Act, the Government has given assurances it will consider quicker, police‑led safeguards, including Stalking Protection Notices. 

    Nick Gazzard OBE, founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, said: 

    Stalking destroys lives, not just through individual incidents but through the constant, cumulative fear it creates. Too many victims have been left in a state of uncertainty and danger because systems have not moved quickly enough to recognise ongoing risk. As Hollie’s Dad, who was stalked before she was killed by her jealous ex-partner, this is something I know only too well. 

    The Trust also strongly welcomes new powers for courts to impose stalking protection orders directly, including following acquittal where there is clear evidence of ongoing risk. Combined with commitments to clearer statutory guidance and improved multi‑agency working, these measures better reflect the reality that stalking is about patterns of behaviour and long‑term harm, not isolated criminal acts. 

    Clive Ruggles, co-founder and Chair of the Alice Ruggles Trust, said: 

    Unless you have been a stalking victim, or close to one, it is hard to imagine just how distressing those endless repeated, and often vile, intrusions can be. And not even to know who is responsible, what is motivating them, takes this to another level. I strongly welcome this move to help people find out more quickly who is stalking them online. 

    Stalking, whether physical or online, is hugely impactive and often life-changing for the victim. In the worst cases it can escalate to murder, something I know all too well because of what happened to my daughter Alice. That is why I also welcome the wider raft of measures included in the Crime and Policing Act, including making stalking protection orders easier and faster to obtain and strengthening the multi-agency working that is so essential for managing the risk effectively in serious stalking cases.

    Chief Operating Officer, Louise, said: 

    At Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service, where we support victims of stalking every day, we welcome the measures set out in the Crime and Policing Act. These changes represent a significant step forward in safeguarding and protecting victims of stalking. 

    In cases where the stalker is unknown to the victim, we consistently hear how not knowing who is behind the behaviour can leave victims living in fear, uncertain about the level of risk they face and unsure of who they can trust. The introduction of statutory Right to Know guidance is therefore a vital shift. It will allow police to lawfully disclose the identity of online stalkers at an earlier stage, helping victims better understand the threat, assess their safety, and regain a sense of control.” 

    Hannah Swirsky, Head of Policy at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said: 

    The devastation caused by AI child sexual abuse imagery is very real. Real children’s real abuse feeds into these synthetic creations, and often the imagery is made to feature real, recognisable children, very often girls. It’s another way victims’ suffering and harm is commodified on the internet.  

    In 2025, our analysts saw a staggering 260-fold increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse videos. A massive 65% of these were classified as Category A, depicting the most severe and extreme kinds of sexual abuse. The availability of this content is dangerous for everyone.  

    We have long campaigned to have these rules tightened up – and are pleased to see these measures brought in. There can be no reason for these manuals, models, or nudification apps to exist. The internet will be a safer place without them. We also welcome new powers allowing the rigorous stress testing of new AI models to ensure they cannot be used to create child sexual abuse imagery. We are ready to work closely with the Government to make sure new tech is safe. But this is not the end of the fight – and we urge all companies to urgently adopt a culture of safety by design before making products available to the global public. Simply creating an AI tool and waiting for the inevitable abuse is not good enough.

    Sharon Pursey OBE, Co-Founder, SafeToNet – creators of the first AI preventative nude harm blocking solution for connected devices, platforms and apps said: 

    The criminalisation of AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material, the outlawing of AI ‘paedophile manuals,’ the powers granted to Border Force, and the personal accountability placed on tech bosses, are foundational measures that matter enormously. And we are here to help make them work.

    SafeToNet welcomes the Crime and Policing Act and the meaningful, forward-thinking measures it introduces to protect children from online harm. This is a clear and courageous signal that government is prepared to move at the speed of the threat, and we stand firmly alongside them in that mission. 

  • Wes Streeting – 2026 Speech to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s (RCEM) Annual Conference

    Wes Streeting – 2026 Speech to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s (RCEM) Annual Conference

    The speech made by Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 30 April 2026. We have been unable to acquire a version which hasn’t been redacted.

    It’s good to be with you today, and it’s really good to follow a session on high performance.

    Let me start by echoing Ian’s words in his opening remarks on Tuesday, when he encouraged you to be ‘loud and proud’ of what you do.

    At a time when more and more people have lost faith that things can get better…

    When a general sense of pessimism and cynicism risks slipping into fatalism…

    And when the very existence of the NHS is being contested like never before…

    You are helping to prove the doubters and doomsters wrong.

    So I want to say a simple but heartfelt thank you to all of you for all your energy, stamina, creativity, and the huge amount of hard graft over the past year, not just all of you in this room, you and all of your colleagues across the country, because you – the whole team – are achieving something we’ve not seen for a long time, an NHS that is improving.

    This government set you ambitious targets last year. And despite resident doctors’ strikes and record demand, you rose to the challenge.

    Best 4-hour performance in A&E in 5 years.

    Today, almost 4 in 5 patients are seen within 4 hours and 500,000 more people than last year are being seen on time.

    Ambulances are arriving faster than for half a decade.

    For suspected heart attacks and stroke patients, we’re reaching them five minutes faster than last year, when you and I both know that every second matters.

    We have been repeatedly told that the NHS recovery won’t happen, it can’t happen. But you are delivering it.

    And in doing so, you have landed one in the eye to every commentator, who was preparing the headline [political content removed], or ‘the NHS falls short’ depending on which of us they dislike most that day.

    You’ve delivered a blow to think tank orthodoxy, which says that the NHS will never be able to cut waiting lists, A&E, and ambulance waiting times all at once.

    And to those who argue that the results are just a March sprint, just wait until you see April’s performance data.

    This is a marathon, not a sprint. And there’s a long track ahead of us. But some of the frontrunners are already approaching the finishing line.

    North East and West Midlands ambulance services are within reach of the constitutional standard of 18-minute response times.

    At Sheffield children’s A&E, 98% of kids are seen within 4 hours – above the constitutional standard. West Herts, Northumbria, and George Eliot are all above 90%.

    George Eliot, in particular, has made incredible strides, going from 66% to 91% in just this past year.

    They are showing what’s possible when UEC is made a priority.

    The trust introduced round-the-clock assessments to speed up triage; seven-day ward rounds in the Acute Medical Unit to get patients home on time; and doctors working the discharge lounge to make sure patients had the medication they needed to send them home.

    Those simple steps have transformed the experience and the safety of their patients. They have proven that we can do it.

    Ambulance recovery isn’t happening by accident, if you excuse the pun.

    It is happening because the ambulance service is embracing change.

    Where paramedics would once provide extraordinary care on the scene, then take their patient to hospital, now they’re using their skills to act as coordinators of care.

    Providing the same world class urgent, on-the-spot care they always have, then deciding the best place for follow-up treatment, which isn’t always a hospital.

    The result is improved turnaround and handover times, and fewer people ending up in A&E.

    You in emergency medicine understand better than most that the NHS is not just a service, it’s a system.

    And when part of the system has broken down, people end up at your door.

    It’s why A&E had gone from Accident & Emergency to Anything & Everything.

    When people can’t see a GP, they end up in A&E, which is worse for them, worse for you, and more expensive for the taxpayer.

    When people can’t get the mental health support they need, they reach crisis point, which is worse for them, worse for you, and more expensive for the taxpayer.

    And when people can’t get the social or community care they need, they’re left in hospital, which is worse for them, worse for you, and more expensive for the taxpayer.

    And so a lot of the answers to cutting ambulance and A&E response times lie outside the doors of the emergency department.

    It’s why the health think tanks are so wrong to argue that the government ought to prioritise certain sections of the NHS over others.

    That we should focus on social care or emergency care first and do electives or GPs later.

    The way we will get the NHS out of the hole it had been left in is by week by week, year on year, across the board improvement. A rising tide that lifts all ships.

    The NHS has been the standout winner from this government. Record £26 billion a year investment at a time when the public finances are under big and growing pressures, with increased instability and uncertainty around the world.

    It shows what this government’s priority is.

    But you and I know that the additional funding alone cannot buy our way to recovery. It has to be accompanied by change and modernisation.

    A narrative emerged during the years of [political content removed] that the NHS just needs more inputs into the same model. More staff, more beds, more money in hospitals.

    Investment is part of the solution.

    But unless we change how the NHS works, those will only be sticking plasters, storing up the same problems for later down the line.

    There will still be ever-increasing numbers of patients walking through your doors and ever-increasing numbers stuck in beds waiting to go home.

    With the war in Iran and its consequences for the global economy, I’m afraid I can’t play the Oliver Twist of the Cabinet, pleading for more from the Treasury.

    Not because the Chancellor is Scrooge – to invoke another Dickens character – but because there isn’t any.

    So we’re having to mop up the consequences of austerity, Brexit, [political content removed], the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, as well as dealing with the Iran crisis and making sure that as we do so we’re beating a path to a better future, not just seeking to scramble back to a broken status quo.

    So the new investment needs to be matched with change and modernisation to help that investment go further and to make sure we get to where we want to be.

    You in emergency medicine are leading the way and showing that change is possible.

    Ambulance services are providing more paramedic-led care at the scene.

    Urgent community response services in Dorset and Kirklees cared for patients, directed them to appropriate services, with 80% never needing to step foot in a hospital.

    Hear and Treat is freeing up ambulance crews to reach the most urgent patients faster, and get other patients the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

    We set what was an ambitious 45-minute target for ambulance handovers and today average handover times are down to just shy of 30 minutes.

    That’s more patients off ambulances and into EDs more quickly.

    And it’s only been possible because of the combined efforts of ambulance services and ED teams – and we are grateful for it.

    My department and the NHS worked with RCEM to pull together our model ED guidance.

    It identifies the most successful methods of streamlining emergency care from across the country, taking the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.

    This is the first chapter of the new book we are writing together, and I look forward to working with RCEM on the model discharge guidance, which is coming soon.

    The government is putting our money where our mouth is.

    We’re investing £300 million in 55 new or improved same day emergency care and urgent treatment centres.

    We’re spending almost an extra half a billion pounds on mental health facilities, including up to 85 Mental Health EDs – providing patients with rapid assessment, urgent treatment, and safe discharge with referral for longer term support.

    All of this will help to unclog emergency departments, and make sure patients are seen where they should be, when they should be, by who they should be.

    Much of the change you are leading is about delivering the left shift from within emergency medicine.

    And the government is leading the left shift outside of emergency departments.

    Our 10 Year Plan for Health set the NHS on course to become as much a Neighbourhood Health Service as a National Health Service.

    A key measure of its success will be A&E admissions – specifically the 1 in 5 patients who turn up to A&E who do not need urgent and emergency care.

    They have been failed upstream.

    Our modernisation agenda is all about catching patients earlier, treating them faster, and preventing them falling ill in the first place.

    That work has already begun.

    We’ve recruited 2,000 more GPs and patients can now request appointments online.

    We’re delivering millions more dental appointments.

    We’ve invested £600 million more in community pharmacy and given them greater powers to monitor and manage patients with ongoing conditions.

    We’re investing £4.6 billion in social care.

    We’ve legislated for the first ever fair pay agreement for care workers, backed by half a billion pounds.

    We’ve given carers the biggest increase in carer’s allowance since the 1970s and increased the disabled facilities grant, which will help to speed up discharge, reduce admissions, and most importantly of all, give people dignity, freedom, quality of life and comfort in their own homes.

    And the first report from the Casey Commission is coming later this year, forging the national consensus we need to build a National Care Service.

    New neighbourhood health services will bring together healthcare professionals to deliver proactive and personalised care, out of hospital, in the community.

    We’ve set them a target of reducing avoidable hospital admissions by 10% for the most vulnerable patients, backed by new financial incentives.

    I know that the most difficult cases you see are patients in the midst of a mental health crisis. Failed by a lack of early support, in A&E through desperation, often the very worst place for them to be.

    So, we are intervening earlier.

    This government promised to recruit 8,500 more mental health workers by the end of the Parliament.

    And today I can announce that we have kept that promise… three years early.

    We have recruited 8,500 more therapists, psychiatrists, and mental health nurses. They are delivering more care, earlier, and closer to home.

    Another 900,000 children can also now see a mental health support team in their own school, thanks to action we have already taken.

    Promises made, promises kept.

    Change has begun. And the best is still to come.

    One of the bigger balancing acts I face as a political leader is giving the public confidence that the NHS is improving and hope for the future, at the same time as acknowledging that we know that things still aren’t good enough.

    Corridor care is the most visible, most distressing symptom of the pressures in our NHS.

    And since emergency departments are the frontline of the NHS and most people’s first impression of a hospital, you’re in the full glare of the public spotlight – and often used as the barometer for how the service is doing overall.

    I know this will be a test the government is judged against.

    When we came into office, NHS England didn’t measure corridor care, let alone have a plan to address it.

    Corridors were officially referred to as ‘temporary escalation spaces’.

    And as corridor care became normalised, you, the teams working in those conditions, suffered the moral injury of having to treat your patients in circumstances so undignified that you wouldn’t wish them on your worst enemy, never mind your closest loved one.

    I have walked past many of those trolleys. I cannot imagine walking past lines of trolleys every day, desperately wishing you could do something about it, but being held back.

    And I want to thank the Royal College, alongside the Royal College of Nursing and others, for never accepting this practice, for sounding the alarm, and for keeping the pressure on me and others to act.

    I am clear: corridor care is not normal, it is not acceptable, it should never be tolerated, and I am determined to end it.

    We’re calling it what it is; we’ve defined it; we’re measuring it; and with your help, we’re finally getting on top of it.

    Once again, change is being led from below.

    Blackpool are using data to predict the busiest periods and clearing beds in advance.

    The main corridor [political content removed] was cleared when the Medical Director and Chief Nurse took over discharge decisions.

    And take [political content removed], as seen on TV, because when its corridors were full of trolleys this winter, the broadcasters understandably chose the hospital of [political content removed] to exemplify the national crisis.

    I was back there the other month, no cameras in sight, apart from the one on my phone, walking the same corridors I did in January, but this time they were empty. Demand hadn’t changed, the level of funding hadn’t changed, but the model of care had.

    They put the senior consultant on the front door of the A&E to make swift triaging decisions – sending frail elderly people who needed care, but not A&E, into the frailty same day emergency care centre. And they worked with the Ambulance Service and community teams to get people the right care at home.

    As a result, 12-hour waits are down, 10,000 corridor hours were saved in February alone, and the corridors were empty aside from one chap who was about to be wheeled in for a scan.

    That is amazing progress, a real credit to the staff of Queen’s, and they are sustaining that progress.

    It’s not always easy, but it is important that we recognise improvement and we celebrate success.

    I said as much publicly, and then received a text message after an interview on BBC Breakfast, and that message said, ‘Glad to see this can be done. I had the opposite experience with my dad this weekend.’

    Her elderly father, who has Parkinson’s, had been left on a bed in a corridor by a vending machine, with a small bleed on the brain, with no water, no buzzer, and no dignity.

    That is the contradiction of where the NHS is today.

    There has been marked improvement.

    Incredible progress has been made against predictions and expectations.

    But too many patients are still being failed.

    What we have shown together in just under two years that this government has been in office, is that the NHS can change and things can get better.

    Success has come when we’ve moved as a pack, working together, driven by a simple but powerful conviction that we will not accept the status quo anymore.

    It’s not easy. We are having to rebuild the plane mid-flight. There are times when it is a bumpy ride.

    If we’re getting things wrong, I want to hear about it. If something’s not working, we need to know.

    But we must never forget that we are one team of 1.5 million people in the National Health Service, working alongside another 1.5 million in social care.

    Resident doctors say I need to do more for them. So does general practice. So do consultants. And so does every specialty.

    Take Advice & Guidance. If patients should be on waiting lists for elective care, that’s where I want them to be.

    But if they can be treated faster and better in the community, that is better for everyone.

    Yet even on that simple principle, we have encountered opposition.

    We can’t do everything, for everyone, everywhere, all at once. And if everyone just advocates for their part of the service, the NHS is going to end up like an overloaded shopping trolley with the wheels all pointing in different directions.

    Every part of the service has been under real pressure and has been through extended crises over the past decade.

    It isn’t just your corner of the NHS that feels like that.

    The model of care was broken across the whole service.

    So, the NHS has to change to survive. And it’s going to take a concerted effort from everyone.

    That’s why I wanted to speak to you all today.

    You and your colleagues are stepping up. You are proving the pessimists wrong and showing that change is possible. In doing so, you are charting the course to a brighter future.

    So, I need you to keep at it.

    To keep showing the innovation, drive, and leadership that is taking the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, getting it back on its feet, and making it fit for the future.

    We can do it.

    All of us.

    Together.

    And what a legacy that would be for our country.

    Thank you very much.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Montenegro [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Montenegro [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2026.

    Ms Nerys Jones has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Montenegro in succession to Ms Dawn McKen, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Jones will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Nerys Heledd Jones

    YearRole
    August 2025 to presentFull-time language training
    2024 to 2025Berlin, Embassy Spokesperson & Counsellor for Public Diplomacy and Internal Politics
    2023 to 2024FCDO, Deputy Head Mediterranean Department
    2022 to 2023FCDO, Europe Directorate Flexible Resource (Western Balkans and Mediterranean Departments; Prague, Deputy Head of Mission; and Warsaw, Political Counsellor Ukraine Humanitarian
    2017 to 2022Vienna, Deputy Head of Mission (including secondment to Austrian Ministry BMEIA)
    2014 to 2017FCO, Deputy Head Human Rights and Democracy Department
    2014 to 2014UK Defence Academy, Higher Command and Staff Course
    2013Governor’s Office, Gibraltar
    2009 to 2013Athens, Deputy Head of Mission
    2005 to 2009Rome, First Secretary EU & Economic Affairs
    2003 to 2005FCO, Head of Turkey Section
    2001 to 2003FCO, Assistant European Correspondent, Common Foreign & Security Policy Department
    1999 to 2001FCO, Desk Officer for Western European Union, Security Policy Department
  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2026.

    Ms Dawn McKen has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina in succession to Mr Julian Reilly, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms McKen will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Dawn McKen

    YearRole
    2023 to presentPodgorica, His Majesty’s Ambassador
    2022 to 2023Global Strategy Programme in International Security and Strategic Leadership studies, Royal College of Defence Studies
    2022MA in International Security and Strategy, King’s College, University of London
    2021Athens, Deputy Head of Mission, later Chargée d’Affaires
    2019 to 2021FCDO, Additional Deputy Director, UK Future Relationship with Turkey and Cyprus/Head, EU External and Security Unit, Europe Directorate
    2016 to 2019FCO, Head, Europe Programmes Unit, Europe Directorate
    2013 to 2016FCO, Deputy Head, Somalia Unit, Africa Directorate
    2011 to 2013FCO, Project Manager, UK Estate Reform Project
    2007 to 2011Budapest, First Secretary (Political), later Deputy Head of Mission and Chargée d’Affaires
    2006 to 2007Full Time Language Training (Hungarian)
    2004 to 2005FCO, Team Leader, EU External and Economic, Europe Directorate
    2002 to 2003FCO, Team Leader, Conventional Arms and Security Sector Reform, Security Policy Department
    2002Kabul, Deputy Head of Mission, later Chargée d’Affaires
    2000 to 2002FCO, Team Leader, Cyprus and Malta, Europe Directorate
    2000FCO, Project Manager, European News Grid, Europe Directorate
    1996 to 2000Moscow, Second Secretary (Political)
    1996Full Time Language Training (Russian)
    1995 to 1996FCO, Desk Officer, Hungary and Bulgaria, Know How Fund
  • PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova – UK statement [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova – UK statement [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2026.

    UK Chargé d’Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford, welcomes the OSCE Mission’s work to facilitate the resumption of in‑person 1+1 meetings, monitoring of the Security Zone and efforts to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    Thank you, Acting Head of Mission, for your report and clear presentation today. The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the OSCE Mission’s vital role in Moldova – one that remains all the more important given the continued impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine and the fragile regional security environment.

    We particularly welcome your Mission’s work in facilitating the resumption of in‑person 1+1 meetings between the Chief Negotiators of Chisinau and Tiraspol in February and April. These meetings are an important step forward after a prolonged period of stagnation, and underline the importance of sustained, direct dialogue in unlocking meaningful progress. We also note positively the increased activity of the Working Groups, which provide a practical avenue to address issues affecting people’s daily lives.

    The UK commends the Mission’s continued monitoring work in the Security Zone. Its impartial presence and rapid response capacity remain critical to preserving stability and reducing the risk of incidents escalating, particularly given the volatile wider security context.

    We reiterate our longstanding concern over the continued presence of Russian military forces in Transnistria, which remains inconsistent with Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We underline the importance of the full and unconditional withdrawal of these forces and associated ammunition stockpiles, in line with international commitments.

    We appreciate the Mission’s efforts to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms, including its engagement on individual cases of detention, on freedom of movement, media access, and access to education. We note the humanitarian progress achieved during the reporting period, while reiterating the importance of upholding OSCE human dimension commitments and resolving outstanding concerns.

    We also welcome the Mission’s work to support the implementation of agreed measures under the Berlin‑plus package, which continue to deliver tangible benefits for communities on both banks of the river Nistru. Practical cooperation on issues such as education, vehicle registration and access to land remains essential to building confidence and trust over time.

    The UK further recognises the value of the Mission’s project work including on environmental cooperation along the Nistru, as well as healthcare access, gender equality and Holocaust education, all of which demonstrate how cooperation can bring real benefits even in a protracted conflict context.

    Looking ahead, the United Kingdom encourages both Chisinau and Tiraspol to build on the renewed momentum, engaging constructively and in good faith in all established formats. We stand ready to continue supporting the Mission in its efforts to facilitate a comprehensive, peaceful and sustainable settlement that fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, within its internationally recognised borders.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • NEWS STORY : UK says Russia suffering huge losses for limited gains in Ukraine

    NEWS STORY : UK says Russia suffering huge losses for limited gains in Ukraine

    STORY

    The UK has said Russia is continuing to suffer catastrophic losses in Ukraine for only minimal territorial gains, arguing that the war is becoming increasingly unsustainable for Moscow. In a statement to the OSCE in Vienna, Colonel Joby Rimmer of the UK delegation said evidence based military analysis showed Russia’s human and financial costs were rising sharply while delivering only limited returns on the battlefield.

    According to the statement, Russian forces are reported to have sustained about 420,000 casualties in 2025, including up to 200,000 killed, while gaining an estimated 0.8 per cent more Ukrainian territory. The UK also said average monthly Russian casualties in early 2026 remained above 30,000 and that cumulative losses since the start of the full scale invasion were now estimated at roughly 1.3 million.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Evidence shows Russia continues to incur catastrophic losses for minimal gains in an unsustainable war – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Evidence shows Russia continues to incur catastrophic losses for minimal gains in an unsustainable war – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2026.

    UK Senior Military Advisor, Colonel Joby Rimmer says evidence based military analysis shows Russia’s war in Ukraine is unsustainable, with increasingly catastrophic human and fiscal losses delivering only limited military returns, reinforcing the need for facts, not propaganda, in assessing European security.

    The United Kingdom remains unequivocally committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Our support for Ukraine is long term, coordinated, and grounded in the shared understanding that European security is indivisible. Upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act is not optional; it is essential to stability across the OSCE area. Continued support to Ukraine is both a legal and strategic necessity.

    The United Kingdom attaches particular importance to the core purpose of the Forum for Security Co-operation: to discuss politico-military issues on the basis of professional military expertise, factual analysis, and transparency. Our assessments are grounded in open-source information and, wherever possible, independent third‑party verification, not in state-sponsored propaganda. Preserving the FSC as a space for professional politico‑military dialogue, rather than one shaped by escalation through disingenuous politicisation, is essential if this body is to contribute meaningfully to risk and escalation management and stability.

    With that in mind and in line with the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security and drawing on open‑source reporting and observable trends, our statement today highlights the growing imbalance between the costs Russia is incurring in Ukraine and the limited military gains it is achieving. These dynamics have clear implications for regional stability, military sustainability, and escalation management — core concerns of the FSC.

    At the outset, let me be clear: the United Kingdom is horrified by the scale of human loss that this war has produced. All military casualties are tragic. Mass casualties, force degradation, and fiscal strain in any major military power have direct implications for regional stability, escalation risk, and the overall security environment that concerns this Forum. These dynamics affect us all, not only Russia. In 2025, Russian forces reportedly sustained approximately 420,000 casualties, including up to 200,000 killed, while occupying an additional estimated 0.8 per cent of Ukrainian territory. In 2026, those returns have worsened further.

    In 2026, Russian losses remain exceptionally high. Even during winter, when operations were partially constrained, average monthly casualties in early 2026 exceeded 30,000, only slightly below the 2025 monthly average of around 35,000. As Russian forces inevitably intensify assaults over the summer and move toward the dense urban belt in Donetsk oblast, casualty rates are likely to return to, or surpass, last year’s record levels. The proportion of losses that are killed, captured, or permanently wounded is reportedly at its highest level to date, placing additional strain on Russia’s mobilisation system.

    These losses add to an estimated cumulative total of roughly 1.3 million casualties since the start of the full‑scale invasion. From a security‑governance perspective, these figures point to a conflict trajectory that is neither militarily decisive nor sustainable over the longer term without increasingly severe political and economic trade‑offs. But this is a conscious choice that President Putin has made.

    As the pool of volunteers shrinks, Russia faces narrowing mobilisation options. Financial incentives have become more expensive, while large‑scale compulsory mobilisation would risk domestic instability. Most of Russia’s pre‑war professional force has been depleted, forcing commanders to rely on basic, attritional tactics conducted by minimally trained recruits.

    Russia’s inability to generate a strategic reserve further undermines operational effectiveness and increases instability along the line of contact. Forces cannot be concentrated for offensive action without exposing other sectors, a vulnerability exploited by Ukrainian counter‑operations near Dobropillia and Kupiansk, where approximately 200 square kilometres have recently been liberated.

    These personnel challenges are reflected in rising costs. Russian spending on military manpower increased from approximately USD 39 billion in 2024 to over USD 50 billion in 2025, or around ten per cent of total government spending. Reports indicate that compensation payments to families of fallen soldiers now exceed spending on salaries for serving personnel — an indicator of both the scale of losses and their long‑term fiscal impact.

    These cumulative military pressures underline a broader point relevant to this Forum: prolonged violations of the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act — sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes — carry mounting costs not only for the victims of aggression, but also for the aggressor’s own security and stability.

    Russia’s continued aggression has weakened its own military capacity, eroded its economic foundations, and increased risk across the OSCE area. The United Kingdom takes no satisfaction in the scale of Russian casualties. The loss of life is a tragic consequence of a war that Russia alone chose to initiate and can move to end.

    By contrast, Ukraine’s partners remain united, better resourced, and resolved to continue support for as long as required. Support increased significantly in 2025, and long‑term financial instruments now underpin Ukraine’s resilience into 2027. We will not tire, we will not fragment, and we will not be deterred by escalation narratives. Our commitment to Ukraine is grounded in international law, reinforced by capability, and sustained by collective will.

    Finally, the UK stands in solidarity with Romania and we commend the measured and responsible response to the repeated and unacceptable violations of its sovereign airspace. The UK remains firmly committed to NATO’s collective defence, including through the deployment of Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons under NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission, and we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression.

  • NEWS STORY : Right to Buy overhaul to tighten access to council home sales

    NEWS STORY : Right to Buy overhaul to tighten access to council home sales

    STORY

    The Government has confirmed a further overhaul of Right to Buy in England, saying the changes are aimed at protecting scarce social housing while still keeping a route into home ownership for long term tenants. The reforms will increase the minimum qualifying period from three years to ten, cut discounts so they begin at 5% of a property’s value and rise by 1% a year to a maximum of 15% or the cash cap, and introduce a 35 year exemption for newly built social homes so they cannot be sold under the scheme during that period.

    Ministers said the measures are intended to help councils rebuild housing stock that has been depleted by past sales. The Government has already said councils will be allowed to keep 100% of Right to Buy receipts, and the latest announcement forms part of a wider effort to increase the supply of social and affordable homes. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said reform was needed to better protect social housing while maintaining what the Government called a responsible route into ownership.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Right to Buy overhaul to safeguard social housing [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Right to Buy overhaul to safeguard social housing [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 28 April 2026.

    The government has today (Tuesday 28 April) confirmed it will bring forward further reforms to Right to Buy.

    Right to Buy is a government scheme allowing eligible council tenants in England to buy their home at a discount.  

    Last year the government published its consultation response to overhaul Right to Buy that will support councils to better protect and rebuild depleted housing stock while maintaining a responsible route into homeownership for longstanding tenants.  

    New reforms to be brought forward will include: 

    • Increasing the minimum eligibility period from three to ten years before tenants can apply to buy their home.  
    • Amending discount rules so that discounts start at 5% of the property value and increase by 1% each year up to the maximum discount of 15% of the property value or the cash cap (whichever is lower).  
    • A 35-year new build exemption period so new social homes cannot be sold under Right to Buy for 35 years after they are built.  

    Since the consultation, the government has also been undertaking further policy development and analysis to explore more effective fraud prevention to mitigate vulnerable tenants being pressured into buying and reviewing how the Right to Buy scheme applies in rural areas.

    The government has already taken steps to give councils more confidence to ramp up the delivery of new social homes, including reducing maximum cash discounts to £16,000 – £38,000 depending on the area. Councils can also retain all of the receipts from sales and combine those receipts with grant funding to build and buy more homes. 

    The ‘cost floor’ protection has been extended from 15 to 30 years, meaning landlords can limit discounts so that the sale price does not fall below the amount spent on building, repairing and maintaining the properties. The government has been exploring further reforms to the cost floor to better protect council investment in existing homes. 

    The changes will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.

    Additional quotes

    Gavin Smart, CEO, Chartered Institute of Housing:

    “CIH welcomes the government’s continued focus on reforming Right to Buy and the clear recognition that change is needed to better protect and rebuild our social housing. The measures confirmed today are a positive step towards addressing the long-standing imbalance between homes sold and those replaced.

    “We also welcome the further work on fraud prevention and the scheme’s impact in rural areas, both of which are crucial to ensuring Right to Buy operates fairly and sustainably.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : This Treaty has been a truly  vital pillar of international peace and security – UK Statement at the UN General Assembly [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : This Treaty has been a truly  vital pillar of international peace and security – UK Statement at the UN General Assembly [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 April 2026.

    Statement by Steven Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

    For more than fifty years, this Treaty has been a truly  vital pillar of international peace and security.   

    It has helped limit the spread of nuclear weapons;  facilitated access to clean and reliable energy; and has built confidence for responsible nuclear trade.  

    In short, it has delivered real benefits for people around the world.  

    The United Kingdom remains fully committed to the Treaty and our obligations under it, including Article Six.  

    But we should not take the Treaty, or the stability it helps provide, for granted.    

    Over the next few weeks, our task is to renew our common commitment to the principles of the Treaty so that it can continue to support the security of us all.  

    Since this Conference last met, Russia has developed novel nuclear systems, continued its unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, in which it has relentlessly attacked civilian targets, including with medium-range ballistic missiles, and reckless behaviour in relation to  Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl, and it has engaged in coercive nuclear signalling. 

    Iran is in non-compliance with its safeguards obligations, and the DPRK continues to develop nuclear weapons. 

    Furthermore, China is rapidly and opaquely expanding its nuclear arsenal and has not fully engaged in meaningful transparency or risk reduction measures.   

    Against that backdrop, the UK’s position is clear.  

    Firstly, we will work to support the IAEA and countries around the world in tackling the major nuclear proliferation challenges, above all, the programmes in Iran and DPRK. 

    We have been clear that a negotiated outcome is the only long-term solution to the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme. 

    And we remain committed to avoiding conflict on the Korean peninsula. 

    We urge the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, re-engage in meaningful dialogue,  and return to full compliance with the NPT.    

    Secondly, nuclear deterrence remains the bedrock of UK security and our commitment to NATO. 

    We have and will continue to take the steps necessary to maintain our deterrence capability, always with the aims and obligations of the NPT in mind.  

    At the same time, we continue our work to create the conditions to support nuclear disarmament when the security circumstances allow. 

    Our approach is pragmatic and principled. 

    We believe the right approach is to proceed step by step, in a transparent, verifiable, and irreversible manner, based on the principles of increased and undiminished security for all.   

    Our focus is on practical efforts.  

    This includes our continued support for negotiations to commence in the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut‑Off Treaty;  maintaining our voluntary moratorium on conducting nuclear test explosions;  and our support for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).    

    We are fully committed to the P5 Process  and have taken our role as Chair seriously this year, using meetings under our Chair to promote active engagement and practical measures between nuclear weapons states to reduce risks.  

    We strongly support US efforts to intensify discussions among the P5 on strategic stability, including through proposed multilateral strategic stability talks.  

    The United Kingdom strongly supports the principle and practice of Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zones.

     We will continue discussions with ASEAN Member States to establish a path for the UK to sign the Protocol to the Bangkok Treaty to progress the establishment of the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.  

    Thirdly,  as access to peaceful nuclear energy expands, with the obvious benefits to the climate and people around the world, the need for rigorous safeguards becomes greater.  

    The International Atomic Energy Agency and its safeguards system underpins the effective implementation of the Treaty, providing assurance that nuclear programmes are exclusively peaceful. 

    It is essential this Conference supports that work.  

    The UK’s goal on peaceful uses of nuclear technology is clear: to work with others to make sure that civil nuclear technology is used safely and responsibly, in a way that builds trust between countries.  

    We are driving the largest expansion of civil nuclear power in a generation, including through Small Modular Reactors.  

    And we are working with partners and the IAEA to make sure technologies are used safely and responsibly, from cancer treatment to food security and clean energy, so that every country can  benefit.

    As we enter a period of unprecedented growth in nuclear power, the NPT will continue to play an integral role in building global confidence in safe and secure expansion, without increased risk of proliferation.  

    Mr President, the UK believes that the Treaty remains the only credible route to tackle the nuclear challenges of the decades to come.  

    We must use the next few weeks to unite behind it.    

    We want this Conference to deliver a consensus outcome that strengthens implementation of the NPT.  

    Whether or not we can get there, the Treaty’s role in global security is enduring and undiminished.   

    But a collective signal that, despite our differences, we can come together to restate common commitments would further strengthen it and send a powerful message.    

    So, Mr President, at this Conference, we will all play our part, working with all States Parties in a spirit of pragmatism, in support of the Treaty and its enduring role in the years ahead.