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PRESS RELEASE : Military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 12 November 2025.

Partnership with the Ministry of Defence will see 36 defence driving examiners provide thousands of additional tests over the next year.
- government taking decisive action to reduce driving test waiting times, deploying defence driving examiners across England over the next year
- up to 6,500 additional tests will be delivered over the next year and will be based at driving test centres with the highest demand, so learners can get on the road quickly
- new measures also introduced to stamp out reselling of tests, as government remains committed to helping drivers ditch their L plates as soon as they’re ready
Military driving examiners will help deliver up to 6,500 more tests in tough new measures to tackle the driving test backlog, the government announced today (12 November 2025).

There will also be a new limit on rearranging tests and a ban on third parties booking on behalf of learners in order to make the system fairer, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.

The Department for Transport, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), has announced 36 defence driving examiners (DDEs), made up of civilian MOD personnel, will help conduct driving tests one day a week for 12 months.

The extra personnel will be focusing primarily on car driving tests but with flexibility to carry out vocational tests, for bus and lorry drivers, if needed. They will be based at the driving test centres with the highest demand near their MOD base or home location.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-Plates, who have been sadly forced to endure record waiting times for their tests. Every learner should have an equal and fair opportunity to take a test.

We’re taking decisive action and these new measures will deliver thousands of extra tests over the next year, helping learners get on the road sooner. This will ease pressure on the system, removing barriers to opportunity and supporting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

Military driving examiners usually test service personnel, covering cars as well as fuel tankers and armoured carriers. The new arrangement will benefit both parties, helping tackle the driving test backlog and keeping DDEs skills sharp.

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, has authorised the deployment of military driving examiners to help bring down the backlog, with no negative impact on military operations.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said:

The Armed Forces and civilians working within the Ministry of Defence have always been ready to step up when the country needs them – and this is another example of that commitment in action.

Our military driving examiners bring skill and professionalism from testing service personnel to prepare them for some of the toughest conditions imaginable.

By supporting civilian testing, they’re helping to get more learners on the road, keep Britain moving and deliver for the public.

Alongside military support, the government is introducing new rules to tackle unfair booking practices that have allowed bots and resellers to profit at learners’ expense.

New rules will mean that:
- learner drivers will only be able to make up to 2 changes to the driving test in total – including moves, swaps and location changes – before it must be cancelled and rebooked
- learner drivers will be restricted to a limited number of test centres, which are located close to the original booking
- only learner drivers will be able to book their own test and not instructors on their behalf
Limiting who can book a test and the number of changes made will mean third parties will no longer be able to resell tests at inflated prices. Learners will only pay the actual fee DVSA charges – £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays – giving them greater control and confidence when booking a driving test.

Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, said:

It is good to see steps being put in place to put a stop to those touting tests to frustrated learners – candidates stuck in the queue should at least be reassured that they aren’t being elbowed aside by those simply seeking to make a quick buck.

What will really deter the touts and tackle the queues would be a return to the more reasonable pre-COVID waiting time for tests, which we hope the arrival of a platoon of military examiners alongside the new DVSA recruits will help deliver.

The government instructed the DVSA to take further measures this year, and is now beginning to see early signs of improvement. We saw an increase in the number of tests over summer 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 and have nearly doubled the number of trainers available to train new examiners, to help unlock more tests.

The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training.
November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 50 – UK Statement on Libya [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Libya’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice President.

The UK welcomes recent steps by the Libyan government, including extending ICC jurisdiction to 2027 and supporting the renewal of OHCHR’s technical assistance.

However, we remain gravely concerned by escalating human rights violations and abuses, particularly arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture, committed with near-total impunity.

We also call for meaningful engagement in the UN’s political process. Lasting peace and stability are vital to advancing human rights.

We recommend that Libya:
1. Ensures access and accountability by allowing unrestricted entry for UN bodies and NGOs to all areas, including detention centres and mass graves, and fully cooperating with investigations into disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings.
2. Ends abuse of migrants and refugees by closing detention centres linked to torture, sexual violence and killings, and establishes a fair asylum system in line with international law.
3. Advances women’s rights by: repealing discriminatory laws, notably Penal Code Article 424; criminalising all forms of sexual and gender-based violence including online; and ensuring women’s full participation in politics and peacebuilding.
Thank you.
November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New report highlights impact of climate change on mental health in the UK [November 2025]

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 12 November 2025.

The new report demonstrates the impact climate change is already having on the mental health of the UK population.

A report published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) demonstrates the impact climate change is already having on the mental health of the UK population.

The effects of extreme weather such as flooding and heat are the biggest climate-related issues affecting mental health in the UK today, particularly impacting vulnerable populations who find it increasingly difficult to access transport and healthcare services in extreme conditions.

An increasing awareness of these longer-term impacts is also leading to increased anxiety about the future, particularly among children and young people. In the absence of appropriate interventions and adaptations, these impacts are likely to grow as the climate warms.

The report outlines that mental health impacts are not felt equally – farming, rural communities, those with livelihoods connected to the land and those with pre-existing health issues are at heightened risk.

There are steps that can be taken to reduce the burden placed on mental health and well-being from climate change, including implementing preparedness measures such as high-quality early warning systems and providing targeted mental health support for communities affected by adverse weather events.

Professor Lea Berrang Ford, Head of the UKHSA Centre for Climate and Health Security (CCHS), said:

Climate change is already impacting mental health, and these risks will increase as the climate warms and extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

Climate warming will exacerbate mental health inequalities, with impacts greatest on rural and agricultural communities and young people.

There are practical and effective steps government and social care organisations can take to ensure adequate protection and support.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said:

Published as part of UKHSA’s commitment to the UK Government’s National Adaptation Programme, this publication is an important step forward and builds on the evidence base set in out in the Health Effects of Climate Change report.

Crucially this report highlights there is much we can do to minimise the adverse impacts from climate change on mental health and we hope that it will help galvanise activity and lead to coordinated action in this area.

This report is part of UKHSA’s ongoing commitment to investigate the impact of climate change on health. One of the main findings of this report is that these impacts are not evenly distributed, with certain groups being disproportionately affected.

Farming communities in the UK already experience high rates of mental health challenges, with only 55% of farmers feeling positive about their mental health. Climate change will exacerbate this burden.

For younger generations, the impacts can be anticipatory – they suffer anxiety about the effects that climate change will have in their lifetime, which is coupled with a perceived lack of ability to carry out actions to make a difference.

In a global survey published by the Lancet Planetary Health, findings from the UK showed that out of 1,000 children, 50% reported feeling extremely worried about climate change, with some respondents across all 10 countries surveyed also saying it impacted their daily lives and made them hesitant about having children due to concerns over their future quality of life.

These mental health and wellbeing impacts need to be considered alongside existing service pressures and other predicted changes to health service demand associated with an ageing population.

Alongside demonstrating the impacts climate change could have, the report is clear that there are steps that can be taken to counter these affects. Targeted interventions for specific groups can reduce climate-related distress, while mitigation or adaptation actions can have positive mental health co-benefits.

Many interventions targeted at supporting people following extreme weather events focus on impacts immediately following the event, but this report highlights the importance of ongoing support to address mental health impacts that persist beyond the immediate crisis.

Interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or digital interventions such as mobile mindfulness apps or text-based supportive messaging associated with both climate-related weather hazards and general awareness of climate change significantly reduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and stress. In rural communities affected by drought, wildfires, floods and hurricanes, individual and group-based psychological and clinical interventions were also associated with a significant reduction in these symptoms.

Interventions designed to adapt to or mitigate the impacts of climate change, including preparedness measures such as advanced warning systems, flood defences and timely dissemination of information, reduce the risk of mental health difficulties.

There are also longer-term measures that can provide co-benefits, such as urban design strategies that improve mental health through increasing physical activity, shaded areas and social connectivity.

Further research on successful interventions will help build resilience to these longer-term impacts of climate change and help maintain public health in a rapidly warming world.

November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary sets roadmap to improve attendance levels

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 12 November 2025.

Every school to be set an individual minimum target to improve attendance and set up every child to achieve and thrive.

Children stand to gain millions more days of learning as the Education Secretary has set every school an individual minimum attendance improvement target – part of an urgent drive to restore absence to pre-pandemic levels.

Last year saw the biggest improvement in overall attendance in a decade, with the government overseeing 5.3 million more days in school and 140,000 fewer persistently absent pupils as part of its Plan for Change.

But with 1 in 3 schools failing to improve, the Department for Education is today (Wednesday 12th) setting out a roadmap for every school to double down on its efforts to support pupils back to class, as research shows the importance of every day in school for children’s opportunity in life and future earnings.

From this month, every school will be issued with AI-powered minimum attendance improvement targets to ensure children are in school and ready to achieve. The attendance baseline improvement expectation (ABIE) will be based on schools’ circumstances – including location, pupil needs and deprivation.

The department is also using AI and data to give more support to schools to meet the minimum expectations, by linking them up with high performing schools with similar circumstances. These top schools will be identified within each school’s ABIE report.

This comes alongside 36 new Attendance and Behaviour Hubs launching today, which will offer direct one-to-one support reaching tens of thousands of pupils across hundreds of schools, as wider sharing of best practice through events and open days.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

We can only deliver opportunity for children in our country if they’re in school, achieving and thriving. That’s why I want every school to play its part in getting attendance back to – and beyond – pre-pandemic levels.

We’ve already delivered the biggest improvement in attendance in a decade and now we’re building a school system for the future with free breakfast clubs, more mental health support and a curriculum and enrichment offer to match. But we must go further.

By working jointly with schools to set individual targets, we’re tackling variation head-on. Our best schools already have a brilliant approach to attendance, and now we’re driving that focus everywhere so that all children are supported to attend school and learn.

Research also identifies a significant attendance drop-off during Key Stage 3 as pupils struggle to settle in to secondary school life and emerging issues start to surface.

That is why schools will now receive a best practice toolkit targeting these critical transition moments – like the jump from primary to secondary and Year 7 to 8 – giving them proven strategies to keep children engaged.

At CHS South in Manchester, the school encourages strong starts to secondary school by creating a sense of community with parents and pupils. Parents say the strategies, like family cooking classes in the summer before year 7 have eased anxiety around the transition.

Sue Burke, Deputy Headteacher and Attendance Lead, CHS South, Manchester:

Our ambition is that no-one is left behind or left on the outside looking in. We welcome and celebrate our young people and their families from their very first interaction with us, which in turn creates a community of belonging.

Attendance is a whole staff team effort and we are particularly proud of our attendance team, who work with relentless drive offering support and empathy to students and their families, while also providing skilful and personalised challenge when needed.

King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, one of the best practice examples in the new toolkit, creates an environment where all children can belong and thrive with weekly enrichment sessions where pupils choose activities including crochet, gardening and sign language.

This work to offer more enrichment opportunity has seen huge success in improving pupil attendance with one severely absent pupil now coming in to school more regularly so she can be part of the school’s community outreach programme to deliver reading support to younger children.

Umar Hussain, Kings Leadership Academy headteacher, said:

At King’s every day and every lesson counts. We create many opportunities to interact with our students and it’s those moments that build a genuine sense of belonging.

Our students matter to us, every child is noticed and greeted throughout the day, whether during lesson transitions, break times, or with a handshake and words of praise in lessons. Through these daily interactions, our students feel valued and connected, which helps them become happy, confident learners who want to attend school every day.

The government is tackling barriers to attendance head-on: from calling for schools to provide a base level of enrichment opportunities getting more children excited to attend, limiting branded uniform items to minimise social and financial pressure, and rolling out free breakfast clubs so no child starts the day hungry.

November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New law to tackle AI child abuse images at source as reports more than double [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 12 November 2025.

New legislation sees government work with AI industry and child protection organisations to ensure AI models cannot be misused to create synthetic child sexual abuse images.
- World-leading legislation sees government work with AI industry and child protection organisations to ensure AI models cannot be misused to create synthetic child sexual abuse images.
- Technology Secretary and Home Secretary will have new powers to designate AI developers and charities like the Internet Watch Foundation as authorised testers.
- Comes as fresh Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) data shows reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material have more than doubled in the past year, rising from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.(note)
Children will be better protected from becoming victims of horrific indecent deepfakes as the government introduces new laws to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be exploited to generate child sexual abuse material.

Data from the Internet Watch Foundation released today (Wednesday 12 November) shows reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material have more than doubled in the past year, rising from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025. (note)

There has also been a disturbing rise in depictions of infants, with images of 0–2-year-olds surging from 5 in 2024 to 92 in 2025. (note)

Under stringent new legislation, designated bodies like AI developers and child protection organisations, such as the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), will be empowered to scrutinise AI models, and ensure safeguards are in place to prevent them generating or proliferating child sexual abuse material, including indecent images and videos of children.

Currently, criminal liability to create and possess this material means developers can’t carry out safety testing on AI models, and images can only be removed after they have been created and shared online. This measure, one of the first of its kind in the world, ensures AI systems’ safeguards can be robustly tested from the start, to limit its production in the first place.

The laws will also enable organisations to check models have protections against extreme pornography, and non-consensual intimate images.

While possessing and generating child sexual abuse material is already illegal under UK law, both real and synthetically produced by AI, improving AI image and video capabilities present a growing challenge.

We know that offenders who seek to create this heinous material often do so using images of real children – both those known to them and those found online – and attempt to circumnavigate safeguards designed to prevent this.

This measure aims to make such actions more difficult by empowering companies to ensure their safeguards are effective and to develop innovative, robust methods to prevent model misuse.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

We will not allow technological advancement to outpace our ability to keep children safe.

These new laws will ensure AI systems can be made safe at the source, preventing  vulnerabilities that could put children at risk.

By empowering trusted organisations to scrutinise their AI models, we are ensuring child safety is designed into AI systems, not bolted on as an afterthought.

Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said:

We must make sure children are kept safe online and that our laws keep up with the latest threats. This new measure will mean legitimate AI tools cannot be manipulated into creating vile material and more children will be protected from predators as a result.

It comes as new Internet Watch Foundation data also shows the severity of the material has intensified over the past year. Category A content – images involving penetrative sexual activity, images involving sexual activity with an animal, or sadism – rose from 2,621 to 3,086 items, now accounting for 56% of all illegal material compared to 41% last year. (note)

Girls have been overwhelmingly targeted, making up 94% of illegal AI images in 2025.(note)

To ensure testing work is carried out safely and securely, the government will also bring together a group of experts in AI and child safety.

The group will help design the safeguards needed to protect sensitive data, prevent any risk of illegal content being leaked, and support the wellbeing of researchers involved.

These changes, which will be tabled today (Wednesday 12 November) as an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, mark a major step forward in safeguarding children in the digital age.

They reflect the government’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with AI developers, tech platforms, and child protection organisations to build a safer online world for children.

We want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online, particularly for children, and this includes when using AI Models. This measure aims to help us achieve that goal by making AI models used by the British public safer and more robust at preventing offenders from misusing this exciting technology for criminal activity.

This proactive approach not only protects children from exploitation and re-victimisation but also reinforces public trust in AI innovation - proving that technological progress and child safety can go hand in hand.

Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), said: 

We welcome the government’s efforts to bring in new measures for testing AI models to check whether they can be abused to create child sexual abuse. For 3 decades, we have been at the forefront of preventing the spread of this imagery online – we look forward to using our expertise to help further the fight against this new threat.

AI tools have made it so survivors can be victimised all over again with just a few clicks, giving criminals the ability to make potentially limitless amounts of sophisticated, photorealistic child sexual abuse material. Material which further commodifies victims’ suffering, and makes children, particularly girls, less safe on and off line.

Safety needs to be baked into new technology by design. Today’s announcement could be a vital step to make sure AI products are safe before they are released.

Notes to editors

(note): Internet Watch Foundation research – trends of AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) (data compares January to October 2024 vs January to October 2025)
- AI reports actioned more than doubled, rising from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.
- While the overall number of AI images and videos decreased slightly (6,459 in 2024 to 5,560 in 2025), severity has intensified. Category A content rose from 2,621 to 3,086 items, now accounting for 56% of all illegal material compared to 41% last year.
- Gender analysis shows girls remain overwhelmingly targeted, making up 94% of illegal AI images in 2025, though there is a small increase in boys appearing. Age profiles reveal a disturbing rise in depictions of infants: images of 0–2-year-olds surged from 5 in 2024 to 92 in 2025, while older age brackets saw reductions.
Each ‘report’ the IWF receives refers to a webpage or URL – each of which may contain one, or multiple, images or videos of child sexual abuse. A webpage only needs to contain a single confirmed image or video of child sexual abuse for the IWF to take action to have it removed.

The image by image analysis refers to individual images and videos which the IWF has discovered (hence the higher numbers). Each number is an individual image or video – allowing for a more granular break down of age/sex/severity of the abuse in the imagery.
November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement of G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Niagara Region [November 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2025.

Joint Statement from the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and the High Representative of the EU.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met under Canada’s G7 Presidency, in Niagara, on November 11-12, 2025. We welcomed the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, who joined us for discussions on maritime security and prosperity, critical minerals, economic resilience and energy security.

Ukraine’s long-term prosperity, security and defence

We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence.

We reiterated that an immediate ceasefire is urgently needed. We agreed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

We are increasing the economic costs to Russia, and exploring measures against countries and entities that are helping finance Russia’s war efforts.

We condemned the provision to Russia of military assistance by DPRK and Iran, and the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, a decisive enabler of Russia’s war.

We acknowledged the ongoing discussions on a wide range of financing options, including further leveraging immobilised Russian Sovereign Assets in our jurisdictions in a coordinated way to support Ukraine.

We strongly condemned Russia’s recent direct attacks on energy infrastructure and reaffirmed our support for Ukraine’s energy security.

Peace and stability in the Middle East

We reiterated our strong support for President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. We welcomed the ceasefire and the release of hostages. We stressed the urgency of returning the remains of deceased hostages. We also welcomed the increased flows of aid, but expressed concern about restrictions that remain in place. We called on all parties to allow for humanitarian assistance without interference at scale, through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions and INGOs, as stipulated in President Trump’s plan.

It is vital that all parties continue to engage constructively on the next steps outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, in pursuit of a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples that advances comprehensive Middle East peace and stability. We will also continue to maintain attention on the situation in the West Bank.

We urged Iran to fully implement its obligations both under UN Security Council resolutions and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Iran must resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including enabling inspections of all nuclear facilities and materials. We called on Iran to engage in direct talks with the United States, supported by the E3. We continue to call on all UN member states to adhere to their obligations following the legal implementation of the snapback mechanism.

Regional security and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific

We reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. We reiterated our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in particular by force or coercion, including in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

We expressed serious concern over the use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight through militarization and coercion in the South China Sea. We reiterated that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on 12 July 2016 is a significant milestone, binding upon the parties.

We emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion. We encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through constructive dialogue. We also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.

We remain concerned about China’s military build-up and rapid increase of nuclear weapons arsenal and call on Beijing to demonstrate its commitment to stability through improved transparency.

We strongly condemned the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the DPRK, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We expressed grave concern over the DPRK’s cryptocurrency thefts. We urged DPRK to resolve the abductions issue expeditiously.

Haiti

We stressed the need for voluntary personnel and financial contributions to implement UNSC Resolution 2793. We urged the Haitian authorities to present a concrete plan and timeline toward free and fair elections. We welcomed the launch of a Regional Maritime Security Initiative to address transnational organized crime and foster greater stability and resilience in Haiti and the Caribbean through improved maritime security.

Sudan

We strongly condemned the recent escalation of violence and attacks that are often ethnically-motivated, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against unarmed civilians and aid workers, particularly in El Fasher and North Kordofan. We deplore the devastating impact of this war on civilians including the famine that has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence. We urged the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to respect human rights, de-escalate, commit to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and ensure rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance. We expressed our support for diplomatic efforts underway to restore peace and security and called upon external actors to contribute to that end.

Eastern DRC

We remain deeply concerned by ongoing violence and reports of human rights violations in eastern DRC, including conflict-related sexual violence. We called on all parties to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. We urged all parties to engage in good faith in the peace process, to deliver lasting peace and security, in line with UNSC Resolution 2773. We called on parties to uphold commitments to fully implement the June 27 Peace Agreement and July 19 Declaration of Principles. We welcomed the Paris Conference on peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, held on October 30, 2025.

Migration

We noted the serious impact of conflict and instability on affected countries and regions, as well as on broader regional and international security, undermining growth and development, lessening opportunity and driving displacement and irregular migration. We committed to take up these issues at a future G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Maritime security and prosperity

Maritime security and prosperity are fundamental to global stability, economic resilience, and the well-being of all nations. We reaffirm the principles reflected in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.

We recalled the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Declaration on Maritime Security and Prosperity, adopted in Charlevoix, Quebec on March 14, 2025. We welcomed the work carried out by the members of the G7 NB8++ Shadow Fleet Task Force.

We reiterated our commitment to strengthen G7 coordination with partners to prevent the use of unregistered or fraudulently registered, uninsured and substandard vessels engaged in sanctions evasion, risky navigation practices, arms transfers, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, illicit trade, and maritime crime.

We reaffirmed our shared commitment to address hybrid threats, including activity against critical undersea infrastructure, and to strengthening partnership in securing maritime ports and routes against the trafficking of illegal drugs.

Economic resilience, energy security and critical minerals

Building on the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, the G7 Roadmap to promote standards-based markets for critical minerals and the Production Alliance, we are pursuing partnerships that drive economic development, innovation, resilient and sustainable supply chains, and shared prosperity and security beyond the G7.

We expressed particular concern with the use of non-market policies and practices to disrupt critical minerals supply chains, as well as other forms of market distortions including overcapacity. In this regard, we welcome the results of the recent U.S. – China discussions and discourage any future policy impediments to predictable trade, including in critical minerals.

G7 members agreed to pursue concrete initiatives, jointly with partners, to address vulnerabilities by reducing our dependencies, and strengthening our collective economic resilience and security.

November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister teams up with England international to show economic benefits of hosting UEFA EURO 2028 [November 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 November 2025.

UK government investing up to £557 million in tournament, which will deliver £3.2 billion socio-economic boost for the UK, promoting growth and creating jobs across the nations.
- Prime Minister, Culture Secretary and England international Tyrone Mings host event at 10 Downing Street to mark UK and Ireland hosting UEFA EURO 2028, attended by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin
- Government hails the tournament as an unparalleled opportunity to bring millions of people together from all backgrounds
- £45 million social impact fund to spark community activities from 2026 through to 2030
A special event has been hosted at 10 Downing Street today, as the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary hailed the UK and Ireland hosting the UEFA European Football Championships in 2028 (UEFA EURO 2028) as a unique opportunity to bring the nations together, unite communities and generate a significant boost to the economy.

The event, attended by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and England international Tyrone Mings, coincides with UEFA today announcing the tournament match schedule with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium hosting the opening match and Wembley hosting the final. At the event school children had the opportunity to play football in a venue like no other when they played in the No.10 garden.

The tournament will be the biggest sporting event the UK and Ireland have ever jointly hosted and world-class football is expected to create shared experiences in packed stadiums, fan zones in city centres, pubs and living rooms.

The UK government is investing up to £557 million into hosting the tournament, which will generate significant socio-economic benefits across all UK nations. Following an updated and upgraded independent assessment, UEFA EURO 2028 is now predicted to deliver £3.2 billion of socio-economic benefits across the UK – creating jobs, driving regional growth, and bringing a surge of international visitors whose spending will boost local economies.

To coincide with this, the Governments and football partners across the UK and Ireland have committed around £45 million to a social impact fund for UEFA EURO 2028, with the UK Government contributing £23 million to deliver initiatives. This investment will fund programmes that will have ‘togetherness’ at its heart, directly supporting the Government’s mission of patriotic renewal by creating a more socially cohesive country with an inclusive national story.

It will be the first international men’s football tournament to be fully hosted in the UK and Ireland since UEFA EURO ‘96 when England staged the competition.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said:

UEFA EURO 2028 will be the biggest sporting event ever jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland and, as a lifelong football fan, I know how much international competitions like this matter.

This tournament will bring fans from across Europe to iconic footballing cities like Birmingham and Glasgow, inspire the next generation to lace up their boots, and deliver billions in economic benefits.

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

The summer of 2028 will be a massive moment for the whole of the UK and Ireland as we welcome football fans from across Europe. Football reaches people like nothing else – it crosses every boundary, speaks every language, and has the power to bring together communities in ways that other things simply cannot.

We are poised to do all we can to make this an unforgettable experience. The legacy starts now, not in 2028. We will be launching activities years before the tournament that will continue long after the final whistle – creating new opportunities for children to get active and healthy in safe spaces, generating exciting moments for communities to unite around their shared excitement, and maximising the potential to boost economies in host cities and far beyond.

From independent cafés to major suppliers, local businesses and communities across the country will reap direct economic rewards. Dedicated volunteering initiatives will enhance skills development and open exciting pathways into employment across the regions, creating opportunities that last long after the tournament ends.

Today the UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock also chaired a meeting attended by Ministerial representatives from the Government of Ireland, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government as well as UEFA to discuss the successful delivery of the tournament and how plans are progressing.

UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

UEFA EURO 2028 is a fantastic opportunity for governments across the Devolved Administrations to work together closely to put on the best football tournament in a generation that benefits people right across the UK and Ireland.

Major sporting events like this unite communities, giving them something to be proud of. I am pleased to work with my inter-governmental colleagues to deliver the best, most inclusive tournament that we can, across the UK and Ireland.

Although the host nations may end up competing against each other on the pitch, off the pitch we will be working as one team to make the tournament a roaring success, whether that be encouraging engagement in sport, bringing communities together, or growing our economies.

The tournament builds on the UK’s proud tradition as a world-leading host of major sporting events. Over the next decade, the UK will welcome the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, the European Athletics Championships 2026, the ICC T20 Cricket women’s and men’s World Cups (in 2026 and 2030 respectively), the Invictus Games 2027 in Birmingham, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Departs 2027, and UEFA EURO 2028. The UK also has strong ambitions to secure the World Athletics Championships in 2029 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.

Alongside our EURO 2028 impact programme, the government has also committed approximately half a billion pounds investment into grassroots community sport from 2025 to 2030, ensuring sport is accessible at every level – from local playing fields where tomorrow’s champions take their first steps, to world-class tournaments that capture the imagination of the nation.

Notes to editors:

Of the UK Government’s investment of £557 million, £195 million will be channelled through UK Sport to support tournament delivery and host city responsibilities.
November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Netherlands forge ahead together to grow the industries of the future [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 12 November 2025.

Tech Minister signs Innovation Partnership with Netherlands.
- Ministers sign UK-Netherlands Innovation Partnership in London – deepening ties on AI, quantum and semiconductors
- With leading science and tech companies and top-tier research talent, both countries are natural partners in science and technology
- Partnership builds on research UK and Netherlands already pursue together through Horizon Europe, CERN, and more
Efforts to develop the next generation of super-powerful computers, to put quantum products to work in settings from clean energy to medical research, and to support for the UK’s semiconductor innovators, are all in line for a boost through a new UK-Netherlands new partnership on science and tech. The deal has been agreed by Ministers from both countries yesterday (Tuesday 11 November).

The UK’s Minister for AI and Online Safety, Kanishka Narayan, and the Netherlands’ Cabinet Minister for Economic Affairs, Vincent Karremans, signed the UK-Netherlands Innovation Partnership at a meeting in London on 11 November. The agreement sets out how the 2 countries will forge closer ties in their work to seize the vast potential for AI, quantum, and semiconductors to be forces for economic growth and to help tackle major challenges facing both countries, from climate change to healthcare.

These are 3 areas which the UK and the Netherlands are well-placed to collaborate on:
- the UK’s semiconductor clusters in South Wales, Scotland and elsewhere harbour deep expertise in specialised fields like chip design and compound semiconductors, while the Netherlands is home to companies like ASML which are critical to the entire world’s semiconductors supply chain
- both countries already work together closely on quantum, with a joint R&D scheme worth £1.2 million currently being delivered
- as well as having considerable AI strengths, both the UK and the Netherlands are exploring new forms of computing, inspired by the workings of the human brain, to make future AI systems more powerful and sustainable
UK Minister for AI and Online Safety Kanishka Narayan said:

Breakthrough technologies like AI and quantum are at the heart of our ambitions for economic growth, better public services, and national renewal.

These fields are already delivering breakthroughs: from life-saving medicines to next-gen batteries for clean energy, these breakthroughs are already changing lives.

By partnering with the Netherlands, we can accelerate innovation and deliver more impact, faster.

The Innovation Partnership agreed builds on strong science and tech ties that already exist between the UK and the Netherlands. Both countries’ researchers work together through Horizon Europe, the world’s largest programme of research collaboration, which has seen British solar energy firm Oxford PV work together with the Dutch Marine Energy Centre, on a £6 million project testing a floating solar farm on the North Sea.

The UK and the Netherlands are also part of shared international endeavours like the PIXEurope consortium – a close to €400 million European initiative aimed at advancing photonic chip technologies. Among its 20 participating research organisations are the University of Cambridge and the University of Southampton from the UK and Dutch institutes TU Delft, the University of Twente, and TNO.

While both countries are also part of shared international endeavours like the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, the European Space Agency, and particle physics laboratory CERN – where breakthroughs in particle accelerator technology have led to advanced cancer therapies.
November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK strengthening Ukrainian resilience ahead of winter at G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2025.

UK announces new support to make vital repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector and reallocates humanitarian support for those most impacted by the loss of power, heating, and water this winter.
- Foreign Secretary announcing £13 million of funding to help repair Ukraine’s energy sector at G7
- Ukrainian resilience in the face of Putin’s attacks is central to UK and G7 security
- UK to establish maritime services ban on Russian Liquid Natural Gas
UK announces new support to make vital repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector in the face of Russian bombardment, alongside reallocating humanitarian support for those most impacted by the loss of power, heating, and water this winter.

Our support will help Ukraine restore vital energy infrastructure, keeping the lights on and the heating on in Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools — even in the face of relentless attacks – which is paramount to the UK’s steadfast support for the country.

Russia has actively chosen to make Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure a target throughout the war. Now as we enter a cold winter, they are escalating brutal attacks on power and heating networks, as Putin tries to grind the Ukrainian people down. However, Ukraine continues to show remarkable resilience keeping the lights on against the odds.

As the Kremlin scrambles to expand its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports to prop up its creaking war economy, the UK has today announced its intention to introduce a maritime services ban on Russian LNG, building on the recent targeting of Russia’s two largest oil companies – Rosneft and Lukoil.

This action will significantly reduce Russian exports of LNG and directly cut off access to the UK’s world-leading maritime services. The ban will be phased in over 2026 in lockstep with our European partners.

In addition, the £13 million winter package will help them to carry out vital repairs and deliver support those worst-hit by the loss of power, water & heating, ensuring Ukrainians can keep the lights and heating on as winter starts to bite.

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Putin is trying to plunge Ukraine into darkness and the cold as winter approaches.

These cowardly strikes are not only an attack on Ukraine’s security, but a threat to the UK’s economic security, stability and growth.

Ukraine’s security is our security and that’s why here at the G7, we are standing together as the closest of partners to drive forward support for Ukraine and overcome the challenges the world is facing today.

The Foreign Secretary makes these announcements as she attends the G7 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Niagara, Canada where she will galvanise our closest partners to continue to stand up for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s mindless aggression.

Economic security, growth and action on migration will remain top of the Foreign Secretary’s agenda at the G7, as she pushes the multilateral system to deliver for Brits back at home.

In particular, the Foreign Secretary will highlight the critical importance of economic security for both growth and for national security across the G7 – and will warn of the risks of excess dependence on a small number of countries for vital materials including rare earths.

Building on the work already underway by the UK government domestically, she will call for the G7 to go further to coordinate efforts to boost supply chain resilience – including to share learnings between partners, and align on efforts to diversify supply chains in third countries.

Canada is among the UK’s closest foreign policy allies – our countries are the only two to be members of the Five Eyes, NATO, G7, and the Commonwealth. Before commencing the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Foreign Secretary met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, then joined her to pay respects to the British, Canadian and Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives for our collective freedom on Remembrance Day.

Background
- More information on the UK’s support to Ukraine can be found here
- The UK has committed over £450 million for energy security and resilience in Ukraine
- The UK banned the import of Russian LNG in January 2023. We are now going a step further by banning maritime transport and related services—like insurance—for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to third countries. UK-linked ships and services won’t be allowed to help move Russian LNG globally.
November 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 50 – UK Statement on Liberia [November 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 November 2025.

UK Statement for Liberia’s Universal Periodic Review. Delivered at the 50th session of the UPR in Geneva.

Thank you, Madame Vice President,

The United Kingdom thanks the Liberian delegation for setting out its efforts to protect human rights. We welcome the steps taken to make progress on reconciliation and transitional justice, including early steps to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court.

However, we remain concerned about ongoing discrimination against marginalised groups and continued barriers faced by women and girls in accessing their fundamental human rights, including continued high levels of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and limited access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

We recommend that Liberia:
1. Abolishes the death penalty, in line with obligations under the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.
2. Protects the human rights of individuals belonging to marginalised groups by preventing discrimination, guaranteeing equal treatment under the law and ensuring full access to justice.
3. Fully complies with the Maputo Protocol, criminalising all forms of female genital mutilation.
The UK looks forward to continuing our work with the government, civil society organisations and human rights defenders from across the region to advance human rights in Liberia.

Thank you.
November 7, 2025