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PRESS RELEASE : Businesses across Britain sign up to Cyber Resilience Pledge as ministers urge firms to strengthen cyber defences [July 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 July 2026.

Firms including M&S, Nationwide, ITV, Microsoft UK and Cloudflare are some of the first to pledge to strengthen their cyber defences.
- Firms including M&S, Nationwide, ITV, Microsoft UK and Cloudflare are some of the first to Pledge to strengthen their cyber defences
- Signatories will take practical steps to strengthen their cyber resilience, including board-level oversight, use of National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) tools and stronger supply-chain security
- Launch forms a central pillar of the government’s National Cyber Action Plan to raise cyber resilience across the UK economy – with cyber-attacks costing the UK £14.7 billion a year
More than 60 businesses from every corner of the British economy, and strategic suppliers to government, have committed to strengthen their cyber defences as cyber threats grow in scale, frequency and sophistication.

Set to launch at 10 Downing Street later today (Tuesday 7 July), the new Cyber Resilience Pledge comes as businesses face an increasingly urgent threat environment – with over 5 million cyber crimes committed against UK firms last year – equivalent to 1 every 6 seconds (source: NCSC Annual Review 2025).

Hostile cyber activity in the UK continues to escalate, with the NCSC handling 204 nationally significant incidents in the year to September, up from 89 the year before. The average cost of a significant cyber-attack on an individual UK business now stands at almost £195,000, with the annual cost to organisations estimated at £14.7 billion, excluding wider disruption across the economy (source: Independent research on the economic impact of cyber attacks on the UK).

The threat is also evolving. While AI provides new capabilities for defenders, it is also lowering the barriers for attackers – by helping them find weaknesses in software, write the code to exploit them, and do so at a speed and scale that would have been impossible even a year ago.

Founding signatories to the Pledge span retail, financial services, media, utilities and technology – including M&S, Nationwide, ITV, Microsoft UK, Cloudflare, Deloitte LLP, Accenture UK, Vodafone Group and VodafoneThree.

The voluntary pledge, which has been designed for medium and large organisations but is open to organisations of all sizes and sectors, asks signatories to take 3 concrete actions to improve their cyber security:
- Making cyber security a board-level responsibility, by implementing the Cyber Governance Code of Practice and ensuring all board members complete the NCSC’s Cyber Governance Training
- Registering for the NCSC’s free Early Warning service, a tool that alerts organisations to potentially suspicious activity on their networks
- Taking a risk-based approach to requiring the government-backed Cyber Essentials certification across their supply chain
The Pledge will be formally launched at a reception at 10 Downing Street later today, hosted by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and attended by founding signatories.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

Today, some of Britain’s biggest businesses are taking action to strengthen their cyber defences and setting a powerful example for others to follow. By signing this Pledge, they are showing that cyber resilience is no longer just an IT issue – it is a business imperative.

Cyber attacks can disrupt services, put customers’ data at risk and have a real impact on the bottom line. As AI makes these threats more sophisticated and easier to launch, no organisation can afford to stand still.

That’s why we’re working with businesses to help them strengthen their defences. The steps in this Pledge are practical, achievable and proven to make a difference. Today’s signatories are leading the way, and I encourage organisations across the UK to follow their example.

The launch comes ahead of the new National Cyber Action Plan, which will set out how the government will continue to work with industry to protect the nation from the cyber threats it faces in the AI era, including through investment in AI-powered defensive capabilities, the adoption of new secure technologies, and through new measures under the National Security Bill to tackle cyber crime. The Pledge is a central pillar of this work.

Alongside the Pledge, DSIT has been developing a government Cyber Charter with its 39 strategic suppliers: companies that deliver critical services to the government. As part of that Charter, all of the strategic suppliers have been invited to sign the Pledge as an initial commitment to bolstering their cyber resilience, with more than 20 of them having done so as part of this first cohort of signatories.

Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK and Ireland, said:

As AI reshapes both the threats we face and our response to them, stronger board-level accountability and supply chain security are how the UK stays ahead. Microsoft has been a cybersecurity partner to the UK Government for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to sign the Cyber Resilience Pledge, using AI to help defend the UK’s critical national infrastructure, public services and businesses against cyber attacks.

David Boda, Chief Security and Resilience Officer at Nationwide, said:

Uplifting the cyber resilience of the UK economy is a collective endeavour that no one organisation or sector can achieve alone. As a modern mutual Nationwide Building Society are proud to play our part and be a signatory of the Cyber Resilience Pledge.

Simon King, CEO of Autotech Group, said:

As a company that works with major automotive organisations, as well as organisations operating across the wider mobility sector, we understand that trust is built on how well we protect the information, systems and people our customers rely on every day. That’s why we’ve focused on embedding security and governance into the way we operate as a business. As an early signatory of the UK’s Cyber Resilience Pledge, we are reinforcing our commitment to continual improvement and ensuring cyber resilience remains a board-level responsibility as both our business and the automotive sector become increasingly connected.

Julian David, CEO of techUK, said:

We have long held the view that cyber resilience is a critical business and organisational enabler. It underpins our growth, our economic security, and the safety and security of our people. With the average cost of significant cyber-attacks to the UK economy recently estimated to be £14.7billion annually – the equivalent of 0.5% of our GDP – it’s clear that cyber security and resilience must be recognised as a leadership responsibility and should no longer be viewed as an IT issue alone. We are, therefore, proud signatories of the Government’s Cyber Resilience Pledge, committing to the practical actions set out for our own organisation as well as continuing to champion, more widely, accountability for cyber risk at the board level.

Experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are urging organisations of all kinds to urgently focus on their cyber security as the threats evolve at pace. The steps organisations should take to protect themselves, their supply chains and their customers against AI-driven cyber threats are the same fundamental cyber hygiene measures recommended to combat traditional attacks, though businesses are being urged to act with increased urgency given damaging cyber incidents over the past year.

The NCSC says the 3 actions enshrined in the Pledge are practical steps that will help improve an organisation’s resilience and, if adopted at scale, strengthen resilience across the wider economy.

Resilient organisations are better able to recover from incidents, protect their customers and demonstrate to investors, partners and suppliers that they are taking cyber risk seriously.
07/07/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Views sought to transform benefit paid to carers [July 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 7 July 2026.

Opening today (Tuesday 7 July 2026) the six-week call for evidence will gather views on: modernising the earnings limit to reduce the impact of the current cliff edge, improving predictability for carers with varying incomes, and better supporting those with work and caring responsibilities.
- Carers, people with care needs and carers’ organisations encouraged to have their say on reforms to be made to the outdated system inherited from previous Government.
- Findings will inform work on the future modernisation of Carer’s Allowance.
- Comes after action taken to improve carers’ lives with the biggest ever boost to the earnings allowance.
Unpaid carers and their organisations are being invited to share their views on how to improve Carer’s Allowance, as part of the first major review of the benefit since it was first introduced half a century ago.

Issues with the Carer’s Allowance system inherited by the Government were laid bare in the landmark Sayce Review. This found unclear guidance on averaging fluctuating earnings left carers building up debts without realising, and that the earnings limit had failed to keep pace with modern working patterns.

The Government has already raised the weekly earnings limit to a record £204 a week, updated guidance, and taken decisive action to address the failures the Sayce Review identified. Carers can now earn around £10,000 a year while keeping their support.

This call for evidence goes further by looking at whether to introduce an earnings taper and changes to rules that cap how many hours a carer can work before losing their benefit, to reflect modern caring patterns.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said:

Unpaid carers are the backbone of our communities — quietly providing support that makes an enormous difference to the lives of those they love.

They deserve a system and level of support that properly reflects the contribution they make, and we are determined to deliver that.

This call for evidence is our commitment to going further — and to making sure carers’ voices shape every step of what comes next.

Earlier this year, the DWP launched a reassessment exercise reviewing 200,000 cases — with around 25,000 cases set to see debts reduced, cancelled, or refunded. New capital disregard regulations coming into force next week will ensure those refunds do not affect entitlement to Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:

We need to see further reform to Carer’s Allowance because the current system is outdated and no longer reflects the realities of caring today. This includes inflexible rules around the earnings limit which are hard to navigate for carers with fluctuating earnings and can dissuade some from claiming what they are entitled to altogether.

We welcome the government’s call to gather further evidence around this and its acknowledgement that Carer’s Allowance, which was first introduced 50 years ago, should be a priority for change to better support those who contribute so much to society. Caring is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and so it’s important that the government hears from as many people as possible on this topic in the next six weeks.

Carer’s Allowance has supported carers and their loved ones since 1976 — but it hasn’t kept pace with how people work today. This call for evidence is the next step in changing that.

Carers, their organisations, and anyone with experience of caring are encouraged to have their say before the call for evidence closes on 18 August 2026.

The evidence gathered will inform future changes the government makes to Carer’s Allowance – putting carers voices at the heart of the effort to build a benefit that is fair, modern and reliable for the people who depend on it most.

Kirsty McHugh, CEO of Carers Trust said:

This major review of Carer’s Allowance is something we, carers, and the 130+ local carer services in our network have long called for. It has been clear for some time that Carer’s Allowance needs to be modernised and brought into the twenty-first century. Society, work and caring have all been thoroughly transformed since Carer’s Allowance was first introduced in 1976, so it’s incredibly encouraging that the Government has recognised this and committed to creating a system that not only reflects these changes but also gives carers the support they really need.

We look forward to working with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure the voices of carers and the services dedicated to them are at the heart of any reforms to Carer’s Allowance. We want this review to be a real step change in the way carers are supported – paving the way for a fairer world for carers.

Additional information
- The call for evidence covers modern patterns of care that were not in place when Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976.
- Carer’s Allowance is available in England and Wales only, but views and experiences are sought from anyone in the UK.
- Carer’s Allowance is a devolved matter in Scotland. It has been fully replaced by the Scottish Government’s Carer Support Payment.
- Social security is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland, but the Department for Communities there maintains parity with DWP.
07/07/2026
PRESS RELEASE : New penalties introduced in crackdown on water companies [July 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 6 July 2026.

Half a million-pound financial penalties introduced in latest crackdown on polluting water companies.

Water companies that flout environmental rules now face faster penalties of up to £500,000 in the latest set of reforms to improve our waterways.

As part of the government’s once-in-a-generation overhaul of the water system, the Environment Agency will see their powers strengthened and expanded.

Previously, the regulator was limited in its ability to impose financial penalties for frequent, minor and moderate offending – such as breaches of a licence or permit.

This was because it needed to prove an offence to the same high legal standard used in criminal courts, often making penalties too expensive and time-consuming to pursue.

In future, the regulator will be able to use the lower civil standard of proof – meaning more financial penalties, delivered quicker in a move that ensures those who violate the rules have nowhere to hide.

These changes follow a host of improvements over the last two years to tackle pollution, streamline regulation, protect customers, and secure long-term investment in the sector.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:

This government has been clear that polluting water companies and bosses will face the consequences of their actions. The introduction of automatic penalties will give the Environment Agency the teeth it needs to deliver cleaner rivers, lakes and seas.

This is just one of the actions we’re taking to clamp down on water companies including the introduction of a more powerful water regulator, no-notice inspections, MOT-style checks of water company assets and banning bonuses for polluting bosses.

The changes to the civil penalties framework were enabled in the Water (Special Measures) Act but had to be put out to consultation before going for Parliamentary approval.

A £500,000 cap will be introduced to variable monetary penalties that are proved to the civil standard of proof. There will also be the introduction of new automatic penalties – like a speeding ticket – for clearly defined breaches. This would involve a £10,000 payment, which would double if the company failed to pay within 28 days.

The changes are in addition to other enforcement tools, including unlimited financial penalties – known as Variable Monetary Penalties – where offending is proved to a criminal standard.

The Environment Agency will continue to pursue criminal prosecution for the most serious offences.

The size of the penalty will be dependent upon the size of the water company, meaning penalties cannot simply be factored into the cost of doing business.

Environment Agency Chair, Alan Lovell, said:

We care deeply about protecting our waterways and welcome measures that will deter pollution incidents and other harmful permit breaches.

These changes complement our current enforcement powers, including criminal prosecution, and will further our aim of delivering quick and proportionate punishment where failures happen.

We now have more people, better data and increased powers to drive better company performance and achieve a cleaner water environment for us all.

Modelling, based on water company performance in previous years, suggests the changes could cost the water sector between £50million and £67million annually.

The expectation is this will drive improved performance by water companies and see improvements in asset management and data collection – therefore the cost will reduce over time.

Water companies cannot pass the financial penalties onto customer bills.

These changes are the latest in two years of progress delivering on the government’s priority of improving the water system.
- The landmark Water (Special Measures) Act, introducing the toughest enforcement powers in a decade, including criminal liability for water bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills and the power to ban unfair bonuses, which in 2025 blocked £4 million in bonuses across six water companies.
- Ringfenced water company investment, ensuring customers’ money is spent on fixing pipes, reducing sewage spills and improving water quality, not dividends or bonuses.
- Improved transparency, introducing real-time monitoring at every emergency overflow so the public can see what is happening in their local waters.
- Boosted protections for customers, doubling compensation when basic water services fail and making it easier for vulnerable households to access bill support.
- Signed into law a ban on the sale of plastic wet wipes, marking a major step forward in tackling plastic pollution which devastates our waterways.
- Set out once-in-a-generation reforms in the White Paper, including plans for:
  - a new single water regulator, delivering tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies.
  - a new Chief Engineer role which will bring back the hands-on checks of water infrastructure.
  - long-term, systematic reforms where assets are properly maintained, and problems can be spotted before they lead to water shortages.
  - a roll-out of smart metering and mandatory efficiency labels to help households monitor their water use.
  - Stronger inspection powers, including the new regulator able to conduct ‘no notice’ inspections.
  - These measures are underpinned by over £104 billion in private investment, to upgrade water infrastructure over the next five years – the largest programme since privatisation – creating jobs, supporting new homes, and cutting pollution.
07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : UK appoints new ambassador to United Arab Emirates

STORY

Geraldine McCafferty has been appointed as the next British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, succeeding Edward Hobart. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said she would take up the post as the UK seeks to deepen diplomatic, economic and security cooperation with the Gulf state.

The UAE is a significant trading and investment partner for Britain and plays an important role in regional diplomacy. The ambassador will oversee relations covering defence, energy, climate policy, technology and consular support for British nationals.

McCafferty’s appointment comes during continued international concern over security in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. The Government has emphasised the importance of maintaining close relationships with Gulf partners while pursuing regional stability and commercial ties.

07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : Labour asks Electoral Commission to examine Farage funding allegations

STORY

Labour has asked the Electoral Commission to investigate allegations that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage failed to declare financial support connected with his political activities. The claims concern benefits reportedly provided by businessman George Cottrell, including security, staffing and accommodation.

Farage and Reform UK deny wrongdoing and have argued that the support was personal or provided before he became an MP. The party has described the allegations as politically motivated, while Farage has said he complied with the applicable declaration rules.

The request adds to scrutiny already facing Farage over political gifts and donations. Any investigation would need to determine whether the reported support fell within electoral law or parliamentary disclosure requirements and whether it should have been formally recorded.

07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : Treasury Committee calls for reversal of student loan threshold freeze

STORY

The Treasury Committee has said the Government has a moral obligation to reverse the freeze in the student loan repayment threshold. MPs warned that holding the threshold at its current level would increase repayments for graduates whose wages had risen only because of inflation.

The committee said the decision risked undermining trust in the student finance system because borrowers had made decisions based on an expectation that repayment terms would operate consistently. It argued that retrospective changes could place a disproportionate burden on lower and middle earners.

The Government has defended the need to keep the system financially sustainable, but the committee urged Ministers to reconsider the policy. Its report called for greater transparency about future changes and a clearer assessment of the effect on graduate incomes.

07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : Committee tells Government to rethink ‘inadequate’ small business response

STORY

The Business and Trade Committee has called on the Government to reconsider what it described as an inadequate response to recommendations for supporting Britain’s small businesses. MPs said Ministers had fully accepted only six of the committee’s 36 proposals and had relied too heavily on existing schemes.

The committee argued that small companies were facing the cumulative effect of tax, employment, regulatory and energy policies developed without sufficient consideration of their combined impact. It called for a more coherent cross-Government approach to business growth and productivity.

The criticism was published ahead of an appearance by Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle before the committee. MPs said small and medium-sized enterprises required clearer accountability, improved access to finance and a strategy capable of addressing the pressures reported during their inquiry.

07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : Government accepts recommendations to improve protection of children in custody

STORY

The Government has said it will implement all 34 recommendations from an independent review into abuse and safeguarding failures affecting children in custody. Measures will include independent oversight of abuse allegations and access to dedicated social workers for every child held in the youth estate.

Ministers said staff vetting would also be strengthened and complaints investigated more consistently. The announcement follows the Government’s apology over abuse at Medomsley detention centre and wider concerns about whether children in custody have been adequately protected.

The Ministry of Justice said the reforms were intended to ensure allegations could not be ignored or handled solely within the institution concerned. Campaigners and survivors have argued that independent scrutiny is essential if confidence in the youth custody system is to be restored.

07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : Businesses sign Government pledge to strengthen cyber defences

STORY

Major companies including M&S, Nationwide, ITV, Microsoft UK and Cloudflare have become early signatories to a new Government-backed Cyber Resilience Pledge. The initiative asks businesses to take practical measures to protect themselves, their customers and supply chains from cyber attacks.

Signatories are expected to give cyber security greater attention at board level, make use of National Cyber Security Centre tools and improve the management of risks involving suppliers. The Government said the pledge was designed to turn general awareness into measurable action across the private sector.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said recent attacks had demonstrated the economic and operational damage that weak cyber resilience could cause. Ministers are urging more organisations to join as part of a wider effort to improve national preparedness and reduce disruption to essential services.

07/07/2026
NEWS STORY : Government opens review of Carer’s Allowance earnings rules

STORY

The Government has opened a six-week call for evidence on reforms to Carer’s Allowance, with Ministers considering changes to the earnings limit and the way income is assessed. The review is intended to reduce the risk that carers lose all entitlement after exceeding the current threshold by a small amount.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it wanted to make the benefit more predictable for people whose pay varies from week to week. It will also seek views on how carers can be better supported to combine paid employment with substantial caring responsibilities.

The consultation follows repeated criticism of overpayment demands issued to carers who unknowingly crossed the earnings limit. Ministers said responses from carers, employers and representative organisations would help shape proposals for a system that is easier to understand and administer.

07/07/2026