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PRESS RELEASE : Government signs new international agreement in boost to British business [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 25 April 2025.

Businesses will save time and money on repetitive legal action thanks to new international rules coming into force across the UK on 1 July.
- Agreement will cut delays and costs for UK businesses
- UK judgments against foreign suppliers will be recognised by participating countries overseas
- This will boost the UK legal sector and drive economic growth, part of the government’s Plan for Change
The UK Government has signed up to the Hague 2019 Convention, which means other countries will more easily recognise and enforce UK court judgments in cross-border disputes – sparing firms from costly and repetitive court battles.

Currently, if a UK business wins a case in a UK court against a company based in another country, business leaders face the threat of time-consuming enforcement processes or even identical legal action overseas for the same dispute – causing delays, increasing costs and creating confusion to the consumer.

The new rules will provide a simpler enforcement route to existing complex systems, giving one clear consistent set of shared rules – that the UK helped shape – making the process easier for everyone.

Streamlining the process will save businesses time and money, encourage foreign companies to use the UK’s world-class lawyers and courts to settle their disputes and grow the economy overall.

Justice Minister, Lord Ponsonby, said:

This Convention delivers real benefits for British businesses dealing with international disputes.

As part of our Plan for Change we’re boosting UK firms’ confidence to trade by minimising legal costs and ensuring justice across borders, all while cementing Britain’s role as a global legal powerhouse committed to the rule of law.

The Convention will enhance international legal collaboration. It will apply to judgments in civil and commercial matters, strengthening the UK’s position as a global hub for dispute resolution.

The 2019 Hague Convention is already being applied by 29 parties, from Ukraine to EU countries, with Uruguay joining last year. This means UK civil and commercial judgments will be recognised and enforced in these nations and that the UK will recognise judgments made in their courts.

With 91 members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), a major multilateral forum for private international law rules which has produced numerous conventions including the 2019 Hague Convention, Hague 2019 has a potentially global reach.

The Convention will apply to judgments given in proceedings that commence on or after 1 July 2025 across the entire United Kingdom or in other participating countries.
25/04/2025
NEWS STORY : UK Deports 43 Immigration Offenders to Nigeria and Ghana Amid Intensified Border Enforcement

STORY

The UK government has deported 43 individuals to Nigeria and Ghana as part of its intensified efforts to enforce immigration laws and secure national borders. The operation, conducted via a charter flight, included 15 failed asylum seekers, 11 foreign national offenders who had completed their sentences and 7 voluntary returnees.

This latest deportation is part of the government’s “Plan for Change” aimed at restoring order to the immigration system. Since the election, over 24,000 individuals have been returned, marking an 11% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Additionally, deportations of foreign national offenders have risen by 16%, with 3,594 criminals removed.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, stated:

“This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working people’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders. Through the Plan for Change, we’re going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels.”

Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister responsible for Irregular Migration, added:

“Working with other countries and partners around the world is critical to tackling irregular migration – by working internationally, we will meet this global challenge together. I welcome our strong cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria to return those with no right to be in the UK, secure our borders, and deliver on the Plan for Change.”

The operation follows the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, where the UK collaborated with over 40 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, to combat smuggling gangs and enhance border security. The Home Office emphasised that all returns are conducted in a dignified and respectful manner, in line with international standards and human rights obligations.

25/04/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Immigration offenders returned on flight to Nigeria and Ghana [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 25 April 2025.

43 failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders were returned on a charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana, as the government steps up international collaboration to secure our borders.

The flight underscores the government’s progress restoring order to the immigration system through the Plan for Change, ensuring rules are respected and those who break them are swiftly returned.

Those removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. 7 people returned voluntarily.

Since the election, two charter flights have taken off to the countries, carrying a total of 87 people and demonstrating the strength of cooperation between the UK, Nigeria and Ghana on this critical issue.

Under this government, over 24,000 people have been returned, an 11% increase on the same period 12 months prior, while four of the largest returns flights ever have taken off returning migrants to countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.

Deportations of foreign national offenders are also up 16% since the election, with 3,594 criminals removed.

Immigration Enforcement ensure that returns are carried out in a dignified and respectful manner.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said:

This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working people’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders.

Through the Plan for Change we’re going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels.

I thank the governments of Ghana and Nigeria for facilitating this operation, which reflects our joint commitment to disrupt organised immigration crime and protect our borders.

Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister responsible for Irregular Migration said:

Working with other countries and partners around the world is critical to tackling irregular migration – by working internationally, we will meet this global challenge together.

I welcome our strong cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria to return those with no right to be in the UK, secure our borders, and deliver on the Plan for Change.

This operation follows the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, which saw the UK bring together over 40 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, to drive forward the global fight against smuggling gangs and deliver on the government’s mission to secure our borders.

25/04/2025
PRESS RELEASE : International crackdown on cannabis smuggling [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 25 April 2025.

UK-Thai cooperation results in 90% reduction in cannabis arriving in the post.

Cannabis arrivals by post from Thailand plummeted by 90% in the first three months of this year, thanks to a new partnership between UK Border Force and Thai customs.

Since Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of cannabis being sent to the UK by post.

In the last quarter of 2024, Border Force, with the support of Royal Mail, detected over 15 tonnes of the drug, which threatened to overwhelm resources.

However, after intense diplomatic engagement, UK Border Force and Thai customs established a new agreement, requiring parcels from Thailand to be checked before they are shipped.

Border Force have detected 1.5 tonnes of cannabis coming through the post in the first quarter of 2025 – a 90% reduction, which is a result of the extra checks taking place in Thailand.

The action is key to this government’s work to boost international cooperation and tighten border security as we deliver safer streets for working people through our Plan for Change.

Minister for Citizenship and Migration, Seema Malhotra said:

Our partnership with Thai customs has slashed cannabis smuggling in the post by 90% in just three months. This collaboration is delivering real results and it’s a prime example of how international cooperation is crucial to our Plan for Change, safer streets mission.

By stopping these drugs at source, we’re disrupting organised crime, protecting communities, and freeing Border Force to focus on other priorities. Together with our partners in Thailand, this government will continue to take tough action against those attempting to smuggle illegal drugs across our borders.

The Home Office and Border Force have also worked closely with Thailand to prevent drugs being smuggled by air passengers. In February, Border Force and the National Crime Agency took part in Operation Chaophraya, a Home Office-led operation at Bangkok Airport.

This resulted in over 2 tonnes of cannabis being surrendered from transiting passengers, with an estimated value of £6 million.

Since Operation Chaophraya began under this government in July 2024, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling, underlining the importance of upstream deterrence work.

To mark the new partnership, the UK hosted Director General of Thai Customs, Mr Theeraj Athanavanich, and his delegation at Heathrow Airport and a Border Force postal depot earlier this week.

Mr Athanavanich met with the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, and Director General for Border Force, Phil Douglas, where they discussed the success of the agreement and future collaboration.

Border Force Director General, Phil Douglas said:

Border Force works tirelessly to protect and strengthen our borders, by preventing the smuggling of cannabis and other illegal items into the UK. Our work doesn’t stop at the border – we work internationally with our partners to prevent illicit goods from even reaching the UK.

We are using advanced intelligence more than ever before and last year we made a record number of drug seizures, including the highest harm substances. Border Force remains fully committed to securing our borders and keeping our streets safe.

In parallel with its cooperation with the UK on cannabis, Thai customs have introduced stricter screening measures at the border. This has resulted in over 800 cannabis smugglers being intercepted between October 2024 and March 2025, with over 9 tonnes of cannabis seized.

Both the UK and Thailand are taking a zero-tolerance approach on criminal gangs who are exploiting vulnerable people to smuggle drugs across the UK border on their behalf. Individuals who are caught smuggling drugs will be arrested and face the full force of the law.

Alex Murray, NCA Director of threat leadership, said:

The NCA continues to work with partners at home and abroad to target high-risk routes, seize shipments of drugs and disrupt the OCGs involved, denying them profits.

We have been working well with the Thai authorities who are keen to intervene. Couriers should think very carefully about agreeing to smuggle cannabis. There are life-changing consequences. Crime groups can be very persuasive but the risk of getting caught is very high and simply not worth it.

Border Force is committed to delivering the government’s Plan for Change, Safer Streets mission by stopping illegal drugs from entering our country and destroying lives.

In the year ending March 2024, Border Force and the police seized over 119 tonnes of illegal drugs, with a street value of £3 billion, a 52% increase from the year prior, in the highest number of seizures on record.

Charlotte Prescott, Director of Customs and International Policy at Royal Mail said:

Collaboration between government agencies and postal bodies is essential. We have a very strong partnership with Border Force and are proud to work alongside our Border Force colleagues, assisting their work in identifying restricted and prohibited items, and helping to tackle this issue – this relationship has been recognised as one of the best internationally.

25/04/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government announces preferred candidate for Independent Football Regulator Chair [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 25 April 2025.

David Kogan OBE is the Government’s preferred candidate for Independent Football Regulator Chair, the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced today.

David Kogan OBE has held senior positions in the television and sports industries during a 45 year career as a media executive, business leader and corporate advisor. He negotiated a succession of multi-billion pound TV rights deals on behalf of major sporting bodies, including the Premier League and the English Football League. He has also advised UEFA, The Scottish Premier League, Six Nations, Premier Rugby and the NFL. Most recently he sold the broadcast rights on behalf of the Woman’s Super League.

He is a former managing director of Reuters Television (the global television news agency), and an ex-CEO of the Magnum photo agency. He has co-founded both Reel Enterprises and the Women’s Sports Group. He is currently an advisor to the New York Times Group and CNN on their commercial, digital and AI strategies. Among his public boards David was a non-executive director at Channel 4, a member of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Services board from 2007-14 and Chair of Westminster Kingsway Corporation. He is the author of three books.

David will now appear before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said:

David brings with him a wealth of expertise from the sport and media industries having worked across a number of high-profile governing bodies, competition organisers and major media corporations in a very impressive career. It makes him an outstanding candidate to be the chair of the independent football regulator.

This will be a vital, public role to ensure sensible, light-touch regulation helps to strengthen financial sustainability and put fans back at the heart of the game.

David Kogan OBE said:

Across the country millions of us share a passion for football, a game that is not only part of our national heritage but one of our most valuable cultural exports. That’s why as both a supporter and someone with many years spent working in football, I am honoured to have been asked to be the preferred candidate for chair of the newly created Independent Football Regulator.

Our professional clubs, whatever their size, are a source of local and national pride. They generate economic growth and investment, unite communities, and create shared experiences and memories that transcend generations.

The job of the regulator is to work with those clubs, their owners, and their supporters to create a dynamic framework that will ensure the game is on a sound financial footing so that it can continue to flourish and to grow. I cannot wait to get started.

The Football Governance Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will establish the Independent Football Regulator and a new set of rules to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities.

The Regulator will tackle rogue owners and directors, implement a club licensing regime to help ensure a more consistent approach in how clubs are run, monitor club finances and improve fan engagement throughout the football pyramid – from the Premier League to the National League. It will also have a backstop measure to mediate a fair financial distribution between Leagues, should they be unable to come to an agreement

The Regulator will help to ensure English football remains one of the country’s greatest exports, and places fans back at the heart of the game, so that local clubs in towns and cities continue to thrive for generations.

Notes to editors
- The appointment of a Chair of the Independent Football Regulator has been made as the result of a fair and open competition, run in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The Chair of the IFR is appointed by the DCMS Secretary of State.
- Substantive appointment to the Chair role is ultimately subject to the Football Governance Bill being granted Royal Assent that will be subject to Parliamentary process. Any appointments made ahead of this will be done on a designated basis.
- Ministers were assisted in their decision-making by an Advisory Assessment Panel, which included a departmental official and a Senior Independent Panel Member approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
- The Chair of the Independent Football Regulator is remunerated at £130,000 per annum for an initial time commitment of 3 days per week.
- This appointment process was run in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.
- The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
25/04/2025
NEWS STORY : Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson Criticises US Approach to Ukraine Peace Plan

STORY

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has strongly criticised the United States’ proposed peace plan for Ukraine, arguing that it offers no tangible benefits to Kyiv and effectively rewards Russian aggression. Johnson’s remarks come in response to a plan put forward by US President Donald Trump, which reportedly includes recognising Russia’s annexation of Crimea and freezing conflict lines, without securing any real security guarantees for Ukraine. Johnson contends that such a proposal fails to prevent future Russian aggression and undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Johnson said:

“As for Ukraine – what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion? What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made – for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world? Apart from the right to share their natural resources with the United States they get nothing. What is there in this deal that can realistically stop a third Russian invasion? Nothing. If we are to prevent more atrocities by Putin then we must have a long-term, credible and above all properly funded security guarantee for Ukraine – a guarantee issued by the UK, the US and all western allies.”

The former Prime Minister emphasised the importance of a robust, long-term security guarantee for Ukraine from Western allies, warning that the current proposal could embolden further Russian aggression. He also highlighted the need for the West to demonstrate a strong commitment to Ukraine to deter similar actions by other authoritarian regimes. Johnson’s comments follow a deadly Russian airstrike on Kyiv, which killed or injured over 100 civilians. While President Trump condemned the attacks, he reiterated his call for a peace deal, a stance that Johnson and other Western leaders view as insufficiently supportive of Ukraine’s position.

Labour leader Keir Starmer echoed Johnson’s concerns, emphasising the need for an unconditional and lasting ceasefire. The UK government continues to advocate for international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and to hold those responsible for atrocities to account.

25/04/2025
NEWS STORY : UK and EU Leaders Chart Path for Closer Ties Ahead of May Summit

STORY

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Downing Street on Thursday, as the UK and EU move towards a renewed partnership encompassing defence, trade, and energy cooperation. The meeting focused on shared priorities, including support for Ukraine, energy security, and the global economy. Both leaders condemned the recent deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv and reaffirmed their commitment to stand with Ukraine “for as long as it takes” .

Discussions also addressed ongoing negotiations aimed at strengthening the UK-EU relationship. Significant progress has been made, with both sides instructing their teams to continue working towards an ambitious package of agreements to be unveiled at the first UK-EU summit next month.

Potential areas of agreement include a youth mobility scheme, a veterinary deal to ease food trade, and enhanced defence cooperation. The proposed defence pact could grant UK defence firms access to the EU’s €150bn SAFE fund, while the SPS agreement may mirror the EU-Switzerland model to reduce border checks on agricultural goods.

Prime Minister Starmer emphasised that a strengthened UK-EU partnership would improve the lives of working people in the UK, drive economic growth, and enhance national security. The leaders agreed to maintain close contact in the coming weeks as preparations continue for the May summit, which aims to formalise a new chapter in UK-EU relations.

25/04/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen [April 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 25 April 2025.

The Prime Minister met the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Downing Street today.

They had a long and productive discussion focused on a range of issues including Ukraine, energy security, the global economy, and defence.

Both condemned the deadly Russian strike on Kyiv overnight and reiterated that they will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Discussing the ongoing negotiations to strengthen the UK-EU partnership, they both agreed that good progress had been made. They asked their teams to continue their important work in the coming weeks, with the aim of delivering as ambitious a package as possible at the first UK-EU summit next month.

The Prime Minister was clear that he will seize any opportunity to improve the lives of working people in the United Kingdom, drive growth and keep people safe – and he believes a strengthened partnership between the UK and the EU will achieve this.

They agreed to keep in close contact in the coming weeks.

25/04/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Modi of India [April 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 25 April 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, this morning.

The Prime Minister began by saying he was horrified by the devastating terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, which saw the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives.

He expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the British people to all those affected, their loved ones and the people of India.

The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

25/04/2025
NEWS STORY : Alexandra Marks CBE Appointed Chair of the Parole Board

STORY

The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Alexandra Marks CBE as the new Chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales. Her five-year term will commence on 18 July 2025. The Parole Board, an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system by assessing the risk of prisoners to determine their suitability for release into the community. Established under the Criminal Justice Act 1967, the Board operates independently to ensure public safety through meticulous risk evaluations. Since 2023, she has served as Chair of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Regulatory Tribunal. Her judicial career includes appointments as a Recorder since 2002 and as a Deputy High Court Judge since 2010.

Additionally, she has been a First Tier Tribunal Judge in the General Regulatory Chamber since 2018. Her previous roles include serving as a Commissioner at the Criminal Cases Review Commission from 2013 to 2018 and as a Judicial Appointments Commissioner between 2012 and 2018.

25/04/2025