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PRESS RELEASE : Government fires starting gun on AI Growth Zones to turbocharge Plan for Change [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 10 February 2025.

Thousands of new jobs are set to be created as bidding opens for AI Growth Zones.
- UK government ramps up its Plan for Change as new AI Growth Zone bidding opens
- Development hotbeds for AI set to revitalise local communities, attract fresh investment and deliver new opportunities
- Interest is already building for high-potential sites in Scotland, Wales, the North East and North West – with others now poised to come forward
Thousands of new jobs are set to be created as the government opens bidding for its AI Growth Zones in a major drive to revitalise local communities as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Local and regional authorities across the UK are being encouraged to put their communities forward to become dedicated hotbeds for AI infrastructure development and attracting millions in private investment.

The UK government will put particular focus on deindustrialised areas of the country to become the next AI Growth Zones as local and regional authorities submit their proposals, including sites with existing access to power or which would be suitable to establish major energy infrastructure.

This closely follows the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has put the UK on course to revolutionise public services and become an AI superpower – already attracting over £14 billion in investment since launching just last month.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:

We set out our new blueprint for AI less than a month ago, and we’re already delivering on that vision by harnessing technology to supercharge our Plan for Change.

These new AI Growth Zones will deliver untold opportunities – sparking new jobs, fresh investment and ensuring every corner of the country has a real stake in our AI-powered future.

We’re leaving no stone unturned in how we can harness expertise from all over the UK to deliver new opportunities, fresh growth, better public services and cement our position as an AI pioneer, and that’s the message I will be sending to international partners and AI companies at the AI Action Summit.

As part of the talks, he will also bang the drum for more inward investment to deliver the AI Opportunities Action Plan, including to build the infrastructure needed across AI Growth Zones.

Industry – including energy companies and data centre developers – are also being called upon to help drive forward government plans to rollout AI Growth Zones. Their proposals will help to inform the final selection of sites and broader policy decisions later this year, meaning the government will be able to move swiftly to secure investment and drive growth in regions across the country.

Interest is already building for promising sites in Scotland, Wales, the North East, and North West, with further exploratory work now set to begin on additional locations across the UK.

Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said:

Scotland has always been a leader in innovation, with our rich history of pioneering advancements in fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology, which continues today.

The UK government’s Plan for Change looks to harness AI’s potential in these industries and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.

Scotland is already at the centre of these plans, with our world-leading universities at the forefront of AI development and our industrial heritage providing a range of possible sites. I would encourage our Local Authorities to explore becoming an AI Growth Zone, which will help attract further investment.

These areas will speed up planning permission to rapidly build AI infrastructure including data centres and give them the energy connections needed to power AI innovations in areas like healthcare. As part of this, the government will work with network operators to rapidly scale each zone to 500MW+, enough to power roughly two million homes.

This will attract significant private investment, create local jobs and strengthen the UK’s global AI leadership – delivering opportunities for working people across the country as part of the AI Opportunities Action Plan announced less than two weeks ago. The ideal ingredients and key criteria for communities looking to host AI Growth Zones include:
- sites with large existing power connections (with a current capacity of 500+ MW) or a clear vision on how energy capacity can be increased.
- deindustrialised areas with land and infrastructure standing ready for redevelopment.
- locations close to suitable sites for major energy infrastructure such as nuclear reactors, solar stations and wind farms, or battery storage.
This expression of interest also extends to AI data centre companies and energy firms who are looking to tap into the potential of AI Growth Zones to deliver on the government’s AI blueprint.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

It was great to be invited to visit 10 Downing Street last week to talk about the massive potential AI has to bring a huge leap forward in industries across our nation.

Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology – from the friction match to the railways and the chemical industry.

My job above everything is to bring good, well-paid, long-term jobs to local people. We have everything we need to host an AI Growth Zone in our region. We have the land, we have the power and we have shown in our efforts at Teesworks how we can get huge projects moving forward at pace.

As part of these industry proposals, data centre developers and energy firms are being called on to set out: timelines and development milestones which detail how they will plan to ramp up energy capacity; partnership opportunities with local authorities and a plan for how their proposals will support the UK’s AI ambitions, as well as what additional support is needed from government to help drive forward their proposals.

Announcing its response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the government confirmed the first of these AI Growth Zones will be based in Culham, Oxfordshire – home of the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority. This site will also serve as a testing ground to drive forward research on how sustainable energy like fusion technology can power the UK’s AI ambitions. The creation of a new AI Energy Council chaired by the Science and Energy Secretaries will also help to ensure responsible energy sources are being used to drive forward the UK’s AI blueprint, directly supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan announced last month is also at the heart of the government’s Industrial Strategy and the first plank of the upcoming Digital and Technology Sector Plan, to be published in the coming months. Following the opening of the expression of interest, the government will open the formal selection process in the spring, with the first AI Growth Zones then due to be announced in the summer.
February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New satellite deal to boost military operations, jobs and growth [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 February 2025.

Armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite system, named Oberon.
- New satellite system to enhance military operations, named ‘Oberon’, will be designed and built in the UK.
- The £127 million contract with Airbus will support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space sector and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
- Oberon will strengthen the UK’s intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.
Armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite system, named Oberon.

The £127 million deal with Airbus will support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space capabilities and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Oberon satellite system, made up of two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, will be able to capture day and night-time images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Expected to launch in 2027, Oberon will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August last year.

The deal comes as UK Space Command has published the first images captured by Tyche. The images of Heathrow Airport, Sydney, Washington DC, and the California wildfires, demonstrate Tyche’s ability to capture imagery from anywhere on earth when Defence needs it.

Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance programme, known as ISTARI, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.

These satellites will support military operations, for example by monitoring adversary activities, and contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:

Through UK Space Command, defence is partnering with industry and continuing to invest in advanced and innovative space technologies.

Oberon, alongside Tyche and other satellites in our ISTARI constellation, will allow us to observe what’s happening on Earth from space at any time and through any weather. This will enable and enhance UK and allied military operations around the world.

The contract for Oberon was awarded via competitive procurement to Airbus, which worked with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises across the UK to leverage innovative new technologies for the 400kg satellites. The antennas for the spacecraft will be supplied by Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon fibre structures that stow away in very small volumes for launch but spring into shape once in orbit.

Oberon will play a key part in securing critical UK skills in the growing global space sector. The aerospace sector added almost £40 billion to the economy last year, a growth of 50% in the last 10 years, and employs tens of thousands of people. The project will also help inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements.

Space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance offers unparalleled earth observation, operating over any part of the globe. Constellations of ISR satellites can use different sensors and cameras, allowing focus to move quickly from one area of the world to another. In contrast to conventional cameras, Oberon will use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to capture imagery in all-weather conditions.

Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, said:

Oberon’s satellites will give the UK a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance autonomy.

Airbus in the UK has more than 45 years’ experience in the design and build of high-resolution radar satellites and, once in orbit, these spacecraft will play a vital role in keeping our Armed Forces safe around the world.

Paul Russell, Space team leader at DE&S said:

This has been a superb team effort by members of DE&S, Space Command, DSTL and industry.

With the award of the Oberon contract, we will deliver the next in a series game changing capabilities to UK Space Command providing the UK military with leading Space Based Synthetic Aperture Radar whilst helping to keep our nation safe and prosperous.

We are looking forwards to working with Airbus as our Mission Partner to deliver this important capability together.
February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Home buying and selling to become quicker and cheaper [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 9 February 2025.

Major new plans to modernise home buying and selling to save people time and money and further measures to improve the lives of leaseholders.

Millions of people are set to benefit from improvements to the way homes are bought and sold, saving them both time and money by helping stop property transactions from falling through.

Under major new plans, the government has announced today [February 9] it will modernise the way the process works to bring down current delays of almost five months. One of the key reasons the buying and selling process can be long and frustrating is a lack of digitalisation and join up in the sector, which is why the government is opening up key property information, ensuring this data can be shared between trusted professionals more easily, and driving forward plans for digital identity services to slash transaction times.

These reforms will make home buying fit for the 21st Century and give much-needed certainty to everyone involved in property transactions, with one million taking place in the UK every year. By making information available at people’s fingertips, it will be far less likely for surprises to be encountered later on in the process. This will make it easier for people to get onto the housing ladder, reduce the requirement to share ID in-person in the long-term, and decrease the number of transactions collapsing.

Currently, fall throughs – which impact one in three transactions – cost people around £400 million a year, on top of the four million working days lost by conveyancers and estate agents alone which is equivalent to £1 billion. By bringing the process into the digital age, and learning from success stories such as Norway where transactions complete in around one month, the government is putting more money into the pockets of hardworking people and delivering on our Plan for Change to grow the economy.

Meanwhile changes to improve the lives of leaseholders – who have already achieved the dream of homeownership but found it falls short of what they were promised – will also be introduced from next week, with secondary legislation for the Right to Manage measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 being laid tomorrow – ahead of the schedule the government committed to last year.

These changes, which will come into force on 3rd March, will empower more leaseholders to take control of their buildings more easily, giving them power over how their service charges are spent, and removing the requirement for leaseholders to cover the legal fees of their freeholder when making a Right to Manage claim – potentially saving them up to £3,000 for the most costly claims, and reducing the incentive for landlords to obstruct the process.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:

“We are streamlining the cumbersome home buying process so that it is fit for the twenty-first century, helping homebuyers save money, gain time and reduce stress while also cutting the number of house sales that fall through.

“Our modernisation of the system sits alongside further reforms to improve the lives of leasehold homeowners across the country, allowing them to more easily and cheaply take control of the buildings they live in and clamp down on unreasonable or extortionate charges.

“These reforms build on the government’s Plan for Change to deliver higher living standards and 1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament, and our ongoing efforts to protect leaseholders suffering from unfair and unreasonable practices as we work to end the feudal leasehold system for good.”

Currently, information such as building control and highways information is predominantly paper-based or recorded in non-machine-readable formats. On top of this, where data is available electronically, there are not established protocols for accessing, sharing and verifying that data which leads to more delays.

But under a fully digitalised home buying and selling process, the information key parties need – from mortgage companies to surveyors – will be within reach immediately, with the necessary identity checks carried out once. Clear information early on will mean there are no surprises late on in the transaction which might cause it to fall through, so instead the transaction is completed smoothly without unnecessary time, energy or money spent.

That’s why the department is working hand-in-hand with the property market, supported by HM Land Registry (HMLR), and is today announcing a 12-week project to identify the design and implementation of agreed rules on data for the sector, so that it can easily be shared between conveyancers, lenders and other parties involved in a transaction. HMLR will also build on its work in digitising property information and lead 10-month pilots with a number of councils to identify the best approach to opening up more of their data and making it digital, whilst the government pushes ahead with plans for digital identity verification services including in the property sector.

This will all be carried out in conjunction with the Digital Property Market Steering Group – a collection of industry and government experts committed to digitalising the home buying and selling process and delivering this change.

The government has already:
- Launched a New Homes Accelerator to unblock thousands of homes stuck in the planning system.
- Set up an independent New Towns Taskforce, as part of a long-term vision to create large-scale communities of at least 10,000 new homes each.
- Awarded £68 million to 54 local councils to unlock housing on brownfield sites.
- Awarded £47 million to seven councils to unlock homes stalled by nutrient neutrality rules.
- Announced an additional £3 billion in housing guarantees to help builders apply for more accessible loans from banks and lenders.
- Extended the existing Home Building Fund for next year providing up to £700 million of vital support to SME housebuilders, delivering an additional 12,000 new homes.
Notes to editors:
- More than 300,000 property transactions fall through in the UK every year at a cost to sellers of £400 million, according to a survey commissioned by the HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) and online homebuyer IMMO.co.uk in 2018.
- Almost a third of adults surveyed by the Homeowners Alliance in 2024, when asked how the conveyancing process could be improved, said it should be faster.
- MHCLG has recently taken over the chairing of the Digital Property Market Steering Group. The group consists of organisations that represent the various professions involved in the buying and selling process and is committed to driving digitalisation of the home buying and selling system.
- Right to Manage is the only way for leaseholders to take back control over extortionate fees and mismanagement of their homes, without being forced to buy the freehold.
- The Right to Manage Statutory Instrument will be laid in parliament on Monday, and will come in to effect from 3rd March 2025
February 21, 2025
Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Release of Eli Sharabi

The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 8 February 2025.

I shared the relief of so many at Eli Sharabi’s release earlier today but was dismayed to see his frail condition and the circumstances of his release. Having met his relatives I appreciate the deep pain they have endured and my thoughts are with them.

We must continue to see all the hostages freed – these people were ripped away from their lives in the most brutal circumstances and held in appalling conditions. The ceasefire must hold and all efforts need to focus on full implementation of the remaining phases. This includes the return of further hostages, the continued increase of aid into Gaza and securing lasting peace in the Middle East.

February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on the Japan – UK Women’s Economic Empowerment Seminar [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 February 2025.

Japan hosted a virtual seminar for British women entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners seeking to increase trade and investment with Japan.

On 6 February 2025, with the support of the Department for Business and Trade, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a virtual seminar for UK women entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners seeking to increase trade and investment with Japan.

This continues an ongoing series of collaborative activities between the UK and Japan to uphold the commitments set out in the Women’s Economic Empowerment chapter of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). It supports the delivery of the joint commitment to enhancing women’s ability to fully access and benefit from the opportunities created by this Agreement, and to reduce the systemic barriers faced by women seeking to trade internationally.

During the seminar, participants heard from Japanese government and non-government led organisations about programmes and initiatives that support women in trade. These included the Japanese Cabinet Office, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japan External Trade Organization. They shared valuable information on the Japanese market and the support and tools available to British women entrepreneurs, business owners and investors interested in growing their businesses by expanding, exporting to and investing in the Japanese market.

The audience also heard from the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan on the support it can provide on navigating differences in business customs, as well as from two Japanese venture capital firms: ANRI, focused on seed stage investments, having a track record of supporting female-founded startups in IT and DeepTech, and NEXTBLUE, dedicated to empowering women founders in the field of women’s wellbeing. These venture capital firms offered their support for the expansion of UK female-led companies.

The audience also heard directly from two British women business owners and entrepreneurs. The CEOs of Celtic English Academy and Evolve Organic Beauty shared valuable insights on their experiences of entering and successfully trading in the education and retail markets in Japan.

Increasing women’s participation in the economy not only strengthens gender equality but also holds huge potential in boosting economic growth. Through the effective implementation of the women’s economic empowerment provisions in the UK’s trade agreement with Japan, we seek to uphold gender equality by ensuring that women business owners and entrepreneurs interested in expanding their business by entering new markets have sufficient knowledge of the opportunities and benefits on offer to them.

The UK has successfully included trade and gender equality provisions in newly negotiated Free Trade Agreements including with Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and will continue working with trading partners to explore and develop the best strategies and practices to break down barriers to trade for women, support the fair and open trade and benefit the wider UK economy.

In the lead up to the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the UK will continue a programme of engagement with Japan. Further, the UK will be showcasing its work on diversity and inclusion at the UK Pavilion, including the work we are doing on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

For more information on the first UK-Japan Women’s Economic Empowerment seminar, please follow this link.

For more information on the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership, please follow this link.

February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Update on the future of Grenfell Tower [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 7 February 2025.

The Deputy Prime Minister has met bereaved families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and written to both them and residents in the immediate community, to share her decision that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down to the ground.

This is a deeply personal matter for the people affected and the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to keeping their voice at the heart of this process. She recognises how difficult it is for them and her priority has been to let them know her decision first.

Listening to the community

The Deputy Prime Minister has prioritised engagement with the community since her appointment in July and has met bereaved families, survivors and residents in the immediate community.

In November last year, the Deputy Prime Minister explained to families that she would listen to their views and consider expert information before making a decision on the future of the Tower in February. From November she offered bereaved and survivors the opportunity to meet in-person in North Kensington and Whitehall, or online, at different times and individually when families felt more comfortable with this. She has also spent time with representative groups, residents’ associations, schools and faith leaders. She is grateful to everyone who shared their view – whether directly with her, with the Minister or officials – and especially to the bereaved and survivors.

The Tower was the home of the 72 innocent people who lost their lives, and of survivors whose lives were forever changed. It is clear from conversations it remains a sacred site. It is also clear that there is not a consensus about what should happen to it.

For some, Grenfell Tower is a symbol of all that they lost. The presence of the Tower helps to ensure the tragedy is never forgotten and can act as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability. Being able to see the Tower every day helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost. For others it is a painful reminder of what happened and is having a daily impact on some members of the community. Some have suggested that some floors of the Tower should be retained for the memorial, others have said that this would be too painful.

Expert advice

The Deputy Prime Minister has considered independent expert advice. Engineering advice says that the Tower is significantly damaged. It remains stable because of the measures put in place to protect it but even with installation of additional props, the condition of the building will continue to worsen over time. Engineers also advise it is not practicable to retain many of the floors of the building in place as part of a memorial that must last in perpetuity.

Taking the engineering advice into account the Deputy Prime Minister concluded that it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others and knowing that, for some, this would be deeply upsetting.

How the Tower will be taken down

The government is committed to taking the next steps respectfully and carefully. There will be continued support for, and engagement with, the community throughout the process. There will be no changes to the Tower before the eighth anniversary.

In the coming months, the government will confirm the specialist contractor that will develop a detailed plan for taking the Tower down. The work will be led by technical experts with specific health and safety responsibilities and will include a methodology that includes environmental, health and safety measures and a detailed programme of work. It will likely take around two years to sensitively take down the Tower through a process of careful and sensitive progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping.

We continue to support the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission as the community choose a design team to work with them on designing a memorial. The Deputy Prime Minister will ensure that materials from the site, communal areas of the Tower, or parts of the Tower can be carefully removed and returned for inclusion as part of the memorial, if the community wishes.

Continued commitment for the community

The department has regularly consulted the Metropolitan Police, HM Coroner and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to ensure decisions about the site do not interfere with their important work in pursuit of justice and accountability. The Police and HM Coroner have again recently confirmed they have everything they need.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to the community continues. She will ensure bereaved families, survivors and residents continue to have opportunities to speak with her and the Building Safety Minister on issues that matter to them most.

February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Tajikistan Parliamentary Elections – Joint Statement to the OSCE [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2025.

UK and others regret cancellation of OSCE election observation and call on Tajikistan to engage constructively with ODIHR.

Mr. Chair,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and my own country Canada.

We thank the European Union for adding this item to the agenda today.

In Istanbul in 1999, participating States committed to invite observers to elections from other participating States, ODIHR, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and to follow up on ODIHR’s election assessment and recommendations.

In this context, we deeply regret that the authorities of Tajikistan have not accredited OSCE/ODIHR election observers in a timely manner, nor made assurances that they would do so.

This has resulted in the cancellation of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission for the upcoming parliamentary elections and has denied the people of Tajikistan an impartial and independent assessment of the elections.

As ODIHR has stated, host governments need to provide the necessary conditions for the effective and unrestricted operation of election observation missions. Prolonged uncertainty surrounding accreditation undermines the integrity of the process.

Fulfilling these necessary conditions is an integral part of meeting OSCE commitments on the invitation of observers. We regret that not all OSCE participating States have chosen to uphold their commitments in this regard.

We thank ODIHR for its efforts in preparing and deploying the Election Observation Mission to Tajikistan. We fully support ODIHR’s mandate, autonomy and their well-proven and objective election monitoring methodology.

We encourage Tajikistan to engage constructively with ODIHR on previous election recommendations, as well as on ODIHR’s support for meeting OSCE commitments to strengthen democracy and human rights, including on free, fair and genuine elections.

February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Millions to see faster journeys as government green lights £90 million for 4 essential road schemes across England [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 7 February 2025.

Government is investing in vital schemes to improve journey times in Wiltshire, Leeds, Essex and Buckinghamshire.
- government gives the green light for 4 transformative road schemes, speeding up journey times for cars and buses, reducing pollution and improving safety
- part of the government’s commitment to prioritise value for money road schemes while renewing our national infrastructure
- £90 million for all 4 schemes, as the government’s Plan for Change delivers better living standards across the country
Drivers across Wiltshire, Leeds, Essex and Buckinghamshire will see faster journeys thanks to £90 million of government funding to upgrade 4 major road schemes in England.

The schemes approved today are:
- A350 Chippenham Bypass phases 4 and 5 in Wiltshire
- A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds
- South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange in Essex
Schemes are expected to significantly speed up journeys, boosting the local economy, as well as improving links between the east and the west. They will also save businesses and road users hundreds of hours off journeys every week and deliver the government’s Plan for Change to improve living standards across the country.

The A350 Chippenham Bypass, one of the most important routes connecting the South West with the Midlands and South East, is expected to see journey times reduced by up to a quarter, with 2 sections of the road to be dualled and improvements made to the roundabout.

Local residents will benefit from reduced traffic on more local routes as well as better road safety and better access to jobs in the area. Businesses are expected to save time and money, as goods can travel more freely with improved access to a key part of the UK’s road freight network.

A total of £90 million for the 4 schemes is being contributed by the government, expected to generate millions more to the UK economy. This is part of the government’s Plan for Change to renew infrastructure and raise living standards across the UK.

The government is determined to speed up the delivery of infrastructure across the UK, which includes improving the UK’s road network for economic growth. As well as faster journeys, drivers are also set to benefit from improved road surfaces, thanks to a recently announced record £1.6 billion investment to fill the equivalent of 7 million potholes and repair roads.

The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

The UK’s roads are the backbone of a growing economy, which is why we’re giving these vital schemes the go ahead, helping deliver our Plan for Change.

Economic growth has been stunted for too long, so we’re giving the green light and investing in vital schemes to help people get from A to B more easily however they choose to travel.

The area around the A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds has seen high traffic levels worsen over the years, impacting bus services in particular. The replacement of the roundabout and structural renewal of the bypass is expected to increase the number of bus passengers, speeding up traffic for all modes of road transport.

Upgrades to the SEALR scheme will reduce air pollution in the town centre, link up new developments in the area and create more walking and cycling options, with a new 1.2 kilometre 2-lane dual carriageway link road. This scheme is also essential in enabling further housing development, which could see up to 1,000 homes added to the local area.

Drivers in Essex will also see faster journeys, as well as improved safety on the A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange. The scheme will see enhancements to the interchange and surrounding roundabouts, serving thousands of drivers every day. Basildon and Southend town centres are expected to see growth and the scheme will also improve capacity for the route serving London Southend Airport.

A significant milestone for drivers in Essex, the Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood has visited the Fairglen Interchange in Essex to mark the approval of the scheme and learn how it will benefit the local economy.

Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director – Policy, Logistics UK, said:

80% of UK freight travels on roads at some point on its journey to the end user and an efficient road network is critical to enable business to drive growth across the whole economy.

Congestion makes journey planning highly unpredictable which increases business costs through factors such as missed deliveries, unnecessary overtime, increased fuel consumption and inefficient fleet utilisation.

The schemes given the go-ahead today show how even smaller-scale strategic upgrades can have a dramatic impact across the whole network. Upgrading the national infrastructure in this way makes supply chains more resilient and enables logistics providers to ensure that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.
February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC Special Session – Democratic Republic of the Congo [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2025.

UK Statement for the UN Human Rights Council Special Session on the situation in the DRC. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you Mr President.

Let me begin by commending the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this special session. We welcome its broad support from across the African Continent.

The situation in eastern DRC has received far too little attention for far too long, including by this Council. We condemn the recent offensive by M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces, which has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation.

We call on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to allow the delivery of life-saving assistance. In particular, the UK calls on M23 and Rwanda to re-open Goma airport as a matter of utmost urgency.

The scale of sexual and gender-based violence across eastern DRC is atrocious. We are horrified by reports of the brutal rape and murder of hundreds of women in Goma’s Munzenze Prison.

We must respond robustly and collectively to ensure a thorough investigation and bring an end to impunity.

The UK is convinced of the need to use all available Council mechanisms to address the human rights situation.

Thank you.

February 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK to drive international cooperation on irregular migration as host of Western Balkans Summit [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2025.

UK to drive international cooperation on irregular migration as host of Western Balkans Summit.
- UK to host major summit with Western Balkans leaders in Autumn 2025
- summit will boost cooperation with Western Balkans partners to tackle irregular migration along key transit routes, delivering on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change
- diplomat Karen Pierce appointed as the UK’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans
The UK will host leaders of the 6 Western Balkans countries and other European leaders later this year for a crucial international summit to support stability, security and economic co-operation in the region.

It will also focus on how to work together to combat the region being used as a transit route for irregular migration, with the government focussed on using every tool at its disposal to control the UK’s borders.

Known formally as the ‘Berlin Process’, the summit will strengthen cooperation with European partners to help deliver on the UK government’s strategy to strengthen borders, smash the gangs, and get those with no right to be here returned to their countries.

As one of the UK’s most experienced diplomats, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG has been appointed the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, charged with driving forward the UK’s strategic objectives across the region, including preparations for the summit.

The summit comes as the UK develops a world first sanctions regime to snare people smugglers upstream.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

The Western Balkans is of long-standing importance to the UK, and our partnerships in the region are central to our efforts to tackle irregular migration and bear down on the evil trade in human lives. Hosting the Berlin Process in the UK demonstrates our commitment to European Security, and to delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

With her experience and expertise, Dame Karen Pierce is the ideal person to drive this important work forward. I would like to thank Lord Peach for his personal dedication and service in advancing UK interests in the Western Balkans over the past 3 years.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said:

Co-operation is key if we want to stop people making dangerous journeys to the UK. Which is why, through the Border Security Command, we are rebuilding strong relationships across Europe and beyond to address the common challenge of irregular migration and secure our borders.

This government has already agreed new deals to increase operational co-operation on organised immigration crime with countries including North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. Our international work, alongside a stronger immigration enforcement approach being taken in the UK, will ensure we are breaking the business model of the people-smuggling gangs at every level.

The UK’s hosting of the summit in partnership with Germany underlines this government’s commitment to resetting its relationships with Europe, and the latest step in the government’s strategy to build enduring partnerships to bear down on criminal groups facilitating irregular migration. The announcement follows the Prime Minister hosting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the weekend.

Last month, the Foreign Secretary visited Tunisia to boost support for projects to tackle the drivers of small boat arrivals in Europe and the UK. In January, the UK also announced plans for the world’s first sanctions regime to take down people smuggling rings and starve them of illicit finance fuelling their operations.

With 3 NATO allies present in the region, the Western Balkans is of critical importance for UK and European security. The risk of instability increasing: regional tensions are aided by malign Russian influence and there is an urgent need to crack down on criminal gangs who have made the region into a major transit route for irregular migration across Europe.

The UK’s Special Envoy will also contribute to wider missions of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, including working to disrupt organised crime groups to make Britain’s streets safer and promote opportunities for British businesses to deliver economic growth.

Before serving as British Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce was the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York – the first female officer to hold each position. She will take up her new position in the spring, taking over from Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL.
February 21, 2025