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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with Prime Minister Albanese of Australia [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with Prime Minister Albanese of Australia [May 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 May 2025.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, this morning.

    The Prime Minister began by congratulating the Australian leader on his historic election win yesterday.

    Australia and the UK has a strong and enduring friendship, and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Albanese in the years to come, including through increased trade and economic security for working people in both countries.

    Discussing defence and security, including our shared support for Ukraine, the leaders also agreed to increase ambition on our joint submarine programme, AUKUS. The Prime Minister said he would ask his AUKUS Adviser, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, to travel to Australia in the coming weeks to discuss the programme further.

    The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

  • Dan Jarvis – 2025 Statement on Irish Republican Alleged Incitement by Kneecap

    Dan Jarvis – 2025 Statement on Irish Republican Alleged Incitement by Kneecap

    The statement made by Dan Jarvis, the Minister for Security, in the House of Commons on 29 April 2025.

    I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his urgent question. Let us never forget that we lost two Members of this House, Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, in tragic circumstances. Both Jo and Sir David were passionate advocates for their constituents, and they cared deeply about a range of issues and embodied the finest democratic qualities, traditions and values of this House. I know that the thoughts of the whole House will be with their families today and every day.

    I want to reiterate the Home Secretary’s words and fully condemn the comments that have been made. Such remarks are dangerous and irresponsible, and this Government utterly reject the views expressed by this group. Let me be crystal clear: political intimidation and abuse have no place in our society.

    I know that the House will want immediate answers on this issue, but as the Minister of State for Policing and Crime Prevention said yesterday, in relation to the urgent question on the Headingley case, the desire for immediate answers is often constrained by the obligation that we have, as Ministers and as Members of this House, not to do or say anything that would interfere in what is a live police investigation.

    As Members know, the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences are matters for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to determine, and they are operationally independent of the Government. It is important that the police are allowed to carry out their ongoing investigations free from political interference.

    However, for the benefit of the House, let me recap what the Metropolitan police have themselves said about these reports. They said:

    “We have been made aware of the video and it has been referred to the counter-terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.”

    Although I will not comment further on this specific case, the safety and security of Members of this House, and all those who serve in elected office, is an issue to which I attach the utmost seriousness, as does the Home Secretary and as do you, Mr Speaker.

    Elected representatives at all levels and across all parties must be able to perform their duties safely and without fear, and, through the defending democracy taskforce, we are driving a whole-of-government effort to ensure that that is the case. The taskforce has recently agreed a programme of work to tackle the harassment and intimidation of elected Members. The taskforce is also supporting the Speaker’s Conference that is addressing these issues.

    Those of us who attend this place are all too aware of the devastating consequences of violence against our colleagues and friends. We may not always agree, but if there is one universal truth to which we would all subscribe it is surely that our politics is better when it is conducted respectfully and safely. I hope and trust that that will have the support of Members right across the House.

    The Home Secretary and I condemn the comments that have been made and we will work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all those who step forward to serve in public office.

  • Hamish Falconer – 2025 Statement on Kashmir

    Hamish Falconer – 2025 Statement on Kashmir

    The statement made by Hamish Falconer, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, in the House of Commons on 29 April 2025.

    The horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April was devastating. [Interruption.]

    Mr Speaker

    Order. Members must sit down, because the Minister is on his feet replying.

    Mr Falconer

    Our thoughts are with those affected, their loved ones and, of course, the people of India. This attack left 26 people dead, most of whom, we understand, were tourists travelling to the region. Following the attack, India has announced a number of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, and Pakistan has reciprocated. The official UK travel advice for Indian-administered Kashmir continues to advise against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir, except for travel by air to the city of Jammu, travel within the city, and travel within the union territory of Ladakh.

    This is a very sensitive situation, with real risks to regional and wider stability. Understandably, there has been huge interest within UK communities. Kashmir has been a flashpoint for conflict between India and Pakistan many times over previous decades. The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Modi on 25 April to express his condolences on behalf of the British people. The UK condemns all forms of terrorism and the extremism that sustains it, wherever it occurs. The Foreign Secretary spoke to India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on 27 April to pass on the UK’s condolences and to express the UK Government’s support to the Indian people at this difficult time. The Foreign Secretary has also spoken over the weekend to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar.

    Heightened tensions between India and Pakistan inevitably raise concerns about escalation. Effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region are essential. The UK supported the UN Security Council press statement on 25 April, which condemned the attack and reaffirmed that acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable. The long-standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution. We will continue to monitor the situation closely through our high commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad.

    Gurinder Singh Josan

    I thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing this question, and I thank the Minister for his statement. I have three further points.

    First, this is a terrorist attack of the utmost barbarity, and it deserves to be condemned by all. My thoughts are with the families of those killed. The killing took place in a popular tourist location, and most victims were tourists. Among the victims was a man married only the week before, who was honeymooning with his wife. The manner of the selection of the victims was particularly horrific, with the killers actively seeking out non-Muslims before killing them in cold blood. The Minister will be aware that the Kashmir region has been the scene of previous terrorist attacks that have claimed many innocent lives, including in Chittisinghpura, where 35 Sikhs were killed in 2000. What support can the UK provide to ensure that the terrorists are found and brought to justice, and to ensure that their networks of support are dismantled?

    Secondly, there has been a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, including the measures that the Minister has outlined. India and Pakistan have engaged in large-scale military hostilities in the past in the region, and there is a real risk that the nations could revert to a military conflict again. What can the UK do to encourage a de-escalation of tensions, while ensuring the eradication of the terrorist organisations and their support networks wherever they exist?

    Finally, the Minister will be aware that there have been protests in the UK outside India and Pakistan’s high commissions. Those protests have been characterised by provocative language and gestures, including what appears to be a throat-slitting motion by an alleged Pakistan official. Windows have been smashed at Pakistan’s high commission in London, and an individual has been arrested and charged. Does the Minister recognise the importance of proactive work with communities across the UK to ensure that we do not see a downturn in community relations here?

    Mr Falconer

    I thank my hon. Friend for his engagement on these questions. I am sure that the whole House shares his horror at the details of this incident—the targeting of the victims and the way in which it was carried out.

    First, I will address the scenes on UK streets. We are aware of reports of the video that my hon. Friend refers to; the Metropolitan police are investigating, so I will not provide any further commentary on that particular incident, but it is obviously concerning. We take seriously our responsibility for the security of all embassies and high commissions under the Vienna convention, so both the Pakistani and Indian high commissions will receive all the support of the UK state to ensure that they stay safe. As my hon. Friend has said, and as I know many in this House feel, these issues have long been discussed with passion on British streets. We call on all sides, all community leaders and all involved to call for calm at a time of tension in the region.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government’s tech reform to transform cancer diagnosis [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government’s tech reform to transform cancer diagnosis [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 May 2025.

    Cancer 360 brings patient data into one central system, so clinicians can prioritise those most in need and see patients quicker.

    • Millions of patients to receive faster cancer diagnosis, helping slash treatment delays as groundbreaking new tech rolled out on NHS as part of major reform to health service
    • For first time, all NHS trusts will have access to technology that brings key patient information together so medical teams can easily spot those in need of urgent attention
    • The £2bn tech investment from the Autumn Budget will drive essential reforms, freeing up staff time and saving lives, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change

    Millions of cancer patients will receive a faster diagnosis, helping cut treatment delays and boost survival rates as the government rolls out pioneering new technology across the NHS through the Plan for Change.

    Currently, there are over 2 million people living with cancer, many of whom face a complex journey of tests, appointments or treatments. But a trailblazing new tool – dubbed Cancer 360 – brings all that data into one central system, so clinicians can prioritise those most in need and see patients quicker – with the technology set to benefit millions over the next 5-10 years.

    This government inherited a broken NHS. Lord Ara Darzi’s independent investigation found the NHS in ‘critical condition’ – with surging waiting lists and deteriorating national health – and set out the need to improve cancer waiting time performance and cancer survival.

    Cancer 360 represents the crucial reform that must accompany investment, shifting the NHS from analogue to digital, by creating a simple dashboard showing clinicians all the information they need about their patients in one place. Instead of having to gather vital information about each cancer patient from various systems, spreadsheets, emails, and records.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    This government grasped the nettle and made difficult but necessary choices to invest £26 billion into our NHS – a move that is already helping millions of patients and will help millions more.

    It’s a long road, but we’re already getting our NHS back on its feet, giving patients over 3 million more appointments, hiring 1,500 new GPs and starting the roll out of new tech that will save lives.

    It is only this government’s Plan for Change that will deliver for patients and make our NHS fit for the future.

    The real-time tool will help teams to easily track a patient’s progress, avert delays, and even produce personalised treatment plans. It will dramatically reduce paperwork and help ensure vital warning signs aren’t missed.

    Cancer 360 is a prime example of the government’s commitment to reform – doing things differently by harnessing digital innovation to improve patient outcomes.

    Following recent expansion of the NHS App, which has already stopped 1.5 million hospital appointments being missed and saved 5.7 million staff hours since July 2024, Cancer 360 demonstrates how we are continuing to drive the NHS from analogue to digital, giving patients better care and more control over their healthcare journey.

    The investment comes from the Autumn Budget – where the government made difficult but necessary choices to put £26 billion in our NHS. This includes the biggest increase in NHS spending since 2010, excluding COVID-19 years – including £1 billion for digital transformation projects and £121 million for the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP). While this investment is crucial, it’s the reforms in how we use these resources that will truly transform cancer care.

    The new tool is built into the FDP, which brings patient information together from across separate systems into one safe and secure environment. Since April 2024, hospitals using the platform have typically performed 70,000 more procedures and reduced unnecessary hospital stays by almost 19% – treating more patients and freeing up valuable bed space.

    Suraiya Abdi, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust said:

    The implementation of Cancer 360 has enabled my team to monitor and safely carry our patients through their cancer pathway.

    The tool enables us to have in-depth conversations at our weekly meetings regarding a patient’s next step as well as allowing us to escalate queries directly to other teams for faster turnaround.

    The tool has reduced the amount of admin time spent by our cancer team therefore enabling them to focus on the patient journey. I have witnessed an improvement in performance, team spirit and most importantly patient experience.

    The government’s National Cancer Plan will transform the way we approach this disease, improving care and bringing this country’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

    Through the Plan for Change, the government is driving forward work to develop innovative treatments and technologies for patients. Last month the Prime Minister announced plans for a new health data research service, to transform access to NHS data so clinical trials can be fast-tracked to accelerate the development of the medicines and therapies of the future, in turn helping boost the UK’s world leading life sciences sector and drive growth.

    The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also recently announced thousands of cancer patients will benefit from new artificial intelligence which detects skin cancer. In addition, it was confirmed that the NHS will become the first health system in Europe to offer a new injectable form of nivolumab – one of the most widely used cancer treatments in England.

    This forms part of the government’s wider ambitions to cut waiting lists under its Plan for Change. With a total of 3 million additional appointments already delivered 6 months early, the government is exceeding its own targets and driving down waiting lists at pace, which have fallen for 6 months in a row and by 219,000 since July 2024 – evidence that reform and investment together can deliver real results for patients.

    Notes to editors

    • Cancer 360, soon to be rolled out across all NHS trusts, demonstrates the shift from analogue to digital processes which is central to the government’s plans to reform the NHS.
    • For patients, this means faster diagnoses, reduced waiting times, and more coordinated care throughout their cancer journey. It follows successful pilots at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Royal United Hospital Bath.

    Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS National Clinical Transformation Director, said:

    Every cancer patient deserves swift, effective care, and our new Cancer 360 solution harnesses data to ensure exactly that. By giving clinicians a comprehensive view of patient pathways, we can identify and address delays immediately.

    The NHS Federated Data Platform is already showing its value in transforming cancer care, helping our hard-working staff deliver better outcomes while reducing administrative burden. As Cancer 360 expands to more hospitals nationwide, I’m confident we’ll see meaningful improvements in both treatment times and patient experience.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    I’ve seen first-hand the stress and heartbreak that cancer causes in my own family.

    Dependent on archaic pen-and-paper systems, life-saving diagnostics appointments hung on whether a post-it note lost its stick, or a piece of paper went missing. That put lives at risk, and with the technology we have today, there’s no reason for any part of our healthcare service to run in such a way.

    Simply by keeping accurate records, the technology we are putting to work today will cut waiting times and save lives, delivering on our Plan for Change. That way, people can once again trust that their local hospital has the tools it needs to focus on what matters – treating their loved ones and keeping families together for longer.

  • PRESS RELEASE : King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 3 May 2025.

    His Majesty The King will join Second World War veterans in London tomorrow for a military procession and fly past to mark VE Day 80.

    • Hollywood actor Timothy Spall will read Churchill speech
    • Iconic buildings across the country will light up from Tuesday evening in tribute
    • National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on Thursday

    Four days of national commemorations to the Second World War generation kick off in London tomorrow with a recital of iconic Winston Churchill speeches by Hollywood actor Timothy Spall.

    Timothy Spall will start the events by reading extracts from Churchill’s iconic VE Day victory speech in 1945. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will formally start the procession after being handed the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch For Peace by Air Cadet Warrant Officer Emmy Jones.

    The procession, featuring more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and youth groups will march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and a number of Second World War veterans will be on a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial.

    A fly past, which Members of the Royal Family will watch from the Balcony at Buckingham Palace, will conclude Monday’s events. From 9pm on Tuesday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VE 80. Buildings include Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf’s 1 Canada Square, the Shard, Lowther Castle, Rochester Cathedral, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle, Senedd, Perth Bridge, City Chambers and Belfast City Hall.

    On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence, which is expected to be replicated across the nation.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This 80th anniversary is a moment of national unity. A time to celebrate that hard won peace, honour the memory of those who lost their lives, and remember the sacrifices made by so many to secure our freedom. Their legacy lives on today in how we stand together in defence of the values they fought for and which bind us together as a nation. This week, we come together to salute their service.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    80 years ago millions of people celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe. This week, we will recreate this moment across towns and cities, in our homes, in pubs and on our streets.

    We must do all we can to ensure that the stories and memories of this period in our history are not forgotten. We must not forget the hardships, the heroics and the millions who lost their lives.

    We are here because of the sacrifices they made and the horrors they endured. This week, I urge the nation to come together and send a powerful message: we will remember them.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    Across the four days, official events and services will be taking place across the UK to mark 80 years of the end of the Second World War in Europe including events in the Devolved Nations, including:

    Monday 5 May:

    • To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.
    • The VE Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.
    • Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.

    Tuesday 6 May:

    • An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress. This poppies installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today.  It will mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
    • Scotland Salutes VE80 concert will take place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

    Wednesday 7 May:

    • On the evening of 7 May 1945, a newsflash announced that the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important moment in the nation’s history, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.
    • At a special VE Day event at IWM North, jointly produced by IWM and the National Theatre, some of the letters that the public submit will become part of a performance along with high profile public figures sharing letters from the IWM collection and excerpts from ‘The Next Morning’.
    • A National Service of Remembrance will be held at Llandaff Cathedral.

    Thursday 8 May:

    • A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war. It will be a moment to give thanks and to honour a generation that showed extraordinary courage and resilience.
    • The events will conclude with a concert at the historic Horseguards Parade to finish the VE Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, echoing how the nation reacted to the news 80 years before. With more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance, the concert will feature stars of stage and screen including John Newman and Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock as well as military musicians and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.

    Services of remembrance and community celebrations will take place across Northern Ireland throughout the week. The Government has launched Tip Top Towns, a programme to encourage communities across the country – whether towns, villages or cities – to get together with their communities ahead of 5 May when the nation will come together for street parties to celebrate VE Day. Members of the public are encouraged to get in the VE Day spirit by making their own decorations, planting flowers, encouraging children to draw pictures for their windows or hosting arts and craft sessions.

    Full list of buildings being lit up:

    London:

    Houses of Parliament, London

    Elizabeth Tower, London

    Buckingham Palace, London

    10 Downing Street, London

    Battersea Power Station, London

    Tower 42 (Natwest Building), London

    Millenium Bridge, London

    The Shard, London

    Tower of London, London

    St Paul’s Cathedral, London

    London Eye, London

    Canary Wharf 1 Canada Square, London

    National Theatre, London

    British Film Institute, London

    The Cenotaph, London

    HMS Belfast, London

    IWM London, London

    BFI IMAX, London

    BFI Southbank, London

    London Bridge, London

    Cannon Street Railway Bridge, London

    Southwark Bridge, London

    Waterloo Bridge, London

    Golden Jubilee Footbridges, London

    Westminster Bridge, London

    Lambeth Bridge, London

    Blackfriars Bridge, London

    102 Petty France, London

    The National Archives, London

    120 Fenchurch Street, London

    Twickenham/Aviva Stadium, London

    North West England:

    IWM North, Salford

    Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, Liverpool

    Manchester Printworks, Manchester

    The Royal Exchange, Manchester

    Lowther Castle, Cumbria

    Blackpool seafront & tower, Blackpool

    Rivington Pike, Chorley

    Chorley Town hall, Chorley

    North East England:

    Durham Cathedral, Durham

    Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle

    Glasshouse International Centre, Newcastle

    Municipal Buildings, Middlesborough

    Town Hall, Middlesborough

    Town Hall Clock Tower, Middlesborough

    Central Library, Middlesborough

    Bottle of Notes, Middlesborough

    St Hilda’s Bell structure, Middlesborough

    Zetland Car Park, Middlesborough

    The Issac Wilson pub, Middlesborough

    Dorman Museum, Middlesborough

     South East England:

    The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

    Rochester Cathedral, Rochester

    Brighton Royal Pavillion, Brighton

    South West England:

    Runnymede Air Force Memorial, Surrey

    County Hall, Dorset

    Aerospace Bristol, Bristol

    The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

    East England:

    St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk

    West Midlands:

    Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham

    Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire

    Kings Heath (trees), Birmingham

    National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

    East Midlands:

    Derwent Dam, Peak District

    Scotland:

    The Kelpies, Falkirk

    The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk

    Perth Bridge, Perth

    Hamilton House, Lanarkshire

    City Chambers, Edinburgh

    St Paul’s Church, Perth

    Northern Ireland:

    Belfast City Hall, Belfast

    Titanic Museum, Belfast

    Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen

    Strule Arts Centre, Omagh

    Parliament Buildings

     Wales:

    Welsh Government Building in Cathays Park, Cardiff

    Welsh Parliament ( Senedd Cymru) in Cardiff Bay

    Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

    Castell Coch, Cardiff

    Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon

    Channel Islands:

    Castle Cornet, Guernsey

    Fort Grey, Guernsey

    Beau Sejour Leisure, Guernsey

  • PRESS RELEASE : Tiffany Sadler, UK Special Envoy to the Great Lakes to visit Kigali [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tiffany Sadler, UK Special Envoy to the Great Lakes to visit Kigali [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2025.

    The UK Special Envoy to the Great Lakes, Tiffany Sadler, will be in Kigali next week, after visiting Kinshasa and Kampala.

    The Special Envoy to the Great Lakes, Tiffany Sadler, will meet representatives of government, business, and civil society during her visit to Rwanda; all of which provide an opportunity to discuss the current conflict and to reiterate the UK’s commitment to the region’s stability and long-term prosperity.

    This is Ms. Tiffany Sadler’s second visit to Rwanda since taking up her position in September 2024.

    The Special Envoy to the Great Lakes, Tiffany Sadler, said:

    I am delighted to be back in Rwanda during this critical and solemn time. The agreement signed between DRC and Rwanda in Washington, and the joint statement issued by DRC and M23 after their meetings in Qatar are very good news.

    I will be discussing with the government, civil society, and business what the UK can do to sustain this positive momentum. Security and prosperity will lead to huge benefits for all. The region deserves to live in peace.

    She will also experience the long-standing UK-Rwanda education partnership in practice, with a visit to a school in the northern province.

    As her trip to Rwanda is during the solemn period of Kwibuka (remembrance), she will listen firsthand to the testimony of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    Finally, she will visit the Ruzisi III hydropower site with Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Jimmy Gasore. This signals the UK’s strong and ongoing commitment to the project and the benefits it will bring to the people of Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi by increasing their energy supply.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on attacks against the Druze community in Syria [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on attacks against the Druze community in Syria [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2025.

    The UK has issued a statement in response to recent attacks against the Druze community in Syria.

    A UK Government spokesperson said:

    The UK is appalled by recent attacks against the Druze community in Syria. We urge the authorities to take steps to restore calm, shield civilians from violence and hold those responsible to account.

    We strongly call on all parties to reject violence, to ensure the protection of civilians and to refrain from actions that could risk aggravating tensions between communities in Syria.  We call on Israel to refrain from actions that could risk destabilising Syria – respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is paramount.

    There can be no lasting peace or better future for Syrians unless all of Syria’s communities are protected and fully included in Syria’s transition.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cyber attacks are “wake up call” for businesses – Pat McFadden [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cyber attacks are “wake up call” for businesses – Pat McFadden [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 2 May 2025.

    Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will set out what action the government is taking to improve cyber security in a speech next week.

    • Pat McFadden led briefing with national security officials and National Cyber Security Centre CEO on Friday about support being provided to retailers
    • He will use keynote speech at CyberUK to say “companies must treat cyber security as an absolute priority”
    • Comes as National Cyber Security Centre works closely with affected organisations to provide expert advice and support

    In the wake of a wave of cyber attacks on retailers, Pat McFadden will set out what action the government is taking to improve the country’s cyber security in a speech next week, as the government secures Britain’s future through the Plan for Change.

    Recognising the impact such attacks have on working people as they go about their daily lives, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will highlight moves to “bolster our national defences” including through the Cyber Security Bill.

    It follows a briefing he led with national security officials and NCSC CEO Richard Horne on Friday about the recent hacks and expert support being provided to retailers.

    In the keynote speech at the CyberUK conference in Manchester next week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will say:

    “These attacks need to be a wake-up call for every business in the UK.

    “In a world where the cybercriminals targeting us are relentless in their pursuit of profit – with attempts being made every hour of every day – companies must treat cyber security as an absolute priority.

    “We’ve watched in real-time the disruption these attacks have caused – including to working families going about their everyday lives. It serves as a powerful reminder that just as you would never leave your car or your house unlocked on your way to work. We have to treat our digital shop fronts the same way.”

    The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working closely with organisations that have reported incidents to them to fully understand the nature of these attacks and to provide expert advice to the wider sector based on the threat picture.

    They’re also urging leaders to follow the advice on the NCSC website to ensure they have appropriate measures in place to help prevent attacks and respond and recover effectively.

    In his speech next week, Pat McFadden will encourage firms from all sectors to consider what cyber protections they have in place.

    In a message to business leaders across the UK, he will say: “We are ready to support you. The National Cyber Security Centre is standing ready to support businesses and provide advice, and guidance, on how to raise the cyber security bar.”

    Pat McFadden will set out the action the government is taking to boost the country’s cyber protections.

    He will say: “We’re modernising the way the state approaches cyber, through the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. That legislation will bolster our national defences.

    “It will grant new powers for the Technology Secretary to direct regulated organisations to reinforce their cyber defences It will require over 1,000 private IT providers to improve their data and network security.

    “It will require companies to report a wider array of cyber incidents to the NCSC in the future – to help us build a clearer picture of who, and what, hostile actors are targeting.”

    Last month (April) the government launched a Cyber Governance Code of Practice. This is a package of measures which shows boards and directors how they can manage digital risks and protect their businesses and organisations from cyber attacks.

    It covers a range of areas, including having robust cyber strategies in place, promoting a culture in workplaces so all employees are aware of the potential cyber risks they could face in their daily work, and having incident response plans in place which will mean organisations can respond quickly to cyber incidents as they occur.

    Small businesses looking to strengthen their online defences are also encouraged to engage with the NCSC’s Small Business Guide, which provides quick and easy actions to help bolster their defences and support through the Cyber Local scheme, which provides tailored funding to boost regional cyber skills.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Creative industries and growth boosted with new UK-India cultural agreement [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Creative industries and growth boosted with new UK-India cultural agreement [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 2 May 2025.

    • UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation agreement with India
    • Culture Secretary leading a delegation of cultural leaders and UK institutions to Mumbai and New Delhi this week
    • Agreement to boost collaboration between British and Indian creative businesses and cultural institutions, delivering on Plan for Change to drive growth and opportunity

    The UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation deal and economic links with India, as the government delivers on its Plan for Change to boost growth and opportunity.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who is of Indian heritage, arrived on Thursday for a three-day visit to Mumbai and New Delhi. She has today (Friday) signed a new bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement with India’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. She has been joined on the trip by a delegation of senior leaders from VisitBritain, the British Film Institute and the Science Museum, to drive further collaboration between British and Indian creative businesses and cultural institutions.

    The agreement will open the door for increased UK creative exports to India and enable more partnerships between UK and Indian museums and cultural institutions, helping to grow UK soft power.

    On Thursday the Culture Secretary delivered a keynote speech at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, which was also attended by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Her speech celebrated the living bridge that connects the UK and India, and showcased the strength and attractiveness of the UK’s creative industries, one of the growth-driving sectors identified in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy.

    The Culture Secretary then toured Yash Raj Films Studio, where some of the most popular Bollywood films with audiences in the UK are made. Both the UK and India boast rich cinematic traditions and share a deep mutual interest in each other’s storytelling cultures, and the Culture Secretary wants to see more collaboration between UK and Indian film productions.

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

    In the arts and creative industries, Britain and India lead the world and I look forward to this agreement opening up fresh opportunities for collaboration, innovation and economic growth for our artists, cultural institutions and creative businesses.

    Growing up as a mixed race child with proud Indian heritage, I saw first hand how the UK’s culture – from food, fashion and film to music, sport and literature – is enriched by the unique contribution of the Indian diaspora. It has given me a deep connection to India’s culture and people and it is an honour to be visiting this magnificent country to forge a closer cultural partnership.

    During the visit:

    • This evening the Culture Secretary will attend a marquee event at the British Council in Delhi, where she will preview performances from India’s Serendipity Arts Festival which is due to hold a mini festival in Birmingham in May and a large-scale event in London next year.
    • At the same reception, Visit Britain CEO Patricia Yates will launch the Starring GREAT Britain campaign in India, which will draw upon film and TV locations as a driver for inward tourism to the UK.
    • In the Okhla neighbourhood of Delhi, she will tour boutique fashion houses and workshops and meet a range of Indian fashion designers with UK links.
    • Earlier today the Culture Secretary met female cricketers at the Sharad Pawar Sports Club, ahead of India hosting the Women’s Cricket World Cup in October 2025. On Saturday she will meet football coaches involved in the Premier League Primary Stars programme in India, a partnership between the Premier League and the British Council to improve physical and sports education in primary schools. Earlier this week the Premier League announced it was opening a new office in Mumbai.
    • As well as her meetings with the Minister for Culture and senior Indian government ministers, the Culture Secretary is also expected to meet with significant Indian investors and business leaders.

    Actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar said:

    The creative industries are a powerful, enjoyable way to bring people together so I hope this visit further solidifies a mutual appreciation not just of the long established arts of both countries but also the evolving areas of film, music and theatre that are successfully combining artistic traditions from India and the UK to explore and cement what is a unique relationship.

    Film director Gurinder Chadha said:

    As a filmmaker who has spent my career celebrating being British Punjabi and honouring the connections between Britain and India, it is great to see our cultural bonds further strengthened through this new agreement from my friend and colleague Lisa Nandy.

    Now we have a real opportunity to unlock exciting new creative opportunities for artists and storytellers to the benefit of both our countries.

    ENDS

    UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation Agreement

    • The Culture Secretary and Minister for Culture are expected to formally sign the UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation. The two nations will commit to enhancing cultural exchange between the UK and India through the arts and heritage, and to encourage long-term partnerships between UK and Indian businesses and cultural institutions.
    • Implementation will involve the British Council in India and the Indian Ministry of Culture, with participation from major UK cultural institutions including Arts Council England, the British Library, the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum Group and the V&A Museum. This has the potential for British museums to launch new partnerships on exhibitions or public programmes that engage the Indian diaspora in the UK.
    • The UK will work with India to support best practice and expertise on heritage conservation, museum management and digitisation of collections – including making knowledge contained in South Asian manuscripts more widely accessible, and the protection of cultural property, with both nations committing to combat illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts.

    Further quotes:

    Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group, said:

    This commitment from the British and Indian Governments to deeper cultural cooperation will further strengthen our relationships with Indian cultural and scientific organisations, helping the Science Museum Group to share ever more fascinating stories of scientific discovery with audiences in both the UK and India.

    Visitors to Science City in Kolkata can explore our Injecting Hope exhibition – which delves into the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and was created in partnership with India’s National Council of Science Museums – now on display as part of an international tour that has inspired nearly five million visitors in museums across India, China and the UK.”

    Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said:

    The V&A is delighted to contribute to the new UK-India cultural partnership. It will increase our ability to loan more objects from our world-class collection, and build strategic relationships with the booming Indian arts scene across design, fashion, photography, and performance.

    Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said:

    The British Museum’s collaboration with partner museums across India are some of our deepest and most successful. For example, in Mumbai, we have a groundbreaking partnership with the CSMVS Museum – one of India’s biggest – which is based around the reciprocal exchange of objects, knowledge, and ideas.

    I’m delighted that the UK-India Cultural Cooperation Agreement recognises, at the highest level, the importance of cultural collaboration between our two countries and we look forward to strengthening these partnerships further.”

    Director of the Natural History Museum Doug Gurr said:

    India is clearly a nation of talented, passionate and prolific wildlife photographers! Indian photographers have consistently been well-represented in our prestigious photography competition Wildlife Photography of the Year – and this year we had a record-breaking number of over 300 entrees from India, an increase of 79 per cent!

    It has been our honour to share the awe-inspiring images of our Indian alumni to millions of people worldwide and we have had the pleasure of collaborating with Dhritiman Mukherjee, Ripan Biswas and Nayan Khanolkar to deliver conservation photography workshops for young people in Kolkata. We are thrilled that our connection continues at the Visual Poetries Photography Festival in Gujarat this summer, with our Competition Manager joining their jury and our Wildlife Photography of the Year Highlights on display throughout.

    Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive of the British Library, said:

    The British Library has a long history of successful collaboration with our peers in India, including on the landmark ‘Two Centuries of Indian Print’ project and through our Endangered Archives Programme.

    We warmly welcome this agreement which will provide opportunities to further deepen our partnerships, exchange valuable professional skills and insights, and strengthen our shared networks of knowledge and culture.

    More information:

    • VisitBritain forecasts a record 766,000 visits from India to the UK in 2025, up 7 percent on 2024, with travellers spending £1 billion – a 12 per cent year-on-year growth.
    • The BPI has reported that British music exports to India experienced a significant 26.3 percent increase in revenue. This moves India into the top 20 biggest overseas territories for UK recorded music, and there have recently been tours by major British acts including Coldplay in January and Ed Sheeran in February.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Business review on US tariffs has concluded [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business review on US tariffs has concluded [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 2 May 2025.

    Government statement on conclusion of US tariff review.

    The process seeking views from businesses and interested stakeholders to shape any future UK action on tariffs has now concluded.

    The four-week Request for Input launched on Wednesday 3 April in response to the US imposing tariffs on a range of products and has received over 200 responses. Work to analyse those responses begins while keeping all options on the table.

    The Government will now rapidly analyse the comments and data which scope out the impacts of possible UK tariffs, as well as views on a range of products that could be included in any UK’s response.

    Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal with the US to remove existing and future tariffs continue at pace and remain our focus.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We are now in a new era for trade and the economy, and that means going further and faster to strengthen the UK’s economy.

    All options remain on the table and any future UK action will be made in the national interest – and that is exactly why this engagement was so important.

    Our approach so far has been guided by the interests of British business and their voice will continue to be at the heart of our decisions.

    While we analyse responses, this Government’s priority will be to build on the strength of our relationship with the US and continue talks to find a resolution for UK businesses.