Tag: 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 October 2025.

Ambassador Holland thanks the Secretary General for his presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal, and underlines the UK’s commitment to supporting a positive outcome on OSCE finances.

Thank you, Secretary General, for your presentation of the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal, and for reminding us of the significant financial challenges facing this organisation.

The United Kingdom recognises and is grateful for the considerable work that has gone into this proposal. We will continue to study the detail carefully, and will respond with more specific questions and points during the upcoming fund manager presentations to the ACMF.

The UK appreciates that agreeing a Unified Budget for 2026 will be a difficult task. We deeply regret that participating States have been unable to reach consensus on a Unified Budget since 2021, and we recognise that the extended period without a budget or a revised Post Table has impacted the organisation’s ability to respond flexibly to emerging requirements. We commend the efforts of all OSCE staff and structures in delivering against their mandates under the most difficult of circumstances. It is vital that we – as participating States – engage constructively to find solutions which ensure the OSCE is adequately resourced and able to function effectively.

The UK stands ready to engage constructively in discussions around the 2026 budget, including on future Chair’s Proposals which prioritise putting the OSCE on a more sustainable financial footing while also taking account of global financial realities. We believe it is important that the organisation’s core activities continue to be funded through the Unified Budget to ensure sustainability and predictability.

Mr Chair, the UK remains committed to supporting a positive outcome on OSCE finances. I encourage all colleagues to focus on the bigger picture at this difficult time for the organisation. I wish Switzerland well in developing the first Chair’s proposal, and thank Finland for their continued efforts towards agreement of the 2025 budget.

We strongly encourage all participating States to engage constructively and flexibly to achieve consensus on our organisation’s Unified Budget. Most pressingly this means us reaching consensus on the budget for 2025 as a vital first step. We can then build on that through the 2026 budget process to drive necessary reform and prioritisation.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : First illegal migrants returned under new UK-France agreement [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 October 2025.

Under the landmark UK-France migration deal, the first groups of small boats arrivals to the UK have been successfully removed on flights to France.

The first group removals of small boat migrants under the UK’s landmark migration treaty with France have now taken place, marking another momentous step in the government’s efforts to dismantle the criminal networks profiting from human misery.

The UK-France treaty grants the UK decisive new powers to detain and rapidly remove individuals who enter illegally via small boats, blocking access to the UK asylum system.

Over the past week, 2 group flights saw 19 individuals returned to France, following the successful returns of an additional 7 individuals in the last month. The second group flight arrived in France earlier today before continuing its journey to Eastern Europe as part of the government’s regular schedule of returns flights.

Further flights to France under this pilot scheme are scheduled to take place over the coming days and weeks.

In addition, the UK government continues to work with France to operate a tightly controlled legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK, subject to rigorous security checks. Nine arrivals entered the UK this week through this route.

This pilot scheme will continue to be ramped up, with both countries having committed to continuously improving the process of this innovative approach.

The Home Office today has released content from the first group flight last week, including footage of migrants boarding and the aircraft departing.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

We must put an end to these dangerous crossings which put lives at risk and money in the pockets of criminal gangs.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer. The last government’s Rwanda scheme took years and cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and failed to forcefully remove a single person. In a matter of weeks, we’ve returned 26 through our historic agreement with France.

With flights to France now underway and ramping up, we are sending out a clear message: if you come here illegally, you face being detained and removed, so think twice before making that journey.

On top of this work, enforcement activity continues to be ramped up, with the National Crime Agency carrying out over 350 disruptions against people-smuggling networks last year – a 40% increase on the previous year.

Over 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK have been returned, with asylum-related returns up 28% year-on-year.

The Home Office is now issuing over 31,000 initial asylum decisions every quarter – triple the average under the previous government.

This co-ordinated approach – combining decisive enforcement action, international cooperation, and controlled routes – demonstrates the government’s comprehensive Plan for Change to strengthen our borders while upholding our humanitarian obligations and dismantling the criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people.

October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : 175 Years since the Public Libraries Act [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 October 2025.

Baroness Twycross gave the keynote speech at the charity, Libraries Connected, celebration event at Manchester Central Library to mark the 175th anniversary of the first ever Public Libraries Act.

Earlier this week, I was privileged to be at the reopening of the library in Muswell Hill.

The refurbishment is part of a £4.9 million investment in their library estate by the London Borough of Haringey.

One person, who used the library as a child, described the reopening as a ‘homecoming’ and there was a genuine excitement about the much loved building being open for business again.

As someone who always has at least one book on the go, for whom a weekend or holiday well spent is measured in books read, being Libraries’ Minister is an absolute delight and privilege.

Some of my own earliest memories are of being taken to the library. My mum walking us to West Norwood Library in London.

The amazing feeling of being allowed to choose a whole five books to take home.

Those five books each a passport to five different worlds, each waiting to be unlocked.

When I was finally old enough – I would get the bus into town on a Saturday morning and go to the library then to Woolworths for pick and mix.

Woolworths has long gone, but the library is still there, serving the next generation and probably the one after that.

I remember our school librarian helping me pick out books—guiding me towards books I was unfamiliar with, a new adventure between the pages of a story.

So I am sure, like me, you are delighted that the Chancellor last week confirmed this government’s £10 million commitment to have a library in every primary school by the end of this parliament.

I was fortunate to have books at home, to be encouraged to read and to be read to. I remember my father reading the ‘chapter books’.

The sheer anticipation as he turned the page to unleash the terror within 101 Dalmatians, the gentle wisdom of Charlotte’s Web, or the mayhem of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The act of sharing a story instilled in me not just a love of words – a love of literature – but the fundamental understanding that stories connect us.

You already know that this marks me out as one of the lucky ones. One of the children whose imagination and attainment was encouraged and lifted by being read to, and by reading for pleasure.

You know this because you are the guardians of our libraries.

And I would like to start by thanking you for everything you do – and everything you will do – to make sure that the next 175 years of public libraries are as relevant and as valuable as the first 175 years.

What marked those very first public libraries out was how they opened up knowledge, information, and creativity to those who could not afford either a subscription to a library, or to buy books themselves.

At their heart – and in their original form – our libraries are engines of social mobility – a radical opening up of access to information.

Founded on the notion that everyone should have equal access to knowledge.

In an age of digital connectedness, where information and ‘facts’ are disputed this trust and this universality is key.

Libraries are a unique public service open to everyone.

From toddlers attending their first rhyme time session to pensioners accessing digital services or simply enjoying an afternoon with the daily newspaper.

The library’s civic function has never been more vital.

You are bridging the attainment gap, one child, one book, one successful job application written on your computers at a time.

Librarians are up there as being among the most trusted of all professions. This is a trust earned through professionalism, and a dedication to the truth.

In an age of mis- and dis-information, the principle of free access to information enshrined in the Public Libraries Act 1850 remains a core principle now. We are witnessing a moment in history where the ability to distinguish truth from lie is critically essential.

The public library is arguably the purest expression of democracy in action—the idea that knowledge should be freely available to all citizens, regardless of their background or ability to pay.

The perception of the library as a strictly silent, solemn place belongs to the past.

One of my first visits to a library as Libraries’ Minister was to Rugby. A library which proudly states on its merchandise ‘we don’t shush, we roar’.

This simple slogan encapsulates the spirit of the library as a magnificent community hub.

A welcoming place where residents can speak to their bank, play the piano, use a 3D printer, grab a coffee and where students have a safe space to study.

This is the library of the 21st century: a comprehensive public service delivered under one roof and a safe space – signposting people to other services.

Rugby library is one in which – like so many other libraries – reading to children, and reading for pleasure is at the heart of what they do.

But one which also acts as an inclusive space that in the month I visited was proudly celebrating Pride Month.

175 years on from the 1850 Act, libraries have adapted to a changing society and evolving user needs.

From the provision of e-books and e-audio to enhanced children’s spaces and early years activities, community partnerships, employability and business support and cultural experiences, libraries continue to deliver a meaningful and impactful service for local people.

Indeed, the sheer breadth of services you now provide is astonishing.

Whether it is:
- Health services, such as those I saw in Harlesden.
- Or DWP services, such as those I saw in Dagenham
- Boosting growth and entrepreneurship through business support advice provided through the national network of Business and Intellectual Property Centres like the one I saw in Leeds, alongside its boisterous children’s play area.
Everything libraries deliver, is delivered alongside and inspired by the principle of encouraging literacy, open access to knowledge and opening up opportunities to all.

Libraries are strong partners in delivering the government’s Plan for Change.

We want to work with library services to inform, engage, and connect the public.

From supporting health and wellbeing to building businesses and from building stronger, more resilient communities to showcasing high-quality arts and cultural experiences.

Our Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, speaks passionately about libraries as part of the local cultural and creative landscape in communities as part of her vision for Arts Everywhere.

Libraries can often be the first place a young person might get exposure to the arts and music.

Libraries already do lots of work in this area through community events and provision of specialist facilities.

But we can do more and go further.

Especially in reaching children and young people who have less opportunity for music enrichment and for whom the library – local and familiar – is a much more accessible space.

Lisa is very keen to find ways to further support libraries to make this happen.

One of my key ambitions as libraries minister is to see strong partnerships built across the library sector to strengthen and enhance the value of all libraries.

I am pleased that what I have heard about the Libraries Alliance suggests that it will seek to pursue this aim.

Libraries across all sectors – public, schools, academic, prisons – share a vision and common ambition to provide free access to information and support.

You already know this but the numbers are worth repeating. A third of the adult population visited a library in the past year.

Libraries have 6 million members and a total of 143 million physical visits a year.

There is no doubt that libraries form part of the essential services to communities. Yet, we still need to do more to open up library services to engage underrepresented groups.

For my part, I will continue to promote the critical contribution public libraries can and do make to so many important Government strategic objectives to my ministerial colleagues across the whole of government.

But to do this, I need your help – by providing me with robust data on library usage and impact – quantitative as well as qualitative – that I can use to help me to make your case.

Next year is, as you will know, the Year of Reading.

This offers the opportunity for us to focus on groups – particularly boys aged 10-16 – who are least likely to read for pleasure.

The Year of Reading has been embraced by libraries across the country.

I know all of you here will do whatever you can to use it to democratise reading, in the truest sense.

To unlock the joy of reading and the opportunities it presents across society.

We recognise the irreplaceable value of the service you provide and the pressure you are under.

Creating and supporting the amazing libraries serving communities across the length and breadth of the country costs money.

We know that local government finances have faced huge challenges over recent years.

This has led to closures and cuts in library services in some areas.

A huge amount of ingenuity has been used to support the statutory library services.

This government is determined to get local government finances back on a stable and sustainable footing.

I also know that there are some concerns about what our plans for devolution mean for libraries in affected areas.

The goal of devolution is to bring decision-making closer to local communities. We think this is the right goal.

However, we will work with you to maintain the principle of a comprehensive and efficient library service for everyone.

I was delighted that we secured funding for a new round of the Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) administered by the Arts Council.

The successful bids for the £5.5 million pot of funding will be announced next March, and I look forward to seeing the transformative impact they will have.

We have already seen incredible results from this fund.

Projects such as the transformation of the first floor of Wythenshawe library. Their use of Libraries Improvement Funding to create a multi-functional culture, creative, digital media and community hub has shown the impact libraries can have in improving local cultural infrastructure with government support.

This is the model of the future: integrated, vibrant, and multi-purpose.

And I was delighted to see how the London Borough of Brent had developed two of its libraries through Libraries Improvement Funding, to enable more residents to access services in new and innovative ways.

And how Warwickshire Libraries used their Libraries Improvement Funding to extend their sensory offer by bringing Discovery Den, the first Sensory Mobile Public Library to the UK. These examples demonstrate the ingenuity and vision that exists across our service.

They show us that with targeted investment, the public library can and will continue to adapt to the diverse, complex needs of the 21st century population.

From the first Public Libraries Act 175 years ago to the dynamic community hubs you manage today, the mission remains the same: to open up knowledge, opportunity, and imagination to every single citizen, regardless of their circumstances.

You are not only custodians of books; you are custodians of trust, of truth, and of our shared potential. You are the guardians of a system that turns a simple choice of five books into a lifetime of opportunity.

Thank you for your tireless work, your unwavering professionalism, and your profound belief in the power of a book, a safe space, and a community that cares. Let us ensure that together, we don’t just preserve our libraries, but we allow them to roar.
October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Fraudster, Haralambos Ioannou, spent Covid loan funds on gambling and crypto investments [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 9 October 2025.
- Haralambos Ioannou fraudulently applied for two separate Bounce Back Loans worth a total of £100,000 for Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd
- He spent large amounts of one loan on gambling, crypto investments, cash withdrawals and payments to his then wife 
- The 49-year-old received a suspended sentence of 22-months in custody with 150 hours of unpaid work to be completed
The boss of a glazing firm who fraudulently applied for two Covid Bounce Back loans and spent significant sums on gambling and crypto investments has received a sentence of 22 months in custody, suspended for two years.

Just months into the pandemic, Haralombos Ioannou secured two maximum-value £50,000 Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only allowed one.

The 49-year-old used the first loan legitimately for his glass-fitting company, Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd.

However, money from the second loan was used for personal purposes, breaking the rules of the scheme.

Ioannou, of Cow Lane, Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire, but previously of South London, was given a 22-month suspended sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday 7 October.

Ioannou was also disqualified as a company director for five years and ordered to pay £40,000 in compensation as well as complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Haralambos Ioannou exploited the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by fraudulently applying for a second Bounce Back Loan when companies could apply for one loan of up to £50,000 for support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He not only fraudulently applied for a second loan but then spent it on activities which had nothing to do with his company’s operations such as gambling, crypto-investments, cash withdrawals and payments to his then partner.

The Insolvency Service remains committed to taking robust action against those who abused the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. Government-backed schemes were a lifeline for businesses during the pandemic, and we will continue to pursue those who deliberately  exploited this support at the taxpayers’ expense.

Ioannou was the sole director of Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd, which was set up in October 2019.

The 49-year-old submitted an application for a first loan of £50,000 in May 2020, stating his company’s 2019 turnover was £216,000.

He then submitted an application for a second loan of £50,000, but this time declared Opti-Bond’s turnover in 2019 was £236,000.

Ioannou received the £100,000 within an eight-day period between late June and early July 2020.

After receiving the second loan, Ioannou made 38 transactions totalling almost £20,000 to his personal account.

In the same period, around £25,000 of payments were made to gambling companies from this personal account.

Aside from gambling, approximately £8,000 of the second loan was transferred to investment and crypto-investment companies.

Almost £6,000 of the loan was withdrawn from ATM machines, whilst a further £16,000 of this loan was also transferred to an account in the name of Ioannou’s now ex-wife.

Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd entered liquidation in November 2021 but Ioannou failed to inform the liquidator of the company’s first Bounce Back Loan as he was legally required to do.

Further information
- Haralambos Ioannou is of Cow Lane, Edlesborough. His date of birth is 21 June 1976.
- Opti-Bond (GB) Ltd (company number 08716051)
October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 60 – UK End of Session Statement [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 October 2025.

UN Human Rights Council 60: UK End of Session Statement. Delivered at the 60th session of the HRC in Geneva.

Mr. President.

The UK unequivocally condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia, and remains steadfast in its commitment to tackling these injustices.

Regarding resolution L28. Rev 1, whilst we appreciate the efforts of the resolution’s sponsors, the UK wishes to place on record that, had it been a member of the Human Rights Council, it would not have been able to support the resolution.

The UK reaffirms our commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (or “DDPA”). Yet, its provisions do not alter the established legal principle against retroactive application of international law in matters of State responsibility. The resolution’s language must remain within the scope of the DDPA.

The UK fully acknowledges the profound and enduring legacy of historical injustices, including colonialism, slavery, and the transatlantic slave trade. The UK remains committed to constructive engagement and continued dialogue.

The UK also commends the OHCHR’s support to the DRC. However, references in both DRC resolutions to “hate speech” and Article 20.2 of the ICCPR are problematic.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibits the incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. For accuracy, therefore, we ask that the Secretariat corrects the translation of “discours d’incitation a la haine” to “incitement to hatred” in the resolutions.

Thank you.

October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The stakes in Ukraine are high and should matter to us all – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 October 2025.

Ambassador Holland explains what is at stake in Ukraine and why Russia’s narrative that it is on a path to an inevitable victory is false.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Last week Ukraine marked Defenders’ Day. This is a day when Ukrainians honour those who defend them and remember those who gave their lives so that Ukraine could live.

Today millions of Ukrainians stand united in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Once again, they are defending their statehood, their culture and their independence. On these grounds alone, Ukraine’s fight is an honourable one worthy of the world’s backing. But the stakes are, in fact, even higher, and they should matter to us all.

Because Ukraine stands between a world that is based on agreed principles, norms and laws, which has, for the most part, delivered stability and prosperity for our populations over several decades. And the alternative: a world where would-be aggressors are rewarded rather than punished. A world without rules and principles governing international relations and conduct. And a world where conflict and instability increase while prosperity and cooperation decrease.

The Kremlin’s propaganda machine wants to convince us all that Russia’s war against Ukraine is now on the path to an inevitable victory. They want to give the impression that Russia’s army is relentlessly advancing. In doing so, they hope to create a self-fulfilling prophecy where Ukraine’s allies reduce their support.

But this narrative is nonsense. Look at the statistics. Since November 2022, Russia has gained only 1% of Ukrainian territory. Its losses are both unconscionable and unsustainable – more than one million soldiers have been killed or wounded. Russia is also losing huge amounts of materiel that it can’t replace fast enough, including over 4,000 tanks, 9,000 armoured vehicles and 2,000 artillery pieces. Failing to achieve its goals on the battlefield, Russia has resorted to terrorising Ukraine’s civilians through aerial bombardments, including strikes this past week on a maternity hospital and gas infrastructure.

In this room, Russia tries to distract us by telling us about our economic challenges. Yet in Russia, the economy is stagnating. Even those around President Putin are publicly admitting that the economy is in trouble. Meanwhile, the cost of the war is piling up, and ordinary Russians are footing the bill. The 2025 budget deficit is now set to be almost five times greater than the original target; VAT is rising to 22%; taxation thresholds are dropping from 60 to 10 million roubles, and social spending faces real-term cuts.

I will conclude with a segment from a recent opinion piece in The Financial Times by Yuval Noah Harari under the title ‘Why Ukraine is winning the war’.

“It is impossible to tell how the war will develop, since it depends on future decisions. But in one crucial respect, the Ukrainian victory is already decisive and irreversible … War is not won by the side that conquers more land, destroys more cities, or kills more people. War is won by the side that achieves its political aims. And in Ukraine, it is already clear that Putin has failed to achieve his chief war aim — the destruction of the Ukrainian nation.”

We should all be grateful to those defending Ukraine. And they can rest assured that they do not stand alone.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of new homes get the go ahead in North Sussex [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 October 2025.

21,000 new homes in North Sussex unlocked after four-year bottleneck.

Families in North Sussex are set to benefit from thousands of new homes following a landmark agreement between government, regulators and industry – resolving a four-year pause on development while safeguarding local wetlands and wildlife.

This marks a major step forward in delivering homes for local families, supporting community growth and protecting the natural heritage of the Arun Valley.

Around 4,000 homes that were previously stalled will now proceed while enabling a further 17,000 to be built.

This breakthrough builds on the government pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, a core milestone of the Plan for Change.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:
This breakthrough ends a broken status quo and shows how we can build the homes the community needs while protecting nature.

Under the government’s Plan for Change, we are taking a win-win approach that unlocks growth while protecting and restoring the natural world we all depend on.

We are getting Britain building again while securing a brighter future for our precious wetlands, wildlife and local rivers.

Discussions were led through Defra’s Water Delivery Taskforce, a forum for government departments, water companies, regulators and developers to drive progress and resolve issues like this one.

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:
This type of sustainable development clearly shows how we can build the new homes this country needs while restoring and protecting nature.

A thriving natural environment is at the heart of a strong economy and is vital to all of our health and wellbeing. We know that people want to live near nature and cases like this where sound nature regulations prompted innovative solutions mean we can continue to make that possible.

Jennie Donovan, Environment Agency Director Nature and Place, said:
The Environment Agency are committed to protecting the environment whilst supporting growth and sustainable development, ensuring new homes are built with adequate flood risk protection, supply of drinking water and sewerage services.

This agreement shows how working together to manage our water needs can unlock development and enable new homes for local communities, whilst helping nature recover at the same time.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:
The breakthrough achieved in Sussex North demonstrates how through smart policy interventions we can unlock precisely the kind of win-win for development and nature that this government is committed to achieving.

Building work had been halted since 2021 due to concerns over the amount of water being taken from rivers and wetlands in the Arun Valley, which risked impacting protected wildlife and local water resources.

Work will begin from 1 November, with local authorities and developers working together to deliver homes that meet high environmental standards.

Under the agreement by Defra, Natural England, the Environment Agency and Southern Water, the water company will change its water abstraction permits to limit the amount of water taken from local rivers and wetlands, as well as provide funding to restore habitats. This will be paid for by the company and not by consumers.

The agreement ensures protection for rare species like the Lesser Whirlpool Ramshorn Snail, a unique part of the Arun Valley’s ecosystem.

New homes will also be built to higher water efficiency standards in line with the building regulation guidance for water scarce areas, reducing daily water use and easing pressure on local watercourses.

This follows our announcement on changes to Building Regulations that will tackle water shortage bottlenecks and unblock stalled developments in areas of water scarcity.

Notes to editors:
In 2021, Natural England issued a water neutrality position statement in relation to the Arun Valley. As a result, new housing developments in parts of Horsham, Crawley and Chichester were paused.

Today’s agreement enables development to continue, building work will resume on 1 November.

This government recognises the significant contribution by local authorities in managing the implications of water scarcity and the future challenges involved in getting appropriate development back underway, and we will continue to work with them to this end.

The projected number of homes is based on estimates provided by local authorities.

October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry – statement on full and fair financial redress [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 October 2025.

Introduction

This statement is provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Post Office in response to Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report, which recommended that:

The Minister and/or the Department in conjunction with the Post Office shall make a public announcement explaining what is meant by the phrase ‘full and fair financial redress…’.

Since the launch of the Horizon redress schemes, Government and the Post Office have been committed to providing full and fair redress. Paragraph 6.4 of the Inquiry report states:

The evidence adduced at the Inquiry satisfies me that the commitments to provide financial redress which is full and fair and to provide it promptly were made in good faith and represented the genuinely held aims of the Post Office, the Department and Ministers. I am satisfied too, that the Post Office, the Department and Ministers continue to adhere to the aims of providing financial redress, which is full, fair and prompt.

DBT and Post Office joint statement on full and fair redress

‘Full’ redress means:
- For both financial and non-financial losses, at least as much redress as the postmaster would receive if they were awarded damages by a court. For financial losses specifically, it means restoring the postmaster to the position they would have been if they had never been affected by the Horizon Scandal.
- Where there is an appropriate range, decision makers should always apply a generous approach to assessing within that range.
‘Fair’ means there should be fairness in the amount offered (considering the harm suffered by the individual applicant and the background of the Horizon scandal) and the way in which the redress process operates. In particular:
- Schemes should aim to ensure that all relevant elements of loss and damage have been identified and considered.
- Although the schemes are underpinned by legal principles and procedures, postmasters should be compensated for the impact of the scandal on them, without having to prove losses under strict legal principles or by way of an adversarial and legalistic process. If fairness demands it in a particular case, it is permissible to depart from the established legal principles which would normally govern the assessment of damages in civil litigation.
- Fairness in the context of these schemes goes beyond the recompense provided by the courts and it should reflect the context in which the schemes were established. It should acknowledge the lifelong impacts of these events on the postmasters affected, and the time it has taken for their experiences to be recognised, acknowledged and truly heard. It should also acknowledge the struggles faced by postmasters to reach the point where they have achieved public recognition that they were wronged, along with Post Office’s failure to acknowledge this at a much earlier date.
- Fairness requires an acknowledgement of the lack of evidence held by postmasters. The passage of time means that some evidence has not been retained; and during the scandal, the Post Office in some cases wrongly withheld or destroyed it. Wherever it is fair in the particular circumstances of each case, postmasters should receive the benefit of the doubt.
- Ultimately, fairness also depends on the particular circumstances of each postmaster’s case. When considering claims, a range of factors should be examined, considered in the round and assessed on their own merits, ensuring fairness in each individual case. At the same time, the schemes should aim for broad consistency in redress awards where claimants have endured similar experiences.
October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Two Climate Change Adaptation Committee members appointed [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 October 2025.

Two new appointees will support efforts to prepare and adapt the UK for climate change.

Defra and the Devolved Governments have appointed Dr Michael Keil and Mr Ian Dickie to the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee.

The Adaptation Committee is comprised of experts in the fields of climate change impacts, science, environmental economics, conservation, public health and business. It provides independent, expert advice on preparing for and adapting to climate change to UK and devolved governments and parliaments.

Dr Michael Keil and Mr Ian Dickie’s appointments will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. The appointments have been made in line with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Governance Code for Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Dr Michael Keil said:

It’s an enormous privilege to be given this opportunity to play a key role in shaping the UK’s response to climate change. You don’t have to look far to see the impact it’s already having on our lives, not least in the water sector where we are facing a race against time to secure enough water to meet our future needs.

The UK has a wealth of unrivalled expertise which can find effective solutions but we need to accelerate our efforts. This means not only developing new infrastructure but, crucially, inspiring much-needed changes in people’s behaviour and habits where there remains so much untapped potential. It’s also critical we work with, rather than against, the natural environment to bolster our resilience.

Ultimately, every individual, across current and future generations, has a stake in the decisions we take now to ensure we have a well-adapted UK that not only keeps people safe but allows communities and nature to flourish.

Mr Ian Dickie said:

It is a pleasure and honour to be joining the Adaptation Committee to help apply environmental economics to the increasing urgent and current challenge of adapting to climate change.

I will contribute to the Committee’s work to consider the full range of adaptation options available to society. It is important to promote both the costs and benefits of acting on adaptation and identify the potential synergies and trade-offs with other societal challenges. These include achieving net zero, particularly in agricultural and other sectors heavily dependent on natural capital, as well as nature recovery and public health.

I aim to ensure that adaptation options are relevant across the diversity of the UK, from remote rural to inner city communities, and from our seas to our street trees. I will endeavour to build on the advice of my colleague at EFTEC, Ece Ozdemiroglu, who was a member of the committee for six years.

Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, said:

I am delighted to welcome two new members to the committee and congratulate them on their appointment. As the need to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change becomes ever more urgent, they will help build our analysis for the fourth UK Climate Change Risk Assessment. Michael’s knowledge of the water industry and of consumer issues and Ian’s expertise in the economics of climate adaptation will be immensely valuable contributions to our upcoming advice.

Biographical details

Dr Michael Keil

Michael is Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, the statutory consumer body for the water sector. He brings over two decades of experience across Ofwat, Severn Trent Water, and the Met Office, with a strong focus on climate change adaptation, resilience, and consumer advocacy.

Michael holds a PhD in Meteorology from the University of Reading and began his career at the Met Office, where he led the Middle Atmosphere Group and contributed to the development of climate and weather models. At Ofwat, he established the regulator’s climate change policy framework, introduced carbon accounting, and assessed over £2 billion in climate-related investment proposals.

At Severn Trent Water, Michael led the development of the company’s Climate Change Adaptation Report and spearheaded the £350 million Birmingham Resilience Scheme — one of the largest climate adaptation investments in the UK water sector. His work involved strategic planning, business case development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

At the Consumer Council for Water, Michael has championed consumer interests in climate resilience, led major affordability reviews, and launched public engagement initiatives such as the ‘Waterfall’ podcast. He has served on multiple boards and advisory panels, including the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management’s climate change panel and the MOSL Strategic Panel, and has contributed evidence to national climate risk assessments and adaptation planning under the Climate Change Act.

Mr Ian Dickie

Ian is a Director at EFTEC (Economics for the Environment Consultancy), with over 25 years of experience as an applied environmental economist. He specialises in biodiversity, natural capital accounting, and the economic appraisal of environmental policy and infrastructure.

Ian has led over £3 million of research for UK Government departments and developed more than 50 natural capital accounts for sectors including transport, water, forestry, and finance. His work has supported policy development for Defra, the Natural Capital Committee, and the Cabinet Office, and includes contributions to the 25-Year Environment Plan and the UK’s first Natural Capital Risk Assessment.

He is a member of Defra’s Biodiversity Expert Committee and has served on advisory panels for the Royal Society of Arts, the Capitals Coalition, and the Peatland Code. Ian was also a technical editor for the British Standards Institute’s Flex 701 nature markets principles standard, published in 2025.

Ian’s expertise spans ecosystem market design, biodiversity finance, and climate adaptation economics. His work includes modelling climate risk in floodplain management, valuing storm protection in the Caribbean, and integrating climate scenarios into asset valuation. He is a published author in environmental economics and has contributed to guidance used by the United Nations Development Programme, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Cabinet Office, and all UK governments.

Further information
- The Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body created under the Climate Change Act (2008). The Adaptation Committee is jointly sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.
- The Board for the Adaptation Committee comprises a chairperson and six members.
- Further information on the Climate Change Committee is available at: www.theccc.org.uk.
October 13, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : World-leading UK higher education sector expands in India and bolsters growth at home [October 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 October 2025.

The UK’s world-leading higher education sector is set to bring in a £50 million boost to the economy as part of a major expansion of British universities in India.
- Prime Minister confirms UK universities will open new campuses in India as part of trade mission to Mumbai
- Higher education is one of the UK’s greatest exports, and international education was worth £32 billion in export revenue in 2022
- Expansion in India will boost the UK’s soft power while driving millions back into the UK economy – boosting growth and supporting UK jobs as part of the government’s Plan for Change
The UK’s world-leading higher education sector is set to bring in a £50 million boost to the economy as part of a major expansion of British universities in India.

The Prime Minister has confirmed that the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have been given approval to open new campuses in India, to help meet their booming demand for higher education places.

Currently, there are 40 million students at university in India, but 70 million places are needed by 2035. The UK’s world-renowned higher education sector is capitalising on that demand by giving thousands of Indian students the chance to study for a UK degree without leaving home – while bolstering our economy by millions of pounds.

International education brought over £32 billion of export revenue to the UK in 2022, with nearly £1 billion of that coming from international campuses – showcasing its power as a growth market.

Thanks to the new campuses announced today, the UK is set to become the country with the biggest higher education footprint in India – in a major boost for the UK’s reputation abroad.

The UK’s network of international campuses in India is growing – the University of Southampton opened a campus in Delhi earlier this year. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Coventry will open campuses from as early as next year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the milestone in a meeting with UK Vice Chancellors in Mumbai today.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day trade mission to strengthen ties with one of the fastest growing economies in the world and put money back into the pockets of hard-working British people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“Our great British universities are admired all over the world for their teaching excellence, high-quality research and commitment to innovation.

“I’m delighted that more Indian students will be able to benefit from a world-class British education in the near future – strengthening the ties between our two countries while pumping millions back into our economy and supporting jobs at home.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

“British higher education is world-leading – and this expansion shows its global appeal.

“Opening new campuses in India will give more young people the chance to benefit from a UK education, while delivering real returns for our universities at home.

“As we prepare to set out our International Education Strategy, these new campuses are a marker of our ambition: building long-term partnerships that deliver growth, innovation and opportunity for both countries.”

Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement for the University of Southampton, said:

“The University of Southampton was proud to become the very first international university approved by the University Grants Commission to establish a campus in India thanks to our reputation for excellence in education, research and enterprise.

“Our first students are already benefiting from this flagship initiative and this week’s UK delegation offers further opportunities for our university to further strengthen our links with India.

“Led at the most senior level in the UK government, the visit is a powerful commitment to India-UK relations.

Professor Stephen Jarvis, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said:

“Through Surrey’s new International Branch Campus at GIFT City, we’re proud to be part of a new wave of British university partnerships with India, using higher education as a powerful skills and research accelerator for UK and Indian economic and trade relationships. As part of this ambitious new Universities in India Alliance, our nine universities can work together to realise the enormous potential of UK higher education combined with India’s remarkable talent and ambition.”

Professor Simon Guy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global, said:

“Lancaster has always believed in the power of education to transform lives. As a research-intensive University and a sector leader in Transnational Education, we are boldly and purposefully outward looking in our ethos and approach, committed to building academic bridges across the world to make a positive impact.

“By opening a branch campus in the city of Bengaluru, a vibrant hub of technology, education, and enterprise, Lancaster University aims to partner with Indian businesses, industry and local universities to collaboratively spark growth, generate opportunity, and ensure above all that Lancaster University students across the globe are empowered to succeed and to make a difference to India and the world.”

By enabling Indian students to access UK-quality education at home, the UK enhances its global influence and soft power without adding pressure to domestic migration figures.

British Council research shows that students who experience UK education retain positive views of the UK for decades.

This growing network of UK-India higher education partnerships also lays the groundwork for deeper ties in science, technology, and innovation – nurturing the next generation of global talent and training the CEOs of the future.

Joint campuses, dual degrees, and collaborative research will mean UK and Indian universities can co-develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies – from AI and semiconductors to biotechnology and quantum computing.

Deeper engagement with India offers a sustainable funding stream for UK higher education institutions, bolstering their financial resilience.

Notes to Editors:

Other top UK universities are also expanding in India through exciting new partnerships, including Imperial College London.

Imperial College London will join forces with Science Gallery Bengaluru – a pioneering hub for innovation and public engagement – to drive growth through discovery and scientific collaboration. The tie-up will initially see dozens of scientists join a groundbreaking fellowship programme in an exchange of talent and knowledge, as well as the development of new research facilities. The partnership will combine Imperial’s innovation and incubation expertise with the Science Gallery Bengaluru’s unique lab and convening space in Karnataka to help deliver solutions to global issues.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said:

“This exciting partnership is a launchpad for UK-India innovation and scientific collaboration. Imperial’s innovation and incubation expertise will create a unique lab and convening space with Science Gallery Bengaluru where cutting-edge solutions to global issues will be discovered, designed and delivered.

“Our participation in the Prime Minister’s first India visit signals the role Imperial plays in strengthening UK-India partnerships, following the launch of our Imperial Global India hub earlier this year. By joining forces across continents, we are deepening research and innovation collaboration between the two countries, and building bridges that will empower the next generation of scientists, thinkers, leaders and changemakers.”

Further quotes from Vice Chancellors on the trip:

Professor Tim Jones, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool said:

“We are proud to be playing our part in the Indian government’s visionary plans to significantly increase enrolment in higher education. Higher education is one of the UK’s greatest export success stories and we are excited to continue to contribute to this through opening the University of Liverpool, Bengaluru next year.

“Here we will be building on our long-standing research and industrial partnerships in the region, with companies such as Hindustan Unilever, through collaboration with AstraZeneca Pharma India, Wipro, Axis Bank, Dream 11 and others. We look forward to educating the entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow, providing talented students with access to an exceptional learning experience and a range of fantastic opportunities to develop their skills and employability.”

Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, Professor Charlie Jeffery said:

“The India-UK Vision 2035 opens an exciting new chapter in a relationship defined by shared values, talent, and ambition. Education and research are among the most powerful bridges between our two countries – enabling us to tackle global challenges together and drive inclusive, knowledge-led growth.

“Our partnerships in India are already delivering real impact – from advances in health and food security to breakthroughs in climate resilience and green innovation.

“With the University of York Mumbai campus, we are building on this momentum, placing research and collaboration at the heart of our engagement and supporting India’s ambitions in sustainability, future technologies, and the creative industries.”

Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, Vice-Principal Global Engagement at the University of Aberdeen,

“We were delighted to gain approval from the Indian Government to progress our proposal for a campus in Mumbai. As the fifth oldest university in the English-speaking world with an international presence in higher education, becoming the only Scottish university to be part of the UK Universities in India Alliance represents another step forward in our global ambitions.

“As a country of over 1.4 billion people with half of them under the age of 25, India has long been a priority area for our global engagement strategy focusing on educational partnerships, research collaborations and alumni networks.”

Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said:

“We are delighted that Queen’s University Belfast is the first Russell Group institution to establish a campus at GIFT City, bringing the tradition of world-class research, academic excellence and industry engagement directly into India’s leading financial and technology hub. This initiative creates a bridge between India and the world, where excellence meets innovation.

“At GIFT City, Queen’s students will learn from academics who are leaders in their fields, ensuring exposure to the latest innovations.  They will be equipped to lead, innovate and shape the future, creating a global hub of excellence where India and the UK co-create solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

“Queen’s campus will offer opportunity and potential for a diverse range of students whilst also delivering social value and economic impact to the region. With a focus on fintech, artificial intelligence, health, sustainability and smart cities, the campus aligns closely with India’s national priorities and Queen’s global strengths.

“We look forward to offering a transformative learning environment that connects global expertise with local relevance.”

Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University and Group CEO, said:

“It is a huge honour to be invited by Sir Keir Starmer to be part of this major delegation to India.

“Higher education links between the UK and India are an important part of the bond between our two great countries, which continues to go from strength to strength.

“India is a key part of Coventry University Group’s strategy to expand our global footprint and the launch of our Hub in New Delhi last year enables us to build stronger relationships and intensify our research, academic and industry links in India.

“We are the first English university to win in-principle approval for a campus in GIFT City, giving us the opportunity to make a real difference for the next generation of learners and workforce in India – leveraging our gold-rated teaching and track record creating career-ready graduates.

“This is just the beginning of our journey in India.”

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said:

“The University of Bristol has always had strong and long-standing relationships with India. We also have several prestigious research partnerships with some of the leading universities and research institutes in India, including a recent agreement to develop new working initiatives aligned to areas such as translational research, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay – one of India’s most highly ranked universities.

“Earlier this year we announced our intention to establish a new campus in Mumbai which marks a pivotal transformation in our 150-year history and a powerful, globally inclusive future we’re proud to build in partnership with colleagues in India. When our Mumbai Enterprise Campus welcomes its first students in summer 2026, we will be the highest ranked university in the UK delivering both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to students in India. We will offer a wide range of subjects drawing on our reputation as a leader in artificial intelligence, data science, and areas like computational biomolecular and bio-systems design – accelerated by Isambard-AI, the UK’s most powerful supercomputer.

“Mirroring the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus in Bristol, which opens in a year’s time, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together industry, academics, students and local community partners within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem to deliver impact on a truly global scale.”

Dr Michael Spence, UCL Provost said:

“India is a vital part of UCL’s global community – past, present and future. Today, we’re working with Indian partners to pioneer MedTech research, and the UK-India Free Trade Agreement has real potential to facilitate the development and deployment of cutting-edge medical technologies being developed by UCL researchers with Indian counterparts that will transform lives. By deepening UK–India ties, we’re driving inclusive growth, advancing innovation, and tackling shared global challenges. Together, we’re building a future defined by openness, excellence and impact.”
October 13, 2025