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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : New £10 million fund to support UK businesses to deliver next generation of semiconductors [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New £10 million fund to support UK businesses to deliver next generation of semiconductors [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 24 September 2025.

    UK semiconductor innovation boosted as Tech Minister announces £10 million fund.

    • Tech Minister announces £10 million fund to boost UK semiconductor innovation from lab to market
    • Investment supports British companies developing computer chip technologies central to our national security and powering everyday products like phones and cars
    • Funding helps UK’s strongest companies to compete in a global market worth hundreds of billions, supporting growth through the government’s Plan for Change

    People across the country will benefit from smarter, more secure technology in their everyday lives thanks to a £10 million investment in British semiconductors announced by Tech Minister Kanishka Narayan today (Wednesday 24 September).

    The investment is expected to support up to 40 British businesses in accelerating development of the tiny computer chips that are central to powering everything from smartphones and cars to medical devices and renewable energy systems.

    With the UK semiconductor sector on track to grow by 75% by 2030, funding will be targeted at boosting areas where the UK is strongest, to turbocharge investment from around the world and compete in a global market worth hundreds of billions of pounds.

    Companies to benefit from the Innovate UK fund include Paragraf Limited, which develops highly energy-efficient semiconductor devices using graphene technology. These advanced devices could help mobile phone batteries last longer and reduce energy consumption in cars, aircraft, and defence systems. 

    The technology underpins critical national infrastructure, from secure communications and defence systems to satellites and cyber security, making UK semiconductor innovation vital for national resilience.

    Tech Minister, Kanishka Narayan said:

    There is immense potential in the UK semiconductors sector. By investing in its growth, we will build on our country’s strengths, setting ourselves apart in a highly competitive market to unlock new skilled jobs at home and boost our economy.

    We’re backing Britain’s businesses with the support they need to thrive, helping turn world-class research into major advancements such as more efficient mobile phones and TVs – making life easier for people right across the UK.

    Meanwhile, Silicon Microgravity Limited will create matchbox-sized navigation devices that can work without relying on satellite signals. These devices will be used in wearable technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, as well as industrial robots, providing the UK with critical capabilities in navigation technology that strengthens our independence from international systems.

    The fund will provide these companies with access to specialist, ultra-clean semiconductor manufacturing facilities, technical expertise, and business mentoring to help translate their innovations into commercial products.

    These projects build on established UK strengths in cutting-edge semiconductor research and navigation technologies.

    Across the UK, firms such as Pragmatic in Durham and Cambridge, Vishay and KLA in Newport, and Paragraf in Cambridgeshire are driving innovation in cutting edge technologies from flexible electronics and graphene-based devices to power semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The UK’s largest tech company, Arm, is a global leader in chip design, demonstrating how UK expertise can drive the next generation of semiconductor breakthroughs.

    Minister Narayan will announce the funding at the Microelectronics UK Conference, where international industry leaders and government representatives will gather to advance collaboration and innovation in this strategically important sector for our economies.

    This investment will strengthen Britain’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies, while building the domestic semiconductor expertise essential for economic growth and national resilience in an increasingly digital world. It will directly support the government’s Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change mission to fuel economic growth.

    The announcement reinforces the UK’s commitment to building sovereign capabilities in semiconductors, reducing vulnerability to supply chain disruptions whilst creating high-skilled jobs and export opportunities in a sector that will be fundamental to Britain’s future economic success.

    Iain Mauchline, Head of Semiconductors, Innovate UK, said:

    This funding being delivered by Innovate UK (through the Technology Missions Fund and DSIT) is for diverse projects, all developing cutting-edge semiconductor innovations that are fundamental for the UK and our frontier technology areas.

    We’re pleased to provide support for these innovative companies who are using semiconductors as the key enabling technology to make a difference across a vast range of industries.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Football clubs partner with Government to help young people into work [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Football clubs partner with Government to help young people into work [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 24 September 2025.

    Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across the country signing up to help the Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn.

    • Every Premier League Football Club Charity now in talks with DWP to support the Youth Guarantee – helping more young people get into work or training.
    • Youth Hub scheme to double to over 200 locations, giving more young people access to employment, skills and wellbeing support at football clubs, libraries and community centres closer to home.
    • EFL in the Community, the charitable arm of the English Football League (EFL), and Rugby Football League confirm new partnerships, harnessing the power of sport to champion young people and break down barriers to opportunities as part of the Plan for Change.

    Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across the country signing up to help the Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn.

    The Government’s highly successful Youth Hubs – which are hosted by sports clubs and other community venues in England, Scotland and Wales – will almost double in number thanks to £25 million investment announced today.

    The funding was announced as it was revealed that every Premier League club charity in England is now discussing with Government how they can help get young people earning or learning, while the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League have also been confirmed as new partners, supporting the same aim.

    This means even more young people across the country are being helped by their local teams, as well as the Government’s other Youth Guarantee partners.

    To mark the expansion of the programme and our partnership with the Premier League, Secretary of State Pat McFadden will visit Selhurst Park, home to the Palace for Life Youth Hub and Crystal Palace football club, where he will meet staff and young people benefitting from the service to see first-hand the impact it is having in the community.

    Youth Hubs offer personalised, wraparound employment, skills and wellbeing support to young people in the areas of highest need. Thanks to this latest investment they will almost double to over 200 places across England, Scotland and Wales in the next three years.

    The Hubs bring support, such as CV and wellbeing advice, directly to young people – taking place in settings right at the heart of the community like sports clubs, libraries and community centres.

    With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, this expansion is helping to inspire a renewed sense of purpose and ambition in young people as well as breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Plan for Change.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said:

    The number of young people not in education, employment or training is unacceptably high, and this Government will not stand by while so many are robbed of their potential and our country of its future.

    Through our £25 million expansion of Youth Hubs and partnerships with the Premier League and other key organisations, we’re creating real opportunities for the next generation, ensuring support is targeted to those most in need.

    This investment will support our mission to give every young person the skills and confidence they need to thrive, as we break down barriers to opportunity under our Plan for Change.

    Run in partnership with Jobcentres, Youth Hubs bring Youth Work Coaches together with local partners including charities, councils and employers to provide everything from CV advice to skills training to careers guidance and wellbeing support. In future, they will also provide access to mental health services, housing and homelessness support.

    Erin is one of many young people who have flourished thanks to the Government-funded support offered by her local Youth Hub.

    Unemployed for two years and struggling with motivation, she visited the Palace for Life Youth Hub. After joining the hospitality programme where she gained valuable experience and confidence, she completed a work placement and was offered a permanent job, marking the start of an exciting new chapter.

    The Secretary of State will host a roundtable at Selhurst Park with existing Youth Guarantee partners including the Premier League and Channel 4, as well as new partners such as the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League.

    Clare Sumner, chief policy and social impact officer at the Premier League said:

    The Premier League is proud to support the expansion of Youth Hubs so young people, whatever their background, can access the opportunities, support and inspiration they deserve.

    Between 2022 and 2025, the Premier League has invested £1.6 billion into wider football and communities, helping support people of all ages who need it most, and create more chances for young people to learn and grow. By working in partnership with Government on the Youth Guarantee, we can build on this foundation and ensure Youth Hubs offer even more opportunities to help young people thrive.

    Together we are showing how football is more than a game, reaching those who need support most, helping them fulfil their potential and strengthening communities nationwide.

    The announcement is the latest example of the Government’s work to tackle the rising number of young people not in education, employment, or training. In August, an additional £45 million was invested to extend funding for eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers across England whilst an extra £100 million will help to train up 40,000 young construction workers as the Government continues to break down barriers to opportunity under the Plan for Change.

    It marks another step in the plan to Get Britain Working and raise living standards by modernising Jobcentres, boosting the National Living Wage, and creating more secure jobs through the Employment Rights Bill.

    Additional information

    Ayesha Baloch, Senior Policy Advisor at Impetus, said: 

    The renewed focus on Youth Hubs is a fantastic opportunity to engage more young people in employment by creating a welcoming space where they truly want to be. Through a culture of hospitality, Youth Hubs have the potential to engage hundreds of thousands of young people currently locked out of the labour market and missing out on key employment support. A vital part of the Youth Guarantee, Hubs are a crucial outlet for ensuring all young people get the support they need to join the labour market and thrive in work.

    Sam Avanzo Windett, Deputy Director at Learning and Work Institute (L&W), said:

    With nearly a million young people not currently earning or learning, further investment in the Government’s Youth Hubs network is welcome. In England, we know that fewer than one in four young people not in education, employment or training are getting help to move into work and around half are not claiming benefits and risk missing out on support altogether. Youth Hubs co-locate services, making it easier for young people to access support and help overcome the associated stigma that deters many young people from engaging with Jobcentre Plus. Engaging and offering more young people help to find a job or improve their skills is essential for our future workforce and to help reach the Government’s aim for an 80 per cent employment rate.

    Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation said: 

    Youth Hubs have made a promising start at providing place-based solutions to help young people into work – meeting young people where they are with targeted support, welcoming spaces, and trusted relationships.

    Expanding them and linking with Youth Guarantee trailblazer areas is an important part of the system response needed to reduce the large number of young people not in education, employment or training, and build a more prosperous future.

    Neil Carberry, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive, and an RFU-qualified rugby referee and coach, said:

    This is the kind of creative thinking needed to encourage more young people into the workforce. It also keeps the ball rolling toward the goal of ensuring local organisations, employers, and recruiters target support effectively at economically inactive people in their communities. As recruiters, we know that all it takes is a small steer, suggestion, or personally delivered coaching to help a young person land a job.

    Becci Newton, Director, Public Policy Research, Institute for Employment Studies, said:  

    The Government’s announcement of substantial new investment in youth hubs across Great Britain is great news for young people, particularly those struggling with unemployment or inactivity. Hubs bring together a range of services to support young people to find work or training. Plus, hubs co-locate services so there can be easy access to support on physical and mental health, housing, transport and other possible issues.

    Our evaluation with young people showed high degrees of satisfaction with youth hubs. Young people appreciated the personalised support available and the welcoming environment which helped to secure their engagement.

    Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy, People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce: 

    Getting more young people into employment, education or training is a top priority for business.  

    Firms know that the longer we leave this young pool of talent to drift away from the workplace the harder it becomes for them to engage. 

    Collaboration with sports organisations can be a match winner. We really welcome this new initiative as a powerful springboard to accelerate Government schemes we know are already making a difference.

    Elizabeth Taylor, ERSA’s Chief Executive said:

    ERSA strongly welcomes the expansion of Youth Hubs, we have long campaigned for this model of co-location with work coaches, employment support providers and community-based organisations, as we know it is an effective way of harnessing engagement and better outcomes for individuals.

    A report published last week (17 September) by ERSA, supported by EFL in the Community, found that Football Club charities are trusted and visible organisations, rooted in some of the most deprived communities in England and Wales, who can effectively engage with disadvantaged groups who may not otherwise access mainstream provision.

    Marc Lovering, RFL Director of Development

    The RFL are huge supporters of the Youth Hubs initiative. The sport makes a positive impact on thousands of young people across the north of England, especially through our charitable Foundations and Community Wellbeing Hubs – and we look forward to building on our work alongside the DWP, other agencies and sports under this exciting new investment.

    • The expansion of Youth Hubs will include a standardised service model to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all Youth Hubs, marking a significant step forward in delivering more accessible, joined-up employment support and connecting young people to a wider range of services such as health, housing, and wellbeing support.
    • The latest ONS young people not in education, employment or training statistics were published on Thursday 21 August at 9.30 here: Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK – Office for National Statistics
  • Yvette Cooper – 2025 Speech at the UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine

    Yvette Cooper – 2025 Speech at the UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine

    The speech made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, at the UN Security Council Meeting held in New York on 23 September 2025.

    Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Secretary General for his briefing, and thank you to President Zelenskyy and Minister Sybiha. The United Kingdom commends you for your leadership and your determination.

    Thank you too for welcoming me to Kyiv two weeks ago, where I saw first-hand the impact of Russia’s brutal war and I met families whose lives had been uprooted, their homes destroyed, their children’s education torn apart.

    But as Putin cynically stalls on peace, I also saw a nation resolute in its fight, and I saw the strength and the courage of the Ukrainian people, the soldiers, civilians, the mothers and fathers, first responders, health care workers, who are standing up to defend their homes and their land.

    Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression is not just a test of Ukrainian resilience and security, it is an assault on the United Nations Charter and its most foundational principles: respect for sovereignty and for territorial integrity, principles on which we all depend every day and feel acutely whenever they are threatened. And it is an assault on the UN Charter by a member of this Security Council.

    President Zelenskyy has made clear that he wants peace and wants this war to end, that he and Ukraine have supported a full unconditional ceasefire and reaffirmed his readiness to meet President Putin.

    Alongside European partners, the US and President Trump are working to support a peace process, but Putin continues to choose war. He has rejected calls for a meaningful ceasefire. He has refused even to meet President Zelenskyy in a neutral venue.

    And Putin’s strategy includes the forced deportation, indoctrination, and militarisation of children. It includes the intensifying of targets against civilians, strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure on families as they sleep in their beds at night.

    Civilian casualties have risen nearly 40% with children killed in playgrounds, diplomatic premises and government buildings damaged, hospitals and schools destroyed. And these are not accidents of war. They are the result of a cruel strategy targeting the people and communities of Ukraine.

    But anyone who knows Ukrainians knows that this will never succeed because their determination to hold on to their freedom to protect their families, their nation far exceeds Russia’s ability to take those things away.

    And indeed, what we have seen is Ukraine repeatedly, repeatedly, undermine Russia’s military goals, so that despite the huge Russian mobilisation attempts in the last three years, their overall impact on their military goals has been minimal.

    In this war that they started, their losses are now 20 times higher than were Soviet losses in Afghanistan.

    In this war that they are continuing to pursue, they’re struggling to recruit, and in some areas, their stocks are so low they have resorted to using military equipment from the 1950s.

    What is this for? Because, as Ukraine stands firm against Russia, the United Kingdom stands firm with Ukraine. We know that Ukraine’s security is our security, and all of us depend on upholding the UN Charter.

    We know that Russia exports interference, disinformation and instability, well beyond Ukraine. From cyber-attacks in Moldova to the deployment of mercenaries in the Sahel, Russia’s actions seek to undermine democracies, fuel conflict and spread instability far beyond Europe’s borders.

    And in recent weeks, we’ve seen provocative and reckless violations of NATO airspace in Estonia, Poland and Romania, against which NATO stands firm, and we will be ready to act.

    So the UK will continue to stand with Ukraine, providing the support it needs to defend itself now and to rebuild in the future. Rebuilding as a strong, prosperous nation, free to make its own choices.

    And so, I say to the representative of the Russian Federation, we will target your ailing economy, your oil and gas revenues that are paying for this war, the defence industry making your munitions and weapons, because we know for Russia, the price of war is piling up and the sanctions are tightening the screws.

    Falling energy revenues are squeezing the state budget, and oil revenues are now at a five-year low, but we will go further. Be in no doubt.

    And to our Ukrainian friends, I say you have the UK’s unwavering support now and for decades to come.

    And to this Council, I simply offer a reminder that 80 years ago, our predecessors came together as United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. That mission remains as noble today as it was in 1945.

    Each generation is tested anew, and we must rise to this test for Ukraine and for us all. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement – offer to assist with treatments of patients from Gaza in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement – offer to assist with treatments of patients from Gaza in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

    UK and partners call on Israel to restore the medical corridor to the West Bank for vital healthcare.

    As the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip continues to unfold, there is an urgent need to scale up medical treatment of patients from Gaza.

    We, the undersigned, stand ready to provide support in the form of e.g. financial contributions, provision of medical staff or equipment needed for the treatment of patients from Gaza in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

    We strongly appeal to Israel to restore the medical corridor to the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so medical evacuations from Gaza can be resumed and patients can get the treatment that they so urgently need on Palestinian territory.

    We furthermore urge Israel to lift restrictions on deliveries of medicine and medical equipment to Gaza in line with Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law; to urgently and fully enable the UN and other humanitarian partners to do their life-saving work in Gaza; and in line with UN Security Council resolution 2286 (2016) to ensure that medical personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties are respected and protected, their safe and unimpeded passage is facilitated, along with their equipment, transport, and supplies.

    This statement has been signed by:

    • The Foreign Ministers of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
    • The Ministers of Development Cooperation of Finland and the Netherlands
    • The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Ministers meet JLR bosses and supply chain companies to help secure future of car industry [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ministers meet JLR bosses and supply chain companies to help secure future of car industry [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 23 September 2025.

    Peter Kyle and Chris McDonald met JLR’s CEO and senior executives at its Gaydon headquarters to discuss latest situation.

    • Business Secretary and Industry Minister visited Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today to show support for the company and meet with supply chain businesses.
    • Government is in daily contact with JLR and cyber experts to listen to concerns and what support can be provided to get production back online.
    • Government is continuing to work with industry to deliver security for the sector as part of modern Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change.

    Today [23 September], Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Industry Minister Chris McDonald met with JLR’s CEO and senior executives during a visit to the company’s Gaydon headquarters.

    Discussions included talks on the impacts of the cyber incident and how JLR can work towards restarting production. 

    Ministers received in-person briefings on the latest situation, before touring the site and hearing from workers who have been off work since the cyber incident occurred. 

    During these discussions, both Ministers acknowledged the severity of the situation which is impacting a key sector that supports thousands of skilled jobs which enables growth and innovation across the UK’s manufacturing sector.

    This is the latest show of support for the firm and wider auto sector as the government is delivering the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade – including securing landmark trade deals to boost exports and updating the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate to support UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs in the auto industry.

    Following the visit, the Business Secretary and Minister for Industry also visited Webasto’s Sutton Coldfield site to engage with the impacted supply chain firm and learn about the supply chain’s resilience following the cyber incident.  

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

    I know this is a deeply worrying time for all those affected by the ongoing cyber incident and that’s why I visited JLR today to hear from the company, supply chain and workers. 

    Getting JLR back online as soon as possible is my top priority, providing much needed certainty to workers and suppliers. 

    This government is on the side of our world-leading automotive sector and by working closely with JLR and the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact of this incident, as well as helping the sector thrive long into the future through our modern Industrial Strategy.

    Since last week Ministers have met with representatives from businesses, trade unions, trade associations and local authorities to discuss the impacts of the ongoing incident and show support, while the National Cyber Security Centre is working tirelessly to help coordinate the operational response to the incident.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announces the appointment of Independent Expert [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announces the appointment of Independent Expert [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 23 September 2025.

    The Independent Expert will take up the role, within the existing Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) legislative framework, on 23 September 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP has today announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen to the role of Independent Expert on paramilitary group transition to disbandment. The appointment has been made jointly with Jim O’Callaghan, the Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. 

    The Independent Expert will take up the role, within the existing Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) legislative framework, on 23 September 2025 and is expected to complete the scoping and engagement exercise and submit their report by mid-August 2026.

    Biography

    Fleur Ravensbergen is an independent conflict resolution and negotiation practitioner, and a lecturer in conflict resolution and governance at the University of Amsterdam. She has broad and deep experience of supporting dialogue around the world including in the Middle East, Central Africa and Europe. She is a member of the Peace and Security Commission of the Advisory Council of International Affairs (AIV) which advises the Dutch Government and parliament on peace and security. She serves as the Facilitator for ABN AMRO’s Human Rights Grievance and Remedy Mechanism and is an Advisory Council Member for Fight for Humanity – a Geneva-based human rights organisation. Previously she co-founded and was Deputy Director of the Dialogue Advisory Group, an Amsterdam-based NGO that facilitates dialogue in armed conflict. 

    Political Activity

    All UKG appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories within the last five years to be made public.

    The appointee has declared no such political activity in the past five years.

    Regulation

    This appointment is not regulated by the UK’s Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Terms of appointment

    The appointment will be for a period of one year. The Independent Expert role attracts a remuneration of £650 per day and is not pensionable. 

    Background

    The UK Government and the Government of Ireland announced in February 2025 that they would jointly appoint an Independent Expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. 

    The objective of the Independent Expert is, through independent scoping and engagement, to assess whether there is merit in and support for a formal process that ensures the transition to disbandment of paramilitary groups and to produce a report by mid August 2026. 

    The Independent Expert will carry out their work in line with the overarching objectives of the IRC which are:

    • promoting progress towards ending paramilitary activity; and
    • supporting long term peace and stability in society and stable and inclusive devolved Government in Northern Ireland

    In carrying out their functions, the Independent Expert will be mindful throughout of the overarching vision of the Fresh Start Agreement for the “continued transformation of our society,” and the goal of “the primacy of the democratic political process in Northern Ireland and the ending of paramilitarism” as well as the recommitment to tackling paramilitarism made by the parties in the New Decade, New Approach Agreement in 2020.

    Functions

    To achieve their objective, the Independent Expert will carry out a programme of exploratory engagement with inter alia:

    • representatives of communities affected by paramilitarism, including victims of paramilitary activity;
    • representatives of wider society in Northern Ireland;
    • representatives of the statutory agencies likely to have a role in aspects of implementation of a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups aimed at facilitating their disbandment;
    • representatives of paramilitary groups who have an interest in ending the violence and wider harms caused by paramilitary groups  

    To achieve their objective the Independent Expert will consider through this programme of engagement, inter alia, the following:

    • Issues that are currently perceived or presented as a barrier and issues that could enable paramilitary group transition to disbandment;
    • the advantages and disadvantages of a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups aimed at facilitating their transition to disbandment;
    • the feasibility and advisability of such a formal process;
    • levels of willingness to engage in a formal process ;
    • expectations of what would be achieved through participation in such a process;
    • the issues likely to arise over the course of a formal process of engagement; and
    • the extent to which such a process would substantially contribute to furthering the commitments of the Fresh Start Agreement to work collectively to achieve a society free of paramilitarism.

    The Independent Expert will produce a report by mid-August 2026 setting out what could be in scope of a formal process that ensures the transition to disbandment of paramilitary groups and the levels of public support for such a process. This should include recommendations on whether there would be merit in establishing a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups aimed at facilitating their transition towards disbandment, and if so, how such a formal process could be established to have the highest chance of success including in terms of structure, milestones, timeframe and reporting/verification arrangements.

    The Independent Expert should reflect in their report, based on what they have heard through their engagement, on alternative or additional approaches which could help promote progress towards ending paramilitary harm and activity and support long term peace and stability in NI and may merit further consideration.

    Approach and delivery

    In carrying out the functions described above, the Independent Expert will engage the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and respective law enforcement agencies, the NI Executive and other statutory agencies, local councils, political parties, communities, and civic society organisations in order to understand their perspectives on the issue. 

    The Independent Expert will have a strong focus in their work on recommendations aimed at promoting and supporting practical, comprehensive and effective trauma-informed measures and initiatives that aim to bring about the continued transformation of society envisioned in the Fresh Start Agreement.

    Throughout their scoping and engagement, the Independent Expert should actively encourage the ending of all paramilitary and criminal activity. They should make clear that PSNI and their partners will continue to work to bring those involved in paramilitary criminality to justice and that group behaviours will be taken as an indication of levels of commitment to transition to disbandment, in particular, supporting the police and criminal justice system in tackling criminality, including drug dealing, extortion, and child criminal and sexual exploitation. The Independent Expert should remind their interlocutors that the IRC and others have been clear about the behaviours that would demonstrate a commitment to moving from violence and harm and these include:

    • Ending recruitment to paramilitary groups;
    • Giving up paramilitary structures and activity;
    • Ceasing mobilisation of members; 
    • Ceasing to exercise coercive power and control in communities; 
    • Ending of all paramilitary style attacks and all other forms of violence, threat of violence or intimidation; 
    • Disposal of any remaining weaponry and materiel; 
    • Allowing people to exit from paramilitarism without cost or consequence; 
    • Publicly supporting the PSNI and criminal justice system in tackling criminality and committing to democracy and the rule of law; and
    • Engaging with legacy bodies.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New Revolut HQ caps £110 billion week of investment in UK financial services sector [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Revolut HQ caps £110 billion week of investment in UK financial services sector [September 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 23 September 2025.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves will declare the UK ‘open for business’, following a £110 billion investment surge from major financial services firms in the past week alone.

    • £3 billion investment from Revolut will create 1,000 new high-skilled jobs in the UK, including a new global headquarters in London.
    • This latest commitment takes total investment from major financial services companies to over £110 billion – in a single week, following announcements by Blackstone, BlackRock and PayPal. 
    • At the opening of the new London HQ the Chancellor declares UK ‘open for business’ as Leeds Reforms push Britain to the front of global race for financial services businesses, which will help put more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    Global fintech leader Revolut will today (23 September) open its new global headquarters in Canary Wharf, setting out plans to invest £3 billion in the UK and create 1,000 high-skilled jobs over the next five years. 

    This comes on the heels of last week’s £100 billion investment from asset manager Blackstone, £7 billion from BlackRock and £1.25 billion in inward investment from leading US financial firms including PayPal and Bank of America – generating 1,800 new jobs in major cities including London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Manchester. 

    The wave of investment from financial services companies comes just months after the Chancellor cut needless financial red tape to ensure the UK wins the global race for financial services investment as part of the modern industrial strategy.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The UK is well and truly open for business under this government. Through our Leeds Reforms we’re making Britain the best place for financial services companies to do business, pushing us ahead in the global race for investment and putting more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.

    Nik Storonsky, CEO and Co-founder of Revolut, commented:

    Our mission has always been to simplify money for our customers, and our vision to become the world’s first truly global bank is the ultimate expression of that. From our roots here in the UK, we’ve grown to serve over 65 million customers globally, and today’s opening of our new Global HQ in London is the launchpad for our future. This HQ will be central to driving our growth towards our next milestone of 100 million customers.

    To power that journey from our home market, we are investing £3 billion in the UK over the next five years. This commitment will not only create 1,000 new jobs but will also fuel the innovation from our London hub that will help us deliver on our global ambitions.

    The major investments from financial services firms over the past week include:

    • Blackstone is aiming to invest in excess of £100 billion of assets in the UK over the next decade. This includes their £10 billion investment in a data centre in Blyth. 
    • BlackRock expects to allocate over £7 billion to the UK market next year on behalf of its clients and is investing £500 million into enterprise data centres across the country. 
    • Bank of America is set to create up to 1,000 new jobs in Belfast, marking its first-ever operation in Northern Ireland — a major milestone that underscores the region’s growing role in global financial services. 
    • Citi Group today confirms it is investing £1.1 billion across its UK operations, including a further commitment to growing its presence in Northern Ireland where the bank is already one of the top employers in Belfast now employing over 4,000 people — firmly establishing Belfast as a major technology powerhouse. 
    • In Manchester, S&P Global are investing over £4 million into their Manchester offices which will support 200 permanent jobs boosting their nearly 3,000-strong UK workforce. 
    • As part of the UK’s expanding fintech and digital innovation sector, PayPal is announcing a £150 million investment in product innovations and growth that will benefit customers throughout the UK, reinforcing Britain’s position as a key market for the brand globally.

    These investments in the UK are a vote of confidence in the UK’s economic plan, built on stability, investment and reform.  

    The Leeds Reforms set out the widest ranging reforms to financial regulation in over a decade, making the UK more attractive to global financial services firms. 

    This includes new support for fintech introducing tailored support to help FinTechs, with new start-ups getting a single regulatory point of contact to help them through the scale-up phase. The contact will be able to provide technical support to help them understand the regulatory requirements they need to meet in order to grow.   

    Revolut’s investment marks its commitment to the UK, where it has grown to become a global fintech leader with more than 10,000 employees and revenues of over £3 billion.  

    The company now serves over 65 million customers worldwide, including 12 million in the UK, and has set its sights on reaching 100 million customers globally by mid 2027. Revolut’s success exemplifies the strength of the UK’s fintech sector, which boasts around 3,000 firms supporting tens of thousands of skilled jobs nationwide.

  • PRESS RELEASE : David Crisp and Laura Burnett are appointed to the Treasure Valuation Committee [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : David Crisp and Laura Burnett are appointed to the Treasure Valuation Committee [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 23 September 2025.

    The Secretary of State has appointed David Crisp and Laura Burnett as Trustees to the Treasure Valuation Committee for terms of 5 years.

    David Crisp 

    David Crisp has been a Metal Detectorist for over 36 years and has recorded over 1300 single items. He believes that metal detecting done properly is a benefit to saving our 500,000+year-old Legacy of man-made items from the UK and its dependents. 

    He has been on the committee of the Trowbridge & District Metal Detecting Club for over 30 years and is the finder of the largest single hoard of Roman coins ever found in the UK. For the past two years he has also been Communications Officer to the National Council for Metal Detecting and until last year, was one of the main organisers of the RCM detecting events that have raised huge amounts for cancer care charities.

    Laura Burnett 

    Laura Burnett is a specialist in archaeological finds. She has authored articles and books on medieval and post-medieval objects, writing for public and specialist audiences in local, national and international publications. As a Finds Liaison Officer for 12 years she has extensive experience of the material reported as Treasure, the practical workings of the Act, and the concerns of finders, landowners and museums. She is currently undertaking doctoral research at the University of Exeter on 17th century trade tokens.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government Reappoints a Trustee to the Royal Armouries Board [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government Reappoints a Trustee to the Royal Armouries Board [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 23 September 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Professor Steven Gunn as Trustee of the Royal Armouries for a 4 year term from 1 March 2025.

    Professor Steven Gunn

    Steven Gunn is Fellow and Tutor in History at Merton College, Oxford and Professor of Early Modern History. He teaches and researches the history of later medieval and early modern Britain and Europe. 

    His books include Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (1988), Early Tudor Government, 1485-1558 (1995), War, State and Society in England and the Netherlands, 1477-1559 (2007), Henry VII’s New Men and the Making of Tudor England (2016), The English People at War in the Age of Henry VIII (2018) and An Accidental History of Tudor England: From Daily Life to Sudden Death (2025). 

    He speaks regularly to Historical Association branches and similar groups and has contributed to radio and TV programmes such as In Our Time, Great Lives, Time Team and Cunk on Britain. He is currently researching life and death in Tudor prisons and the political cultures of sixteenth-century European aristocracies.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    This role is not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.

    Professor Steven Gunn has declared no political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 60 – UK Statement for the Item 4 General Debate [September 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 60 – UK Statement for the Item 4 General Debate [September 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

    UK Statement for the Item 4 General Debate. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

    Thank you Mr Vice President,

    The Taliban continue their assault on the rights of the Afghan people. Women and girls are barred from education and most employment, and face severe restrictions on nearly all aspects of their lives. Religious minorities are persecuted, journalists and activists face intimidation, and arbitrary detentions, torture, and public executions continue. We urge the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghans.

    In Iran, the arrest of over 20,000 people since the 12-day war in June is of serious concern. Many of these arrests are a means to scapegoat and target already marginalised groups, including members of the Baluchi and Kurdish ethnic minorities, and Baha’i, Christian and Jewish religious minorities. The continued use of the death penalty as a political tool is appalling and we reiterate that we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances.

    In China, we remain deeply concerned about religious and cultural restrictions in Tibet, unjust detention of activists like Sophia Huang, and widespread censorship and surveillance. China must honour its human rights commitments and restore fundamental freedoms. In Hong Kong, we take reports about Jimmy Lai’s health conditions very seriously. We continue to press for an independent assessment. Jimmy Lai’s prosecution is politically motivated; he should be released.

    Thank you.