Tag: 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Government teams up with experts to supercharge women’s sport by the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 September 2025.

Government to be guided by industry experts and academics including UK Sport and Sport England to break down barriers and create opportunities for women in sport.
- Building on the success of the Lionesses this summer, the aim is to deliver equal access, better facilities and protect female athletes from online abuse as part of the Plan for Change.
- Aim to deliver this change by the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup as the first meeting takes place in Brighton ahead of England vs Australia Women’s Rugby World Cup clash.
With England’s Red Roses taking centre stage at the Rugby World Cup, the UK wants to build on the success of the Lionesses this summer to cement its position as a leader in women’s sport.

A new taskforce of industry experts aims to understand opportunities and break down barriers to deliver equal access, best in class facilities, ongoing professionalisation of women’s sport, visible role models to inspire future generations of girls and a strong pipeline of UK hosted major events by the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

This ambitious mission will be supported by the Women’s Sport Taskforce, which will hold its first meeting today ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup match between England and Australia in Brighton.

Chaired by the Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, the first meeting will focus on driving innovation in female athlete health research and tackling the online abuse that too many of our elite sportswomen continue to endure. Guest experts include Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England and Sally Munday, Chief Executive of UK Sport. The National Governing Bodies of rugby union, football, netball, tennis and cricket will also be attending the first meeting to lend their insight, and the Taskforce will hear from data science company Signify Group to understand their work with World Rugby on online abuse of female athletes.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

With record breaking crowds at the Rugby World Cup and tens of thousands of fans packing out the mall for the Lionesses victory parade after their amazing Euros success, the UK is perfectly positioned to become the world leader in women’s sport but we know positive results on the pitch must be met with decisive action off it.

This Taskforce will work to make sure that from the grassroots to sold out stadiums at major events, we are creating an environment where every woman and young girl can be involved in sport in an inclusive and welcoming environment as part of our Plan for Change.

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

Our Plan for Change is already expanding opportunities for women and girls. We are doubling access for women and girls on grassroots pitches, investing in state-of-the-art cricket domes and have a Rugby World Cup legacy programme that has already benefitted 850 clubs, improving facilities and access to sport.

This Taskforce will now guide us towards the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, focusing on increasing participation, leading global innovation, and combating online abuse to make our women’s and girls’ sport sector the best in the world.

The timing of the first meeting in Brighton reflects the Government’s commitment to using the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup as a catalyst for transformational change. The tournament has already made history with more than 400,000 tickets sold, demonstrating the incredible appetite for women’s sport.

Building on this success, the government’s Impact 25 legacy programme has invested almost £7 million to reach hundreds of rugby clubs nationwide, supporting women and girls of all ages to get involved in rugby.

CEO of UK Sport, Sally Munday said:

One of our key ambitions at UK Sport is to use the power and platform of sport to inspire positive change. Nowhere does this burn more brightly than in women’s sport. It is really encouraging that the Government is supporting the delivery of this work through the establishment of the Women’s Sport Taskforce.

At UK Sport, we are proud to support trailblazing female Olympic and Paralympic athletes and are committed to continuing to bring some of the biggest and best international events in women’s sport to the UK – such as this year’s record breaking Rugby World Cup, the Tour De France Femmes in 2027 and hopefully, a Women’s Football World Cup in 2035.

We are all invested in the continuing rise of women’s sport and I am delighted to be joining this new Taskforce to help make our ambitions a reality.’

Chair of Sport England, Chris Boardman said:

I’m delighted to have been asked to join DCMS’ taskforce on women’s sport. From safety fears to disempowering kit to online abuse – the issues faced by girls and women seeking to take part in sport and physical activity are major, which means that the stubborn gender activity gap persists.

Sport England’s commitment is unwavering; our hugely influential This Girl Can campaign launches its next phase next week, and I am also look forward to meeting with OFCOM to discuss what action can be taken to better protect female athletes from online abuse.

RFU’s Executive Director of the Women’s Game, Alex Teasdale said:

The RFU is proud to support the launch of the Women’s Sport Taskforce, and welcomes the Government’s ambition to make the UK a global leader in women’s sport. Women’s rugby is seeing first-hand the transformative power of hosting a major event, and we are committed to working with partners across sport to ensure more women and girls can experience the benefits of playing and staying active.

With the Rugby World Cup providing the perfect stage, we look forward to helping drive progress on participation, visibility and player welfare within rugby, and across wider women’s sport

The UK is hosting a series of major women’s sporting events over the next decade leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035. As well as the Women’s Rugby World Cup, these include the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup in 2026 and the Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ in 2027. These events will showcase the country’s ability to deliver world-class sport at the elite level whilst driving a lasting legacy on women’s sport participation.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey said:

We welcome the government’s ambition, which echoes our own for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 to be more than a tournament – to deliver positive social impact by changing perceptions and setting new standards that can influence both our industry and wider society.

At World Rugby we are proud to be leading the charge with our industry-leading online protection programme, supporting the mental wellbeing of players and match officials, tackling online abuse, and fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants on and off the field. Rugby is a sport where everyone belongs, and that principle guides everything we do.

It’s why we’ve built a diverse team for this tournament, with women representing 100% of our senior leadership team and 70% of our overall workforce, whilst also ensuring our suppliers are aligned with our values. Together with government and partners across sport we are determined to open up the sports industry to make it more inclusive.

The UK is hosting a series of major women’s sporting events over the next decade leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035. As well as the Women’s Rugby World Cup, these include the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup in 2026 and the Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ in 2027. These events will showcase the country’s ability to deliver world-class sport at the elite level whilst driving a lasting legacy on women’s sport participation.

The government has committed significant investment in both grassroots and elite sport, with £400 million allocated for new and upgraded grassroots facilities and £500 million invested in elite sporting events.

Through targeted funding and Sport England’s renowned This Girl Can campaign, which has helped nearly four million women become more active over the past decade, alongside pioneering research at Loughborough University’s Sport Research and Innovation Hub for women, the government continues to work with experts in their field to break down barriers and drive innovation that will make the UK the leader in women’s sport globally by 2035.
September 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK could cut visas for countries that refuse to accept returns [September 2025]

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

Countries that refuse to accept returns of individuals in the UK unlawfully could see the number of visas they are granted cut.

The UK could cut the number of visas granted to countries that delay or refuse returns of individuals with no right to remain in the UK.

In her first major engagement in post, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reached an agreement with her counterparts from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – collectively known as the Five Eyes – to help boost the return of individuals who have no legal basis to remain in any of the partner countries.

The agreement establishes clear obligations for countries to accept the return of individuals who have no legal right to remain, aiming to build international consensus and accelerate the removal process. 

It recognises the need for accountability and commits to tackling prolonged delays, refusals to issue travel documents, and limited engagement through firm action.

In cases where non-cooperative countries are unwilling to accept the enforced repatriation of their own nationals, this could lead to new measures, including appropriate adjustments to visa arrangements to reflect changes in immigration risk.

The joint statement takes immediate effect and reinforces the UK government’s commitment to strengthening the returns process.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:  

Abuse of our immigration system is a serious threat to public safety – and it is one we are confronting alongside our closest allies.

This announcement sends a clear message to anyone seeking to undermine our border security. If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, we will deport you. If countries refuse to take their citizens back, we will take action.

The reset of relationships with our international partners under this government, as part of the Plan for Change, is bearing fruit, with returns and disruption of criminal networks up since July last year. Now, we must go further.

Marking a renewed commitment to pool resources and strengthen joint operational frameworks, the Five Eyes also agreed to address the continued use of online platforms by migrants during their journeys, by exploring opportunities for coordinated operational measures against online threats that facilitate organised immigration crime.

Analysis shows that approximately 80% of migrants arriving via small boat report using social media during their journey to the UK, which could include responding to adverts for illegal journeys and communicating with smuggling gangs.

Spearheaded by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), this action aims to detect, disrupt, and deter individuals who facilitate people smuggling through advertising or act as agents for organised smuggling networks.

Since December 2021, the NCA has identified and removed over 23,000 posts, pages or accounts promoting organised immigration crime across online platforms, with more than 8,000 taken down in the past year alone – a 40% increase compared to the previous year. 

Today’s agreements build on measures successfully delivered by the government in its first year, including the removal of over 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK, nearly trebling the ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ scheme to cover 23 countries, strengthening existing returns arrangements, and securing new returns processes – including landmark agreements with France and Iraq.

September 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 60 – UK Statement for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar [September 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2025.

UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on reports of High Commissioner and Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr. President, High Commissioner, and distinguished panellists.

Your latest reports reveal deeply troubling evidence of human rights atrocities committed in Myanmar, including by the Myanmar military. Civilians are bearing the brunt: detained without due process, killed in indiscriminate air strikes, and displaced as their homes, schools, and hospitals are destroyed.

The Myanmar military’s intensified use of airstrikes following the March earthquake inflicted further devastation on civilians, compounding the crisis.

The Mechanism has uncovered extensive evidence of systematic torture and abuse in detention facilities operated by the military since the coup. Detainees, including children, have been subjected to beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence, including rape and sexualised torture.

These reports expose a pattern of deliberate cruelty, underscoring the urgent need for justice. The international community must do more to ensure perpetrators are held to account.

The UK remains committed to supporting future accountability in Myanmar. The Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM)’s documentation plays a vital role in laying the groundwork for this, and the UK has contributed £900,000 to the mechanism to help ensure that evidence is preserved, and justice can be pursued.

Thank you.

September 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Homes to be better protected from floods this winter as Taskforce boosts nation’s resilience [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 September 2025.

Latest meeting takes place today chaired by Floods Minister Emma Hardy.

Communities up and down the country continue to benefit from increased flood protection thanks to the Government’s Floods Resilience Taskforce which convenes today (Monday 8 September).

In the last winter storm period, the country saw several named storms. This includes in November when the country was met by Storm Bert, causing severe flooding, while Storm Conall arrived a few days later, bringing further rainfall. During the whole period, around 167,000 properties were protected from flooding by Environment Agency assets.

The group’s fourth meeting will discuss and prepare for possible flooding this winter – while also reflecting on the challenges and achievements of the last 12 months.

Established in September 2024, the Taskforce was set up to ensure a long-term, strategic approach to bolstering the nation’s resilience to extreme weather, as well as speeding up the delivery of new flood and coastal defence schemes to better protect vulnerable communities.

Since being launched, the Taskforce has:
- Facilitated rapid information sharing between partners ahead of and during these incidents, and lessons learned have helped to prepare the nation ahead of this winter.
- Helped deliver an improved forecasting service for surface water flooding – known as Rapid Flood Guidance. This provides short notice updates on incoming flood risks and helps first responders in their decision-making to protect lives.
- Established Action Groups focused on three specific services – flood warnings, flood recovery and flood insurance. These groups have been created to deliver systemic improvements to the way the public engages with these services, with updates provided at future meetings as their work develops.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

I know first-hand the disruption that flooding has on people’s lives and the unexpected costs it causes.

Since being established last year, our Taskforce has helped ensure communities have the protection they need from the dangers of flooding.

Under our Plan for Change, we are investing billions to build new flood defences, which will protect homes and businesses across the country.

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:

As we head into autumn, we need to think about flood risk even though drought is still being felt in some parts of the country.

Our priority is to ensure communities are protected from the risk of flooding as our changing climate brings more extreme weather.

Working with our partners in the Floods Resilience Taskforce, we will continue to ensure the nation’s flood resilience is bolstered by delivering new flood and coastal defences in towns and cities across the country.

With a new weather and climate outlook from the Met Office indicating an increased likelihood of a wetter than average autumn is approaching, the gathering of key flood responders – including Floods Minister Emma Hardy, the emergency services, and the Environment Agency – comes at a crucial time.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Will Lang, said:

While the longer-range forecast leans towards wetter-than-average conditions for the coming months, rainfall is likely to vary significantly across regions. There is an increased likelihood of westerly weather patterns, which typically bring more rainfall to western and northern parts of the UK, while eastern and southern areas may experience drier conditions than the national average suggests.

Importantly, despite the overall signal for wetter weather, this outlook does not guarantee that current drought conditions will ease consistently across the country.

This outlook will play a vital role in supporting Taskforce members to prepare for the forthcoming winter period, and ensure communities are better protected from the impacts of flooding.

During the meeting, the Taskforce will also discuss the Environment Agency’s progress in the development of a new Flood Warning Service, outlining how user feedback has shaped the system to better serve the public. The meeting will also consider the progress made to deliver the current flood and coastal defence programme, while also hearing from the Taskforce’s Insurance Action Group on plans to improve the insurance protection available to homeowners across the country.

The wider work of the Floods Resilience Taskforce also includes:
- Delivering the Environment Agency’s new national flood warning and forecasting centre.
- Initiating a review of multi-agency flood plans, focused on assessing their quality and providing feedback on how they can be strengthened.
- Developing new toolkits for MPs and Mayors to support their understanding of flood warning systems. This includes practical guidance on flood response and how to support their constituents during flood events.
- Streamlining the Flood Recovery Framework to enable faster identification of eligibility areas and extended the time by local authorities can claim business and community recovery grants.
The Government has committed a record investment of £2.65 billion over two years towards building and repairing over 1,000 flood defences. This is alongside pledging a record £7.9 billion over 10 years to deliver the largest capital floods programme history, which will protect 840,000 homes and businesses in England.

In 2024/25, £36 million was spent to undertake urgent repairs to flood defences damaged in the previous winter’s extreme flooding, with a further £72 million this year to maintain and repair assets. 92.7% of high consequence assets are now at their required condition.
September 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New campaign to prepare British travellers for EU border changes [September 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 September 2025.

UK government launches campaign to raise awareness of EU’s Entry/Exit System.

British travellers are being advised to prepare for incoming EU border checks as the government today launches a new awareness campaign around the changes.

Messages advising the British public about the introduction of new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks at the EU border will be shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages.

From 12 October 2025, the EU will introduce EES for UK and non-EU nationals, travelling for a short stay. EES is an automated system that will require travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken.

EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.

British travellers will need to register on their first visit to a participating country after EES is introduced. This registration is valid for a rolling 3-year period or until the passport expires. Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules. All travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.

On exit, and for subsequent entries and exits to or from a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either their fingerprints or a photograph at the border.

European countries using EES will phase this new system in over 6 months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods.

For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.

Last year, the government provided these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5 million of funding to support the introduction of border infrastructure. While EES is an EU system, the government have been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.

A government spokesperson said:

While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are in constant and close dialogue with our European partners to try and minimise the impact on the British public.

While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.

The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.

British citizens covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents and UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passports will be exempt from the new requirements.

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and EES registration is free. EES checks will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks.

Whilst checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where checks are completed in the UK, prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

The UK government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.

September 12, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Backing British business – reforms to champion UK defence companies on the world stage [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 September 2025.

Defence Industrial Strategy will unveil reforms to champion British defence businesses to increase export sales through cutting red tape and expanded financial backing.
- Red tape cut to shorten the time it takes for British businesses to complete international export deals.
- Work to expand financial backing for UK defence firms seek international exports.
- New Defence Industrial Strategy will make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm.
British businesses will be championed on the global stage to increase export sales, under reforms taking place in the Defence Industrial Strategy, due for launch later today.

In a significant change to boost exports, UK firms will be able to apply for export licences whilst they are bidding for international work, rather than having to wait for the process to conclude.

This move will help UK companies win significant work on the international stage, shortening order timescales and giving greater confidence to overseas customers that UK companies are a reliable choice.

The Government is also taking steps to expand UK Export Finance (UKEF)’s ability to back major defence contracts, legislating to increase the maximum size of UKEF’s financial portfolio.

International defence contracts are increasingly demanding state-backed financing to be fulfilled. To ensure the UK remains a highly competitive partner of choice for international defence contracts, the government will bring forward legislation to expand UKEF’s financial capacity and will consider a new strategic approach to defence financing for larger, multi-billion-pound deals.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

We’re backing British businesses to win on the international stage by cutting red tape for major export campaigns.

Ensuring our firms can bid for international work with greater confidence is an important change that will make defence an engine for growth and good jobs for people across the nation.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing 1600 businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said:

Exports from the UK’s defence and security sectors have doubled in the last decade. UK-made capability is in demand, and any way that government and industry can work together to speed up this process is welcomed. The ability for businesses large and small to be able to secure licenses during the tender process means that production can begin sooner, workers can be retained, and ultimately, the UK’s competitive advantage can be secured.

On behalf of our over 1,000 industry members operating in this space, we look forward to partnering with the government to ensure that the UK’s rigorous export licensing systems are maintained while business thrives within that system.

The UK’s defence industry is a global powerhouse showcasing hundreds of thousands of highly skilled workers and the very latest cutting-edge technologies. The reforms come after the UK recently announced a deal to export at least five Type 26 frigates to Norway in a £10 billion boost to the economy, supporting over 4,000 British jobs for years to come.

UKEF support has already been a critical enabler for UK defence exports and the work to expand their financial capacity will help boost further opportunities for British companies to secure international orders.

Defence exports are now worth over £14.5 billion annually and growing – making Britain the world’s second-largest arms exporter after the United States, supporting work to make defence an engine for economic growth and delivering on the Plan for Change.

The Defence Industrial Strategy is the final sector plan of the eight growth driving sectors identified in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy to be published, and the full collection of sector plans can be found here.
September 12, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Online safety laws to strengthen to protect people of all ages from devastating self-harm content [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 September 2025.

Vulnerable people across the UK will be shielded from the most dangerous content online, as new laws are set to be introduced to prevent devastating self-harm material from reaching people of all ages.
- Vulnerable people to be protected from self-harm content as Online Safety laws to be toughened.
- Comes as Online Safety Act to be amended to make self-harm content a ‘priority offence’.
- Tech companies to be legally required to prevent this content from appearing in the first place, protecting users of all ages.
The government has today (8 September) announced urgent action to toughen the Online Safety Act by putting stricter legal requirements on tech companies to hunt down and remove material that encourages or assists serious self-harm, before it can destroy lives and tear families apart.

While platforms already have to take specific steps to protect children from this dangerous self-harm content, the government recognises that adults battling mental health challenges are equally at risk from exposure to material that could trigger a mental health crisis or worse.

The new regulations mean that content encouraging or assisting serious self-harm will be treated as a priority offence for all users.

The change will trigger the strongest possible legal protections, compelling platforms to use cutting-edge technology to actively seek out and eliminate this content before it can reach users and cause irreparable harm, rather than simply reacting after someone has already been exposed to it.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

This government is determined to keep people safe online. Vile content that promotes self-harm continues to be pushed on social media and can mean potentially heart-wrenching consequences for families across the country.

Our enhanced protections will make clear to social media companies that taking immediate steps to keep users safe from toxic material that could be the difference between life and death is not an option, but the law.

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of Samaritans, said:

We welcome these efforts to make the Online Safety Act go further to protect both adults and children from dangerous self-harm content. While the internet can be a source of support for people who are struggling, damaging suicide and self-harm content can cost people their lives.

It’s therefore vital that government continues to take opportunities to strengthen the Act and it’s over to Ofcom now to use their powers to hold platforms to account so we can save more lives lost to suicide.

Notes to editors

The regulations will come into force 21 days after they are made, following approval by both Houses of Parliament. We expect this Statutory Instrument (SI) to be laid in the autumn.
September 12, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [September 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 September 2025.

The Prime Minister welcomed the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to Downing Street this evening.

They discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza, and the Prime Minister reiterated the need for an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine – starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a huge surge in humanitarian aid.

The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s ongoing work with its partners on a long-term solution, which both leaders agreed is the only way to bring about enduring peace and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis. The Prime Minister welcomed the President’s commitment to reform of the Palestinian Authority as a vital part of this work.

The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge to recognising a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting later this month, unless Israel changes its course. They both agreed there will be absolutely no role for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine.

They agreed to speak again soon.

September 12, 2025
Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Russian Drone Attack on Poland

The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 10 September 2025.

This morning’s barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and NATO airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning.

This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin’s blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day.

I have been in touch with the Polish Prime Minister this morning to make clear our support for Poland, and that we will stand firm in our support for Ukraine.

My sincere thanks go to the NATO and Polish forces who rapidly responded to protect the Alliance.

With our partners – and through our leadership of the Coalition of the Willing – we will continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace.

KEIR STARMER
PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

September 10, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Scotland Growth Deal [September 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 September 2025.

Landmark Scotland partnership to create jobs and harness military innovations.
- Pioneering scheme to unleash potential from Scotland-based businesses and research institutions.
- Scotland to receive share of £250 million funding to forge long-term partnerships that will boost the local economy and benefit the UK Armed Forces.
- Builds on Scotland being key to innovation in the space and maritime sectors, driving job creation and cutting-edge research and development.
Scotland’s economy will be boosted by a pioneering defence programme – backed as part of a £250 million UK-wide investment – to improve collaboration, foster innovation and create jobs.

Defence Growth Deals are being created as part of a bold initiative to support the growth potential of the defence industry, underpinned by the historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

Utilising a share of a £250 million of money for UK Defence Growth Deals, Scotland will forge a long-term partnership between the UK and Devolved Governments, uniting business and research institutions in the nation to harness local expertise and resources in support of the UK Armed Forces.

Defence Secretary John Healey will today [Monday 8 September] announce the new venture as part of the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which will make Defence an engine for growth.

Central to the DIS, the Defence Growth Deals will unlock growth, innovation, and job creation within key concentrations of defence and dual-use industry across the country, while bolstering the resilience of the UK’s defence industrial base.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence an engine for growth in Scotland, backing jobs, industry and innovators.

Defence Growth Deals offer a new partnership with UK defence to build on industrial and innovation strengths that regions already hold. Together we aim to drive an increase in defence skills and jobs across Scotland.

We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm and will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

This is a plan for good jobs paying decent wages in Scotland and beyond.

Through Defence Growth Deals we will unleash the power of local economies while securing our country – building an economy that works for working people, in every part of this country, just as our Plan for Change promised.

Latest statistics show that more than 11,000 people in Scotland are already employed due to MOD industry spending, and this work will ensure every ounce of the sector’s potential is realised, driving economic growth and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:

The UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy will mean a real boost for Scotland’s economy and create highly skilled jobs for years to come – this is the defence dividend. Just last week we saw a £10 billion shipbuilding contract come to Clydeside – that is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a government committed to ensuring Scotland benefits from the global rise in defence spending. Scotland’s defence sector is second to none, and our Defence Industrial Strategy will help ensure it has a thriving future, as part of our Plan for Change.

Scotland brings a dynamic mix of growth industries to the UK’s defence capabilities, from a rapidly advancing space sector to next-generation maritime innovation centred around the Clyde and Rosyth. The nation’s critical technology superclusters are anchored by world-class academic institutions like the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, creating a fertile environment for defence research and development.

Scotland’s shipbuilding heritage combined with its emerging space technologies makes it uniquely positioned to benefit from this Defence Growth Deal, driving innovation and job creation across traditional maritime sectors and cutting-edge aerospace industries that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base.

The nation will have its Defence Growth Deal unveiled in the coming months, working with the Devolved Government and other key stakeholders, the Ministry of Defence is launching a bespoke growth deal which will harness the distinct opportunities and strengths in the nation.

Detailed policy proposals will be developed collaboratively; areas of focus are expected to include:
- Skills – addressing regional workforce needs and future capability requirements;
- Innovation – supporting research, development, and adoption of new technologies;
- Procurement – aligning local supply chains with Defence priorities;
- Investment – targeting funding to unlock economic and strategic value;
- Partnership – fostering impactful relationships that deliver for the people of Scotland.
September 9, 2025