Tag: 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Ceri Morgan Appointed Trade Commissioner for Europe [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 August 2025.

The Secretary of State is pleased to announce the appointment of Ceri Morgan as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe, succeeding Chris Barton from 1 September.

Morgan brings a wealth of experience across multiple sectors to this critical role.

In her most recent position she led the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on international trade, international food security, and heading the government’s overseas agri-food attaché network to tackle market access barriers for UK exports.

Prior to this, Morgan returned to the civil service to establish and lead the Global Trade Negotiations team at Defra after the EU referendum, spearheading the negotiation of agri-food aspects of trade deals.

In His Majesty the King’s first Birthday Honours, Morgan was made a Commander of the British Empire for her services to Capability and Inclusion in International Trade.

We wish her every success in this vital role for the UK.

Ceri Morgan, Director of EU and International Trade at Defra, said:

I am delighted to have been appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe and can’t wait to get to know the team later this year and work together to deliver this government’s trade objectives in Europe.

These markets are crucial to the success of the newly launched trade, industrial, and small business strategies for HMG’s Growth agenda and I am thrilled to be leading our efforts.

Chris Barton, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe, said:

It has been a great privilege to serve as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe. Working across government and our diplomatic network, we’ve made real progress in strengthening trade ties, opening doors for UK businesses, and attracting investment that supports jobs and growth at home.

I’d like to give particular praise to my delightful, talented, industrious, and collaborative team members, who work day in and day out to support British interests across the continent.

I’m delighted to hand over to Ceri Morgan, whose leadership and experience will be invaluable in driving this important work forward.

The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe leads a team of over 300 staff in 34 countries across the continent, working to encourage a thriving trade and investment relationship between the UK and other European countries.

The Trade Commissioner has responsibility for all Department for Business and Trade (DBT) work in Europe including:
- Improving market access for UK companies in Europe
- Attracting inward investment from European companies into UK
- Encouraging UK exports to Europe
- Influencing multilateral trade policy with Europe
- Delivering on the commitments made in the UK’s newly published Trade Strategy
The HMTC works closely with UK based government colleagues, UK ambassadors and the wider diplomatic network in Europe in delivering these goals.

Together they engage extensively with UK and European businesses, European governments and wider stakeholders.
August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : 42 mile stretch of King Charles III England Coast Path opens [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 18 August 2025.

A continuous path from the Scottish border to Gibraltar point in Lincolnshire has officially been completed with the trail between Easington to Bridlington  .

The final stretch of King Charles III England Coast Path in Yorkshire and the North East has officially opened today (18 August)

The new stretch joins Easington to Bridlington, forming a continuous path from the Scottish border down to Gibraltar point, in Lincolnshire, some 397 miles. It is the latest part of the 2,700 mile (4345km) national path to be completed.

Commencing at the village of Easington, the King Charles III England Coast Path traces a remarkable route northward along the Holderness coastline. The path reveals a striking juxtaposition between industrial landscapes, such as the Easington Gas Terminal, and the natural beauty of the ever-changing clay cliffs and expansive beaches below.

Progressing north, the trail passes through the resort town of Withernsea and crosses the first landfall of the Prime Meridian near Sand Le Mere. It continues past the historic site of the former RAF Cowden before arriving at Hornsea, a coastal town noted for its recently regenerated Victorian Promenade and charming seaside character.

The journey then skirts the vibrant holiday parks that dot the Holderness coast, eventually reaching the rolling dunes south of Bridlington. From there, the path enters the town’s lively harbour and esplanade before culminating in North Bridlington.

1,800 Miles Done, 900 To Go

The King Charles III England Coast Path will be a 2,700-mile long National Trail around the whole of the English coast, passing through some of our finest countryside and some of England’s most stunning, dynamic and internationally famous coastal scenery.

Natural England has worked in partnership with local authorities to open 1814 miles of the route so far – connecting communities from Northumberland to Cumbria via Cornwall.

Commenting on the approval, Paul Duncan Natural England Deputy Director for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, said:

Todays new route opens up easy access to our spectacular local coastline for people across the country. It invites visitors to discover the stunning North East shoreline, renowned for its unique blend of heritage and seaside charm, featuring historic gems like Withernsea Pier Towers and Bridlington Harbour.

With this latest, and final stretch, for Yorkshire and North East marking 1814 miles of the King Charles III England Coast Path now open, the benefits of walking for health and wellbeing through getting closer to nature are becoming more available for all. The trail will also support the local economy and growth – bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages for daytrips, refreshments and places to stay.

Connecting Coastal Communities

Councillor Barbara Jefferson, cabinet member for heritage and coastal at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:

We are delighted to announce that the final section of the new National Trail is now open, seamlessly connecting the previously established stretches of the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Thanks to funding from Natural England, a range of enhancements have been carried out to bring the path up to National Trail standards, with particular attention given to accessibility and environmental sustainability. Walking is a year-round activity, and its ability to extend the tourism season makes it a valuable contributor to the local economy.

This newly completed route is expected to attract both domestic and international visitors, inviting them to experience our natural landscapes, heritage, culture and recreational opportunities. It will also enrich the walking experience for local residents who already enjoy the path.

The King Charles III England Coast Path represents a positive development for coastal communities, creating stronger links between them and encouraging exploration through a continuous, scenic walking route.

Start your adventure and discover your perfect trail with National Trails. So that everyone can make the most of the King Charles III England Coast Path, please follow the Countryside Code. This includes not bringing BBQs or dropping litter, and not lighting fires or camping stoves.

August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Sunderland-based debt collection agencies shut down after keeping client funds they recovered [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 18 August 2025.

Companies wound-up by the High Court following Insolvency Service investigations.
- EDC Group NE Ltd, UK EDC Ltd and UK TCF Limited have been shut down by the High Court after keeping more than £50,000 in funds they collected on behalf of clients
- The three companies falsely claimed decades of experience despite being recently established, and used fake testimonials and misleading websites to deceive small businesses into paying upfront fees
- Clients paid fees of hundreds of pounds but received no service, with the companies becoming uncontactable while bank records showed payments were made to the director, bookmakers and football clubs
Three connected debt collection companies which kept more than £50,000 in client funds they collected on their behalf have been shut down.

Sunderland-based EDC Group NE Ltd, UK EDC Ltd and UK TCF Limited falsely presented themselves as professional agencies with decades of experience while taking money from both clients and their debtors.

The companies targeted small businesses through unsolicited phone calls, using misleading information to convince them to sign contracts for debt collection services.

Victims reported paying instruction fees and then being unable to contact the companies, despite assurances that collected funds would be safeguarded.

At least £54,847 in funds was collected and retained by the companies without being passed back to their clients.

The three companies were all wound-up at the High Court in Manchester on Friday 15 August.

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

These companies systematically deceived their clients by presenting themselves as professional debt collection agencies when they were nothing more than operations designed to take money from clients.

The victims trusted these companies to collect debts on their behalf but instead found themselves unable to contact anyone after paying upfront fees, while money that was collected was kept by the companies.

We will continue to take robust action against those who prey on both creditors seeking legitimate debt recovery services and debtors who believe they are making payments to settle their obligations.

All three companies falsely claimed to have “been collecting unpaid debts, resolving disputes and carrying out investigations and research for more than 25 years.”

EDC Group NE Ltd was only set up in March 2022, with UK EDC Ltd incorporated in August 2023, and UK TCF Limited in December 2023.

The companies operated using nearly identical websites, with UK EDC and UK TCF sharing the same website.

False claims on the websites included descriptions of the companies as “market leaders” with “cutting edge collection activity technology” and 65 positive testimonials which presented an inaccurate picture of the companies as having a successful track record in debt recovery.

Insolvency Service investigations revealed sophisticated deceptive tactics, with the companies operating interchangeably to maximise their improper conduct.

One victim paid £750 to UK EDC Ltd for collection of a debt of more than £20,000 but when the debtor made a payment of £12,143 it was collected by the connected company UK TCF Limited operating as ‘The Creditor’s Friend’. The victim was never informed of this collection and never received any of the money recovered on his behalf.

In another example, a woman who paid £600 to recover £15,000 in debts described how EDC Group NE Ltd claimed to have quickly found the debtors’ addresses and new business locations, even boasting of posing as a tax officer to obtain information.

She said: “They gained my trust and gave me false hope. I see now that this was all a confidence trick to gain my trust and impress me so that I would willingly part with my money.”

Complaints to Action Fraud saw one business owner report that the companies had taken payments estimated at £30,000 – £50,000 from his clients alone.

Other victims reported paying instruction fees ranging from £350 to £750 before the companies became completely uncontactable, with phone lines permanently engaged and no voicemail facilities.

Analysis of EDC Group NE Ltd’s bank account revealed that of the £347,837 in total payments out, almost £160,000 went directly to the director, with an additional £78,071 paid to various individuals as salary, gifts and commissions.

Investigators also found payments of more than £17,000 to various bookmakers, £9,679 to football clubs, and £21,362 to hostelries, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.

No payments to clients for debts collected on their behalf were found.

Bank accounts for the other two companies showed similar patterns, including unexplained payments to EDC Group NE Ltd.

All three companies failed to provide any accounting or financial records to the Insolvency Service. The registered company director failed to co-operate throughout the investigation, ignoring all attempts by investigators to locate and communicate with the companies and those in control of them.

The failure to provide financial records also prevented investigators from establishing whether the companies operated independently or used phoenix practices – repeatedly closing and reopening under new names to evade responsibility and confuse clients.

The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of EDC Group NE Ltd, UK EDC Ltd and UK TCF Limited.
August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Statement of the Co-chairs of the Coalition of the Willing [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 August 2025.

President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer today co-chaired a virtual meeting of a grouping of ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Leaders with the participation of President Zelenskyy.

Leaders convened to discuss support for Ukraine and next steps in peace negotiations following President Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska.

The Leaders reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine, and praised President Zelenskyy’s desire for a just and lasting peace as he prepares for further consultations with President Trump in Washington DC.

The leaders also commended President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, in which the Coalition of the Willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine, among other measures.

They re-emphasised the readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.

The President and Prime Minister also informed leaders that they would travel to Washington DC tomorrow for a meeting with President Trump, alongside President Zelenskyy.

August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : AI to cut paperwork to free up doctors’ time for patients [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 August 2025.

Patients and frontline staff could see huge benefits from new AI helping people out of hospital quicker and slashing bureaucracy.
- Patients and frontline staff could see huge benefits from new AI helping people out of hospital quicker and slashing bureaucracy
- Tool is one of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars, including real-world projects using AI to make people’s lives easier and modernise services across health, justice, tax and planning
- Group of leading projects will receive support to expand the use of their technology more quickly, helping to drive efficiencies and boost growth through Plan for Change
Patients could get home to family and off busy wards more quickly, thanks to game-changing AI that could help write the documents that are needed to discharge people from hospital.

The cutting-edge technology will help cut waiting lists, by giving frontline staff the precious gift of time and making care more efficient so that loved ones return to the comfort of their homes quickly. Currently being developed at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust, it is one of many projects to receive backing from the Prime Minister as part of the AI Exemplars programme.

The AI-assisted tool could deliver the support that NHS staff have been crying out for – helping doctors to draft discharge documents faster by extracting key details from medical records, such as diagnoses and test results, using a large language model. After a full review from a medical expert responsible for the patient, these documents are then used to discharge a patient from a ward and refer them to other care services that may be needed.

It would radically improve an outdated system that can leave patients on wards unnecessarily for hours, waiting for time-pressed doctors providing urgent care to sit down and fill in forms before they can go home. In some cases, the current system for writing discharge summaries can also inaccurately record basic patient details – like what treatment they’ve had, or changes to medication – and put them in harms way.

Another project announced today, ‘Justice Transcribe’, will be transformational for Probation Officers – by helping to transcribe and take notes in their meetings with offenders after they leave prison. The technology, which was found to halve the time officers spent organising notes between meetings and in their personal time, is set to be scaled to all 12,000 probation officers following the pilot phase outcome.

Projects being announced today as part of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars programme are prime examples of how the government wants to use AI across the public sector to make people’s lives easier and help deliver the Plan for Change. Over the coming months, these exemplars will be developed and trialled, with those showing the most promise potentially rolled out more widely. It follows the Prime Minister’s approach that people should not spend their time on tasks that AI can do quicker and better.

Speaking on a visit to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

This is exactly the kind of change we need: AI being used to give doctors, probation officers and other key workers more time to focus on delivering better outcomes and speeding up vital services.

This government inherited a public sector decimated by years of under-investment and is crying out for reform. These AI Exemplars show the best ways in which we’re using tech to build a smarter, more efficient state.

When we get this right across government, we’re talking about unlocking £45 billion in productivity gains – delivering our Plan for Change and investing in growth not bureaucracy.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

This potentially transformational discharge tool is a prime example of how we’re shifting from analogue to digital as part of our 10 Year Health Plan.

We’re using cutting-edge technology to build an NHS fit for the future and tackle the hospital backlogs that have left too many people waiting too long.

Doctors will spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients, getting people home to their families faster and freeing up beds for those who need them most.

The NHS Federated Data Platform, a system designed to connect IT across health and care services, is hosting the AI-assisted discharge summaries tool. This means that it can handover information to different care services in an efficient and secure way, while also making it easier to use the technology across the country if tests are successful.

Planning

The AI Exemplars programme will also include the ‘Extract’ tool, which will standardise data faster by converting decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes. It will power new types of planning software to slash the 250,000 estimated hours spent by planning officers each year manually checking these documents.

Schools

Other technology backed by the programme, the ‘AI Content Store’, will also help make more accurate AI tools to support teachers to mark work and plan lessons – ensuring they are able to spend more time helping children in the classroom with face-to-face teaching, supporting the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

Justice

A further tool in the programme is ‘Justice Transcribe’. Early feedback from probation officers has shown that the technology allows them to focus on the personal, and often emotive meetings with offenders, instead of having to interrupt to take notes and clarify details.

Civil service

The suite of AI tools known as ‘Humphrey’, that helps make the civil service more efficient, is also included in the package. It comes as ‘Consult’, a tool in the package, analyses the thousands of responses any government consultation might receive in hours, before presenting policy makers and experts with interactive dashboards to explore what the public are saying directly.

It has been the first AI tool to undergo testing against a new ‘social readiness’ standard, where the tech was shared with members of the public to get their views on the value it adds, the strength of safeguards in place and the risks associated with using the technology. Members of the public noted that Consult is well targeted to replace an “old school process” that is very “archaic” and ripe for improvement with AI.

The independent report, completed after deliberative focus groups by the Centre for Collective Intelligence at Nesta, a charity focused on innovation for the public good, found that 82% of people felt positive or neutral about the use of the technology across government.

Notes to editors

With more to be announced in the coming months, AI Exemplars include:
- Justice Transcribe, Ministry of Justice.
- ‘Humphrey’, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- Education Content store, Department for Education.
- AI Tax Compliance, HMRC.
- ‘Extract’ and the Digital Planning Programme, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
- ‘Minute’ for Local Government, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- GOV.UK Chat, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- AI for diagnostics, NHS.
August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : AI helpers could coach people into careers and help them move home [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 August 2025.

AI agents could soon take on boring life admin by dealing with public services on your behalf – from filling in forms to completing applications and booking appointments.
- Brits could have their own AI agent to help them deal with everything from life admin, to getting personalised guidance to pick careers, find work and more
- The UK government will call for frontier AI companies to help it test the tech, progressing a world-first plan to use AI agents for national government services as soon as 2027
- Comes ahead of the Prime Minister unveiling an initial set of priority AI Exemplar projects tomorrow, that are set to show how AI can help to transform public services to make people’s lives easier and deliver the Plan for Change more effectively
AI agents could soon take on boring life admin by dealing with public services on your behalf – from filling in forms to completing applications and booking appointments, as the UK government plans trials to save people time and modernise the state.

Agentic AI is unique in that it can reliably complete basic admin tasks for people as well as provide tailored support for them, by putting in a prompt and watching it do the work for them. Acting on behalf of people, AI agents from private companies can be used to book flights, shop around for the best deal online, or book restaurants and activities from a holiday itinerary.

On Monday, the government will invite specialist companies who have started working with this type of cutting-edge AI to team up with in-house Whitehall experts to test this technology together. This includes exploring if agentic AI can help get young people into work by supporting them to take the next step in their education, find the best apprenticeship for their circumstances, provide custom career guidance and more.

In the first instance the tool could be trialled to help people with employment and skills but if successful, the government will experiment to see if agentic AI can help with other life milestones. For example, when moving home a government-built AI agent could help you update an address on your digital driving licence, register you with a new GP, register you in the correct constituency to vote and more.

Taking a new experimental approach recommended in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the development of the technology will follow a “test and learn” approach that could be rolled out across the country from late 2027 – and builds on the early success of GOV.UK Chat, an experimental generative AI chatbot which is being developed in government.

UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

We can entirely rethink and reshape how public services help people through crucial life moments using the power of emerging AI technology. Using agentic AI to its full potential, we could provide a level of service to citizens across the country that was previously unimaginable – helping people to find better career opportunities, avoid wasting their time on government admin and more.

We are asking the world’s brightest AI developers to work in collaboration with our own brilliant AI teams as we test how valuable their latest tech can be in helping people in their day-to-day lives. At each step, we’ll only progress if the technology can be used in a safe and reliable way – but if it works, we could be the first country in the world to use AI agents at scale.

The technology, which would be entirely optional to use, could also save people hours of headaches by dealing with dozens of different agencies and government officials at once on their behalf.

To deliver this, the government is today asking for frontier AI labs to share their expertise and dedicate AI specialists to build a prototype of the technology over six-to-twelve months. Together, with government AI experts, a hybrid team will prove what’s possible in applying this new technology to public services, while the UK government will maintain ownership of the product into the future.

The project will be the first “National AI Tender” issued following the AI Opportunities Action Plan, a new method that seeks to build cutting-edge AI solutions to improve public services across the country.

It will follow a “Scan, Pilot, Scale” approach recommended by the AI Opportunities Action Plan, with the tender marking the start of the “Pilot” phase where the government will work with leading AI labs to see whether the technology available is ready to reliably deliver on this ambition.

The technology will be built in small and iterative stages, meaning it is consistently being evaluated and rigorously tested to make sure it is ultimately reliable and accurate enough to be used by people across the country when it’s ready.

The completed “Scan” phase included some user research to test where agentic AI could be most helpful, and some early prototyping and exploration of what data is already available to make further development possible.

Throughout, the project will be evaluated before it progresses to the next stage. If it is successful at each stage, an agentic AI solution could be rolled out across the country from the end of 2027.

It comes ahead of the Prime Minister announcing a wider series of AI Exemplars tomorrow, where he will set out several ways in which AI is being used across the public sector to speed up services, save money and improve outcomes for citizens.

The list will include the “Extract” tool, which will standardise data faster by converting decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes. It will power new types of planning software to slash the 250,000 estimated hours spent by planning officers each year manually checking these documents.
August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, President Stubb, Prime Minister Tusk, President Costa, President von der Leyen [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 August 2025.

Statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, President Stubb, Prime Minister Tusk, President Costa, President von der Leyen.

Early this morning, President Trump debriefed us and President Zelenskyy following his meeting with the Russian President in Alaska on 15 August 2025.

Leaders welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

As President Trump said ‘there’s no deal until there’s a deal’. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.

We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace.

As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy until there is a just and lasting peace.

Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.

August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : HMP Pentonville undergoes major safety and standards overhaul [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 August 2025.

Extra specialist staff, a bolstered senior leadership team and improved training for frontline officers will be deployed urgently at HMP Pentonville.
- Prison’s leadership strengthened to increase oversight and accountability
- Immediate action to tackle safety concerns and improve living conditions
- Review to prevent sentence calculation errors completed
The jail received an Urgent Notification in July, with inspectors finding poor living conditions, prisoners not being released at the end of their sentence due to administrative errors, and inadequate support for prisoners at risk of self-harm.

The Prison Service has today (15 August) published a new action plan in direct response to the notification – with the aim of drastically driving up safety and standards at the prison.

The prison’s senior management will be bolstered with a dedicated lead responsible for overseeing work to address the inspector’s concerns. A review to minimise sentence calculation errors and ensure prisoners are released on time has already been completed.

The prison has intensified its cleaning regime and is auditing every cell to ensure it meets at least a minimum required standard. Additional specialist staff have been deployed to better support vulnerable prisoners and the regime.

Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said:

The Chief Inspector’s findings at HMP Pentonville were deeply concerning and reflect the scale of the crisis we inherited across our prison system.

During my recent visit I saw that the prison and its staff are already working hard to deliver urgent improvements and this action plan will make sure they get the support they need.

The prison will also refurbish showers, drainage systems and other common areas.
August 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Jade Leung as the Prime Minister’s AI adviser [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 August 2025.

Jade Leung, the Chief Technology Officer of the AI Security Institute, has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s new AI adviser.

As part of the role, she will work to position the UK as the leading nation to help unlock the benefits and prepare for the impacts of transformative AI, working closely with the Prime Minister to harness the technology as it delivers the strong foundations and economic growth which are central to the government’s Plan for Change.

Jade Leung will report directly to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology in her role, splitting her time between both Number 10 and the AI Security Institute.

August 19, 2025
Keir Starmer – 2025 Remarks at VJ Day 80 Reception

The remarks made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, at 10 Downing Street on 14 August 2025.

I know so many people here in the garden and across the country will have their own memories of family and loved ones.

And it is a real privilege for me to welcome you to Downing Street and into this garden.

This is the centre of government, this is where I work, it’s where I live and it is a privilege to have you here – and right that you are here…

Because this is a government of service, and therefore it is a government at your service.

And so many of you have served and got family members who served so it is really fitting that you’re here and its more than juts a kind invitation for the afternoon.

It’s a reflection I hope of how important it is to us that we’re able to have you here.

So when I say it is a privilege, it really is my privilege to have you here…

And I know that people have come from far and wide to be in the garden this afternoon

To remember 80 years since our victory in the World War II.

And to take the opportunity, and it is the opportunity, to pay our respects to the many who fought…

Who were captured…

And of course who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Far East.

And we do pay our respects here this afternoon as we do so often.

It’s a reminder that in the Cabinet Room just a few yards from us that the new Prime Minister then, as it was, Clement Attlee, just been elected into office at the end of the Second World War received the news of Japan’s surrender.

And it was in there that that news was broken and the nation begun to understand that now it really was the end of World War II.

And as you can imagine people took to the streets, we have spoken to many people who took to the streets on those days and that feeling that they had of freedom and peace at last…

But I think alongside that feeling of joy and victory, relief of peace, was really a shared determination, a shared moment across the nation that victory also had to be a turning point for our country.

Not just for a world that was crying out for peace.

But for a country that owed a huge debt…

to those people that had fought for a better future.

Those who had made huge sacrifices….

So we have the freedoms and the life we enjoy today.

And when we say we pay respects, that’s what we mean by that, because we are exercising those freedoms every day, because of what they did and the sacrifices that they made.

And that in a way is the lesson we carry with us today, it is the lesson that we must hold up every day.

Our duty to honour that sacrifice…

With every new generation.

That’s what it means when we say we will ‘never forget’. Because it doesn’t juts mean we will never forget a particular moment, the end, the final end, of World War II, but we must never forget what that gave us…

What that gave our country, what that gave the world in terms of the freedoms and the values that we fight for.

And of course those values are still contested here.

I sat on this terrace this very morning with President Zelenskyy, who is fighting for the same values as we were fighting for.

And so when we say never forget, we must pass on the stories of those who have gone before us.

Those incredible stories and the stories that many others have shared.

I’ve seen some of the extracts from the letters that were sent, which were extraordinary, exquisite memories and experiences and vignettes into life as it was then.

Stories of camaraderie, of courage, real courage…

From fighting in jungles and blistering heat…

To the immense suffering of prisoners of war on the Burma railway and elsewhere – and it was immense suffering as many of you will know.

But we also remind ourselves of what that was fighting for.

A peace that is precious, that is fragile…

As I say, that we can see on our own continent today.

And the possibility of a better future for the next generation.

That is what the Attlee government took as its mission.

Creating an NHS, building homes fit for heroes, the welfare state. They were all good, important things for a government to do. But they were done with a sense of mission, that we had to repay the debt that we owed to those who had made such a contribution in the Second World War.

By building a new Britain that reflected the dignity of its people.

And that is what my government is determined to do today.

And that’s why I stood outside Downing Street the day after the election last year and said we wild be a government service – that same sense that we are here to serve the country, to create a better country.

A part of that of course is working with our allies to secure peace abroad…

It is a continual project, it’s not a project that ended 80 years ago by any stretch of the imagination.

To rebuild Britain once more so it’s a country we can be proud of. That is capable of playing its full part on the world stage to deescalate tensions and bring about just and lasting peace in areas including in our own continent.

A country worthy of the soldiers that marched under our flag…

And showed the world that Britain is – and will always be…

a beacon of peace…

And hope…

in a dangerous world.

So thank you all – for your service.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and keeping that story alive.

And I really hope you have a wonderful afternoon.

August 19, 2025