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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Local councils and charities urged to help more people get online with £9.5 million government fund [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Local councils and charities urged to help more people get online with £9.5 million government fund [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 13 August 2025.

    The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund will help more people get online, drive economic growth and raise living standards, as part of the Plan for Change.

    • More people will be supported to get online through new government fund helping to drive economic growth and raise living standards as part of the Plan for Change.
    • Backed by £9.5 million from UK government, the funding will help tackle digital inequality across the UK, including through workshops to familiarise people with tech and donating new devices to those without access to online world.
    • Funding will be delivered in partnership with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – building on local knowledge and expertise.

    Local charities and councils could benefit from £9.5 million in new UK government funding being announced today (Wednesday 13 August), to turbo-charge grassroots efforts to help the 1.6 million people in the UK who can’t access to online world. The money will support the best and smartest ways of tackling digital exclusion, which could include putting on workshops to familiarise people with tech, schemes donating devices like phones and laptops to the digitally excluded, all led by local councils, charities and other bodies working in the heart of their communities.

    Digital exclusion is holding too many people back and tackling it is critical to driving growth, which is at the heart of the government’s Plan for Change. Research suggests that 7.9 million adults across the UK lack basic digital skills, while 1.6 million people live offline altogether. These are people who are locked out from some of the basic opportunities that modern life offers, whether that’s mastering the essential digital skills for work – like setting up an email account and sharing files – or facing higher costs for things like home insurance, train travel and food – with people paying up to 25% more than consumers who are online.

    The government has today launched the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to help tackle these issues and get more people online. In England, local government, charities and research organisations can apply for funding worth £25,000 to £500,000 to help boost digital inclusion and skills in their local areas. The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will determine their own arrangements for the distribution of funding to best support local digital inclusion initiatives.

    This follows June’s launch of the IT Reuse for Good charter, where organisations can pledge to donate devices to the digitally excluded.

    UK Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    It is unacceptable that in 2025, millions of people across the UK simply can’t access the vast opportunities that technology and the online world offers. Digital inclusion is an essential for modern life and work, not just something that’s nice to have, and it forms a critical part of our Plan for Change.

    Making technology widely accessible could be the thing that means a sick patient can speak to a GP remotely, or that helps a young person successfully apply for a job. Through this funding we’re moving further to empower local leaders and groups nationwide, who are already working tirelessly to get their communities connected and change countless lives for the better.

    Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said:

    For over a decade, Wales has led the way in digital inclusion, and our Digital Strategy for Wales makes clear our aim to ensure everyone who chooses to can engage safely and with confidence with digital.

    Being digitally included means having the basic digital skills and tools needed for everyday life – from accessing vital services and applying for jobs to staying connected with friends and family.

    This new funding from the UK government will build on the progress we’ve made, helping to further our lead and support the aim to support people to meet the minimum digital living standard.

    The fund is being directed at local organisations because they are best placed to know how to support the needs of their communities. Where new and innovative ways of tackling digital exclusion are shown to be effective, the hope is that by proving them through this fund, they can then be rolled out wider across the country.

    Launching the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund delivers on a key commitment set out in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan published earlier this year, which set out this government’s first actions to tackle digital exclusion so that technology can be harnessed by everyone in the UK, and help the government boost growth and raise living standards under the Plan for Change.

    Tackling digital exclusion will be crucial to raising living standards across the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change, for instance by helping more people apply for jobs online, use the NHS app to book doctor’s appointments, or get advice on government services through tools like GOV.UK Chat.

    Notes for editors

    The full Digital Inclusion Action Plan can be found on GOV.UK: Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps

    Research shows that digitally excluded people face higher costs for things like home insurance, train travel and food paying up to 25% more on average than consumers who are online.

    Allocations for the devolved governments for this FY (25-26) have been calculated on a per capita basis and amount to:

    • £400,368 for Wales
    • £764,020 for Scotland
    • £267,249 for Northern Ireland
  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement of the Co-chairs of the Coalition of the Willing [August 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 13 August 2025.

    President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer and Chancellor Merz today co-chaired a virtual meeting of a grouping of ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Leaders and with the participation of President Zelenskyy and Vice-President Vance, ahead of President Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska.

    Leaders welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace. They welcomed the open discussions with President Trump earlier that day.

    They were clear that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. It was necessary to continue an approach that combined active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia. A diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.

    They also reiterated that:

    First, meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or a lasting and significant cessation of hostilities.

    Second, sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy should be strengthened if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Alaska.

    Third, international borders must not be changed by force.

    Fourth, Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role, including through plans by those willing to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia could not have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO.

    They confirmed they would continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reminder to eligible households to get £150 off energy bills [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reminder to eligible households to get £150 off energy bills [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 13 August 2025.

    Eligible households encouraged to check they are named on their electricity bill to automatically benefit from the Warm Home Discount this winter.

    • This will help ensure people automatically receive the discount from their energy supplier, putting more money in their pockets under the Plan for Change
    • Follows the extension of the Warm Home Discount, meaning an extra 2.7 million households will qualify this winter

    Millions are set to save £150 on their electricity bills this winter, as the government urges eligible households to check they are named on their bill to get the discount automatically – helping ease the cost of living under the Plan for Change.

    Every household where the billpayer receives an eligible means-tested benefit will now be in line for the discount, after the government removed restrictions that previously excluded many who needed help with bills.

    In England and Wales, this means households in receipt of Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit and Universal Credit will now be eligible.

    This takes the number of households set to benefit from the Warm Home Discount to over 6 million – an increase of 2.7 million households, including 900,000 more families with children.

    The government is now issuing a call to eligible households to check they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers set to rely on customers’ records as of Sunday 24 August.

    Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have recently moved house and changed supplier.

    Having the eligible person named on the electricity bill will help make sure households receive the £150 discount automatically.

    Last winter, 96% of eligible households received their discount automatically through this route, making it the easiest and quickest way for the overwhelming majority of households.

    Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

    We took decisive action earlier this year to expand the Warm Home Discount, giving more working families certainty and peace of mind before winter.

    I now want to make sure as many eligible households as possible get £150 off their energy bill, putting more money in their pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

    If you know someone who might be eligible – please start spreading the word to family and friends, encouraging them to check they are named on their energy bill.

    Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name.

    This cost-of-living support comes alongside the government’s mission to bring down bills in the long term by replacing the UK’s dependence on fossil fuel markets controlled by petrostates and dictators with clean, homegrown power.

  • David Lammy – 2025 Statement on the Situation in El Fasher, Sudan

    David Lammy – 2025 Statement on the Situation in El Fasher, Sudan

    The statement made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, on 13 August 2025.

    Shocking reports are emerging of the latest assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in and around El Fasher, North Darfur. In Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDP), attacks earlier this week killed at least 40 defenceless civilians who had already fled violence in El Fasher.

    As fighting intensifies, exit routes from El Fasher remain blocked, trapping hundreds of thousands who now face famine, widespread reports of atrocities, and the rapid spread of disease, including cholera. Those who managed to flee to camps like Abu Shouk were already cut off from aid — and are now under attack.

    This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a pattern of deliberate violence and brutality against civilians. The warring parties have a responsibility to end this needless suffering. They must urgently comply with their clear obligations under international humanitarian law and the commitments made in Jeddah: protect civilians and allow and facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access.

    Last month, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor confirmed that there are reasonable grounds to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity have been – and continue to be – committed in Darfur. Deliberate attacks on civilians are a clear violation of international law. The perpetrators must be held accountable.

    Today, together with our African partners & Guyana, we led a UN Security Council statement calling for immediate humanitarian access & respect for international law. The UK will continue to use all tools at our disposal to get aid to those who need it the most.

    I urge the RSF, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and allied armed groups to agree to the UN Secretary-General’s call for a humanitarian pause in and around El Fasher and urgently put in place the conditions that will allow immediate access. Only this will allow the delivery of food, water, medicine, and other life-saving supplies to those facing starvation.

    In line with UN Security Council Resolution 2736, the RSF must end its siege of El Fasher and cease attacks on civilians, and the SAF and allied Joint Forces must also allow and facilitate a rapid and unimpeded passage for humanitarian workers and civilians, so that aid can reach those most in need.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Collaborative action from the international community is needed as Yemen faces worsening food insecurity – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Collaborative action from the international community is needed as Yemen faces worsening food insecurity – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 August 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

    First, it is now one month since the latest Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of life of at least four crew members.

    The UK reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of ongoing Houthi attacks and calls for the immediate release of those taken hostage.

    As we highlighted in yesterday’s high-level open debate, maritime security must be safeguarded. I reaffirm the UK’s support for Resolution 2722 and the principle of freedom of navigation.

    The Yemen Maritime Security Partnership, or YMSP, is an essential mechanism for international cooperation with the aim of protecting Yemen’s waters, safeguarding maritime trade, combating illicit activities and rebuilding the capabilities of the Yemen Coastguard.

    The UK is proud to co-host the inaugural YMSP High-Level Conference on 16 September in Riyadh, alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We call upon our international partners to join and support this initiative.

    Second, the UK commends the recent interdiction of 750 tonnes of weapons intended for the Houthis, by forces aligned to the Government of Yemen.

    This illicit transfer of weapons directly undermines the stability of Yemen and the wider region, and is in clear breach of the arms embargo.

    We call upon all Member States to ensure full compliance with Resolution 2216.

    Third, as we’ve heard today, Yemen faces worsening food insecurity.

    18.1 million people, over half the population, are projected to experience increasing food insecurity in the next six months, some areas face catastrophic levels of food insecurity for the first time in almost two years.

    We need quick and collaborative action from the international community in order to reverse this trajectory, and to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

    The UK once again reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of aid workers arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.

    These detentions are making humanitarian access more difficult and dangerous at a time when the needs of Yemenis are rapidly increasing.

    President, the UK remains committed to supporting the efforts of the Special Envoy and his team in charting a path towards long-term stability and security.

    It is what the people of Yemen and the wider region need and deserve.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 August 2025.

    Joint statement on behalf of 32 partners on aid to Gaza and restrictions facing NGOs.

    Joint statement:

    The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.

    However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs may be forced to leave the OPTs imminently which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further. We call on the government of Israel to provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. Immediate, permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and humanitarian partners. All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected.

    We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.

    This statement has been signed by:

    • The Foreign Ministers of Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
    • The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
  • PRESS RELEASE : David Smith, Director of century-old Scottish machinery firm banned after under-declaring VAT by more than £1.5 million [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : David Smith, Director of century-old Scottish machinery firm banned after under-declaring VAT by more than £1.5 million [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 12 August 2025.

    The company entered administration owing more than £3 million.

    • David Smith submitted false VAT returns on behalf of long-established Scottish machinery firm Balgownie Limited across a three-year period
    • In total, more than £1.5 million was undeclared to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 2019 and 2022
    • Smith has been banned as a director for 11 years and the company was bought out of administration by another firm last year, with 15 jobs saved

    The director of a century-old Scottish machinery firm which went into administration last year has been banned after failing to declare more than £1.5 million in VAT.

    David Smith, 61, was the director of FB Realisations Limited, which was known for decades as Balgownie Limited.

    However, for more than three years between 2019 and 2022, Smith submitted false VAT returns on behalf of the company in his role as finance director without the knowledge of his fellow directors.

    Smith, of Kirkton of Bourtie, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, has been disqualified as a company director for 11 years following investigations by the Insolvency Service.

    Mike Smith, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    David Smith’s conduct falls well below the standards we expect of company directors.

    Smith’s misconduct was hidden from his other directors and only came to light when a consultant queried finances at a board meeting and he admitted that he had been manipulating the accounts for several years.

    By deliberately suppressing VAT payments, Smith deprived the public purse of vital funds that should have gone towards essential public services such as schools and the NHS.

    Balgownie Limited was set up on Companies House in 1973 but had a trading history dating back to 1907.

    The undeclared VAT totalling £1,575,584 consisted of:

    • Falsely claiming VAT refunds on expenses that were actually for private or personal use rather than legitimate business purposes in the quarter ending December 2018
    • Deliberately understating the amount of tax due on sales made between March 2019 and March 2022, across multiple quarterly returns
    • Falsely claiming refunds by backdating purchases to earlier tax periods without having valid invoices or evidence to support these claims

    Smith signed a disclosure with HMRC in March 2023 where he admitted deliberately under-declaring the amount of VAT his company should have paid.

    Balgownie Limited went into administration in March 2024, with 24 people losing their jobs and creditors owed £3,163,795.

    However, 15 jobs were saved when the business and its assets were bought out of administration by another company the following month.

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Smith, and his ban started on Monday 21 July.

    It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Smith was declared bankrupt in August 2024 following a petition from one of the company’s creditors.

    Further information

    • David Smith is of Kirkton of Bourtie, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. His date of birth is 17 May 1964
    • FB Realisations Limited (company number SC053574)
  • PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor confirms landmark investment to fix the foundations for Northern Ireland’s future prosperity [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor confirms landmark investment to fix the foundations for Northern Ireland’s future prosperity [August 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 12 August 2025.

    • £310 million previously confirmed in Northern Ireland’s City and Growth Deals to lay the foundations for long-term prosperity across creative and high-growth sectors.
    • As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, £137 million in fresh investment will tackle terrorism, paramilitarism and organised crime, unlocking safer streets and new economic opportunities.
    • Major private sector expansion as Thales commits £100 million and up to 200 new jobs in Northern Ireland’s defence industry.

    Northern Ireland is set for a transformative boost as Chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Belfast to confirm a package of investments designed to fix the foundations for long-term prosperity. The Chancellor’s visit marks a major milestone in delivering the Government’s Plan for Change, with new funding targeted at the sectors driving Northern Ireland’s future: creative industries, defence, and safer communities.

    Headline investments confirmed today include:

    • £310 million in new UK Government funding for Northern Ireland’s City and Growth Deals, confirmed in June’s Spending Review and now allocated to support high-growth sectors.
    • £137 million in new funding to tackle paramilitarism and organised crime, removing barriers to investment and growth.
    • £100 million new private sector investment from Thales, supporting expansion and up to 200 new jobs in the defence sector.
    • The largest real-terms settlement for the Northern Ireland Executive since the Belfast Agreement, averaging £19.3 billion per year until 2029.

    During her visit to Studio Ulster – home to the world’s most advanced virtual production studio – the Chancellor celebrated Northern Ireland’s creative sector, which is benefiting from £25.2 million of UK Government investment through the Belfast City Region Deal. This investment underpins Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global leader in film, TV, and digital innovation, supporting high-value, high-skill jobs and attracting international productions such as Game of Thrones and Line of Duty.

    Chancellor, Rachel Reeves said:

    Northern Ireland is brimming with talent and ambition, from cutting-edge film studios to world-class defence manufacturing. Today’s investments are about fixing the foundations for future prosperity – backing the sectors that will create good jobs, drive economic growth, and allow communities to thrive.

    This is a turning point. Every pound we invest here supports good jobs, strengthens our economy, and boosts the United Kingdom’s standing on the world stage, with Northern Ireland at its heart.

    Later today, the Chancellor will visit Thales’ Castlereagh site, where she will highlight the defence sector’s role in supporting Ukraine and strengthening the UK’s security. Thales’ £100 million expansion will open a third facility and create up to 200 new jobs, adding to the 900 skilled roles already supported by UK Government defence spending in Northern Ireland. The government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP will further secure the region’s place at the heart of the UK’s industrial future.

    Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn said:

    With world-class strengths including in advanced manufacturing, cyber, defence and the creative industries, and access to the EU market, Northern Ireland is perfectly placed to seize the opportunities ahead.

    That is why we are committed to supporting Northern Ireland to fulfil its potential through the City and Growth Deals, our Industrial Strategy, local growth funding and the record settlement for the Executive of £19.3 billion per year, which is the largest in the history of devolution.

    Northern Ireland will also benefit from increased UK-wide research and development and aerospace funding, supporting 21,000 R&D jobs and 5,000 in aerospace.

    Recently, the UK Government announced that Belfast and Derry-Londonderry will receive at least £30m to unlock new, locally-led innovation through the new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. The £500m fund will empower local leaders, making the most of communities’ expertise to grow the economy.

    What’s new:

    • £310 million for City and Growth Deals is new funding confirmed in the June Spending Review and now allocated for delivery.
    • £137 million to combat terrorism, paramilitarism and organised crime, is new investment.
    • Other commitments, including £185 million for public service transformation and £2 million for integrated education, were previously set out and are now being delivered as part of the Plan for Change.

    Professor Declan Keeney, Chief Executive of Studio Ulster, said:

    Studio Ulster, as a globally unique facility, stands at the frontier of world-class storytelling and future-facing innovation. The UK Government’s significant investment and today’s visit together recognise the critical role this facility plays in boosting local skills, attracting international investment, and expanding economic opportunity for communities across Northern Ireland.

    Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, said:

    This is more than a studio. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when partnerships come together across government, industry and education. With such continuing commitment to the City and Growth Deals, together we can continue to deliver impactful projects that connect innovation to opportunity.

    Nigel MacVean, Managing Director, Integrated Air-space Protection Systems (IAS) of Thales in the UK, said:

    I welcome the news of this increase in defence spending. The support for highly skilled jobs within the defence sector will help to empower us to accelerate innovation, expand our reach, and deliver even greater value to our customers and partners, both in the UK and with our internationally. We remain committed to driving excellence and making a meaningful impact with this strengthened foundation.

    More information

    • The Belfast City Region Deal is one of four Northern Ireland City and Growth Deals receiving a share of the £310 million new funding.
    • Studio Ulster is a landmark £72 million virtual production complex developed by Ulster University, underpinning Northern Ireland’s position as a global leader in screen innovation and creative economy growth.
    • CoSTAR Screen Lab at Studio Ulster is part of a £75 million UKRI network driving innovation in gaming, TV, film, and digital entertainment.
    • The largest real-terms settlement for the Northern Ireland Executive since the Belfast Agreement averages £19.3 billion per year until 2029.
  • PRESS RELEASE : National Drought Group meets to address “nationally significant” water shortfall [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : National Drought Group meets to address “nationally significant” water shortfall [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 August 2025.

    Five areas remain in drought with six more in prolonged dry weather.

    The National Drought Group met today (Monday 11 August) with the current water shortfall situation in England now defined as a “nationally significant incident.”

    Five areas are officially in drought, with six more experiencing prolonged dry weather following the driest six months to July since 1976.

    Despite the unsettled weather last month, many river flows and reservoir levels in England continued to recede compared to June.

    Rainstorms and showers helped mask the fact that July was still the fifth warmest on record.

    August has started to see a return of drier conditions and the fourth heatwave of the summer – putting more pressure on already struggling public water supplies and navigational waterways.

    The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – used the meeting to highlight the water-saving measures each sector is taking.

    They also praised the public for reducing their own daily usage, with Yorkshire Water reporting a 10% reduction in domestic demand following their hosepipe ban. This equates to saving up to 80 million litres per day – equivalent to 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

    The less water that is used, the less needs to be abstracted from local rivers – therefore protecting the health of our waterways and wildlife.

    The Environment Agency’s Director of Water and NDG chair, Helen Wakeham said:

    The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment.

    Water companies must continue to quickly fix leaks and lead the way in saving water. We know the challenges farmers are facing and will continue to work with them, other land users, and businesses to ensure everyone acts sustainably.

    We are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to conserve water in these dry conditions. Simple, everyday choices – such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails – also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife.

    The recent rainfall has been welcomed by growers, although the impacts from the dry weather remain as farmers continue their harvest.

    The National Farmers Union noted how water shortages have impacted the growing season this year.

    NFU Vice-President, Rachel Hallos said:

    British farmers and growers continue to face extremely dry conditions, with harvest underway and crop yields proving mixed across the country. Some farms are reporting a significant drop in yields, which is financially devasting for the farm business and could have impacts for the UK’s overall harvest.

    Farming is a long-term industry and there is growing concern about the months ahead. Minimal grass growth means many livestock farmers are already tapping into winter feed stocks, raising the risk of higher production costs later in the year.

    Access to clean, reliable water is essential for food production. What’s worked well during this drought has been early, coordinated communication with stakeholders around licence restrictions and drought permits and orders and it’s crucial this continues.

    To avoid the swing between extreme drought and flooding and to secure water supplies for food production, we urgently need investment in water infrastructure and a more effective planning system.

    Periods of dry weather and low rivers reduce oxygen levels in water that can lead to fish kills and more algal blooms. Lower river flows also prevent wildlife from moving up or downstream.

    Drying out wetlands can be devastating for species that depend on those habits while England has seen an increase in wildfires, devastating vulnerable areas of heathland and moorland.

    The Met Office updated the group on the future weather outlook, noting drier weather has returned.

    Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Dr Will Lang said:

    This week is starting off warmer than of late across England and Wales with temperatures getting towards the mid-30s Celsius for some in the south.

    While conditions remain mostly settled across the south, the picture is more unsettled further northwest, with rain or showers at times.

    As we move into the second half of August, there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall. Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.

    The heat and climate change also impact human health, through issues such as heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems.

    Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, have also briefed Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, about the situation.

    Speaking after attending the meeting, Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

    Working with the National Drought Group, the Government is urgently stepping up its response to ensure we are successfully managing the impacts of ongoing dry weather.

    Water companies must now take action to follow their drought plans – I will hold them to account if they delay.

    We face a growing water shortage in the next decade. That’s why we are pushing ahead with root and branch reform under our Plan for Change, which includes £104 billion of private investment to build nine reservoirs and new pipes to cut leaks.

    CURRENT SITUATION

    • Drought has been declared in: Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester Merseyside and Cheshire, East Midlands, and the West Midlands.
    • Areas in prolonged dry weather (the phase before drought) are: Northeast, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, East Anglia, Thames, Wessex, Solent and South Downs.
    • The remaining areas are normal: Hertfordshire, London, Kent, Devon and Cornwall.
    • Yorkshire Water has a Temporary Usage Ban (TUB aka hosepipe ban) in place for all its customers.
    • Thames, South East Water, and Southern Water have postcode-specific bans.
    • Reservoirs fell by 2% last week and are now 67.7% full on average across England. The average for the first week of August is 80.5%. Last month, the average was 75.6%
    • The lowest reservoirs are Blithfield (49.1%), Derwent Valley (47.2%), Chew Valley Lake (48.3%), Blagdon (46.3%).
    • Rainfall in July was 89% of long-term average for the month across England. This is the sixth consecutive month of below average rainfall.
    • Across the country, 51% of river flows were normal with the rest below normal, notably low or exceptionally low.
    • Two rivers – Wye and Ely Ouse – were the lowest on record for July
    • There are currently navigation closures or restrictions across sections of the Leeds and Liverpool, Macclesfield, Trent and Mersey, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Oxford and Grand Union Canal.
    • More information here Dry weather and drought in England: 25 to 31 July 2025 – GOV.UK

    ACTIONS BY NATIONAL DROUGHT GROUP MEMBERS

    • The UK Health Security Agency is working with the National Drought Group to update its public health impacts of drought guidance
    • Water companies are communicating with customers about current risks and advising them how to use water wisely during this dry period.
    • Water companies have stepped up action on leakage, with leaks down 41% compared to the level in 1989 when the industry was privatised.
    • Over £700 million has been committed by water companies to tackle leaks over the next five years.
    • Water companies have committed to reducing leakage by 50% from a 2017-18 baseline by 2050.
    • Yorkshire Water reported that repairs of leaks identified by smart meters had saved 1.5 million litres per day.
    • Yorkshire Water is fixing over 800 leaks per week.
    • Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is fixing over 700 leaks per week.
    • Over 500,000 customers with Anglian Water have had leaks identified via their smart meters. This helped the firm reduce leaks by a total of 187 million litres a day, equivalent to 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
    • Anglian Water’s satellite technology has also helped prioritise leak detection, saving over 320,000 litres of water a day in rural areas, enough to supply 1,000 homes.
    • Southern Water has 24,000 acoustic sensors attached to the 15,500km of their water network to help detect leaks.
    • In the last 12 months, Southern Water have reduced leaks by almost 20%, saving 138.7 million litres per day.
    • Severn Trent has handed out 700 x 1,100 litre bowsers to farmers and several to the West Midlands Safari Park so livestock and animals have water.
    • Water-saving messaging has helped reduce demand in the Severn Trent area by 20%, compared to the peak on 11th July.
    • United Utilities are repairing more than 800 leaks a week and have seen a 200% increase in reports of leaks from customers.
    • United Utilities is offering free home water audits in some areas, with more than 3,700 booked in.
    • Thames Water has installed over one million smart meters, which are critical in helping locate leaks.
    • Since June, Thames Water has fixed over 1,000 leaks in the region impacted by the hosepipe ban.

    DROUGHT AND THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

    • The Environment Agency continues to work with Government, including Defra and the Cabinet Office, on the drought response.
    • The Environment Agency has escalated its operational response and diverted resources to ensure a rapid and nationwide response.
    • It is conducting more compliance checks on businesses who abstract water to ensure regulations are met.
    • It is actively engaging with water companies on requests for drought permits and drought orders and ensuring they follow their drought plans.
    • There is increased monitoring of river and groundwater level and more modelling of rainfall patterns to inform decisions, including additional restrictions.
    • The Environment Agency is working closely with farmers in East Anglia, requesting voluntary reductions on surface water abstraction. This will help conserve and extend the total period when water is available for abstraction, protect the environment and delay the need for any formal restrictions.
    • The regulator has sped up the process of alerting abstractors about restrictions.  Manage your water abstraction licence online – GOV.UK.
    • The EA is managing potential navigation issues caused by low flows on the Rivers Thames, Lark and Great Ouse.

    HOW TO SAVE WATER AT HOME

    • Install a rain butt to collect rainwater to use in the garden.
    • Fix a leaking toilet – leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day.
    • Use water from the kitchen to water your plants.
    • Avoid watering your lawn – brown grass will grow back healthy.
    • Turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving.
    • Take shorter showers.
    • Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK farmers to benefit from smoother dairy exports to Egypt [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK farmers to benefit from smoother dairy exports to Egypt [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 12 August 2025.

    • Dairy farmers to benefit from protection of additional export opportunities worth £250 million over five years through successful market access intervention
    • Change will see the removal of another costly market access barrier for UK businesses, cutting administrative hurdles and over £1,000 in certification fees per shipment
    • Delivers on the Government’s Trade Strategy and Plan for Change to grow exports and support rural communities

    British dairy farmers are set to benefit from continued access to a major international market thanks to a breakthrough with Egypt that will prevent a trade barrier due to come into effect next year.

    Preventing the trade barrier that was due to come into force in January will protect an estimated £250 million in additional export opportunities for farmers over five years helping them sell more products like milk, butter and cheese.

    Following regular UK Government engagement in support of international efforts—led jointly by the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs—Egypt will not impose a proposed trade barrier requiring halal certification on all dairy imports.

    From Cornish clotted cream to farmhouse butter and mature Cheddar, UK dairy products are known for their quality and taste. This change means British favourites like cheese and butter can continue to reach Egyptian shelves more easily and affordably benefiting both UK farmers and international consumers.

    Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander said:

    This is a clear win for UK farmers. By opening up the Egyptian market, we’re helping British farmers sell more of their world-class dairy abroad.

    This is what our Trade Strategy looks like in action: removing barriers, boosting exports, and backing communities across the UK.

    Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said:

    Britain is a great place for dairy farming and has an excellent reputation for quality, welfare standards and sustainability globally.

    The change to certification requirements in Egypt will cut costs and red tape for exporters, boosting growth opportunities.

    This is a key example of the government’s Plan for Change in action, unlocking investment for businesses in the UK.

    In 2024, the UK exported around £26 million of dairy items to Egypt and removing this barrier protects UK exporters already exporting to Egypt and those looking to enter the market for the first time.

    The proposed barrier would have required halal certification on dairy products, adding over £1,000 per shipment in costs and complexity. Its removal has protected UK exporters from these additional burdens—reducing costs, simplifying export procedures, and creating new commercial opportunities for processors.

    This is particularly good news for producers of cheese, butter and milk powder—some of the UK’s most popular dairy exports—who now face fewer hurdles when selling to Egyptian buyers.

    Rod Addy Director General of Provision Trade Federation, said:

    Egypt’s decision to remove mandatory halal certification requirements for imports of dairy products is a welcome development, eliminating a longstanding trade barrier for UK exporters, especially at a time of broader market uncertainty.

    The UK is currently among the leading suppliers of dairy products to Egypt, with average annual exports valued at around £26 million in 2024 — driven primarily by powdered milk and cream.

    Hopefully this change will open growth opportunities for other dairy categories such as cheese and butter, helping to diversify and expand the UK’s export portfolio in this key market benefiting both UK producers and Egyptian consumers.

    This forms part of the Government’s Trade Strategy, launched in June, which is focused on removing market access barriers, opening new markets, and growing the UK economy.

    It also supports the Government’s wider aim to deliver a steady pipeline of export wins following the launch of the Trade Strategy—highlighting how targeted interventions can deliver real-world results for UK businesses.

    Notes to editors:

    • This market access win is a result of the Department for Business and Trade’s engagements with counterparts in London, Geneva, and Cairo, including Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority, the General Organization for Veterinary Services and the World Trade Organisation. Its resolution also follows sustained engagement by UK officials and significant support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the UK’s Agriculture, Food, and Drink Attachés for Africa.