Tag: 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Baroness Amos to spearhead maternity and neonatal Investigation [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 August 2025.

Baroness Amos has been selected to lead the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care to drive urgent improvements to care and safety.
- Baroness Valerie Amos has been appointed by the Health and Social Care Secretary to lead the national maternity and neonatal investigation
- The review will identify ways to urgently improve care and safety
- Bereaved and harmed families will be central to the investigation, including working with the Chair to shape her team of expert advisers and the terms of reference
Baroness Amos was selected by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting by direct ministerial appointment after feedback from bereaved families who expressed a preference for someone with distance from the NHS who is able to bring a fresh pair of eyes to the role.

The Secretary of State has been meeting regularly with bereaved and harmed families, let down by maternity and neonatal services across the country, including in some of the worst affected trusts. From hearing their stories, he ordered a rapid national investigation, to drive urgent improvements which will address systemic problems dating back over 15 years.

Baroness Amos is currently Master of University College Oxford, and brings a wealth of experience as a previous UK government minister and senior official at the United Nations.

She will be supported by a team of esteemed expert advisers, who will be selected following further engagement with families.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

I have been appalled by the many harrowing stories I’ve heard from mothers and fathers let down by the NHS.

Families asked for fresh eyes, independence and compassion – and that’s why I’ve appointed Baroness Amos. Valerie has an outstanding record of leadership and driving change – nationally and internationally. She will work closely with families to uncover the truth, confront problems and drive the improvements needed so every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality care.

Through our Plan for Change, we will rebuild the NHS to ensure no family suffers like this again.

Baroness Valerie Amos said:

I will carry the weight of the loss suffered by families with me throughout this investigation. I hope that we will be able to provide the answers that families are seeking and support the NHS in identifying areas of care requiring urgent reform.

The investigation was announced by the Secretary of State in June 2025 and will look at up to 10 services in the country. It will also review the maternity and neonatal system, bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national set of actions to ensure every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality and compassionate care.

It will begin its work this summer and produce an initial set of national recommendations by December 2025.

The 10 maternity and neonatal units will be decided by Baroness Amos and her team, alongside the terms of reference of the investigation, which are being developed with the families who have experiences of maternity and neonatal care, including those in Leeds, Sussex, Nottingham and more.

The investigation is separate from the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which will be made up of a panel of esteemed experts and families, and chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to keep up momentum and deliver change.

While the majority of mothers and families do have positive experiences of maternity and neonatal care, tragically there have been profound cases of failure, avoidable harm and loss that should never have happened. This investigation will explore why – and help drive lasting change to ensure every family receives the safe, compassionate care they deserve.
August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 August 2025.

The Prime Minister hosted President Zelenskyy in Downing Street this morning.

They had a private breakfast, where they discussed yesterday’s meetings. They agreed there had been a powerful sense of unity and a strong resolve to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

They then looked ahead to tomorrow’s talks between President Trump and President Putin in Alaska, which present a viable chance to make progress as long as Putin takes action to prove he is serious about peace.

They agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days.

August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 August 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia this afternoon.

Discussing the appalling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Prime Minister set out the work the UK is doing to improve the situation on the ground while continuing to press for a ceasefire. He said that Israel must urgently lift its restrictions on aid and Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.

The Prime Minister shared progress on his work with allies on a long-term plan for peace to pave the way for lasting security in the region, including plans to ensure there is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

The leaders resolved to continue to work closely together to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, which they reaffirmed was the only way to guarantee peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

They agreed to stay in touch.

August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Young people across England celebrate exam results [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 14 August 2025.

Record number of 18-year-olds in England get first choice university, as T Levels continue to grow and government tackles inequalities through Plan for Change.

Hundreds of thousands of young people across England are celebrating receiving their A level, T Level and Vocational Technical Qualification (VTQ) results today (14 August 2025), as the Education Secretary thanked teachers and congratulated students.

University continues to be a popular choice for young people with record numbers (193,510, up from 184,400 in 2024) of English 18-year-olds receiving their first choice of university. 20.4% of disadvantaged 18-year-olds being accepted to higher education, up from 19.8% in 2024 and 17.4% in 2019.

But like in previous years, results today have exposed inequalities which continue to exist in the education system, with big gaps between regions and with poor outcomes year on year for pupils from white working-class backgrounds. This follows the government setting out a clear focus on tackling these issues head on and ensuring white working-class pupils – especially boys – are supported to thrive in school and go on to get well-paid jobs.

T Levels also continue to deliver strong results for students. The overall pass rate for T Levels is 91.4%, with almost two thirds of students (65.3%) achieving a merit or above, as this innovative new qualification offering hands-on experience of work in an in-demand sector continues to grow. Last year, 97% of T Level students who applied to university received at least one offer, with others progressing onto an apprenticeship or a job. T Level industry placements offer strong work experience, insights into competitive sectors which students might not otherwise get, and lead to good jobs – with around a third of students that get jobs after their course doing so with their chosen T Level industry placement employer.

The figures build on the government’s drive to deliver the skilled workforce the country needs and follows the announcement of a new £100 million investment just this week in ten specialist Construction Technical Excellence Collegesto offer even more opportunities to build successful careers in trades.

Over the past 12 months, the government has already made progress in fixing the foundations of education through its Plan for Change and turning the tide on stubborn challenges. Attendance is up, with over 5 million fewer days of absence this year compared to last. And teacher recruitment and retention is up, with 2,300 more teachers in our schools.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

Students should be incredibly proud of their hard work and their achievements today, and I am immensely grateful to teachers and school staff for everything they have done to support students up to this point.

Every single young person collecting their results today should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams – whether that starts with further study, university, an apprenticeship or the world of work – but too often, opportunities depend on background rather than talent. The entrenched divide in outcomes seen over the last few years and the lack of progress for children from white working-class backgrounds is particularly concerning.

Through our Plan for Change we are breaking the link between background and success, starting with reformed early years and revitalised family services, through to ambitious reforms to our school and post-16 system to make sure every young person, wherever they grow up, is truly ready for life and work.

Progress sits alongside vital, wider work to tackle disadvantage such as expanding free school meals, providing free breakfast clubs across the country and revitalising family services in every local authority.

Results today show that:
- at grade C and above at A level, the North East is now the only region where attainment remains below pre-pandemic levels
- more pupils are taking maths, physics and chemistry A levels than at any other time since modern records began – and more of these pupils taking these subjects are achieving a grade C – preparing them to work in the STEM sectors in the future
- almost 12,000 students received T Level results this year, up from just over 7,000 last year and around 3,500 in 2023
- almost 240,000 certificates were awarded for those completing their Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications
24.9% of 18-year-olds from the North East have secured a university place on results day compared to 43.4% of 18-year-olds from London. This gap is now 18.5 percentage points, which is the highest on record, up from 17.3 percentage points in 2024 and 11.9 in 2019.

For A level results the gap between this year’s lowest performing region (East Midlands) and highest performing (London) is 6.0 percentage points at C and above. While the gap has decreased from 6.3 percentage points in 2024 it is still greater than in 2019 (when the equivalent gap was 5.2 percentage points).

Later this year government will publish Schools and Post-16 Skills white papers, setting out further reforms to build an education system where every child and young person can achieve and thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

To further break down barriers to opportunity for young people, the government has also launched the Youth Guarantee, which will ensure that every 18 to 21-year-old in England will have support to access an apprenticeship, quality training and education opportunities or help to find a job, backed by £45 million investment.
August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK Ambassador Visits San Miguel Community in Poptún [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2025.

The visit highlighted progress made through a UK project which supports sustainable development and environmental conservation in southern Petén.

UK Ambassador to Guatemala, Juliana Correa, visited the community of San Miguel in Poptún on 13 August, where the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF) is investing approximately £16,000 to support local initiatives.

The project has provided piped water access to 38 families (benefiting around 210 people), supported environmental protection systems for 21 families, and helped 14 families revive traditional bean cultivation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and wildfire risks.

During the visit, the ambassador learned about community conservation efforts, including more than 50 environmental monitoring tours, maintaining firebreaks across an area of 551 hectares, and strengthening local governance in collaboration with Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP).

San Miguel has been a benchmark in the region, promoting cooperation agreements that have inspired other communities to follow similar processes. The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to working alongside Guatemala to address the effects of climate change, protect biodiversity, and combat poverty.

August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister’s call with European leaders and the President of the United States [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 August 2025.

The Prime Minister joined a call with the leaders of the United States, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, NATO and the European Union this afternoon.

All leaders agreed this week marks an important moment for the future of Ukraine. They thanked President Trump for his efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed.

The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering – international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.

Europe stands ready to support this and will continue to work alongside President Trump and President Zelenskyy for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, they added.

They looked forward to speaking again following the meeting in Alaska on Friday.

August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Sheffield firm pays £167,587.13 for dumping waste in Lincolnshire [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 13 August 2025.

A transport company will pay a total of £167,587.13 for delivering controlled waste to an illegal site at Fen Lane, Long Bennington, Lincolnshire.
- Latest hearing following major investigation by Environment Agency into site at Fen Lane, Long Bennington
- Court told company was responsible for delivering over 1400 tonnes of controlled waste
- Sentencing hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 8 August 2025
The sentence imposed on Fletcher Plant Limited of Clement Street, Sheffield, is the latest result from a major investigation by the Environment Agency.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 8 August 2025, the company was fined £80,000, ordered to pay costs of £50,000 and a confiscation order of £37,587.13.

The company had previously been found guilty in June 2024 after a trial of failing to comply with duty of care regulations for controlled waste between 1 October 2019 and 1 May 2020.

Named Operation Lord, the investigation saw Environment Agency officers spend months building evidence of the illegal waste site.

The findings led to 12 people and 1 company, Fletcher Plant, being charged, of which 10 pleaded guilty.

Following an 8 week trial which concluded on 28 June 2024, the remaining 3 defendants were found guilty.

So far, 11 people have been sentenced to a total of 14 years’ imprisonment for their involvement in this illegal operation.

The court was told that intelligence gathered, revealed lorry-loads of shredded waste were regularly being accepted onto the site the size of a football pitch.

It was calculated that Fletcher Plant, over a period of 6 months, organised the transport of over 1400 tonnes of controlled waste.

The judge accepted that the company did not know the site was operating illegally, but its officers had a legal requirement to carry out a duty of care.

The company said it had built a good reputation and it was the first time it had been prosecuted in over 40 years. A new management team had also been put in place.

Peter Stark, Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, said:

This sentence shows that all businesses involved in the removal of controlled waste must make all reasonable checks to ensure that waste is being dealt with appropriately and not illegally.

If simple and continued due diligence checks had been made by Fletcher Plant they would have flagged up that the site operators did not have the appropriate authorisations.

Due diligence checks are not something that should only occur prior to starting a contract, they should occur regularly during a contract.

The duty of care in relation to waste is a legal requirement under Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity should report it to our 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Particulars of Offence

FLETCHER PLANT LIMITED, a body corporate, between 1 October 2019 and 1 May 2020, acting as a waste broker, had control of controlled waste and failed to take all such measures applicable to it as are reasonable in the circumstances to prevent a contravention by any other person of Regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, contrary to section 34 (1) (a) (a) and 34 (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Schoof of the Netherlands [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 August 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof earlier today.

They discussed their sustained support for Ukraine and the ongoing work to end Russia’s barbaric war. They agreed that there should be no decisions about the future of Ukraine without Ukraine.

They looked forward to discussing further in this afternoon’s meetings alongside President Trump and President Zelenskyy.

August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Permanent Secretary Appointed at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 August 2025.

Paul Kissack is appointed as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Paul Kissack as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Paul, who is currently the Group Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, will start the role in October.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt. Hon Steve Reed MP said:

I’m delighted to welcome Paul to the department. His experience and expertise will ensure we achieve our objectives as a government. I look forward to working with him to make our country a better place.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald said:

I would like to congratulate Paul Kissack on his appointment as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Paul’s experience of public service delivery in the UK (and New Zealand), and his most recent role leading the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, makes him excellently suited to lead Defra at this time and drive delivery of the Department’s missions.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Tamara Finkelstein for her excellent leadership of the Department over the last six years and David Hill for his role as interim Permanent Secretary.

Incoming Permanent Secretary, Paul Kissack said:

I am delighted to be rejoining the Civil Service and honoured to be returning to Defra. Restoring the natural environment and enhancing the sustainable use of natural resources – through cleaner water, greener land, purer air and reduced waste – is fundamental to a strong economy and delivering the Plan for Change.

And the work of the Defra Group – from food security to bio-security to flood defences – is critical to ensuring our national resilience and protecting the public. I am hugely looking forward to working with colleagues across the Defra Group, across Government and the many stakeholders who share these ambitions for our country in the years ahead.

The appointment follows an external recruitment exercise chaired by the independent First Civil Service Commissioner.

August 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Pakistan saves billions through UK backed governance reforms [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2025.

A landmark UK programme has successfully concluded after delivering major reforms across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The UK’s Sub-National Governance Programme ran from 2019 to 2025, unlocking over £1.9 billion in public finance through improved planning, budgeting, and revenue mobilisation.

Working closely with provincial governments, the programme has helped to achieve savings to reinvest into other public services. For example, it helped the Government of Punjab to develop a comprehensive pensions reform plan. This included the introduction of a new pensions scheme where both the employer and employee pay in, which is expected to save the Government of Punjab PKR 2.7 trillion over the next 30 years.

Reforms through the programme have also directly supported people’s livelihoods. In Punjab, 35 million people’s social and economic data was collected, meaning the government can now better target urgent cash assistance and food subsidies. The programme helped design and rollout social protection initiatives such as Ba-Himmat Buzurg, which offers elderly people with no source of income financial assistance, and the Himmat Card which provides financial support for people with disabilities in Punjab. In KP, it helped overhaul waste management, introducing sustainable door-to-door waste collection which is now being scaled up across the province.

British High Commission Development Director, Sam Waldock, said:

This programme shows what is possible when strong partnerships come together to support long-term reform, changing people’s lives. We’ve strengthened institutions, improved service delivery, and helped Pakistan unlock more of its resources to finance its own development. That has led to direct improvements to the day to day lives of millions- from helping people to access essential cash assistance, to creating waste management systems which makes their surroundings cleaner and more hygienic.

The UK’s work on governance reform in Pakistan will continue. In collaboration with UN Development Programme, the UK will continue to focus on sustained institutional reform and improved public financial management. Several key initiatives, including further reforms to provincial pension schemes, will be carried forward in the UK’s new National Governance Programme.

August 18, 2025