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  • PRESS RELEASE : Sizewell C gets green light with final investment decision [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sizewell C gets green light with final investment decision [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 22 July 2025.

    Government agrees final investment decision to give Sizewell C nuclear plant the go-ahead.

    • Energy Secretary signs off on multi-billion-pound deal for Sizewell C that will deliver clean power for the equivalent of six million homes and support 10,000 jobs at peak construction
    • Government secures deal that will see Sizewell deliver electricity system savings of £2 billion a year on average once operational
    • The government will become the largest shareholder, alongside private investors EDF, Centrica, La Caisse and Amber Infrastructure
    •  Project will be built for around 20% less than virtual replica Hinkley Point C, as part of the government’s Plan for Change to kick-start economic growth and protect family finances

    Millions of working people will benefit from cheaper clean power, as the government agrees a landmark, multi-billion-pound deal to build Sizewell C – a major step forward in the delivery of a new ‘golden age’ of nuclear under the government’s Plan for Change.

    The Energy Secretary has today (22 July) signed the final investment decision for Sizewell C, which will deliver clean power for the equivalent of 6 million homes and support 10,000 jobs once operational. The deal represents the country’s most significant public investment in clean, homegrown energy this century – in a major boost for energy security, jobs and economic growth.

    The deal ends an era of dithering and delay to give Sizewell C the go-ahead, that will help secure Britain’s home-grown nuclear supply far beyond 2030. It marks a major step in the government’s clean energy superpower mission, which is about replacing the UK’s dependence on fossil fuel markets with clean homegrown power that the country controls, to bring down bills for good and protect family finances.

    The plant will deliver cheaper clean electricity for generations of families for at least 6 decades. Analysis shows the project could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system once operational – leading to cheaper power for consumers.

    The project will also help to kick-start economic growth and get Britain building. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, and thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, as well as creating 1,500 apprenticeships. Seventy per cent of the value of construction is set to be awarded to British businesses – Sizewell C Ltd anticipates it will have 3,500 UK companies in its supply chain across the entire country.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    It is time to do big things and build big projects in this country again- and today we announce an investment that will provide clean, homegrown power to millions of homes for generations to come.

    This government is making the investment needed to deliver a new golden age of nuclear, so we can end delays and free us from the ravages of the global fossil fuel markets to bring bills down for good.

    The government has confirmed it will take an initial 44.9% stake to become the single biggest equity shareholder in the project – meaning the British people will benefit from the government’s investment.

    The new Sizewell C shareholders include La Caisse with 20%, Centrica with 15%, and Amber Infrastructure with an initial 7.6%. This comes alongside French energy giant EDF taking a 12.5% take in the project, set out earlier this month, as well as a proposed £5 billion debt guarantee from France’s export credit agency, Bpifrance Assurance Export, to back the company’s commercial bank loans.

    Alongside this investment, the National Wealth Fund – the government’s principal investor and policy bank – is making its first investment in nuclear energy. It will provide the majority of the project’s debt finance, working alongside Bpifrance Assurance Export, to help support the building of the power plant.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    La Caisse, Centrica and Amber’s multi-billion pound investment is a powerful endorsement of the UK as the best place to do business and as a global hub for nuclear energy.

    Delivering next generation, publicly-owned clean power is vital to our energy security and growth, which is why we backed Sizewell C.  This investment will create thousands of good quality jobs and boost the local economy as we deliver on our Plan for Change.

    Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Directors of Sizewell C, said:

    We’re delighted to welcome new investors alongside government and EDF who, like our suppliers, have strong incentives to keep costs under control and ensure we deliver Sizewell C successfully for consumers and taxpayers

    By investing in Sizewell C, they are laying the foundations for a more secure, cleaner and more affordable energy system. Because 70% of our construction spend will be in the UK, with a £4.4 billion commitment to the east of England, they will also help to create thousands of great jobs and new opportunities for people and businesses up and down the country.

    We are determined to deliver this major infrastructure differently, and to make sure this is a project Britain can be proud of.

    The investment deal builds on lessons learnt from the construction of Hinkley Point C to provide a funding model that spreads the around £38 billion cost of constructing Sizewell C between consumers, taxpayers and private investors. This represents a saving of around 20% compared with Hinkley Point C and demonstrates the value of building a virtual replica project.

    For the first time, the British people will be co-owners of a nuclear power plant alongside experienced private sector partners – with consumers to benefit from the government’s investment. This will ensure the impact on consumer bills is limited to an average of around £1 per month over the duration of Sizewell C’s construction, with the nuclear plant to deliver cheaper clean power for decades to come once operational.

    Despite the UK’s strong nuclear legacy, including opening the world’s first commercial nuclear power station in the 1950s, no new nuclear plant has opened in the UK since 1995, with all of the existing fleet except Sizewell B likely to be phased out by the early 2030s.

    Sizewell C was one of eight sites identified in 2009 by then-Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as a potential site for new nuclear. However, the project was not fully funded in the 14 years that followed under subsequent governments.

    The government’s nuclear programme is now the most ambitious for a generation. Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more new nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century combined.

    Recently, the government also set out next steps for small modular reactors in the UK and last month selected Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to build first reactors of this kind in the country. Following this, the Prime Minister signed a new agreement with Czech Prime Minister Fiala last week that will see the two countries work more closely on small modular reactors to seize export opportunities and support high-skilled jobs.

    John Flint, National Wealth Fund CEO, said:

    Nuclear energy is a key component on the path to deliver the Government’s growth and clean energy missions, and our financing for Sizewell C will help provide decades of clean, reliable electricity for millions of homes across the country.

    We have a critical role to play in solving financing problems across a broad waterfront of relevant sectors and Treasury has recognised that today by providing the NWF with additional capital required to enable our lending to Sizewell C. As the government’s flagship investor and policy bank, it is a privilege to be able to play such a significant role in a project of such national importance.

    Gavin Tait, Chief Executive Officer, Amber Infrastructure Group, a Boyd Watterson Global Company, investment adviser to International Public Partnerships Limited, said:

    We have worked in partnership with the UK Government to adapt the way a construction project of Sizewell C’s scale and importance can be financed to attract the long-term investment of institutional investors and retail savers. INPP has helped finance new infrastructure in the UK since 2006, and Sizewell C is a landmark example of how the public and private sectors can invest together to strengthen national energy security and support future economic growth.

    Chris O’Shea, Centrica Group Chief Executive, said:

    The UK needs more reliable, affordable, zero carbon electricity, and Sizewell C will be critical to supporting the country’s energy system for many decades to come. That’s why I’m delighted to be announcing this milestone investment which will see Centrica commit £1.3 billion for a 15% equity stake in the project, and deepens our long-standing involvement in the UK nuclear industry. This isn’t just an investment in a new power station – it’s an investment in Britain’s energy independence, our net zero journey, and thousands of high-quality jobs across the country.

    Sizewell C is a compelling investment for our shareholders and the country as a whole, and I look forward to working with our world-class partners, EDF, La Caisse, Amber Infrastructure Group and the UK government, to make the project a great success.

    Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF in the UK said:

    EDF welcomes the government’s announcement that it has delivered on its commitment to take a final investment decision on the Sizewell C project.

    Alongside Hinkley Point C, the project will help drive economic growth, strengthen energy security and lower bills over the long term.

    The confirmation of the private investment is very positive and reflects the growing attraction of the role of nuclear power in the energy transition. It could also pave the way for the financing of future large nuclear projects in the UK.

    Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure at La Caisse said:

    Our commitment to invest in Sizewell C reflects La Caisse’s constructive capital approach, working to deliver optimal financial performance for our clients alongside broader economic and societal progress.

    La Caisse has a strong track record of bringing private sector expertise alongside governments and industrial players to invest in complex, regulated infrastructure where value-for-money for consumers is key. Sizewell C is a positive development for UK consumers, as it is expected to provide long-term reliable baseload power and low carbon energy to more than 6 million homes across the UK, while contributing to the creation of 10,000 new jobs at peak construction and thousands more in the nationwide supply chain.

    We’re proud to support the UK Government in delivering this landmark project, advancing the country’s energy security and economic growth ambitions. Our investment demonstrates our confidence in the UK market – our largest destination outside North America – and aligns with our commitment to the energy transition and decarbonization, enabled by our long-term capital and active ownership.

    Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley said:

    Ofgem welcomes the government’s decision to move forwards with the Sizewell C project. New nuclear power stations such as this have a key role to play in enhancing Great Britain’s energy security with reliable domestically generated clean power.

    Ofgem has been working closely with the government to develop the new regulatory framework to help drive investment in nuclear energy and deliver the best deal for consumers.

    Neil McDermott, Chief Executive of LCCC, said:

    Sizewell C is a pivotal project in the transition to a clean, secure energy system. It will deliver reliable low carbon power for decades to come, while supporting jobs and investment across the country.

    LCCC is proud to support this milestone through its role as the revenue collection counterparty. Our independent role ensures funds are managed fairly and transparently, protecting value for consumers and enabling long-term investor confidence in low carbon infrastructure.

    Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Officer, said:

    This is fantastic news for UK jobs, economy and our nation’s energy security.

    Sizewell C is projected cost 20% less than Hinkley Point C, which shows how much can be saved with a strategic plan for back to back nukes, where skills can be transferred.

    This announcement will give confidence to the next generation of engineering and construction workers, as well as those in the nuclear industry and supply chain that this government is committee to nuclear energy and its place in the road to net zero.’

    Notes to editors

    Sizewell C has already signed £330 million in contracts with local companies and will boost supply chains across the UK with 70% of contracts predicted to go to 3,500 British suppliers – supporting new jobs in construction, welding, and hospitality.

    The government has published a subsidy scheme for the Final Investment Decision in Sizewell C. This scheme covers the government’s equity and debt investment in the project, as well as the value of consumer levies from the RAB delivery model – a Government Support Package to protect investors from high-impact low-probability risks, and other guarantees.

    The Sizewell C project is consolidated to the government’s balance sheet, meaning that all investment from the government and new investors is on the balance sheet.

    The total equity and debt finance made available exceeds the target construction cost of around £38 billion (2024 prices), this acts as a safeguard for taxpayers in case of overruns and is standard for a project of this size and complexity.  The project supply chain is strongly incentivised to keep costs down and investors will lose potential revenue if there are overruns, reducing risk for taxpayers.

    According to our Value for Money assessment SZC could reduce the cost of a low-carbon electricity system by around £2 billion per year on average, once operational.

    Urenco recently confirmed a 15-year deal with EDF to produce fuel for nuclear power stations. The multi-billion-euro contract, with significant value for the UK, will support Urenco UK’s workforce of more than 1,400 people and support the company’s important contribution to UK economic growth, which represented more than £256 million in 2023.

    French engineering company Assystem has also set out plans to double its nuclear workforce in the UK, creating 1,000 new engineering, digital and management jobs by 2030 across 10 UK sites, including in Sunderland, Blackburn, Derby, Bristol and London.

    The government is providing the National Wealth Fund with additional capital to facilitate this lending to Sizewell C, separate to the existing £27.8 billion which will continue to be invested across the NWF’s priority sectors. For National Wealth Fund queries, please contact press@nationalwealthfund.org.uk.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost in support for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or ME [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost in support for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or ME [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 July 2025.

    Better care for patients living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, with plans to invest in research and offer care closer to home.

    • Better care closer to home for patients living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
    • Plan outlines clear steps to improve care for patients, by investing in research and offering access to care in the community
    • Actions build on government’s wider 10 Year Health Plan to rebuild the NHS and put patients’ needs at the heart of care

    Patients living with debilitating conditions are set to receive improved care closer to home, thanks to government plans published today (22 July 2025).

    The government has committed to changing attitudes and transforming care for patients with ME/CFS.

    The condition affects approximately 390,000 people in the UK, causing debilitating fatigue, sleep problems and difficulties with thinking, concentration and memory. The impact of this condition varies between cases, but severe ME/CFS, which is thought to affect a quarter of those diagnosed, leaves patients housebound or unable to work.

    The plan published today provides the foundations for significant improvements in all key areas that affect people living with ME/CFS in England, many of whom currently struggle to access appropriate care tailored to their complex condition.

    As a priority, the plan will introduce new training for NHS healthcare professionals, featuring up-to-date learning resources to increase understanding and ensure signs are not missed. This will help combat the stigma faced by people living with ME/CFS, which stems from a lack of awareness about the condition.

    The rollout of neighbourhood health services as set out in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan will also see ME/CFS patients able to access care closer to home, with specially trained staff able to support those with complex needs.

    Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said:

    ME/CFS is a debilitating illness that can severely limit patients’ ability to participate in everyday activities, maintain employment, or enjoy family and social life.

    Today’s plan will help tackle the stigma and lack of awareness of this condition through improved training for NHS staff.

    And through our neighbourhood health services, we will ensure patients suffering from the effects of ME/CFS can access quality care, closer to home, as pledged in our 10 Year Health Plan.

    Our Plan for Change is transforming how patients experience care and this plan represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the long-standing gaps in care and support for people with these conditions, with patient access to appropriate care at its heart.

    Sonya Chowdhury, Chief Executive, Action for ME, said:

    This is an important step for the ME community, long overlooked and under-served. The plan must not be a token gesture – it requires a sustained, strategic commitment to care, funding, and research. Without it, meaningful outcomes for people with ME will not be achieved.

    The plan includes increased funding for research, awarded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, into how existing medicines can be used for ME/CFS. This initiative aims to give patients access to a wider range of potential treatments.

    It will also address the specific needs of children and young people, ensuring they receive appropriate and timely support in education settings.

    Recognising that ME/CFS affects people’s ability to work, the plan includes wider government initiatives to address issues with benefit assessment processes and provide support to help patients with long-term conditions and disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment where possible.

    Offering care closer to home forms part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to rebuild the NHS, putting patients’ needs first and delivering effective, accessible treatment.

    The government will continue to work with stakeholders and build on the foundations of actions in the final delivery plan well beyond its publication, reaffirming our commitment to ongoing development and improvement. This all forms part of the government’s Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future and one which offers the highest-quality, personalised care.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government secures label-led measures to boost earnings for UK artists [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government secures label-led measures to boost earnings for UK artists [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 22 July 2025.

    Major boost for UK music creators as government drives industry to produce new measures to support legacy artists, songwriters and session musicians.

    • Changes estimated by labels to deliver tens of millions of pounds in new investment to support musicians by 2030, rewarding artists for their work and driving growth through Plan for Change
    • Agreement backed by UK arms of major labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group

    UK music creators are set to benefit from a boost to their earnings thanks to the Government driving forward a new label-led agreement on streaming pay agreed today (Tuesday 22nd July).

    The Creator Remuneration Working Group (CRWG), chaired by Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant, has been meeting regularly since 2024 to explore industry-led action – driving growth in the creative industries as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    This process has delivered a set of measures designed to boost the earnings of legacy artists, songwriters and session musicians and marks a further step towards ensuring the music streaming market works for everyone, on top of existing industry programmes.

    The principles include a new framework for the renegotiation of contracts by artists who signed record deals before streaming became commonplace, in addition to support for the digitisation of their back catalogues so that it can be made available online. This aims to help legacy artists to increase their streaming earnings for their existing body of work.

    Support for songwriters and composers includes a commitment to the payment of per diems and expenses for recording sessions, to ensure they are not left out of pocket.

    The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Musicians’ Union also agreed to an uplift in session musician fees of up to 40% for pop sessions and 15% for classical to ensure they are more fairly paid for their work.

    The agreed principles have been adopted by the BPI and Association of Independent Music (AIM) and recommended to their UK members. The UK divisions of Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, the world’s three largest labels, have also committed to delivering them.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    Streaming has totally revolutionised how audiences discover and enjoy music, and how artists connect with their fans across the globe.

    But we have heard loud and clear from creators that more needs to be done to ensure they are fairly compensated when their work is used on streaming platforms.

    That is why I am delighted that the industry has agreed these new measures, which will go a long way to making sure our talented artists and creators are properly rewarded for their hard work, while driving growth through our Plan for Change.

    Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Everyone loves music and it’s about time we really valued the people who create it. Millions of us use music streaming platforms who provide a fantastic service to their customers, connecting users with a wealth of music from around the world.

    But many musicians and songwriters are really struggling and artists simply don’t  think they receive their fair share of the profit generated by their work on these platforms. These new measures, which apply specifically in the UK, are an important step in ensuring creators are fairly paid for their work.

    I would like to thank the sector for coming together to drive this positive progress, which will benefit the music industry as a whole.

    Roberto Neri, CEO of Ivors Academy, said:

    We welcome and wish to thank Minister Bryant for the introduction of per diems for songwriters and his support in securing this agreement. There is no music industry without songwriters and these payments will ensure that songwriters are not out of pocket when turning up to work. We look forward to working together over the next 12 months to assess how this package benefits music makers and ensuring that all creators share in the success of streaming remuneration.

    The Government will support industry to deliver these measures in full, in order to improve conditions for UK music makers. The impact of the measures will be monitored and reviewed in a year’s time, working closely with members of the group to understand the extent to which they are improving creator earnings as intended.

    The Government will then assess the need for further intervention, to ensure this package delivers on its objective to bring about real change for creators.

    Labels estimate these changes will deliver tens of millions of pounds in new investment to support creators by 2030, which will help drive growth in the creative industries as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    The Government has also committed to continuing to look at the issue of streaming pay for session musicians and has convened a meeting in September with key organisations from the music industry to take this forward.

    Further quotes

    The Council Of Music Makers said:

    We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Government in seeking to improve the streaming economy for music-makers. Minister Chris Bryant has dedicated a great deal of time and resources trying to agree creator-friendly terms with the BPI and major labels, in an attempt to address unfair remuneration. Over the next year, we will work in good faith to support music-makers to test these initiatives and whether they can deliver meaningful change.

    We will work closely with the Government during the one year monitoring of these measures. In 2021 Parliament’s Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee raised several fundamental issues regarding the streaming business model, calling for ‘a complete reset’. The Council Of Music Makers remains committed to achieving this objective and reaching a fairer settlement for all music-makers and we will now collectively pursue additional legislative measures to achieve positive change for those that create the work our industry is built on.

    Sophie Jones, Chief Strategy Officer at the BPI, said:

    After five years of detailed scrutiny and analysis, we are pleased to put in place these creator remuneration principles for UK labels in response to specific concerns identified in the UK’s streaming debate. Many more artists are succeeding in the era of streaming than before – and we are confident that these targeted measures will lead to positive and sustainable outcomes and support for legacy artists, songwriters and session musicians, ensuring that our members’ significant ongoing investment into the development of British talent and the growth of our world leading UK music industry will be to the benefit of all. This has been a collaborative process and we are grateful to our members and fellow trade organisations for their expertise and to Minister Chris Bryant and the DCMS officials for their stewardship of this process.

    Baron Brennan of Canton, former member of the DCMS Select Committee which launched the inquiry into the Economics of Music Streaming, said:

    Protecting the dignity of British songwriters by putting money in their pockets for writing sessions is a real first, and greater transparency over artist renegotiation is most welcome. I commend Minister Bryant for all his efforts. Further progress is needed on streaming but I’m encouraged by the Minister’s commitment to pursue progress through further talks this autumn on session musician income from streaming.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to achieving our shared goals for sustainable development – UK National statement at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to achieving our shared goals for sustainable development – UK National statement at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2025.

    Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

    As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the United Kingdom is committed to working with you to achieve our shared goals for sustainable development.

    With targets way off track, and five years to go, through the Pact for the Future, we have all committed to picking up the pace.

    So, we must implement the shared vision we set out at the Financing for Development in Seville.

    Harnessing the power of the private sector.

    Raising revenue from domestic taxation and tackling illicit finance.

    Making sure ODA plays a catalytic role.

    With a roadmap to address unsustainable debt.

    And the United Kingdom is championing innovative financing instruments, leveraging the City of London expertise.

    This is part of how we renew confidence in multilateralism itself, but we also need a system that is more efficient, coherent and resilient.

    That’s why, the UK is backing the Secretary General’s UN at 80 initiative, calling for the ambitious reform needed to build a development system fit for the future.

    We are transforming the UK’s approach.

    Prioritising climate and nature, health, humanitarian assistance, and making sure everyone feels the benefits, including women and girls.

    Improving the systems every country needs to invest in public services that make a difference in people’s lives.

    And protecting the health of people and economies from backing ambition on Non-Communicable Diseases, to pledging further support for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, and co-hosting the Global Fund replenishment alongside South Africa.

    The last few months alone have seen success spanning Seville to the UN Ocean Conference.

    So, be it the General Assembly, or COP30 in Brazil, let us make the most of opportunities to build on that, so we get back on track towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, in the months and years ahead.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : OpenAI to expand UK office and work with government departments to turbocharge the UK’s AI infrastructure and transform public services [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : OpenAI to expand UK office and work with government departments to turbocharge the UK’s AI infrastructure and transform public services [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 21 July 2025.

    OpenAI and the UK government have today signed a new strategic partnership.

    • One of the world’s leading AI labs inks a new government partnership, revealing plans to explore investing in UK AI infrastructure and regional growth zones to revitalise communities with jobs and growth.
    • Initiative will also see OpenAI share more technical information with UK AI Security Institute to deepen government knowledge of AI capabilities and security risks, as well as supporting the government’s mission to use AI to transform taxpayer-funded services.
    • OpenAI also confirms its intention to increase its footprint in the UK, building up its research and engineering teams to deliver on the partnership arrangement.

    OpenAI and the UK government have today signed a new strategic partnership setting out plans to expand AI security research collaborations, explore investing in UK AI infrastructure like data centres, and find new ways for taxpayer funded services like security and education to make best use of the latest tech.

    It comes as OpenAI deepens its commitment to the UK, with plans to increase the size of its London office to follow. The move will build out what started as the company’s first international location just 2 years ago, where research and engineering teams contribute to the development of frontier AI models, and support is provided to UK business, developers and start-ups.

    The partnership will explore where it can deploy AI in areas such as justice, defence and security, and education technology in line with UK standards and guidelines to demonstrate the opportunity to make taxpayer funded services more efficient and effective.

    Signed today by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ sets out intent to build on the UK’s strengths in science, innovation and talent to “maintain a world-leading UK AI ecosystem rooted in democratic values”.

    Under the partnership, OpenAI will also explore potential routes to deliver the infrastructure priorities laid out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, recognising the importance of UK sovereign capability in achieving the economic benefits of AI. The move could mean that world-changing AI tech is developed in the UK, driving discoveries that will deliver growth.

    It expands to share that OpenAI could look to invest in and support AI Growth Zones, first announced in the AI Opportunities Action Plan which has since been backed by £2 billion in the Spending Review.

    With over 200 bids from across the country, AI Growth Zones are set to become hotbeds for AI infrastructure attracting billions of pounds in investment each. Today’s news follows the UK government confirming that Scotland and Wales will both host AI Growth Zones in its Compute Strategy.

    The initiative follows the UK investing up to £500 million in sovereign AI that will be spent backing national AI champions and partnering with world leading companies like OpenAI. This partnership is an important element of our mission to ensure the UK continues to participate actively in the development of frontier AI, and that UK citizens continue to benefit from the economic growth provided by cutting-edge models.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    AI will be fundamental in driving the change we need to see across the country – whether that’s in fixing the NHS, breaking down barriers to opportunity or driving economic growth. That’s why we need to make sure Britain is front and centre when it comes to developing and deploying AI, so we can make sure it works for us.

    This can’t be achieved without companies like OpenAI, who are driving this revolution forward internationally. This partnership will see more of their work taking place in the UK, creating high-paid tech jobs, driving investment in infrastructure, and crucially giving our country agency over how this world-changing technology moves forward.

    OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, said:

    AI is a core technology for nation building that will transform economies and deliver growth. Britain has a strong legacy of scientific leadership and its government was one of the first to recognise the potential of AI through its AI Opportunities Action Plan.

    Now, it’s time to deliver on the plan’s goals by turning ambition to action and delivering prosperity for all.

    The AI lab could also work with government to identify how advanced AI models could help to improve the public services that millions of people use every day, and driving economic growth across the country.

    OpenAI’s large language model, ChatGPT, already underpins multiple tools in ‘Humphrey’, Whitehall’s AI assistant that aims to speed up the civil service by taking away admin burdens.

    For example, GPT 4o is used in ‘Consult’, the bespoke tool that speeds up the policy making process by automatically sorting public responses to consultations – doing a task that takes officials weeks in minutes, while leaving important decisions to experts.

    In addition to supporting infrastructure plans laid out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, OpenAI may also explore developing state-of-the-art, AI-enabled R&D infrastructure in the UK, focused on shared areas of strategic interest with the UK government.

    Notes to editors

    • The memorandum is voluntary, not legally binding, and without prejudice to any binding agreements. It does not prejudice against future procurement decisions
  • PRESS RELEASE : Football Governance Act becomes law in historic moment for English football [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Football Governance Act becomes law in historic moment for English football [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 July 2025.

    Historic Football Governance Act receives Royal Assent, establishing new Independent Football Regulator to safeguard the future of the national sport.

    • Plan for Change in action, as government delivers on promise made to fans in the manifesto, addressing existential threats to clubs and putting supporters back at the heart of the game
    • World-first Regulator will work to stop rogue owners, ensure clubs are financially sustainable, with powers to ensure money flows through the pyramid.

    Football fans will now have a greater say in how their beloved clubs are run, as the Football Governance Act has today received Royal Assent and passed into law, in a landmark moment for the game.

    As promised in this Government’s manifesto, the Act will create the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), which will mark the biggest reform to football governance in a generation – helping to protect clubs across the country.

    The Act follows a long journey to law, which began following the attempted breakaway European Super League, and a series of high-profile cases of clubs facing financial ruin.

    Over recent years fans from the likes of Bury, Macclesfield Town, Derby County, Reading and many others have been left to suffer the consequences of reckless mismanagement, excessive risk-taking and financial catastrophe at their club.

    The new regime is designed to raise standards across the game, supporting the government’s Plan for Change by ensuring English football can continue to deliver huge economic benefits across the country.

    It will improve financial sustainability, introducing a set of rules that improves the resilience across the top five men’s leagues, empowers fans and keeps clubs at the centre of their communities.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This is a proud and defining moment for English football.

    As someone who has loved the game all my life, I know just how deeply it runs through our communities. It’s where memories are made, and generations come together.

    Our landmark Football Governance Act delivers on the promise we made to fans. It will protect the clubs they cherish, and the vital role they play in our economy.

    Through our Plan for Change, we are ushering in a stronger, fairer future for the game we all love.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said:

    Football clubs have been built and sustained by fans for generations, but too often they have had nowhere to turn when their clubs have faced crisis. Today that changes as this Act will give hope and assurance to people, with the Regulator working to protect clubs in towns and cities all over the country, where football clubs mean so much, to so many.

    From Southend to Blackpool, Portsmouth to Wigan, these reforms have been driven by fans, for fans. I will be forever proud that this Government has delivered on its manifesto pledge to support them by reforming football’s governance, and I pay tribute to all those that have helped us deliver this historic moment for the nation’s game.

    The Regulator’s new powers will include:

    • Tough new financial regulation to improve resilience across the football pyramid to ensure clubs are sustainable for the long term
    • Stronger, statutory Owners’ and Directors’ Tests to make sure club custodians are suitable and aren’t using illicit finances with powers to force rogue owners to sell up
    • New standards for fan engagement in club decision-making
    • Bars on clubs joining closed-shop competitions and breakaway leagues
    • Backstop powers to ensure a fair financial distribution between leagues
    • New statutory protections for key club heritage aspects like home shirt colours and club badges and stadium moves

    The IFR will be launched later this year and will consult industry on its proposed rules, guidance and approach to licensing clubs before implementing the new regime. A transition team, the Shadow Football Regulator, was established in 2024 to lead this process and is already engaging widely with industry and fan groups. The process of appointing a senior leadership team is ongoing with the announcement of an Interim CEO and Board expected shortly.

    Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) chief executive Kevin Miles said:

    This is an historic moment for football in this country and we are very proud that the FSA was at the heart of change, helping to bring in laws which can help protect the clubs we love from the worst excesses of owners throughout the professional game.

    We look forward to working with the regulator, as well as the FA and leagues it covers, to ensure that the supporter voice continues to be at the forefront of debate as fans are the beating heart of the game. Club owners can no longer mark their own homework.

    Sarah Turner, Chair of Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) said:

    As Reading fans, we’ve seen the damage caused by rogue owners and welcome the independent regulator. When football clubs fail due to rogue ownership, it doesn’t just mean a team slides down the table. Jobs are lost, community projects are cut and businesses suffer – be that via unpaid suppliers or under-occupied pubs.

    We know that football is a business, but it is a business unlike any other. There are fans, not customers, players are heroes, not assets, and in these fractured times we should be working doubly hard to protect industries that create unity, community and – very occasionally – unparalleled joy.

    Kieran Maguire, Associate Professor in Football Finance at University of Liverpool said:

    This legislation represents a vital step forward in protecting clubs from exploitation, ensuring they are run more responsibly, and giving supporters a greater voice in how their clubs are managed.

    Introducing an independent football regulator is a necessary safeguard to ensure that clubs are not treated solely as assets, but as cultural cornerstones with deep local and national significance.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK secures £2 billion investment from major Korean bank [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK secures £2 billion investment from major Korean bank [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 July 2025.

    South Korea’s oldest banking firm, Shinhan Bank, will facilitate £2 billion of investment into the UK’s financial services sector by 2030.

    • Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson opens the expanded UK office of Shinhan Bank, the Republic of Korea’s oldest banking firm.
    • Expansion comes as Shinhan aims to facilitate £2 billion of investment into the UK’s financial services sector by 2030, supporting the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
    • Announcement builds on the £460 million Shinhan has already invested in the UK, in a major vote of confidence in the economy and delivering growth as part of the Plan for Change.

    New collaboration between the UK government and a top Korean banking company will unlock £2 billion of investment into Britain, boosting economic growth and driving forward the government’s Plan for Change.

    Shinhan, the Republic of Korea’s second largest bank, aims to finance the investment over the next 5 years into energy, digital assets, infrastructure projects as well as businesses based in the UK’s thriving financial services sector.

    The bank’s expansion and investment plans follows £460 million the business has already invested in the UK since 2023. This latest vote of confidence reaffirms the UK’s position as a global investment destination.

    The plans back the government’s aim to significantly increase long-term business investment following the publication of the Modern Industrial Strategy, which marks a new era of collaboration between government and high growth industries, slashing energy bills for industry, increasing skills, and boosting investment to unlock the UK’s economic potential.

    Today [Monday 21 July], Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson opened the expanded office for Shinhan Bank in London and met with President and CEO of Shinhan Bank, Jung Sang Hyuk.

    Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson CBE said: 

    The UK is a top investment destination, and Shinhan’s latest investment will help us make the UK the number one destination for financial services by 2035, delivering on our Plan for Change.

    Financial Services are a UK success story, and one of the eight growth sectors we identified with the biggest potential for growth in our modern Industrial Strategy, as we look to boost the economy and put more money in people’s pockets.

    Shinhan Bank President & CEO Jung Sang Hyuk said:

    The expansion of London office is a strategic decision aimed at proactively responding to the rapidly changing financial environment and delivering greater value and higher-level services to our customers. The (Shinhan) Head Office will remain fully committed to providing strong support, enabling London office to take on an even more central role within London’s financial market and to grow together as a trusted financial partner.

    Securing foreign direct investment is key to delivering economic growth, and companies like Shinhan investing billions in the UK economy shows the government’s Plan for Change is working – creating jobs and putting more money in working people’s pockets.

    The news also builds on the positive findings from Deloitte’s latest survey which found that finance leaders see the UK as the joint-most attractive destination when it comes to investment.

    Economic growth is the Government’s central mission and unlocking new investment opportunities with South Korea is vital to achieving this, as the UK looks to build on the £21 billion record-level of investment the country has attracted from Korean businesses.

    This major investment comes just days after the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, which aims to position the UK as the number one destination for financial services companies by 2035.

    Today’s announcement also follows the Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson’s visit to South Korea earlier this month, where she met a range of investors and businesses including SeAH, Hana Bank and Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) to encourage further investment into the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Tough new laws to make online marketplaces safer [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tough new laws to make online marketplaces safer [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 July 2025.

    New laws to make online marketplaces safer and protect the public from dangerous products.

    • As part of the Plan for Change the Government is taking action to protect customers ensuring online marketplaces are held to same high standards as bricks and mortar stores
    • Landmark Product Regulation and Metrology Act boosts powers to tackle unsafe products sold online
    • Measures aimed to hold online marketplaces to account and help with growing safety concerns over fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, and e-bikes

    Tougher powers to make online marketplaces safer and protect the public from dangerous products as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, have moved a step closer following Royal Assent of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act.

    The new legislation will provide powers to target new and emerging dangers and hold online marketplaces to account for dangerous products sold through their platforms, creating a level playing field with bricks and mortar stores.

    The rising popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has brought with it an increase in safety incidents – the Office for Product Safety and Standards in 2024 received reports on 211 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters – equivalent to a fire every 1.7 days.

    Most of these reports (175) were from London Fire Brigade, and many were caused by unsafe lithium-ion batteries purchased through online marketplaces.

    To help address the sale of unsafe products like these by online marketplaces, the Government intends to introduce requirements for online marketplaces at the earliest opportunity to update their responsibilities.

    These will create a proportionate regulatory framework where online marketplaces are expected to:

    • prevent unsafe products from being made available to consumers
    • ensure that sellers operating on their platform comply with product safety obligations
    • provide relevant information to consumers;
    • and cooperate closely with regulators.

    Product Safety Minister Justin Madders said:

    By giving regulators the teeth to clamp down on unsafe products, we’re ensuring people can shop with confidence whether online or on the high street.

    This will establish a level playing field and mean online marketplaces are held to the same high standards as bricks and mortar shops, ensuring we back businesses and protect consumers as part of our Plan for Change.

    The new measures will ensure clarity for the approximately 300,000 UK businesses operating in regulated product markets with a combined estimated turnover of £490 billion.

    The Office for Product Safety and Standards will continue its targeted programme to tackle dangerous products, including the threats from button batteries and small magnets, and building on successful initiatives like the “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign launched last October and recent guidelines on lithium-ion battery safety introduced in December.

    This balanced approach protects consumers while supporting economic growth across all nations of the UK.

    Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

    Which? has campaigned for years to hold online marketplaces to the same standards as high street retailers. For too long, consumers have been exposed to dangerous – and in some cases lethal – products.

    The Product Regulation and Metrology Act has the potential to be a game changer for consumer safety. It paves the way for new laws to clarify and strengthen responsibilities for online marketplaces, which is crucial in the fight against the sale of dangerous products online.

    Following the bill’s Royal Assent, the government must act fast to tighten definitions of online marketplaces, introduce a clear duty so that online marketplaces are accountable for product safety, and empower regulators to issue heavy fines for those that fall short of the required standards.

    London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley said:

    We are pleased that the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill (PRAM) has been granted Royal Assent.

    London Fire Brigade sees one e-bike or e-scooter fire every two days and we have long called for regulation to improve product safety and safeguards on online marketplaces to protect people from buying dangerous products that pose a fire risk.

    We welcome this new piece of legislation, which will better regulate unsafe products being sold and help to protect the public from unsafe products and particularly poor quality or non-compliant lithium battery products, which can present unique fire safety challenges.

    John Herriman, Chief Executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said:

    Alongside the coalition, which included the British Toy and Hobby Association and Electrical Safety First, we welcome the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill gaining Royal Assent as a positive step forward in ensuring the UK maintains strong, modern protections for consumers.

    This legislation supports the vital work Trading Standards does in keeping unsafe and non-compliant products off the market, creating a fairer and safer trading environment for businesses and consumers alike. We look forward to working closely with government and stakeholders to ensure that the laws that follow, after further consultation, are implemented effectively and contributes to a robust, future-facing regulatory system that will support economic growth in the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Steve Reed – Government to cut sewage pollution in half by 2030 [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Steve Reed – Government to cut sewage pollution in half by 2030 [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 July 2025.

    Sewage pollution from water companies will be cut in half by the end of the decade, the Environment Secretary Steve Reed will pledge today (Sunday 20 July).

    Our rivers, lakes and seas will be the cleanest since records began, meaning millions of families will benefit from cleaner beaches and rivers.

    For the first time the Government has made a pledge to cut sewage pollution with a clear target which they will be held accountable to.

    The Government, in partnership with investors, has secured funding to rebuild the entire water network to clean up our rivers.

    In one of the largest infrastructure projects in this country’s history, a record £104 billion is being invested to upgrade crumbling pipes and build new sewage treatment works cutting sewage pollution into rivers.

    Over the past year, the Government has introduced a package of measures to slash pollution levels. Bills are now ringfenced to force companies to invest in upgrades and over £100 million of water fines are being spent on local clean-up projects.

    The commitment comes as the Government vows “root and branch reform” to usher in a revolution in the water industry, ahead of the Independent Water Commission’s final report.

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:

    Families have watched their local rivers, coastlines and lakes suffer from record levels of pollution.

    My pledge to you: the Government will halve sewage pollution from water companies by the end of the decade.

    One of the largest infrastructure projects in England’s history will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”

    The Government has already taken decisive action to clean up England’s waterways.

    • Record investment: with £104 billion to upgrade crumbling pipes and build sewage treatment works across the country.
    • Ringfence customers’ bills for upgrades: customer bills earmarked for investment must now be spent on new sewage pipes and treatment works – not spent on shareholder payments or bonuses.
    • Reinvesting company fines into local projects: with over £100million being invested into local clean-up projects in communities.
    • Largest budget for water regulation: the Environment Agency received a record £189 million to fund hundreds of enforcement officers to inspect and prosecute polluting water companies.
    • Polluter Pays: companies will now cover the cost of prosecutions and successful investigations into pollution incidents, enabling the regulator to hire more staff and pursue further enforcement activity.
    • Banning wet wipes containing plastic in England: introducing legislation to reduce microplastics in our waters.
    • The Water (Special Measures) Act: banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and threatened prison sentences for law-breaking executives.

    This package of measures will slash storm overflow spills by 50% by 2030 and halve phosphorus from treated wastewater by 2028.

    Both contaminants choke our rivers, suffocate wildlife and destroy ecosystems. In 2024, sewage spilled into waterways for a record 3,614,428 hours.

    Pollution levels were a decisive factor in the Government launching the Independent Water Commission last October – the largest review of the sector since privatisation.

    Led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, the Commission’s final report will be published on Monday with recommendations on regulation, strategic frameworks and support for consumers. The Government will respond to the recommendations in Parliament on Monday.

    FURTHER INFORMATION

    PLEDGE:

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s pledge is based on:

    • A 50% reduction in spills from storm overflows – an outlet from the public sewer that spills both sewage and rainwater into the environment – by 2030.
    • A 50% reduction in the amount of phosphorus from water company treated wastewater entering our waterways by the end of January 2028.
    • Work with devolved governments to ban wet wipes containing plastic across the UK. We will go further to tackle the issues caused by unflushables to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution, particularly in our waters.
    • Continued work on pre-pipe measures, such as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) which help to reduce pressure on the sewerage system.
    • The start of trials by water companies of nature-based solutions, such as constructed wetlands, to investigate if they can be used in the treatment process to reduce harm.

    STORM OVERFLOWS:

    • There are around 14,500 storm overflows in England, which are designed to act as relief valves when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed, such as during heavy rain.
    • The Government has required all storm overflows to have event duration monitors installed which provides information on sewage discharges. That information is published in near real time. Coverage reached 100% by the end of 2023.
    • Today’s pledge is for a 50% cut in spills from storm overflows by the end of December 2029, based on a 2024 baseline.
    • There was an average of 32 spills per storm overflow in 2024.
    • The Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP) has set stringent targets on reducing spills, including a 75% reduction in discharging into High Priority Sites, such as chalk streams by 2035.
    • The first progress report on delivery against the SODRP targets will be published later this year and then every five years.
    • Around 10% of existing emergency storm overflows are currently subject to permit conditions requiring Event Duration Monitors (EDM), which monitor the frequency and duration of discharges during emergency events.
    • EDM coverage is being expanded: We have instructed water companies to install monitors at 50% of emergency overflows by 2030, and 100% of emergency overflows by 2035.

    PHOSPHORUS:

    • Excessive phosphorus is the most common cause of water bodies in England not achieving good ecological status, and this nutrient is a by-product of the wastewater treatment process.
    • Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the environment can result in algal blooms, which block sunlight and can release toxins that are poisonous to fish, mammals, and birds.
    • There is an Environment Act statutory target to reduce phosphorus loadings from treated wastewater by 80% by 2038 against a 2020 baseline.
    • There is an interim target in the Environmental Improvement Plan of 50% by the end of January 2028. This target is part of the EIP review.
    • Water companies in England released 8,340 tonnes of phosphorus into waterways in the baseline year of 2020.

    SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (SuDS):

    • The Government is working to ensure that sustainable drainage systems are implemented in new developments.
    • Effective implementation of SuDS, including their adoption and maintenance, can reduce the impact of new developments on sewers by up to 87%.

    NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS (NbS):

    • Nature-based solutions are increasingly being used to address water management challenges, such as flooding, drought and to treat discharges.
    • Over the next five years, water companies will be running trials to see if they can work with natural processes and the ecosystem to reduce pollution, while also working to address leaks into the network.
    • Constructed wetlands and wastewater treatment ponds can remove pollutants from wastewater and improve the quality before the treated water is released back into the environment.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government backs bid to bring World Athletics Championships back to London in 2029 [July 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government backs bid to bring World Athletics Championships back to London in 2029 [July 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 19 July 2025.

    A successful bid would see the biggest global athletics event return to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

    • Government also supports bid for the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships to be staged in the UK
    • Championships would boost economy and strengthen UK standing as world-class sporting hosts

    The Government has today confirmed its support for bids to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships and the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships; setting out our ambition to see the sport’s pinnacle events return to the UK for the first time since the summer of 2017.

    A bid would aim to boost the UK economy, further strengthen the country’s outstanding reputation for hosting the biggest and best events, and encourage more people to get involved in track and field.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be moment of great national pride, building on our global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent.

    Hosting these championships would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but it would inspire the next generation to get involved and pursue their ambitions.

    The event would provide a boost for UK businesses and support jobs as well as bring our communities together. I’m delighted to support the bid.

    The London Stadium, etched into the public’s memory for hosting the iconic 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as the hugely successful 2017 World Championships, is the proposed venue for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

    Meanwhile, the Government is committed to taking the World Paras beyond the capital, with a host city to be confirmed in due course.

    Subject to funding from partners being confirmed, the Government has agreed to provide significant funding for both bids, reflecting the UK’s ambition to once again bring the world’s greatest athletes to UK shores.

    This major commitment comes with London today set to host a sold-out Diamond League event, the world’s biggest one-day athletics meet.

    The UK Government will work hand-in-hand with the bidder Athletic Ventures, UK Sport, and host cities – including the Greater London Authority for the World Athletics Championship – to unlock a wide range of social, economic and sporting benefits, from boosting tourism and local economies to fostering healthier, more active communities through elite sport.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said:

    Major sporting events deliver unforgettable moments and have the power to bring our country together like little else.

    That’s why we’re excited to be backing a bid to bring the World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships back to the UK in 2029. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to build on our world class reputation as hosts, delivering not just economic benefits for the country but engaging communities, inspiring the next generation and showcasing the best of Britain to the world.

    Simon Morton, Director of Events at UK Sport, said:

    Live sport matters. It brings people together in ways few other things can, creating happiness, pride and lasting memories. Hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships gives us the chance to once again unite the nation around these genuinely global events.

    We welcome the Government’s commitment to extend our pipeline of hosted events, as we move forward with this bold and collaborative bid.

    Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics, said:

    We’d like to thank the Government for supporting these bids. Staging these events in the UK will not only inspire today’s elite athletes, but those of tomorrow, and will engage millions in our sport.

    After superb medal hauls over the last few years on the World, Olympic and Paralympic stage, athletics in the UK is on an upward trajectory, with new partners, record participation and sold-out stadia. This support will drive the sport on to new heights.

    Sanjay Bhandari, Chair at Athletic Ventures, said:

    We are absolutely delighted that the Government has recognised the enormous value that the World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships can deliver for Britain — from jobs and investment to inspiring young people to get active.

    Central government support is a catalytic first step enabling us to build further dialogue with potential host cities and build compelling bids for both championships. We will seek to create spectacular events that leave a lasting legacy for our communities. We’re excited to work with partners across sport, government and our potential host cities to make that vision a reality.

    Josh Kerr, 1500m world champion and double Olympic medallist, said:

    London 2017 was my first senior World Championships, and it lit a fire in me. Being part of a home team in that kind of atmosphere was incredible — it made me hungrier than ever to become a world champion and chase Olympic medals.

    Having the government support to bid for 2029 and potentially bring that experience back to London would be massive. It would inspire so many young athletes and give the sport the platform it deserves. I’m proud to support the bid and hope we get the chance to show the world what we can do on home soil.

    If successful, the Championships would mark another milestone in the UK’s exceptional record of hosting world-class events and its enduring commitment to investing in sport as a force for good.

    The pipeline of major events already secured includes this Summer’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, the European Athletics Championships 2026, the ICC T20 Cricket women’s and men’s World Cups (in 2026 and 2030 respectively), the Invictus Games 2027 in Birmingham, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Departs 2027, and EURO 2028.

    Additional Quotes:

    Katarina Johnson Thompson, two-time heptathlon world champion, said:

    I’m so pleased to see the Government backing this bid — hosting a home World Championships would be incredible for our sport and for the country.

    I still remember the buzz of competing in front of a home crowd in London in 2012 and 2017 — nothing compares to that feeling. It gave me a huge lift, and I’d love the next generation of athletes to experience that same atmosphere on the world stage.

    Bringing the Championships back to London would inspire so many people and show what British athletics is all about.

    Zak Skinner, two-time European T13 Gold medallist, said:

    It’s great that the Government is backing the bid to bring the World Para Athletics Championships back to the UK. Competing at London 2017 was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. That home crowd, that energy — it was electric, and it showed just how powerful para athletics can be when it’s centre stage.

    I’ve grown so much as an athlete since then, but that experience gave me belief and drive at a crucial time. Hosting the World Para Athletics Championships here again would be a huge statement — not just for our athletes, but for the next generation watching in the stands or at home. I’d love to see it come back to the UK.