Tag: 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.
July 23, 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.
July 23, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland [July 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin this afternoon.

The leaders began with a constructive discussion on a framework for dealing with legacy and underscored the importance of a way forward that built consensus.

Turning to the shared challenges faced by the UK and Ireland, including on trade and growth, the leaders agreed on the importance of working closely together to deliver for people in both countries.

The Prime Minister also updated on his recent visits by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Both the Prime Minister and Taoiseach welcomed the closer relationship between the UK and the EU.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

July 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Sovereign Base Areas Specialised Committee meeting joint statement [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2025.

Joint statement following the sixth meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol relating to the Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Cyprus.

The sixth meeting of the Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol relating to the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus was held on 3 July 2025, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.

The Committee was established by the Withdrawal Agreement to facilitate the implementation and application of the Protocol. The co-chairs reviewed the operational phase of the implementation of the Protocol since its last meeting in December 2023. This review showed that implementation is operating well in most areas.

Both sides reaffirmed their continued commitment to the smooth implementation of the Protocol and agreed to finalise further technical discussions with the objective of reaching a common understanding on the correct implementation of the Protocol in the area of taxation (Article 3 of the Protocol) and fisheries (Article 6 of the Protocol) as a matter of priority. The Specialised Committee will revert to this issue immediately afterwards.

July 22, 2025
David Lammy – 2025 Comments at ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

The comments made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 11 July 2025.

Thank you all. Minister Bui, we’re grateful for Vietnam’s support as our country coordinator. And Minister Mohamad, it’s such a pleasure to be here in your beautiful country.

Last year, I told ASEAN I wanted to reconnect Britain with the world. Today, I’m the first British Foreign Secretary to return to one of these meetings since we became your newest Dialogue Partner.

I hope this consistency is welcome right now. The world feels no less volatile than it did a year ago.

Rapid technological change is remaking our societies, rewiring our economies, reshaping the global balance of power.

I agree countries like ours need to respond with resilience, with innovation and dynamism, and by putting people – our citizens – first.

Those are the values of your Community Vision 2045, precisely what we hope partnership with Britain can achieve.

As our recently published Trade Strategy set out, we believe this region offers real potential for our businesses to expand. We are working with you to unlock that.

That’s why we backed CPTPP’s decision in May to work towards a dialogue this year with ASEAN, why we’ve been supporting development of the ASEAN Power Grid, why we’re backing British firms to scale up their investments here.

Likewise, as our recently published National Security Strategy stressed, our region’s security and your region’s security are inextricably linked.

Russia illegally invaded Ukraine – that has consequences for markets here in Asia. North Korean troops fight for Russia – that has consequences for our Ukrainian friends on the European frontline. Smugglers or scammers ply their criminal trade – that has consequences for all our citizens and, ultimately, our tax revenues.

At the heart of our security cooperation is a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The recent visit of Britain’s Carrier Strike Group and this Dialogue Partnership are just 2 examples of how, together, we can support this goal.

We stand firmly behind ASEAN centrality, recognising it underpins peace, prosperity and stability across the region.

All told, we’ve done a lot on both growth and security this past year. Nearly 95% of our Action Plan on track for delivery, the commitments we made last year in our first joint ministerial statement well under way.

Our job now is to go further, ahead of the fifth anniversary of this partnership next year and a new Action Plan to guide our cooperation to 2030.

I’m looking forward to discussing how we do so.

July 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The UK welcomes the Colombian Government’s announcement of the Comprehensive Protection Programme – UK statement at the UN Security Council [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.

The UK remains committed to the implementation of the 2016 Agreement as the main vehicle for lasting peace in Colombia.

I’d like to start by welcoming the Colombian Government’s announcement of the Comprehensive Protection Programme in June as a measure to address increasing levels of violence across the country, including the assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe on 7 June.

And I join others in hoping for his continued recovery.

Nine signatories were killed during the reporting period, bringing the total to 469 since the Agreement was signed.

These attacks, often deliberately targeting those who are committed to peace and societal change, underline the urgent need to implement the Comprehensive Protection Programme and for stronger protection measures.

President, as SRSG Massieu reminded us, transitional justice remains a critical component of the 2016 Agreement, as we also heard during our visit last year.

Colombians need to see restorative justice in action. So, we encourage the Jurisdiction to maintain the pace of sentencing and the government to ensure complementary actions advance in parallel.

We welcome the presence of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace in this chamber and its President, Alejandro Ramelli.

We understand that the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will shortly issue sentences under two Macro Cases.

This would represent a significant advance in the work of the Jurisdiction.

And this, as SRSG Massieu reminded us, is essential to maintain the trust of the victims, the signatories and the Colombian people.

Finally, President, as this government enters its final year in office, and with elections in view, we urge the government to prioritise implementation of the Agreement and to fund it adequately.

The Secretary General’s latest report shows that implementation of the 2016 Agreement remains uneven, with key challenges unaddressed across several chapters, despite progress in others.

We welcome the meeting in May of the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion, and Verification of the Implementation, ‘the CSIVI’, where parties agreed an action plan for the remainder of the year.

We commend efforts to strengthen institutional coordination and support civil society.

Convening institutional structures of the Agreement is key to sustaining peace efforts, particularly as Colombia transitions into its electoral period.

President, the UK is and will remain a key partner on the path to sustainable peace in Colombia.

July 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Official visit from Paraguayan President Santiago Peña to the UK [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2025.

During the visit, a United Kingdom-Paraguay Friendship Charter was signed between both nations.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña visited the United Kingdom this week, marking a historic milestone in UK–Paraguay relations. The Paraguayan Head of State was received in audience by His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

The visit comes as the two countries celebrate over 170 years of diplomatic ties and reflects a shared commitment to deepening cooperation in key areas such as trade, sustainable investment, education, and climate action.

Throughout the visit, President Peña engaged with high-level political, business and academic leaders. His agenda included a keynote address at Canning House, and a business roundtable with leading UK companies in the energy and technology sectors.

The Royal Audience with King Charles III, described by President Peña as a “historic moment,” underscored the mutual respect and shared values that continue to bind both nations. British Ambassador to Paraguay, Danielle Dunne, who accompanied the visit, stated: “It was an honour to witness this historic occasion. The UK and Paraguay are natural partners, and this visit demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth for our nations.”

During the visit, a United Kingdom-Paraguay Friendship Charter was signed between Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano and British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Lammy, committing both nations to enhanced cooperation across trade, security, democracy, climate action, and education.

This landmark visit marks a new chapter in UK–Paraguay relations. Trade between the two countries has grown significantly, with total goods and services exchange reaching £70 million in the last recorded period – a 42.9% increase from the previous year. President Peña’s visit reflects Paraguay’s growing strategic relevance as a reliable partner in Latin America, and the UK’s intention to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties with nations committed to progress and shared prosperity.

July 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Record £14.5 billion of export financing supports 70,000 jobs [July 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 July 2025.

UK economy and workers have benefited from the export credit agency’s highest level of business ever.
- UK Export Finance provided a record £14.5 billion in new financing last year, helping over 667 UK companies to export and grow
- Up to 70,000 jobs and £5.4 billion to national GDP supported by UKEF financing, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change
- Detailed in UKEF’s annual report for 2024-25, support for UK businesses helps turbocharge the economy and deliver growth opportunities across the country
UK Export Finance (UKEF) provided £14.5 billion in loans, guarantees and insurance over the last year and supported tens of thousands of jobs in key industrial sectors around the country, according to its latest accounts published today.

UKEF is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for Business and Trade. Established in 1919, it exists to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance from the private market, while operating at no net cost to the taxpayer.

UKEF provided the highest level of support in its 106-year history in 2024-25 to help 667 UK firms break into international markets and grow as exporters.

Businesses benefitting include Yorkshire-based Angloco and Ayrshire-headquartered Emergency One which won contracts to supply 62 fire engines to Iraq after UKEF provided a loan to its Ministry of Finance, and Northern Ireland pressure washer manufacturer Maxflow is entering new markets overseas after it gained access to capital with help of a guarantee provided through UKEF’s General Export Facility.

UKEF’s efforts to champion UK exporters supported up to 70,000 jobs including in key industrial sectors like clean energy industries, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and automotive which are central to the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

Overall, UKEF’s financing in the year backed the contribution of up to £5.4 billion (GDP) to the economy – helping to drive productivity and raise living standards as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Sustainability and helping sectors transition to the low-carbon economy are key priorities for UKEF as part of its 2024-2029 Business Plan, strengthening the government’s efforts to make the UK a clean energy superpower.

The department provided £2.3 billion of strategic clean growth financing supporting ventures like the expansion of AESC’s new gigafactory in Teesside – announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves – producing batteries that will power up to 100,000 electric vehicles a year, and to recycled paper manufacturer Shotton Mill in North Wales that is to become the largest of its kind in the UK and reducing net carbon emissions.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

Our number one mission is delivering growth to put more money in people’s pockets.

That’s why we increased UKEF’s lending capacity by billions and have given more flexibility to invest in priority sectors like defence, building on its record levels of support for businesses to export and grow, and the tens of thousands of jobs it has secured.

Smaller firms remain central to UKEF’s mission to boost exports. The department supported 496 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2024/25, of which 83% are based outside of London.

Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said:

Our Plan for Change is backing British business to take advantage of export opportunities abroad to create jobs and growth at home.

Through record support, UKEF is playing a key role in achieving this, providing financial backing to exporters across the UK looking to grow and compete overseas.

UK Export Finance CEO, Tim Reid, added:

I’m proud of our record-breaking year in which we’ve achieved real impact by forging new strategic global partnerships, boosting hundreds of exporters and supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

With customers at the heart of everything we do, we’re committed through our ambitious business plan to helping more British exporters firms succeed globally.

We’ve strengthened our products and supported more small businesses too – spreading the benefits of trade across the entire UK.

As we continue in our mission, we’re eager to play a key role in supporting the Industrial and Trade Strategies to drive sustainable economic growth.

Marco Forgione, Director General at Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said:

The record year for UK Export Finance is hugely welcome, and has helped small businesses up and down the country take that first step on their export journey.

Finance is often the missing piece in the jigsaw when looking to new markets. Access to the right tools at the right time can turn local ambition into international growth.

We now need to keep the momentum going, and help even more small businesses feel confident about exporting their fantastic goods and services around the world.

Marcus Dolman, Vice President of The British Exporters Association (BExA), said

BExA congratulates UKEF on their strong, record-breaking results. They show continued growth in both value and reach to the UK’s exporting community, particularly in the increased number of SMEs supported. The record level of support shows the value UKEF adds to the UK economy through its proactive approach in bringing new and genuinely useful products to market such as the Export Development Guarantee (EDG) and the General Export Facility (GEF).

HMG’s increase in UKEF’s overall capacity is also a welcome development and demonstrates the importance of UKEF in supporting UK economic growth through increased exports. We need to get more UK businesses exporting and access to finance is often a critical enabler.

We look forward to continuing to support UKEF in defining and refining its product range to ensure UK export success and that no viable export fails through lack of finance.
July 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : 7th Round of Pakistan-UK Dialogue on Arms Control & Non-Proliferation – Joint statement [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2025.

The 7th Round of the United Kingdom-Pakistan Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament was held in London on 16 July 2025.

Director of Defence and International Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Stephen Lillie CMG, and Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, led the respective delegations.

The two sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on a wide array of issues, including international and regional security, strategic stability, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. Deliberations also focused on the dynamics of the United Nations General Assembly (First Committee), the Conference on Disarmament (CD), international conventions (such as the BTWC, CWC, and CCW), multilateral export control regimes, and the use and implications of new and emerging technologies.

In addition, both sides exchanged views on UK-Pakistan bilateral cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Since its inception in 2015, the Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament has remained a key component of the broader bilateral engagement between the two countries.

Both sides recognized the vital role of regular dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and promoting cooperation. In this context, they agreed to convene the next round of consultations in Islamabad next year.

July 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Boost for travelers and businesses as Germany opens up eGates [July 2025]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 18 July 2025.

UK and Germany agree to phased opening of German eGates for UK travellers.
- Germany agrees to phased opening of e-gates for the over 3 million Brits visiting each year
- Follows UK-EU Summit in May and agreement that there were no legal barriers to allow UK citizens access to e-gates in more EU Member States after the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System
Millions of UK travellers to Germany will be able to use e-gates in the future thanks to a new agreement made between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today (Thursday 17 July). Part of a landmark bilateral treaty between the two countries.

Germany will roll out the first phase of e-gates access for UK travellers by the end of August, starting with frequent travellers such as Brits with family in Germany or who travel regularly for business. Access for all UK nationals will be possible once Germany has completed technical updates to its entry systems as it introduces the new EU’s Entry/Exit System.

3.2 million Brits visited Germany in 2023, with numbers growing steadily since the Covid pandemic. Opening up e-gates in Germany, and across the EU, will support UK trade and tourism and boost growth through the Plan for Change.

The agreement follows the successful UK-EU Summit in May, where the UK and EU made clear that there were no legal barriers to even more EU countries allowing UK citizens to use eGates at airports. EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas Symonds also visited Berlin in June to discuss e-gates, among other issues, with German ministers.

Since then, the UK has secured e-gates access for UK citizens traveling to Bulgaria and now into Germany. Other countries and airports have also opened up access, including Portugal (Faro airport) and the Czech Republic (Prague airport) and Estonia has confirmed they will open up access at (Tallinn airport) in 2026.

EU Relations Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds said:

eGates can make the slog of travelling through an airport that bit easier, which is why I have been working with the EU and member states to get more airports opened up to Brits abroad.

With £30 billion of services trade between the UK and the EU, this agreement isn’t just good for holidaymakers, it’s good for British businesses too. Making traveling easier between Europe’s biggest economies, to get deals done and boost growth.

The UK and Germany have a trading relationship worth almost £150 billion a year. Germany is the UK’s second largest trading partner behind the USA, where the UK agreed a new trade deal last month.

The UK exports almost £30 billion worth of services to Germany each year, a growing market for British service providers. Services trade, like financial services, IT and consultancy are heavily reliant on face to face meetings and this e-gates agreement will save British firms valuable time.

While many EU countries now allow UK citizens to use e-gates, the government is continuing to work with others to do so.
July 22, 2025