Tag: 2026

Andy Burnham – 2026 Comments on T-Level Results

The comments made by Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, on 13 August 2026.

I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results today. I know there will have been a mix of excitement, nerves and relief this morning, but you should all be proud of the hard work that got you here.

It’s brilliant to see more students succeeding in T Levels, more taking maths and STEM subjects, and more young people progressing to the next stage of their education or training.

The talent is there in every town and city in this country. Our task is to match that talent with opportunity, whether that’s through university, an apprenticeship or a technical pathway that leads to a great career. That’s how we’ll build a stronger Britain, restore hope and ensure every young person can look to the future with confidence.

13/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Number of T Level pupils hits record high as maths A Levels rise [August 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 13 August 2026.

T Level results grow substantially as more students achieve more A and A* grades in A Level maths.

Students across England are receiving their A Level, T Level and vocational results today.

This is a time to celebrate the results and the full breadth of ambition as they next embark on their next steps – from brilliant academic institutions to degree apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and careers in sectors the country needs the most.

In a landmark moment for technical education, over 65% more T Level students received results this year – with almost 20,000 students (up from almost 12,000 in 2025) completing them with a pass rate of over 90%.

A Level results at grades C and above showed stable improvement this year, standing at 78.1% (up 0.4 ppts on 2025), as well as the level of A or A* grades which stood at 28.3% (up 0.2 ppts on 2025).

This was a strong year for maths, as the highest ever number of students received A Level maths results today (up 3.7% on 2025) and more A and A* grades were awarded in this subject (up 0.6 ppts). This year also saw more students taking up A Level subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths (up 3.7% on 2025).

More students applying for their next steps were accepted onto a higher education course this year (up 2% on 2025) and 194,800 English 18-year-olds were accepted into their first choice of university (up 1% on 2025).

Students’ overall attainment continues to improve compared to results seen before the pandemic, with A Level C+ grades up 2.7 ppts on 2019.

More young people also took up training in construction this year through vocational technical qualifications, which rose by nearly 20% on 2025 – a strong sign that the pipeline of skilled workers is growing to help build the homes this country needs.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results today. I know there will have been a mix of excitement, nerves and relief this morning, but you should all be proud of the hard work that got you here.

It’s brilliant to see more students succeeding in T Levels, more taking maths and STEM subjects, and more young people progressing to the next stage of their education or training.

The talent is there in every town and city in this country. Our task is to match that talent with opportunity, whether that’s through university, an apprenticeship or a technical pathway that leads to a great career. That’s how we’ll build a stronger Britain, restore hope and ensure every young person can look to the future with confidence.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said:

Congratulations to everyone getting their results today. You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved and I wish you every success for the future. A big thank you to the teachers and families who have backed you every step of the way.

The rise in students receiving T-Level results this year is very encouraging, as well as so many students progressing in to higher education. There is no single route to achieving your ambitions.

That’s why we are opening doors with more high-quality opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential – whether that’s through academic study, technical education or hands-on training for skilled work. Whatever path you choose, today is the start of an exciting future.

Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

Today’s exam results are a moment to celebrate the hard work of hundreds of thousands of young people.

We wish every student the very best of luck as they consider their future plans. Whatever their next step, businesses will value their ideas, determination and potential.

Academic routes are only one part of the system. Government plans to strengthen technical and vocational education to deliver the skills firms need are welcome. We look forward to working in partnership to help ensure the system delivers for students, businesses and the economy.

Careers advice, essential employability skills and real-world learning should be embedded throughout the curriculum from an early age. This will help more young people make informed choices and support future business growth.

Jo Simovic, Senior Program Manager and Emerging Talent Programs Lead said:

Amazon is proud to support T Levels. Our students make a real difference to the business and their results show just how much they have achieved. What sets T Levels apart is simple: at the end of the placement, students understand our culture, and are fully prepared for the world of work.

We are delighted that 30 students have gone on to secure apprenticeships across the business, from Mechatronics to Cyber Security. Huge congratulations to every one of them – and to all T Level students collecting their results today. With the regional attainment gap remaining too stubbornly high, we are making sure opportunity is spread as evenly as talent across the country though our RISE teams (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence), which will put a laser focus on those areas and schools where performance is weakest.

The education system this government inherited entrenches disadvantage – so we are doing whatever it takes to ensure every child has access to opportunity, regardless of their background. This includes expanding government funded childcare, extending free school meals, rolling our breakfast clubs and ending the two-child cap to help lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

With more than a million young people aged 16 to 24 currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) – and further growth expected by 2031 without urgent action – the government is determined to ensure the system works for every young person and not just those collecting results today.

The government has set out the most ambitious programme of youth employment reform in a generation, backed by £2.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost a million young people to earn or learn. An extra £800 million is also being invested in 16 to 19 education in 2026-27, creating thousands more places on high-quality pathways.

Plans announced by the Prime Minister are also underway to enable students aged 14 and over to combine academic subjects with technical education linked to local employers – placing vocational and academic routes on an equal footing for the first time.

This comes on top of the government’s reforms to vocational and technical education, including the introduction of V Levels and expanding T Levels, which will break down barriers to education by helping to end the snobbery around hands-on learning.

These major reforms are widening choices for young people to have successful, skilled careers, on top of today’s results opening doors to exciting routes for students across England.

13/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Patients to benefit from faster access to medicines as UK moves away from animal testing in science [August 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 12 August 2026.

New projects to move UK science away from animal testing.
- £22 million push to ramp up UK’s move away from animal testing in science brings together cutting-edge tech and research.
- New £20 million centre to grow miniature organs from human tissue – helping to deliver effective treatments for patients with more accurate testing.
- Backing for nine projects worth £2 million, including beating heart cells in a dish, lab-grown human ear models, and AI predicting how drugs move through the body.
New projects to move UK science away from animal testing – vital to the safety and sustainability of our environment – will unlock new tests for products that can help products reach market more quickly and save lives.

A dedicated national research hub and nine new high-tech projects will develop better ways to test medicines on human biology rather than animals. It means treatments for conditions like cancer and inflammatory bowel disease could be developed faster and more precisely – helping patients across the UK, while moving science away from traditional animal testing.

The latest figures show there were 2.54 million animal testing procedures in Great Britain in 2025, down 3.8% on 2024. With a further update due to be released later this year, the UK is now moving to capitalise on that momentum.

Announced by Science Minister Chris McDonald today (Wednesday 12th August), a new Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub, based in Cambridge and backed by £20 million in Government funding, will lead work to build and share models of human tissue – grown from NHS patients – to test new treatments.

The new hub will accelerate the development of testing on ‘organoids’: tiny, simplified versions of a human gut, tumour or brain, using cells donated by patients. Because they retain crucial features of a patient’s own biology, they will help researchers learn how a real person may respond to a drug – providing additional insights that can complement information currently obtained from animals.

Scientists in universities and drug companies will then be able to use these cutting-edge techniques in their own labs to work out which medicines are worth pursuing – slashing the time it takes to get potentially life-changing treatments to market.

Science Minister Chris McDonald said:

Today marks another significant step forward in the UK’s move away from animal testing in science and research.

This is all about backing our world-leading researchers and innovators to improve lives, giving them the tools they need to deliver more effective treatments for horrendous diseases like cancer, while also preventing the need for animal testing wherever possible.

It’s also a boost for our life sciences sector – with British firms using samples donated by real people and harnessing AI to predict how a medicine behaves – fuelling opportunities for new investment and new jobs, and ensuring Britain is better off.

Alongside the funding for the new Hub, Innovate UK is investing up to £2 million on nine cutting-edge projects aimed at identifying new methods of animal-free scientific testing. From beating heart cells in a dish to lab-grown human ear models and AI that predicts how medicines move through the body, many of the projects target the safety studies that still rely on dogs and monkeys.

At CN Bio, the team is building tiny working versions of human organs that are small enough to fit on a microscope slide. These complex models allow researchers to better understand how a new drug moves through and interacts with the body – providing a new approach to pre-clinical research that previously relied solely on animal testing.

Meanwhile, Vivosphere UK is building on their work growing tumour and liver models to develop human heart tissue in the lab, meaning they can spot dangerous side effects from treatments early.

Promising early-stage projects like these are foundational to the UK’s life sciences sector, which generates around £147 billion in turnover and employs some 360,000 people. They have the potential to drive long-term transformative, life innovations for patients, and lead to growth and skilled jobs in every corner of the country.

ENDS

Supportive quotes

Professor Matthias Zilbauer, University of Cambridge, said:

Over the past decade, we’ve seen the enormous potential of patient-derived organoids and other New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to transform the way we develop new medicines.

Because these miniature human tissues retain many of the unique biological characteristics of the individual patient, they allow us to understand disease more accurately and test potential treatments before they ever reach the clinic. This has the potential to bring more effective, personalised treatments to patients while reducing the time and cost of developing new medicines and our reliance on animal models.”

Cynthia Bullock, Life Sciences Programme Director at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) said:

Through the combined expertise of Innovate UK and MRC, UKRI is accelerating the development and adoption of next generation human biology-based approaches that can improve drug discovery and development, helping bring more effective treatments to patients faster while reducing reliance on animal models.”

Building on the UK’s world-class strengths in research and innovation, these investments are advancing scientific excellence, creating opportunity for global leadership, supporting innovative businesses, and strengthening collaboration across academia, industry and the NHS to deliver health and economic impact.”

Catherine Vickers, Head of Innovation at NC3Rs, said:

We are delighted to be partnering with Innovate UK to deliver key commitments within the UK Alternatives Strategy, supporting the next generation of cardiovascular and pharmacokinetic assays and approaches. By accelerating the development, commercialisation and uptake of innovative human biology-based technologies, these projects will strengthen safety assessment in medicines development and replace the use of animals.
13/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Australia boost radar technology and industry cooperation as Defence Minister visits Indo-Pacific partners [August 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 August 2026.

The UK and Australia are boosting cooperation on radar technology, as Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP kicks off a visit to Indo-Pacific partners this week.
- New signing will see UK and Australian firms work together on cutting-edge radar systems, boosting growth across both countries’ defence industries.
- Work to build on UK-Australia defence partnership, already supporting tens of thousands of jobs in both countries through AUKUS.
- Comes as Minister Luke Pollard kicks off a visit to Australia and New Zealand to strengthen defence and industrial partnerships.
The statement of intent involving QinetiQ and CEA Technologies, signed today in Canberra, will see both UK and Australian governments and industry work together on advanced radar systems, known as Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology.

The work builds on the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) agreement reached in June and will strengthen supply chains and open export opportunities for both nations’ defence industries. This advanced technology is supplied to the Australian Armed Forces and allows the UK Armed Forces to keep pace with the evolving operational environment.

At CEA Technologies, Minister Pollard and Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy welcomed the agreement and met with staff advancing radar technology.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:

This radar agreement shows what our partnership with Australia delivers in practice: industry stepping up, technology for our Armed Forces, and trust between our nations deepening.

Working in lockstep with Australia we can drive jobs and growth while reinforcing our collective security.

Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer, QinetiQ, said:

QinetiQ’s unique expertise positions us as a strategic and trusted partner to the UK MOD and its allies. Current conflicts remind us of the importance of air defences which are increasingly under pressure and QinetiQ is proud to play a key role in bringing this vital technology to the UK.

The signing forms part of a week-long visit by Minister Pollard to Australia and New Zealand, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to two of its closest defence partners in the Indo-Pacific.

In Canberra, the Minister also met the Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, to strengthen UK-Australia cooperation on critical minerals, and the interim National Armaments Director, Nadine Williams, to advance shared defence capability and industrial collaboration.

In Western Australia, Minister Pollard will visit Henderson Shipyard, where investment linked to AUKUS – the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States – is already supporting skills development and industrial uplift. AUKUS is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in Western Australia, with a further 10,000 in South Australia.

Recent supply-chain initiatives are also generating work for 39 Australian companies, while Australian personnel are embedded across UK defence and industry organisations, supporting the delivery of the AUKUS partnership.

AUKUS is also delivering for the UK, with more than 3,000 new jobs already created across key UK nuclear sites since July 2024. SSN-AUKUS submarine construction, expected to create more than 7,000 new jobs across the UK supply chain, helping to drive growth in every postcode in the UK.

The Minister will travel to New Zealand later this week, where he will visit Devonport Naval Base in Auckland and meet defence industry leaders to discuss opportunities for closer cooperation on maritime capability. A prospective UK-New Zealand maritime partnership, including Babcock’s Type 31 Frigate offer, could deliver up to 1,000 jobs and NZ£300 million of investment into the New Zealand economy, as well as opportunities for UK industry.

The visit will also include further engagements with Australian and New Zealand government ministers and stops at defence industry sites, including Rocket Lab and SYOS Aerospace.
13/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : PM vows to save “hollowed out high streets” with crackdown on vape and betting shops [August 2026]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 August 2026.

High streets that have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities are set to face a crackdown under new powers announced by the Prime Minister today.
- Local people to get a real say over what opens on their high street as Prime Minister hands new powers to communities and councils
- Planning loopholes closed and outdated “Aim to Permit” rule to be scrapped to stop unwanted vape and betting shops taking over high streets
- Dodgy businesses linked to organised crime to be shut down for longer under tougher powers for police and local authorities
- Part of the Prime Minister’s plan to put power back in the hands of local communities and to bring back hope
High streets that have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities are set to face a crackdown under new powers announced by the Prime Minister today [Tuesday 11 August].

The measures will put communities back in control of their high streets by giving local people a real say over what businesses can open in their town centres and how local high streets should look, as well as tougher powers for the police and local authorities to crack down on rogue operators.

As part of the PM’s plans to save Britain’s high streets, the Government intends to revoke the Gambling Act’s outdated “Aim to Permit” rule, which currently restricts the ability of councils to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops even where there are strong local concerns.

The change would give communities and councils a stronger say over whether new betting shops are right for their area, helping stop them spreading unchecked across struggling high streets.

The government will also require planning permission for vape shops to finally give local people and councils a say over whether they open and to stop them opening near schools. The definition of a vape shop will also be tightened to stop businesses getting around the new rules by claiming to be a general convenience store or retailer.

Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs), which are adult-only venues offering up to 24-hour access to gambling machines such as slot and fruit machines, will also require planning permission under proposals due to come into effect at the start of next year.

The changes come as vape shops and adult gaming centres have spread rapidly across many town centres. Unlike most businesses that communities raise concerns about, they can currently open without planning permission under the same rules that apply to coffee shops and clothing retailers.

Analysis by the Centre for Social Justice has found that Britain has lost nearly 1,800 pubs and bars, while the number of vape and tobacco shops increased to almost 2,200 since 2016. Similar concerns have been raised about the clustering of gambling premises in local communities, particularly in more deprived areas. In the London Borough of Brent alone, there are more than 80 gambling venues, including in Harlesden where there are 10 betting shops within a 10-minute walk.

The maximum length of Closure Orders will also double from six to 12 months, giving police and local authorities more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime, pursue prosecutions, and prevent rogue businesses – from illegal vape shops, and dodgy barber shops – reopening before investigations are complete.

High streets sit at the heart of communities across the country, but too many have been hollowed out by years of decline. The loss of shops, services and community spaces has left many people feeling like the places they grew up in are changing beyond recognition and the decline of our high streets has mirrored a wider sense of decline across Britain.

The Government is taking practical action to give local people a real say over the future of their high streets, including shaping how the new measures will work in practice.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

“For many people, the high streets they grew up with have been hollowed out and become unrecognisable over decades of decline. The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for.

“That’s not on. I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do. We’re putting communities back in control and giving local people a real say over what opens on their high street. Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life.

“High streets are the beating heart of local communities, but for too long Westminster has stood by while they have been in decline. This government is committed to restoring our high streets and bringing back hope across Britain.”

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:

“People know when their high street isn’t working for them. Whether it’s the vape shop or betting shops that’s opened with no say from locals, the shopfront that’s seen better days, or the sense that nobody’s in control.

“These problems have built up over years, but this government won’t leave councils and communities powerless to crackdown on everyday eyesores that blight our high streets.

“That’s why we’re giving local leaders the power to say no to what doesn’t belong on their high street, and the tools to fix it themselves.”

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said:

“Our local shops and high streets hold a mirror up to our economy. If that mirror shows us nothing but vape shops, gambling shops, and crime, it destroys pride in place. People, councils, and local businesses should be able to work together to shape their high streets, but as things are, they lack the levers to ensure that everyone plays fair.”

“This announcement gives places the chance to take back control, ensuring that no one type of business can monopolise the high street and that flagrant criminality can be dealt with. Local powers given to locally accountable councils, together with investment led by regional Mayors will help diverse high streets to flourish.”

Joshua Nicholson, Head of Housing and Communities at the Centre for Social Justice said:

“Britain’s high streets have been hijacked by a growing number of dodgy vape shops, mini marts, and barbers, many of which are linked to organised crime.

“The Government is right to give councils new powers to say no to these dodgy shops. High street renewal is vital to restoring security within our communities.”

The Government will also work with councils to improve the appearance of high streets and help restore pride in local town centres. In too many places, poor-quality shopfronts, garish neon signs, and oversized logos have prompted complaints from local people and contributed to high streets feeling less welcoming, at a time when the rise of online shopping has already put increasing pressure on town centres.

To help turn this around, the Government will set clearer expectations for the design and appearance of high street shopfronts. Working with the Planning Advisory Service, it will identify the best examples of attractive, thriving town centres from across the country and provide councils with practical guidance on improving the look and feel of local high streets.

Over the next six months, councils will be supported to improve local high streets, drawing on successful examples such as Cross Street in Oswestry and Keynsham High Street. Building on this, the government will set out further action to tackle the long-term decline that has hollowed out town centres and make high streets places people want to visit, shop, and spend time in again.

The measures build on wider action to tackle rogue businesses linked to organised crime, including a £30 million crackdown on money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal working, backed by raids, shop closures and cash seizures.

It also builds on action the Prime Minister has taken in his first weeks in office to back local communities and town centres, including a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from next year – changes which are fully funded including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to their communities, like vape shops. The government will also return to the commitment to reform the wider business rates system, including Small Business Rates Relief, at the Budget.

It forms part of the Government’s wider drive to restore pride in local places, shift power out of Westminster and back into communities, and bring more people back to town centres.
12/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Much more must be done to prevent and prosecute acts of violence in the West Bank: UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Palestine.

The United Kingdom is clear that the only credible path to lasting peace and security remains a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state made up of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Three priorities to advance progress towards that goal.

First, in Gaza.

The United Kingdom welcomes the recent focus on implementing Security Council Resolution 2803 and wants to see it implemented in full.

That means all parties delivering on their commitments, including: respect for the ceasefire; Hamas fulfilling its decommissioning commitments; the phased withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces as set out in the 20-point plan and the Roadmap for Phase Two; and the transition of governance and security control to the Palestinian Authority.

We encourage the Palestinian Authority to continue implementing reforms needed to fulfil that role.

We thank the US, Qatar, Türkiye, and Egypt for their tireless efforts to progress these negotiations.

The United Kingdom will continue to work with all our partners to end the conflict in Gaza, and the terror threat from Hamas.

As Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said, “conditions for the people of Gaza remain appalling.”

Israeli authorities must end unacceptable restrictions on aid and enable safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access across Gaza.

Second, addressing violence in the West Bank.

The United Kingdom condemns escalating violence across the West Bank.

In July alone, thirteen Palestinians and two Israelis were killed.

Recent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages and communities, in some cases alongside Israeli Defense Force personnel, are appalling.

These are not isolated incidents.

OCHA’s July report records more than 1,300 settler-related incidents, affecting over 250 Palestinian communities.

Around 900 Palestinians injured, and more than 3,200 displaced, and at least three Israelis have been killed and 24 injured this year.

Children are among those most affected by conflict.

They are being exposed to repeated violence, displacement, and disruption due to movement restrictions and military operations.

On 4 August, Israeli forces demolished three donor-funded classrooms at Sha’ab al Butum School, just weeks before the start of the school year.

We call on the Government of Israel to fulfil their obligations to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied territory.

We welcome recent arrests and indictments by Israeli authorities of perpetrators of settler violence.

But perpetrators have acted with impunity for too long.

And much more must be done to prevent and prosecute acts of violence.

Israeli authorities’ security measures must be proportionate, consistent with international law, and contribute to de-escalation.

Third, halting the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

Settlements are illegal under international law.

They undermine the viability of a two-state solution, and they fuel insecurity for both Palestinians and Israelis.

The Government of Israel has approved 104 settlements in four years, an increase of 80%, and allocated unprecedented funding to the construction of new settlements.

The United Kingdom condemns threats to expand illegal settlements and outposts and opposes the decision to reintroduce the E1 settlement plan, which aims to cut the West Bank in half.

We are alarmed by recent mass incursions at the Haram al Sharif / Temple Mount.

The Status Quo on Jerusalem’s holy sites must be respected.

Madame President, in the past weeks we have seen renewed efforts to implement Resolution 2803, which offers the most viable pathway towards lasting peace.

The deteriorating trajectory in the West Bank must not undermine that hard-won progress.

12/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains concerned by reports of systematic ill-treatment of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, by Russian authorities – UK statement at the UN Arria meeting on Ukraine [August 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 August 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Arria meeting on Implementing international humanitarian law: prisoners of war, civilian detainees and foreign fighters, in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by reports of systematic ill-treatment of prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and vulnerable foreign nationals by Russian authorities, as they pursue their full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

I also want to thank the briefers for joining us today to share their testimony and expertise.

International humanitarian law and international human rights law are clear.

Prisoners of war and civilian detainees must be treated humanely.

Torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and arbitrary deprivation of life are prohibited.

These are not optional standards.

They are binding obligations.

That is why UN reporting and the testimony that we will hear today is so concerning.

UN reporting has documented arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture of civilian detainees by Russian authorities and armed forces in areas under their control.

It has also raised concerns that civilians appeared to have been used as bargaining chips in exchanges, amounting to hostage-taking which is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

The evidence on prisoners of war is equally troubling.

UN reporting has documented a systematic, widespread, and consistent pattern of torture and ill-treatment amongst Ukrainian prisoners of war released from Russian captivity.

According to the OHCHR, 96% of released Prisoners of War provided accounts of torture or ill-treatment.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has documented accounts of stress positions, electric shocks, suffocation, and mock executions.

Wider reporting, including by the Moscow Mechanism, echoes these accounts.

It has noted that this conduct may amount to widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

They also document the denial of right to fair trial, unsafe detention and transfer conditions, and arbitrary killings.

We are also concerned by findings of the UN-mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine on the deceptive and coercive recruitment of foreign nationals to fight with Russian forces.

This has affected many countries globally.

The Commission’s investigations involving nationals from 17 countries documented instances in which individuals were deceived or lured from abroad through promises of civilian work, transported to Russia, pressed into military contracts they did not understand, and deployed to hazardous frontline duties.

Findings report their mistreatment and lasting trauma.

Russia is bound by the same rules as every other state engaged in conflict.

Russia has a responsibility to ensure prisoners of war and civilian detainees are treated humanely, under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions.

The United Kingdom calls on Russia to end these practices, to allow meaningful international monitoring, facilitate exchanges and family contact, and comply fully with its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Colleagues, the issues that we will hear about today are yet another consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

So I urge Russia to commit to a comprehensive ceasefire and engage in negotiations for a just and lasting peace.

10/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits Port of Tyne to support plastic pellet clean-up [August 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 August 2026.

Marine Minister Stephen Morgan today visited the Port of Tyne to meet representatives from the Port, local authorities, the Environment Agency and other organisations involved in the clean-up operation following the pollution incident involving plastic pellets known as nurdles.

Joined by Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell, the Minister heard directly from the team at the Port of Tyne and discussed actions being taken to protect the environment and restore impacted coastal areas.

Visiting Littlehaven Beach, the Minister met with community groups and volunteers involved in the recovery efforts and thanked them for their continued work to clear impacted beaches.

Recovery efforts following the release of approximately 17 tonnes of small plastic pellets after a collision between two vessels at the Port of Tyne on 19 July continue to be led by the Port of Tyne and local authorities, with Defra and the Environment Agency working closely with partners to support recovery.

Marine Minister Stephen Morgan said:

People in the North East rightly expect a strong, coordinated response to this incident. That’s why the government and the Environment Agency have been working closely with local partners since this serious pollution happened.

I want to thank volunteers on the ground, who are spending time every day clearing the beaches and recognise the work of local leaders to bring together organisations and take necessary action.

Meeting the people at the forefront of the recovery effort is vital so we can better understand the challenges they face and help to ensure the clean-up happens as quickly and effectively as possible.

The government and the Environment Agency are assisting local partners such as the Port of Tyne in any way we can, including a deploying additional boats, monitoring, providing resources from elsewhere in the country and holding the plastics industry to account.

The visit follows a call led by Minister Morgan and Ports Minister Keir Mather on 7 August with key partners, elected mayors and lead responding organisations to discuss recovery progress and identify where additional government support could assist local efforts.

The Minister also saw how the Environment Agency is mobilising additional drone surveys, vessels and specialist response teams to strengthen monitoring and support targeted recovery operations. He was also informed that Community Officers are standing by for immediate deployment to support affected communities with advice and information.

Defra is also working closely with marine science experts at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) to strengthen environmental monitoring and analysis, helping build a clearer picture of any impacts from the incident and informing longer-term recovery efforts.

The government is also working to strengthen protections around the transportation of plastic pellets such as nurdles and reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in future.

10/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : £130 million for cutting-edge next generation vehicles securing over 1,800 jobs [August 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Business on 10 August 2026.

Britain’s automotive sector will benefit from almost £130 million of investment to ramp up new zero emission technologies, government has announced today.
- Investment will support over 1,800 high-value manufacturing jobs, delivering on the Prime Minister’s mission for good growth in every postcode.
- Almost £65m of government funding, matched by industry, will drive cutting-edge zero-emission projects, from self-driving cars to more affordable EVs.
- Modern Industrial Strategy is bringing business and science together to drive British innovation, boost reindustrialisation and cement the UK’s leading role in advanced manufacturing.
Britain’s automotive sector is set to benefit from nearly £130 million of investment to ramp up cutting-edge new zero emission vehicle technologies and support skilled jobs nationwide as the government focuses on delivering good growth in every postcode.

Delivered through the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the funding will support over 1,800 jobs – and thousands more in the supply chain – across the UK, helping to put more money in people’s pockets and ensure Britain is better off.

Auto firms and key R&D partners have been awarded nearly £50 million in government funding that will help businesses build and produce the zero-emission vehicle technologies of the future at scale – helping to drive economic growth while simultaneously making EVs cheaper for consumers.

This latest funding is delivered through the DRIVE35 programme – the biggest government investment into the UK’s car industry of the post-war era, with £4 billion to 2035 speeding up the electrification of the automotive industry. This builds on the Government’s mission to reindustrialise every part of the UK, back British innovation and ensure companies are able to succeed and scale here at home.

Industry Minister Blair McDougall said:

Britain invented the modern motor industry and we’re determined to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed and built here too.

This investment will secure skilled jobs, strengthen our manufacturing heartlands and help drive the reindustrialisation of Britain.

Through our Modern Industrial Strategy we’re backing working people and British businesses to deliver growth in every part of the country.

From Gateshead to Crewe, the Government is doubling down on its commitment to delivering growth in every region. With the North East and West Midlands serving as the UK’s powerhouse regions for automotive manufacturing, this funding will provide vital support to flagship companies such as Turntide Technologies and Bentley – helping to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed, developed and built here in the UK.

This follows £100 million worth of DRIVE35 grant funding already being delivered to supply chain businesses in both of these regions, preparing them for the electric vehicle transition.

With the connected and automated mobility (CAM) industry expected to create tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and contribute around £66 billion to the economy by 2040, according to SMMT.

The Government is injecting £17 million into a further nine successful CAM Pathfinder projects, paving the way for innovators to develop, test and scale cutting-edge transport technologies – reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in this growing industry.

Altogether this industry-matched funding totals nearly £130 million, showcasing the best of British innovation on the global stage and bolstering the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector.

Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, said:

The projects announced today demonstrate the depth of innovation and engineering excellence that exists across the UK automotive sector. Through DRIVE35, we are supporting businesses to move promising technologies to commercial deployment and manufacturing at scale.

This investment is about far more than individual projects. It is about strengthening the UK’s capability to design, develop and build the technologies that will define the vehicles of the future. By bringing together industry, government and academia, DRIVE35 is helping create the conditions for long-term growth, increasing investor confidence and reinforcing the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for automotive innovation.

Background:
- DRIVE35 is built to anchor future vehicle production, scale up battery manufacturing, grow the UK’s most innovative tech companies and onshore the supply chain capabilities that make British automotive genuinely resilient.
- It is designed to directly support over 50,000 direct jobs plus tens of thousands more in the supply chain, cut millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions and unlock billions in private investment by 2035.
- The funding award from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is facilitated via the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) in partnership with Innovate UK.
- The 2026/27 CAM Pathfinder Programme will fund nine new projects that show the breadth of the UK’s connected and automated mobility sector, from enabling technologies such as sensors, brake-by-wire systems and AI simulation to real-world deployment in public transport, passenger mobility, construction, airport operations and highways maintenance.
- Together, the projects will help build UK supply chain capability and move commercially scalable, safe automated mobility services closer to use across the economy.
- The APC collaborates with UK Government, the automotive industry, and academia to facilitate driving research and investment in zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. Established in 2013 and jointly funded by the DBIST and the automotive industry, the APC accelerates the technologies that support the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing.
10/08/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Two Trustees reappointed to the Theatres Trust board [August 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 August 2026.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has reappointed Annie Hampson and Katie Town as Trustees of the Theatres Trust Board for six months from 13 September 2026.

Annie Hampson OBE

Annie was formerly the Chief Planning Officer at the City of London and has had a variety of senior Local Government roles over a period of 40 years. She was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to Planning in London. She is currently the Chair of the Diocese of London Advisory Committee which covers 460 Churches and in addition advises on a number of development and strategic Committees and architectural selection panels. She is also a Judge for the International Property Awards.

Katie Town

Katie Town is Chief Executive of Theatre Royal Wakefield, a Grade II listed Frank Matcham theatre in West Yorkshire. Since joining the organisation in 2015, she has led a period of significant creative and organisational transformation, including the delivery of a major capital development and new theatre extension. Katie previously worked as General Manager of the National Theatre’s Learning Department. Originally a barrister, she pursued a career in the arts, with roles at Royal Opera House and then in a range of arts organisations, including Candoco Dance Company.

Alongside her executive leadership role, Katie is Chair of Arts Catalyst, a contemporary arts organisation supporting artists and communities through socially engaged practice. She is also a Co-Founder of the Local Theatre Touring Alliance, a national network advocating for the future of local theatre and touring across the UK.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Trustees of the Theatres Trust are not remunerated.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.

Annie Hampson and Katie Town have declared no such political activity.

Notes to Editors

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

10/08/2026