Tag: 2026

António Costa – 2026 Statement on the EU/India Trade Deal
The statement made by António Costa, the President of the European Council, on 27 January 2026.

Thank you dear Prime Minister Modi, for welcoming us on this special occasion. We were privileged yesterday to be your Chief Guests for the Republic Day celebrations, such an impressive display of India’s capabilities and diversity.

Today is a historic moment. We are opening a new chapter in our relations – on trade, on security, on people to people ties.

I am the President of the European Council but I am also an overseas Indian citizen. Then, as you can imagine, for me, it has a special meaning. I am very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father’s family came from. The connection between Europe and India is something personal to me. Also because we conclude today our trade negotiations we relaunched at the Leaders’ meeting that I had the pleasure to host, in May 2021, in my previous capacity.

Our summit sends a clear message to the world: at a time when the global order is being fundamentally reshaped, the European Union and India stand together as strategic and reliable partners.

Today, we are taking our partnership to the next level. As the two largest democracies in the world, we are working hand in hand:
- to deliver concrete benefits for our citizens; and
- to shape a resilient global order that underpins peace and stability, economic growth, and sustainable development.
I would like to share three messages.

First: the European Union and India must work together towards our shared prosperity and security. India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

Trade has flowed between our two continents for centuries. Trade is a crucial geopolitical stabiliser. And a fundamental source of economic growth. Trade agreements reinforce rules-based economic order and promote shared prosperity.

That’s why today’s Free Trade Agreement is of historic importance. One of the most ambitious agreements ever concluded. Creating a market of two billion people. In a multipolar world, the European Union and India are working together to grow spheres of shared prosperity.

But prosperity does not exist without security:
- strengthening our cooperation to better protect our citizens and our shared interests;
- working together to counter the full range of security threats we face, in the Indo-Pacific, in Europe and around the world;
- reaching a new level of strategic trust between us.
That is the significance of our agreement on a Security and Defence Partnership. The first such overarching defence and security framework between India and the European Union. And the first step towards even more ambitious cooperation in the future.

This brings me to my second message: as the world’s largest democracies and champions of multilateralism, the European Union and India share the responsibility of upholding international law, with the United Nations Charter at its core.

Earlier this morning, we had the opportunity to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. And I reflected upon his words which still hold true today: “Peace will not come out of a clash of arms but out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in the face of odds.”

Our summit reaffirmed our commitment to supporting efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. One that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This is a key moment. We are supporting all efforts to reach a just and sustainable peace. Ukraine has shown its readiness, including at the cost of difficult compromises. I know, dear Prime Minister, that we can count on you to help create the conditions for peace, through dialogue and diplomacy.

And this is my final message: together we must show leadership on global issues. Cooperation between the European Union and India will help shape a more balanced, resilient, and inclusive global order.

Just two examples: I am proud of the commitments we are making for greater cooperation on clean energy, green transition, and climate resilience. And our collaboration through the Global Gateway and on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is decisive for global connectivity.

By implementing the ambitious Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda towards 2030, we will align our priorities with concrete actions for the next five years: delivering real benefits to our citizens.

Today, we have tangible progress and set an example of cooperative leadership on global issues. With:
- our Free Trade Agreement;
- our Security and Defence Partnership; and
- our Joint Strategic Agenda for 2030.
These outcomes are a crucial milestone on a longer path. We look forward to continuing the journey. Together, as always.

Thank you very much.
January 27, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with President Costa of the European Council [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 January 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the European Council António Costa this evening.

Discussing events of recent days, he reiterated his position that the future of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone.

He reiterated that the UK is prepared to play its part to protect Arctic security, alongside NATO.

They agreed on the fundamental importance of continued defence and security co-operation in these volatile times.

January 26, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 January 2026.

The Prime Minister hosted the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto at Downing Street today.

The leaders welcomed the strong progress on the Strategic Partnership between the UK and Indonesia, which they had committed to pursuing in 2024 and formally agreed today.

It was a clear example of how the UK and Indonesia’s relationship continued to go from strength to strength, and deliver for people in both countries, the Prime Minister said.

The £4 billion Maritime Partnership Programme agreed between the UK and Indonesia in November underlined that, supporting thousands of jobs in Rosyth, Bristol and Devonport, and across Indonesia, while also boosting regional and food security, the leaders agreed.

Both leaders also welcomed the strong education links being formed between the two countries.

Turning to international affairs, the leaders discussed the situation in Gaza and their strong continued support for a two state solution.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

January 26, 2026
Liz Lloyd – 2026 Speech on Software Security and Cyber Resilience

The speech made by Liz Lloyd, the Minister for the Digital Economy, in London on 15 January 2026.

On the 19  of September, a ransomware attack hit a major software supplier used by airports across Europe.

Overnight, checks and systems failed, flights were delayed, staff were forced back to pen and paper.

Thousands of people, families, workers and travellers were left stranded. It wasn’t an attack on any airport directly.

It was an attack on a software supplier, a single weak point rippled across a whole sector.

Incidents like this are becoming more common.

In the UK, 43% of businesses have experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. We estimate that cyber breaches cost the UK about £15 billion a year – around 0.5% of GDP.  

And while the digital economy, especially AI, offers huge opportunities for growth across many sectors in the economy, none of that potential can be realised without confidence.

People need to trust the systems they use right now, but they still hesitate.

They worry about how their data is handled and whether the technologies they rely on are secure.

So software security isn’t just technical. It’s a commercial imperative. And trust is what unlocks growth.

Government’s first duty is to keep citizens safe. By securing our technologies, we protect citizens, their businesses, the economy.

Strong cyber security and supply chain security underpin enterprise, prosperity, and jobs.

That’s why we must do everything we can to protect against these attacks, and support our brilliant tech companies, so they can get on with what they do best.  

We’re starting in a good place.   

The UK has some of the strongest cyber defences globally.    

 We have fast-growing clusters of expertise in Cheltenham and Manchester, as well as Belfast and Scotland’s cyber cluster that spreads across several Scottish cities.

 And our cyber sector is the third largest in the world – achieving double-digit growth, year on year.   

As a government, we also know we must do our part.    

Backed by over £210 million, the Government Cyber Action Plan published last week sets out how the government will rise to meet the growing range of online threats.

This will improve digital resilience across the public sector.

And as we strengthen government’s defences, we are also setting clear expectations for industry.

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will ensure that our critical national infrastructure is protected.

 In October, we wrote to FTSE 350 companies, urging them to strengthen their defences – adopting things like our ‘Cyber Essentials’ certification.  

This was followed by a similar letter to entrepreneurs and small businesses, in November, with bespoke advice for smaller teams.   

We know these things work: organisations that adopt ‘Cyber Essentials’ are 92% less likely to claim on cyber insurance than those who don’t.    

We have also worked closely with industry to identify the minimum actions to secure the technology that our economy relies on.  

This includes working hand-in-glove with the NCSC [National Cyber Security Centre], UK companies, and international counterparts to develop policies that set a global standard for technology security.   

For example, the UK’s AI Cyber Security Code of Practice has been developed into a global standard through the European Telecommunication Standards Institute.   

This follows in the footsteps of the PSTI ACT: world leading legislation to ensure consumer devices secure by design that came into force in 2024.   

But we cannot rest where we are.

The threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and adversaries are becoming more sophisticated with attacks on software. 

Software now underpins almost every critical service in our economy, from healthcare, to transport, to national security. So it’s fundamental to our resilience and public trust.

To start to address this, the Department [for Science, Innovation and Technology] and the NCSC published the Software Security Code of Practice in May last year.

This Code outlines the minimum actions that software suppliers should take to ensure a baseline level of security across the software market.

But communicating those expectations is just the first step.

We now need to ensure that these actions are embedded in UK supply chains to provide businesses with confidence in the technologies they need to operate and to grow.

Currently, just 21% of organisations say they think about cyber security when buying software.  

So it’s time to address this.    

The question is how, exactly, we do this.   

On one side, there are those who push for new regulation, and stronger government oversight.   

On the other, there are those who say ‘do nothing’, businesses will get there themselves – just wait it out.    

But I believe we can be more ambitious than that.   

The UK is home to some of the best software firms anywhere in the world, and we’re lucky to have great examples here in this room today.  

As well as the brilliant international firms who invest here, set up offices here, and make the UK their home.   

I believe we need to learn from these companies – to find the ones who are leading the way and celebrate them, as role models.   

The firms whose software is developed with security, top of mind.  

Who appoint dedicated cyber experts.   

Who have brilliant communication between buyer and seller.  

Who offer best-in-class training to their workforce.   

 And whose leaders take safety seriously – with accountability at the very top.   

 That is what a true pioneer looks like.   

 And we see the same forward-thinking security posture throughout supply chains.   

The UK hosts a burgeoning ecosystem of supply chain security experts.

This includes buyers leading the way in how they manage risks in their supply chains, and cyber security experts offering their services and knowledge to disseminate crucial cyber security capabilities.   

Now we must learn from them and spread these habits to as many organisations as possible.   

So today I am very proud to announce the UK’s new Software Security Ambassador Scheme, a group of leaders – 13 companies, in total – who are making a public commitment to champion secure software and to be role models for the UK government’s Software Security Code of Practice. 

This Code has been written in partnership with industry and with cyber experts, at every step, including the National Cyber Security Centre.   

And our national ambassadors span the whole software field – from vendors…  

…Sage, Cisco, and Palo Alto Networks, Hexiosec, Zaizi and Nexor…  

…to buyers – like Lloyds, and Santander…    

…to expert advisors – Accenture, NCC Group, ISACA, ISC2, and Salus Cyber.   

Now, we hope you will use your position as industry leaders, and first adopters, to spark a change in the sector more widely.   

 We’ve seen how effective this model can be.   

 A voluntary code of practice is a tried-and-true way of setting a professional standard. 

Look at the World Health Organization’s code of practice for hand hygiene.  First introduced in 2009, the code has become a global benchmark despite not being enforced by law, and has helped to significantly reduce infection rates as hospitals can draw on a single, definitive source of best practice in one place.   

That’s exactly what we want the Software Security Code of Practice to become.

Every sector that depends on software, a single trusted reference point that lifts standards across the whole economy.

Our Software Security Code of Practice sets out 14 principles, and clear expectations for how software should be secured in our supply chains to build a common understanding between vendors and buyers of what level of security a software supplier should be responsible for.  

I’m delighted to say it’s already being used in the public sector, by the NHS.   

So our health service can help to lead by example too.   

If we get it right, this could be a real moment of achievement.   

Great UK industry, paving the way.   

Modelling safe, secure tech for the rest of the market.   

And perhaps the start of a new, international benchmark too.   

To protect our country from attacks.   

 Back British growth and prosperity.   

 And create a better future for all of us, starting here today.    

 Thank you all.

January 26, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New Aviation Ambassadors announced to inspire future pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2026.

Our 10 new Aviation Ambassadors will help encourage more young people to see the UK aviation sector as a place where they can build rewarding, long-term futures.
- 10 industry professionals appointed to inspire young people into aviation careers in the industry, futureproofing the sector and upskilling young Brits
- next cohort of volunteers will start this month, including a former Red Arrows Chief Engineer and Operations Director of East Midlands Airport, to shine a light on the wide range of aviation jobs and to encourage recruits from diverse backgrounds
- supports government’s mission to deliver growth and opportunity, helping young people into skilled jobs and furthering the UK’s world-leading reputation in aviation
Thousands of young people across the UK will be inspired to pursue exciting and rewarding careers in aviation as the government confirms the next cohort of Aviation Ambassadors today (15 January 2026).

The ambassadors are successful aviation professionals who promote jobs, skills and training in the sector by going into schools, hosting workshops, and using social media to reach primary, secondary and college students across England.

From ground handling and airfield safety to commercial flying, customer service, and aviation law, the Aviation Ambassador programme raises awareness of the breadth of career paths available to suit every skill set and every passion. 

Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

Aviation is full of exciting opportunities and fulfilling career paths and we’re determined to encourage more young people to see the sector as a place where they can thrive and build rewarding, long-term futures.

Our Aviation Ambassadors are key to making that happen – sharing their own journeys, helping to break down barriers and showing the sky really is the limit. By broadening horizons, we’re helping to secure the future of UK aviation while delivering regional growth, jobs and skills.

A key part of the ambassadors’ role will be inspiring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have previously considered the opportunities or career paths the industry offers.

Among the new ambassadors are:
- Former Red Arrows Chief Engineer, Ross Priday, from South Wales, who will inspire young people by sharing his wide range of experiences and bridging the gap between aviation and aerospace careers.
- Lauren Turner, airport Operations Director. Lauren has risen through the ranks at East Midlands Airport from Security Officer to overseeing the entire airport operation in 13 years, becoming a self-led aviation success story who will champion apprenticeships and support pathways into aviation.
- Miguel Cabrera Vivas, London-based aviation influencer and former Heathrow internal progression lead, also known as The Aviation Mentor. Miguel uses social media and in-person sessions to promote aviation as an accessible career choice.
Other new ambassadors include Marcus Sellars, who graduated from Newcastle University last year into a role delivering automation and digital transport integration across the airfield at Teesside International Airport, and David Gardner, a senior firefighter and medical lead for the airport’s first responder scheme at Luton Airport.

Ambassadors deliver a range of outreach activities, including giving talks in colleges, supporting industry events and promoting aviation careers through online platforms and traditional media. This engagement has reached thousands of people who may never have considered aviation as a career option, including those in underrepresented communities.

The initiative is part of the Generation Aviation programme, which sees government and industry working together to help build an aviation workforce fit for the future and to attract diverse, talented people.

The new ambassadors will start their roles on 28 January 2026.

Ross Priday, former Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows and new Aviation Ambassador, said:

Aviation gave me a career I could never have imagined, and I want others to see the incredible opportunities this industry offers. Whether someone is fascinated by engineering, drawn to the skies as a pilot, or interested in roles like air traffic control, ground operations or aviation law and insurance, there truly is something for everyone.

What’s exciting is that there are so many ways in. School leavers, apprentices, graduates, and those looking for a change from other industries can all find their path into aviation. Through my Aviation Ambassador role, I want to show people not just that these exciting careers exist, but exactly how to access them.

Lauren Turner, Operations Director at East Midlands Airport and new Aviation Ambassador, said:

I’m proud and excited to be an aviation ambassador and to share my journey at East Midlands Airport. Aviation is an innovative, fast-moving industry with opportunities for people from all walks of life, and I hope that by sharing my personal career story, I can encourage young people across the region to see it as a career where they can thrive and grow.

Alice Goodwin, former Aviation Ambassador, said:

Congratulations to the new cohort of Aviation Ambassadors!

This programme is a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to inspire the next generation, showcase the diverse careers aviation offers, and champion the sector as role models.

By engaging with schools, speaking at events, and sharing their passion, these ambassadors will play a vital role in closing the aviation skills gap and shaping the future of this exciting industry.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:

Airports and aviation offer a wealth of excellent career opportunities, and it is great to see the next set of sector ambassadors have been appointed to help inspire the next generation.

Jobs in this sector will not only provide young people with fulfilling and highly skilled careers but will directly contribute to growing the UK economy and help keep our friends, families and businesses connected with the world.

We wish the new ambassadors the best of luck with their new responsibilities and look forward to exploring how we can work with them to increase awareness of the chances offered by aviation.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:

Airlines UK welcomes the appointment of the new Aviation Ambassadors. Our world-class sector depends on a steady pipeline of skilled young people choosing careers in aviation, and this programme plays a practical role in highlighting the varied and exciting range of careers available. By connecting real aviation businesses with schools and colleges, the scheme supports growth, resilience, and the future competitiveness of our fantastic industry.

The new ambassadors are: 
- Emma Garnham – Training and Compliance Director for DHL, a ground handler, based in London
- Abdullah Bin Sajid Butt – Customer Operations Coordinator at Jet2.com, based in Bradford
- Ross Priday – CEO of a business delivering aviation safety risk advisory services to industry. Previously served as Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows, based in Wales
- Sigourney Ansah – an aspiring commercial pilot, who has previously worked for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at their head offices, based in London
- Sam Higgins - student outreach manager for British Airways, based in London
- Ken Eckersall – director of KenEck, a company which delivers aviation outreach to schools and colleges through portable flight simulators, FlightDeck PC, based in Wigan
- David Gardner – aviation fire fighter and medical lead for Luton Airport’s first responder scheme, based in Luton
- Lauren Turner – Operations Director at East Midlands Airport, based in the Midlands.
- Miguel Cabrera Vivas – former Service Recovery Manager at Heathrow and founder of ‘The Aviation Mentor’ social media channels with 177,000 likes and 6,000 followers, based in London
- Marcus Sellars – Aviation Automation and Digital Transport Integration Lead at Tees Valley Combined Authority, based in the Darlington
January 16, 2026
Robert Jenrick – 2026 Extracts of Speech (Alleged)

The text of the comments that were allegedly part of the speech Robert Jenrick, the former Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, was to make defecting to Reform on 15 January 2026. This text was released by the Conservative Party.

The Tories and Labour have forfeited the right to govern the United Kingdom. And the mantle now passes to Reform.

Nigel has stood for the real change we need for over a decade. If one puts party allegiance – personal ambition – to one side, he is obviously the right person to lead the movement for it – and delivery of it. And I am convinced Nigel will deliver the real change needed.

Thanks to Zia & Richard, Reform’s policies already meet the moment more than any other party’s. But they and Nigel know the extraordinary challenges Britain faces requires [ sic ] a comprehensive plan to turn things around. Developing the best one possible will be a major priority this year. As will [ sic ], as Nigel has said many times, building and recruiting the team to execute it.

For all these reasons, today, I am proud to become Reform’s 281,000th member. To back Nigel. And join this movement. I know in my heart it’s what’s right by our country.

If like me, you’ve backed another party but know it’s lost its way, don’t stay. Don’t stay in a party that hasn’t been loyal to you. When your country needs you.

And, perhaps more importantly, if you’ve never been near politics before, but think you have the energy and ideas and experience to turn Britain around. Come join.

I agree Britain is broken. In major decline. On the brink. In need of real change. And know neither Conservatives nor Labour will deliver it. Come join Reform.

January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Disability Confident scheme overhauled to boost workplace standards for disabled people [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 14 January 2026.

Sick and disabled people will have more opportunities to move into work following the overhaul of a scheme that will boost living standards and workplace inclusion.

Scheme to help employers recruit and retain disabled people to be reformed – boosting workplace inclusion and living standards as part of Plan for Change.
Reforms to previous Government’s Disability Confident scheme include tailored support for SMEs and greater peer-to-peer support for employers.
New standards to improve scheme for employer and employees will be shaped by the voices of disabled people.
Sick and disabled people will have more opportunities to move into work following the overhaul of a scheme that will boost living standards and workplace inclusion.

The Disability Confident scheme – launched by the previous government in 2016 – has delivered huge variations of support across different UK regions, often overlooking specific local needs and priorities.

While around two thirds of employers agree that joining the scheme had a positive impact on their organisation, the landmark Keep Britain Working review by Sir Charlie Mayfield concluded that while it has many positive aspects it “lacks teeth”.

In response to the review, the Government is taking action to prevent ill-health, support people to stay in work, and help employers build healthier, more resilient workplaces. Overhauling the Disability Confident scheme is a key part of this.

This will involve trialling reforms through employers, alongside the work taking place in the Keep Britain Working Review Vanguards, such as:

The Disability Confident scheme has three levels of commitment – we are reducing the time employers can remain at the entry level from three years to two, and removing the option for them to renew at this level to encourage employers to progress up the scheme.
Tailoring support for SMEs to their needs and capabilities, so that businesses of all sizes can benefit.
Connecting employers together so that they can access peer-to-peer support and share good practice, with practical resources so that they can tap into the scheme’s full potential.
Reflecting the views and voices of disabled people throughout the scheme so that guidance reflects real experiences.
The reforms are aimed at making employers’ experience on the scheme more meaningful and more impactful on their organisations, incentivising them to progress their Disability Confident status and make their workplaces inclusive of disabled talent. This will improve the employment outcomes of disabled people across the country, boosting living standards and helping to get the more than 2.8 million people signed off long-term sick in the UK into secure employment.

Around 19,000 employers are signed up to the current Disability Confident scheme, benefitting an estimated 11 million paid employees in their organisations. By improving the offer to employers, the reformed scheme has the potential to benefit even more employees.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said:
Disability Confident – with around 19,000 employers signed up – has enormous potential. For too long, though, it has not delivered enough support for disabled people, or for employers who want to recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

That’s why we are improving the scheme, through robust reforms to ensure a better service for all, including through greater support for SMEs and improving access to resources for employers.

This comes alongside our investment of £1 billion a year in employment support by the end of the decade, and our Connect to Work programme which will help 300,000 sick or disabled people into work by the end of the parliament.

Sally Gardner, Business Solutions Manager at Tees Valley Mayoral Combined Authority, welcomed the changes, saying:
Tees Valley Combined Authority supports the proposed reforms to the Disability Confident scheme and welcomes the opportunity to test new approaches that will strengthen the scheme’s impact.

These changes, including tailored support for SMEs and enhanced verification, will help ensure the scheme continues to drive meaningful progress and promote greater inclusivity for businesses in our region.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:
Adding a small business-focused track to Disability Confident is a good move, delivering on something that FSB proposed in our 2022 Business Without Barriers report.

Ensuring that the great work done by countless small businesses to support disabled employees can be captured and recognised is an important step, and we look forward to seeing how Disability Confident can be shaped in other ways to make it as relevant and useful to small firms as possible.

The Government will be engaging closely with current Disability Confident scheme members, SMEs, and larger businesses such as The Gym Group who are Disability Confident leaders, as well as the recently announced Independent Disability Advisory Panel to ensure that reforms are both impactful and realistic.

The changes build on the work the Government is doing to unlock work for sick or disabled people including the £1 billion investment in employment support by the end of the decade, and the Connect to Work programme that will support 300,000 into work, alongside the launch of employer-led Vanguards to address issues highlighted in the Keep Britain Working Review.

January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Iran [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 January 2026.

Joint Statement from the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and the High Representative of the EU.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are gravely concerned by the developments surrounding the ongoing protests in Iran. We strongly oppose the intensification of the Iranian authorities’ brutal repression of the Iranian people, who have been bravely voicing legitimate aspirations for a better life, dignity and freedom, since the end of December 2025.

We are deeply alarmed at the high level of reported deaths and injuries. We condemn the deliberate use of violence and the killing of protestors, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators.

We urge the Iranian authorities to exercise full restraint, to refrain from violence, and to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens, including the rights to freedom of expression, to seek, receive and impart information, and the freedom of association and peaceful assembly, without fear of reprisal.

The members of the G7 remain prepared to impose additional restrictive measures if Iran continues to crack down on protests and dissent in violation of international human rights obligations.

January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Waiting lists cut three times faster in highest joblessness areas [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 January 2026.

Waiting lists in 20 areas in England fall three times faster than the national average thanks to experts deployed by government to help supercharge NHS care.
- Trusts part of ‘Further Faster 20’ programme saw backlogs cut dramatically and productivity increased, helping get people back to work
- Scheme is just one modernisation success story amid the NHS recovery, and comes one year on from the launch of the government’s Elective Reform Plan
Specialist NHS teams helped cut waiting lists three times faster than the national average, a new report has revealed.

Thousands of patients across England benefitted from the Further Faster 20 (FF20) programme, which helped slash waiting times, turbocharge activity and is getting people back to work.

Crack teams of experts were sent to 20 hospital trusts across England with the highest levels of economic inactivity, with the aim of cutting the waiting list and boosting growth.

The health service will take learnings from the programme and use these to take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.

The findings of the FF20 report come as the government marks one year since the launch of the Elective Reform Plan – where record NHS funding is directed towards cutting waiting lists and getting patients seen on time again.

Since July 2024, the waiting list is down by more than 225,000 despite 28.4 million referrals, making a huge difference to people’s lives up and down the country.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

We said our Elective Reform Plan would get waiting lists down, and one year on that’s exactly what it’s delivering. Along with record investment, we’re doing things differently to get patients seen quicker, back to work and living their lives.

By sending crack teams into hospitals to supercharge care, opening more Community Diagnostic Centres longer and later, and cutting wasteful spending, we’re turning the tanker round and patients are starting to feel the difference.

It will be a long road, but together with NHS staff, we are fixing our health service and make it fit for the future and beyond.

Mark Cubbon, NHS England’s National Director for Planned Care, said:

NHS staff have been relentless in their efforts to bring waiting times down, and today’s figures show patients are starting to see the benefits – not only getting the care they need faster but also being supported back into the job market.

The last year has seen the NHS take great strides to deliver more tests and scans closer to home, and cut unnecessary and time-consuming appointments and processes, so that people can get the surgery they need faster.

The NHS will continue to deliver on the Elective Reform Plan and ensure people can get the treatment they need in a timely manner.

The FF20 programme sees teams work alongside local staff to transform how planned operations and outpatient appointments are delivered. This includes High Flow Theatre Lists, where experts perform ‘Formula 1 style’ surgery with theatres operating continuously, allowing surgeons to complete planned operations quicker.

Streamlining outpatient processes also played a major role. Trusts cut unnecessary appointments by sending patients “straight to test” rather than multiple clinic visits.

South Tees alone created 4,000 extra appointment slots by optimising the way it ran outpatient clinics, while Bolton cut wasted slots by 20% through better capacity management. East Lancashire deployed AI-powered dictation for pre-operative assessments, boosting nurse productivity by 14%.

The evaluation, published today by NHS England, found that over the 12 months from October 2024 to October 2025, waiting lists in FF20 areas fell three times faster than the rest of the country – with a 4.2% reduction compared to 1.4% nationally. For working-age adults, the difference was even starker: lists fell more than five times faster, helping get people treated and back into the workforce.

This initiative is having a major impact in slashing treatment times, and getting the NHS working again.

The Elective Reform Plan, launched in January 2025, set out how the government will return the health service its target of ensuring 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks for from referral to treatment by the end of the parliament.

In addition to the FF20 programme, across the country the government and NHS have together created more evening and weekend clinics, new and expanded community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, millions of extra GP appointments, thousands more frontline staff, and smarter technology.

As a result, the NHS continues to deliver above target productivity growth, with 2.7% growth between April 2024 and March 2025, and a further 2.5% in the first five months of this financial year. This means not only is the government boosting NHS capacity, it’s getting more bang for the taxpayer’s buck.

Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive, NHS Providers, said:

It’s great to see NHS trusts’ innovation and hard work to see patients quickly, cut waiting lists and boost productivity making such a huge contribution to the economy and growth. This is all the more impressive given the impact of record demand, resident doctor strikes and a relentless focus on delivering a financial ‘break even’ position for the NHS as a whole.

Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

It is encouraging to see targeted support helping trusts run operating lists and outpatient clinics more efficiently.  Long waits carry real human costs – prolonged pain, loss of independence, time away from work and disrupted lives.  This initiative shows what’s possible with focused investment. Our surgical workforce census shows surgeons are ready to do more operations, and with the right theatres, staffing and bed capacity in place, the NHS can go further and faster in tackling waiting lists.
January 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Immediate action to improve HMP Swaleside [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 January 2026.

Extra specialist staff, improved training for frontline officers and bolstered anti-drone measures will be deployed at HMP Swaleside as part of Government action to urgently turn the prison around.
- New specialist staff to bolster safety and security
- Anti-drone measures such as new windows and netting to clamp down on illicit items
- Ramp up of prisoner discipline hearings to tackle bad behaviour
- The jail received an Urgent Notification in December, with inspectors raising concerns about high levels of violence and self-harm, the prevalence of drugs, and poor living conditions.
The Prison Service has today (14 January) published a new action plan in direct response to the notification with the aim of rapidly improving safety and standards. This includes installing new windows and netting to combat drones delivering contraband, hiring specialist search teams and dog handlers to crack down on drugs and weapons, and improved safety training for staff.

There will also be a greater focus on cleanliness with a new strategy to improve standards both inside and outside the prison, while vital maintenance and refurbishments will be completed over the coming months.

Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said: 

The Chief Inspector’s findings at HMP Swaleside were deeply concerning and clearly not acceptable. This reflects the scale of the crisis we inherited across our prison system.

I visited the prison last week and saw firsthand the efforts of hardworking staff to deliver the necessary improvements, and this action plan will support them in this vital work.

More rule-breaking prisoners will also face consequences for their actions through a ramp up of disciplinary hearings to bring order to the prison.

Today’s announcement follows wider Government action to improve safety across the prison estate, including rolling out protective body armour to frontline officers and investing £40 million to boost security and clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars.
January 15, 2026