Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government bolsters Ukraine’s economic recovery, with World Bank approving $1 billion in UK-backed finance [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government bolsters Ukraine’s economic recovery, with World Bank approving $1 billion in UK-backed finance [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 26 June 2026.

    Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding.

    • Government announces latest $1 billion tranche of UK fiscal support that, pooled with partners’ support, will provide more than $4 billion in additional financing for Ukraine 
    • Deputy Prime Minister leads UK Government delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk  

    Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, helping to keep vital services running throughout the war.

    A $1 billion UK-backed package, approved by the World Bank, will unlock more than $4 billion in additional financing to help keep hospitals, schools and essential public services operating across Ukraine. The announcement comes as the Deputy Prime Minister leads the UK delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk today (Thursday 25 June).

    During the conference, the Deputy PM confirmed approval of the latest $1 billion tranche of fiscal support for Ukraine. The funding will help unlock private sector investment, support economic growth and create skilled jobs, strengthening Ukraine’s long-term recovery and resilience.

    Alongside international partners, the UK is using its economic strength to unlock bigger global backing, ensuring Ukraine can keep functioning and recover faster. 

    This comes as the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced a new package worth almost £290 million to bolster Ukraine’s recovery and energy security. This investment will support judicial reforms, funding for an EU Anti-Corruption Initiative and backing for Ukraine’s Green Transition Office. 

    Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy commented:  

    We’re backing Ukraine to keep its country running, keep the lights on in hospitals and make sure teachers get paid.

    This is the largest component of the UK’s fiscal support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022 and it will protect the public services that brave Ukrainians depend on.

    The UK will be at Ukraine’s side for its defence today and its rebuilding in the future. We are resolute in our pursuit of a just and lasting peace.

    The UK has $5 billion in committed loan guarantees to provide additional support for World Bank lending to Ukraine. This announcement of $1 billion in support is the latest tranche of support under this commitment.  

    Further information:

    • The $1bn announced today marks the allocation of funding from a previously announced $5bn loan guarantee commitment to support Ukraine’s urgent fiscal needs. Of this:   
    • $500m will go towards supporting a World Bank operation worth $3.35bn. This project has delivered crucial reforms, enabling private sector financing and investment; attracting skilled labour to jobs; and advancing cross-border market integration.  
    • $500m will go towards a Social Protection operation worth $880m and co-financed by Japan and Germany. This operation is instrumental to modernising social assistance in Ukraine, supporting reforms in social policy, disability rights and labour market inclusion.   
  • PRESS RELEASE : The Rapid Support Forces must halt their assault on El Obeid – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Rapid Support Forces must halt their assault on El Obeid – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by developments in and around El Obeid, and the immediate and escalating risks they pose to the civilian population.

    I will make three points.

    First, civilians must be protected and able to leave El Obeid, as called for by this Council on June 20.
    The Rapid Support Forces must halt their assault, and civilians must be able to leave.

    And all parties, including the Sudanese Armed Forces, should ensure that they are able to do so.

    All parties must comply fully with their obligations under international law to protect civilians.

    We are deeply concerned at the risk of large-scale atrocities.

    Civilians face increasing constraints on movement, deteriorating access to essential services, and the threat of intensified violence, including from continued drone strikes and attacks on critical infrastructure.

    As my Foreign Secretary has made clear, El Obeid is on the precipice of an atrocity that would deepen the wounds already inflicted on Sudan in El Fasher.

    All parties must act now to prevent further harm to civilians.

    Second, humanitarian actors need to be able to operate safely and without obstruction.

    All parties must facilitate rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, and provide the security guarantees needed for humanitarians to deliver lifesaving assistance.

    Attacks on humanitarian personnel are unacceptable.

    Without urgent action, those able to leave the city will not be able to access the aid they need.

    And finally, this conflict cannot be resolved by military means.

    Developments in El Obeid underscore the urgent need to halt the fighting and create space for a political pathway.

    We support efforts towards a humanitarian truce as the most credible route to reducing harm and enabling progress.

    We commend US leadership and Senior Advisor Boulos’s tireless efforts on this, as well as the work of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr Haavisto, to support de-escalation.

    External support continues to sustain this conflict. 

    And we call on those fuelling the conflict to cease, and those with influence must exercise it now to avoid further bloodshed.

    The suffering of the Sudanese people cannot continue.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Six Governors have been appointed and four reappointed to the British Film Institute [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Six Governors have been appointed and four reappointed to the British Film Institute [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 June 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Tanya Cordrey, Mark Herbert, Ganan Kanagathurai, Hakan Kousetta, Ryan Prince and Jane Tranter and reappointed Monica Chadha, Elizabeth Karlsen, Edgar Wright and Laura Miele as Governors of the British Film Institute for terms of 4 years.

    Tanya Cordrey, Mark Herbert, Ganan Kanagathurai, Hakan Kousetta and Jane Tranter’s terms will commence on 8 June 2026 to 7 June 2030. Ryan Prince’s term will commence on 6 July 2026 to 5 July 2030.

    Tanya Cordrey 

    Tanya Cordrey is a leading product and technology executive with over two decades of experience scaling some of the world’s best-known businesses. She is currently Chief Product Officer at Motorway, the UK’s largest online used-car marketplace, which is pioneering the development of AI products to transform how people buy and sell cars.

    Previously, Tanya held senior roles at Instagram as VP of Product and at Guardian News & Media as Chief Digital Officer, where she sat on the executive committee and oversaw an award-winning product portfolio. She brings extensive board experience, having served as a Non-Executive Director at Clarks and Schibsted, and as an adviser to the Government Digital Service. 

    Mark Herbert

    After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University in 1994, Mark’s career break came in 1995 when he was hired as Assistant Location Manager on “Brassed Off”. This led to a number of freelance positions from Location Manager to Production Manager before his first Producer role on the hit show “Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights” in 2001. 

    In 2002, Mark co-founded the Sheffield based production company WarpFilms. Mark has produced over 25 films, 17 TV series, and 8 short films, earning an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and five BAFTAs. His notable credits range from producing the acclaimed film This Is England to executive producing the global Netflix hit Adolescence alongside long-time collaborators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham.

    Ganan Kanagathurai

    Ganan Kanagathurai is a senior executive, accountant and entrepreneur with a proven track record of scaling iconic brands across the UK’s hospitality and creative sectors. Ganan is the owner and Chairman of the acclaimed Roti King restaurant group and was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the UK food chain itsu.

    Deeply committed to the UK’s cultural landscape, Ganan serves as Chairman of Rifco, the UK’s leading South Asian theatre production company and is also a trustee of Women in Sport. Ganan brings high-level corporate governance, entrepreneurial experience, and a passion for diverse storytelling.

    Hakan Kousetta

    Emmy Award winner Hakan Kousetta is, alongside Jamie Laurenson, the co-founder of 60FortyFilms, a London based television production company. 

    Passionate about the UK’s television and film industry, Hakan has been a vocal advocate for the production community. He sat on PACT council for over five years (and was co-chair of the Film Policy Group for over two years) before being elected as Chair of PACT Council in 2021. That same year, Hakan, alongside John McVay, received a special innovation award by the Producers Guild of Great Britain for their extensive work with the Government on designing and implementing the COVID Film and TV Production Restart Scheme. Hakan is also a member of BAFTA, Producers Guild of America and has a legal background.

    Ryan Prince

    For the past 25 years, Ryan has founded and overseen complex operating businesses in the hospitality and housing sectors. He is Vice Chair of multinational investment company Realstar Group, a real estate and investment management company.

    Almost a decade ago, Ryan also founded the UK’s leading residential owner and operator of rental apartments UNCLE which supports renters in major cities across the UK for a better, fairer rental experience. Ryan is also the past Chair of the UK Advisory Board and main board member of education and programming charity Facing History & Ourselves. The charity creates content and lesson plans for teachers in order to help students aged 14 to 18 tackle the hard questions of human behaviour throughout modern history.

    Jane Tranter 

    Jane Tranter CBE is a highly experienced television executive and producer, recognised for her significant contributions to the UK and global screen industries. In 2025, she was made a CBE for her services to television and is a recipient of the BAFTA Special Award.

    Jane previously served as the BBC’s Controller of Drama and Controller of Fiction, overseeing major hits including Doctor Who, Spooks, and State of Play.

    She later moved to Los Angeles, founding BBC Worldwide Productions and Adjacent Productions, before returning to the UK in 2015 to co-found the Cardiff-based production company Bad Wolf. Under her leadership, Bad Wolf has produced internationally acclaimed dramas such as the Night Of and Industry, while championing regional production growth in Wales. She was also an Executive Producer on the award-winning series Succession.

    Governors that have been reappointed to the BFI Board:

    Monica Chadha

    Monica Chadha serves on the boards of, or as an adviser to, several privately held companies in the entertainment and technology sectors. Previously Monica was CEO of MyMovies.Net; Vice Chair of Queen Mary University of London; Founder and Co-Chair of the Deloitte Higher Education Cyber Security Group; Chair of the British Independent Film Awards Advisory Board; Non-Executive Director of Obviously Creative; Advisory Board member of the BAFTA Digital Communications Group, Marlow Film Studios, the CMI President’s Advisory Council; and member of the APPG for AI and Bias in AI Research Group at Durham University. 

    In 2018 Monica was appointed an ambassador for Women on Boards. In 2019 she was voted one of the top 50 Women to Watch in the UK in the Female FTSE Board Report.

    Elizabeth Karlsen

    Elizabeth Karlsen is an internationally renowned, award-winning producer who co-founded Number 9 Films, one of the UK’s leading independent production companies, with partner Stephen Woolley in 2002. In February 2019, Elizabeth and Stephen jointly received the highly prestigious BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. 

    Elizabeth’s work with Stephen on films such as Living (2022), Carol (2015), Colette (2018), Little Voice (1998), Made in Dagenham (2010), Youth (2015), The Crying Game (1993) has garnered a total of 52 BAFTA nominations and wins and 20 Academy Award nominations and wins. 

    Elizabeth has served on the board of The Edinburgh Film Festival, the NFTS Gala, the American Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts Events Committee, and was Chair of Women in Film and TV UK.

    Edgar Wright 

    Edgar Wright burst onto the scene with the groundbreaking British sitcom Spaced, instantly marking himself as a bold new creative voice. He followed with two back-to-back genre-defining hits: the“RomZomCom” Shaun of the Dead and the action-comedy Hot Fuzz, both made with longtime collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

    After completing The Cornetto Trilogy with The World’s End, Wright directed the BAFTA-winning, Oscar-nominated blockbuster Baby Driver, which earned over $220 million worldwide, three Academy Award nominations, and a BAFTA for Best Editing. He followed up in 2021 with the psychological thriller Last Night in Soho and the documentary The Sparks Brothers. Most recently, he co-wrote and directed Paramount’s Stephen King adaptation, The Running Man.

    Beyond film and television, Wright has directed commercials for brands such as SquareSpace, Hotels.com, Nike, and McDonald’s, as well as music videos for artists including Pharrell Williams, Daft Punk, Beck, and Mint Royale.

    Laura Miele

    Laura Miele is a technology and media executive who recently celebrated 30 years at Electronic Arts.

    Previously, she has held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Studios Officer, Executive Vice President of Global Publishing, and Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. In 2013, she was named General Manager of the Star Wars business, where she led EA’s partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd. and Disney.

    Laura is widely recognised as a leading voice in the global interactive entertainment industry and is a sought-after speaker and media commentator. In 2024, she joined the Board of Directors of On Holding AG (On Running).

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Governors of the British Film Institute are not remunerated.

    These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s 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. 

    Tanya Cordrey, Mark Herbert, Ganan Kanagathurai, Hakan Kousetta, Ryan Prince, Jane Tranter, Monica Chadha, Elizabeth Karlen, Edgar Wright and Laura Miele have declared no such political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South station opens [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South station opens [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 26 June 2026.

    This £250 million government investment cuts journey times, boosts rail links and supports further employment growth in the region.

    • Cambridge South station opens this weekend delivering direct rail access to Europe’s largest biomedical campus
    • £250 million government investment will deliver major transport improvement for over 20,000 current bio-medical campus staff with up to 9 trains an hour to London, Stansted and Birmingham Airport
    • new station will cut journey times to a single 45-minute direct train, transforming access to world-class healthcare, jobs and opportunities for the 40,000 people who visit Cambridge Biomedical Campus every day

    Thousands of visitors will be able to travel from the new Cambridge South station from Sunday (28 June 2026), as it opens its doors to boost transport links and reduce journey times across the region.

    Backed by £250 million of government funding, the new station is expected to welcome around 1.8million passengers a year, transforming connectivity across the region, with up to 9 trains an hour connecting passengers to Cambridge city centre and beyond.

    Passengers will also be able to take trains to London, Birmingham, Stansted Airport and international rail services via St Pancras, with up to 20 services calling at Cambridge South in peak hours, improving access to jobs, homes and opportunities for millions of people.

    Services operated by Greater Anglia, Great Northern and Thameslink CrossCountry are expected to call at the new station from day one.

    The new station will directly serve Cambridge Biomedical Campus – home to world-class science, NHS hospitals and business facilities. The campus currently contributes £4.7 billion annually to the UK economy, with every 10 jobs on the campus supporting a further 10 jobs across the UK.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    The newly opened Cambridge South station cuts journey times, improves access to jobs and makes everyday life that little bit easier for thousands of people.

    This £250 million investment means a journey that once took over an hour – involving a train, a bus, a walk – is now a single 45-minute direct train from London. That’s a real, tangible difference in people’s lives.

    With up to 20 services in peak hours connecting passengers to London, Birmingham, Stansted and beyond, Cambridge South will connect people with opportunities across the region and the wider country. This is Great British Railways (GBR) in action.

    Designed to blend in with its surroundings, the station integrates with the existing Hobson’s Park nature reserve, helping to protect valuable green space, recreational areas and wildlife habitats.

    Its ‘green roof’ includes a wildflower meadow environment and a rainwater catchment system that will store and slowly discharge rainwater back into the environment and the nearby brook, while the station’s overall design and construction efficiencies have reduced the station’s carbon footprint by over 22%.

    Jamie Burles, Managing Director for GBR Anglia, said:

    Welcoming the first customers through the door of Cambridge South on Sunday will mark the completion of a new gateway for the 1.8 million people expected to use the new station every year.

    Cambridge South will be a game-changer, providing a more sustainable travel option for workers and visitors at the biomedical campus and for local residents too, supporting regional growth and boosting connection to major cities and transport hubs across the UK.

    Hundreds of people across the rail industry and our supply chain have worked incredibly hard to deliver this for Cambridge. I know they will all be proud to see it open for our passengers and community. We look forward to serving you as you visit.

    Prior to the station opening, someone travelling from London King’s Cross station would need to take a train, a bus and walk to reach the Biomedical campus in a journey taking over one hour. However, thanks to the brand-new station, passengers can take one 45-minute direct train from London to Cambridge South.

    Shaun Grady, Chair of AstraZeneca UK, said:

    AstraZeneca, alongside local partners, has been supportive of Cambridge South from the start, so we are very excited to see the station opening. It is not hyperbole to say it will be transformative for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and for the rest of the city.

    From colleagues and visitors coming up to Cambridge for appointments, going down to London for meetings and flying in via Stansted, the station will help people get to where they want to go. Improving connectivity to and from the campus has always been the key priority and this new station will greatly support the UK’s ambition to be a global leader in innovation, science and technology.

    Peter Denton CBE, Chair of Cambridge Biomedical Campus Limited, said:

    This new rail station will be transformational for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, making it easier to collaborate through better connectivity to London, Manchester, Stansted and beyond.

    Cambridge South will deliver long-term growth and have an immediate impact for hospital visits and those seeking jobs and career opportunities within the world-leading life sciences, health, research and education organisations which we are lucky to have here.

    The new station is connected to the local cycle network with 1,000 spaces for cycles and blue badge bays and is located next to the guided busway system, providing visitors with more sustainable transport options from the local park and ride facilities or the city centre.

    Cambridge South will be the first new GBR-branded station – with clearer information and better support stations that are simpler to move around, from planning journeys to getting help on the day.

    Already one of the UK’s most dynamic economic regions, the Oxford-Cambridge corridor has a combined value of £143 billion and is driving growth with employment rising 40% faster than elsewhere in the country, with around 30% of jobs in knowledge-intensive sectors – almost triple the national average.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Anti-Personnel Mines [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Anti-Personnel Mines [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Anti-Personnel Mines. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Chair.

    Anti-personnel mines injure and kill long after conflicts have ended and continue to pose a threat to the full enjoyment of all human rights.

    The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention provides a key framework for addressing this issue. It bans the use, stockpiling, destruction and transfer of landmines and obligates their destruction. The Convention is one of the world’s most widely accepted treaties.

    Strong national ownership and a whole of government approach are critical to implementing the Convention’s obligations. Mine action should be integrated into national development plans due to its potential to drive humanitarian and development outcomes – it saves lives, prevents injuries and is a vital enabler of SDGs in multiple contexts.

    Through the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme, we expect to spend over £50m from April 2026 to March 2029. This will continue to fund demining and risk education, through partnerships, and technical support to mine affected states. Through this work we remain committed to innovative financing and support to Women and Girls.

    The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention’s Siem Reap Angkor Action plan provides a clear roadmap to face the threat of anti-personnel mines. The UK remains unwaveringly committed to the Convention – our support, its humanitarian purpose and its norms remain firm.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lebanese Army Commander Ends Official Visit to the United Kingdom [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Lebanese Army Commander Ends Official Visit to the United Kingdom [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    Discussions focused on the UK’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and progress towards a durable ceasefire.

    The Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Rodolphe Haykal, ended a two-day visit to the United Kingdom 24-26 June, his first official visit to the country. The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen collaboration on shared priorities, including regional stability, border security, and institutional resilience.

    During his visit, General Haykal held meetings with UK counterparts, including the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Sir Richard Knighton at the Ministry of Defence, and toured the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He also met with Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer and UK National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. Discussions focused on the UK’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and progress towards a durable ceasefire, and the UK’s readiness to support LAF deployment to the south.

    The UK continues to support the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon. Since 2009, the UK has committed over £180 million to support Lebanon’s internal and border security, including £69 million to the Internal Security Forces and more than £120 million to the Lebanese Armed Forces in training, equipment, and capacity-building programmes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK launches first ever taskforce to strengthen climate security [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK launches first ever taskforce to strengthen climate security [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 June 2026.

    Leading security, military and academics have joined forces with the government to boost the UK’s preparedness for the security impacts of climate change.

    • Government brings together leading security, military and academic experts to tackle growing climate threats
    • New taskforce will boost UK preparedness for climate change – identifying gaps, assessing risks and providing independent recommendations and expertise on climate and nature threats to national security
    • Climate change and nature loss are driving instability, economic disruption and threatening Britain’s way of life

    Leading security, military and academic experts have joined forces with the government to boost the UK’s preparedness for the security impacts of climate change and nature loss. 

    Climate Minister Katie White has today (Friday 26 June) announced the launch a first-of-its-kind expert taskforce that will advise government on how to better anticipate and respond to the growing risks climate change poses to national security. 

    The UK’s 2025 National Security Strategy makes clear that climate and nature loss are core drivers of global instability, economic disruption and security risk. 

    As Britian experiences another record heatwave this week, climate change is already impacting families and businesses. The UK Health Security Agency estimated over 1,500 heat related deaths last summer and analysis has shown in 2025 hot and dry conditions led to £800 million in crop losses for British farming.

    Co-chaired by Climate Minister Katie White and Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle, the taskforce will meet to pinpoint gaps in the UK’s preparedness and identify the most serious climate and nature threats to national security. It will also review existing resilience work across government and set out clear recommendations to strengthen readiness. It builds on continued action to tackle the climate crisis and protect future generations. Earlier this month, the government set out a world‑leading target for the seventh Carbon Budget — cutting emissions by 87% between 2038 and 2042 — helping to cut bills, shield families from fossil fuel price spikes, and drive investment in the UK’s clean energy economy.

    Minister for Climate, Katie White, said:  

    Climate change is no longer a distant concern. It is a security challenge that is reshaping the world in which we all live. 

    Recent events in the Middle East make clear just how exposed the systems which we all depend on are to shocks, which can quickly cascade and impact the every day lives of families and businesses. 

    We’re convening this taskforce, the first of its kind, to make sure that we are prepared as possible for the security challenges that climate change creates.

    Minister for Security, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, said: 

    The climate crisis is a growing threat to our national security, from disrupting supply chains, which pushes up prices in the shops, to driving conflict and instability around the world.

    This new taskforce will bring together leading experts to make sure Britain is better prepared for these risks – strengthening our resilience at home and ensuring we can respond to an increasingly uncertain world.

    These risks are increasingly crossing borders and sectors, with knock-on effects for migration, access to food and water, energy systems, supply chains and financial stability. 

    The taskforce will take a joined-up look at climate security. In practice, this means:  

    • looking at how climate impacts overseas can translate into domestic pressures, including more people living in climate-vulnerable conditions and the consequences for UK
    • understanding the risks to the UK and global economy, including what happens when assets, infrastructure or whole regions become too risky to insure or invest in
    • exploring rising geopolitical tensions in places like the Arctic, where melting ice is creating security challenges

    The initial group of Taskforce members include: 

    • Tim Benton, Professor Emeritus, University of Leeds; formerly Research Director & Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House
    • Nick Bridge, Associate Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House
    • Duncan de Pledge, Senior Lecturer in Geopolitics and Security, Loughborough University
    • Bassam Fattouh, Director, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. 
    • Olivia Lazard, Planetary Fellow, Berggruen Institute   
    • General Richard Nugee, Non-Executive Director for Climate Change and Sustainability, MOD 
    • Nathalie Pettorelli, Professor, Institute of Zoology, ZSL   
    • Janani Vivekananda, Director of Climate Diplomacy and Security Programme, Adelphi Global  

    Further members of the taskforce will be announced in due course.

    Janani Vivekananda, Director of Climate Diplomacy and Security Programme, Adelphi Global, said:  

    Security in the 2020s means climate security. I’m honoured to join this Taskforce to help ensure the UK acts early and decisively — with integrated, evidence‑based and accountable responses that prevent climate and nature risks from becoming crises, protect people, and strengthen the conditions for peace.  

    General Richard Nugee, Non-Executive Director for Climate Change and Sustainability, MOD, said: 

    I am delighted to be joining a TaskForce that puts climate change and biodiversity loss at the heart of National Security for this country. Both have significant implications for the Security and well being of the state and must be addressed for our people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action to tackle antisemitism – UK voluntary report to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action to tackle antisemitism – UK voluntary report to the OSCE [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    UK provides a voluntary report to the OSCE’s Human Dimension Committee on domestic efforts to tackle antisemitism.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

    Could I express a belated thank you to today’s speakers for their insights on addressing intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Forums such as this are essential for sharing practical experiences and strengthening our collective response. While this is not a new challenge, it is one that is particularly acute today. Regrettably, just last week, there was an appalling incident in Edinburgh, which appears to have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. All forms of religious and racial hatred are completely abhorrent and have no place in our society. No one should be targeted because of their faith or the colour of their skin.

    Dear colleagues, I would like to use this opportunity to provide an update on the UK’s domestic efforts to tackle antisemitism. Across the OSCE region, we are witnessing a worrying rise in antisemitism, alongside other forms of hatred and intolerance. Recent attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions in the UK have underlined both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of action.

    The UK Government treats antisemitism as a national challenge and a test of our values. It is recognised clearly as racism – anti‑Jewish hatred – and our approach is one of zero tolerance. We are using the full force of the state to protect Jewish communities and confront this hatred wherever it appears.

    Our approach is guided by three priorities: protecting communities, enforcing the law, and addressing root causes.

    First, on protection. The safety of Jewish communities is a core responsibility of the state. The UK has committed record levels of funding for protective security at Jewish schools, synagogues and community sites, including an additional package this year to strengthen local security, policing and preventative measures. We have increased visible police patrols, expanded specialist deployments, and invested further in counter‑terrorism capabilities. Our objective is that British Jews are not only safe, but feel safe.

    Second, on enforcement and deterrence. Antisemitic abuse and violence are criminal acts. Those responsible will be held accountable in our courts. At the same time, we are strengthening powers to prevent extremist actors from spreading hatred – by restricting entry to the UK, tackling harmful online content, and addressing malign foreign state activity. Institutions are also being held to account: universities, public bodies, and publicly funded organisations are expected to act decisively and transparently to confront antisemitism.

    Third, on prevention. We are addressing the drivers of antisemitism across society. This includes targeted work in schools, universities and public institutions, backed by dedicated funding for education and awareness on antisemitism. Holocaust education remains central, ensuring that future generations understand the consequences of hatred. We are also implementing a broader national cohesion and counter‑extremism approach, recognising that antisemitism must be tackled alongside other forms of extremist ideology.

    These domestic measures are underpinned by our international commitments. The UK was the first country to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, and we support the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism.

    Earlier this year, our Foreign Secretary announced the appointment of Jon Pearce MP as the UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues. His appointment not only demonstrates the UK’s continued leadership and dedication to Holocaust remembrance, education, and research, but also represents our unwavering commitment to the protection of the Jewish community in the UK and abroad, championing UK policy and supporting the fight against the scourge of antisemitism.

    Colleagues, we must also address the external factors that fuel antisemitism. In an attempt to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has distorted Holocaust memory and misused historically loaded language. This cynical weaponisation of history dishonours the victims of the Holocaust, undermines truth, and contributes to a climate in which antisemitism can flourish. We strongly condemn it.

    In conclusion, the UK is determined to confront antisemitism in all its forms. Antisemitism is not only a threat to Jewish communities; it is a threat to our societies as a whole. Addressing it is a shared responsibility.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s food and farming trade attachés unlock £80m in new export opportunities [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Britain’s food and farming trade attachés unlock £80m in new export opportunities [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 June 2026.

    Farming Minister Stephen Morgan welcomes Defra’s global network of agri-food attachés’ for their annual Industry Engagement Week.

    British food and farming businesses will benefit from £80 million in new export opportunities this year, as the government’s agri-food attachés unlocked global trade barriers, including genetics exports to USA, cheese exports to Brazil and trout access in China. 

    So far this year, 20 barriers have already been resolved by the attaché network, including a new streamlined Chinese export registration process that will save businesses £50 million annually.  

    Additional breakthroughs include delivering new market access for British poultry and eggs in the UAE, a significant win for exporting processed animal protein in Indonesia worth £10 million annually, and new approvals for cookie dough exports to India and UK seafood access in Kuwait. 

    Farming Minister Stephen Morgan welcomed the agri-food attachés back to the UK for a week of intensive engagement with British food and farming businesses. The attachés met producers, farmers and small businesses to discuss how the government can help them capitalise on the UK’s new trade deals and the forthcoming EU-UK SPS Agreement, which will remove barriers with the UK’s biggest agri-food trade market. 

    The week saw the attachés travel to Essex, visiting the world-famous Wilkin & Sons jam factory and fruit farm in Tiptree and the award-winning Danbury Ridge vineyard to mark English Wine Week, meeting passionate producers to help boost exports of these world-renowned products from the UK. 

    Alongside these visits, the attachés met around 100 food and drink businesses and industry associations spanning the breadth of the sector – from meat and dairy producers to drinks makers, small businesses and speciality food exporters – discussing how government can best support them in seizing the opportunities ahead. 

    Farming Minister Stephen Morgan said:

    Our agri-attachés are Britain’s boots on the ground for food and farming trade. Embedded in key markets from the USA to East Asia, they use their local knowledge and diplomatic connections to cut through barriers that would otherwise take years to resolve.

    The results speak for themselves, with £80 million in opportunities unlocked this year alone, delivering real growth for British businesses.

    As global appetite for UK food and drink continues to grow, the attaché network will keep playing a critical role to help British businesses build a lasting presence in the world’s most important markets.

    Food and Drink Federation Director of Sustainability & Growth Balwinder Dhoot Said:

    The agri-food attaché network provides valuable in-market support to businesses and is a key part of our goal to reach £35bn in UK food and drink exports by 2035.

    We are looking forward to working more closely with the attaches going forward to deliver strong benefits for the UK’s 12,000 food and drink manufacturers.

    The engagement week comes on the back of a strong year for the network amid a challenging trading environment and geopolitical uncertainty. In 2025, the attachés resolved 55 export barriers estimated to be worth £127 million annually, from securing pork access to Mexico to removing costly obstacles for dairy exports to Egypt. 

    Last year, two UK dairy establishments were approved to export to Brazil, an important step in boosting exports to this growing market and seeing more British dairy on Brazilian shelves. 

    Under the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, the government has secured a 13k Mt quota for British beef into the high-value US market, worth up to £70m. We have also seen new access for ovine genetics grow UK exports to more than £2.5m according to industry estimates, showcasing our world leading sheep breeds. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of homes will be eligible for £9,000 off a heat pump [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of homes will be eligible for £9,000 off a heat pump [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 June 2026.

    Households on heating oil across England and Wales will be eligible for £9,000 off a heat pump, helping them cut bills.

    • Thousands of households on heating oil across England and Wales will be eligible for a £9,000 heat pump grant 
    • Funding will help rural households make the move from heating oil to a heat pump, protecting them from fossil fuel price spikes
    • Information on how to apply will be landing on doormats of thousands of eligible households this week 

    Thousands of households on heating oil across England and Wales will be eligible to receive £9,000 to switch to a heat pump this summer, saving them money on their energy bills. 

    From 21 July the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is being increased by 20%, from £7,500 to £9,000, to help rural households make the move from heating oil to a heat pump.

    This will electrify families’ heating, protecting them from fossil fuel price spikes and providing greater certainty over energy bills.

    Leaflets will be dropping onto the doormats of 200,000 eligible homes in England and Wales this week with more information on how to claim the extra funding. 

    Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said  

    This government is determined to bring down energy bills, but I know the war in the Middle East has hit households on heating oil especially hard.

    We have already taken action to support these households through confirming over £50 million in support for vulnerable customers on heating oil. 

    Now, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will help thousands of families across England and Wales switch to clean heat to protect them from volatile fossil fuels.

    The Boiler Upgrade Scheme uplift runs alongside measures that the Energy Secretary set out earlier in the year to help cut bills for families and deliver more clean, homegrown power.

    The Social Housing Fund will receive a £100 million boost to support the delivery of up to 57,000 solar installations for households in England this financial year. The measures will cut bills by hundreds of pounds and support up to one million homes reach EPC C.

    Additionally, to build on the success of Great British Energy’s solar scheme, the government is backing the company to extend support for more rooftop solar installations on a further 100 schools and colleges this year alone.

    The Warm Homes Plan, available to all households, will help roll out clean technology to millions, cutting bills and securing thousands of good jobs.

    Charlotte Lee, CEO, Heat Pump Association UK, said:

    The Boiler Upgrade Scheme continues to play a vital role in supporting households to adopt heat pumps, and this £1,500 uplift will make the transition significantly more affordable for the thousands of oil-heated homes. 

    Many of these households have faced considerable price uncertainty in recent months, without the protection of the energy price cap, and this £9,000 grant will help shield families from volatile fossil fuel costs, by using home grown electricity, in the years ahead.

    Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: 

    This uplift is an important step in making heat pumps more accessible to rural households, allowing them to see the benefits the technology can offer.

    As the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables like heat pumps, our mission is to give everyone confidence in home-grown energy. 

    We do this by setting the standards you should always expect from an MCS certified installer and the products they use, while providing robust protections to give you peace of mind in your investment.

    Households considering making the switch to a heat pump with the help of the BUS can search for an MCS certified installer near them using our Find an Installer tool.

    Matt Copeland, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at National Energy Action says:

    This is a positive step for households relying on heating oil, who have recently faced the highest and most volatile energy costs. 

    Many families will be expecting to ration their heating in the coming winter, living in homes they cannot afford to keep warm, not through choice but constraint. 

    Supporting the shift to cleaner heating in these homes can help deliver greater stability and lower bills. 

    The real test will be whether this support reaches those most at risk and makes homes genuinely affordable to heat.