Tag: 2026

  • Andy Burnham – 2026 Statement Confirming Leadership Bid

    Andy Burnham – 2026 Statement Confirming Leadership Bid

    The statement made by Andy Burnham on 22 June 2026.

    Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

    His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.

    The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get. As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be.

    People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.

    The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.

    This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.

  • Wes Streeting – 2026 Statement Supporting Andy Burnham

    Wes Streeting – 2026 Statement Supporting Andy Burnham

    The statement made by Wes Streeting on 22 June 2026.

    Keir Starmer led us to a general election victory that no one thought possible. He kept us out of the war in Iran and has delivered real progress as prime minister at home. He has made the right decision to stand down as the leader of the Labour Party that he saved.

    After a devastating set of election results in May, the Makerfield by-election has proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change. It was a victory for unity and hope over division and hatred.

    It was also Andy Burnham’s victory. Andy has shown what Labour can be when we are inclusive, united, and in touch with the lives of the people this Party was founded to represent.

    I left the government because we were losing the fight to nationalists in every corner of the country. I have spent the weeks since speaking to our former councillors, activists and voters in place we lost – to listen and learn from them.

    I’ve also been setting out ideas to change our country: a plan for Britain to grow again and grow together, with a progressive capitalism focused on wealth creation as much as wealth distribution; to lead the world in the fourth industrial revolution and protect people from its risks; to modernise our public services; to give Britain energy security; to build stronger alliances with democracies around the world and a new special relationship with Europe; and to change the culture of our party so that it is more inclusive and open to ideas.

    Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.

    We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.

    We were elected to change our country, to show that politics can be a force for good, and to spread opportunity for everyone. With Andy, we still can.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 June 2026.

    Three UK-designed long-range strike systems have been flight tested just months after competition launch, as British defence industry deliver battlefield capability at record speed.

    A major UK project to develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukrainian has reached a significant milestone, with three British-designed systems successfully flight tested just months after the competition was launched. 

    Project Brakestop, launched by the Ministry of Defence’s Taskforce Kindred in November 2024, challenged UK industry to develop a low-cost, ground-launched strike weapon capable of hitting targets more than 500km away while carrying a powerful 225kg warhead. 

    The programme was designed to harness the speed, innovation and expertise of British industry to deliver a new capability at a pace rarely seen in defence. Follow on contracts worth around £15 million each have now been awarded to three companies.  

    Ambitious requirements were set for competitors for the new system, including: 

    • A range of at least 500km 
    • Capable of carrying a warhead weighing at least 225kg 
    • A speed of more than 600km/h 
    • Target unit cost of around £400,000 excluding the warhead 
    • Ability to produce at least 20 weapons a month within months of a production order. 

    27 bids from industry were received when the competition opened, and MOD experts carried out detailed technical assessments and held competitive “Dragon’s Den” style pitches in February 2025. Six British companies were awarded contracts worth around £5 million each to design and build prototype weapons for testing in just seven months. 

    Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: 

    The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, and we will continue to provide the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. 

    Project Brakestop shows what happens when we combine that commitment with the talent and ingenuity of British industry. In less than a year, UK companies have taken an ambitious concept from the drawing board to flight testing, delivering a new generation of capability at remarkable speed. 

    This is a clear demonstration that Britain has the industrial strength, innovation and determination to meet the challenges of modern warfare and support our allies.  

    By December 2025, only three suppliers remained, who progressed to flight testing: 

    • MBDA UK, a long-standing strategic partner of the UK who produce systems including Storm Shadow. 
    • MGI Engineering, a UK SME with over 25 years of success in Formula 1 – Brakestop is MGI’s first defence contract.  
    • Rotron Aerospace, a UK SME with a strong history of working with the MOD including the Dismounted Soldier Close Combat and Defence (DSCDP) programme.  

    Each of their systems were tested at the MOD Hebrides Range, a specialist trials site managed by QinetiQ through the Long-Term Partnering Agreement. 

    The announcement comes following a week of UK commitments to Ukraine where the Prime Minister announced at G7, a further £210 million of UK Export Finance support to power Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.

    Whilst on Thursday, The Defence Secretary announced that the UK will provide 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones and over 350 air defence missiles and radars funded from Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan.

    Project Brakestop demonstrates the ability of UK industry to rapidly develop and test complex long-range strike systems. 

    The 225kg warhead that the systems must be capable of carrying has already been successfully developed and tested by another UK company, proving the destructive power of the system. 

    The next phase of Project Brakestop is now underway, with Phase 2 contracts worth around £15 million awarded to multiple suppliers to further develop and produce 15 improved effectors each, alongside launchers and support vehicles. 

    Further testing will take place in the UK in the coming months, followed by additional trials overseas, including in Ukraine. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 22 June 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the reappointment of David Johnstone as the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

    Background

    The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioners Office was established in September 2020 to provide a voice for veterans living in Northern Ireland to ensure fairness and safe access to services. 

    Terms of Appointment

    • This position is part-time for a period of a further three years ending on 31 August 2029.
    • The position attracts a fixed remuneration of £306 per day plus expenses, with an expectation of a time commitment of a maximum of 140 days per year.
    • The position is not pensionable.

    Biography

    David Johnstone was appointed as NI Veterans Commissioner in January 2025. He  formerly served as an Officer in the Royal Irish Regiment (Reserves) from 1988 to 2014, including operational deployment in Iraq. He currently holds the position of Chief Vision Officer at PropFundrs, a Property Developer Consultancy Firm and formerly Chief Executive Officer of an online property platform, a role that required him to be a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Approved Person. David also currently has a senior executive role in local football.

    Regulation

    This appointment is not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Political Activity

    All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements.  Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public. Mr Johnstone has not declared any political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 June 2026.

    Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals projects.

    • Government backs critical minerals projects across the UK, strengthening Britain’s economic security by diversifying supply.
    • £50m investment will turbocharge domestic production of critical minerals to help shore up UK’s supplies of smartphones, fridges and electric vehicle batteries.
    • This builds on over £200m government support for critical minerals projects boosting local jobs and opportunity.

    Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals essential for everyday products – from smartphones and fridges to electric vehicles.

    The funding will boost domestic production, support high-value jobs and reduce the UK’s reliance on overseas imports, helping to protect the economy from global shocks and supply disruptions.

    With global supply chains increasingly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption, the UK has for too long relied heavily on a small number of international suppliers. This investment marks decisive action to strengthen economic resilience, secure vital materials and support long-term growth as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

    The Critical Minerals Strategy will back British companies to accelerate the extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals, while investing in cutting-edge manufacturing capability and attracting private investment into the UK.

    Today (22 June), Industry Minister Chris McDonald will visit Teesside’s Wilton Centre to officially launch the Government’s programme to industry and tour Seloxium and DEScycle – two cutting-edge firms advancing critical minerals processing and metal recycling.

    Industry Minister Chris McDonald said:

    Critical minerals are vital for our national security, and this targeted funding will support companies in ramping up domestic production, helping to create new jobs and opportunities in local communities, whilst building more resilient supply chains.

    Through our Critical Minerals Strategy, we’re leveraging Britain’s mineral wealth, attracting new investment and forming dynamic relationships with partners across the world to boost our economic security.

    Founder of the Critical Minerals Association Jeff Townsend said:

    The UK Government has taken important steps to strengthen the critical minerals sector. As attention turns from policy development to delivery, it is encouraging to see the £50 million grant programme being used to accelerate strategically important UK projects as they reach maturity.

    As the home to Seloxium and DEScycle, the Wilton Centre sits in the heart of the North-East of England Process Industry Cluster. Building on its strong industrial heritage, the North East offers expertise in the recycling, processing and recovery of critical minerals alongside growing lithium development.

    CCO and Co-Founder of DEScycle and Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group at the UK Critical Minerals Association, Fred White said:

    We are nearing construction completion of our world-first demonstration facility, with key equipment installed ahead of commissioning. Our disruptive technology is reshaping how the UK views e-waste, transforming its treatment into a sovereign form of urban mining and Teesside’s world-leading industrial heritage, skilled workforce makes it the ideal location for our facility, deploying infrastructure directly supporting the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

    The funding programme will be delivered through three distinct pillars: 

    • Magnet Hub: £20 million to establish a world-class national facility to develop, test and scale up rare earth magnet manufacturing, alongside skills and training capabilities.
    • Critical Minerals Accelerator: £25 million to support collaborative projects across extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals, accelerating innovation and commercialisation opportunities.
    • Demand Aggregation Platform: a new up to £5 million platform to help UK industry consolidate and pool its critical mineral demand across different industries, unlock investment and secure supply through strategic partnerships.

    Together, these measures will help grow the UK’s domestic capability across the critical minerals value chain, and builds on over £200 million of funding already provided including through the National Wealth Fund, DRIVE35 and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

    A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, Industrial Strategy, and clean energy transition – and the Critical Mineral’s Strategy paves the way to creating resilient supply chains that will help protect British industry during a time of global instability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 20 June 2026.

    Specialist trained firefighters in reach of communities and an overhaul of fire and rescue assets to the value of almost £100 million have been announced.

    Through the new programme, teams of specialist firefighters will be positioned in key areas and ready to respond to fires across England – delivering help to people on the ground more quickly and taking pressure off local services as the number of incidents continues to grow. 

    The teams have undergone intense training over spring and summer, upskilling in the latest strategies like tactical burning, and travelling to South Africa and Poland to learn from the international community. 

    In the wake of devastating wildfires last year, which included widespread damage across North York Moors National Park, today’s announcement will provide crucial protection to precious countryside and communities.  

    State-of-the-art kit, like dedicated off-road vehicles, will also be available through a wider £97 million investment to fund the largest scale upgrade of National Resilience assets in almost twenty years. 

    Building Safety Minister, Samantha Dixon, said: 

    This country benefits from a dedicated fire and rescue service and as incidents continue to evolve in complexity, it’s critical that we back those on the frontline with the latest equipment.  

    Last year saw some of our most devastating wildfires in recent history and as we head into peak season, we’re getting on and delivering the resource, training and assets needed to minimise the escalating risk.

    The Fire National Resilience programme was established after the 9/11 terrorist attack, recognising that specialist capabilities, personnel and resources were needed to enable fire and rescue services to respond effectively to a national-scale catastrophic incident. 

    The significant cash boost will ensure the dedication of our fire and rescue services is matched with the most up-to-date assets, funding a huge overhaul of existing vehicles and equipment. 

    This will crucially strengthen the country’s national response to the largest and most complex of incidents, from flash flooding to raging wildfires and collapsed structures. 

    These specialist capabilities were used over 1,000 times in 2025 alone to tackle a diverse range of incidents, with devastating wildfires identified as a growing demand on the service.   

    The wildfire teams will be located strategically and hosted by fire and rescue services in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales – deployable to incidents across England by the end of June.

  • PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 June 2026.

    Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.

    • Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7
    • Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home
    • Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime

    Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament. 

    The innovative tags work around the clock and quickly detect if an offender has been drinking by analysing their sweat. If an offender dares to have a drink, an alert is sent to their probation officer who can take action to punish them, such as an order to return to court or even prison. 

    The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between those simply soaking up the atmosphere at pubs and fan zones where alcohol is present, and those risking a red card by actively drinking. 

    The move comes as police forces and local authorities prepare for increased demand during the tournament, with alcohol often linked to incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and disorder around major football fixtures. 

    The technology is playing a significant role in the Government’s mission to take back our streets from alcohol-fuelled harm, which the National Audit Office estimate costs the UK economy £21 billion a year. 

    Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister Lord Timpson said: 

    Major sporting events should be a time for the country to come together and enjoy the game, not for alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder to ruin the occasion. 

    Having this tech fixed around the ankle is the wake-up call to offenders and leaves them with the sobering thought that one slip-up could send them to jail.

    New tagging technology is a critical tool in our efforts to punish offenders, cut reoffending and keep the public safe, and the evidence is increasingly proving its effectiveness. 

    Offenders who are banned from consuming alcohol by the courts have remained sober for 97% of the days they have been tagged since the technology was first rolled out in 2020. 

    They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers. Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classified as having a drinking problem. 

    As part of the Government’s action to make streets safer, tens of thousands more criminals will be tagged over the next three years as part of a major technology expansion. 

    The Government is also introducing, for the first time, a presumption that all prison leavers will be tagged on release as part of intensive supervision with the Probation Service keeping a closer eye on offenders’ behaviour.  

    It is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public. 

    Further information: 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2026.

    Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    • newly appointed Special Envoy will drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war
    • up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence
    • appointment comes after launch of UK-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls

    Britain will continue to drive international action to prevent sexual violence in conflict, following the appointment of the Minister for Human Rights, Chris Elmore as the UK Special Envoy for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

    Up to 30% of women and girls in conflict zones worldwide have experienced conflict-related sexual violence, which is not only a grave human rights violation, but a threat to global peace, security and prosperity. There are immense barriers to reporting, particularly in conflict zones, therefore these figures could be much higher in reality. 

    Men and boys are also affected, notably in Ukraine, where over two thirds of prisoners of war have experienced sexual violence, and in Palestine, where UN reporting has documented the use of sexual violence in detention settings. 

    In the UK’s capacity as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, Minister Elmore will play a leading role in strengthening global advocacy and in advancing trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches across the Alliance’s prevention, protection and accountability efforts.  

    Minister Elmore’s appointment into the Special Envoy role follows the Foreign Secretary’s launch of a new UK-convened International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls. The coalition is bringing countries together to scale up prevention and end this violence everywhere. 

    The UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Chris Elmore MP said:

    “Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave human rights violation and a global threat to peace and security. I commit to working with survivors, international partners and civil society around the world to drive action to end these abhorrent crimes and hold perpetrators to account.” 

    Notes to editors: 

    The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict seeks to recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security – and a potential war crime, crime against humanity, or an underlying act of genocide. For survivors, this day can act as an important moment of global recognition, challenging the stigma that too often silences those with lived experience of this issue, reaffirming their right to be heard and to access justice and support.

  • John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    The comments made by John Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, on 22 June 2026.

    There is a human being at the heart of this story, and that matters more than the story. Keir Starmer put the country first at the G7 last week, then went straight back to the day job. He walks towards the problems, not away. We owe him the decency of remembering that.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 22 June 2026.

    The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes for them.

    This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.

    That means tackling the cost of living with a bold new deal with Europe, fixing social care at long last to end the NHS crisis, and giving power back to people by voting reform and giving communities more control.

    Whoever becomes Prime Minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves