Tag: 2026

PRESS RELEASE : 13 new bathing sites open across England helping communities and waterways [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2026.

Designated sites include first-ever site on the River Thames in London.

Today (Friday 15 May) 13 new bathing sites open across the country, helping to restore pride in local areas, giving a boost to outdoor and swimming groups, and protecting cherished rivers and beaches.

The sites, including the first-ever on the River Thames in London, have now officially received designated status as the bathing water season begins.

The 13 new sites take the total to over 460 bathing waters, covering nearly every coastal county in England as well as several more inland swimming spots.

They will be rigorously and regularly tested by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season meaning swimmers are better informed about water quality, and can swim with greater confidence. 

The designations follow a public consultation with each site receiving overwhelming public support, with 90% of responders in favour of designation and a record number endorsing the Ham & Kingston site.

The Government’s commitment to improving water quality and expanding monitoring is delivering clear results for swimmers and the environment, with four in five bathing sites being rated as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 

The introduction of these new bathing sites means better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism, and greater confidence for local swimmers.

Following years of indifference towards bathing waters, this government has expanded the number of sites as part of our overhaul of the water sector.

We’re committed to generational reform of our water industry and won’t stop until the job is done.

The Environment Agency regularly monitors water quality at designated bathing water sites and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels – working with local communities, farmers, and water companies to improve water quality at these locations.

What that means is environmental officers on site every week at each of these locations throughout the summer, taking and assessing water samples, and publishing that information online for the benefit of swimmers.

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

The growing number of designations across the country reflects the importance communities place in their local environment and water quality.

If you’re planning on going open water swimming this summer, I’d advise everyone to get informed – checking water quality and conditions before you go.

Across the bathing water season, Environment Agency teams will be out conducting over 7000 tests across over 460 locations. Through strong regulation and the right data, we will continue to drive improvements to bathing water quality, working closely with local partners to direct investment and target action in the right places.

The filming location for the iconic ITV drama Broadchurch in Bridport, Dorset is another confirmed bathing water site. Government will also provide funding towards signage to ensure people have clear access to these new sites.

Sites also play a vital role in connecting people with nature – bringing important social and health benefits and helping towns prosper through increased tourism, delivering on the government’s wider commitment to empower communities to shape how their local environment is protected and enjoyed.

These new designations come alongside recent changes to the bathing water regulations that will modernise the system, helping to ensure it is fit for today and reflects how people use rivers and beaches.

Last year, 93% of England’s bathing waters met acceptable standards for swimming, with 87% rated as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. The government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms will allow us to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to better reflect how people use our beaches, lakes and rivers.  

This announcement is in line with the upcoming Clean Water Bill, announced this week in the King’s Speech, which will continue momentum on once‑in‑a‑generation reforms to end weak oversight, stop water companies marking their own homework and restore public trust.

Supportive quotes:

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban said:

The announcement of the first-ever river swimming site on the River Thames in London is a moment of celebration for Londoners and highlights the role of community groups in helping to make London’s rivers and waterways cleaner and more accessible spaces.

There is still more work to be done, and the Mayor and I are committed to improving water quality in all the capital’s waterways. This is why we are launching the Clean and Healthy Waterways plan in the summer to ensure they are safe and welcoming spaces for all, as we continue to build a better, greener London for everyone.

Ben Seal, Head of Access & Environment, Paddle UK said:

The designation of these 13 new bathing sites, is another positive step forward in protecting our precious waters. For the millions of people who love being in, on, and beside the water, access to safe, regularly monitored blue space is vital. This expansion ensures that more communities can be better informed when choosing where and when to access the water. Furthermore, the overwhelming public demand for these new designated sites just proves how passionate the public is about being and being active in blue spaces.

Together, the increase in designated bathing water sites and the Clean Water Bill represent a historic opportunity to secure healthy, pollution-free waters for everyone to enjoy.

Marlene Lawrence, Leader and Founder of the Teddington Bluetits chill swimmers, said:

We are absolutely delighted to have achieved Bathing Water status for the Thames at Ham and Kingston.  The river is widely used by all ages to swim, row, paddle and sail, and it is wonderful to have such a natural resource to use to enhance our health and mental well-being.

With water testing throughout the bathing water season, I really want to encourage more people to enjoy leisure time in and on the Thames here.

Notes to editors:

Designated Bathing Waters are regularly tested for water quality throughout the bathing season (15 May – 30 September).

The confirmed sites include:
1. Little Shore, Amble, Northumberland, a crescent of sand between the River Coquet and the North Sea popular with locals 
2. Newton and Noss Creeks, Devon, a narrow tidal inlet just off the River Yealm in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 
3. Canvey Island Foreshore, Essex, a unique family favourite sandy beach.   
4. Sandgate Granville Parade Beach, Kent, shingle beach enjoyed by swimmers, and kayakers.  
5. Queen Elizabeth Gardens Salisbury, Wiltshire, one of Salisbury’s most cherished parks opened in the early 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 
6. East Beach at West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, filming location for the iconic ITV drama Broadchurch.  
7. Pangbourne Meadow, Berkshire, a meadow and river in the area that inspired The Wind in the Willows 
8. River Fowey in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, a scenic tidal river, flowing through the heart of the town 
9. River Swale in Richmond, Yorkshire, with dramatic waterfalls over limestone steps 
10. Falcon Meadow, Bungay, Suffolk, a riverside community space on the River Waveney 
11. River Thames at Ham and Kingston, Greater London, London’s first river bathing site on the Thames 
12. New Brighton Beach (East), Merseyside, a sandy seaside resort at the mouth of the Mersey Estuary 
13. River Dee at Sandy Lane, Chester, Cheshire, a popular spot for families and water sports 
The Bathing Water Regulations were updated in November 2025, introducing changes that prioritise public safety and water quality. We are now working towards implementing the reforms. The Bathing Water Reforms include:
- removing the automatic de-designation of sites that have been classified as ‘poor’ for five years running. Now waters with the potential to recover aren’t abandoned prematurely.
- prior to designation, consideration will now be given to the feasibility of a site’s ability to achieve the “sufficient” standard, as well as any known significant risks to the physical safety of bathers arising from the site, and wider environmental impacts.
- opportunity for flexible, site‑specific bathing seasons, allowing monitoring to align with when people actually use the water.
May 15, 2026
Keir Starmer – 2026 Letter to Wes Streeting Following his Resignation

The letter sent by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, to Wes Streeting on 14 May 2026.

Dear Wes,

Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard work in helping to get us back into Government and for all that you have achieved as Health Secretary.

When we came into Government the NHS was on its knees. Almost two years on, the statistics published today are a result of your work and determination and that of the whole of the NHS. Thanks to the choices we made to stabilise our economy, invest in our public services and reform the NHS, hospital waiting lists have been cut. Patients are now waiting less time for hospital appointments, ambulances are arriving sooner, the NHS is more productive, and people’s experience of healthcare is improving. The NHS is back on its feet.

Alongside these performance improvements, you and your team have set out an ambitious policy agenda. The 10 Year Health Plan will modernise the NHS and wider health system. The Casey Commission and Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care puts us on a path to a National Care Service we can be proud of. Alongside this, the National Cancer Plan, HIV Action Plan, National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, and Life Sciences Sector Plan are all ambitious pieces of work. The Tobacco and Vapes Act will save lives, and the Mental Health Act will improve lives.

This is the difference a Labour government makes. This is the change we are delivering.

Last week’s local election results were extremely tough. I know many colleagues saw good friends lose seats. Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before. They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and to the country we love.

It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation. As part of that we must deliver on all of the promises we made to the country, including our promise to turn the page on the chaos that was roundly rejected by the British people at the last general election.

I am truly sorry you will no longer be sat at the Cabinet table helping to transform our National Health Service. But I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come. I hope we can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit, can install hope where they want despair, and can bring people together where they want division.

All best wishes,

The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

May 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : More children eligible for eGates in boost for families this summer [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 15 May 2026.

Access to UK eGates expanding to children aged 8 and 9 years.

Up to 1.5 million more children will soon be able to use UK eGates, speeding up journeys for them and their families this summer.

Children aged 8 and 9 years, who are at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall and accompanied by an adult will become eligible under plans announced today (14 May 2026).

The age limit change will help families returning from their holidays with young children.

Millions of passengers already use UK eGates each year.

Based on 2025 UK arrival figures, an estimated 1.5 million more children will be eligible to pass through eGates with their families over the next year as a result of the age change.

And there won’t be long for families to wait.

The expanded access is set to begin from Wednesday 8 July 2026, covering more than 290 eGates in UK and juxtaposed ports (where border checks take place in Europe).

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp said:

Travel with young children can be stressful for parents.    

By expanding eGate access, more families can experience a swifter and smoother journey home – freeing up precious time this summer holiday season. 

We are delivering continued improvement to the passenger experience, while keeping our borders safe and secure.

Border Force Director General, Phil Douglas said:

eGates are an essential part of keeping our border secure.

Expanding access for families will deliver safe, smooth journeys whilst freeing up highly-skilled officers to focus on intercepting those who pose a threat to the UK.

Karen Dee, Chief executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, said:

This is a welcome development as it will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many.

Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK’s front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience.

 Patricia Yates, chief executive of Visit Britain said:

We want to provide a world-class experience for the millions of visitors who travel here every year.

Expanding eGate access boosts our competitive tourism offer and our message of welcome, inspiring even more visitors and families to book a trip to Britain this summer and beyond.

Using an eGate typically takes just minutes.

And with more people using eGates, this should also reduce queue times for those going through passport control.

The announcement is the latest step in UK border transformation, delivering smooth journeys for passengers and protecting border security.

As of February, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme has been enforced, providing a fuller picture of those seeking to come to the UK.

Almost 25 million (24.8 million) ETAs have been issued since their introduction. The ETA scheme takes us one step closer to a contactless border.

Contactless border will see state‑of‑the‑art facial comparison technology verify identity, rather than needing to present a passport. This is all whilst keeping our country’s borders secure.

May 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE – Manor of Northstead (Stephen Mark Flynn) [May 2026]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 15 May 2026.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has this day appointed Stephen Mark Flynn to be Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.

May 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE – Three Hundreds of Chiltern (Stephen Patrick Gethins) – May 2026]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 May 2026.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has this day appointed Stephen Patrick Gethins to be Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern.

May 15, 2026
Angela Rayner – 2026 Statement on her Tax Affairs

The statement made by Angela Rayner on 14 May 2026.

I welcome HMRC’s conclusion, which has cleared me of any wrongdoing.

I have been exonerated by HMRC of the accusation that I deliberately sought to avoid tax.

When purchasing a home of my own with a mortgage, I did not own any other property and had no personal financial interest in the court-instructed trust set up to manage my son’s financial award. I was advised by experts that I should pay stamp duty at the standard rate.

I set out to pay the correct amount of tax. I took reasonable care and acted in good faith, based on the expert advice I received, and HMRC has accepted this.

I have always sought to act with integrity, and I believe politicians should be held to high standards – that is why I resigned from government and cooperated fully with HMRC.

I wanted to ensure that I paid every penny that I owed, and have done so. I am relieved that my family can now move on – and that I can get on with my job.

May 14, 2026
Dan Jarvis – 2026 Statement on National Security and Threat Level

The statement made by Dan Jarvis, the Security Minister, in the House of Commons on 14 May 2026.

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on recent national security developments, including the increase in the national terrorism threat level.

The events of the last few weeks have illustrated the breadth and seriousness of the national security threats that we face, from both terrorists and foreign states.

In responding to these threats, they have also highlighted the strength and resilience of our world leading law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Over recent weeks we have seen…

A series of arson attacks and incidents against British Jews and opponents of the Iranian regime, including the horrifying terror attack in Golders Green, which seriously injured two members of the Jewish community.

We’ve seen the recent conviction of a 21-year-old man who planned to commit a terrorist attack to further his extreme white supremacist agenda.

And convictions last week against two individuals under the National Security Act for surveilling and intimidating dissidents on behalf of China.

And we are seeing record levels of investigative casework on terror plots, espionage, and state-linked threats to individuals.

Mr Speaker, on 30 April, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the UK national terrorism threat level from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’. The decision to change the UK’s terrorism threat level is taken independently of ministers, based on the very latest intelligence.

‘Severe’ means that a terrorist attack is highly likely in the next six months. The threat level was last at severe from November 2021 until February 2022.

This increase in the threat from terrorism follows the recent stabbing attack in Golders Green, but it is not solely as a result of that attack.

The terrorism threat in the UK has been gradually increasing. It is driven primarily by the broader Islamist and extreme right wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based here in the UK.

While the UK national threat level reflects JTAC’s assessment of the terrorist threat in the UK, it comes against a backdrop of increased state-linked physical threats which is encouraging acts of violence, including against the Jewish community.

In response, we have announced £25 million of immediate funding to strengthen policing, protect Jewish communities and provide reassurance.

This brings the total protective security funding to £58 million this year – the largest investment a government has made in protecting Jewish communities.

Now Mr Speaker, I have also initiated a review of the national threat level system, which currently captures only the threat from terrorism, to ensure that it remains fully relevant, and that we are communicating as clearly as possible with the public about the national security threats that we face today.

Mr Speaker, CONTEST, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, sets out a clear framework – Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare – which aims to ensure people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

We are broadening our intervention capabilities to better support those at risk of being drawn into terrorism through the PREVENT programme.

We have improved training and guidance for frontline professionals and practitioners to better spot the signs of radicalisation.

And we are working with technology companies, international partners and Ofcom to tackle online content used to radicalise, recruit and incite terrorism.

Coordinated intervention is crucial to reduce the terrorist risk. So we are providing children and individuals with the right support with our Interventions Centre of Expertise, which brings together MI5 and Counter Terrorism Policing with expertise from wider public services.

MI5 and CT Police work tirelessly to stop terrorist attacks, with 19 late-stage attack plots disrupted since 2020 including a chilling ISIS-inspired plot to target Jewish communities in Manchester using firearms.

We have delivered our manifesto commitment to improve the security of public events and venues across the UK through Martyn’s Law, and free expert advice, guidance and training is available to owners and operators of venues and public spaces through the ProtectUK website.

Through closer working across the emergency services, we are maintaining strong, multi-agency working capabilities to respond to a range of different scenarios. We keep our preparedness under constant review, and the response is exercised regularly, ensuring that our emergency services can respond immediately to terror attacks – as we saw in their brave response to the violent antisemitic attack in Golders Green.

Now Mr Speaker, terrorism and state threats are sometimes interrelated, as we have seen with threats from states such as Iran, and the wider use of both terrorist groups and proxies by state actors including Russia.

We face a sophisticated and persistent challenge in responding to China, which presents a unique set of threats to the United Kingdom.

The case last week demonstrates that we have the tools to successfully respond to that challenge.

And Members of this House will know that a jury delivered its verdict following the nine-week trial of Bill Yuen and Peter Wai.

The jury found both individuals guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service – which, in this case, was the Hong Kong Police Force – this was done under the National Security Act. Wai was also found guilty of misconduct in public office.

The verdict represents the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China – and sends a strong message that the full force of the law will be applied to anyone who carries out hostile acts in the UK on behalf of any foreign state.

Both individuals held positions of power, leveraging these to conduct hostile activity on UK soil on behalf of China. It is simply unacceptable that an employee of a foreign power was conducting a shadow policing operation in the United Kingdom.

That is why the Chinese Ambassador has been summoned, and the Foreign Secretary will be making clear to Hong Kong’s Chief Executive that this type of activity was, and will always be, unacceptable in the United Kingdom. The Foreign Office have also made it clear that Yuen’s employment at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office must be terminated immediately.

Now Mr Speaker, this trial has understandably caused considerable concern within the UK amongst the Hong Kong community.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is paramount. That is why my officials have been working closely with the National Security Protective Authority, to deliver new guidance on transnational repression. This guidance provides examples of what transnational repression might look like and what to do if anyone feels under threat from any state.

Transnational repression from China however, is just one type of state threat activity. That is why the government is taking decisive action across a much broader range of state threats.

We are…

Rolling out new training for police officers and staff to increase their understanding of state threats.

Driving forward the Counter-Political Interference and Espionage Plan to protect the UK’s democratic institutions and processes.

Bringing forward fast-track legislation in the coming weeks which will clamp down on individuals and groups carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including those who act as their proxies. This legislation will include new proscription-like powers to ban the activities of state-backed organisations who pose a threat to the UK’s national security.

And we are implementing all the recommendations made last year by Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation.

So we are responding to state threats in all their forms.

Now Mr Speaker, national security is the first duty of government. As this House knows, that duty includes being able to respond to a range of threats.

So we are giving our police and intelligence services the resources they need for that vital role. Last year we provided an extra £140 million for Counter Terrorism Policing, plus nearly £600 million more for our intelligence services. This takes their funding to record levels.

And Mr Speaker, protecting our communities and standing up to hatred and intolerance is a shared responsibility of every person in the UK.

So I urge the public to remain vigilant and report any concerns they have to the police. Their contribution is a vital part of our efforts to keep our country safe.

And Mr Speaker, support to the victims of terrorism is a moral duty, and I would like to acknowledge the profound and enduring impact on the survivors and families of those affected by Golders Green, and all terrorist attacks, whose lives have been forever changed.

I want to close by thanking those individuals serving in our police and security services for their dedication to keeping our country safe, and the public for their continued vigilance. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

Mr Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.

May 14, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Environment Secretary in Northern Ireland for UK-EU Reset talks [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2026.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds visits Northern Ireland to highlight how a UK-EU food and drink deal will cut red tape, lower costs and keep trade flowing.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is visiting Northern Ireland this week to meet farmers, growers and businesses at the heart of its agri-food sector and discuss the benefits of the new UK–EU food and drink deal.

Northern Ireland already benefits from full EU market access, thanks to its unique position under the Windsor Framework. But for the first time since EU Exit, most food and drink goods moving from GB to NI will no longer require checks, including regulatory certificates that can cost between £80 and £200 each, saving businesses millions every year. Over the last three years, these charges for Export Health Certificates have cost businesses between £13m and £32m.

By cutting “paperwork tax” an SPS agreement will make trade easier for businesses, help British produce reach European markets and could help bring down the cost of food and drink.

The new SPS agreement is part of rebuilding the UK’s relationship with Europe in a way that strengthens the economy and supports trade, with the potential to boost UK GDP by up to £5.1 billion a year.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:

We are cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary checks, making it easier and cheaper to keep goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s food and drink businesses deserve a better deal. That means protecting the UK internal market, supporting businesses and giving families more choice, availability and value across Northern Ireland.

At the Balmoral Show on Thursday 14 May – Northern Ireland’s premier farming event – the Environment Secretary will meet stallholders and sector representatives from across the farming and horticultural communities, who will benefit from the removal of certification requirements for plants, seeds and used agricultural and forestry machinery.

Northern Ireland Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Minister Matthew Patrick will also meet with farming community representatives and businesses at the Balmoral Show. He said:

Northern Ireland’s agrifood sector is of great importance to the UK economy and to our food security, and I’ve been hugely impressed by the high-quality produce on offer at the Balmoral Show.

It’s great that this deal will provide real benefits for consumers, helping to ensure availability and cut costs at a time when many are facing cost of living pressures.

The Environment Secretary and Borders Minister Baroness Hayman will also chair a roundtable discussion with members of the Confederation of British Industry, ensuring Northern Ireland businesses are represented in a deal that will cut paperwork, support choice and availability on supermarket shelves, and help ease food price inflation for families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Eddie Murphy, Country Director for M&S Ireland and Northern Ireland, said:

We have over 20 stores and work with nearly 2,000 Select Farm partners in Northern Ireland.

This deal will remove unnecessary bureaucracy and reduce cost pressures, helping us to go further in offering Northern Irish customers the very best of M&S by speeding up the flow of goods and access to fresh produce.

The visit comes as the European Partnership Bill was announced at the State Opening of Parliament yesterday, kickstarting the legislative framework needed to implement the agreement and allow businesses to start realising its benefits from mid‑2027.

Along with the removal of the vast majority of food and drink checks, the new agreement will also dramatically reduce costs, paperwork and checks on flowers, plants and seeds moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while final restrictions on the movement of certain tree species will disappear.

Together, these changes will support Northern Ireland’s farmers, gardeners, garden centres, environmental projects and rural businesses, ensuring they can benefit fully from smoother trade with Great Britain.

NOTES TO EDITORS
- The Windsor Framework facilitates Northern Ireland’s ability to trade freely within both the UK internal market and the EU Single Market. This will remain in place, addressing NI’s unique dual market access and safeguarding the Good Friday agreement.
What businesses in Northern Ireland can do now
- While negotiations continue, businesses can take practical steps to get ready:
- Engage with their relevant trade body or industry association: They will be key partners in providing sector-specific guidance and many are already working with government to help members prepare.
- Engage with your supply chain: To understand any changes that may apply to them.
- Sign up to Defra email alerts here for regular updates: To receive the latest information on negotiations, implementation timelines, and details of guidance and support available.
- Detailed guidance will be published as negotiations progress to ensure businesses across Northern Ireland – from farmers and processors to retailers and hauliers – are ready to benefit from day one.
May 14, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on the invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2026.

UK and 40 other OSCE countries invoke the Moscow Mechanism to investigate indoctrination of Ukrainian children by Russia.

[Delivered in French]

The Russian Federation’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine is in its fifth year. Russia’s illegal occupation of parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions is now in its fifth year, while its illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is in its thirteenth year. There continue to be reports of large-scale violations and abuses of international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL), many of which may amount to the most serious international crimes.

Against this backdrop, we are profoundly alarmed by credible and mounting reports that the Russian Federation is systematically subjecting Ukrainian children – especially those staying in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and those forcibly transferred to such territories or unlawfully deported to Russia – to militarization, indoctrination, coercion, and other repressive practices aimed at, inter alia, erasing Ukrainian identity and compelling loyalty to the occupying power.

We recall that OSCE participating States, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna (Human Dimension) Mechanism, have invoked Paragraph 8 of the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism five times in response to Russia’s aggression. Since 2022, Moscow Mechanism missions have documented violations of IHL and IHRL and identified patterns of serious international crimes. Notably, in 2023, a dedicated Moscow Mechanism mission reported on the forcible transfer and/or unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation, including their exposure to assimilationist policies and “military education”.

We note, inter alia, that Ukraine, the UN and civil society organizations continue to document the unlawful deportation and/or forcible transfer of children and the severe harm inflicted on them. As of 23 March 2026, Ukraine’s official “Children of War” platform reports, among other figures, 20,000 children “deported and/or forcibly displaced” (Bring Kids Back UA figure), alongside other verified child-casualty and missing-person data.

In its latest report, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that the Russian authorities had committed acts “amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes of deportation and forcible transfer of children” on the basis of compelling evidence concerning the deportation and transfer of a total of 1205 children from five oblasts in Ukraine.

Building upon findings by previous Moscow Mechanism missions, as well as other credible reports, we are now confronted with a distinct and urgent human dimension question: the protection of Ukrainian children under occupation and/or in armed conflict against unlawful deportation, forced assimilation, re-education, militarisation, indoctrination, coercive propaganda, intimidation, and violence.

“Credible open-source research has mapped an extensive infrastructure supporting these practices. For example, the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab reported in September 2025 that children from Ukraine have been taken to at least 210 facilities in Russia and temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, describing patterns of “re-education” and militarization.

In addition to indoctrination and militarization, we underline our deep concern that Russia’s conduct towards Ukrainian children includes pressure, repression, illegal adoptions, and exposure to psychological and physical violence, especially in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and during forcible transfer or unlawful deportation.

These acts strike at the very core of OSCE commitments and the international legal framework protecting children, including participating States’ obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Gravely concerned by these developments, the delegations of:

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, The Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, following consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna (Human Dimension) Mechanism, hereby invoke the OSCE Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism under Paragraph 8 of that document.

We request that ODIHR inquire of Ukraine whether it would invite a mission of experts to build upon previous findings and to:
1. Establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments, and violations and abuses of IHRL and IHL, related to the militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation, including in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and including in the context of forcible transfer and/or unlawful deportation;
2. Collect, consolidate and analyse information on these practices, including patterns of coercion, intimidation, repression, unlawful deprivation of liberty, illegal adoptions, ill-treatment, and other forms of violence affecting children;
3. Further collect, consolidate and analyse information on the legislative framework adopted by Russia for this purpose, and the school curricula imposed on Ukrainian children in the temporarily occupied territories;
4. Assess whether such practices indicate a coordinated and systematic policy aimed, inter alia, at erasing Ukrainian identity of children, including through their illegal adoptions as well as alteration of their nationality, and conditioning children for service to the occupying power;
5. Assess the impact of these practices on the rights of Ukrainian children, including the rights to life and development, health, education, family life, equality and non-discrimination, and protection from all forms of violence, and provide recommendations on urgent protective measures, prevention, and accountability pathways;
6. Offer recommendations on relevant accountability mechanisms, including how OSCE participating States and OSCE institutions can support documentation, child protection, return and reintegration efforts, and international co-operation to end impunity for crimes against children.
We also invite ODIHR to provide any relevant information or documentation derived from any new expert mission to other appropriate accountability mechanisms, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.

Russia’s refusal to co-operate with OSCE human dimension mechanisms in relation to Ukraine has been a persistent feature of previous missions. We nevertheless affirm that the Moscow Mechanism was adopted by consensus by all participating States and remains a vital OSCE instrument to establish facts, identify patterns, and issue recommendations to participating States when serious human dimension concerns arise.
May 14, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Government reviews access to face to face banking services [May 2026]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 May 2026.

An independent review will look at how shifts in face-to-face banking services affect people and communities, with new powers enabling the Government to act on what it finds.
- Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has commissioned independent review to protect access to face‑to‑face banking across the UK.
- Review to be led by Richard Lloyd, former Which? director and former board member of the FCA.
- Findings will inform new powers for Government to act where access to banking is at risk.
The Government is taking action to ensure people and communities across the UK can continue to access the banking services they need by commissioning an independent review alongside delivering new powers to act on the findings.

The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences – but this may be creating challenges for those who rely on in-person banking services.

The review will gather evidence on the real‑world impact of branch closures, identify who is most affected, and assess where further action may be needed to protect access to banking services.

The Review follows the announcement of the Financial Services and Markets Bill in the King’s Speech, where the Treasury intends to include a power to be able to act swiftly if the evidence supports intervention on access to banking services.

Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

Banking services are a really important part of lives and communities, and it’s critical we can all access what we need – whether through local banking services or strong community-based alternatives like credit unions.

We are supporting industry’s roll out of banking hubs , but we also need a clear picture of where communities are still losing out. This independent Review will show us where the problems are and what further action may be required – and we will move quickly to legislate where the evidence shows it is needed.

The Access to Banking Review will be chaired by Richard Lloyd OBE, who will provide a report and recommendations to Government by October 2026. He brings strong regulatory and consumer experience, having served as a non-executive director (and interim Chair) of the Financial Conduct Authority and as Executive Director of Which?

The Bill will also take forward some of the credit union common bond reforms announced in March, making it easier for credit unions in Great Britain to expand and broaden their membership.

The changes will see more people access affordable credit and a safe place to save The move will strengthen community-based financial services, delivering on the manifesto pledge to grow the mutuals sector.

He also contributed to the Access to Cash Review, which set out practical recommendations to make sure people can still withdraw and deposit cash locally. The findings of the review helped inform later changes in law and regulation, including new FCA powers and encouraged industry solutions such as banking hubs. Richard is currently the Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

Richard Lloyd OBE, Chair of Access to Banking review, said:

Banking is an essential service that every consumer and community in the UK needs. That’s why it’s so important to take stock of the impact that the big shift to digital services has already had, and to understand the need for access to in-person banking in the future. I hope to hear from as wide a range of views as possible, and welcome the Treasury’s commitment to taking action should this independent review find evidence that new legislation is needed.

Gareth Oakley, Chief Executive Officer, Cash Access UK said:

While cash usage continues to decline as digital payments expand, we’ve seen first-hand how important local access to cash and face-to-face banking is for many households and businesses. Our job is to deliver solutions where these are needed and to date we’ve opened 237 banking hubs and over 140 deposit services.

There’s more work to be done, but the good news is that 95 percent of customer needs are met when visiting a banking hub and nearly 9 in 10 customers would recommend Hub services to family and friends.

We look forward to contributing towards the review and working with Government.

Sarah Harrison, Chief Executive, Building Societies Association (BSA)

Building societies and credit unions are rooted in local communities and provide more than 1 in 3 high street branches.

As customer needs change, building societies are continuing to meet these both by investing in digital channels as well as innovating in high street branches and the use of community spaces – so it’s the customer’s choice of how and when to engage. We welcome the Government’s Access to Banking Review and look forward to contributing.

The proposed credit union reforms are an important step in helping more people to access fair, straightforward financial services, essential at a time when household finances are under real pressure. Access to affordable borrowing and a safe place.

Matt Bland, Chief Executive, All Together Money – The credit union movement, said:

We’re delighted to see credit union common bond reform confirmed in the King’s Speech. This is a significant step forward for the sector in delivering our Credit Union Sector Growth Plan. The proposed changes will remove barriers to growth and provide credit unions with greater flexibility to reach many more people with affordable financial services alongside the major Fair4All Finance investment in credit union transformation committed to in the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Notes to editors:

Banking hubs
- Access to cash is already protected by regulation, with voluntary solutions like banking hubs being put in place. The Government has a manifesto commitment to work with industry to deliver 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Delivery is well underway, with over 275 hubs announced, and more than 230 already open. But there are no equivalent protections for wider in-person banking services.
- Banking hubs are a voluntary industry initiative from the largest UK high street banks which provide ‘assisted cash services’ in shared premises. They were developed by the industry as a way to comply with their obligations under the FCA’s access to cash regime.
- Hubs offer cash counter services provided by Post Office staff, allowing the vast majority of UK banking customers to withdraw and deposit cash. Beyond cash services, banking hubs also provide some wider in-person banking services to customers of banks, voluntarily.
Building societies
- Building societies are customer-owned businesses which reinvest their profits for the benefits of their members and communities. They all provide mortgages and savings and a number also provide current accounts.
- With all of their headquarters outside London, building societies operate through approximately 1,300 branches, holding a 35% share of branches across the UK.
Credit unions
- Credit unions are financial co-operatives that receive savings deposits from their members and provide loans to members using these funds, with the interest paid contributing to the provision of their services.
- Credit unions must have a ‘common bond’ – a defined connection between members, such as living or working in a particular area, or sharing a workplace or profession.
Financial Services and Markets Bill

This Bill was announced in the King’s Speech on the 13 May.
May 14, 2026