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Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Record-breaking order for British Steel as UK and Nigeria sign landmark £746 million ports deal [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record-breaking order for British Steel as UK and Nigeria sign landmark £746 million ports deal [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 March 2026.

    UK Export Finance announces support for UK exporters to supply high-value projects in Nigeria.

    • Major vote of confidence in UK manufacturing as UK Export Finance guarantees £746 million ($902m) to fund the redevelopment of two of Nigeria’s major trading ports 
    • A record-breaking £70 million ($95m) contract for British Steel is the result of at least £236 million of the overall deal being invested into British companies  
    • A Memorandum of Understanding will also be signed today between the UK and Nigeria to explore and develop future trade and investment opportunities 

    Thousands of skilled UK jobs will be supported and hundreds of millions invested into the economy as a historic financing deal is signed today [Thursday 19 March] between the UK and Nigeria.   

    The £746 million sum will be used to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s major national maritime infrastructure facilities located in Lagos, the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the TinCan Island Port Complex. It will be delivered through UKEF’s Buyer Credit Facility coordinated and arranged by Citibank, N.A London Branch (“Citi”). 

    The agreement between UK Export Finance, the UK government’s export credit agency (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Ministry of Finance, will deliver significant benefits for British businesses, with at least £236 million of supplier contracts directed to British companies.  

    British Steel will supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets to construction companies Hitech Nigeria and ITB Nigeria for the ports deal, amounting to a £70 million contract that represents British Steel’s largest export order backed by UKEF. It follows from the Government’s newly announced Steel Strategy which seeks to revitalise the steel sector.

    It comes as the Prime Minister welcomes The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Downing Street today, with the leaders discussing shared priorities to strengthen the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership.

    Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary said: 

    Hot on the heels of our landmark Steel Strategy, this is a major win for British Steel made possible by UK Export Finance which is testament to the quality of UK-made steel and the booming UK-Nigeria relationship. 

    Through our new Strategy we’re backing British steelmakers for long-term success at home and abroad, and this contract will reinforce British Steel’s world-class expertise while supporting jobs and growth in Scunthorpe.

    Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigerian Minister of Marine and Blue Economy said: 

    The modernisation and upgrading of Nigeria’s ports represents a major step forward for the country and aligns closely with the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of the marine and blue economy. Through strategic partnerships such as this with the United Kingdom, we are laying the foundation for a new era of efficiency, transparency and competitiveness in Nigeria’s port system. Modern infrastructure, supported by digitalised and automated processes, will transform the way our ports operate and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.

    Nigeria’s port operations will be transformative. Turnaround times for vessels and cargo dwell times within the ports are projected to fall sharply as automated processes replace paperwork-heavy procedures and as expanded capacity removes longstanding bottlenecks. The modernised infrastructure will enable faster clearance of imports and exports, reduce demurrage and logistics costs for businesses, significantly improve the predictability and transparency of cargo movement and generate more revenue for national development.

    Alongside the NPA deal announcement, the UK and Nigeria will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a framework for potential future collaboration. The MOU sets out Nigeria’s priority project pipeline, seeking UKEF finance and support, with the UK set to benefit directly through substantial supply chain participation. The signing signals a clear commitment from both governments to deepen their long-term partnership on trade, infrastructure and sustainable growth. 

    Hitech Nigeria and ITB Nigeria have been at the forefront of some of Nigeria’s most transformative infrastructure projects and advanced engineering. 

    The Steel Strategy highlights one of many initiatives that the Government is already doing including those on energy prices, skills, procurement and financing support of projects such as the Scrap Metal Taskforce and the new Trade Defence Measures. 

    Allan Bell, British Steel CEO said: 

    This is a record-breaking contract for British Steel and a major boost to our 4,000 employees and many more people in our supply chains.

    After government intervention last April, everyone at British Steel has worked hard to stabilise the company. This deal represents us moving from stabilisation to building long-term sustainability for the business.

    As one of the largest ever orders for billet in the history of this company, it marks a tremendous vote of confidence in British Steel and UK manufacturing. And as the biggest order we have ever secured with UK Export Finance, it demonstrates how we are working with the UK Government to meet the global demand for our products.

    We thank the government for its support and look forward to working with Hitech Construction Africa Ltd on this transformative project.

    Richard Hodder, Global Head of Export & Agency Financing at Citi said:

    Citi has been present in Nigeria for over 40 years and is delighted to support NPA and the Federal Government of Nigeria in the financing of this critical infrastructure project which will deliver significant economic benefits to the Nigerian economy over the coming years. As the Coordinator of the transaction, we are pleased to have worked in close partnership with the team at UKEF to deliver one of the largest Export Credit Agency supported Buyer Credit Facilities ever seen in West Africa.

    Today’s milestones represent UKEF’s growing presence in the region. Since 2018, UKEF support for West and Central Africa has grown by over £3 billion, reflecting the region’s appetite for diversified trade partnerships and the UK’s commitment to being a trusted partner for long-term investment. 

    Tim Reid, CEO at UK Export Finance said:

    This deal represents a milestone for UK-Nigeria trade relations and demonstrates the full capacity of UK Export Finance to unlock transformational opportunities for British businesses, while supporting sustainable economic growth in key markets.

    With over £200 million feeding back to British companies, including one of the largest steel billet contracts in British Steel’s history and our new Memorandum of Understanding, UKEF is laying the foundations for a deeper, long-term relationship with Nigeria, that will open doors for British exporters across the entire region.

    Together, these announcements signal to international markets that Nigeria is open for trade and investment, demonstrating credible government-to-government delivery and building wider investor confidence around Nigeria’s trade infrastructure and growth agenda.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces plans to tag thousands of extra offenders [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces plans to tag thousands of extra offenders [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 March 2026.

    Thousands more criminals will be tagged alongside changes to supervision that will focus probation time on the offenders who pose the greatest risk.

    • Live surveillance part of £100m tagging expansion for domestic abusers & thieves
    • Tougher supervision and increased monitoring for the most dangerous offenders
    • Additional 1,300 probation officers to be recruited to help cut crime

    Dangerous criminals will be live tracked using real-time surveillance and receive more intense supervision as part of a greater focus on the most high-risk offenders. 

    The biggest expansion of tagging in British history will mean thousands of extra domestic abusers, thieves and burglars across the country will face tough GPS and alcohol monitoring in a major £100 million crackdown on crime.

    Frontline probation staff will also be given access to cutting-edge technology allowing instant access to the location of certain tagged offenders, which will help to identify escalating risk and allow for earlier interventions.

    In a boost for victims, a £5 million pilot will introduce proximity monitoring technology that creates an alert when offenders convicted of crimes such as domestic abuse and stalking approach their victim – a key commitment from the Government’s landmark strategy to end violence against women and girls.

    These changes are backed by an investment in probation of up to £700 million by 2028/29, which includes the recruitment of at least 1,300 extra probation officers in the next year, and will help ensure tougher monitoring of violent offenders to better keep the public safe. 

    To further increase public protection and cut crime, a reinforced probation workforce will focus more of their time on prolific offenders and ramp up the face-to-face monitoring of those who pose the biggest risk to the public – such as terrorists, murderers and prolific sex offenders.

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

    This is the biggest expansion of tagging in British history and means the most dangerous offenders will now be watched more closely than ever before. 

    By combining new technology with a stronger probation workforce, we’re making sure those who pose the biggest risk are under constant scrutiny to better protect victims and the public.

    This Government has been clear that the crisis it inherited in the Probation Service has placed too great a burden on hardworking staff, with new statistics showing that, between 2023 and 2025, 31% of target probation appointments did not take place due to unmanageable workloads. 

    This has meant officers have been unable to pay enough attention to those offenders who pose the greatest risk.  

    Under the new approach, supervision will be better targeted so officers can focus their time on the most dangerous offenders, while those assessed as lower-risk will require fewer routine appointments. 

    These reforms will enable overworked probation staff to focus on the parts of their job that has the greatest impact on public protection and will unburden them from tasks that are less impactful when it comes to protecting the public. 

    A further £8 million is also being invested in new technology to reduce time-consuming admin tasks and save up to 250,000 days of valuable time every year, allowing frontline staff to spend more time monitoring offenders and keeping our streets safe. 

    Chief Inspector of Probation Martin Jones said:

    I welcome the Government’s plans for further investment in the Probation Service, and attempts to focus time and resources where they matter most.

    I have been clear that urgent action is needed to support a service that is currently facing significant challenge, with too few staff, who have too little experience, managing too many cases.

    We are entering a crucial period as the implementation of the Sentencing Act reforms begins. There must be a sharp focus on ensuring the Probation Service can recruit, train, and retain sufficient staff, and give them the tools and support they need – both to keep the public and victims safe, and to turn offenders’ lives around.

    As part of the Government’s Plan for Change 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. 

    Meanwhile, a pilot that tags domestic abusers who pose a threat to a former partner, family member or their children after leaving prison will be rolled out nationally. 

    A report found overwhelming support for the scheme from probation staff, with 83% stating it gave victims peace of mind and more than three-quarters saying it would better protect them. 

    A separate pilot, in which convicted burglars and thieves are forced to wear a GPS tag so their movements can be tracked against unsolved crimes will also be rolled out across the country. 

    Evidence is increasingly proving the effectiveness of tags in cutting crime. Published research shows GPS and curfew tags can reduce reoffending by around 20%, and alcohol monitoring orders have compliance rates above 97%. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • The Domestic Abuse Perpetrators on Licence (DAPOL) pilot has tracked hundreds of prison leavers who pose a threat to a former partner or their children, with the tags serving as a constant physical reminder to offenders that we are watching their every move. It is currently live in eight probation regions and will be rolled out to all twelve across England and Wales by September 2026. 
    • The Acquisitive Crime scheme sees burglars and thieves forced to wear a GPS tag after their release from prison. Their location data is then mapped against unsolved crimes, serving as a strong deterrent to reoffending. The pilot is currently live in 19 police force areas and will be gradually rolled out to all 43 before the end of this Parliament. 
    • The Government is investing £5 million to pilot proximity monitoring within this Parliament, as committed to in the Government’s 10-year Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. This new technology – used to different extents internationally in Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia – enables probation to know if the offender comes within a preset distance of a victim. This represents a further powerful tool for managing risk in high-harm domestic abuse cases. 
    • The new Electronic Monitoring Data Insights tool will provide probation staff with quick access to electronic monitoring and behavioural information. Timely sharing of behaviour patterns – such as licence condition violations – will help staff make better decisions and support rehabilitation through earlier interventions, while easing their workload by replacing inefficient data collection processes. A small pilot will start in June 2026, and we aim to fully rollout by Autumn 2026  
    • The Government will further strengthen the Probation Service by recruiting an additional 1,300 trainee probation officers across 2026/27 — on top of the 2,300 already pledged to be brought in since 2024 — in a major drive to crackdown on crime. 
    • This will be supported by an increase in probation funding by up £700 million by 2028/29, which includes £100 million for the expansion of tagging, of which £5 million will fund the pilot of proximity monitoring.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Two-child limit scrapped as historic Bill to lift 450,000 children out of poverty becomes law [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two-child limit scrapped as historic Bill to lift 450,000 children out of poverty becomes law [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 March 2026.

    Historic legislation to end the two-child limit has become law, putting 450,000 children on a pathway out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament.

    • Two child-limit – which pushed 100 children a day into hardship – to be scrapped as child poverty bill becomes law.
    • 450,000 children to be lifted out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament – the largest reduction in child poverty since records began.
    • Comes as part of Government’s wider plan to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

    Historic legislation to end the two-child limit has become law, putting 450,000 children on a pathway out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament.

    Since its introduction in 2017, the two-child limit has been the biggest single driver of child poverty and today, 2.6 million children in the UK don’t have enough food at home, over 172,000 have no permanent home, and babies born in the poorest areas are twice as likely to die before their first birthday.

    The policy’s removal is the single most cost-effective measure available to the Government to drive down poverty rates. Up to 1.5 million children across Great Britain could be helped by the change, representing the most significant action to tackle child poverty since comparable records began.

    This will predominantly help working families — around sixty per cent of households affected by the two-child limit have a parent in work, and nearly half were not on Universal Credit when any of their children were born.

    Removing the two-child limit sits at the heart of the Child Poverty Strategy which brings together action across government to increase family incomes, cut the cost of essentials and strengthen local services. Alongside measures such as expanding free school meals, extending childcare support, and supporting parents in work, the strategy is set to lift 550,000 children out of poverty in the final year of this parliament.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said:

    Today is an historic day, marking a turning point for 450,000 children across Britain.

    Scrapping the two-child limit is about more than family finances today, it’s about the Britain we’re building for tomorrow.

    Children growing up in poverty are far more likely to leave school without qualifications and end up not in work or education as young adults, and we’re determined to break that cycle once and for all and give every child the best start in life.

    Children in the poorest areas are four times more likely to have mental health problems, twice as likely to suffer from obesity and tooth decay, and disadvantaged pupils are twice as likely to be persistently absent from school — with hunger and unsuitable housing making it harder to come to school ready to learn.

    These early disadvantages have lasting consequences: children growing up in poverty are more likely to leave school without good GCSEs, less likely to find work, and go on to earn around 50% less by the age of 40 than their better-off peers, making early action both a moral imperative and sound economic policy.

    Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson, said:

    For too long, the two-child limit has held children back through no fault of their own.

    With the law now changed, hundreds of thousands of children will grow up with greater security and opportunity.

    We’re determined to break the link between a child’s background and their life chances and today brings us a step closer to that goal.

    The change removes the existing restriction in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit that limited support to a family’s first two children. It takes effect from 6 April 2026, with families already claiming Universal Credit seeing the update applied automatically with no action needed.

    This comes as the government continues to take wider action to help families by driving down the cost of living with measures including increasing the National Living Wage, cutting an average £150 from household energy bills and freezing rail and prescription charges.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK steel industry backed by major new trade measure and strategy [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK steel industry backed by major new trade measure and strategy [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 March 2026.

    UK steel producers and thousands of steel workers to benefit from a new landmark Steel Strategy and robust trade measure.

    • Landmark new Steel Strategy sets ambition for up to 50% of steel used in the UK to be made in the UK, boosting production from 30%.
    • UK will introduce new trade measure to support national security by preserving vital steel production for critical national infrastructure and defence. 
    • Steel import quotas will be reduced with higher tariffs of 50% outside of quotas, ensuring the UK steel sector’s future in the face of global overcapacity.  

    UK steel producers and thousands of steel workers from Glasgow to Port Talbot will benefit from a new landmark Steel Strategy as Government takes bold action to protect domestic steelmaking and build more resilience in the supply chain for critical national infrastructure and defence. 

    On a visit to Tata Steel Port Talbot to meet steelworkers and launch the Strategy, the Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle announced the Government’s ambition to boost domestic production so that it can meet up to 50% of our domestic demand for steel, and secure the industry’s role in supporting vital UK sectors like infrastructure, defence and clean energy. 

    Building on the direct financial support the government has made so far, the National Wealth Fund will be the government’s main mechanism for providing up to £2.5 billion of financing for investment in the steel sector this Parliament. The Steel Strategy forms a vital part of the Government’s activist and strategic approach to British industry, taking decisive action to give businesses the certainty and support they need in uncertain times and bolstering the UK’s resilience.

    Today, the UK also announces that from 1 July 2026, overall quota levels for steel imports will be significantly reduced by 60% compared to current arrangements, and steel coming into the UK above these levels will be subject to a 50% tariff.   

    The robust new measure is a vital step to protect UK steel production in the face of global steel overcapacity. It will apply to imported steel products where they can be made in the UK.

    Without action, the UK’s steelmaking capability faces real jeopardy, leaving us reliant on overseas suppliers for materials essential to our energy security, defence and transport infrastructure.  

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

    “Making steel in the UK is vital for national security, critical infrastructure and the wider economy. Steel-making is a cornerstone of our modern industrial policy that deliberately focuses support for key industries, technologies, and strategically important sectors.   

    “With this strategy we are closing the decades-long chapter of destructive de-industrialisation and committing instead to strengthening and sustaining Britain as a steel-making nation.” 

    The new Steel Strategy also commits to: 

    • Confirm electric arc furnaces (EAF) as the future of British steelmaking, continuing the shift from blast furnaces to cleaner, EAF-based production using recycled scrap to support net zero. 
    • Enable offshore wind developers to include steel manufacturers in the next round of Clean Industry Bonus applications (launching this year) to maximise UK steel use in renewables. 
    • Launch a cross-government working group to ensure a sustainable supply of scrap metal for UK steelmakers. 
    • Task the Steel Council with action on workforce needs and practical research and innovation to boost productivity and competitiveness. 

    Alongside the new trade measure being announced today, the Government will also be raising the UK’s maximum Most Favoured Nation (MFN) steel tariffs at the WTO to 50% to protect domestic industry in the long run from the impacts of global overcapacity. 

    This approach reflects feedback from government’s recent Call for Evidence, aligns with the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy, and follows months of engagement with UK steel producers and downstream industries.  

    In tandem, the Government will explore the possibility of introducing requirements to identify where steel imports are melted and poured, in order to better understand our supply chains and ensure the UK steel industry is better protected from global overcapacity.  

    The new measure is not about stopping steel trade: steel imports are necessary for industry and will continue. Quota allocations have been carefully designed through engagement with industry to help maintain security of supply and minimise impacts on the wider economy.

    Following engagement with downstream sectors, there will be a quarterly roll-over of quotas within the year and a review of the measure after twelve months.   

    The UK remains committed to working with international partners, including the European Union, with whom our supply chains are so connected, to tackle global steel challenges. The UK will also continue to work through the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity and take forward efforts to advance WTO reform.

    Further good news for the UK’s steel sector will be unveiled later today during the Nigerian State Visit, with a substantial new deal backed by UK Export Finance worth £70 million, for British Steel to supply the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s trading ports. 

    Notes to editors 

    • The Government is engaging directly with affected stakeholders and trading partners. 
    • We are exploring a transitional arrangement under which the new tariff would not apply to goods under contract agreed before 14 March and imported between 1 July and 30 September 2026. We are finalising the details to ensure it gives genuine support from unexpected costs, while still protecting the UK market from excessive imports.
    • Read the new Steel Strategy. 
    • The Steel Strategy builds on major support the Government has already put in place for the steel industry since taking office, including slashing electricity costs for producers via the Supercharger, reforming procurement rules to ensure more UK-made steel is considered for public projects and speeding up grid access for new investment projects.  
    • Since the Government’s intervention at Scunthorpe last year British Steel has made other important progress, including hiring new apprentices and signing significant contracts, such as supplying a Turkish rail project worth tens of millions. 
    • Other active government support for Britain’s steel sector and communities since taking office has included £500 million to support the construction of a new electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot, alongside over £100 million of transition funding for local businesses and to retrain ex-workers. 
    • The Government has also backed the Official Receiver with the funding to run a sales process for Speciality Steel UK’s sites, protecting jobs in Rotherham and Stocksbridge in the interim. 
    • The up to £2.5 billion of funding for the steel sector this Parliament is in addition to £500 million already earmarked for Tata Steel’s £1.25 billion transformation at Port Talbot, securing 5,000 jobs. 
    • In 2024, nearly 40,000 people worked across the UK steel industry, with steelmakers paying on average 32% above local average wages
    • 40,000 employed in the UK steel industry sources: ONS JOBS03: Employee jobs by industry Q3 2025, ONS JOBS04: Self-employment jobs by industry Q3 2025 and ONS: Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) 2024
    • 32% above local average wages source: Employee earnings in the UK – Office for National Statistics

    Stakeholder quotes:

    Jon Bolton, Co-Chair of the UK Steel Council, said:

    “This Steel Strategy, alongside the recently published Industrial Strategy, demonstrates the government’s determination to support Foundational Industries and sets out a case for investment in the UK”s steel sector.  

    “Steel along with all industrial sectors is facing many external challenges emphasising the need to secure a competitive UK supply chain.  A significant demand for steel in the UK supported by a positive policy landscape, a globally recognised academic knowledge base and a skilled workforce will enable the sector to arrest its many years of decline.”

    Gareth Stace, Director General, UK Steel, said:

    “Steel underpins our national security, our energy transition, and the delivery of critical infrastructure. Yet for too long, the UK has lacked a coherent, long‑term plan to support the sector. Today’s strategy acknowledges the essential role steel plays in every part of the economy and sets out the direction needed to attract investment, boost innovation, and strengthen our industrial foundations.

    “This is a crucial moment: with global markets distorted by overcapacity and subsidy, a clear and ambitious domestic strategy is exactly what is required to ensure steelmaking not only survives in the UK but thrives.”

    Community Union General Secretary, Roy Rickhuss CBE, says:

    “Since taking office in 2024, the Government has taken many decisive steps to support the steel industry and those who work within it. This Steel Strategy represents the culmination of these efforts.

    “The trade measure outlined in this Strategy represent a bold and significant step forward, strengthening our domestic industry and helping to ensure that local economies continue to benefit from a secure, resilient steel sector and the employment it provides.”

    Sir Andrew Cook CBE, Chairman, William Cook Holdings Ltd, said:

    “The Government’s measures are a recognition of the need to defend the industry from the distortions in global markets. I welcome them, and trust that we can look forward to further trade defence initiatives extending to other areas of the steel industry that are badly damaged by subsidised imports.”

    Nick Haycock, Managing Director at Marcegaglia UK, said:

    “Unlike some of the steel producers, we have not had any defence for our core products until now. Our markets have been badly impacted by unfair competition and this reduction in quotas offers us an opportunity to grow our domestic market share and domesticate our supply chains. Marcegaglia UK has made major investments in recent years, and these measures will lead to further job creation in our local area.”

    Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Secretary, said:

    “GMB had been calling for a steel strategy for a long time – so it’s good we now have some kind of plan.

    “This administration has done more for UK steel than any Government for many, many years.

    “But, as ever, the devil will be in the detail and key questions around ownership of Scunthorpe and the future technology mix will be key to our members and their livelihoods.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : New redress scheme announced for Horizon scandal family members [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New redress scheme announced for Horizon scandal family members [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 March 2026.

    New redress scheme announced for relatives of postmasters affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal.

    • Scheme designed with family members’ input to ensure delivery of redress as swiftly as possible, including in cases with limited or lost evidence. 
    • Family group Lost Chances, who have long campaigned for justice, updated in person by the Post Office Minister on the scheme today 
    • Personal, face-to-face apologies from organisations to begin as part of restorative justice programme for postmasters and their families  

    The Government has today announced details of a new redress scheme for close family members of postmasters most severely affected by the Horizon scandal, which is expected to open in summer 2026.   

    This will extend support beyond the almost £1.5 billion of payments already made to postmasters themselves, directly recognising that the scandal’s devastating consequences were experienced not just by those running post offices, but also by those closest to them.  

    In many cases, family members suffered serious harm to their mental health and wellbeing as a direct result of their loved ones’ experiences.  

    The scheme has been designed to be as accessible and straightforward as possible — minimising bureaucratic barriers so that families receive redress without delay. It also fulfils a key commitment made by the Government following the publication of Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry final report. 

    Post Office Minister, Blair McDougall will meet representatives from campaign group Lost Chances today to discuss the scheme. They have been involved in the design of the scheme alongside other postmasters and interested groups.  

    Minister for Postal Affairs, Blair McDougall, said: 

    “The Horizon scandal caused immeasurable harm — not just to the postmasters wrongly accused of crimes, but to their families who stood beside and suffered alongside them.  

    “Today’s scheme recognises that harm and will make sure those families receive the support they deserve, as quickly and simply as possible.  

    “We have listened carefully to those affected and designed this scheme to reach as many people as we can without putting unnecessary barriers in their way.” 

    Recognising that many family members will face real difficulty in obtaining formal evidence of harm suffered years ago, the Government has developed two routes to redress. 

    Family members who can provide contemporaneous evidence of personal injury, or who have an ongoing medical condition arising from Horizon, can apply for a full assessed personal injury claim.  

    For those who cannot provide this level of evidence, a new events-based route has been created. Where a postmaster relative experienced one of the most serious consequences of the scandal — such as criminal prosecution or bankruptcy — the Government will offer fixed rate recognition payments without requiring further evidence of personal harm. 

    This approach ensures that family members are not left without any recourse simply because records decades ago are no longer available. 

    Alongside the new scheme, the Government today gives its support for a postmaster-led restorative justice programme which it is funding jointly with the Post Office and Fujitsu. The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is today publishing a report setting out how the project will be delivered.  

    This will include the opportunity for postmasters and their families to join facilitated meetings with staff from Post Office, Fujitsu and the Department for Business and Trade to receive personal, face-to-face apologies from organisations involved in the scandal – to add to the public apologies already given.  

    The Department for Business and Trade, the Post Office and Fujitsu have agreed to jointly fund and support the programme over a five-year period. 

    The programme was developed in close collaboration with postmasters themselves and follows a pilot phase whose findings were published by the RJC in October 2025. 

    Lord Arbuthnot, of the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, said: 

    “I welcome the Government’s proposals to provide redress to the family members of Horizon postmasters, many of whom suffered immeasurable harm because of this dreadful saga.   

    “The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board has helped to shape the scheme’s design and will continue to monitor closely the development of the scheme and to provide its experience and expertise where helpful. 

    “Whilst the wrongs of the Horizon scandal cannot be undone, this scheme will help to give family members the recognition that they deserve.”

    ENDS

    Notes to editors 

    • The scheme for families of Horizon Scandal postmasters follows the Government’s acceptance of recommendation 18 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry Volume 1 report, and recommendations from the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board. The restorative justice programme detailed also follows the Government’s acceptance of recommendation 19 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry Volume 1 report. 
    • The Government has today written to the Lost Chances group setting out the details of the scheme. A copy of the letter has been published online : Horizon Family Members Redress Scheme: letters from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation – GOV.UK
  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine yet seeks to cast itself as the victim: UK statement to the OSCE [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine yet seeks to cast itself as the victim: UK statement to the OSCE [March 2026]

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

    Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and its attempts to portray itself as the victim while continuing its war of aggression. He highlights rising civilian casualties, Russia’s refusal to engage seriously in diplomacy, and reaffirms the UK’s support for Ukraine’s self defence and a just, lasting peace.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    It has become routine for Russia to denounce Ukraine’s legitimate efforts at self-defence while continuing its own bombardment of Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Week after week, the state that launched this war of aggression seeks to cast itself as the victim and to blame those supporting a sovereign state under attack in its defence. Colleagues should be clear-eyed about this inversion of reality.

    Any loss of civilian life on either side is deeply regrettable. And the human cost of Russia’s war remains stark: UN reporting for 2025 indicates that civilian casualties in Ukraine rose by 31 per cent compared with the previous year. These figures speak to a well-documented pattern of strikes across populated areas with predictable humanitarian consequences.

    The last few days have again shown how far this pattern extends. In the early hours of 14 March, Russia launched a combined assault of 430 drones and 64 missiles, killing at least 7 civilians and injuring 46 others. This was the largest missile strike since the mass attack on the 2-3rd February, and one of the largest since 2024. This mass attack comes amid a relentless daily bombardment, with Russia having already fired over 3,000 drones and nearly 100 missiles at Ukrainian cities in March alone.

    Mr Chair, Russia’s projection cannot obscure the fundamental truth: Russia launched this illegal and unprovoked war against a sovereign neighbour. It could end it today by withdrawing its forces from all Ukrainian territory. Instead, it entrenches its attempted illegal annexations and imposes control through coercion and the systematic erasure of Ukrainian identity in the areas that it occupies.

    The Kremlin alleges that Ukraine and its partners are obstructing diplomacy. But it has now been more than one year since the United States and Ukraine jointly proposed an immediate and unconditional ceasefire – an offer which Russia declined. Russia has turned up to talks but refused to move one inch from its maximalist positions. This is performance, not negotiation.

    Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its seriousness about achieving a just and lasting peace. The UK, the US and many partners have consistently supported immediate ceasefire proposals and continue to do so. But negotiations require good faith from all parties. Russia has shown no credible shift, no de-escalatory intent, and no willingness to take even the smallest step that would indicate genuine commitment. Its attempts to portray others as the obstacle to peace only underline its own lack of seriousness.

    Mr Chair, the United Kingdom will continue to stand with Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence under the UN Charter, and to support efforts that can deliver a comprehensive, just and durable peace – one that ends this war, restores Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and strengthens European security for us all.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK reaffirms support for Ukraine’s legal right to self defence – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK reaffirms support for Ukraine’s legal right to self defence – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2026]

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

    The UK reaffirms Ukraine’s right to self defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter and voices concern over external military and dual use support to Russia, stressing the need to uphold international law and maintain regional and global security.

    Madam Chair, the United Kingdom reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression. Russia’s ongoing invasion constitutes a manifest violation of the prohibition on the use of force and of the most fundamental principles underpinning European and global security.

    As Ukraine faces sustained and intensified attacks across its territory, recent OSCE reporting shows that Russia’s missile and drone strikes have targeted critical civilian and energy infrastructure, including medical facilities, power substations, and nuclear safety‑related electrical infrastructure, causing widespread civilian casualties, energy outages, and severe humanitarian impacts. Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and civilian objects is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

    In this context, the provision of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine by partners, including the UK, is fully consistent with international law. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine retains the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence in response to armed attack. Supporting Ukraine strengthens the rules‑based international order; it does not undermine it.

    By contrast, Russia continues to seek illicit external support to sustain its aggression. Open‑source intelligence indicates that the DPRK has supplied munitions and ballistic missiles used against Ukrainian cities, in violation of multiple UNSC Resolutions on DPRK arms exports.

    The People’s Republic of China has supplied large quantities of dual‑use goods, microelectronics, machine tools, optics, and UAV‑related technologies that fuel Russia’s weapons production. As previously reported in this forum, over 73% of Russia’s dual‑use imports since February 2022, worth approximately $16 billion, originated from China, including nearly 90% of semiconductors imported in 2023.

    Iran also continues to supply Russia with weapons components and systems enabling attacks on Ukraine, including UAV (including Shahed) technologies and missile‑related items, in violation of the prohibition on Iranian arms exports reinstated by the snapback of UN sanctions on Iran in October 2025, which called upon Iran not to undertake activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and restricted missile‑related transfers for eight years.

    Collectively, all these transfers represent a deliberate and persistent pattern of unlawful support to an aggressor state — support that violates international non-proliferation obligations and undermines the security of every OSCE participating State.

    Madam Chair, Russia’s actions continue to endanger regional stability and global security. Russia’s violations of international law must be met with resolute, coordinated international action. The United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. So we will repeat: the provision of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine by partners, including the UK, is fully consistent with international law. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine retains the inherent right of individual and collective self‑defence in response to armed attack.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Donna Ockenden appointed to chair Leeds maternity review [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Donna Ockenden appointed to chair Leeds maternity review [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 March 2026.

    Health Secretary Wes Streeting appoints Donna Ockenden to lead the independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity and neonatal service.

    • Secretary of State for Health and Social Care appoints Ockenden to lead independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity and neonatal services. 
    • Follows repeated maternity failures in Leeds, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, and the announcement of an independent review in October 2025. 
    • Decision reflects families’ own asks, following direct conversations with the Secretary of State.

    Families in Leeds are closer to seeing lasting change following the appointment of senior midwife Donna Ockenden to lead an independent review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 

    The Health and Social Care Secretary spoke this morning with the families, where he set out that this decision has been made with the aim of building the confidence of all the families who have been harmed. It’s the third time since September that the Secretary of State has met with the families.

    Ockenden brings extensive experience as a nurse and midwife, alongside her track record of uncovering systemic failings in maternity care – having examined maternity practices at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust – and is currently chairing the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust maternity review.

    From next month, the government will kickstart work with families to further develop the terms of reference for the review, with individual clinical case reviews set to begin from August 2026. 

    The government has taken significant action to overhaul maternity care over the last 18 months, including a rapid national investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England led by Baroness Amos, who published her interim findings on 26 February 2026. 

    The Secretary of State will also launch the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, taking the national investigation’s recommendations and turning them into a concrete plan for real, lasting change. 

    Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said: 

    Donna Ockenden is an outstanding advocate for families whose voices have not always been heard, and I’m delighted to appoint someone so trusted by those who have been repeatedly let down by the NHS.  

    To the families in Leeds, I want to say thank you for your openness during our detailed discussions in recent weeks, and the courage you continue to show in sharing your experiences and advocating for lasting change, so other families do not experience the unimaginable tragedies you have gone through.  

    This review must deliver for you, and for the sake of all families, who rightly expect to receive safe and high-quality maternity care in the NHS. Donna Ockenden’s leadership will bring us closer to the lasting change so desperately needed in Leeds.

    Donna Ockenden said:

    It is an honour to have been asked to chair this review, and I feel a profound sense of responsibility to the parents, babies and healthcare professionals it concerns to ensure that we get this right.

    This review must remain firmly focused on the families who, in many instances, have waited far too long for answers to questions about their care. My priority will be to listen carefully to families and staff, to understand what has gone wrong, and to ensure that the lessons are learned and the changes required are made, in a timely way, thus ensuring that all mothers, their babies and families receive safe, high-quality perinatal care.

    The Leeds family maternity group said:

    It has been a long, drawn-out and emotionally draining process to get the assurances that this investigation will be handled with the appropriate methodology and care that it needs.

    We are grateful that Wes Streeting has listened carefully to all of the evidence we put to him about our concerns and why Donna Ockenden should be appointed as chair. We believe she has the experience, independence and determination required to uncover the truth and deliver meaningful accountability and change.

    The independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity units was announced by the Secretary of State in October last year, following repeated maternity failures. Despite being one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust remains an outlier on perinatal mortality according to MBRRACE-UK data.  

    The review will focus on identifying areas of concern within maternity and neonatal care at the trust, with recommended actions to help improve the safety, quality and equity of maternity care.

    While the terms of reference for the review are yet to be agreed, we expect the review to involve case reviews of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and serious incidents, hypoxic injuries and maternal deaths over a 15-year timeframe (1 January 2011 to 31 December 2025).  

    Following the successful approach in Nottingham, the inclusion of cases in the review will be based on an opt-out basis, meaning that all families who meet the terms of reference will automatically be included unless they choose otherwise, ensuring that no voices are missed. 

    It will also look at the governance, accountability and handling of concerns at the trust when they are raised by women and/or their families and staff members. 

    Final decisions will be made following further engagement with Donna Ockenden and families.

    While the time-reporting timescale for this review will be confirmed in due course, learning and recommendations will be shared on an ongoing basis with the trust, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to allow rapid action at all levels to improve the safety of maternity care. 

    The vast majority of births on the NHS are safe and women should continue to attend all maternity appointments. Women and families are encouraged to raise any concerns with their midwife or healthcare team without hesitation. 

    The appointment of the chair of the Leeds independent review follows a suite of measures this government has taken to improve maternity care. Since July 2024, we have:  

    • invested over £131 million in 122 infrastructure projects  across 49 NHS trusts to improve safety of neonatal care facilities
    • implemented a new programme to reduce the 2 leading causes of avoidable brain injury during labour
    • piloted Martha’s Rule in maternity and neonatal units in 14 trusts across 6 regions to give patients and families the right to request a second opinion
    • launched a package of initiatives and interventions to reduce stillbirths, neonatal brain injury, neonatal death and preterm birth
    • introduced a Perinatal Culture and Leadership Programme to develop a culture of safety, learning and support for leads from all maternity and neonatal units
    • created targeted schemes to promote midwife retention and the Graduate Guarantee, so that every qualified nurse and midwife in England can apply to join the health workforce. The latest workforce stats show that, as of November 2025, there are 31,024 midwives working in the NHS, which equates to 25,530 full-time equivalent midwives
    • expanded maternal mental health services to help women and extended the Baby Loss Certificate scheme to include all historic losses
    • rolled out guidance across the NHS to tackle the leading causes of maternal death including thrombosis, mental health, epilepsy and haemorrhage
    • launched an anti-discrimination programme and a system to better identify  safety concerns

    NHS England has published an inequalities dashboard, which will support the identification of areas where specific populations face the greatest disparities, enabling tailored interventions and more equitable support.

    The Secretary of State:

    • has ordered a national maternity investigation, chaired by Baroness Amos. The aim of this rapid, independent investigation is to develop one set of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal care across England and reduce inequalities in the delivery of these services
    • will chair a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce shortly. The taskforce is specifically designed to ensure the investigations’ recommendations translate into action
  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with leaders of Germany and Italy [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with leaders of Germany and Italy [March 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 March 2026.

    The PM spoke to the leaders of Germany and Italy last night about the situation in the Middle East.

    Discussing the Strait of Hormuz, they agreed on the vital importance of freedom of navigation for vessels through these waters. They agreed to work closely together in the coming days in the face of Iranian threats.

    The Prime Minister updated on the ongoing defensive measures taken by the UK in the region in recent days, in support of our partners in the Gulf.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches consultation on making public services quicker, easier and more secure to access with digital ID [March 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches consultation on making public services quicker, easier and more secure to access with digital ID [March 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 10 March 2026.

    The Government has launched a consultation asking the public to share their views on how digital ID is used to make public services quicker, easier and more secure to access.

    • Consultation will let the public have their say on how digital ID is used to make public services quicker, easier and more secure to access.
    • Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister says government needs to “catch up” with services offered by the private sector, like online banking
    • Digital ID prototype shows how “government by app” could work with the digital ID system as its foundation, doing the join-up work between departments you currently have to do yourself, for you. 

    The public are being given the chance to have their say on how the new digital ID could help them access public services more quickly, easily and securely – as the government launches a national consultation today.

    From managing free childcare payments to filing tax returns, the consultation will seek views from people on how the system could be used to make public services work better for them.

    Alongside the consultation, the government will reveal images and videos of a working prototype of the system showing how people could log on to a single app and prove who they are, ending a reliance on multiple logins and paper documents to access the support they need, saving time and effort. 

    Government by app will be as easy and secure as online banking, and will be available to those who want it. It will remove the frustration of endless telephone calls, complicated printed forms and people having no idea of how long it will take them to get the support they need. Existing routes to accessing public services will continue to be available for those who prefer them. 

    The system is part of wider government plans to reform public services, modernise public sector technology and replace legacy systems, to make services work better for people across the country and is expected to save money in the long run, by replacing the expensive legacy paper-based systems currently in place. The numbers across government are huge: the DVLA currently processes 45,000 letters a day, Defra uses 500 different paper forms, HMRC handles 100,000 phone calls a day.

    Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said:

    People too often dread their interactions with public services. Endless telephone calls, complicated printed forms and having to tell your story multiple times to different parts of government.

    I want to change that and make public services work for you. The new digital ID will make that possible, allowing you to log on and prove who you are to access public services more quickly, easily and securely. 

    Supermarkets, banks and shops have all chosen to move their services online because it delivers a better customer experience and value for money, and other countries like Estonia fully digitised public services years ago. We need to catch up.

    We’re launching a public consultation to let you have your say about how we use digital ID to make public services work for you. We want to build a system that works for everyone. Now is your chance.

    Anyone starting a new job will be able to use the new digital proof of identity for digital right to work checks, which will be required by the end of the Parliament – or they will be able to do a digital check of other documents such as passport or eVisa if they prefer.

    The consultation will find out how digital ID can best work for people across the country and use their feedback to build a system that can help them access services and offer the best possible benefits. Questions include:

    • At what age you should be able to get a digital ID;
    • What information it would be useful to include – such as proof of address as well as identity – to end the scramble for a utility bill or bank statement;
    • Which government services it could improve your experience of, for example getting a driving licence or checking your tax code; and
    • How we make sure everyone is included.

    To ensure the government hears views from people from all walks of life, an in-depth process going beyond typical government consultations will be launched. Alongside the eight-week online consultation, the government will establish a People’s Panel on digital ID, bringing together people across the country from different backgrounds. The panel will have in-depth discussions, sharing different views on the proposals and will agree ways to move forward.

    While the prototype unveiled today gives the public insight into what the digital ID might look like and the type of services it might cover, the final design of the scheme will be subject to the outcome of the consultation and the views shared.

    The announcement follows the Roadmap for Modern Digital Government, which set out how technology will transform services right across the state, from digitising planning to making it easier for people to manage their benefits and tax. The government is making it easier for organisations to move away from outdated technology, overhauling funding so old systems can be replaced faster, and doubling the number of tech experts across Whitehall.