Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : An end to the suffering in Sudan will only come through an humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian-led political process [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : An end to the suffering in Sudan will only come through an humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian-led political process [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 August 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    The war in Sudan has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

    Fighting has spread throughout Sudan, fuelled by arms supplies from within and beyond the region, funded, at least in part, by abduction for ransom and abuse of Sudan’s natural resources including gold, and exacerbated by massive use of drones

    With 33 million people needing humanitarian assistance; gross violations of human rights; civilians targeted with attacks, torture and arbitrary detention; horrifying sexual violence; and deprivation of essential services.

    An end to this suffering will only come through an humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian-led political process to secure a sustainable peace. 

    Three issues need our support.

    First, the choices of peace.

    The United Kingdom welcomes and supports work to broker a humanitarian truce led by the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE; work towards confidence-building measures by Envoy Haavisto; and work to build an inclusive inter-Sudanese dialogue as a foundation for a peaceful political transition led by the Quintet of international organisations. 

    But the choices needed to make peace in Sudan lie with the leaders, fighters, funders and fuellers of the war.

    So we also urge Sudan’s warring parties to choose to engage with peace processes; those supplying, funding and fuelling the war to choose to stop; leaders and fighting forces to choose to meet their obligations to act in accordance with the laws of war,  to enable humanitarian access, and to protect civilians – not attack, torture, maim and deprive them; and all those with influence, to choose to use it to press for peace. 

    Second, until the parties choose peace, we can help to protect civilians, to limit the flows of arms that fuel conflict, and to raise the cost to perpetrators of their actions.

    By extending the sanctions regime to respond to the war as it is being fought, covering the  areas where fighting is; drones; sexual violence; mercenaries.

    And by reminding leaders of fighting forces and militias that new technology and new tactics do not change their fundamental obligations to comply with international humanitarian law. 

    Sudan has become a battlefield where restrictions are too often ignored and protections too often fail.

    Our action to change that could mitigate the human suffering of the people trapped in these wars.

    And these measures should form part of a broader strategy to use the tools we have to protect civilians, constrain conflict, and support mediation efforts towards peace.

    Third, by supporting the humanitarian agencies working with people trapped in this war, and led by OCHA, thank you.

    Humanitarian access continues to be obstructed by all parties to the conflict.  With costs measured in lives: families starving, communities cut off from the support they need to survive, and humanitarian workers under fire.

    We call on the parties to facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need.

    The United Kingdom is supporting the people of Sudan with humanitarian assistance: $200m this year, to reach over 1.8 million people with food, nutrition, healthcare, clean water, and protection services.

    And increasing support to Sudanese-led responders, who can reach communities that others cannot.

    Pushing for protection, using our diplomacy to press for humanitarian access, an immediate truce, and a permanent ceasefire.

    Backing peace: supporting mediation efforts and an inclusive, Sudanese-led political process.

    Raising the cost of failing to protect civilians with UK sanctions on those committing atrocities, recruiting mercenaries, and conflict financing networks.

    And pursuing accountability: targeting those responsible for atrocities and those who sustain this war; through work to document, verify and preserve evidence of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure; through the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice; and by supporting the UN Fact-Finding Mission, the Panel of Experts, and the International Criminal Court.

    Mr President, the things that Sudanese civilians want: an end to war; safety for their families; access to food, healthcare and education; the chance to live free from violence; to see their children grow up into safety and prosperity.

    These are the things that almost every human being wants.

    They, and the people of Sudan, need to remain in international attention, and with international support to achieve them.

    And the leaders, fighters, funders, and fuellers of this war need to choose peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 August 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv today following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.

    The Prime Minister started by thanking President Zelenskyy for the warm welcome he had been given by the Ukrainian people on his first visit.

    It had been an honest and productive conversation during the Coalition of the Willing, the leaders agreed, and it was clear the international community needed to step up and ensure Ukraine got the support it needed to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric attacks going into the winter.

    The Prime Minister emphasised the strength of unity among coalition members and reiterated that there would be no change in the UK’s steadfast support.

    That was further symbolised by the announcement that the UK had agreed that defence firm MBDA could release classified information on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, the Prime Minister said.

    Turning to the economic situation, the leaders discussed the need to work with the insurance industry to support the resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and businesses.

    The leaders also welcomed the new AI partnership between the UK and Ukraine, which would bring opportunity and potential to revolutionise aspects of public life in both countries.

    The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Historic council housebuilding comeback to help families into secure homes [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Historic council housebuilding comeback to help families into secure homes [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 24 August 2026.

    The government announces its first wave of funding from its £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

    • Families stuck without a secure home to benefit from the first wave of funding from the government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme 
    • Councils backed to build more homes as ministers drive the biggest council housebuilding revival in decades  
    • More decisions over housing investment to move closer to local communities 

    Families trapped in temporary accommodation or stuck on housing waiting lists will be helped into safe, secure homes as the government kickstarts its record £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme. 

    Today (25 August) the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, are announcing nearly £10 billion of allocations to build thousands more quality council, social and affordable homes. 

    The first wave of funding announced today will support the delivery of more than 70,000 homes across England. It will go to 33 Strategic Partners – councils, housing associations and other providers that have secured long-term funding certainty to deliver homes at scale. Today’s announcement also marks a major step in the ambition to getting councils building at scale again.  

    Alongside housing associations, councils will be awarded Strategic Partner status with Homes England, helping put them firmly back at the heart of housebuilding. Around 60% of homes delivered through these partnerships are expected to be for Social Rent, the most affordable form of rented housing, helping more families access a secure home. 

    With almost 180,000 children growing up without a permanent home, the government is putting councils at the heart of housebuilding.  

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:  

    No child should be raised in a hostel room and no family should wait ten years for a front door of their own. I have said from my first day in this job that everything starts with a good home.

    Nearly £10 billion will go to councils and housing associations to build genuinely affordable homes, most of them for social rent, in the places where families are waiting longest.

    Councils built this country out of a housing crisis once before. Backed properly, and trusted to get on with it, they will do it again.

    Secretary of State Angela Rayner said: 

    Families can’t be left raising children without a place to call home, and none of us should spend years waiting for somewhere safe and affordable to live. 

    I know how important fixing this is – because I’ve been there. A safe and secure home was the foundation for a better life – I couldn’t have got to where I have today without it. 

    That’s why the Prime Minister and I are doing everything we can to get councils building once again – it’s fundamental to turning the housing crisis around, helping families out of temporary accommodation and into a secure home.

    Over £2 billion of today’s funding is expected to be spent in Mayoral areas outside of London. As part of the government’s wider devolution agenda, Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities are setting the strategic direction for the programme in their areas, helping ensure investment reflects local priorities.  

    Over time, more funding is expected to flow directly to mayoral authorities as the programme develops, building on the Government’s commitment to move power and decision-making out of Whitehall. 

    Today’s allocation is only the first stage of the ten-year programme. More than £16 billion remains to be allocated outside London and in allocating this funding, we intend to prioritise Social Rent homes and council housebuilding, helping deliver the largest expansion of council housing in decades. 

    Amy Rees, Chief Executive Officer at Homes England said: 

    Today’s announcement marks an important step in delivering the government’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. Through these strategic partnerships and continuous market engagement, alongside Homes England’s wider investment including through the National Housing Bank, we can help unlock thousands of much-needed homes across England. By working with councils, mayors, housing associations and local partners, we can support the return of council housebuilding at scale, increase the supply of social rent homes and create thriving places that people are proud to call home.

    Today’s package goes further by helping councils access more of the funding available to the programme and make full use of Right to Buy receipts – with £1.61 billion raised from sales alone in the last financial year – and other available funding streams.  

    To support this ambition, the government is investing a further £46 million over the next three years to strengthen councils’ skills, expertise and capacity to bring forward ambitious housebuilding plans. 

    London will receive a major boost for housebuilding, reflecting the acute need for affordable housing in the capital. 

    The Greater London Authority intends to offer at least £6 billion through the programme, with councils expected to deliver more than half of the homes funded in London. The capital is already demonstrating what can be achieved when local leaders have greater control over housing investment and delivery.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

    Tackling the housing crisis is one of my top priorities and I’m doing everything I can to deliver more affordable homes that Londoners desperately need. We’ve built record numbers of council homes in London, but the number of families and children without a permanent home stuck on housing waiting lists is still unacceptable. I want to work with this new Government to deliver a step change in how many council homes we can deliver across the capital. 

    Thousands of Londoners will benefit from this new wave of new social and affordable homes, which will help people out of temporary accommodation and provide good, affordable homes to live in for the long-term, as we build a fairer, better London for everyone.

    Housing associations and other providers will continue to play a vital role in delivering the social and affordable homes the country needs.  

    Alongside councils, they will be central to delivering the Government’s ambition to increase housebuilding and expand access to genuinely affordable homes. 

    Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: 

    It is hugely welcome to see this much-anticipated funding confirmed, something we have been calling for to kickstart construction on tens of thousands of desperately needed new social homes. 

    This is a major vote of confidence in not-for-profit housing associations and in the vital and distinct role they play in this country, as organisations that work for the long-term benefit of their communities. 

    Housing associations have risen to the challenge of delivering the governments ambitions. Working in partnership with government, councils and mayors, they have used the support and certainty provided by government to rebuild their development capacity, invest in skills, and be the strong and reliable partners needed to build a new generation of social and affordable homes, alongside increasing investment in their existing homes. This is no better demonstrated than in the scale and ambition of the bids submitted to this Social and Affordable Homes Programme. 

    We will continue work with national and local government to maximise housing associations’ potential to deliver new social rented homes during this parliament and over the next decade, meeting the housing needs of local people in every part of the country.

    The package builds on the government’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament, including the biggest boost to council, social and affordable housing in a generation. 

    Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said:

    It’s very welcome to see funding from last year’s Spending Review now being allocated and getting into the hands of Strategic Partners across the country, turning the government’s long-term commitment into homes that can make a real difference for families. We welcome the strong focus on homes for social rent and the ambition for council housebuilding, and the recognition of the vital role that councils, housing associations and other providers will play in delivering the next generation of genuinely affordable homes. If delivered at pace, this investment has the potential to reduce homelessness, ease pressure on temporary accommodation and help more people access a safe, secure and affordable home.

    Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said:  

    Councils have long called for a sustained return to building genuinely affordable homes and stand ready to work with government to deliver the revival in social housebuilding.  

    The confirmed allocation of the first phase of the £39 billion fund and the increased Capacity to Build funding are positive steps to achieving this ambition.  

    Given the key role for councils in delivering these homes, it is crucial they remain at the heart of delivery. Mayors should work closely with local authorities in their areas to achieve the most from this money, with councils also having sustained access to preferential borrowing rates to support viability. 

    Notes to editors:  

    • The Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) is a £39 billion investment programme over ten years. The programme has a target for at least 60% of homes delivered through it to be for Social Rent.
    • £9.58 billion is being allocated to 33 Strategic Partners outside of London, including housing associations and other providers, to support the delivery of 73,600 new social and affordable homes across England over the next ten years. Nearly two-thirds of homes delivered through these partnerships are expected to be for Social Rent. This is the first major wave of funding allocations under the programme. Further funding will be allocated over the lifetime of the programme. 
    • Outside London, the Social and Affordable Homes Programme is administered by Homes England. 
    • Section 106 (S106) agreements are, and will remain, an essential mechanism for delivering social and affordable housing in addition to grant-funded delivery, through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 
    • In 2025/26, councils received £1.61 billion in Right to Buy sales, all of which can now be retained and reinvested in new social and affordable homes. 
    • The £46m ‘Capacity to Build’ funding forms a package of support to strengthen councils’ skills, capacity and capability to deliver and acquire new council homes. Building on the success of 2025-26, the £46m will fund the continuation of:  

    o   The Council Housebuilding Support Fund – delivered with Homes England, providing revenue funding for early-stage development activity to help councils bring forward ambitious bids to the SAHP;  

    o   The Council Housebuilding Support Service – delivered by the Local Government Association, providing bespoke no-cost support, advice and expertise to help councils deliver more homes;  

    • An expansion to the Pathways to Planning graduate scheme – delivered by the Local Government Association, helping councils recruit and retain graduates in specialist housebuilding roles, including surveying and construction project management.  
    • The Government has set out its long-term direction for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, with more funding expected to flow directly to Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs) outside London as the programme progresses.  
    • In allocating remaining funding, the government intends to prioritise Social Rent and council homes, alongside a continued focus on local decision-making and delivery.  
    • Social Rent is the most affordable form of social housing. It is usually provided by councils or housing associations, with rents typically set well below private market rents. This makes it one of the most affordable housing options for people on low incomes. 

    Regional funding breakdown  

    • For the following Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities outside of London, the estimated Strategic Partnership spend in each area is as follows:  

    o    Greater Manchester: £529m estimated spend to support c. 4,400 homes   

    o    West Midlands: £409m estimated spend to support c. 3,200 homes   

    o    North East: £445m estimated spend to support c. 3,400 homes   

    o    West Yorkshire: £441m estimated spend to support c. 4,000 homes   

    o    Liverpool City Region: £380m estimated spend to support c. 3,100 homes   

    o    South Yorkshire: £249m estimated spend to support c. 2,200 homes  

    • Following the designation of four new Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs), they will now also be able to set the strategic direction of the Programme in their areas. Those EMSAs are: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; East Midlands; West of England; York and North Yorkshire  
    • Today’s announcement comes as the final National Planning Policy Framework is published last week that encourages a more diverse mix of housing, including more affordable homes for rural communities, and stricter rules to maximise social and affordable housing delivery on low-quality grey belt land.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine on a UK-Ukraine Artificial Intelligence Partnership [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine on a UK-Ukraine Artificial Intelligence Partnership [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 August 2026.

    Joint Declaration of intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine on a UK-Ukraine Artificial Intelligence Partnership.

    We, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, meeting at a decisive moment for European security, and united in our resolve to shape the transformation of modern warfare,

    ACKNOWLEDGING the profound impact of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and network-enabled capability, and the strategic imperative for our two nations to lead in the safe, responsible, and operationally decisive application of Defence AI,

    RESOLVED that the technological edge of democracies must be preserved as a foundation of deterrence;

    RECOGNISING that Ukraine’s defence, resilience, and unparalleled operational experience represent a crucial contribution not only to its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also to the stability and security of the eastern flank of Europe, NATO, and the Euro-Atlantic community,

    RECALLING the existing framework of bilateral commitments between our two nations, in particular the 100-Year Partnership Agreement and the Agreement on Security Co-operation,

    DETERMINED that the United Kingdom and Ukraine should advance together — combining Ukraine’s unrivalled battlefield experience with the United Kingdom’s technological, industrial and research strength to build the AI-era armed forces our two nations, and our allies, will depend on,

    AFFIRMING our shared and existing determination to deepen our defence partnership and jointly contribute to the development of future European defence capabilities,

    Declare the following intent:

    I. Strategic Vision. We will act as close partners in developing next-generation, AI-enabled armed forces – leveraging our engineering, industry, academic capacity and defence organisations’ expertise to accelerate the development and deployment of AI-enabled military capabilities that strengthen Ukraine’s battlefield advantage and support the development of next-generation AI-driven Armed Forces powered by rapid innovation, autonomous systems, and network advantage.

    II. Cooperation Model. Our cooperation will proceed through three interlocking pillars: (1) Government-to-Government collaboration on co-developed models, secure data and compute pathways, and joint assurance; (2) Industry, coordinated through government-to-government arrangements to develop, test and deploy AI-enabled capabilities linked to agreed operational problem sets; and (3) Academia and Research, on autonomy, AI assurance, cyber security and synthetic data. Together, we will establish a model for developing and fielding AI-enabled military capabilities that others can follow.

    III. Principles. Cooperation will respect the sovereignty of each Party’s assets and data; be underpinned by trusted safeguards on data, IP and export controls in line with the national legislation; combine agility with proportionate governance; and deliver mutual strategic benefit and NATO interoperability. By mutual agreement, we will extend the outputs of this Partnership to trusted allies and partners.

    IV. Leadership and Oversight. We will steward this Partnership at the highest political level, with senior Defence leads empowered to drive delivery in line with the mutually agreed objectives.

    V. Framework for Implementation. We resolve to proceed on a pilot-first basis, giving priority to practical cooperation already underway. Further arrangements will be brought forward within the next few months, ensuring that this Partnership takes a tangible form from the outset and moves at the pace that our shared security requires.

    This Declaration reflects our shared political intent and does not create legally binding obligations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Co-chair’s statement of the Coalition of the Willing [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Co-chair’s statement of the Coalition of the Willing [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 August 2026.

    The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing convened today in Kyiv and by video conference to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Independence of Ukraine.

    The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing convened today in Kyiv and by video conference to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Independence of Ukraine. They were united in their continued support of Ukraine’s fight to defend its sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz chaired the meeting alongside President Zelenskyy.

    The leaders condemned Russia’s systematic and escalating strikes against Ukraine’s cities, critical infrastructure and civilians, causing the highest number of civilian casualties since the beginning of the full scale invasion in 2022, and damaging a children’s hospital in Kyiv the previous week. They also condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s cultural heritage sites, which form an integral part of Ukraine’s national identity, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 

    Leaders reiterated Ukraine’s clear and inherent right to defend itself against the Russian war of aggression, in full compliance with international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter, and confirmed that they would not be deterred from their support for Ukraine by irresponsible Russian threats. They expressed their determination to increase military support to Ukraine, strengthen its air defence as a matter of urgent priority, enhance cooperation with its defence industry, and share relevant technologies, including through the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition. They also committed to ratchet up sanctions on Russia’s military industrial complex and those supporting it.

    Leaders also agreed on the urgency of providing immediate assistance for Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of the upcoming winter, including through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and provision of specialist equipment. They emphasised the need to continue to support Ukraine’s economic resilience in the face of Russia’s intensified attempts to renew their maritime blockade on Ukraine’s ports.

    The leaders agreed to continue efforts to constrain Russia’s war chest through the use of sanctions, wider economic measures, and clamping down on sanctions circumvention and Russia’s Shadow Fleet. This joint action to date has deprived Russia’s war chest of at least $495 billion since February 2022. The leaders welcomed the US Senate’s efforts to apply further economic pressure on Russia, and committed to working closely with the US over the coming months on coordinated action to drain Russia’s means to continue its illegal war.

    The leaders commended President Zelenskyy’s continued readiness to enter into meaningful peace talks, in order to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, and reiterated their call for Russia to agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire starting from the line of contact.

    The Coalition would continue to prepare the Multinational-Force Ukraine to deploy once a credible cessation of hostilities was in place, as part of a wider set of robust politically and legally binding security guarantees to ensure Ukraine’s future security and prosperity once a ceasefire enters into force.

    Concluding, the leaders once again reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine’s independence, as part of Europe’s wider peace and security. They offered President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine their steadfast solidarity today on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Independence, and every day, for as long as it takes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian Independence Day 2026 – UK Statement to the OSCE [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian Independence Day 2026 – UK Statement to the OSCE [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 August 2026.

    Arron Newble, Counsellor for Politico-Military Affairs, marks Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day by praising the courage of Ukrainians defending their sovereignty, identity and culture against Russia’s illegal war, and reaffirms the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s legitimate self-defence and a just and lasting peace.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    Today, Ukraine marks 35 years of independence. On 24 August 1991, the Ukrainian people chose sovereignty. They chose to take their place as a free and independent nation among equals. That choice was overwhelming. It was recognised by the international community, including the Russian Federation.

    Thirty-five years later, Ukraine is defending that same choice against Russia’s illegal war of aggression. President Putin launched this war because he refused to accept Ukraine as a sovereign state, a distinct nation, and a free people. He claimed Ukraine was not real. He expected Ukrainians to yield. Instead, they have shown the strength of their independence and reminded the world that the will of peoples to defend their freedom and security will always be stronger than the will of those who want to take it away.

    The central aim of Russia’s war has failed. Ukraine’s nationhood is not defined by the Kremlin. It is lived every day by Ukrainians: in their language, their culture, their service to their country, and their determination to decide their own future.

    This war has never been only about territory. It is about identity, sovereignty and culture. Russia has sought not only to seize Ukrainian land, but to suppress Ukrainian life. We have seen Russian attacks on places of cultural and religious importance, pressure on communities under occupation, and attempts to rewrite what Ukrainian children are taught about their own country.

    The latest Moscow Mechanism report underlines this pattern. It sets out how Russia has subjected Ukrainian children to indoctrination and militarisation, including through education and youth programmes.  This is part of Russia’s wider attempt to weaken Ukraine by targeting its future.

    Russia has not achieved the political submission it sought. It has not achieved the military victory it expected. So it continues to turn to terror and destruction. Its missiles and drones strike homes, energy infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and sites of religious and cultural significance.

    On the night of 19-20 August Russia launched another mass missile attack on Ukraine, killing at least 17 civilians. The following day, Russian drones struck a busy shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, killing a further 16 civilians and injuring more than 130. These attacks will not break Ukraine’s resolve. Instead, they expose the brutality of Russia’s campaign.

    Ukraine’s fight is for its own survival. But it is also a fight for the principles that underpin Euro-Atlantic security: sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to choose their own future. Ukraine’s independence, and Ukraine’s resistance, remind us that these principles endure only when they are defended.

    That is why the United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine – including here at the OSCE. Our support for Ukraine’s legitimate self-defence is support for the principles on which security in Europe depends. We will not be deterred by threats from the Russian Federation. Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of the UK to stand against Russian aggression, both in Ukraine and whenever directed against the UK and our Allies.

    On Ukraine’s Independence Day, we congratulate the Ukrainian people. They freely chose their independence 35 years ago. They are defending it with courage today. The United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine in its legitimate self-defence, and in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace, for as long as it takes.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Defence Secretary champions innovation on visit to largest Navy base in Western Europe [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Defence Secretary champions innovation on visit to largest Navy base in Western Europe [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 August 2026.

    Defence Secretary visits Devonport Naval Base to see some of the latest equipment used by the Royal Marines and UK Commando Force.

    • Defence Secretary Wes Streeting’s visits HMNB Devonport to see Navy innovation in action.
    • Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe and pivotal to UK and NATO security.
    • £7 billion investment in HMNB Devonport part of the largest naval infrastructure programme since the end of the Cold War.

    Billions of pounds of investment is supporting skilled jobs and driving modernisation of the UK’s maritime forces, as the Defence Secretary saw firsthand during his visit to HMNB Devonport. 

    Accompanied by Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, the visit highlighted the unique and vital capabilities based at Western Europe’s largest naval base.

    Plymouth is home to Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces and will become home to the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigates, cementing its position at the centre of the UK’s naval power for decades to come.

    Devonport is the only facility in the UK responsible for the deep maintenance and defueling of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet. Its maintenance work underpins the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent by keeping the submarine fleet available and operational, while its defueling capability supports the decommissioning of older submarines at the end of their service life.

    During the visit, the Defence Secretary met Royal Navy personnel and industry partners who deliver the engineering, maintenance and support that keeps the Royal Navy’s fleet operational and saw the facilities under construction that will support submarines in the years ahead.

    Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP, said:

    The work done here at Devonport is critical to keeping our country safe. From our Commando Forces ready to deploy at a moment’s notice, to our Navy personnel and industry who maintain our submarines – Plymouth is a city where defence runs in the blood.

    As we bring the Type 26 fleet to Devonport in the coming years, we’re investing in this base and our forces, ensuring it will remain at the heart of our naval power for generations to come, and continuing to push the frontier of defence innovation.

    Around £500 million was committed as part of the Defence Investment Plan to continue the transformation of the UK Commando Forces, including equipping personnel with new high-speed boats and the latest drone and autonomous technology.

    Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP, and Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard said:

    Devonport is the beating heart of Plymouth, and it was fantastic to welcome the Secretary of State here today to see for himself what our Commando Forces, submariners, and dockyard workers do for our national security.

    This is a base with a proud history and an even brighter future. The Type 26 fleet and the continued investment in our submarine capability means Devonport will remain vital to the defence of this country, and vital to jobs and skills here in Plymouth.

    As one of the Royal Navy’s three main naval bases, Devonport is set to be a major beneficiary of Royal Oak, a £26 billion ten-year programme to modernise UK naval infrastructure, confirmed as part of the Government’s Defence Investment Plan and the largest such programme since the end of the Cold War.

    Royal Oak includes £7.1 billion to deliver major upgrades and new infrastructure across the Naval Base and Dockyard. The investment will bolster Devonport as a warfighting-ready facility, directly improving Royal Navy readiness, availability and lethality, while supporting thousands of skilled jobs in the Southwest of England.

    £50 million defence investment is being put into Plymouth and the South West, making it easier for defence businesses to innovate, creating skilled jobs in the region and boosting UK national security through the Plymouth Growth Deal.

    It will help create hundreds of new jobs and increase investment in the region. The investment reinforces Plymouth as a leader in maritime autonomy, developing the technology that helps keep the UK safe at sea. Plymouth was named the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy, recognising the city’s growing role in developing autonomous maritime technology alongside the Royal Navy and industry partners, including work supporting the Navy’s Hybrid Navy programme.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mayors given powers to green light developments [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mayors given powers to green light developments [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 August 2026.

    Mayors across England are to be given ‘call in’ powers to take the most important planning decisions in their areas.

    Under proposals to be published next week, a mayor will now be able to take over key planning applications which impact on local growth, and direct a council to take it forward or refuse it.

    The move has been backed by ten mayors from different parties and will bring mayors across the country in line with powers the Mayor of London already has.

    The national thresholds are being set outside of London for the first time: schemes with more than 150 homes, more than 15,000 square metres of commercial space, or any building over 30 metres or taller, roughly ten storeys will be in scope.

    Mayors will also be able to grant up front permission for development, so that building can begin without a developer having to apply.

    Councils will continue to decide the majority of applications, and many are already getting homes built at scale. Over the last three years, Salford has delivered 7,584 homes against a requirement of 4,249. Leeds has delivered 11,690 homes against a requirement of 10,151, and Knowsley has delivered 1,888 – well over double the requirement of 772 homes.

    Every decision must follow the planning rules, the local plan, and national policy. Applicants keep the right of appeal, and ministers retain a backstop power to intervene themselves.

    Mayors will also have a bigger say over how national housing funding is spent in their areas. Homes England will still lead on the biggest projects, but its funding and expertise will be focused on the priorities agreed by local mayors.

    A £1.3bn portion of the national fund for land and infrastructure has already been allocated to the seven most established mayoral areas, with an additional £234 million of brownfield funding to seven MSAs, and £1.5 billion committed for devolution through the Housing Accelerator Fund.

    Mayors outside London will also be able to charge a levy on development to fund major infrastructure, using the same tool that helped deliver the Elizabeth line, which has boosted rail capacity, supported housing growth and regeneration, and become the UK’s busiest railway service.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Leaders’ Statement on the E1 West Bank Settlement Plan [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Leaders’ Statement on the E1 West Bank Settlement Plan [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 August 2026.

    Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the European Commission, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Greece, Cyprus and Finland on the E1 West Bank Settlement Plan.

    The Israeli Government’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is unacceptable. The international community has long opposed this settlement expansion, and has voiced their grave concerns privately and publicly. The E1 settlement will undermine the prospect of the two-state solution by driving a wedge through the West Bank and harming the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories.

    International law is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. This is the position of the international community reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council.

    At a time of grave instability in the West Bank with unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians, and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more concerning.

    We urge the Government of Israel to retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Not only will they take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel’s international standing.

    Businesses should not consider bidding for construction tenders. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.

    We reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. We will continue to act in its interest.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse to be supported [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse to be supported [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 21 August 2026.

    Rape Crisis England & Wales awarded £8.7m government funding to provide round-the-clock confidential support for survivors and victims of sexual violence.

    • Rape Crisis England & Wales awarded £8.7m government funding
    • Service to provide round-the-clock specialist and confidential support for survivors and victims of sexual violence
    • Part of Government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls and ensure swifter justice for victims

    Victims-survivors of rape and sexual abuse will get 24/7 support through a free, trauma-informed, confidential helpline thanks to new Government funding.

    The Ministry of Justice has announced it has awarded £8.7 million to Rape Crisis England & Wales to continue their vital around-the-clock Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.

    Free to use, the helpline offers confidential emotional and listening support to all victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse aged 16 and over.

    Since it launched in 2022, the service has supported survivors through more than 200,000 calls and 75,000 webchats.

    This funding reflects the Government’s commitment to tackle these horrendous crimes and support victims.

    Minister Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones said: 

    I’ve heard far too many devastating stories from traumatised survivors of rape and sexual assault who felt lost or unsure where to turn for support. 

    I want to say to everyone affected by one of these horrendous crimes, the Rape Crisis helpline team is always there – to listen to you, believe you and answer your questions. 

    We’re honoured to be able to continue to support their invaluable work and I’d like to thank everyone in the team for their dedication to supporting survivors.

    Ciara Bergman, Rape Crisis England & Wales CEO said:

    I’m delighted that Rape Crisis England & Wales will continue to provide the national 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, delivering confidential, free and specialist support for thousands of survivors throughout England and Wales.

    The service’s success, and the volume of survivors we’ve already provided with high-quality, trusted support, are testament to the dedication and expertise of the Rape Crisis movement. Our partners, support line staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that whenever the time is right, no matter who they are or when it happened, someone will be there to listen, believe and support them.

    Helpline specialists can also help direct victim-survivors towards long-term support services, whether they have told anyone about the crime or not. The new funding will support Rape Crisis to develop the service further, including by introducing British Sign Language Interpretation and providing dedicated support for survivors with different needs.

    The Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor have also barred rape, certain child sex and other grooming offences from upcoming changes to prison sentences, protecting the public from these dangerous criminals.

    The changes mean rape and certain child sexual offences will be added to the exclusions that are already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.

    The Government is also injecting more than half a billion pounds into vital support services to help victims and witnesses through the justice process. This will see a £550 million investment over the next three years into specialist services that offer practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses, such as counselling and advice on attending court.

    Further information

    • Rape Crisis England &Wales’s 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is for anyone aged 16 and over in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. You can contact the service at any time, day or night, all year round, on 0808 500 2222.
    • The new grant funding will run from 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2029.