Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Justice for victims as domestic killers to face longer behind bars [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Justice for victims as domestic killers to face longer behind bars [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 29 June 2026.

    People who kill their partner, or ex, to face a 25-year sentencing start point under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.

    • Longer sentences for murders committed by partners or exes
    • DPM pays tribute to courageous campaigners who fought for historic change
    • Part of Government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls

    Heinous offenders who kill their partner, or ex, could face an additional 10 years in prison, under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.

    Under the current law, most domestic murders have a 15-year sentencing starting point, because they take place in the home with a weapon most likely already at the scene. However, for other murders where a weapon is taken to the scene with intent, the starting point is 25 years.

    The Government has announced today (30 June) it intends to close this 10-year gap so that domestic murders are dealt with the same severity as other murders – regardless of whether they happen at home or anywhere else.

    Domestic murders are among the most devastating crimes and often represent a culmination of prolonged trauma and abuse.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, David Lammy said:

    For centuries, the law failed to protect women from violence at the hands of their partner – whether from marital rape or from abuse behind closed doors. Whilst we’ve made significant progress, we need to continue righting these wrongs.

    This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause.

    I pay tribute to Carole Gould, Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough whose courageous campaign will help future mothers, daughters and wives get the justice they deserve.

    More than a fifth of all murders are domestic, and overwhelmingly women are the victims in these cases.

    This change forms part of the Government’s commitment to halve Violence Against Women and Girls, and ensure swifter justice for victims and their families.

    The change will also include important safeguards to further protect victims. This means in cases where a victim of domestic abuse kills their abuser, the existing 15-year baseline starting point will still apply.

    This change was only made possible by this Government stabilising the prison system and introducing the Sentencing Act to ensure that the most dangerous offenders can always be put behind bars.

    Further information:

    • This change to the law is subject to consultation with the Sentencing Council.
    • This measure will be introduced as soon as possible.
    • Further policy details, including the application to children who murder, will be outlined in due course.
    • The new starting point will apply to future murders after the date of implementation and will not be applied retrospectively.
    • This work is being conducted alongside the Law Commission’s review of homicide law and sentencing, to address the disparity as quickly as possible, ahead of the review’s conclusion in 2028.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Civilians must never bear the consequences of conflict – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Civilians must never bear the consequences of conflict – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

    Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Belarus.

    Any loss of civilian life is a tragedy.

    We are saddened by reports of the incident on 17 June involving a bus carrying Belarusian civilians in Bryansk, Russia.

    Our thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured. 

    Civilians must never bear the consequences of conflict, and children must always be protected.

    At present, we are not aware of any independent verification of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    We note that Ukraine has publicly denied any claims that a Ukrinaian drone struck the bus.

    What we do know is that if Russia truly wished to protect civilians, it would agree to a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. 

    According to OCHA, over 16,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia launched its war of choice on 24 February 2022.

    None of this would be happening had Russia not launched its illegal full-scale invasion against Ukraine.  

    President, the United Kingdom’s position is consistent and clear: all allegations of civilian harm should be taken seriously, wherever they occur. 

    The protection of civilians remains a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law.

    We made that same point when this Council met last week following reports of civilian casualties resulting from recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. 

    We reiterate it today.

    Children have been particularly affected. 

    The UN has reported that at least 796 children have been killed in Ukriane and a further 2,835 injured since the start of Russia’s war, bringing the total number of child casualties to 3,631.

    In Ukraine, children’s homes, schools, and hospitals have been damaged and destroyed. 

    Russia has targeted the electricity infrastructure that heats their houses in winter, it has disrupted their education, and its attacks have displaced families across Ukraine and beyond.

    We should all strive to prevent further civilian suffering.

    Russia could do so immediately.

    Ukraine has time and again reiterated its commitment to a ceasefire.

    We call on Russia also to commit to a ceasefire, to engage meaningfully in peace talks, and to end its illegal war against Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Resident doctors agree deal with government to end strikes [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Resident doctors agree deal with government to end strikes [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 June 2026.

    BMA votes to accept offer that will see resident doctors benefit from new pay structure and better career-progression opportunities.

    Resident doctors have voted to accept an offer from the government, bringing an end to a period of industrial action that has seen 21 days of strikes by the British Medical Association (BMA) resident doctors committee since July 2025.

    The government will continue to engage closely with the BMA and other stakeholders to implement this deal and establish a new working relationship, to ensure the NHS remains a place where doctors can thrive and develop rewarding, long-term careers.  

    The conclusion of strikes by resident doctors will allow the NHS to focus on supporting patients and improving working conditions for all staff, rather than managing disruptive industrial action. When unions and the government work together, patients, staff and services benefit.   

    Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray said:

    This is very good news for resident doctors, patients and the NHS as a whole, allowing us to draw a line under the disruption of previous months and focus on getting on with the job of rebuilding our health service.

    Because of this deal, resident doctors will benefit from a new pay structure, better career progression opportunities and a range of other improved conditions to support them as they rotate and train. Patients will be relieved that the NHS is entering a period of greater stability.

    But this is the beginning, not the end of the journey. I know there is much more to do, and I am determined to keep working constructively with resident doctors, all NHS staff and the unions who represent them to improve their working lives and together build a health service that is fit for the future.

    The deal means resident doctor pay will be 35.2% higher on average compared to 4 years ago. They will also benefit from pay structure reform, leading to more frequent wage rises as they progress and gain new skills which benefit the health service. 

    Up to 4,500 additional training places will also be created, giving more resident doctors the opportunity to progress in their careers to more senior roles. Competition rates for training places have already halved this year following action from the government to put in place urgent legislation to prioritise UK graduates and those who have spent a significant period in the NHS.

    The deal will also put money back in resident doctors’ pockets through the reimbursement of mandatory Royal College portfolio fees and mandatory examinations costs, often worth thousands of pounds, and improve working conditions for locally employed doctors (LEDs) and those who work less than full time (LTFT). 

    NHS National Medical Director Professor Frankie Swords said:

    It’s great news for patients and the NHS that resident doctors have accepted this offer. This means the NHS can focus on providing high-quality care for patients, and the best working environment for all of our staff – including important improvements for resident doctors – and we can avoid further disruption from strikes.

    As ever, staff are focused on the job of caring for patients, delivering record numbers of tests and checks despite facing record demand on services due to the warm weather.

    Thanks to the tireless efforts of NHS staff, and despite repeated rounds of strike action, waiting lists are over 400,000 lower than in June 2024. The government is committed to building on the progress already made – cutting waiting lists further and continuing to improve conditions for the staff who make the NHS work, in partnership with them.

    Each day of strike action by resident doctors costs the NHS around £50 million. The cost of settling this dispute is a fraction of the cost of ongoing industrial action by resident doctors and prevents thousands of appointments and procedures being cancelled on each day of strike action. 

    The government is committed to improving working conditions for all NHS staff. The NHS Staff Council has been issued with a mandate to negotiate changes to the Agenda for Change pay structure, to ensure that nurses, midwives and paramedics are fairly compensated for the invaluable work they do.

    The government has also been working constructively with trade unions to discuss options for consultant contract reform and specialty, associate specialists and specialist (SAS) career progression, in recognition of the valuable contribution of senior NHS doctors. 

    Thanks to record investment, modernisation and the remarkable efforts of NHS staff across the country, we are making the NHS fit for the future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New UK Envoy to champion LGBT+ rights globally [July 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New UK Envoy to champion LGBT+ rights globally [July 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

    New UK envoy Lord Collins will champion LGBT+ rights globally, strengthening partnerships to tackle discrimination, violence and persecution.

    • new Special Envoy for LGBT+ rights Lord Collins will champion UK efforts to protect LGBT+ people from violence, persecution and discrimination globally
    • appointment builds on the UK’s commitment to international LGBT+ rights and role as host of the European IDAHOT+ Forum in 2027
    • new Envoy will strengthen partnerships with civil society, governments, parliamentarians and business to defend human rights and support locally led change

    LGBT+ people facing violence, persecution and discrimination around the world will be championed by the appointment of Lord Collins of Highbury as the UK Special Envoy for LGBT+ Rights.

    The appointment comes as LGBT+ communities, human rights defenders and civil society organisations face rising hostility, less freedom to speak publicly and more severe discriminatory laws in a number of countries.

    As Special Envoy, Lord Collins will strengthen UK partnerships with civil society, governments, parliamentarians, business and international organisations. He will support diplomatic and development work to protect and advance human rights and reduce violence against LGBT+ people.

    FCDO Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights, Chris Elmore, said:

    “Everyone should be able to live safely and freely, no matter who they are or who they love. Lord Collins’ appointment strengthens the UK’s work with civil society and international partners to defend LGBT+ rights, tackle violence and persecution, and support practical change around the world.”

    Lord Collins of Highbury, UK Special Envoy for LGBT+ Rights, said:

    I am honoured to be appointed as the UK Special Envoy for LGBT+ Rights. No one should face violence, criminalisation or exclusion because of who they are or who they love.

    I look forward to working with governments, parliamentarians, civil society, business and communities to defend human rights, support those at greatest risk and help ensure LGBT+ people everywhere can live safely, freely and with dignity.

    Lord Collins has a strong record of championing human rights, equality and inclusion. He serves as Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Government Spokesperson for Equalities and has previously served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

    The role will report to the FCDO Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights and will complement the UK’s wider work to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms globally.

    The appointment forms part of wider government action to advance equality and protect LGBT+ people from abuse, including the draft Conversion Practices Bill and the UK’s role as host of the European IDAHOT+ Forum in London in 2027.

    Notes to editors:

    • Lord Collins of Highbury succeeds Lord Herbert of South Downs, who served as the first UK Special Envoy for LGBT+ Rights from May 2021 until January 2025
    • the UK announced a £21 million commitment in May 2026 to advance LGBT+ rights internationally over three years, supporting legal reform, people’s right to speak freely, and locally led organisations tackling violence and persecution
    • the UK will host the European IDAHOT+ Forum in London in May 2027, bringing together governments, civil society organisations, policymakers and advocates from across Europe
    • Lord Collins will continue to fulfil his separate duties as Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Government Spokesperson for Equalities
  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister hosted the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Downing Street today. 

    The leaders began by discussing the publication of the Defence Investment Plan. The Prime Minister set out how his plan would focus on readiness and autonomous capability, ensuring British forces would have the equipment they need to keep the UK and its NATO Allies safe.  

    The leaders then reflected on their recent diplomatic meetings, including at the G7, the E5 in Berlin and the Secretary General’s visit to the US. They discussed the strong international support for Ukraine and looked ahead to the outcomes of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. 

    Ukraine would form a key part of European security long into the future, with the strongest armed forces in Europe, the leaders agreed. 

    On the Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister and Secretary General discussed the need to ensure the safe passage of global shipping and the Prime Minister updated on the UK’s military assets in the region to support a multi-national mission when the conditions allowed. 

    They both looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government crackdown on fraud leads to cancellation of over 450 Blue Badges in the Wirral [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government crackdown on fraud leads to cancellation of over 450 Blue Badges in the Wirral [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 29 June 2026.

    Over 450 Blue Badges have been cancelled after findings show permits issued to deceased residents were still being used.

    • 459 unauthorised Blue Badges cancelled in Wirral Council, saving over £363,000 for the taxpayer.
    • Potentially fraudulent permits identified with a data matching tool through the Public Sector Fraud Authority’s National Fraud Initiative.
    • Nationally, the estimated value of Blue Badges cancelled was over £34 million across the past two years.

    Over 450 Blue Badges have been cancelled after findings show permits issued to deceased residents were still being used. This joint operation between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and Wirral Council protects parking spaces for those who truly need them and has saved taxpayers over £363,000 between 2024-2025.

    Blue Badges give disabled people access to parking where they need it most, with every fraudulent badge denying that access to someone in genuine need. In the last two years, the estimated value of Blue Badges cancelled across the country was over £34 million, as the government is now finding and stopping fraud faster than ever before.

    The government’s National Fraud Initiative matched Wirral Council data against central government records held by the Department for Work and Pensions. By cross-referencing these matches to internal records, the investigation team generated a high-priority ‘hotlist’, leading to the cancellation of 459 badges potentially being used fraudulently, with a loss prevention value of over £363,000. 

    Traffic wardens in the Wirral will now conduct targeted patrols including roads near local schools, with powers to confiscate badges on the spot. Residents misusing badges following the death of the badge holder face formal warning letters and fines of up to £1,000.

    Cabinet Office Minister Satvir Kaur said:

    Blue Badges are a lifeline for disabled people, allowing them to go about their daily business safely and with dignity. Every time a badge is misused, it unfairly deprives someone in genuine need of a vital parking space right when they need it most.

    By working closely with Wirral Council, we are ensuring those in need are properly supported and taxpayer money is protected.

    Wirral Council leader and Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:

    The Blue Badge scheme is an important means of support for some of our most vulnerable residents, but sadly it seems it has become subject to an acceptable level of misuse across the country.  

    Our response in Wirral has been to use all the tools at our disposal to conduct a proactive, intelligence-led operation, which is backed up with a stronger enforcement strategy. This includes giving traffic wardens the power to immediately cancel and remove illegally used badges and issue warning letters with the potential for fines up to £1,000.

    We have also been collaborating closely with our neighbouring Council in Liverpool to support the management of formal prosecutions. This demonstrates our joined-up approach to tackling fraud locally.

    This builds on work done by the government to fight fraud across the public sector, with £7.53 billion saved for the taxpayer over the past year due to our efforts to identify and dismantle fraud across both central and local government.

    These measures are part of our long-term commitment to reduce the estimated £55 billion to £81 billion lost annually to fraud and error across government, as we create a more productive and agile state.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt the violence in the West Bank – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt the violence in the West Bank – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

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

    The United Kingdom is clear that a two-state solution remains the best way to bring lasting peace to the region and end the cycle of violence that has scarred generations of Palestinians and Israelis.

    As we have said numerous times in this Council, the implementation of President Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, endorsed by resolution 2803, is an important step forward towards ending that violence.

    Both sides must meet their commitments, with Israel removing restrictions on humanitarian aid, and Hamas decommissioning its weapons.

    Today, we focus on the West Bank, where Israel’s policies are eroding the prospects for peaceful co-existence.

    And I will highlight three areas.

    First, settlement expansion continues in violation of resolution 2334, including the E1 project that aims to cut the West Bank in half and separate East Jerusalem.

    This is accompanied by demolitions, evictions, and the displacement of Palestinian communities.

    In early June, we saw the approval of over 2,000 settlement housing units across the West Bank, bringing the total approved this year to over 6,000.

    On 24 June, Israel declared another 465 dunams of private Palestinian land as state land to make way for a settlement outpost.

    My Prime Minister has been clear that we categorically oppose expansion of settlements, which are a violation of international law.

    We join this Council in rejecting any attempt at annexation.

    Second, as we’ve heard today from the briefers, violence and lawlessness on the ground remain alarming.

    According to the UN, there has been an average of six attacks every day against Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of 2026.

    The Secretary-General’s recent report highlighted the staggering rise in attacks by settlers on Palestinian children, reportedly often supported by Israeli security forces. 

    On 17 June, extremist settlers launched arson attacks on two mosques.

    These are not isolated incidents but coordinated attacks on civilians, livelihoods, and religious sites, facilitated by a culture of impunity.

    The Government of Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt this violence and hold those responsible accountable.

    The UK, alongside partners, has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities that finance and enable settler violence.

    And as my Foreign Secretary has made clear, we stand ready to take further action if the Government of Israel does not take urgent steps to address the situation on the ground.

    Third, economic conditions in the West Bank are deteriorating sharply.

    Israel has withheld over 5 billion USD of Palestinian revenues, placing severe strain on the Palestinian Authority and its ability to sustain essential services, particularly healthcare and medical supplies.

    The Government of Israel also continues to attack and undermine Palestinian financial institutions, which risks undermining economic stability more broadly, with consequences for livelihoods and regional stability.

    So President, to return to where I started, this Council has given its support to the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza. 

    We cannot allow progress toward peace to be undermined by this deeply concerning trajectory in the West Bank. 

    We must redouble efforts to stabilise the West Bank and inject renewed momentum into implementation of Resolution 2803 in Gaza. 

    Both Israel and Hamas must meet their commitments.

    These are essential steps towards a just and lasting peace, in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and dignity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Illegal immigrants and foreign criminals to be removed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Illegal immigrants and foreign criminals to be removed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 June 2026.

    More than 45,000 foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed over the coming decade thanks to a significant expansion of detention capacity.

    The projects at Haslar and Campsfield Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) will contribute to a 40% increase in the UK’s detention capacity for those with no right to be here.   

    These expansions will more than triple the cumulative capacity at these centres from 290 to 1,000 beds, with each additional detention space translating to more offenders and illegal migrants removed from our country. This sends a clear message: if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay. 

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:    

    Returns and deportations are at their highest level in nearly a decade.  

    Nearly 70,000 individuals with no right to be here have been removed from the UK since this government took office.   

    But we will not stop there. These expansions will see thousands more foreign criminals and illegal migrants who have no right to be here removed.

    Last week a report from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) showed the government inherited a migration system with over 412,000 illegal migrants in the UK.

    This expansion will further build on the dramatically intensified enforcement action the Home Office has undertaken since the report, with deportations soaring to the highest level in a decade.   

    Nearly 70,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals have been returned, an increase in 41% compared to the previous 21 month period. Of these, 10,000 were foreign national offenders, an increase of 36%.     

    That is why the Home Secretary will double the Immigration Enforcement budget by 2028 to 2029 and boost workforce numbers by 60% from 2024 in 2026 to 2027. This will see tens of thousands more raids, arrests, and deportations of illegal migrants.  

    As confirmed in the King’s Speech, the government will also bring forward an Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will reform human rights laws such as modern slavery legislation and Article 8 of the ECHR to end abuse by illegal migrants frustrating their removals.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government steps up drive to reconnect young people with £1.6 billion in unclaimed savings

    PRESS RELEASE : Government steps up drive to reconnect young people with £1.6 billion in unclaimed savings

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 29 June 2026.

    Taskforce set up by government to encourage young people to claim their Child Trust Funds.

    • Nationwide, HSBC UK, Sheffield Mutual and One Family among members of new taskforce meeting for first time as government takes action to reunite young people with unclaimed Child Trust Funds  
    • The Taskforce will improve coordination across government and industry to encourage more young people to access their unclaimed matured funds 
    • More than 750,000 young people have unclaimed accounts worth £2,200 on average

    Hundreds of thousands of young people could soon be reunited with unclaimed savings worth more than £1.6 billion, as the government launches a new push to trace matured Child Trust Funds (CTFs).

    Around 6.3 million Child Trust Fund accounts were opened for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, predominantly by parents and guardians, with the remainder established by HMRC. Accounts can go unclaimed for a number of reasons difficulty locating them, people forget they have them, or a decision to leave the funds invested for the time being.

    Child Trust Funds were introduced to give every child a financial asset at adulthood, and this government is doing everything it can to make sure young adults are aware of and can access their accounts.

    To make this happen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Blake MP, has convened a new Child Trust Fund Taskforce, bringing together CTF providers and the Government to drive a coordinated effort to increase reunification of accounts. 

    Members of the Taskforce will include One Family, Coutts, Nationwide, HSBC UK, Pilling, The Coventry (Co-operative), Sheffield Mutual, Unity Mutual, Forester, Healthy Investments and The Share Foundation – with the first meeting happening today. 

    More than 750,000 young adults still have unclaimed matured accounts, holding £2,200 on average. The funds were originally set up by the government for those born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The Taskforce will improve coordination across government and industry to encourage more young people to access their unclaimed matured CTFs.  

    Rachel Blake, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

    Too many young people are missing out simply because they are not aware of where their Child Trust Fund is or how to access it. 

    We are acting to fix that by bringing government and industry together – improving coordination and making it easier for people to find and claim what’s rightfully theirs.

    JP Marks, HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, said:

    Many young people have Child Trust Fund accounts with an average £2,200 waiting to be claimed. This is their money, and we want to do all we can to help them find and access it. 

    If you think you have one, you can use the ‘Find my Child Trust Fund’ tool on GOV.UK to find out where your account is held.

    The Taskforce will bring providers together to improve tracing approaches, test more effective engagement with young people, and drive practical actions that lead to more accounts being claimed.  

    Today’s move builds on existing action to tackle unclaimed matured accounts, including ongoing HMRC communications campaigns and direct letters going out to eligible 21-year-olds. 

    Anyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2  January 2011 can search for their account on GOV.UK. The search is free, requires only a National Insurance number, and takes minutes. Those aged 18 or over can access funds immediately. 

    Jim Islam, Chief Executive Officer, OneFamily, said:

    We welcome the creation of the Child Trust Fund Taskforce to help more young people access their savings. We know from our own experience that making this process as easy as possible is essential and we look forward to working together with government and industry partners.

    Child Trust Funds have already provided a valuable financial boost to millions of individuals who have claimed their accounts as they enter adulthood, making a real difference to people’s lives.

    We’re committed to playing our part in helping people who have not yet claimed. Anyone born after 1 September 2002 who has already turned 18 will have a Child Trust Fund, and can search for their account on the government website.

    Philip Kurtenbach, Head of Product Management & Governance, Wealth & PB, HSBC UK said:

    At HSBC UK, we’re committed to putting customers at the heart of everything we do. We know that having a fund to support young people as they start adult life can make a real difference – opening up opportunities at a pivotal moment in their lives. That’s why we’re supporting the HMT Taskforce as the industry comes together to ensure the funds reach those they were intended for.

    Richard Stocker, Head of Savings, Nationwide said:

    Nationwide is pleased to be part of the Child Trust Fund taskforce and fully supports its aims. We remain committed to working collaboratively across the industry to build on the progress made so far and deliver a meaningful outcome on this important issue.

    Notes to editors

    • The Child Trust Fund scheme was introduced in 2005 to give every child a financial asset for the future. It applied to eligible children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with the Government making a payment into each account. 
    • Accounts began maturing on 1 September 2020, and more than 750,000 matured accounts remain unclaimed, with an average value of about £2,200. Many eligible young people, now aged 15 to 23, may not know they have an account. The total value of unclaimed funds runs into hundreds of millions of pounds. 
    • The Taskforce aims to break down barriers to opportunity and give young people the best start to adult life. It also aligns with the National Youth Strategy, which identifies financial insecurity as a key pressure and calls for practical action.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Burundi [June 2026]

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

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Burundi. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you Mr Vice President.

    The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update. We recognise the importance of his mandate and encourage the government of Burundi to grant the Special Rapporteur access.

    The UK is concerned by ongoing reports of shrinking civic space, and the suppression of opposition voices in Burundi. As we approach the 2027 election, we ask the government of Burundi to ensure all Burundian people can exercise their democratic rights, and express their views peacefully, without fear of intimidation.

    We note with concern the broader humanitarian and regional context, including pressure arising from displacement. We welcome Burundi’s efforts to host refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the UK has provided £2.3million through the World Food Programme to support these efforts.

    Mr Vice President, the recent Ebola outbreak in the region is of deep concern. The UK has announced £800,000 of financial support to strengthen preparedness, as any spread to Burundi would pose a serious risk to its people.

    Special Rapporteur, ahead of next year’s elections and in the context of regional conflict and health insecurity, how can the international community support Burundi to uphold civil liberties and democracy?

    Thank you