Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 25 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley for a meeting in Downing Street today, during London Climate Action Week. 

    The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Mottley for her international leadership on climate action, welcoming efforts by the UK and Barbados to tackle super pollutants.

    The leaders also discussed initiatives for combatting organised crime and enhancing regional security in the Caribbean.

    They looked forward to the UK and Barbados continuing to deepen work together through the Commonwealth, including on trade and business opportunities.

  • Martin McCluskey – 2026 Speech at the Housing 2026 Conference

    Martin McCluskey – 2026 Speech at the Housing 2026 Conference

    The speech made by Martin McCluskey, the Minister for Energy Consumers, in Manchester on 25 June 2026.

    Good afternoon everyone, and given the week that we’ve just had, I’m sure this is going to be maybe the second most exciting thing to come out of Manchester in the past 7 days.

    Can I just say how good it is to be here, not just because it’s a couple of degrees cooler here than it is in London, but also because I truly believe in the power of this sector to deliver, and the value that you add to people’s lives.

    I grew up in a 4 in a block council flat in the area that I represent in parliament, and that shaped not only my life but also the life of my parents and grandparents who moved this block in the 1940s.

    That’s 3 generations, nearly 70 years under the same roof in Greenock, which is near Glasgow.

    So I know what it means to grow up in a home that gives you the best start in life.

    Before I became an MP I was a local councillor dealing with some of the issues that I know so many of you in this room today are grappling with poverty, deprivation, and many other issues that you see every single day.

    I’ve seen how hard it is for people at the moment especially to haul themselves up when their life is built on weak foundations, when they grow up in fuel poverty and they don’t have a secure, comfortable home to be the anchor in their life.

    So now as minister in this job, dealing not just with the home retrofit, social housing, energy efficiency, but also energy prices, my mission is to get more of what I had to people across the country, to finally address one of the greatest structural challenges we face in this country, the state of our housing stock.

    And you all know the statistics, we have some of the oldest homes in Europe, 40% of them were built before World War 2.

    That’s millions of people, many of whom live in social housing, who are growing up in old, cold, damp, leaking homes, which, because they’re overwhelmingly heated by gas, leave them especially vulnerable to the energy price shock we’ve seen in recent years.

    The cost of energy bills combined with the state of our housing stock traps too many people in a miserable cycle of energy debt and fuel poverty, wasting their money on inefficiently heated homes, unable to invest in the upgrades that will bring them some sense of relief.

    That’s why it’s our duty as a government to address this.

    I know the world’s eyes have been drawn to Westminster in recent days, but that doesn’t change the fact that across the country there are thousands and thousands of people living in fuel poverty, children growing up sick, living in constant fear of rising films, incubating disease caused by constant exposure to damp and mould.

    It shouldn’t have taken the death of Awaab Ishak, who died aged 2 in 2020 due to the effects of terrible mould exposure, to show just how urgent this crisis is.

    And like I promised you, whatever happens in government in the weeks ahead, addressing this will continue to be our work.

    We want to give people the best possible start in life.

    We want to give people pride, comfort and dignity in their homes.

    We want children to stop coming into school telling their teachers about being cold at home, and we want to protect people from the effects of wars that weren’t our choice, that are happening half a world away.

    And this government has acted over the past 2 years, a new Decent Homes Standard to deliver warmer, healthier homes with lower bills.

    Awaab’s Law, which has introduced strict time-bound requirements for social landlords to address emergency hazards and of course the Renters Rights Act, which carries these reforms into the private rented sector.

    And I’m proud that in the department I’m part of in Energy Security and Net Zero, we’ve introduced other measures to help some of the most vulnerable people in our country.

    We’ve expanded the £150 warm home discount to over 6 million families every winter into the next decade.

    We’ve stepped in to help heating oil customers at the start of the war in Iran and we’re preparing for all contingencies this autumn and winter to deal with the increasing cost of energy bills.

    But tackling these issues isn’t just about providing immediate cash support, though that is incredibly important, it’s also about the structural change that we need to see in our energy system and our housing system.

    And after decades of inertia in this country that requires massive investment, it requires big government, it requires interventionist government to do what needs to be done.

    And that’s where the Warm Homes Plan that we launched earlier in the year comes in.

    It’s the biggest upgrade to our nation’s housing stock in history.

    It’s £15 billion for insulation, solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, a whole range of technologies that can save families hundreds of pounds off their bills and give them more control over their energy.

    A central part of our mission is to ensure that we decide the price of our energy here at home, that our energy system is based on clean home-grown power that we control, and it will bring clean power into people’s homes so that they are the first to see the benefits.

    I just want to take some time today to make 3 points about the Warm Homes Plan.

    Firstly, this is unapologetically a social justice project.

    It’s a project to tackle poverty at its root cause, with £5 billion of that support going directly to those on low incomes in fuel poverty.

    People who won’t have to pay a penny for the home upgrades that will change their lives and break the vicious cycle that they’re trapped in.

    Second, if we are to meet the target of upgrading 5 million homes by 2030, we have to ensure that absolutely everyone can benefit from upgrades and are motivated to do so.

    To help households tackle the upfront costs of upgrades, the new Warm Homes Fund will see £1.7 billion allocated to low-and zero-interest loans.

    We’ve also doubled funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and in response to the crisis in the Middle East, increased the grant to £9,000 for those currently using heating oil.

    But success will hinge on the confidence and trust of consumers, which is why the new Warm Homes Agency that we’re proposing will simplify the scheme administration and help households access trusted high-quality advice and routes to funding.

    We’re also overhauling the consumer protection landscape to rebuild the trust in the sector following the failures of ECO4 and GBIS.

    Third thing, we need to make sure that higher standards and high standards are maintained, that future generations will not have to go through and do this again.

    So we’re bringing in higher minimum energy efficiency standards with EPC C for rented homes by 2030 and EPC B for non-domestic buildings by 2031.

    And as well as upgrading existing homes, ensuring that every new home we build sets the example for where we want to be with our future home standards so that solar panels, clean heating and proper insulation are the new normal in homes that we build over the coming years.

    I know from working in devolved governments and from my role before being an MP as local councillor that this can’t be a Whitehall knows best agenda, this cannot be a top-down programme, and that’s why everything that we’re doing as part of the warm homes plan will be delivered alongside local government.

    Nearly £1.3 billion of grant funding has been allocated already to the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 and up to 295 billion pounds of additional funding will be available through the fund in 2026/2027 for existing Wave 3 grant recipients and some of the mayoral strategic authorities.

    Now from 2028 we plan to consolidate and integrate these schemes into a single scheme for low-income households still focused on an area-based delivery.

    And we know we can only achieve our mission if we take homeowners, landlords and businesses with us and that they trust that upgrading their buildings is an attractive and viable option and the local problems need local solutions.

    It’s been my pleasure in this job to meet people who have benefited from so many of these solutions, and at the start of doing this job I met someone called Jason in Bristol who had upgraded his home, who took me into his kitchen and insisted on showing me the spreadsheet of how much he was benefiting from having a heat pump and solar panels in his home all funded through local grant provided through WECA.

    And my mind often goes back to Jason when I am thinking about the work that we are doing, because his feeling of pride in his home is what I want to replicate up and down the country and the work that we are doing.

    The action we are taking will lift up to a million households out of fuel poverty by 2030 and I think that’s the future that all of us in this room want to see.

    A future where housing is no longer a luxury to live in and to have some disposable income after paying your energy bills each month to give people pride and dignity in their homes again, and in their communities and to stop tragedies like some of the tragedies we’ve seen over recent years from happening again.

    And I don’t think this is too much to ask if we work together on what we are trying to achieve, and in the wake of what we’ve seen in the Middle East during the Iran crisis I think you can see the demand that exists for these kind of changes.

    Record levels of inquiries about heat pumps, solar panels and EVs has shown the appetite that there is out there for clean technology, but we need to be able to meet it, and we need to be able to do that work together.

    So we absolutely need all of you in this room and so it’s my pleasure once again to be here today and to be able to take your questions.

    This is a partnership that can really deliver generational change in housing across the country so as I always say at these events, we can only do that with people in this room, challenging us, ensuring that we are going as far as we possibly can.

    And keep telling us what we need in the sector, what we need to be able to do more and what we need from our officials in the department to be able to do more, and I’m sure that together we can ensure as many people as possible get the pride and dignity from our home that’s fit for the future.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2026 – joint statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2026 – joint statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

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

    Norwegian Ambassador Ellen Svendsen delivers a joint statement on behalf of six countries marking the 2026 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and my own country Norway.

    On 19 June we marked the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. We pay tribute to survivors and to those around the world working tirelessly to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.

    Mr Chair, the global picture remains deeply concerning. Recent UN reporting has shown a sharp rise in verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence, marked by increasing brutality which disproportionately affects women and girls, while continuing to impact men and boys.

    Such violence is not incidental to conflict. It is used deliberately as a tactic of war, terror, and repression, with devastating consequences for individuals, communities, and long-term stability.

    These trends are compounded by shrinking humanitarian access, reduced funding for survivor services, and persistent stigma that prevents reporting and denies justice. Escalating and protracted conflicts continue to create conditions in which the risks of sexual violence grow.

    Mr Chair, in Ukraine, UN reporting, successive Moscow Mechanism reports, ODIHR Interim Reports and other independent monitoring continues to document conflict-related sexual violence linked to Russia’s ongoing aggression, including in detention settings where it has been used as a form of torture and ill-treatment. Survivors include women, men, and detainees subjected to serious abuses. These cases underscore the use of sexual violence to intimidate, punish, and extract information, and highlight the urgent need for accountability and survivor support.

    Sexual violence in conflict is a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, and a threat to international peace and security. It must stop. Perpetrators must be brought to justice. Survivors must be supported.

    We emphasise the importance of a survivor-centred approach in all prevention and response efforts. This means placing the safety, dignity, rights and needs of survivors at the heart of action, ensuring access to justice, protection, and essential services, including psychosocial support.

    Efforts to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence should also fully address the needs of children affected, including child survivors, children born of such violence and those affected indirectly. Children experience conflict-related sexual violence in distinct ways, and responses must be child-sensitive, survivor-centred and integrated into existing systems. Addressing their needs is essential to breaking cycles of violence, stigma and exclusion.

    Accountability is central. Without justice, there is no deterrence. Without accountability, cycles of violence continue. We must strengthen national and international mechanisms to investigate and prosecute these crimes, and ensure that survivors have access to redress and reparations.

    The OSCE has a vital role to play. Its comprehensive approach to security, its field operations, and its autonomous institutions contribute to prevention, monitoring, and accountability efforts. The OSCE’s work on gender equality and on combating sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict remains essential, and should continue to be prioritised by participating States.

    Mr Chair, addressing conflict-related sexual violence must form part of broader international efforts: to uphold the Women, Peace and Security agenda; to tackle gender inequality and discrimination; and to ensure the meaningful participation of women in peace processes and decision-making at all levels.

    As we mark this International Day, we reaffirm our collective responsibility. We must act together through multilateral cooperation to prevent these crimes, to support survivors, and to end impunity.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro – UK statement [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro – UK statement [June 2026]

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

    Deputy Ambassador James Ford underlines support for Montenegro’s Euro Atlantic path and progress in strengthening democratic institutions, and welcomes and the Mission’s work supporting the government’s national strategic objectives ahead of the transition to national ownership of functions by the end of 2027.

    Thank you, Ambassador Haukaas, for your report, and for the work of your team over the last year.

    The United Kingdom continues to strongly support Montenegro’s Euro Atlantic path. Montenegro is a valued partner and Ally of the UK. Its sustained commitment to regional stability, constructive diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation continues to make a positive contribution to security across the Western Balkans. We also welcome Montenegro’s principled stance in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

    The United Kingdom also welcomes the progress Montenegro has made in strengthening its democratic institutions and advancing reforms – particularly in strengthening the rule of law, enhancing judicial independence, and tackling corruption. We also value Montenegro’s openness to partnership and dialogue – including with civil society – critical to ensuring reforms are inclusive and enduring. The UK will continue to work with the government of Montenegro in support of these efforts.

    In this context, we welcome the Mission’s work supporting the government’s national strategic objectives, in line with the Mission’s mandate and OSCE commitments and principles. The Mission’s priorities fit well with the UK’s own engagement supporting Montenegro’s reform agenda and broader regional stability.

    We particularly support the Mission’s focus on: strengthening the functioning and transparency of Montenegro’s parliament; supporting the authorities in tackling serious and organised crime and corruption; and supporting media freedom and the safety of journalists. All these activities contribute to strengthening Montenegro’s democratic resilience, underlining the tangible value of the Mission’s work and its alignment with Montenegro’s reform priorities.

    We see Montenegro’s request to transition to national ownership of OSCE functions by the end of 2027 as a positive reflection of the progress Montenegro has made in recent years, and a sign of the government’s commitment to driving forward and sustaining momentum on reforms. It is also an indication of the success of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, and the exemplary support it has provided, over the last 20 years. We look forward to engaging with the government, OSCE Mission, Secretariat and autonomous institutions to ensure a smooth and well-prepared transition to new forms of OSCE engagement with and support for Montenegro.

    In closing, the United Kingdom reiterates its strong support for Montenegro’s reform trajectory. We wish the Mission every success in its work over the next 12 months.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Man’s sentence increased after multiple robberies and attacks on London Underground [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Man’s sentence increased after multiple robberies and attacks on London Underground [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 25 June 2026.

    Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, secures increased sentence for man responsible for a series of robberies and stabbings across the London Underground.

    Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, secures increased sentence for man responsible for a series of robberies and stabbings across the London Underground. 

    Adel Kerari of Hammersmith and Fulham, London, had his sentence increased by one year and one month after the Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. 

    The court heard how over two weeks in June 2023, Kerari and other gang members carried out a violent crime spree targeting commuters across the London Underground. Victims were robbed, assaulted and stabbed at stations including Holborn, Russell Square, Leicester Square, Goldhawk Road and Leyton.

    During one particular day, Kerari and his gang brutally attacked and robbed one woman and two men in three separate incidents at underground stations. All the victims’ phones were stolen, as well as some wallets and bank cards. Two of the victims were stabbed during the attacks.

    A total of seven people were targeted across six separate incidents.

    The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP said:

    Adel Kerari purposely targeted lone passengers across the London Underground in a spree of appalling violence. The attacks and stabbings were shocking and vicious.

    I welcome the court’s decision to increase the sentence following my referral. Violent criminals and gangs threaten the safety of our towns and cities. I will always pursue action on behalf of victims to ensure sentences reflect the true severity of such violent crimes.

    British Transport Police Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins said:

    Kerari is an extremely dangerous and violent criminal who launched a rampage of brazen robberies across the London Underground and as such fully deserves to spend the foreseeable future behind bars.

    We warmly welcome his sentence being extended today and crucially hope it offers some small comfort to the victims, who have shown considerable strength throughout the judicial process.

    A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said:

    These were extremely serious and violent offences that have no place on London’s transport network, and we are pleased that the offender has been brought to justice.  

    The safety of our customers and staff is our top priority, and we continue to work closely with the police to tackle robbery and violent crime across the network – including with the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police to carry out targeted operations and patrols in hotspot locations and using our data and extensive network of CCTV to pursue offenders.  

    We remain committed to ensuring that anyone who commits offences on our network is brought to justice, and that our transport network remains a safe and secure environment to work and travel.

    On 9 January 2025 at Inner London Crown Court, Adel Kerari was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months’ imprisonment for six counts of robbery, and one count of fraud.  

    On Thursday 25 June 2026 at the Court of Appeal, Adel Kerari’s sentence was increased to 3 years and 9 months.

  • Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on Ukraine Recovery Fund

    Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on Ukraine Recovery Fund

    The comments made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, on 25 June 2026.

    The UK stands firmly with Ukraine, not only in its fight for freedom today, but in ensuring it has the strength to rebuild for the future – that is essential for the long-term deterrence of Russian aggression. 

    A just and lasting peace is urgent and non-negotiable. But Ukraine needs long-term support both to get through the conflict and to rebuild in future. That is why at this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference, we are announcing a multi-million pound package to power Ukraine’s homes and critical infrastructure, back its businesses and drive improvements in education and justice. 

    This crucial investment will ensure the UK is also in close partnership with Ukraine as they look towards future growth, involving British and Ukrainian businesses and delivering long-term benefits for both our economies.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary announces nearly £290 million to strengthen Ukraine’s recovery and energy security [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary announces nearly £290 million to strengthen Ukraine’s recovery and energy security [June 2026]

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

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announces a new support package at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk.

    • New UK support for Ukraine’s recovery and energy security in the face of Putin’s war  
    • UK continues to bear down on Kremlin having sanctioned over 3,400 Russia-linked targets, while supporting Ukraine’s long-term prosperity  
    • UK’s total commitment to meeting Ukraine’s non-military needs now stands at £5.6 billion since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion

    The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced a new package worth almost £290 million to bolster Ukraine’s recovery and energy security as she attends the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland. 

    Yvette Cooper will make clear the United Kingdom’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine not only in its ongoing battle in the face of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, but in ensuring it has the strength to rebuild for the future for the benefit of the UK and Ukraine. Ukraine’s security is vital to the UK’s own and supporting Ukraine today means a thriving partner for the UK in the future.

    Today’s package will help strengthen Ukraine’s energy security through the signing of a £210 million deal for UK-based Urenco to provide nuclear fuel to Ukraine’s national power company Energoatom, to help Ukraine resist Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure and keep the lights on. The deal will also boost the British economy, as Urenco employs more than 650 people in the UK and its Chester site supports more than 4,500 jobs around the UK in the wider supply chain. 

    Funding will also support new schemes to modernise Ukraine’s justice system, to help build systems that hold the perpetrators of heinous war crimes to account, speed up court proceedings and tackle corruption to improve fairness and transparency.  

    Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: 

    “The UK stands firmly with Ukraine, not only in its fight for freedom today, but in ensuring it has the strength to rebuild for the future – that is essential for the long-term deterrence of Russian aggression. 

    “A just and lasting peace is urgent and non-negotiable. But Ukraine needs long-term support both to get through the conflict and to rebuild in future. That is why at this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference, we are announcing a multi-million pound package to power Ukraine’s homes and critical infrastructure, back its businesses and drive improvements in education and justice. 

    “This crucial investment will ensure the UK is also in close partnership with Ukraine as they look towards future growth, involving British and Ukrainian businesses and delivering long-term benefits for both our economies.”    

    Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy said: 

    “An enduring peace in Ukraine will not be secured through military support alone, but through our collective commitment to rebuilding communities, strengthening institutions and deepening joint action. 

    “Ukraine’s battlefield victories must be bolstered by support to rebuild. The UK stands together with Ukraine as true partners for freedom – helping drive record investment, support recovery and ensure the Ukrainian people can look to the future with security and hope.” 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: 

    “The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine – and that means backing Ukraine’s recovery just as firmly as its defence. Today we are securing Ukraine’s energy supply, and helping to support Ukraine’s economy in the face of brutal Russian aggression.

    “Ukraine’s security is our security, and our ironclad support will boost both our economies and give them the financial firepower to grow back stronger.”

    British International Investment will also deliver up to £65 million for renewable energy and the banking sector in Ukraine, alongside the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The new investments will see the construction of two new wind farms and provide much-needed backing for Ukraine’s businesses through the Bank of Lviv.  

    British companies will play a vital role in reconstruction projects across Ukraine, including the future modernisation of Lviv Airport as well as schools in Vinnytsia Oblast through the Project Development Programme, which is set to receive £1 million additional UK funding. 

    The announcement comes as the UK continues to intensify pressure on those sustaining Putin’s illegal war, after the Prime Minister announced a major sanctions package targeting the vessels, finances and individuals enabling Russia’s aggression at the G7 last week. British forces also recently intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel, in a significant blow to the Kremlin’s war effort.  

    The UK’s support for Ukraine is reinforced by its close partnership with Poland, a vital security partner and a frontline state in Europe’s response to Russian aggression. Poland plays a crucial role in ensuring Ukraine gets the military and defence equipment it needs for the frontline, by processing 90% of allied-funded material before it crosses the border. Following the conference, the Foreign Secretary will visit the Miecznik frigate programme, where British and Polish defence industries are working together to strengthen Poland’s naval capabilities through a contract worth around £3 billion, supporting jobs and growth in both countries.   

    The breakdown of bilateral assistance funding announced today includes: 

    • Up to £13 million to support British International Investment’s intention to commit to the EU Flagship Fund; 
    • Up to £12 million for a new governance programme, including:  
    • Up to £2.4 million for an EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI); and 
    • £1 million to support judicial reforms; 
    • Up to £763,000 to continue support for Ukraine’s Green Transition Office. 

     Alongside the bilateral allocation, the UK will announce a series of measures to support Ukraine’s long-term economic growth. These include: 

    • New British International Investment investments of up to £65 million, utilising existing UK ODA funding to co-finance projects that will expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises through the Bank of Lviv and support the construction of two new wind farms; 
    • Up to £200,000 to expand support for Ukraine’s critical minerals sector through British Geological Survey expertise to improve geological data, strengthen standards and attract investment; 
    • Up to £1 million for the second year of the Project Development Programme, helping British companies participate in the early-stage planning of reconstruction projects across Ukraine. This builds on successful first-phase projects, including feasibility studies for the future expansion of Lviv Airport and the modernisation of schools in Vinnytsia Oblast; and 
    • A new Memorandum of Understanding between UK Export Finance and Ukraine’s export credit agency to strengthen institutional capacity, share expertise and support the growth of Ukraine’s private sector and exports.
  • PRESS RELEASE : The Falkland Islands – Lord Collins’ OAS statement [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Falkland Islands – Lord Collins’ OAS statement [June 2026]

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

    Deputy Leader of the House of Lords Lord Collins spoke during the 56th regular session of the OAS general assembly in Panama City, Panama.

    Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Ministers, Delegates, Friends.

    On behalf of the United Kingdom, I would like to thank our hosts, Panama, for convening this Assembly.

    The UK values its partnerships across the Americas – shaped by history and the many personal connections between our peoples today. This forum plays an important role in strengthening cooperation on the issues that affect us all and we will continue to contribute to solutions to shared problems in the constructive and respectful spirit on which the OAS was founded.

    I will turn now to the topic of this discussion, the Falkland Islands.

    The United Kingdom’s position has been clear and consistent for many years. The question of the Falkland Islands must be considered in light of the wishes of the people who live there. The Islanders have the right to determine their own political future, and they have expressed that choice clearly and democratically. With some tracing their roots back more than 10 generations, the Islanders have nowhere else they call home. Like many in the Americas, their ancestors journeyed to those Islands in past centuries to seek a better life, and shaped the Islands into the thriving and prosperous society they are today.

    The people of the Falkland Islands have built a stable, self-governing community with strong democratic institutions. Their elected representatives take decisions on matters that affect their daily lives, reflecting the priorities and values of the local population. This is a community that is confident in its identity and clear about its future.

    This principle is fundamental. The right of self-determination is a cornerstone of the international system and applies to all peoples. It is essential to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the rules-based international order.

    Calls for discussions on sovereignty do not alter this reality. Any approach to this issue must respect the principle that the Islanders’ wishes come first. Without their consent, there can be no change to their status. Their wishes have been made clear – the 2013 referendum with a 99.8% vote on a 92% turnout to remain in the British family, and no subsequent election has questioned that decision. There can be no negotiation without the agreement and participation of the Falkland Islanders themselves.

    The UK strongly supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit. The decision to pursue hydrocarbon development was a democratic choice by the people of the Falkland Islands alone, and it is for the Falkland Islands Government to pursue production alongside the commercial companies involved. This is an integral part of the Islanders’ right of self- determination.

    I would like to emphasise that UK forces in the South Atlantic are entirely defensive. We regularly review our force levels so that they are at the minimum level appropriate to ensure the defence of the Falkland Islands against any potential threat.

    None of this changes the UK’s desire to maintain a respectful and fruitful bilateral relationship with Argentina; nor our commitment to constructive engagement in the South Atlantic. We will continue to support practical cooperation where it serves shared interests, including in areas such as environmental stewardship and sustainable economic activity.

    Colleagues, this is ultimately a question of the foundational principles of the international system. A population has exercised its democratic rights and made its position known. Respecting that choice is both a legal obligation and a reflection of the values that underpin this Assembly.

    The United Kingdom will continue to uphold that principle and encourages others to do the same.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Discrimination against Women and Girls [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Discrimination against Women and Girls [June 2026]

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

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Discrimination against Women and Girls. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Madam Vice President.

    The UK is committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls in all their diversity – including through tackling discrimination. The Foreign Secretary has placed women and girls globally at the heart of the UK’s foreign policy and is committed to championing their ability to live in a world free from violence and discrimination.

    Women and girls are disproportionately targeted by AI-enabled harms, including deepfakes and online abuse at scale. The lack of safety-by-design in AI is intensifying technology-facilitated gender-based violence, with real-world impacts on safety, participation, and wellbeing.

    States should adopt a human rights based approach to AI, with gender equality at its core. 

    Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) is a major international development programme, co-funded by the UK, Canada and Sweden, that aims to ensure AI works for inclusive, safe and equitable development outcomes in the Global South. Through AI4D Africa, the UK has supported women-led AI research and strengthened the pipeline of female AI leaders. 

    Madam Vice President,

    How can Member States work with the UN to ensure that protection from discrimination is embedded in the design of AI systems?

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government pushes forward with conversion practices ban to protect LGBT+ people from abuse [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government pushes forward with conversion practices ban to protect LGBT+ people from abuse [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Office for Equality and Opportunity on 25 June 2026.

    The government is banning abusive conversion practices in England and Wales to protect LGBT+ people from physical and psychological harm.

    • Government publishes a draft bill that will deliver a landmark ban on abusive conversion practices in England and Wales. 
    • Current legal loopholes leave victims at risk, and new legislation will fill gaps in the law to protect people from abhorrent abuse. 
    • Proposed ban includes safeguards for legitimate healthcare and therapy, and robust thresholds that protect open conversations, and free speech.  

    LGBT+ people will be protected from physical and psychological abuse to change who they are, as the government announces a landmark ban on abusive conversion practices in England and Wales, with the publication of the draft Conversion Practices Bill.

    The proposed ban will set the criminal threshold for conversion practices as conduct that aims to change someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity through abusive acts that seriously harm the victim. 

    These abhorrent practices are still happening today, with people being subjected to physical, sexual, economic and psychological abuse. Victims of conversion practices have recounted stories that range from beatings and rape to verbal threats, manipulation and exorcisms.  

    Conversion practices are still happening in 2026 because of a series of legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to escape justice. Existing pieces of legislation that cover domestic violence, coercive control and communications offences do not adequately address the unique nature of abusive conversion practices, leaving a gap in the law that can be exploited. In addition, the lack of a legal definition of abusive conversion practices makes it challenging for police and prosecutors to act. The only way to tackle these problems is through this legislation.

    The legislation will create the following criminal offences: 

    • carrying out abusive conversion practices that cause serious harm, alarm or distress to the victim
    • encouraging or assisting an abusive conversion practice performed outside England and Wales

    It also creates new civil Conversion Practice Protection Orders and breach offences to support victims as well as those currently at risk of abuse. These will be similar to protection orders for forced marriage and female genital mutilation and will pre-emptively protect people.

    Someone found guilty of conducting abusive conversion practices could face an unlimited fine, a custodial sentence of up to 5 years, or both. 

    Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Equalities, said: 

    Conversion practices are driven by the false belief that being LGBT+ is shameful and can be forcibly changed.

    No-one should face abuse just because of who they are. That’s why we are delivering on our manifesto commitment to ban abusive conversion practices.

    Legal loopholes have left LGBT+ people vulnerable to these harmful acts which is why we must legislate.

    Dr Hilary Cass, author of the Cass Review, said: 

    I am pleased to see that the government is bringing forward legislation which not only gives a clearer definition of what conversion practices are, compared to previous drafts, but also what they are not.

    It is important that healthcare professionals providing much needed holistic care to young people feel confident that they are able to do their job without fear of litigation and the minister has kept that important issue in mind at the same time as the need to protect vulnerable young people.

    I look forward to the pre legislative scrutiny process which will facilitate further constructive debate.

    Jasmine O’Connor OBE, Co-CEO at Galop, said:

    As LGBT+ anti-abuse experts, Galop frequently witnesses the devastating impacts caused by conversion practices. We know all too well how gaps in legislation have left LGBT+ people unprotected against covert and insidious forms of abuse, and we welcome this long-overdue legislation – it’s a vital first step toward addressing conversion practices as a distinct form of harm. As Galop’s latest research shows, conversion practices are happening today. This legislation is urgently needed, and we will keep working to inform the parliamentary process and ensure the ban protects LGBT+ people from all conversion practices.

    Simon Blake, CEO at Stonewall, said:

    People from the LGBTQ+ community are not broken or in need of ‘fixing’. That’s why I’m so pleased the government have published a draft bill to ban conversion practices that attempt to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices are abuse, and every day without a ban in place leaves people at risk of serious harm.

    This is testament to the hard work of campaigners and survivors who have bravely shared their stories and refused to give up. We look forward to continuing our work with sector partners, Parliament, and government to ensure the legislation is robust and effective.

    Saba Ali, Chair at the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition, said:

    No one should ever be told they can’t be who they are, or love who they love. LGBTQ+ identities are beautiful, diverse, and should be celebrated, and yet attempts to change and suppress them are still happening across the UK, causing profound suffering.

    Today’s announcement of the publication of draft legislation to ban conversion practices is a significant and welcome step forward, but it is also long overdue. The coalition look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure the legislation delivers the comprehensive protections all LGBTQ+ people deserve.

    This moment belongs to a movement. Over eighty coalition organisations, countless survivors, clinicians, faith leaders, Parliamentarians and campaigners have refused to let this be forgotten. Today proves what we achieve when we stand together.

    Professor Subodh Dave, President of Royal College at Psychiatrists, said:  

    The College have long called for a ban to these harmful practices and we strongly support the publication of this draft Bill.

    We welcome the pre-legislative approach that will help ensure the Bill works in practice. It is important that in protecting people from these unacceptable practices, this legislation also supports healthcare professionals to continue to have appropriate exploratory conversations with their patients.

    Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said:

    Subjecting a family member or partner to harm or coercing them to change who they are is domestic abuse and it must be stopped. I’m pleased to see this draft Bill brought forward so we can finally ban these deeply harmful practices, which have damaged too many people’s lives. I look forward to continuing to work with Ministers, as this legislation progresses to ensure it delivers the much-needed protections for all LGBT+ victims and survivors.

    The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Church of England, said: 

    I welcome the publication of this draft Bill as a positive step towards banning conversion practices. These have harmed LGBT people over many years, leaving many with lifelong trauma. This work is long overdue, and comes after the General Synod of the Church of England voted, by a very large majority, in favour of the Government bringing forward a ban in 2017. I am pleased that this will bring an opportunity for consultation and scrutiny, so that substantial progress can at last be made.

    The draft legislation is clear that the government is not seeking to criminalise expressing beliefs about LGBT+ identities, nor is it seeking to ban explorative conversations and questioning about someone’s identity. That is why a high threshold for criminality has been included, so that only the acts that are abusive, seeking to change someone’s identity, and create real harm to the person, will be in scope. 

    The proposed ban includes exemptions for legitimate healthcare. This ensures that healthcare professionals, therapists and counsellors can be confident that they can continue their work to support patients and have free and open conversations about sexuality and transgender identity. 

    Our proposed ban aligns with international best practices by being trans-inclusive, protecting individuals from harm, and including a custodial sentence for perpetrators. Through targeting abusive conduct intended to change someone’s identity, the offence mirrors parts of New Zealand’s approach while remaining tailored to the UK legal framework. 

    The government has recognised that this is a complex legal area and is seeking to build a genuine consensus around a ban. That is why the draft bill will now undergo pre-legislative scrutiny to give opportunity to draw on the expertise and insight of a range of parliamentarians and stakeholders, ensuring that a ban is as effective as possible in the long term. 

    Today’s draft bill is the latest action taken by the government to tackle abuse against the LGBT+ community and comes after legislation passed in spring equalised hate crime protections for LGBT+ people.

    The government has also taken further action to fulfil its commitments to the LGBT+ community, including: 

    • righting the historic wrongs committed against LGBT veterans 
    • publishing a HIV Action Plan to end new transmissions by 2030
    • investing £21 million in global LGBT+ rights