Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Co-operation with the Council of Europe and Ukraine Accountability Efforts – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Co-operation with the Council of Europe and Ukraine Accountability Efforts – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2026.

    Ambassador Holland reaffirmed the UK’s strong support for the Council of Europe and its partnership with the OSCE, highlighting shared commitments to human rights, democracy and rule of law, and underlining the importance of accountability for Russia’s war against Ukraine and strengthened institutional co-operation.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. 

    Secretary General, welcome back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your presentation and for your continued leadership at the Council of Europe, which remains central to the UK’s human rights and foreign policy agenda.  

    The UK values the longstanding relationship between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, grounded in our shared commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. These principles underpin our work in Vienna and Strasbourg and are essential to both individual freedoms and economic prosperity.  

    We meet at a time of serious challenge to European multilateralism, with Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine presenting a challenge to the rules by which we all agreed to abide. We urge all OSCE participating States to uphold our shared commitments. We must not allow aggression to undermine the international rules-based order.  

    The UK strongly supports Ukraine’s accountability efforts. We were proud to Chair the Conference of Participants for the Register of Damage until last week, which now includes over 160,000 claims. We commend the Council of Europe’s leadership on the Claims Commission Convention, which was opened for signature in December, and welcome the adoption in Chisinau last month of the resolution establishing the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine by 34 Council of Europe member States including the UK, as well as the EU, Australia and Costa Rica. 

    The Council of Europe and the OSCE have complementary roles in promoting democratic values, including media freedom, gender equality, and free elections. Our memberships are not the same but both organisations face similar challenges such as democratic backsliding. It is therefore more important than ever to coordinate effectively, to minimise duplication and overlap and focus on the two organisations’ respective mandates and comparative strengths to maximise impact, particularly in a time of constrained resources.  We would be interested in your reflections on that.

    In this spirit we welcome your initiative to create a New Democratic Pact for Europe, bringing stakeholders together to address democratic backsliding, impunity, and authoritarianism. 

    Secretary General, the UK remains a steadfast supporter of both organisations. We wish you and your team every success.  

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of John Healey

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of John Healey

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 11 June 2026.

    Healey’s resignation is a wake-up call for Starmer and Burnham.

    Stop repeating the mistakes of the Conservatives and get serious about funding our armed forces properly.

    We cannot afford years more political chaos while our national security is put at risk.

  • James Murray – 2026 Comments on Measles

    James Murray – 2026 Comments on Measles

    The comments made by James Murray, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 11 June 2026.

    My thoughts are with the families who have suffered such unimaginable loss. These deaths are a heartbreaking reminder that measles is not a harmless childhood illness. 

    Measles can lead to serious complications that can be fatal, and the MMR vaccine, which has saved countless lives, remains the best protection we have against this highly infectious disease. 

    I urge all parents and carers to check that their children are up to date with their vaccinations as it is never too late to catch up – even if you miss a dose. By ensuring our children are vaccinated, we not only protect them but also help safeguard the most vulnerable in our communities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK, Australia and Canada launch peacebuilding fund for Israel and Palestine [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK, Australia and Canada launch peacebuilding fund for Israel and Palestine [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2026.

    The UK, Australia and Canada have ​launched a peace fund to ‌complement broader efforts towards a two-state solution.

    • Fund will prioritise long-term peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians to address root causes of conflict and support a sustainable two-state solution
    • Initiative jointly announced during meeting of three foreign ministers at Chevening
    • Will complement existing efforts to provide humanitarian support in Palestine, crack down on violent settlers, and support the 20-point Gaza peace plan
    • Ministers reiterate commitment to tackle antisemitism around the world, and end the security threat from Hamas

    The UK is stepping up efforts to tackle the root causes of the Israel-Palestine conflict and support a path to a two-state solution by launching a new International Peace Fund.

    The announcement came as UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosted her Australian and Canadian counterparts, Penny Wong and Anita Anand, for talks at Chevening on the Strait of Hormuz, the drive for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and the global crisis of violence against women and girls.

    The Peace Fund announcement forms part of the UK’s wider effort to use all available diplomatic, humanitarian and practical levers to support peace in Israel and Palestine. In partnership with Australia and Canada, the Fund will support practical, grassroots initiatives that bring communities together in order to rebuild trust, and reduce the divisions that harm the prospect of long-term peace.

    As well as supporting existing programmes to improve their reach and capability, the Fund will also invest in new ventures, spanning all levels of society, from local community projects to support for dialogue between future leaders. Funding will go to a range of projects, particularly those that include youth groups, civil society organisations and women, with an emphasis on relationship building and creating opportunities for engagement that can underpin future peace negotiations.

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    Peace, justice and security in the Middle East depends on a two-state solution and it is why our countries have recognised the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel.

    But too often Middle East peace is seen as an issue only of international diplomacy. When generations of Israelis and Palestinians have grown up with cycles of conflict and violence, we also need to support the local community organisations who are building dialogue, peace and trust across communities.

    That is why the UK is launching the International Peace Fund with Australia and Canada, to support those working tirelessly to foster understanding between Israeli and Palestinian communities and create the conditions for the two states to live side-by-side in peace.

    Alongside our international partners, we are clear that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only viable route to a just and lasting peace, with security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. This Fund will help support progress towards that goal from within those communities themselves.

    The announcement reinforces the UK’s longstanding leadership in the field of peacebuilding, drawing on experience from similar efforts in Northern Ireland and ongoing work in the Western Balkans to address the underlying drivers of conflict.

    This is the latest action taken by the UK to support peace in lockstep with international partners. On Tuesday, alongside Australia and Canada, the Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank to protect Palestinian human rights and clamp down on those harming prospects for peace.

    Meeting at Chevening, the three ministers also affirmed their commitment to ensure that Hamas should be disarmed, disempowered and dismantled as part of the 20-point Gaza peace plan, so it can play no part in the future governance of Palestine, and pose no future threat to the security of Israel.

    They also discussed the global rise in antisemitic hatred and violence, and reiterated their commitment to protect the freedom and safety of the Jewish communities that have been the target of appalling attacks in the UK, Australia and Canada over the past year.

    Background

    • The UK, Australia and Canada have each put in £1m to launch the Fund. Once operational, the Fund will seek to bring on other donors and scale up efforts.
    • The Fund will complement diplomatic and humanitarian efforts by investing in the social and civic foundations needed for a sustainable peace and working with partners to mobilise wider international support.
    • More information on the sanctions announced by the UK, Australia, Canada and further partners this week UK and allies sanction networks enabling settler violence in the West Bank
  • Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of John Healey

    Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of John Healey

    The comments made by Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, on 11 June 2026.

    John was an excellent Defence Secretary.

    Every word of warning here needs to be heeded.

  • John Healey – 2026 Resignation Letter

    John Healey – 2026 Resignation Letter

    The resignation letter sent by John Healey to Keir Starmer, announcing his departure from the Defence Secretary role, on 11 June 2026.

    Dear Keir,

    This is a letter I never expected to write, and I do so now with great regret and reluctance.

    I am proud of what we have done in less than two years as a Labour Government. We’ve stepped up to lead internationally for Ukraine with the Coalition of the Willing and Ukraine Defence Contact Group, established Britain as a leading voice for Europe in NATO, raised defence investment to 2.5% of GDP three years earlier than anyone expected, launched the deepest defence reforms in 50 years, won the biggest UK defence export deals for decades, published a first-of-its-kind Strategic Defence Review, gave our Armed Forces the biggest pay rise in nearly 20 years, boosted military morale, fixed over 1,200 of the worst forces family homes, reset relations with European allies and signed major defence agreements with Germany, Norway and France.

    You have led this as PM, earning wide respect at home and abroad. Like me, I know you are exceptionally proud of our Forces and all of those who work in UK Defence.

    We came into Government, recognising Britain faced a new era of threat which demanded a new era for defence. The SDR we jointly commissioned set the 10-year vision to transform our Armed Forces, strengthen alliances, invest in the technology that is changing warfare and back British industry to make defence an engine for growth.

    This new era for defence required further investment through the Defence Investment Plan. The excellent and extensive cross-Government work that completed in January — overseen by you, me and the Chancellor — confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence.

    Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.

    Since then, the demands on defence have increased still further, as have the UK commitments you have rightly made to allies. Conflict in the Middle East, with the UK now leading the multinational Strait of Hormuz military mission; High North security, with the UK now leading NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission; increased Russian activity towards the UK and NATO nations and increased attacks in Ukraine, with the Paris Agreement confirming a British deployment to Ukraine after a ceasefire.

    We have worked to secure a Defence Investment Plan that does two things. First, deal with the increasing operational demands on defence now and step up the SDR actions to meet the increasing threat. Second, set a clear path to meet the new NATO commitment you agreed to spend 3.5% of GDP in 2035 through the next Spending Review.

    As we have regularly discussed, I am certain that a headmark date for 3% of GDP on defence in 2030 is what Britain must set. This commitment would have strong cross-party support. Other European allies are stepping up in this way.

    I know how hard you have worked to get to this point. And in funding the DIP, I fully recognise the strain this places on colleagues in other Departments, both now as you have required spending switched into defence and in the future. I am very grateful to those colleagues who have supported this, and I appreciate how difficult their choices will have been.

    As I’ve outlined to you, there are credible ways of meeting the mid-term funding challenges, working multi-nationally and as other European nations are doing, to allow us to protect our ability to deliver the missions of our Labour Government.

    However, your DIP financial settlement — which I was first given in full on Monday afternoon this week — falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time. The extra support is backloaded when the pressure of operations and imperative to speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years and it rises to just 2.68% of GDP in 2030, when we will reach 2.6% next year with the investment we are already making.

    You spelled out the threats last week: “it is our intelligence assessment, and the assessment of other countries in NATO, that there could be an attack by Russia on NATO as soon as 2030.”

    You know what defence needs. You made the argument for this powerfully in your speech at the Munich Security Conference back in February. Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.

    After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defence Secretary.

    I wish you all continuing strength in the exceptional challenges you face as Prime Minister. As always, our Labour Government will continue to have my fullest support.

    Rt Hon John Healey MP

  • Sadiq Khan – 2026 Comments on Complaining Neighbours

    Sadiq Khan – 2026 Comments on Complaining Neighbours

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 11 June 2026.

    Complaining about nightlife when you *checks notes* choose to live in Soho is like living in South Kensington and complaining about the museums.

Or moving to Hackney and grumbling about creatives. Living in Richmond and hating green space. It’s all getting a bit silly, isn’t it?

  • PRESS RELEASE : Free flu jabs for people experiencing homelessness [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Free flu jabs for people experiencing homelessness [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Health and Social Care on 11 June 2026.

    The government will offer flu vaccination to those experiencing homelessness beginning in Autumn.

    • People experiencing homelessness will be given free flu vaccination on the NHS
    • Vaccinations will be made available as part of the rollout later this year and ahead of winter
    • Government fulfilling its promise to help protect those most at risk People experiencing homelessness in England will be offered free flu jabs on the NHS.

    A vaccination programme will support those experiencing rough sleeping and people staying in homeless hostels or night shelters, protecting a group at high risk of serious respiratory illness who are too often left behind.

    We know that people experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience worse NHS access, worse outcomes and to die younger. Through the 10 Year Health Plan, this government vowed to end this intolerable injustice by providing an NHS designed to tackle such inequalities and give everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, the means to engage with the NHS on their own terms.

    The government is delivering on this promise by offering flu vaccination to people experiencing homelessness – beginning in Autumn – in line with when the next season of flu vaccinations are available.

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray said:

    For too long, people experiencing homelessness have faced some of the worst health outcomes in the country and have too often been missed by services many of us take for granted.

    They should not miss out on potentially life-saving protection against flu when they can be at similar, or even greater, risk from the disease than some groups already eligible for vaccination

    This change is about putting that right. By rolling out flu vaccinations to homeless people, we are delivering on our promise to tackle health inequalities and make sure support reaches those who need it most.

    The update comes after the government accepted the expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to make NHS pneumococcal and seasonal flu vaccinations available to those experiencing homelessness.

    Steve Davies, Regional Head at St Mungo’s said: 

    Contracting the flu can be dangerous even with a roof over your head. Experiencing homelessness alongside the flu can dramatically increase the risk of hospital admission – and even death.

    Health needs generally are becoming more acute amongst the people we support. Initiatives like this go a long way to preventing people who are homeless from being overlooked in this wider crisis in public health.

    Under the NHS 10 Year Plan and through wider collaboration across government and charities, we need to continue to ensure that every person facing homelessness has access to a healthcare system that enhances – rather than reduces – their life.

    For this policy, those experiencing homelessness means people experiencing rough sleeping and people staying in homeless hostels or night shelters.

    JCVI advice shows this group faces very high levels of poor health and can be at similar, or even greater, risk from flu and pneumococcal disease than some groups already routinely eligible for vaccination.

    Increasing vaccination among vulnerable groups can also help to protect the wider public by reducing the spread of flu through communities, helping prevent avoidable hospitalisations and easing winter pressures on NHS and emergency services during periods of high seasonal demand. 

    Caroline Temmink, NHS director of vaccination said:

    The NHS is for everyone, and we know that people who are homeless face greater health risks from flu, so it’s right they should receive the same potentially life-saving protection as other eligible at-risk groups.

    This is an important decision in tackling health inequalities and the NHS will set out detailed plans for roll out in due course.

    Professor Andrew Hayward, UKHSA National Lead for Inclusion Health said:

    Respiratory infections including flu are a leading cause of preventable hospital admissions in people experiencing homelessness and contribute to reduced life expectancy.  

    This commitment to roll out flu vaccines to people using hostels, night-shelters or sleeping rough will make an important contribution to wider cross-government initiatives to reduce the many health harms caused by homelessness.

    Homelessness Minister, Alison McGovern said:

    Too often, people experiencing homelessness are cut off from routine healthcare, exposed to serious illness, and face much higher risks as a result.

    That’s why we are taking action across government to tackle homelessness through £3.6 billion worth of investment and improve access to vital services for those most at risk, in line with our National Plan to End Homelessness.

    By making flu jabs available, we are taking practical action to protect lives and ensure support reaches those who need it most.

    Many other cohorts and vulnerable groups already receive free flu vaccination, including people over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, people who are immunosuppressed, carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression.

    This change builds on that wider protection by making sure homeless people are not overlooked and can get the same chance to stay well through winter.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £290m for simpler, fairer, more accessible farming schemes [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £290m for simpler, fairer, more accessible farming schemes [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 June 2026.

    The new approach will spread funding more fairly, target family farms and give farmers greater certainty.

    Farmers in England will soon be able to apply for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26), a simpler and fairer scheme designed to support family farms and meet the challenges of modern farming. 

    Developed with farmers and industry, SFI26 is backed by £240 million for new agreements, building on more than £560 million already committed. The scheme cuts red tape and pays farmers for taking practical steps that benefit their land – such as improving soil health, keeping waterways clean, and creating space for wildlife. 

    Applications are expected to open from 30 June 2026 for two groups: small farms and farms without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement. A second application window will open in September 2026, giving all farmers and land managers the opportunity to apply. 

    Among the new offer are several actions that encourage the reduced use of synthetic fertilisers in favour of more sustainable and environmentally friendly options, cutting input costs and boosting resilience to global market shocks. 

    At least £50 million will also be available for new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreements this year, supporting targeted environmental improvements where they will have the greatest impact. 

    Together, these schemes will help boost food production, strengthen farm resilience, support nature recovery, and underpin the UK’s long-term food security. 

    Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 

    Farmers are fundamental to food security. They produce the food we rely on, support rural communities, and play a vital role in our economy. 

    Under the previous Sustainable Farming Incentive, a quarter of funding went to just four percent of farms, so we have redesigned it to be simpler and fairer, helping more farms grow, boost productivity and protect the natural environment they depend on.

    Building on the Environment Secretary’s commitment at the Oxford and NFU conferences to reform the Sustainable Farming Incentive in partnership with farmers, this new offer delivers greater certainty, fairer access to funding and a simpler, more accessible scheme for farmers. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is a government scheme that pays farmers in England to manage their land in ways that improve nature, soil health, and the environment while producing food. 
    • Of this total budget for SFI26, £60 million has been allocated to Window 1 for small farms and farms without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement. If we don’t allocate the full £60m in Window 1, that unspent budget would be available for Window 2. 
    • SFI26 will include a series of changes to make the scheme fairer, simpler, and more accessible: 
    • A new £100,000 annual agreement cap will help ensure funding reaches more farm businesses.
    • Each farm business will be able to have one SFI26 agreement, helping spread available funding more fairly across the sector.
    • The SFI management payment will end for new agreements, allowing more funding to be directed towards on-farm actions.
    • A new cap on adding land to rotational actions after Year 1 will provide greater budget certainty and help support more agreements.
    • Nearly all SFI26 actions will move to a standard three-year agreement length, simplifying the scheme and improving access for tenant farmers.
    • SFI26 scheme information (scheme rules and guidance, terms and conditions, and the 71 actions farmers can choose from) can be found HERE.    
    • We expect CSHT to continue supporting important habitats such as species-rich grassland through new targeted agreements, with further details to be announced shortly. 
    • The government is also progressing the next group of Landscape Recovery projects expected to move into implementation this year, supporting large-scale action to restore rivers, habitats, and landscapes across England. 
    • On 28 May, we published the Capital Grants offer guidance for this year which will open for applications in July. This new round will make £225 million, 50% more than in 2025, available to farmers to improve farm infrastructure and carry out works that help them make environmental improvements across England.   

    Environmental Land Management agreements 

    • If farmers have an ELM agreement that’s coming to an end soon, the government wants to make sure they can access the full SFI26 offer.
    • The government is building new functionality into the SFI26 application service that will let these farmers apply for land currently in these expiring agreements before they end. The government expects this to be available from the start of Window 2 in September 2026.
    • Some small farms eligible for Window 1 also have land in soon to expire agreements. They may want to consider waiting and applying during Window 2 instead, so they benefit from this new feature and make the most of their SFI26 agreement.
    • The government aims to confirm whether this approach will be possible before Window 1 applications open, so affected small farms can decide which application window is right for them.
  • PRESS RELEASE : AI to speed up cancer diagnosis for millions of NHS patients [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI to speed up cancer diagnosis for millions of NHS patients [June 2026]

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

    Government invests in AI technologies to modernise the NHS and reduce waiting times.

    • Over 4 million patients have received a faster lung cancer diagnosis or all-clear thanks to AI tools.
    • £20 million government investment to roll out this proven technology to every NHS Trust in England by 2029.
    • A further £8.1 million to pilot six cutting-edge AI and digital technologies across 13 NHS sites, targeting faster care for heart failure, strokes, lung cancer and more.

    Millions of patients will receive faster diagnoses thanks to almost £30 million of government funding in artificial intelligence across the NHS.

    This funding will expand proven AI technology to every NHS Trust in England while piloting the next generation of digital innovation, marking the latest step in the government’s drive to modernise the NHS and reduce waiting times.

    AI-powered X-ray tools that act as a virtual ‘second pair of eyes’ for radiologists will be rolled out to all NHS Trusts in England by 2029, backed by £20 million of government funding – meaning faster diagnoses and quicker treatment for patients.

    This technology, currently available in half of England’s NHS Trusts, is already transforming care for patients, helping more than 4 million receive a faster diagnosis or all-clear for lung cancer by improving patient care routes.

    Early data shows the technology helps radiologists analyse scans in an average of just four days, compared to eight days for the most complex cases previously. By helping clinicians manage growing demand for imaging services more efficiently and easing pressure on radiology teams, the technology is enabling patients to receive follow-up diagnostic tests sooner, helping speed up diagnosis and access to treatment.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, James Murray said:

    For too many patients, a cancer diagnosis tragically comes too late. These AI tools are already changing that – giving radiologists a sharper eye, cutting waiting times, and getting people the lifesaving treatment they need faster.

    Rolling this out to every NHS Trust in the country means millions more patients will benefit, and that is exactly the kind of change this government is determined to deliver – regardless of where you live.

    This is what shifting the NHS from analogue to digital looks like in practice. Backed by new investment to test the next generation of technology, we are building an NHS that is fit for the future – and faster for every patient who needs it.

    Chest X-rays are one of the most important tools in diagnosing England’s biggest cancer killer, lung cancer, with over seven million performed across the NHS each year. By cutting the time it takes to analyse them, the tools are expected to help more patients begin treatment within 62 days of a GP referral. This is in line with cancer waiting time standards and a key commitment set out in the National Cancer Plan.

    This funding forms part of the AI Diagnostic Fund, a key component of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars programme – which is harnessing AI to improve public services, modernise the systems, and support clinicians to diagnose patients more quickly and reduce the diagnostic backlog.

    Minister for Digital Government, Ian Murray said:

    AI is not a future promise – it is already saving lives in our NHS today. For someone waiting to find out whether a shadow on their lung could be cancer, getting that answer in four days instead of eight means four fewer days of uncertainty – and a much quicker path to treatment or reassurance.

    Now we’re taking what works and making it available everywhere. This is how we modernise the NHS – cutting delays, giving clinicians better tools and delivering faster care for patients wherever they live.

    With clinicians firmly in control, we’re safely scaling proven technology – showing how AI can transform public services and deliver better outcomes for people across the country.

    Peter Allinson, a 59-year-old regular hill walker from Manchester, was referred urgently to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) by his GP, after experiencing severe breathlessness while on a routine hike. Peter was assessed at MFT using the AI chest X-ray tool, which helped clinicians reach a rapid diagnosis. He was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and started on treatment within two weeks, helping to prevent further progression of his condition.

    Peter said:

    When I collapsed on that hillside, I genuinely thought my life was over. To go from that terrifying moment to having a diagnosis and being on treatment within two weeks was just remarkable. I’m so grateful for how quickly everything moved and for the care I received. The speed of the diagnosis made a real difference—I feel like I’ve been given my life back.

    Additionally, six innovative AI and digital technologies will also be developed and tested at 12 NHS Trusts and one GP partnership across England and Scotland. This will be backed by £8.1 million of government funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

    The technologies will support NHS staff to analyse CT scans, ECGs and X-rays, offer digital therapy, and identify the most urgent cases for prioritisation. If successful, they could deliver faster, better care for patients with heart failure, stroke, lung cancer, lung infections and tic disorders and ultimately save lives.

    These research studies will further bolster the evidence base for how equipping NHS staff with the latest technology can improve patient outcomes and boost productivity across the entire health service.

    Technologies that prove effective will be rolled out more widely across the NHS, following the same path as the AI X-ray tools that have already helped over 4 million patients.

    Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of the NIHR said:

    By backing these six digital research projects, the NIHR is helping to drive the fundamental shift from an analogue to a digital health service and deliver the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

    This important investment in AI and innovation will cut NHS waiting times, fast-tracking diagnoses and ensuring patients receive more accessible, efficient, and high-quality care.

    Alongside this, the NIHR also announced this week the launch of its Innovation Catalyst, which will fund and support the most promising, disruptive research to evaluate innovations across medtech, digital health, biotech and pharmaceuticals. The Catalyst aims to support innovations progressing through regulatory approval and being considered for adoption across the NHS and wider health system.

    These initiatives underline the government’s ambition to make the NHS a world leader in the adoption of AI and digital health technology, driving improvements in care while freeing up staff to focus on the patients who need them most.

    Stella Vig, NHS National Clinical Director for Elective Care said:

    This is a great example of the NHS harnessing the benefits of AI to support clinicians so that patients receive a diagnosis or the all-clear more quickly, improving care and speeding up treatment.

    Rolling this out at all NHS trusts will mean even more can benefit from this pioneering technology which makes a real difference to people’s lives.

    Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said: 

    We welcome this announcement of increased investment in AI diagnostic tools across the NHS. In lung cancer, we are already seeing the benefit to patients of this technology, in ensuring faster x-ray reporting and diagnosis. Reducing the time to receive x-ray results, cuts down anxiety and uncertainty. Accessing the appropriate treatment, as quickly as possible, is vitally important in ensuring people affected by lung cancer have the best possible outcome of care.

    Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support said:

    To meet our cancer ambitions, we need everyone to be able to benefit from the best innovations, no matter who they are or where they live. Today’s announcement is an important step forward, harnessing innovative technologies to reduce the anxiety of waiting at what can be one of the most worrying times in a person’s life.

    Macmillan is committed to making cancer care fairer. That includes investing in and spreading proven innovations across diagnostics, treatment and care, to revolutionise outcomes and improve the experience of people living with cancer.

    Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK said:

    We welcome this investment in cutting edge technology at a national level. It’s so important to be able to move beyond individual pilots and implement these innovations more broadly to ensure as many people as possible can benefit.

    AI tools for chest X rays have the potential to improve the time it takes to analyse scans, and we look forward to seeing how they can be further rolled out across the NHS in England. AI can play an important role in speeding up cancer diagnoses however, this can only be achieved with sufficient workforce, capacity and well-designed pathways.

    Dr Stephen Harden, President of the Royal College of Radiologists said:

    AI has significant potential to support radiologists in identifying serious conditions more quickly and helping patients receive a diagnosis sooner. Investment in technologies that have been shown to improve patient care is welcome, particularly at a time of growing demand for diagnostics across the NHS.

    As these tools are rolled out more widely, evidence-based, clinician-led implementation will be key to their success. AI should support doctors by helping them work more effectively, rather than replacing the expert judgement that patients value and expect. Radiologists will remain central to diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and patient care.

    Used safely and appropriately, AI can be an important part of improving productivity and helping patients access timely care.

    Andrew Davies, Executive Director, Digital Health, Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) said: 

    HealthTech has a vital role to play in supporting the NHS workforce, improving productivity, and helping patients access diagnosis and treatment more quickly. The potential of AI is particularly significant. When deployed appropriately, AI can support clinicians by analysing information more efficiently, helping to identify patients who require urgent attention, and reducing delays across care pathways.

    Today’s announcement is an important example of how proven technologies should be scaled to benefit more patients and support NHS priorities. By helping clinicians make faster decisions and enabling earlier diagnosis, AI has the potential to improve outcomes while supporting a more productive and sustainable health service.

    Matthew Hopkins, Interim Acute and Ambulance Director NHS Alliance, said: 

    NHS leaders will welcome greater investment in AI diagnostics tools as a vital enabler toward earlier detection, shorter waits and faster treatment. When used well, AI tools can support more proactive, personalised care and ease pressure on overstretched staff.

    However, long‑term success depends on sustained policy implementation and capital funding, so every NHS organisation has the infrastructure, connectivity and training needed to deploy these tools safely and effectively.