Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : LinkedIn and government join forces to help jobseekers build their careers [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : LinkedIn and government join forces to help jobseekers build their careers [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 15 June 2026.

    Thousands of jobseekers could be supported into a new career as the government joins forces with LinkedIn to bolster careers advice.

    • Landmark partnership between LinkedIn and the Government reflects that the ‘job for life’ has given way to career mobility.
    • Anonymised data from LinkedIn’s pool of 40 million UK accounts will help the DWP have the best possible data within the Jobs and Careers Service. 
    • This comes as government brings forward the biggest employment reforms in a generation with a particular focus on helping young people into work.   

    Thousands of jobseekers could be supported into a new career as the government joins forces with LinkedIn to bolster careers advice. 

    It will see timely anonymised data on jobs, skills, hiring and workforce movement shared with Skills England from LinkedIn’s network of 40 million UK accounts, giving the government a new way of viewing the labour market. 

    In the future this could be used by the new Jobs and Careers Service to provide jobseekers with more tailored advice on industry specific skills and career routes, helping them to reach their goals. 

    As the recent Skills England Annual Report found, a further 1.8 million extra jobs will be needed in priority sectors by 2035. The DWP will work with LinkedIn to map how people move between jobs, with the aim of helping people to widen their career options and businesses to look beyond traditional recruitment pools. 

    The landmark partnership with LinkedIn recognises the days of a job for life are increasingly rare. As Funding Circle has found, the average worker will go through seven jobs in their lifetime, with younger people more likely to change roles. This shows that having the right data on career paths and the skills necessary to follow them is more crucial than ever. 

    The DWP and Skills England are excited to explore how this data can be used and will explore a number of possibilities as our work with LinkedIn progresses.  

    An improved understanding of where there is a skills mismatch between local job adverts and the skills of the local population is our first priority for this work in order to inform new skills options and drive economic growth.  

    Young people in particular will benefit from this partnership as the government will gain a more detailed insight of the local workforce and how it is evolving.  

    Last week the Secretary of State Pat McFadden met with LinkedIn’s Blake Lawit, to mark this exciting new partnership. The partnership comes as the government takes forward the biggest employment reforms in a generation, including the creation of the new Jobs and Careers Service and a major drive backed by £2.5 billion investment to give every young person the chance to earn or learn. 

    Pat McFadden Secretary of State said: 

    We know young people today are far less likely than previous generations to stay in the same career for life, which is why we must give them the tools to build a fulfilling, lasting career path.  

    This partnership with LinkedIn will give us a clearer understanding of the jobs market – what employers need, where opportunities are, and how people are building their careers, in order to boost economic growth.  

    Together with our £2.5 billion youth employment support package, we are making sure that every young person across the country has the chance to earn or learn.

    Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, said:  

    I’m really excited about this partnership. LinkedIn has become such a hub for businesses that are recruiting and people on the look-out for jobs.  

    The resulting insights from their anonymised data will be incredibly valuable to Skills England and the new Jobs and Careers Service – particularly when it comes to identifying local skills gaps and helping young people to fill them.  

    We’re looking forward to joining forces to make a major difference.

    Blake Lawit, Chief Global Affairs & Legal Officer of LinkedIn: 

    Today’s careers are increasingly shaped by skills, adaptability, and continuous learning.  

    Professionals entering the workforce now are on pace to hold twice as many jobs over their careers compared to 15 years ago. As people navigate more career transitions, access to timely labour market insights is more important than ever.  

    We’re proud to be supporting the UK Government’s efforts to better understand workforce trends, close talent gaps, and help more people find their next opportunity faster.

    Additional Information

    No individual-level member data will be shared with DWP. 

    LinkedIn has a database of 40 million accounts which includes students, retirees and working people recognise the UK as their professional home. 

    To protect the privacy of LinkedIn’s members, data will be collected within LinkedIn’s existing systems, with anonymised findings shared with Skills England. insight into how many people are employed, how they’re working. 

    Skills England will lead on this partnership on behalf of DWP, with officials already working to begin the initial phase of the project.

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

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

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 June 2026.

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

    The UK thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update and for his work throughout his tenure. We are disappointed that the Eritrean Government continues to refuse to engage with this mandate.     

    We welcome the release of some of those held in arbitrary detention for political or religious reasons. However, many more remain detained in inhumane conditions, and we encourage the Eritrean Government to extend these releases.   

    The system of indefinite national service has a suffocating impact on the lives of Eritreans, especially young people, and has contributed to mass emigration including to the UK. It requires urgent reform.  

    We support the report’s recommendations, including the call for the implementation of Eritrea’s Constitution.  

    Special Rapporteur,  as you reflect on the past 6 years of your tenure, where do you see the most realistic opportunities for progress as you hopefully hand the baton to a successor?

  • Peter Kyle – 2026 Comments on Rolls-Royce SMR Winning a Contract

    Peter Kyle – 2026 Comments on Rolls-Royce SMR Winning a Contract

    The comments made by Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, on 15 June 2026.

    I’m unashamedly backing British business on the world stage and that’s why I went to Stockholm earlier this year to champion this partnership, and it’s great to see Government’s effort paying off. 

    This is a major vote of confidence in Rolls-Royce SMR and the UK’s world‑leading civil nuclear sector — showing that, thanks to our Modern Industrial Strategy, Britain is the partner of choice for the next generation of clean energy. 

    At a time of global instability, this deal strengthens Europe’s energy security while creating jobs, driving investment and growing our supply chains at home and with partners like Sweden — backing British industry to deliver clean, reliable power for decades to come.

  • Ellie Reeves – 2026 Comments on Sentencing of Vickrum Digwa

    Ellie Reeves – 2026 Comments on Sentencing of Vickrum Digwa

    The comments made by Ellie Reeves, the Solicitor General, on 15 June 2026.

    This case horrified me, and I know that feeling is shared by the British public. It is right that difficult questions need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry’s Nowak’s murder, while my role is to review Digwa’s sentence for his crimes.

    After careful consideration, I have taken the decision to refer this case to the Court of Appeal.

    No sentence can ever undo the devastation that Henry’s family have suffered, or fill the void left by his loss. But I hope this referral goes some way towards bringing them the justice they deserve.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Solicitor General refers Vickrum Digwa to Court of Appeal [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Solicitor General refers Vickrum Digwa to Court of Appeal [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 15 June 2026.

    The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC has referred the sentence of Vickrum Digwa, convicted of the murder of Henry Nowak, to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    The Court of Appeal will now decide whether the sentence imposed was unduly lenient, and whether to increase the existing sentence.

    The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP says:

    This case horrified me, and I know that feeling is shared by the British public. It is right that difficult questions need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry’s Nowak’s murder, while my role is to review Digwa’s sentence for his crimes.

    After careful consideration, I have taken the decision to refer this case to the Court of Appeal.

    No sentence can ever undo the devastation that Henry’s family have suffered, or fill the void left by his loss. But I hope this referral goes some way towards bringing them the justice they deserve.

    Notes for Editors

    • Anyone can ask for a Crown Court sentence to be reviewed if they think it’s too low.
    • The Law Officers can review sentences given by the Crown Court in England and Wales if they’re asked to. The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to carefully consider the case and make a decision
    • By law only certain types of case can be reviewed, such as murder, manslaughter and rape
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government to build UK’s first permanent mobile museum to bring art to communities everywhere [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government to build UK’s first permanent mobile museum to bring art to communities everywhere [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 15 June 2026.

    £1.6 million investment from DCMS and Art Explora will create the UK’s first permanent mobile museum.

    • Renowned British architecture studio Ab Rogers Design appointed to design new mobile museum after international competition
    • Artworks from the Government Art Collection will tour the South West and North West of England this summer
    • This is the government’s latest step towards ensuring everyone can access arts and culture in the places they call home 

    The UK’s first permanent mobile museum will hit the road next year, bringing world class art to the doors of people all across the country. 

    A total of £1.6 million, formed of £800,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and £800,000 matched by arts access charity Art Explora, will be used to build a state-of-the-art vehicle and tour three national collections per year, including the Government Art Collection (GAC). Designed by renowned British architect Ab Rogers, this colourful new vehicle will be the first dedicated mobile museum in the country and is part of the Culture Secretary’s plan to ensure arts are available everywhere for everyone. 

    From 2027, Art Explora will tour the new mobile museum with three 12-week exhibitions each year. GAC artworks will feature in one exhibition annually, with national and regional partners including Tate, the National Portrait Gallery, Leeds Art Gallery, Birmingham Museums Trust and National Museums Liverpool among other national museums delivering the remaining programme to ensure the widest possible reach across the UK. 

    The Government Art Collection was established in 1899 and is a national collection of historic, modern and contemporary British art that is displayed in government buildings in the UK and around the world. The works are seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, promoting British art and contributing to cultural diplomacy. Through an extensive public engagement programme, the GAC brings artworks into the heart of communities and works with UK and international partners to support creative exchange and skill development for young people. 

    Ahead of this, a three month pilot tour will take place in the South West and North West with an existing mobile museum. This will bring a curated selection of works from the collection to communities across England this summer, including many who have never had the chance to experience a national gallery up close. 

    The exhibition brings together a selection of artworks from the Government Art Collection that explores the sea’s influence on people, places and communities. Through themes of exploration, migration and climate change, the works reflect the many ways the sea has shaped the UK and the wider world.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    I am determined that great art isn’t just for the few but for everyone, no matter where they live. The Government Art Collection belongs to the whole country, and this tour is an exciting step towards making that a reality. 

    By taking the collection directly into communities, to parks, schools, libraries and public squares, we’re breaking down the barriers that have kept people from experiencing the art that belongs to everyone. This is what ‘Arts Everywhere’ really means in practice, and I’m proud that we’re making it happen.

    The establishment of a permanent mobile museum for the UK builds on the success of two previous Art Explora mobile museum tours, in collaboration with Tate, in 2023 and 2024 across the Midlands and the North.

    The mobile museum is currently being built in Telford by Torton Bodies Limited, a leading UK firm, with a striking design by renowned British architect Ab Rogers.

    Jemima Montagu, Director, Art Explora, said:

    There remains a growing gap between those who have access to museums, galleries and arts venues, and those who are left behind. Art Explora is trying to bridge this divide by taking art into the heart of communities and sharing our rich national collections more widely. The new UK Mobile Museum is a stunning piece of design and engineering which will itself be a source of wonder and inspiration wherever it goes. A tardis for the 21st century!

    Frédéric Jousset, Founder and Chair of Trustees, Art Explora, said:

    Art Explora was founded on the belief that art should be accessible to everyone. We now have a growing Mobile Museum fleet in France, which – over 15 years – has proven the value of bringing art from our national collections directly to communities. UK government support for a dedicated UK truck is an important milestone, as we extend access to great art collections further across Europe.

    Ab Rogers, Founder and Director, Ab Rogers Design, said:

    It is not every day you get the opportunity to design a mobile museum. We wanted to capture the feeling of the circus arriving in town, creating an explosive burst of energy and anticipation that contains and nurtures extraordinary, curated collections. More mobile, more vibrant and more alive than any other museum, it’s a project that’s very close to my heart.

    The mobile museum is one of the core programmes of Art Explora UK, an arts charity founded in 2021 with a mission to tackle the social, economic and geographic barriers that prevent many people from participating in the arts. The mobile museum addresses these barriers head-on, setting up within walking distance of local schools and community centres in areas identified as having high deprivation and low cultural engagement. Over 36–40 weeks of touring annually, it will visit 40 – 45 locations, reaching 25,000 visitors and serving 130–150 schools each year.

    This builds on the Culture Secretary’s commitment of up to £1.5 billion to the cultural sector over this parliament, with the Arts Everywhere Fund aiming to save more than 1,000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to the arts on their doorstep.

    Notes to editors

    • Art Explora’s mission is to expand access to the arts in the UK through innovative touring, digital and creative programmes. They work with artists, communities and cultural organisations to remove barriers to participation and make the arts accessible to all.  They champion the power of art to connect people, inspire ideas and enrich lives.
    • Ab Rogers is a designer specialising in small spaces and experiential design, known for his use of colour, narrative, and high functionality. Rogers’ work focuses on diverse conceptual approaches to interiors, including the use of dynamic materials, sensation, and movement. 
    • The Government Art Collection’s exhibition ’Shaped by the Sea’will go on tour on the Art Explora Mobile Museum for 13 weeks, from 15 June to 13 September 2026. 
    • The mobile museum tour will start in St Budeaux, Plymouth. It will bring historic, modern and contemporary works by British artists from the GAC to communities across the South West and the North West of England. Artists included in the exhibition: Roger Ackling, Simon Bayliss, Samuel and Nathaniel Buck,Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Mohini Chandra, EVEWRIGHT, Anya Gallaccio, Lubaina Himid, Tess Jaray, Thomas Luny, Will Maclean, Zethu Maseko, Paul Nash, William Pye, Bridget Riley, Ro Robertson, Zineb Sedira, Emma Stibbon and J. M. W. Turner. 
    • MuMo (‘Mobile Museum’) was founded by Ingrid Brochard, designed by matali crasset with the support of the Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso.
  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Banning Social Media for Children

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Banning Social Media for Children

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, on 15 June 2026.

    It is fantastic news that the Government has finally woken up to the dangers of social media for young people. This is an important step in helping parents protect childhood for children.

    Huge credit goes to Laura Trott and my Shadow Cabinet for relentlessly fighting for this. Conservatives welcome this latest Labour U-turn, and will continue to work for the best implementation of the policy.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2026 Statement on Upholding Government’s Proscription of Palestine Action

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2026 Statement on Upholding Government’s Proscription of Palestine Action

    The statement made by Jeremy Corbyn on 15 June 2026.

    Today’s ruling to uphold the UK government’s proscription of Palestine Action is a travesty of justice.

    One by one, the very foundations of our democracy are being destroyed — all to oil the wheels of British complicity in genocide.

    Our government has participated in the mass murder of Palestinians. That is the real crime, and we must bring about justice.

  • Pat McFadden – 2026 Statement on the Youth Jobs Guarantee

    Pat McFadden – 2026 Statement on the Youth Jobs Guarantee

    The statement made by Pat McFadden, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the House of Commons on 9 June 2026.

    Earlier this year, I updated the House on progress to deliver the jobs guarantee. Since then, phase 1 of the jobs guarantee has started in six areas of the country, with the first young people now in work. We announced the delivery partners for phase 1 in April, and they can be seen here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobs-guarantee

    I am grateful to these organisations for working with us at pace to achieve the first job starts in May. Many more young people will enter work through phase 1 of the jobs guarantee over the coming months.

    Today, I am pleased to announce that the application window to identify delivery partners for the national roll-out of the jobs guarantee is now open as we prepare to deliver the jobs guarantee across Great Britain.

    The jobs guarantee is a central part of the youth guarantee, supporting young people to earn, learn and move into sustained employment. It responds to a long-standing challenge: too many young people spending the early years of adulthood out of work or education.

    In March 2026, the Government announced an additional £1 billion investment in employment and skills support over the spending review, taking total investment in the youth guarantee and growth and skills levy to £2.5 billion over three years.

    As we build on this progress and roll out the jobs guarantee nationally, the scheme will be open to all eligible 18 to 24-year-olds who have been claiming universal credit and looking for work for 18 months. It will provide them with a guaranteed, fully subsidised six-month paid job. This will include wraparound employability and in-work support to help participants succeed in their roles. The aim is to support young people in taking that crucial first step into sustained employment. Once rolled out, the jobs guarantee is expected to support up to 90,000 young people into paid employment across Great Britain over the next three years.

    The Department for Work and Pensions will award multi-year grants to selected delivery organisations, which will deliver the jobs guarantee in local areas. Successful applicants will bring their experience of the local labour market to source suitable jobs and match young people to roles. They will also use their expertise to provide ongoing support to young people while they are on the scheme.

    The grant application window is now open and will run for five weeks, from 9 June to 13 July 2026. Applications are open to organisations with the capability and local expertise to deliver opportunities for young people. I encourage applications from any organisation interested in working with us to deliver the scheme.

    This national roll-out marks a significant step in delivering our commitment to every young person that they have the opportunity to succeed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 June 2026.

    UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

    Mr President, 

    The UK thanks the Fact-Finding Mission for its harrowing update. It is deplorable that as the conflict enters its fourth year, such grave violations and abuses of human rights continue unabated.  

    Mr President, we are deeply alarmed by what we have heard today. Systematic arbitrary detention and torture devastate civilian lives. Rape and other forms of sexual violence are abhorrent and must end. Survivors must be supported and those responsible held to account. Let us be clear: sexual violence must never be used as a tactic of war.  

    The expanding use of drones is intensifying humanitarian need, with over 880 civilians reportedly killed by drone strikes this year alone. We deplore the continued targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools, markets, and hospitals. 

    We call on the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and their allies to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law, enable safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access and end the fighting.  

    We welcome the continued cooperation between the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the AU Fact-Finding Mission, including the Banjul Declaration. Together, their efforts are critical for ending the cycle of impunity and building the foundations of peaceful future for the people of Sudan.  

    Thank you.