Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : AI to slash 101 wait times and free vital police time [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI to slash 101 wait times and free vital police time [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 August 2026.

    New AI call-routing system for 101 will get callers to the right service faster, while freeing up police to tackle crime and help victims.

    New AI software will slash waiting times for reporting crimes to the police, helping to unclog the 101 service amid huge levels of misdirected, nuisance and prank calls. 

    The police’s non-emergency line receives 20 million calls each year. Around 20% – four million – of these are for non-policing organisations such as local councils, NHS 111 or the 105 power outage helpline.  

    However, the line also receives ridiculous reports on issues from delayed pizza delivery to slow pub service and requests for a lift, wasting vital time that police should be spending tackling crime.  

    Backed by a £1.4 million government investment, the new system will get the public to the right organisation faster, while freeing up call handlers to respond to crime reports, safeguarding concerns and victims more quickly. 

    It is estimated that the new system will save policing up to £8.5 million each year, releasing funds for local forces to invest in their most pressing priorities. 

    Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, said:  

    Police call handlers are wasting hours fielding calls meant for other organisations. Every minute spent on these calls is time taken away from helping people who genuinely need their support.  

    AI is already helping police catch dangerous criminals and speed up investigations. Now, it will help bring control rooms into the 21st century, freeing up time and unlocking millions of pounds. Forces can reinvest those savings into tackling the crime on our streets.

    The system has been developed by the Home Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council, with delivery partner Vodafone Business. It uses an AI model to match why someone is calling 101 to a set of likely reasons, then redirects non-police issues to the correct agency before the caller enters a queue.  

    At present, these calls are only identified after someone has spoken to a handler, wasting the caller’s time and increasing wait times for people who need police assistance.  

    The new system has been subject to rigorous training and testing by the Home Office and police to ensure its performance is not affected by factors such as callers’ accents and phrasing. During pilots in 15 police forces it successfully diverted non-police issues including damage-only road traffic incidents, fly tipping and noise complaints to the right agencies. 

    There are strong safeguards in place to ensure that no one in need of police assistance is ever accidently diverted. Callers are told how the system has understood their reason for calling and must accept or reject this.  

    Where the reason for calling falls into a broad category, additional safeguarding questions are asked. If the system is in any doubt, the call is passed directly to the police without delay. Callers will always be able to speak to a handler if they wish.

    The use of the system may vary by force, depending on what telephone menu services they already have in place. The current 999 system has not changed.

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Contact Operations, A/Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hooper, said: 

    This innovation addresses a long-standing challenge in public contact by using AI to triage and redirect non-police calls. It’ll help forces manage demand more effectively, freeing up call handlers to focus on those who genuinely need police support. 

    By reducing unnecessary call handling, this system marks a major step forward in modernising how the public interacts with policing – making services more efficient, responsive, and easier to navigate. 

    We’re extremely grateful to our partners at the Home Office and Vodafone, whose work and vision have been essential in designing and delivering this capability.

    Nick Gliddon, Business Director, VodafoneThree, said:  

    The 101 service plays a vital role in connecting people with the police when they need them, but not every call requires police intervention. By using AI to understand the reason for a caller’s contact and help direct them to the right service, we can reduce unnecessary demand and help police teams focus their time and resources where they are needed most. This is a practical example of how technology can support public services, making it easier for people to get the help they need while helping to protect valuable police resources.

    As part of its landmark police reform initiatives, the government is investing a record £16.5 million to modernise how the police and public interact. Alongside the new 101 triage system, this will include AI that transcribes 999 and 101 calls, and links crime reports to identify patterns in demand.   

    John Hayward-Cripps, CEO, Neighbourhood Watch Network, said: 

    Neighbourhood Watch volunteers and supporters have long fed back on the delays and poor service from the overloaded 101 service reported to them from local members of the public. This new AI call-routing system is a practical step towards a faster, smarter and more responsive 101 service. By directing non-policing calls to the right organisation at the start, it will help reduce waiting times for the public, protect vital police resources, and ensure officers and call handlers can focus on tackling crime, safeguarding vulnerable people and supporting victims. Neighbourhood Watch fully support this government initiative and hope it can be implemented quickly.

    Al Murray, Interim Director at PoliceAI, said: 

    Every minute spent dealing with a misdirected call is a minute that could be spent helping a victim or responding to a crime. This initiative shows how AI can better redirect non-police related calls from the system, get the public to the right service faster and free police officers to focus on the work only they can do. At a time when policing is facing growing demand, that matters more than ever. It is a powerful example of how technology can improve the public’s experience, strengthen support for victims and make better use of valuable police time.  

    When introduced responsibly and with the right safeguards, AI has the potential to transform public services. This investment will help policing work more efficiently, deliver better value for taxpayers and allow officers and staff to spend more time protecting communities and tackling crime. It’s exactly the kind of practical, people-focused innovation that PoliceAI exists to support.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Better Wifi on Trains [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Better Wifi on Trains [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 18 August 2026.

    • Reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and access to cutting-edge tech for British farmers among 16 new projects backed by £13 million.
    • Funding to help transform access and availability of 5G and 6G networks – boosting connectivity and driving growth.
    • Projects will create high-value jobs across the UK, strengthen national security, and help cement Britain’s position as a global force in satellite communication technology.

    More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food are among a raft of new projects which will bring the benefits of space technology into everyday life.

    The UK Space Agency is funding 16 projects through a £13 million government investment, supporting the companies and workers developing the satellite communications systems the UK will depend on for decades to come.

    Satellites are the backbone of modern life, powering the navigation apps we rely on, the weather forecasts that keep us safe from storms and extreme heat, and the broadband connections that keep friends and family in touch.

    Among the projects receiving support, CGI’s SODOR will trial satellite broadband on ScotRail’s West Highland Line, one of Scotland’s most scenic but remote routes. This will bring reliable connectivity to passengers and commuters in areas where traditional mobile networks struggle to reach. This trial will support the government’s wider work to introduce satellite connectivity on all mainland trains – improving availability and connection speeds for passengers across the country. 

    In agriculture, Farmer Charlie’s GAUFF project is developing affordable satellite-enabled sensors that will give farmers real-time data on their land and crops. That will help deliver better harvests and reduce waste through smarter, more targeted farming, with the technology expected to be available by the end of next summer.

    Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:

    This investment shows the true breadth of UK space innovation and how innovations in the UK’s satellite sector can improve lives, with better connectivity delivering internet access for more train journeys, and smarter farming. through more reliable connections through to support for our farming communities.

    By backing brilliant British companies, we are not only furthering our status as one of the world’s leading space powers, but creating high-quality jobs and new opportunities across the UK.

    Betty Bonnardel MBE, CEO of Farmer Charlie said:

    We are delighted to receive the support of the UK Space Agency, through the European Agency, as it helps Farmer Charlie bring the benefits of precision agriculture to farmers across the UK. 

    By combining affordable sensors with satellite connectivity, we are making it easier for growers to make informed decisions, improve productivity and farm more sustainably anywhere in the UK.

    The 16 projects will be delivered as part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme, backed by £13 million in UK Government funding.

    The space sector is one of our strongest drivers of growth and opportunity – employing more than 55,000 people and bringing £18.6 billion into the economy every year(1.) This investment will take UK space to the next frontier – backing the innovators developing the faster, smarter and more secure satellite systems which will keep us safe and our economy moving.

    Other projects winning backing today include Exobotics Ltd’s STARS project, which will develop ultra-fast satellite communications technology. This will deliver the first satellites in a planned network designed to relay data between satellites and the ground much more quickly.

    Further projects will also improve the UK’s capabilities in deep space and lunar communications, supporting future missions which explore our universe.

    These investments will boost the UK’s ability to shape the curve of progress in space technology – backing the companies who will deliver jobs, investment, and opportunities that will support communities across the country for decades to come. 

    Notes to Editors

    List of Projects

    STARS, Exobotics Ltd, London – £2,100,000

    Working with Archangel Lightworks and University of Nottingham, this project selected under the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit Programme2 will develop and demonstrate a next-generation optical communications capability designed to provide ultra-fast, resilient and near real-time connectivity for satellite operators. The project will deliver the first satellites in a planned future data relay network, helping address growing demand for rapid transfer of mission-critical data.

    Theia – Software Defined Radio Generic Payload Processor, Airbus Defence and Space UK Ltd, Portsmouth – £1,500,000

    This project is developing technology that allows to expand Airbus existing Hyperion Processor (Hyperion Evo) by offering the capability to tailor specific Processor functions to the mission needs as well as reprogramming and updating those functions while in orbit, rather than being locked into a fixed set of functions before and after launch. This makes Airbus On-board Processors and satellites more adaptable, helps operators get more out of them over time, and reduces costs.

    QUAKES: Quick Universal Array for Ka-band, E-band, and S-band Earth Stations, Orbital Astronautics Ltd, Goring–On-Thames – £1,710,000

    QUAKES is building a compact, portable ground station that can connect to multiple satellites at once and handle everything from low-bandwidth sensor data to high-speed broadband. Because it can be quickly deployed with minimal infrastructure, it is well suited to both civilian and defence uses in challenging or remote environments.

    Hybrid Generative Broadcasting & Semantic SATCOM for Satellite Content Delivery in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks, AWTG Ltd, London – £684,000

    This project is using artificial intelligence to make satellite broadcasting more efficient, reducing the amount of data and power needed to deliver high-quality video and media content. Rather than transmitting a full picture every time, the system intelligently reconstructs content at the receiving end, saving bandwidth across satellite, airborne and ground-based networks.

    Optimus, Archangel Lightworks Ltd, Oxford– £1,845,000

    Project Optimus is building a high-speed laser communications system that can transmit data between satellites and the ground at speeds of over 100 gigabits per second — roughly ten times faster than its predecessor. Compact and quick to deploy, it could support everything from broadband internet and Earth observation to space-based data centres.

    NextGen Deep Space & Lunar Ground TT&C Processor (TTCP Lite), BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Limited, Chelmsford – £123,000

    This project is exploring how ground station systems that are used to track and communicate with deep-space missions billions of km away can be modernised. It is an important step towards building a fully-digital ground infrastructure to support future space exploration.

    DTN Network Operations Centre, Aalyria Technologies (UK) Ltd, London – £750,000

    Working with Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, this project is developing networking technology that can maintain reliable communications even across the vast distances of deep space, where signals can take minutes or hours to travel. It will help lay the groundwork for future lunar missions and programmes such as ESA’s Moonlight initiative.

    NG-OGS Accelerator: Accelerating Next-Gen Optical and Quantum Ground Station Networks, Lumino Technologies Ltd, London – £1,140,000

    This project is developing next generation optical ground stations – the facilities on the ground that use lasers to communicate with satellites – making these cheaper and easier to build and deploy at scale. NG-OGS Accelerator will help the UK keep pace with growing demand for high-speed, secure satellite communications as well as enable long-range quantum communications.

    Digital BUC / HPA, ETL Systems Limited, Hereford – £895,000

    This project will modernise satellite ground infrastructure by replacing complex analogue uplink equipment with digital technology. This will enable more flexible, cloud-based satellite services and create infrastructure that is easier to upgrade, more adaptable and better suited to future satellite communications networks.

    “UPLINK-GEO” – Power Scaled Erbium-Doped Fibre Laser and Hollow-Core Fibre Beam Delivery to Enable Optical Ground Stations with Extended Range to GEO and Beyond, Woodrow Scientific Ltd, Southampton – £376,000

    This project is developing more powerful laser technology to extend the range of optical ground stations, allowing them to communicate with satellites in higher orbits further from Earth. This is essential infrastructure for future high-capacity satellite networks that use light rather than radio waves to transmit data.

    Satellites for Digitalisation of Railways (SODOR) CCN 4 – West Highland Line Pilot, CGI IT UK Ltd, Leatherhead – £428,000

    This project will fit a ScotRail train on the West Highland Line with satellite communications equipment to provide reliable broadband in one of the UK’s most remote rail corridors. It will demonstrate how satellite technology can fill connectivity gaps where mobile and broadband networks simply don’t reach.

    NOVACOM2: Propulsion Pressure Regulation Equipment for HET, Nammo UK, Aylesbury – £860,000

    This project is developing and testing advanced components that control the propulsion systems used to manoeuvre electric satellites in orbit. More precise and reliable propulsion technology helps satellites operate more efficiently and extends their working lives, benefiting operators across the global space industry. 

    Gardens, Allotments and Urban Farming Facilitator (GAUFF) Sensor – TN/NTN Optimisation, Farmer Charlie, London – £199,000

    This project is creating low-cost, easy-to-use sensors that help farmers and growers monitor their crops, soil and local environment using a combination of satellite and mobile connectivity. The technology is designed to work in rural areas with poor or no internet coverage, helping to bring the benefits of precision agriculture to more people.

    “UPLINK-4.0” – UPLINK Amplifier Technology to Meet the Challenges of SDA OCT 4.0 Burst-Mode Operation, Woodrow Scientific Ltd, Southampton – £205,000

    This project is developing laser amplifier technology that can deliver much higher bursts of power when needed, allowing ground stations to communicate more reliably with satellites in different orbits. It will help ensure the UK’s optical communications infrastructure is ready for the next generation of satellite constellations.

    Lacuna User Terminal Development, Lacuna Space Ltd, Harwell – £429,000

    This project is developing and manufacturing a new generation of small, affordable devices that connect everyday objects and sensors to the internet via satellite — even in the most remote parts of the world. By building these devices in the UK, the project will also strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.

    TS-SDN based SMO for 5G/6G NTNs,  Aalyria Technologies (UK) Ltd, London, – £472,000

    This project is developing the software interface that allows terrestrial networks and satellite systems to work together seamlessly, so that users can stay connected as they move between areas with mobile coverage and areas only served by satellite. It also uses AI to reduce interference between satellites, improving overall network performance for future 5G and 6G services.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Plans to fast-track more homes near stations [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Plans to fast-track more homes near stations [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 17 August 2026.

    Thousands of quality homes to be built closer to stations, cutting commute times and helping families live closer to work, school and transport.

    Thousands of new homes will be built around England’s train, tram and underground stations under new planning rules introduced today (Monday 17 August), helping families to live closer to work, schools and transport. 

    The common-sense changes will fast-track quality homes in well-connected areas, making better use of underdeveloped land around stations while creating jobs, unlocking investment, driving growth and connecting communities. This builds on the priorities set out by the government to ensure that planning decisions give proper consideration to the proximity of public transport links. 

    Under the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework, there will be a default ‘yes’ for homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations, alongside new minimum expectations for how much housing should be built in these areas. It will also prevent excessive gold-plating where there are clear national standards already in place. 

    It comes as the government passes the quarter-way mark towards its stretching target of 1.5 million homes and goes further to get developments that meet clear standards moving quickly from plans on paper to spades in the ground.  

    Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:   

    “A safe, secure home is the foundation of opportunity, but too many people are being priced out of the communities where they want to live and work. 

    “By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities. 

    “That’s how we’ll tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards for people in every corner of the country.” 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP said: 

    “Making it easier for people to buy their own home is about more than a house. It is about security and families feeling they have a place they can truly call their own. 

    “We want to drive growth in every postcode and help more working people into home ownership. A secure home is the heart of all our lives, helping people put down roots, plan for the future and build a good life for themselves and their families. This is about creating opportunity, prosperity and stronger communities across the country.” 

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:  

    “Earlier this year, we published Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport. The steps announced today act on a key commitment we made as part of that Strategy, to support densification of development around well-connected stations to create vibrant, sustainable and well-connected homes and places. 

    “The changes being announced today turn long-held ambitions into reality for our communities. Densification, combined with high-quality walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport, will support healthier lifestyles, improve access to jobs and services, and protect important public transport services.” 

    Pubs and music venues are the lifeblood of communities, local jobs and high streets – and the changes we are making will protect them from being lost without good reason.  

    The changes will also make it easier for councils to approve developments that create jobs, unlock investment, and deliver the shops, leisure facilities, clean energy and food production local areas need.  

    They build on measures announced last week to back farmers and rural businesses, including making it easier to deliver reservoirs, greenhouses, polytunnels and farm shops.  

    The government is also cutting unnecessary bureaucracy by reducing blanket consultation requirements that have slowed planning decisions.   

    Councils will no longer need sign-off from public bodies where specialist advice is not needed, while expert input will be focused on the cases where it adds most value. Sport England will continue to advise on significant cases, and the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will still be notified of relevant applications so they can play an important role in the planning process.  

    Together, these reforms are part of the government’s wider overhaul of the planning system – tackling the housing crisis, unlocking investment and driving good growth in every postcode.  

  • PRESS RELEASE : Asylum appeals target launched for faster removals [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Asylum appeals target launched for faster removals [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 August 2026.

    Individuals with no right to be in the UK will be able to be deported faster as the government looks to cut waiting times for asylum and immigration appeals by over a third.  

    As of 12 August 2026, the First-tier Tribunal will be expected to hear new asylum and immigration appeals from non-detained foreign national offenders (FNOs) and individuals in receipt of asylum support and accommodation within 24 weeks of being received by the tribunal. Currently, the average wait time for a case to be decided by a judge is 67 weeks.  

    This will speed up the removal of those who are unsuccessful at appeal and have no right to be in the UK, free up space in accommodation and cut costs, contributing to taxpayer savings of an estimated £6.9 billion. 

    Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley, said: 

    For too long, asylum and immigration appeals have been plagued by delays, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill while cases drag on for months and sometimes years. 

    This new 24-week target will see cases resolved faster, reduce reliance on taxpayer-funded accommodation and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the UK.

    The 24-week target will apply to in-scope cases submitted to the First-tier Tribunal from 12 August. But, despite the work of the judiciary, over 150,000 appeals are still waiting to be heard. Wider reform is therefore needed to ensure that the system can deal with cases more quickly and prevent it from becoming a barrier to removal.  

    The Immigration and Asylum Bill, which passed its second reading earlier this month, will create a new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA)  to provide a simpler, faster route for deciding appeals.  

    The IIAA will run alongside the First-tier Tribunal for several years and will gradually take on new cases to allow the tribunal to clear the existing backlog as quickly as possible. Independent adjudicators working for the IIAA will be able to prioritise the most urgent cases and those in the public interest, such as high-harm FNOs and dubious human rights claims.  

    Overall, asylum costs have already fallen by £1 billion since the 2024 general election. The government will also close every asylum hotel by the end of this parliament, with under 170 now in use, down from the peak of 400 in 2023. 

    Nearly 10,000 FNOs have also been removed, up 36% compared to the 21 months before the election. Appeals from FNOs who are detained are already prioritised by the judiciary, with the new timeframes ensuring appeals from FNOs who are not held in detention are also expediated.   

    As well as the new target, the government is increasing capacity in the appeals system. This year sitting days are due to increase by 19% in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber compared with 2024 to 2025, so more cases can be heard and decisions made faster.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2026 Comments on Jason Arday

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2026 Comments on Jason Arday

    The comments made by Jeremy Corbyn on 15 August 2026.

    In the final months of his life, Jason Arday was subject to a relentless onslaught of attacks and abuse.

    Jason was a human being with friends and family – but he was turned into a pawn for vicious culture wars by a cruel media industry motivated by racism and clicks.

    The lessons are never learned. When will the British media face accountability for its behaviour?

    Jason was much loved by those around him. May he rest in peace.

  • James Cleverly – 2026 Comments on Jason Arday

    James Cleverly – 2026 Comments on Jason Arday

    The comments made by James Cleverly on 14 August 2026.

    The death of Jason Arday is tragic, and makes me so angry.

    Even the most casual observer could see he was a vulnerable fantasist.

    A number of people at a number of academic institutions have serious questions to answer. They put him into positions he was clearly not qualified for so they could have a black wunderkind to show off, they pushed him into the spotlight for their own benefit.

    His exposure was inevitable, a case of when, not if.

    His whole world fell apart.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to New Zealand [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to New Zealand [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 August 2026.

    Ms Louise Cantillon has been appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands in succession to Ms Iona Thomas OBE, who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Ms Cantillon will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Louise Marie Cantillon

    2021 to 2026Sydney, British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia and New Zealand)
    2020 to 2021Shanghai, Minister Counsellor Creative Consumer and Education, British Consulate
    2018 to 2020Shanghai, Head of Infrastructure and Creative Industries, British Consulate
    2011 to 2018British Council, Head of PMO and Senior Asset Manager Asia
    2008 to 2011Gleeds UK, Construction Project Manager
    2004 to 2011Polartech Ltd, Chief Representative Shanghai, Suzhou and Beijing
    2002 to 2004Manchester Chamber of Commerce, China Trade Manager
    1998 to 2002Beijing, Commercial Officer, British Embassy
  • PRESS RELEASE : 150 rural 4G masts now live so holidaymakers can switch off without being cut off [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 150 rural 4G masts now live so holidaymakers can switch off without being cut off [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 14 August 2026.

    More than 150 rural 4G mast upgrades are now live, boosting mobile coverage across remote UK areas and helping walkers, visitors and communities stay connected.

    • More than 150 government-funded 4G mast upgrades are now live across the UK through the Shared Rural Network, bringing 4G coverage from EE, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone and ThreeUK to some of Britain’s hardest-to-reach rural areas.   
    • Britain’s walkers, hikers and holidaymakers can stay connected, check weather and route information, and contact emergency services more easily when needed.   
    • National parks, including the Yorkshire Dales and Eryri (Snowdonia), receive biggest boost in mobile coverage from the Shared Rural Network.  

    Walkers, hikers and holidaymakers can stay connected when it counts in Britain’s countryside, as more than 150 4G mast upgrades go live through the UK government’s Shared Rural Network programme.   

    For many people, the point of heading outdoors is to escape their screens. But 4G means people can enjoy the countryside with the peace of mind that support, services and loved ones are still within reach if they need them – from checking the weather before a mountain walk to finding a route, sharing a location or calling for help in an emergency.   

    The UK government is working with mobile network operators through the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme to bring reliable 4G mobile internet to rural areas where commercial rollout is harder and more expensive.   

    The upgrades – all delivered through existing infrastructure to protect scenic spots – mean additional 4G is now available across more than 5,684 square kilometres combined across the UK and includes three of the UK’s most iconic hiking landscapes: the Lake District, Snowdonia and Exmoor.

    From the Scottish Islands and Highlands to Northumberland, Cumbria, Dyfed-Powys and North Wales, the rollout is supporting everything from running payments and bookings for local firms to keeping in touch with customers, accessing online public services and working more flexibly from home or on the move.  

    Some of Britain’s most iconic national parks are among the biggest winners from the Shared Rural Network. Compared to other parks, the Yorkshire Dales and Eryri (Snowdonia) have seen the biggest boosts in mobile coverage rising by around seven percentage points in each, according to new government figures, helping visitors stay connected across some of Britain’s most remote and hard-to-reach landscapes.  

    Minister of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Ian Murray, said:   

    You should be able to switch off in the countryside without being cut off from the help and services you need.   

    These 150 masts are helping change that – giving walkers, visitors and rural communities better access to signal when they are checking a route, contacting family, running a business or calling for help.”   

    Millions of people visit Britain’s national parks each year to walk, cycle, camp, climb and enjoy nature. Better rural 4G means visitors can put their phones away, while still being able to access support or message home if they need to.    

    New analysis shows 42 Shared Rural Network sites have now been activated across the UK’s national parks:  

    • 25 sites in England, including seven in the Lake District and six in the Yorkshire Dales.   
    • 16 sites in Wales, including 12 in Eryri/Snowdonia.   
    • 1 site in Scotland, in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.  

    The SRN programme has achieved its objective of extending 4G coverage to 95% of the UK landmass, a year ahead of schedule.    

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reckless Houthi actions have triggered a serious escalation of violence in the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reckless Houthi actions have triggered a serious escalation of violence in the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

    In recent weeks, we have seen a serious escalation in violence in Yemen and the wider region, as a result of reckless Houthi actions. 

    This includes drone and missile strikes against Saudi Arabia, attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, and violations of Yemeni airspace by Iranian aircraft. 

    Iran must cease its long-standing support for the Houthis, which threatens Yemen’s stability.

    We express our condolences to those who have been killed or injured as a result of these actions, including Yemeni, Pakistani, and Indonesian nationals.

    Last week, this Council delivered a clear message of condemnation for Houthi actions and a call for de-escalation. 

    We urge the Houthis to focus on efforts to achieve peace and alleviate the suffering of Yemenis, rather than seeking to embroil Yemen in a wider regional conflict.

    The United Kingdom reiterates its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and security of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and broader regional stability.

    Secondly, the recent escalation is compounding an already dire humanitarian situation.

    More than 22 million people require humanitarian assistance. 

    Over 18 million face food insecurity. 

    And more than 2.2 million children under five are acutely malnourished.

    As a country heavily dependent on food and fuel imports, Yemen remains particularly vulnerable to further shocks.

    With humanitarian funding under strain and the Food and Agriculture Organisation warning of drought risks and greater food insecurity, a return to large-scale conflict would turn an already dire situation into a catastrophe.

    The United Kingdom will continue to work with partners to support the humanitarian response, building upon the more than $180 million of UK funding last year for life-saving humanitarian assistance.

    We also remain deeply concerned by the Houthis’ continued detention of 73 UN staff and many more NGO and civil society personnel, many who have been held for over two years.

    The Houthis must immediately and unconditionally release all those detained and allow humanitarian actors to operate safely and without obstruction.

    Third, the United Kingdom welcomes the appointment of Dr Afrah Al-Zouba as Yemen’s first female Foreign Minister.

    We look forward to working with her and the wider Government of Yemen to support their efforts to deliver much-needed reforms and to strengthen security and stability, including through the new Yemen National Development Strategy.

    President, the choices made now will determine whether Yemen moves closer to peace or slips back towards deeper conflict and humanitarian crisis.

    The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its support to the role of the UN Special Envoy and an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices, to help build the peaceful future that Yemenis deserve.

  • Andy Burnham – 2026 Comments on T-Level Results

    Andy Burnham – 2026 Comments on T-Level Results

    The comments made by Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, on 13 August 2026.

    I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results today. I know there will have been a mix of excitement, nerves and relief this morning, but you should all be proud of the hard work that got you here.

    It’s brilliant to see more students succeeding in T Levels, more taking maths and STEM subjects, and more young people progressing to the next stage of their education or training.

    The talent is there in every town and city in this country. Our task is to match that talent with opportunity, whether that’s through university, an apprenticeship or a technical pathway that leads to a great career. That’s how we’ll build a stronger Britain, restore hope and ensure every young person can look to the future with confidence.