UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : We continue to call on Kosovo and Serbia to resolve outstanding disagreements through the EU-facilitated Dialogue: UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : We continue to call on Kosovo and Serbia to resolve outstanding disagreements through the EU-facilitated Dialogue: UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 April 2026.

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

    The UK remains committed to supporting Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path and development as an inclusive and multi-ethnic democracy. 

    As one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo’s independence, we encourage those Member States who have not yet done so to join the majority. 

    As the International Court of Justice made clear in its 2010 Advisory Opinion, Kosovo’s declaration of independence was not a violation of international law. 

    Recognition is essential for long-term stability and for unlocking Kosovo’s full potential. 

    We commend the peaceful conduct of the municipal and legislative elections last year, including Kosovo-Serb participation, and welcome the formation of the government. 

    We encourage swift progress towards the election of a President, in line with Kosovo’s Constitution. 

    The return of Kosovo-Serb mayors to Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo is another welcome step. 

    We encourage them to focus on practical governance, working constructively with central institutions, and responding to the needs of all their constituents. 

    We continue to call on Kosovo and Serbia to implement existing agreements and resolve outstanding disagreements through the EU-facilitated Dialogue. 

    We welcome the establishment of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons and the EU-facilitated agreement on implementation of the Law on Foreigners, as constructive steps towards building trust and supporting stability. 

    More than two years on from the Banjska attack, we reiterate our call on Serbia to play its part in reducing tensions and bringing those responsible to justice, including Milan Radoičić. 

    We also call for accountability for the attacks against KFOR and Kosovo Police personnel in May 2023. 

    Finally, with growing pressure on UN budgets, resources must be directed where they deliver the greatest impact. 

    Conditions on the ground in Kosovo are unrecognisable from 1999. 

    We welcome efforts to improve the balance and focus of UNMIK reporting, and we encourage continued clarity on the Mission’s core purpose, focusing on drivers of conflict and instability. 

    A strategic review of UNMIK’s role, responsibilities, and funding is overdue. 

    The proposed 8.6% budget reduction, recommended by the Civilian Staffing Review, must deliver real efficiencies and help ensure UNMIK is agile, efficient, and fit for purpose. 

    I would like to end by expressing the UK’s gratitude to the Special Representative, Peter Due, and all Mission staff who have contributed to UNMIK’s work.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary champions flagship investment in UK’s largest gigafactory [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary champions flagship investment in UK’s largest gigafactory [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 April 2026.

    Thanks to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, 4,200 jobs have been secured following over £700 million of investment in the advanced manufacturing sector.

    The government has taken decisive action to ensure battery manufacturers, auto firms and SMEs rooted in communities across Britain benefit from major financial support – keeping the country a leading hub for business, investment, and jobs in a volatile global environment.

    Thanks to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, 4,200 jobs have been secured following over £700 million of investment in the advanced manufacturing sector – showing that the government is supporting the industries of the future by helping to create a resilient economy that will boost growth and raise living standards for working people. 

    Business Secretary Peter Kyle announced the measures in a visit to Agratas in Somerset today [9 April], where a £380 million government grant was unveiled to support the firm in building one of the largest gigafactories in Europe – where the newly constructed factory frame was built using 100% British-steel. 

    Agratas’ project will strengthen economy security and reduce Britain’s reliance on imports by turbocharging domestic battery production and generating around £43 billion worth of economic growth over a 25-year period when the facility is in full operation.

    The site will not only support 4,200 direct jobs but thousands more in the supply chain, as well as unlock 300 apprenticeships – backed by a specialised battery manufacturing training unit to meet the skills needs of Agratas’ gigafactory and the wider battery sector.

    Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

    This government is backing the industries of the future by investing in auto firms, SMEs and battery manufacturers across the country – helping to boost economic growth and our resilience, secure jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.

    In an unstable world, our Modern Industrial Strategy is providing investors the stability and confidence they need to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond. That is what sets us apart from the rest, and will help ensure advanced manufacturing remains a thriving sector in the UK for decades to come.

    Earl Wiggins, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, UK for Agratas said:

    We welcome the UK Government’s investment as we build a battery manufacturing facility that will play a vital role in delivering net zero and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in battery manufacturing.

    This funding will support the development of our Somerset facility, enabling us to produce battery cells for our anchor customer, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover). Over the next year we will have over 2,200 people working on the site, and that growth will continue over the coming years.

    The latest Quarterly Update reveals that since the launch of the Modern Industrial Strategy over £360 billion of private investment has been secured across its key sectors, supporting up to 120,000 jobs. Alongside this, the government is cutting electricity costs for energy-intensive manufacturers, reducing unnecessary planning delays and overhauling regulation that holds back our most ambitious businesses. 

    Government is injecting £47 million worth of support for key R&D battery projects through the Battery Innovation Programme, helping to create skilled jobs, a stronger supply chain and position the UK as a globally competitive destination for battery manufacturing.

    Auto businesses will also benefit from a £190 million boost to ensure the automotive industry remains ahead of the competition on the global stage. Startups and well-established firms including Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover have been awarded £90 million in DRIVE35 funding to ramp up innovative prototype and cutting-edge projects – strengthening firms’ technological capabilities and improving the affordability of EVs for customers. 

    Meanwhile, suppliers in the North East and West Midlands can also capitalise on £100 million worth of DRIVE35 grant funding to help transition towards EV manufacturing, which will strengthen supply chain resilience and put Britain on track to become a clean energy superpower.

    Additional support for the advanced manufacturing sector includes:

    • Up to £16.44 million from the Made Smarter Innovation Programme for digital technologies like AI and robotics to boost productivity for SMEs.
    • Up to £99 million from the Made Smarter Adoption Programme to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies for manufacturing SMEs.
    • £1.4 million for projects exploring autonomous freight and self-driving passenger services in key ports and institutions across the UK.
    • Implementing £182 million engineering skills package which includes £47 million of Adult Skills Funding to train up the next generation of engineers and inventors; £8 million for clean energy engineering courses delivered by higher education providers and £1.8 million to expand engineering and construction T Level provision.

    Over the last two years, UK Export Finance has backed over £6.6 billion of advanced manufacturing investment and in the summer will announce plans to help UK companies tap into the power of international markets further.

    More widely, the British Business Bank is deploying £4 billion from the Industrial Strategy Growth Capital into firms across the eight growth sectors, showcasing a step-change in how government backs UK industry – with stronger public finance institutions supporting businesses looking to grow. 

    Today’s investment announcement sets the stage to crowd in future private investment into key growth sectors like advanced manufacturing – building on the £360 billion already secured and 120,000 jobs supported across the country.

    Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director at the APC, said:

    This globally significant investment by Agratas reinforces the UK’s accelerating position in pursuit of road transport decarbonisation through the production of vital high-performance batteries for electrified vehicles.

    I’m delighted that the ATF has been able to support Agratas in their investment in new facilities, creating secure and highly skilled jobs in this area and across the supply chain.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    Recent global events have highlighted the need for resilient supply chains, making this new investment in the sector both timely and important. The UK has a highly skilled and innovative automotive industry, but long‑term competitiveness depends on a policy framework that encourages investment.

    The modern Industrial Strategy provides that forward‑looking support, and today’s announcement demonstrates strong government backing for one of the UK’s most vital industries.

    Notes to editors

    • The Industrial Strategy Third Quarterly Update will be published on Thursday at 6pm on GOV.UK.
    • The government can confirm that Clare Barclay will continue to chair the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council for a further term. 
    • DRIVE35 is built to anchor future vehicle production, scale up battery manufacturing, grow the UK’s most innovative tech companies and onshore the supply chain capabilities that make British automotive genuinely resilient. It is designed to deliver over 50,000 direct jobs, cut millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions and unlock up to £7.46 billion in private investment by 2035. The funding award from the Department for Business and Trade is facilitated via the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) in partnership with Innovate UK. 
    • The APC collaborates with UK Government, the automotive industry, and academia to facilitate driving research and investment in zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. Established in 2013 and jointly funded by the DBT and the automotive industry, the APC accelerates the technologies that support the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. 
    • The Battery Innovation Programme is the UK’s largest single commitment to research, innovation and skills to deliver a globally competitive, high tech, high-value battery supply chain in the UK.   

    Project winners of the DRIVE35 R&D competitions are as follows:

    Collaborate: Grants fund projects where companies, and academic institutions, form a consortium to take a product or process to commercial readiness. Please note, these are the lead partners only – there are several partners in each consortium. 

    • HyProMag Limited 
    • Maeving Limited 
    • Jaguar Land Rover Limited 
    • Elm Mobility Limited 
    • Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited   

    Demonstrate: Grants are for companies that are earlier in their product or process development or need a short, sharp sprint to get where they want to be. Please note that these are the lead partners. 

    • FluoRok Limited
    • Cummins Electrified Power Europe Limited 
    • Innervated Vehicle Engineering Limited 
    • Jaguar Land Rover Limited 
    • Electrified Automation Limited 
    • Breathe Battery Technologies Limited 
    • Domin Limited 
    • Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials
    • Cummins Limited 
    • Vector Photonics Limited 
    • KleanDrive Limited 
    • Riversimple Movement Limited 
    • RAM Innovations Limited 
    • Cellmine Limited 
    • SMR Automotive Mirrors UK limited 
    • Altilium Metals Limited 
    • TaiSan Motors Limited 
    • HiSpeed Limited 

    Feasibility: Grants are to support detailed feasibility studies into the deployment of UK based manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies. Please note, these are the lead partners only. 

    • Ford Motor Company Limited 
    • Botanic Energy Limited 
    • FluoRok Limited 
    • Integrals Power Limited 
    • Weardale Lithium Limited 
    • Avocet Battery Materials Limited 
    • Brim Chargers Limited 
    • Anaphite Limited 
    • Sunswap Limited 
    • Gaussion Limited 
    • Nyobolt Limited 
    • RAM Innovations Limited 
    • Tribol Braking Limited 
    • Ionetic Limited 
    • Sention Technologies Limited 
    • Northern Lithium Limited 
    • API Capacitors Limited 
    • CNC Robotics Limited 
    • iCOMAT
    • Sarginsons Industries Limited 
    • Ryse 3D Limited 
    • Volklec Limited 
    • Zircotec Limited 
    • Geothermal Engineering Limited 
    • Electric Aviation Group Limited 
    • Pareta Innovations Limited 
    • Altilium Metals Limited 
    • Covailent Limited 
    • HyProMag Limited 

    Scale up fund: R&D funding to fast-track the commercialisation of innovative zero-emission vehicle technologies. 

    • Altilium Metals Limited 
    • Surface Transforms Public Limited Company 

    CAM Pathfinder awards: Supporting companies in R&D and the supply chain development of self-driving vehicles, commercial services, and enabling technologies. 

    • International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation C.I.C 
    • Wellcome Genome Campus Property Limited 
    • The North East Automotive Alliance Limited 
    • Fusion Processing Limited 
    • Moonbility Limited 
    • Odysse Limited 
    • BCA Automotive Limited 
    • Bamford Bus Company Limited 

    Battery Innovation Programme awards:

    Collaborative R&D grants fund  projects  where companies  and  research and technology  organisations form a consortium to take a product or process to commercial readiness. Please note, these are the lead partners only – there are several partners in each consortium. 

    • Denchi Power Limited 
    • Altilium Metals Limited 
    • Inition Energy Ltd
    • Watercycle Technologies Limited 
    • Gelion Europe Limited 
    • European Metal Recycling Limited 
    • Williams Grand Prix Technologies Limited 
    • Hixal Limited 
    • Ricardo UK Limited 
    • About:Energy 
    • McMurtry Automotive Limited
  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman[April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman[April 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 April 2026.

    The Prime Minister met His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah today.

    The Prime Minister began by welcoming the ceasefire and set out how efforts must now be focused on upholding it and turning it into a lasting peace. 

    He was clear that it was vital now to continue work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and discussed the UK’s ongoing efforts to convene partners to agree and plan the practical steps required to give shipping the confidence to transit the Strait. 

    Reflecting on the defensive operations which have taken place in the region since the conflict began, the Prime Minister thanked His Royal Highness for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect British nationals in the country. 

    The Prime Minister committed to continue to support Saudi Arabia as a steadfast ally including through the recent deployment of the Sky Sabre air defence system, having met UK personnel deployed to operate it earlier today. 

    The leaders then discussed how the UK and Saudi Arabia could further deepen their defence industrial cooperation to boost capability and mutual security for the long term, as well as continuing to grow their thriving trade and investment relationship.

    The Prime Minister said he was pleased that the UK and Saudi Arabia would soon be marking 100 years of friendship under the Treaty of Jeddah and they looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We must honour the dedication of humanitarian and UN personnel on the front lines through action to protect them – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : We must honour the dedication of humanitarian and UN personnel on the front lines through action to protect them – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 April 2026.

    Statement by Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.

    In conflict and crises around the world, humanitarian and UN personnel are often the first to arrive and the last to leave, risking their lives to save others. 

    2024 was the deadliest year on record, with 383 aid workers killed. 

    In 2025, over 320 were killed. And, already, in 2026, the devastation continues with aid workers killed across the Middle East, the DRC, and Sudan. 

    This cannot continue.

    The United Kingdom was proud to co-sponsor Resolution 2730 in May 2024. 

    We hoped it would mark a turning point. 

    Instead, threats to humanitarian personnel have intensified. 

    We must act urgently.

    Resolution 2730 must be implemented fully, without delay. 

    In all humanitarian crises, local personnel bear the greatest risk. 

    In Yemen, local humanitarian personnel remain arbitrarily detained. 

    We reiterate calls for their immediate and unconditional release. 

    In Sudan, local aid workers continue to sustain the response amid relentless insecurity, obstruction, and violence. 

    And in Gaza, the overwhelming majority of the more than 589 aid workers killed since 7 October 2023 were local staff, including 391 UNRWA staff. 

    Behind every aid worker killed is a family and a community left grieving.

    President, implementation of resolution 2730 requires sustained investment in practical protection to keep humanitarian workers safe. 

    This includes civil-military coordination, robust security and duty of care, and consistent support to frontline agencies. 

    The UK supports global platforms such as INSO, the Global Interagency Security Forum and the Aid Worker Security Database, alongside our support to frontline agencies, and we urge others to do the same. 

    We must also address emerging risks. 

    The growing use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems by those not acting within the confines of international humanitarian law is making fragile environments even more dangerous. 

    This has had fatal consequences in the DRC, Sudan, and Ukraine. 

    Disinformation further erodes trust and shrinks humanitarian space. 

    We must call out disinformation and counter false narratives that endanger those delivering lifesaving assistance.

    Finally, International humanitarian law must be upheld by all parties to armed conflict. 

    The UK is proud to co-chair a workstream under the ICRC’s Global International Humanitarian Law Initiative and to have co-launched, with Australia, the Political Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. 

    We call for full compliance with IHL and for transparent, timely investigations when aid workers are harmed. 

    Two years since the World Central Kitchen strike in Gaza, in which three British nationals were killed, we are still waiting for Israel to conclude and publish its findings into this attack. 

    Israel has a responsibility to provide answers as to how and why this happened. 

    President, we must honour the dedication of those on the front lines by showing the same level of commitment in our actions. 

    Resolution 2730 must be more than a paper promise; it must be a practical priority and implemented fully by all.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on the conflict in the Middle East [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on the conflict in the Middle East [April 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 April 2026.

    Statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Albanese, Prime Minister Carney, President Dan, acting Prime Minister Frederiksen, Prime Minister Frostadóttir Prime Minister Jetten, Prime Minister Kristersson, Prime Minister Michal, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Prime Minister Montenegro, Prime Minister Sanchez, Prime Minister Siliņa, Prime Minister Støre, President Stubb, Prime Minister Takaichi, President of the European Commission von der Leyen, President of the European Council.

    We welcome the two-week ceasefire concluded between the United States and Iran today. 

    We thank Pakistan and all partners involved for facilitating this important agreement.

    The goal must now be to negotiate a swift and lasting end to the war within the coming days. This can only be achieved through diplomatic means.

    We strongly encourage quick progress towards a substantive negotiated settlement. 

    This will be crucial to protect the civilian population of Iran and ensure security in the region. It can avert a severe global energy crisis.

    We support these diplomatic efforts. To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners.

    We call upon all sides to implement the ceasefire, including in Lebanon.

    Our Governments will contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

  • Yvette Cooper – 2026 Statement on the Ceasefire in the Middle East

    Yvette Cooper – 2026 Statement on the Ceasefire in the Middle East

    The statement made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, on 8 April 2026.

    I welcome today’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran. This is a vital step towards establishing some security and stability in the region and getting international shipping and the global economy moving properly again. I also welcome the proposed talks between the US and Iran scheduled for later this week and thank Pakistan and all those involved for their continued work on the negotiations.

    The UK has been working internationally to support the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the self defence of Gulf countries, and to promote a swift resolution of this conflict. Last week, I led talks with more than 40 countries, where we discussed the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation for international shipping.

    A swift resolution to this conflict is the best way to protect security, including for our citizens in the region, and crucially to help those feeling the impact on the cost of living here at home. The UK has been clear throughout that we need to deescalate and reopen the Strait. We will continue to work with the shipping, insurance and energy sectors to restore confidence in the route as quickly as possible. Iran must cease all mining, drone attacks, and other attempts to block commercial shipping in the Strait immediately.

    It is vital that the proposed talks lead to a full end to the conflict and ensure that Iran does not continue to threaten the Strait or its neighbours. I also call for an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon.

    We will continue to work internationally to support this ceasefire, to promote progress on negotiations, and to restore and protect security and stability for the region, and freedom of navigation for the world.

  • PRESS RELEASE : FCDO statement on DPRK ballistic missile launches [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : FCDO statement on DPRK ballistic missile launches [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 April 2026.

    The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 8 April.

    An FCDO spokesperson said:

    DPRK’s ballistic missile launches on 8 April are another breach of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), destabilising regional peace and security.

    The UK continues to urge DPRK to stop provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and return to dialogue.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces preferred candidate for Ofcom Chair [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces preferred candidate for Ofcom Chair [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 April 2026.

    Sir Ian Cheshire named as preferred candidate for Ofcom Chair, subject to parliamentary hearing before final appointment is confirmed.

    • The Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Liz Kendall, announces Sir Ian Cheshire as the government’s preferred candidate to be appointed as Chair of Ofcom
    • Subject to parliamentary hearing, Sir Ian will be appointed for a 4-year term
    • The former Chair of Channel 4, Sir Ian’s career spans senior leadership across the private and public sectors making him ideally suited to lead Ofcom through its next chapter

    Business leader Sir Ian Cheshire has been announced as the preferred candidate to be appointed as Chair of Ofcom, the UK’s independent regulator for communications.

    Sir Ian brings extensive experience of senior leadership across the private and public sectors, with a strong track record in governance, consumer facing regulation and organisational change.

    Most recently, Sir Ian was the Chair of Channel 4, having been appointed in April 2022 before leaving at the end of his term in April 2025. If appointed to Ofcom, he would succeed Lord Michael Grade, whose term as Chair concludes at the end of April 2026.

    He has previously served as Chief Executive of Kingfisher plc, leading a major international retail group operating across multiple markets, before going on to hold a number of senior non‑executive and advisory roles spanning business, sustainability and public policy, including as Chair of Barclays UK, Debenhams plc, Maisons du Monde and Menhaden plc.

    The Chair of Ofcom plays a critical role in providing strategic leadership to the organisation as it delivers its statutory responsibilities, including overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Act, protecting consumers and supporting growth and innovation across the UK’s communications sectors.

    Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    The work of Ofcom has never been more relevant to people’s lives, from protecting people online to supporting the growth of our communications sector. The organisation sits at the heart of some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the country.

    Sir Ian has a proven track record of leading complex organisations through periods of significant change, and that is exactly the kind of leadership Ofcom needs right now. 

    I also want to pay tribute to Lord Grade for his contribution as Chair. He has steered Ofcom through a period of profound change, and his leadership during the introduction of the Online Safety Act has been pivotal.

    Sir Ian Cheshire said:

    Across my career in e-commerce, telecoms and broadcasting I have seen first-hand how much effective regulation matters – for consumers, for businesses and for the wider economy. Ofcom has a critical job to do at a time of rapid change in how people communicate, access information and stay safe online. I look forward to setting out my vision for how Ofcom can meet those challenges when I appear before the Select Committee.

    In April 2015, Sir Ian was appointed government Lead Non-Executive, a role he was reappointed to for a further 3 years in April 2018. That same year, he also became Lead Non-Executive Member of the Cabinet Office Board.

    The preferred candidate will now be subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee, before a final appointment decision is confirmed.

    Notes to editors

    The Chair of Ofcom is remunerated at £120,000 per annum for a time commitment of 3 days per week. 

    This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

    Pre-appointment hearings enable select committees to take evidence from preferred candidates for major public appointments before they are appointed.  

    Hearings are in public and involve the select committee publishing a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister travels to Middle East to meet allies and support ceasefire [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister travels to Middle East to meet allies and support ceasefire [April 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 April 2026.

    • The Prime Minister will travel to the Gulf this week to meet leaders of countries who have been in the front line, and will set out his full support for the newly agreed ceasefire 
    • In meetings with regional leaders, he will reiterate unwavering UK support and need for a long-term diplomatic resolution to make sure the ceasefire leads to a lasting agreement 
    • He will hold talks on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent, with the United Kingdom continuing to lead international efforts

    The Prime Minister is travelling to the Gulf today to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats.   

    On the visit, the Prime Minister will make clear his government’s commitment to de-escalation, and hold further talks on practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz following promising progress reported as a result of the ceasefire. As announced by the Prime Minister last week, the United Kingdom is continuing to lead the international effort, convening allies from across the world to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.  

    He will also see in person the defensive support the UK has provided in the collective self-defence of our allies in the region and thank UK personnel for their brave service. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. 

    Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

    The Prime Minster’s travel follows the UK-convened meeting last week of more than 40 countries to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz when the fighting subsides, and subsequent military planning meeting hosted by the UK on Tuesday to further advance this work. 

    Work will now continue at pace in light of the ceasefire and the Prime Minister is expected to discuss this further in meetings with leaders in the region.

    The Prime Minister’s first stop will be to thank the UK and local personnel who have bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people, our interests and those of our allies. 

    The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK personnel have intercepted more than 110 drone attacks in the region, and the RAF have conducted more than 1600 hours of defensive operations.

    The Prime Minister will also pay tribute to the work of our partners in the Gulf, whose armed forces have protected the hundreds of thousands of UK nationals living in the region in the face of Iran’s brutal aggression.

  • PRESS RELEASE : It is deeply regrettable that this resolution did not pass – UK Explanation of Vote at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : It is deeply regrettable that this resolution did not pass – UK Explanation of Vote at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2026.

    UK Explanation of Vote delivered by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

    No country should be allowed to hold the world’s economy hostage.

    Yet that is exactly what Iran is doing, by denying the right of transit passage, a key navigational right under international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

    Today, Russia and China chose to shield their ally, Iran, rather than join international efforts to open the Strait and avert risks to the global economy.

    We reject the claims made by Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi last week that the efforts by the Council to open the Strait will ‘complicate the situation’. 

    It is Iran’s actions that have closed the Strait. 

    This has already had dire consequences, and the longer this stranglehold continues, the worse the situation will get. 

    In the last 24 hours, we have heard only nine vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz, an international shipping route that would normally see up to 150 vessels a day.

     The World Food Programme has estimated that this hostile act could push 45 million more people into extreme hunger by June.

    We supported Bahrain’s initiative, and it is deeply regrettable that this resolution did not pass.

    The United Kingdom is already supporting our allies in the Gulf to defend themselves, in accordance with the existing and inherent right to individual and collective self-defence.

    We all want to see the de-escalation of tensions in the Strait, and we welcome current diplomatic efforts underway and stress the importance of respect for international law, including the international law of the sea as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

    As my Foreign Secretary said last week, when the UK convened over 40 countries in support of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, we are determined to see every possible diplomatic, economic, and coordinated measure to get the straits reopened. 

    We will not cease in these efforts.