Tag: 2026

  • Lindsay Hoyle – 2026 Comments on Jo Cox

    Lindsay Hoyle – 2026 Comments on Jo Cox

    The comments made by Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, in the House on 16 June 2026.

    Colleagues, today we mark the 10th anniversary of the murder of our former colleague and friend to so many in this place, Jo Cox. Jo was proud to be the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen. She was dedicated to serving her constituents and was a relentless campaigner for equality, human rights and social justice.

    Jo’s death while carrying out her constituency duties shocked Members across the House. In my role as chair of the parliamentary security committee at the time of her death, and since then as Speaker, I have made it my personal mission to improve the security and safety of Members, their families and staff, because no Member should fear carrying out their democratic duties.

    In remembering Jo today, I invite all the House to reflect on the words she shared during her maiden speech, when she said:

    “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

    Our thoughts are with Jo’s family and friends on this day.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on the Culling of Dartmoor Ponies

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on the Culling of Dartmoor Ponies

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, on 16 June 2026.

    This is total madness from another unaccountable quango. The government must overrule Natural England and stop it immediately.

    Keir Starmer is on his way to making his last acts in office the shameful underfunding of our military and the mass slaughter of Dartmoor ponies.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Russian Attack on Keir Starmer

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Russian Attack on Keir Starmer

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

    Keir Starmer and I disagree on many things, but good people across the political spectrum will welcome today’s verdicts, condemn these appalling attacks which seem to have been sponsored by Russia, and wish the PM and his family well.

    Whatever our political differences, no one should face intimidation, threats or attacks because they hold public office.

    Democracy is settled at the ballot box, not through fear or violence and definitely not through foreign interference from hostile countries.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Second European Summit

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Second European Summit

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 16 June 2026.

    Today I’ve agreed with the European Council President that we will hold the second UK-EU summit on 22 July. My Labour Government is delivering on our promise to reset our relationship and put Britain at the heart of Europe. Together we will tackle the cost of living, boost jobs and create opportunities for young people.

  • Shabana Mahmood – 2026 Comments on 10 Years Since Jo Cox Death

    Shabana Mahmood – 2026 Comments on 10 Years Since Jo Cox Death

    The comments made by Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, on 16 June 2026.

    Today marks 10 years since the murder of Jo Cox. My thoughts today are with her beautiful family and her many friends.

    I remember Jo as a fearless campaigner, and a passionate voice for the people of Batley and Spen.

    In her maiden speech, she gave us those famous words that we will never forget: “we have far more in common than that which divides us”.

    Her words are more important now than they were even then.

    Political violence, and any attempt to harm those in public life, can never be tolerated.

    We owe it to Jo’s memory to ensure that anyone, from any background, can step forward to serve without fear.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2026 Comments on Kemi Badenoch Referring to her as a Gestapo Office

    Bridget Phillipson – 2026 Comments on Kemi Badenoch Referring to her as a Gestapo Office

    The comments made by Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 16 June 2026.

    The Gestapo marched hundreds of thousands of innocent people to their deaths.

    I’ve ended private schools’ tax breaks to invest in state schools.

    No responsible leader makes vile comparisons like this. Kemi Badenoch is not fit to be Prime Minister.

  • Zarah Sultana – 2026 Comments on Prince George Attending Eton

    Zarah Sultana – 2026 Comments on Prince George Attending Eton

    The comments made by Zarah Sultana on 16 June 2026.

    What’s wrong with the local comprehensive?

    If state schools are good enough for everyone else, why not the future king?

    Meanwhile, we’re expected to keep footing the bill.

    One rule for them. Another for us.

    Abolish the monarchy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 Summit in Evian today.

    The leaders began by reflecting on discussions at the G7 and the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    With war still raging in Europe, and a conflict thousands of miles away impacting people at home, it was vital the UK and the European Union worked closely together to provide security and opportunity for both sides, the Prime Minister said.

    The leaders agreed to press ahead with a UK-EU Summit on July 22 so that people on both sides could feel the benefits of UK-EU collaboration as soon as possible

    Discussing migration, the Prime Minister welcomed the EU’s new Channel migration plan and updated on the UK’s work with France to deter and intercept illegal crossings.

    They agreed to stay in touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Costa of the European Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Costa of the European Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of the European Council António Costa at the G7 Summit in Evian today.

    The leaders underlined the importance of close cooperation between the UK and Europe, to benefit both sides.

    A closer relationship was vital for European security, resilience and prosperity, they reiterated.

    Both leaders agreed to work closely ahead of the UK-EU summit, which they agreed would be held on July 22.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Early industry engagement increasing speed of Middle East support [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Early industry engagement increasing speed of Middle East support [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    Industry engagement is speeding up support to the Middle East, enabling faster decisions, improved capability access and stronger defence supplier collaboration

    Key points

    • The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) is a key forum for strategic engagement, enabling earlier collaboration and fast responses to urgent operational needs
    • Early market engagement is providing clearer and insight into available capability, supporting quicker, better informed procurement decisions
    • MOD Category Strategies are strengthening  access to critical materials, reducing supply chain delays, and aligning activity with industry through the DIJC Working Group.

    Increasing the speed of support through early industry engagement

    Meeting urgent operational demands in the Middle East relies on earlier, stronger engagement with industry. The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC), alongside the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group’s newly formed Early Market Engagement team, is central to increasing the speed of support. This work supports the Defence Industrial Strategy commitment to provide clearer, earlier demand signals, ensuring suppliers are better positioned to respond to rapidly evolving requirements.

    Through structured engagement, including Strategic Industry Roundtables, MOD has moved beyond traditional procurement approaches to earlier, more open conversations with suppliers. The approach engages industry before requirements are fully defined. By sharing clearer problem statements and operational context, Defence can better understand available capability, test feasibility, and shape delivery options at speed.

    Nathan Hinchliffe, Head of Market Engagement, National Armaments Director Group, said:

    Early and continuous engagement with industry allows us to adapt to rapidly evolving requirements, understand what is feasible, and speed up capability. By bringing industry into the conversation earlier and broadening participation, we are creating a more partnership-based approach that is already helping delivery happen faster and unlocking tangible results.

    Better access and faster delivery

    This approach is widening participation beyond established primes, bringing in Small and Medium -Sized Enterprises (SMEs), academia, and non-traditional suppliers based on capability. Insights gathered from these engagements are directly shaping delivery decisions, particularly in areas such as export processes and procurement routes. For example, industry feedback identified barriers in export approvals, prompting accelerated government-to-government mechanisms and closer coordination with the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). As a result, 37 of 47 export licences have been expedited many significantly faster than standard timelines helping priority capabilities to reach partners more quickly.

    The Middle East context has also highlighted existing structural pressures in the supply chain, including constraints in critical raw materials and long lead times for key components. In response, NAD is developing Category Strategies to improve access to constrained areas such as Sensors, Rocket Motors, and Energetics. This work improves understanding of assembly capacity and the drivers of long lead times, enabling joint identification of opportunities to compress delivery timelines. Activity is being coordinated across MOD and industry through the DIJC Readiness and Resilience Working Group, ensuring alignment and coherence.

    Making this the standard approach

    Together, these efforts represent a shift in how Defence works with industry, embedding early, continuous engagement as a core part of delivery. This demonstrates how Defence Reform and the Defence Industrial Strategy are being implemented in practice to improve pace, access, and outcomes for the frontline.

    Lessons from Middle East support are now shaping a more sustainable, business-as-usual model, including the development of a Coordinating Authority for Market Engagement. By formalising this approach, MOD aims to create a repeatable and scalable framework that improves industry relationships, supports investment confidence, and ensures rapid and resilient delivery of capability to the warfighter.