Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister hosted the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Downing Street today. 

    The leaders began by discussing the publication of the Defence Investment Plan. The Prime Minister set out how his plan would focus on readiness and autonomous capability, ensuring British forces would have the equipment they need to keep the UK and its NATO Allies safe.  

    The leaders then reflected on their recent diplomatic meetings, including at the G7, the E5 in Berlin and the Secretary General’s visit to the US. They discussed the strong international support for Ukraine and looked ahead to the outcomes of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. 

    Ukraine would form a key part of European security long into the future, with the strongest armed forces in Europe, the leaders agreed. 

    On the Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister and Secretary General discussed the need to ensure the safe passage of global shipping and the Prime Minister updated on the UK’s military assets in the region to support a multi-national mission when the conditions allowed. 

    They both looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government crackdown on fraud leads to cancellation of over 450 Blue Badges in the Wirral [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government crackdown on fraud leads to cancellation of over 450 Blue Badges in the Wirral [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 29 June 2026.

    Over 450 Blue Badges have been cancelled after findings show permits issued to deceased residents were still being used.

    • 459 unauthorised Blue Badges cancelled in Wirral Council, saving over £363,000 for the taxpayer.
    • Potentially fraudulent permits identified with a data matching tool through the Public Sector Fraud Authority’s National Fraud Initiative.
    • Nationally, the estimated value of Blue Badges cancelled was over £34 million across the past two years.

    Over 450 Blue Badges have been cancelled after findings show permits issued to deceased residents were still being used. This joint operation between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and Wirral Council protects parking spaces for those who truly need them and has saved taxpayers over £363,000 between 2024-2025.

    Blue Badges give disabled people access to parking where they need it most, with every fraudulent badge denying that access to someone in genuine need. In the last two years, the estimated value of Blue Badges cancelled across the country was over £34 million, as the government is now finding and stopping fraud faster than ever before.

    The government’s National Fraud Initiative matched Wirral Council data against central government records held by the Department for Work and Pensions. By cross-referencing these matches to internal records, the investigation team generated a high-priority ‘hotlist’, leading to the cancellation of 459 badges potentially being used fraudulently, with a loss prevention value of over £363,000. 

    Traffic wardens in the Wirral will now conduct targeted patrols including roads near local schools, with powers to confiscate badges on the spot. Residents misusing badges following the death of the badge holder face formal warning letters and fines of up to £1,000.

    Cabinet Office Minister Satvir Kaur said:

    Blue Badges are a lifeline for disabled people, allowing them to go about their daily business safely and with dignity. Every time a badge is misused, it unfairly deprives someone in genuine need of a vital parking space right when they need it most.

    By working closely with Wirral Council, we are ensuring those in need are properly supported and taxpayer money is protected.

    Wirral Council leader and Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:

    The Blue Badge scheme is an important means of support for some of our most vulnerable residents, but sadly it seems it has become subject to an acceptable level of misuse across the country.  

    Our response in Wirral has been to use all the tools at our disposal to conduct a proactive, intelligence-led operation, which is backed up with a stronger enforcement strategy. This includes giving traffic wardens the power to immediately cancel and remove illegally used badges and issue warning letters with the potential for fines up to £1,000.

    We have also been collaborating closely with our neighbouring Council in Liverpool to support the management of formal prosecutions. This demonstrates our joined-up approach to tackling fraud locally.

    This builds on work done by the government to fight fraud across the public sector, with £7.53 billion saved for the taxpayer over the past year due to our efforts to identify and dismantle fraud across both central and local government.

    These measures are part of our long-term commitment to reduce the estimated £55 billion to £81 billion lost annually to fraud and error across government, as we create a more productive and agile state.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt the violence in the West Bank – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt the violence in the West Bank – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Palestine.

    The United Kingdom is clear that a two-state solution remains the best way to bring lasting peace to the region and end the cycle of violence that has scarred generations of Palestinians and Israelis.

    As we have said numerous times in this Council, the implementation of President Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, endorsed by resolution 2803, is an important step forward towards ending that violence.

    Both sides must meet their commitments, with Israel removing restrictions on humanitarian aid, and Hamas decommissioning its weapons.

    Today, we focus on the West Bank, where Israel’s policies are eroding the prospects for peaceful co-existence.

    And I will highlight three areas.

    First, settlement expansion continues in violation of resolution 2334, including the E1 project that aims to cut the West Bank in half and separate East Jerusalem.

    This is accompanied by demolitions, evictions, and the displacement of Palestinian communities.

    In early June, we saw the approval of over 2,000 settlement housing units across the West Bank, bringing the total approved this year to over 6,000.

    On 24 June, Israel declared another 465 dunams of private Palestinian land as state land to make way for a settlement outpost.

    My Prime Minister has been clear that we categorically oppose expansion of settlements, which are a violation of international law.

    We join this Council in rejecting any attempt at annexation.

    Second, as we’ve heard today from the briefers, violence and lawlessness on the ground remain alarming.

    According to the UN, there has been an average of six attacks every day against Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of 2026.

    The Secretary-General’s recent report highlighted the staggering rise in attacks by settlers on Palestinian children, reportedly often supported by Israeli security forces. 

    On 17 June, extremist settlers launched arson attacks on two mosques.

    These are not isolated incidents but coordinated attacks on civilians, livelihoods, and religious sites, facilitated by a culture of impunity.

    The Government of Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt this violence and hold those responsible accountable.

    The UK, alongside partners, has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities that finance and enable settler violence.

    And as my Foreign Secretary has made clear, we stand ready to take further action if the Government of Israel does not take urgent steps to address the situation on the ground.

    Third, economic conditions in the West Bank are deteriorating sharply.

    Israel has withheld over 5 billion USD of Palestinian revenues, placing severe strain on the Palestinian Authority and its ability to sustain essential services, particularly healthcare and medical supplies.

    The Government of Israel also continues to attack and undermine Palestinian financial institutions, which risks undermining economic stability more broadly, with consequences for livelihoods and regional stability.

    So President, to return to where I started, this Council has given its support to the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza. 

    We cannot allow progress toward peace to be undermined by this deeply concerning trajectory in the West Bank. 

    We must redouble efforts to stabilise the West Bank and inject renewed momentum into implementation of Resolution 2803 in Gaza. 

    Both Israel and Hamas must meet their commitments.

    These are essential steps towards a just and lasting peace, in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and dignity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Illegal immigrants and foreign criminals to be removed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Illegal immigrants and foreign criminals to be removed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 June 2026.

    More than 45,000 foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed over the coming decade thanks to a significant expansion of detention capacity.

    The projects at Haslar and Campsfield Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) will contribute to a 40% increase in the UK’s detention capacity for those with no right to be here.   

    These expansions will more than triple the cumulative capacity at these centres from 290 to 1,000 beds, with each additional detention space translating to more offenders and illegal migrants removed from our country. This sends a clear message: if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay. 

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:    

    Returns and deportations are at their highest level in nearly a decade.  

    Nearly 70,000 individuals with no right to be here have been removed from the UK since this government took office.   

    But we will not stop there. These expansions will see thousands more foreign criminals and illegal migrants who have no right to be here removed.

    Last week a report from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) showed the government inherited a migration system with over 412,000 illegal migrants in the UK.

    This expansion will further build on the dramatically intensified enforcement action the Home Office has undertaken since the report, with deportations soaring to the highest level in a decade.   

    Nearly 70,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals have been returned, an increase in 41% compared to the previous 21 month period. Of these, 10,000 were foreign national offenders, an increase of 36%.     

    That is why the Home Secretary will double the Immigration Enforcement budget by 2028 to 2029 and boost workforce numbers by 60% from 2024 in 2026 to 2027. This will see tens of thousands more raids, arrests, and deportations of illegal migrants.  

    As confirmed in the King’s Speech, the government will also bring forward an Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will reform human rights laws such as modern slavery legislation and Article 8 of the ECHR to end abuse by illegal migrants frustrating their removals.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government steps up drive to reconnect young people with £1.6 billion in unclaimed savings

    PRESS RELEASE : Government steps up drive to reconnect young people with £1.6 billion in unclaimed savings

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 29 June 2026.

    Taskforce set up by government to encourage young people to claim their Child Trust Funds.

    • Nationwide, HSBC UK, Sheffield Mutual and One Family among members of new taskforce meeting for first time as government takes action to reunite young people with unclaimed Child Trust Funds  
    • The Taskforce will improve coordination across government and industry to encourage more young people to access their unclaimed matured funds 
    • More than 750,000 young people have unclaimed accounts worth £2,200 on average

    Hundreds of thousands of young people could soon be reunited with unclaimed savings worth more than £1.6 billion, as the government launches a new push to trace matured Child Trust Funds (CTFs).

    Around 6.3 million Child Trust Fund accounts were opened for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, predominantly by parents and guardians, with the remainder established by HMRC. Accounts can go unclaimed for a number of reasons difficulty locating them, people forget they have them, or a decision to leave the funds invested for the time being.

    Child Trust Funds were introduced to give every child a financial asset at adulthood, and this government is doing everything it can to make sure young adults are aware of and can access their accounts.

    To make this happen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Blake MP, has convened a new Child Trust Fund Taskforce, bringing together CTF providers and the Government to drive a coordinated effort to increase reunification of accounts. 

    Members of the Taskforce will include One Family, Coutts, Nationwide, HSBC UK, Pilling, The Coventry (Co-operative), Sheffield Mutual, Unity Mutual, Forester, Healthy Investments and The Share Foundation – with the first meeting happening today. 

    More than 750,000 young adults still have unclaimed matured accounts, holding £2,200 on average. The funds were originally set up by the government for those born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The Taskforce will improve coordination across government and industry to encourage more young people to access their unclaimed matured CTFs.  

    Rachel Blake, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

    Too many young people are missing out simply because they are not aware of where their Child Trust Fund is or how to access it. 

    We are acting to fix that by bringing government and industry together – improving coordination and making it easier for people to find and claim what’s rightfully theirs.

    JP Marks, HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, said:

    Many young people have Child Trust Fund accounts with an average £2,200 waiting to be claimed. This is their money, and we want to do all we can to help them find and access it. 

    If you think you have one, you can use the ‘Find my Child Trust Fund’ tool on GOV.UK to find out where your account is held.

    The Taskforce will bring providers together to improve tracing approaches, test more effective engagement with young people, and drive practical actions that lead to more accounts being claimed.  

    Today’s move builds on existing action to tackle unclaimed matured accounts, including ongoing HMRC communications campaigns and direct letters going out to eligible 21-year-olds. 

    Anyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2  January 2011 can search for their account on GOV.UK. The search is free, requires only a National Insurance number, and takes minutes. Those aged 18 or over can access funds immediately. 

    Jim Islam, Chief Executive Officer, OneFamily, said:

    We welcome the creation of the Child Trust Fund Taskforce to help more young people access their savings. We know from our own experience that making this process as easy as possible is essential and we look forward to working together with government and industry partners.

    Child Trust Funds have already provided a valuable financial boost to millions of individuals who have claimed their accounts as they enter adulthood, making a real difference to people’s lives.

    We’re committed to playing our part in helping people who have not yet claimed. Anyone born after 1 September 2002 who has already turned 18 will have a Child Trust Fund, and can search for their account on the government website.

    Philip Kurtenbach, Head of Product Management & Governance, Wealth & PB, HSBC UK said:

    At HSBC UK, we’re committed to putting customers at the heart of everything we do. We know that having a fund to support young people as they start adult life can make a real difference – opening up opportunities at a pivotal moment in their lives. That’s why we’re supporting the HMT Taskforce as the industry comes together to ensure the funds reach those they were intended for.

    Richard Stocker, Head of Savings, Nationwide said:

    Nationwide is pleased to be part of the Child Trust Fund taskforce and fully supports its aims. We remain committed to working collaboratively across the industry to build on the progress made so far and deliver a meaningful outcome on this important issue.

    Notes to editors

    • The Child Trust Fund scheme was introduced in 2005 to give every child a financial asset for the future. It applied to eligible children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with the Government making a payment into each account. 
    • Accounts began maturing on 1 September 2020, and more than 750,000 matured accounts remain unclaimed, with an average value of about £2,200. Many eligible young people, now aged 15 to 23, may not know they have an account. The total value of unclaimed funds runs into hundreds of millions of pounds. 
    • The Taskforce aims to break down barriers to opportunity and give young people the best start to adult life. It also aligns with the National Youth Strategy, which identifies financial insecurity as a key pressure and calls for practical action.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Burundi [June 2026]

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

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

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

    Thank you Mr Vice President.

    The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update. We recognise the importance of his mandate and encourage the government of Burundi to grant the Special Rapporteur access.

    The UK is concerned by ongoing reports of shrinking civic space, and the suppression of opposition voices in Burundi. As we approach the 2027 election, we ask the government of Burundi to ensure all Burundian people can exercise their democratic rights, and express their views peacefully, without fear of intimidation.

    We note with concern the broader humanitarian and regional context, including pressure arising from displacement. We welcome Burundi’s efforts to host refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the UK has provided £2.3million through the World Food Programme to support these efforts.

    Mr Vice President, the recent Ebola outbreak in the region is of deep concern. The UK has announced £800,000 of financial support to strengthen preparedness, as any spread to Burundi would pose a serious risk to its people.

    Special Rapporteur, ahead of next year’s elections and in the context of regional conflict and health insecurity, how can the international community support Burundi to uphold civil liberties and democracy?

    Thank you

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Foreign Secretary concludes visit to Egypt [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Foreign Secretary concludes visit to Egypt [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 June 2026.

    UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced over $15 million of funding to support Egypt’s humanitarian response and economic resilience, as the UK and Egypt prepare to conclude a Strategic Partnership.

    The UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, made her first visit to Egypt from 17 to 18 June. During her visit, the Foreign Secretary met with interlocutors including Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) Dr Ali Shaath.

    The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Abdelatty co-chaired the third meeting of the bilateral Association Council. The 2 ministers took stock of the bilateral relationship, and discussed ways of deepening co-operation on growth, migration, and regional security, looking forward to the agreement of an Egypt-UK Strategic Partnership later in the year.

    On the region, the ministers discussed how to further align the 2 countries’ efforts to secure lasting stability and peace, including in relation to the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, Gaza, Sudan, and Lebanon.

    In her meeting with Dr Ali Shaath, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s firm belief that the future of Gaza must be Palestinian-led. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the NCAG’s vital role in leading Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction, as Gaza transitions to Palestinian Authority governance as part of a pathway towards a two-state solution. She discussed the importance of Palestinian policing in Gaza as a first step towards implanting the 20-point Peace Plan, and the vital importance of rapid shelter provisions for displaced people.

    Egypt continues to play a crucial role in addressing the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. This is why the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £3 million ($3.9 million) in UK funding, including to support the Egyptian Red Crescent in scaling up aid delivery, by providing logistics support to the Egyptian Red Crescent’s humanitarian aid operations, through the IFRC’s Middle East appeal.

    On bilateral issues, the Foreign Secretary acknowledged the impact of regional conflicts on Egypt’s economy, and announced a new £8.7 million ($11.5 million) partnership with the World Bank to provide technical assistance for Egypt’s ambitious economic reform agenda and longer-term economic development. The programme will provide advice and analysis to the Government of Egypt to boost inclusive private sector-led growth, making it easier for businesses to invest, trade and expand, ultimately boosting Egypt’s economic resilience.

    Meeting Sudanese migrants – at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – who have escaped the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, the Foreign Secretary described migration as “a global challenge requiring global co-operation” and announced £9 million ($11.9 million) of UK funding to help countries across North Africa – including Egypt – deal with the migration impacts of regional conflicts.

    British Ambassador to Egypt Mark Bryson-Richardson said:

    The Foreign Secretary’s visit demonstrates the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and working closely with Egypt during this time of regional uncertainty. The UK and Egypt work together to drive stability, support prosperity, and build the foundations for lasting peace across the region and we look forward to the formal elevation of the UK-Egypt relationship into a Strategic Partnership later this year.

    On Gaza, the UK provided over £80 million in humanitarian and early recovery support to Gaza last year. This has helped deliver food to 650,000 people and improved water and sanitation access for 300,000.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Remarks to Hospitality Leaders

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Remarks to Hospitality Leaders

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, in Downing Street on 29 June 2026.

    Today we’re talking about young people and opportunity.

    Very often as politicians, most of us say that we want every child or young person to go as far as their talents and ability will take them, and I’m comforted by things like that.

    The trouble is, it’s not really true if they’ve grown up in poverty, if they’re wanting to take the non-university route into work, or if they’re one of the 13% or more who are not in employment, training or education.

    Today I want to focus on how we provide opportunity to them.

    So, the three steps that we’ve put in place – which are more of a broad strategic view – are building blocks.

    Firstly, on poverty, how do we stop children growing up in poverty? There are a number of really important measures, which, when you put them together, begin to make this realistic.

    First is breakfast clubs – children get to school really early and to have something to eat before school, and for some children they would otherwise not get breakfast, so that’s hugely important, and that also helps them learn. It’s useful for parents and carers as well, because they can get to work and actually that is really good for the children, because the socialisation of being with other children before school really matters.

    Second is pre-school childcare, from nine months to four years. I can’t overstate how proud I am of this, because it saves parents a lot of money.

    As anyone who uses childcare already knows, including my family when ours were younger, it means that children get the chance between nine months and four years to have that good childcare, and that means when they arrive at school they’re more likely to have an equal start in life.

    Almost every primary school I go to talk to, those who are receiving the children at age four, they will say there’s a massive difference between those that are reasonably advanced, ready to learn, and those who are way behind. And already at age four, there’s a gap that schools are trying to make up, so that really makes a good difference. And then the two-child benefit limit will be lifted, so that’s building block number one.

    Building block number two is what I call the technical tilt – but this is the tilt towards technical skills, and not always thinking that university is the only route. So, we’ve set up new technical excellence colleges across the country with an intense focus on things like advanced manufacturing, digital, defence, energy – the things that are going to be needed most in the future – with a real sense of excellence there.

    I have taken down the target of the number that go to university and replaced it with a different target, which is that two thirds of our young people should either go to university or go on high-level skills routes.

    Now, for anyone going to university – many times I’d wax lyrical about what a difference it made to my life, being the first in my family to go to university. I have not denigrated those who go to university, but I think we’ve overdone it now. I don’t think we’re giving the guidance to those that don’t go to university, who actually are using their brains and their skills in a different way, and there are several young people that felt pushed into university, then after a year or so realised it wasn’t right for them, and ended up doing something else.

    And then there is prioritising youth apprenticeships, so rather than just all apprenticeships across the board, there is a focus on young people.

    Then the third pillar, if you like, is the additional support we need to give to those who are not in employment or training or education. Two things I want to highlight here: first is the youth guarantee.

    Now this helps young people apply for work, helps them with the support they need, but the most important thing is, if after 18 months they’ve still not managed to get a job, there’s a guarantee of a job placement for six months. From previous schemes we know is probably the single most effective way to help people. Just working differently for six months than the cycle they’re in can transform outcomes.

    And then from tomorrow we’re announcing a £3,000 incentive to businesses to take young people who’ve been out of work for six months and give them a job, on this strong belief that I’ve got, which is if we are able to get people into work, then most of them will actually hold down the job. Some will need more support, but getting that first step into work is critical.

    So, they’re the three areas I wanted to talk to you about. What I want to make sure is that having put these blocks in place over the last two years, the next stage of this administration, this government, takes that on and builds from there. But what I really want now is to hear from you, and I assume you’re involved in some of the schemes, so where we’ve already got something going, it’d be good to get some first-hand feedback on how it’s working and how we could improve it, because it is crucial that when we say every young person should go as far as their talent and ability will take them, we mean it.

    And I have a vested interest, I should declare, not just as Prime Minister – I’ve got two teenage children. My son is 18 tomorrow, and therefore these are live discussions in our household. And actually, it’s really interesting to see first-hand the sort of pressures and opportunities that young people actually go through when they’re in their teenage years.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meets hospitality leaders to boost opportunities for young people [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meets hospitality leaders to boost opportunities for young people [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister hosted a roundtable discussion this morning with hospitality organisations working to support those facing barriers to employment, training and education, setting out the government’s ambition to ensure every young person can fulfil their potential regardless of background.

    He set out the government’s focus on technical education and skills, arguing that university should not be seen as the only route to success. He outlined plans to increase participation in high-level skills training, expand technical excellence colleges and prioritise youth apprenticeships to meet the needs of the economy of the future.

    The Prime Minister also set out the government’s wider approach to supporting young people, including action to tackle child poverty through breakfast clubs, expanded childcare and lifting the two-child benefit limit, alongside the Youth Guarantee and a new £3,000 incentive for businesses to recruit young people who have been out of work for six months.

    He invited participants to share first-hand experiences of existing schemes and how they could be improved.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New world-leading lab to be built at secretive UK research site [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New world-leading lab to be built at secretive UK research site [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 June 2026.

    Expert UK scientists working on the most innovative defence technologies will be backed by £580 million of infrastructure funding over the next four years, including to build a new world-leading new laboratory and expand their research.

    • £580 million funding for Dstl infrastructure, including building a new laboratory to expand work against biological warfare threats.
    • New lab named after former British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, one of founders of NATO.
    • Organisation renowned for new technologies and chemical weapons analysis, including DragonFire laser, drone technology for Ukraine and Novichok nerve agent response.

    Expert UK scientists working on the most innovative defence technologies will be backed by £580 million of infrastructure funding over the next four years, including to build a new world-leading new laboratory and expand their research.

    The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is dedicated to cutting- edge research into new science and technologies for defence, and in 2018 its site at Porton Down notably analysed samples of the military-grade Novichok nerve agent used by Russia on UK soil.

    This funding, allocated as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, will help develop a new laboratory in Porton Down to enable the organisation to expand its work on biological threats. The lab will be named after former British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, one of founders of NATO.  

    This support will ensure the UK continues to be a global leader in innovative research.  

    Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

    Our scientists and experts working at Dstl do so much, often unseen, to keep our country and our allies safe at this increasingly dangerous and unpredictable time.

    The £580 million investment will create the facilities needed at Porton Down to expand their vital work, delivering for our Armed Forces and our national security.

    For the last 25 years Dstl has led the UK’s defence science and technology research from Artificial Intelligence to underwater systems. 

    From developing smart ‘find and strike’ systems for faster battlefield decisions, providing cutting-edge technology used by the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and their F-35 Lightning fighter jets, to trialling the UK’s first high-energy laser weapon DragonFire, and supporting operations worldwide, Dstl plays a vital role in keeping the UK safe at home and strong abroad.  

    Dstl Chief Executive, Paul Hollinshead said:  

    This investment reinforces the essential work delivered daily by Dstl to protect the UK Armed Forces and defend the nation. 

    As part of a broader infrastructure programme at Dstl, this new laboratory will strengthen our capacity to stay ahead of evolving biological threats and maintain the UK’s leading edge in defence and security.

    To further bolster the UK’s leadership in science and technology, the UK has also ringfenced £1.6 billion investment by 2030 for the UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) fund to accelerate innovation, strengthen security, and grow UK defence technology.  

    UKDI funding played a crucial role in delivering the UK’s first fully autonomous full-sized helicopter, Proteus, in a major milestone for the Armed Forces, which will support the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare efforts.