Tag: 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK backs Somalia’s path to security and political progress [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK backs Somalia’s path to security and political progress [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 August 2026.

    Minister for Development and Africa Kirsty McNeill MP visits Somalia, discussing political and security priorities and seeing how UK support is helping people affected by drought and food insecurity.

    The UK has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Somalia during the first visit to the country by the minister for Development and Africa, Kirsty McNeill MP. 

    During her visit, the minister met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and discussed Somalia’s political and security priorities and the need for progress towards a credible and sustainable transition to Somali-led security. 

    The minister encouraged leaders from across Somalia to engage in constructive dialogue that strengthens national unity, advances political progress and helps build consensus on Somalia’s future, underlining that continued progress on political dialogue and a security transition will be critical to maintaining international confidence and support. 

    The minister reaffirmed that the UK remains a committed partner to Somalia, working alongside Somali leaders and communities in support of a more stable, secure and prosperous future for the Somali people.  

    They also discussed Somalia’s humanitarian challenges and the importance of building greater resilience to future shocks. Last year, the UK reached more than 950,000 people with humanitarian and climate resilience support. 

    Visiting a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu, the minister saw first-hand how UK support is reaching people affected by drought and food insecurity. She heard how the UK is working with the Federal Government of Somalia, UN and civil society partners to strengthen systems, deliver lifesaving support and help communities build their resilience, with a particular focus on women and girls.

    The minister also met leaders from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), recognising the efforts and sacrifices of Somali Security Forces and African Union troops in supporting Somalia’s security objectives.  

    The UK stands ready to provide further support for Somali forces through UNSOS, which plays a vital role in sustaining Somalia’s hard-won security gains against al-Shabaab. Progress on political dialogue between all Somali leaders and on plans for Somalia’s security transition will be important in confirming future support.

    Our existing support to UNSOS provides essential non-lethal assistance, including food rations, tents, medical supplies and casualty evacuation.

    The UK remains a committed partner to Somalia, working with the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, United Nations, civil society and other partners.

  • PRESS RELEASE : World-first crackdown to restrict offenders’ freedom and give it back to victims [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : World-first crackdown to restrict offenders’ freedom and give it back to victims [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 26 August 2026.

    Serious sexual and violent offenders could be confined to areas just a few miles wide after leaving prison under a world-first crackdown, launching in October to give victims greater freedom.

    • Dangerous offenders could be confined to small areas just a few miles wide 
    • Scheme to curb offenders’ freedom while giving victims greater peace of mind 
    • Victims will have a say in setting boundaries, helping them live without fear 
    • GPS tagging to track offenders’ movements, with the risk of recall to prison

    New “restriction zones” will allow probation services in England and Wales to severely limit where some of the most dangerous offenders can go for as long as they see fit – restricting their freedom while giving it back to victims.

    The first measure of its kind anywhere in the world, the new restrictions have been directly shaped by the experiences and campaigning of victims, who will have a say in how individual zones are drawn up.

    The new scheme is a more rigorous version of “exclusion zones”, which ban offenders from specific locations such as a victim’s home or place of work.

    Offenders can instead be confined to a tightly defined area, giving victims greater freedom to travel without the fear of unexpectedly coming face-to-face with their offender.

    Offenders subject to GPS monitoring can have their movements tracked around the clock, allowing probation to identify breaches and take swift action when the rules are broken – including recalling them to prison.

    Probation officers will draw up zones which will put victims first, giving them the freedom to go about their daily lives without fear, but ensure offenders can still access vital appointments and services that help to reduce their chances of reoffending.

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Norris, said:

    No victim should fear the shadow of an abuser on their back.

    That’s why we’re putting limits on dangerous offenders, confining them to tightly controlled areas and giving victims greater freedom to get on with their lives.

    And with GPS technology helping probation keep track of offenders’ movements, those who step outside the boundaries can be quickly identified and face being sent back to prison.

    It is simple: offenders should carry the consequences of their crimes, not their victims.

    The zones can last for as long as they are needed to manage the risk posed by offenders on licence, with reviews taking place at least every three months.

    Further details on eligibility will be announced in due course. The Government will work closely with victims’ groups and other stakeholders as this measure is rolled out to ensure it is operating as intended.

    Hard-working probation staff play a vital role in keeping the public safe, that is why the government is investing £700 million in probation and community services by 2028/29.

    This includes the biggest ever expansion of electronic monitoring and recruiting 1,300 new probation officers this year on top of the 2,300 recruited in the past two years, keeping serious offenders under closer watch and better protecting victims.

    Public safety will always be the government’s priority. Last week, the Justice Secretary confirmed he was fast-tracking a plan to keep more of the most dangerous offenders behind bars, on top of murderers and those serving sentences for rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences who are already blocked from any changes to their release dates. 

    This will include the faster deportation of foreign criminals, better use of the women’s estate and reviewing the unjust IPP sentences. He is expected to update Parliament in early September.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people as Sainsbury’s joins national drive to tackle youth unemployment [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people as Sainsbury’s joins national drive to tackle youth unemployment [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 26 August 2026.

    Thousands of young people across the UK will get the chance to gain work experience, build confidence and develop skills to help them get ready for work as Sainsbury’s launches a major new “Modern Work Experience Programme” designed to help more young people into employment.

    • Sainsbury’s to offer around 10,000 work experience and skills opportunities to help young people gain experience, build confidence and prepare for work
    • New programme launching from October will target schools with higher levels of free school meal uptake and communities where young people face some of the biggest barriers to work
    • Latest major employer to deliver a major skills programme following Prime Minister’s education reforms to close the gap between the classroom and workplace

    Thousands of young people across the UK will get the chance to gain work experience, build confidence and develop skills to help them get ready for work as Sainsbury’s launches a major new “Modern Work Experience Programme” designed to help more young people into employment.

    Starting from October, Sainsbury’s will create around 10,000 work experience and skills opportunities over the next year through a new programme designed to reach young people who may otherwise struggle to access employer networks, work experience and career opportunities.

    This follows the Prime Minister announcing a fundamental change to the education system last month, with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes. The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with valuable early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers.

    The Prime Minister is determined to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path and to ensure there are ‘no dead ends’ for young people coming out of the education system.  Since the launch of his education reforms, the Government has been actively working with major employers to tackle youth unemployment by closing the gap between the classroom and the workplace, so every young person can see a clear route into work and a successful future.

    Too often, access to work experience depends on who you know rather than what you can do. This has led to many young people leaving education without access to employers, workplace networks or a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them. At the same time, businesses are in desperate need for people with the skills and confidence to thrive in modern careers.

    With over one million young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment, or training – around one in eight young people – the Prime Minister has made clear that tackling the NEETs crisis is a national priority. As one of the UK’s largest employers, with stores and more than 140,000 colleagues in communities across the country, Sainsbury’s is uniquely placed to open up routes into work for young people in every part of the UK.

    The programme will be delivered across the UK, including England, Scotland and Wales. It will focus on areas where Sainsbury’s can deliver the greatest social impact, particularly within communities with a high proportion of schools offering free school meals, and young people not in employment, education or training, helping connect education with real-world opportunities.

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: 

    The youth unemployment crisis has been ignored for too long. This government is making it a top priority and bringing back hope. 

    Last month we announced a shake-up of the education system, with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.  Now we’re bringing employers, schools and colleges together to close the gap between the classroom and the workplace.

    It’s great to see Sainsbury’s stepping up with 10,000 opportunities to help young people build confidence, gain experience and get a foot in the door. I encourage more businesses across the country to do the same.  Access to opportunity and work experience shouldn’t depend on who you know, it should be within reach for every young person wherever they live – and that’s what I’m determined to deliver.

    Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, said:

    Like so many of us, I started my working life at 16 and know first-hand how much getting that first job really matters. Few things matter more to us at Sainsbury’s than helping young people get on that first rung on the career ladder. With a quarter of our colleagues under 25, we see every day how much a first job can change lives.

    Far too many young people are growing up in the UK today without access to meaningful work experience, often because they cannot find the right connections or network. With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, the scale of the challenge facing us has never been clearer.

    Our new work experience programme will create around 10,000 opportunities over the next year, reaching the young people who need them most in communities right across the UK and helping them build the confidence, skills and experience to take their first step into work.

    Young people will take part in workplace visits, careers sessions, practical work experience and sessions on CVs, interviews and applications – all designed to build confidence, improve communication skills and provide insight into careers across retail, logistics, food, technology and business.

    The programme brings together a range of opportunities for different age groups. Younger students will receive a mix of school-based learning and workplace experience designed to introduce them to the world of work, while older young people will receive targeted support with CV writing, interview skills, job applications and career planning. Schools across the country are being encouraged to get involved from September by contacting The School Outreach Company, ahead of the programme starting in October.

    Alongside this, Sainsbury’s will work with The Careers & Enterprise Company as well as other industry partners to test new approaches to modern work experience, helping develop a model that can be expanded across more stores and communities in the years ahead.

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: 

    I know from personal experience, that work experience is often the first taste of the world of work for a young person, and everyone should be able to access placements, regardless of their background or circumstances. With around one in eight young people not in education, employment or training, I’ve made tackling youth unemployment a top priority, by investing in skills training and mentoring. As one of the country’s largest employers, with hundreds of branches across London, it’s great to see Sainsbury’s stepping up and launching 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people. My first experience of work was in retail. Programmes like this are vital for breaking down the barriers to work and building skills and confidence to thrive, as we continue to build a better, more prosperous capital for everyone.

    Alan Milburn said:

    For too long work experience has been treated as an afterthought. Yet 6 in 10 young people who are NEET have never had a job. 

    Employers say lack of experience is the single biggest barrier to hiring young people – and young people say exactly the same. It’s a vicious cycle and it’s holding Britain back.

    Sainsbury’s is helping break that cycle, reaching the communities where young people face the biggest barriers. It’s exactly the kind of practical action employers can take now, while we build the fuller response this problem demands.

    Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said:

    As the largest private sector employer, retail is a first step on the career ladder for thousands of people every year, building confidence, skills and experience that shapes their futures. Helping more young people be work ready and those who need help breaking out of the no-experience, no-job doom loop is critical to addressing the NEETs crisis. This great initiative is just the start as more retailers scale up the opportunities the industry can provide.

    Today’s announcement from Sainsbury’s is one of the first major employer commitments since the Prime Minister unveiled reforms to expand technical education, work experience and routes into skilled work, following National Grid’s £5 million programme announced earlier this month to help 5000 young people into work.

    Rather than designing new technical pathways from Westminster, the government will shape them around the industries driving growth in local communities supporting its mission to reindustrialise Britain and create opportunity in every part of the country.

    The government will continue working with employers, schools, mayors, and local leaders to expand work experience, skills support and routes into work for young people.

    Additional information

    • Sainsbury’s will create around 10,000 work experience and employability opportunities, with activity beginning in October 2026.
    • The programme combines Sainsbury’s own workplace scheme, KickStarter with a pilot delivered in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD). Together, they will help more young people access meaningful work experience and better understand the opportunities available to them:  

    KickStarter Explore (14–18 years) – A blend of in-school learning and practical work experience, co-designed with The School Outreach Company. The programme will help young people build confidence, develop workplace skills and discover the wide range of careers available at Sainsbury’s and the wider retail sector.

    KickStarter Insights (16–24 years) – Regional employability workshops delivered by Sainsbury’s Early Careers team and specialist partner Aim a Little Higher. These sessions will help young people strengthen communication skills, prepare for interviews and applications and take their next step into work.

    New work experience pilot – Alongside its own programme, Sainsbury’s is working with The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) and other employers to test new approaches to work experience for young people aged 14 to 18. The pilot will help develop a model that could be expanded across more Sainsbury’s stores from 2027, making it easier for young people to access meaningful work experience opportunities in their local communities.

  • John Healey – 2026 Statement on Iran Sanctions

    John Healey – 2026 Statement on Iran Sanctions

    The statement made by John Healey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 25 August 2026.

    Since taking office, the Government has imposed over 240 sanctions on Iran whose actions threaten our people and security, and we will continue working alongside the US and other partners to apply economic pressure on Iran. We are determined to prevent the Iranian regime from exploiting the global economy and abusing the UK financial system to advance its nuclear programme and wider destabilising activities. We support US work to secure a diplomatic solution and welcome efforts to increase pressure, including through Operation Economic Outcast. We will continue to work with partners to protect our interests, take the necessary steps to re-open the Strait and counter Iran’s dangerous activity. We call on Iran to cease its destabilising activity across the region, including in the Strait of Hormuz, and engage in diplomatic discussions in good faith.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hunger is not inevitable, but often results from choices that deny civilians food, aid, and essential services – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hunger is not inevitable, but often results from choices that deny civilians food, aid, and essential services – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 August 2026.

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

    Eight years after the adoption of Resolution 2417, conflict remains a leading driver of acute food insecurity. 

    As we have heard, last year, for the first time this century, famine was declared simultaneously in two conflicts: Sudan and Gaza. 

    Extreme food insecurity persists in both.

    These famines were man-made. 

    A reminder that hunger is not inevitable, but often results from choices that deny civilians food, aid, and essential services. 

    Children pay the highest price. 

    What is needed is clear: rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access; an end to attacks on food infrastructure; and, ultimately, an end to the conflicts that drive hunger. 

    President, the impact of conflict on food security is no longer confined to the battlefield in the traditional sense. 

    Conflict is also disrupting the global networks that move food, fuel, and fertiliser, with consequences felt far beyond. 

    Russia’s attacks on shipping, civilian vessels, and Black Sea ports have undermined one of the world’s most important grain export routes. 

    Ukraine was once the breadbasket of the world.

    Today, Russia’s aggression continues to damage infrastructure that feeds millions beyond its borders. 

    Infrastructure essential to food production, transport, and distribution must be protected. 

    And we call on Russia to cease these attacks and comply with international humanitarian law. 

    Iran’s attacks and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have also disrupted supply chains and fertiliser markets. 

    As the Secretary-General warned yesterday, this means deeper hunger, weaker harvests, and greater suffering, especially for the most vulnerable. 

    We welcome progress under the Secretary-General’s Taskforce to address the implications for food security stemming from this crisis. 

    But we call on Iran to reopen the Strait, uphold freedom of navigation, and respect the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

    Both Iran and Russia have reduced grain exports, driving up global food prices.

    Vulnerable and import-dependent countries will be hit hardest. 

    Conflict and disregard for international humanitarian law compound climate stress, debt, and other structural vulnerabilities. 

    And the strengthening El Niño makes coordinated action to build resilience and protect the most vulnerable even more urgent. 

    We call for full implementation of Resolution 2417. 

    It requires the Council to address both local crises and conflicts that threaten global food security.

    We already have the tools to identify emerging famine risks, although we must protect and continue to use technology to strengthen them.

    Early warnings must lead to early action.

    Warnings must be acted on and violations must lead to accountability.

    The UK remains committed to working with partners to strengthen early warning and accelerate emergency support, including pre-arranged disaster risk finance.  

    President, resolution 2417 provides the framework. 

    The Council has the tools. 

    We must turn early warning into early action, uphold international humanitarian law, and ensure accountability before hunger becomes famine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Ukrainian people should be in no doubt – the United Kingdom is behind you today, and for as long as it takes – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Ukrainian people should be in no doubt – the United Kingdom is behind you today, and for as long as it takes – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 August 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

    Today is Ukraine’s Independence Day.

    A day to reaffirm the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the rights of her people to determine their own future, to celebrate the history, culture, and spirit of the Ukrainian people, and to reconfirm friendships and support.

    First, on Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom. 

    For over a decade, Russia has sought to deny Ukraine the rights to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and to determine her own future.

    Through the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, then the full-scale invasion in 2022, and now through intensive attacks on civilians and essential services across Ukraine.  

    Over 17,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, and 52,000 injured since February 2022, 437 killed and 2,610 injured in July alone. 

    The deadliest month in four years, as Russia has intensified her attacks, including hundreds of missiles and drones fired against Ukrainian cities.

    One civilian every 15 minutes. 

    International humanitarian law must be respected.

    Ukraine’s children in particular feel the impact. Since 2022, there have been over 3,900 Ukrainian child casualties.

    Children have lost families and homes and have spent months sheltering underground.

    Thousands of children have been forcibly deported.

    On this day, we remember lives lost and lives upended. 

    And we remember the extraordinary strength Ukrainians have shown in defending their country, their freedom, and their right of self-determination.   

    Second on Ukraine’s rich culture

    Mr President, as we join Ukraine in celebrating her history, culture, and spirit, Russia damages Ukraine’s cultural sites.

    Including Kyiv’s historic Petrivka book market and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

    And in the temporarily occupied territories, Russia has eradicated Ukrainian-language education and forced residents to take Russian passports.

    But Ukraine’s history and culture will not be destroyed, and her spirit will not be broken.

    As His Majesty King Charles said in his message to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, today is a day to “reflect upon Ukraine’s proud history, rich culture and indomitable national spirit”, and to honour the “extraordinary fortitude” that Ukrainians have shown in preserving the identity and values which define their nation. 

    Third on friendship and support

    United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in Kyiv today.  

    His message to the people of Ukraine is that “On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt, the United Kingdom is behind you today, and for as long as it takes.”

    The United Kingdom will continue to stand with Ukraine as she exercises her lawful right to self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. 

    We support Ukraine’s call for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and a just and lasting peace. And we urge Russia to commit to the same. 

    Mr President, Ukraine’s future is for Ukrainians to decide.

    Her language, culture, and history will not be erased by attacks or occupation or coercion.

    Today, we celebrate Ukraine.

    And we renew our support for her sovereignty and her freedoms. 

    Today and every day, for as long as it takes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : An end to the suffering in Sudan will only come through an humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian-led political process [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : An end to the suffering in Sudan will only come through an humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian-led political process [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 August 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    The war in Sudan has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

    Fighting has spread throughout Sudan, fuelled by arms supplies from within and beyond the region, funded, at least in part, by abduction for ransom and abuse of Sudan’s natural resources including gold, and exacerbated by massive use of drones

    With 33 million people needing humanitarian assistance; gross violations of human rights; civilians targeted with attacks, torture and arbitrary detention; horrifying sexual violence; and deprivation of essential services.

    An end to this suffering will only come through an humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian-led political process to secure a sustainable peace. 

    Three issues need our support.

    First, the choices of peace.

    The United Kingdom welcomes and supports work to broker a humanitarian truce led by the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE; work towards confidence-building measures by Envoy Haavisto; and work to build an inclusive inter-Sudanese dialogue as a foundation for a peaceful political transition led by the Quintet of international organisations. 

    But the choices needed to make peace in Sudan lie with the leaders, fighters, funders and fuellers of the war.

    So we also urge Sudan’s warring parties to choose to engage with peace processes; those supplying, funding and fuelling the war to choose to stop; leaders and fighting forces to choose to meet their obligations to act in accordance with the laws of war,  to enable humanitarian access, and to protect civilians – not attack, torture, maim and deprive them; and all those with influence, to choose to use it to press for peace. 

    Second, until the parties choose peace, we can help to protect civilians, to limit the flows of arms that fuel conflict, and to raise the cost to perpetrators of their actions.

    By extending the sanctions regime to respond to the war as it is being fought, covering the  areas where fighting is; drones; sexual violence; mercenaries.

    And by reminding leaders of fighting forces and militias that new technology and new tactics do not change their fundamental obligations to comply with international humanitarian law. 

    Sudan has become a battlefield where restrictions are too often ignored and protections too often fail.

    Our action to change that could mitigate the human suffering of the people trapped in these wars.

    And these measures should form part of a broader strategy to use the tools we have to protect civilians, constrain conflict, and support mediation efforts towards peace.

    Third, by supporting the humanitarian agencies working with people trapped in this war, and led by OCHA, thank you.

    Humanitarian access continues to be obstructed by all parties to the conflict.  With costs measured in lives: families starving, communities cut off from the support they need to survive, and humanitarian workers under fire.

    We call on the parties to facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need.

    The United Kingdom is supporting the people of Sudan with humanitarian assistance: $200m this year, to reach over 1.8 million people with food, nutrition, healthcare, clean water, and protection services.

    And increasing support to Sudanese-led responders, who can reach communities that others cannot.

    Pushing for protection, using our diplomacy to press for humanitarian access, an immediate truce, and a permanent ceasefire.

    Backing peace: supporting mediation efforts and an inclusive, Sudanese-led political process.

    Raising the cost of failing to protect civilians with UK sanctions on those committing atrocities, recruiting mercenaries, and conflict financing networks.

    And pursuing accountability: targeting those responsible for atrocities and those who sustain this war; through work to document, verify and preserve evidence of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure; through the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice; and by supporting the UN Fact-Finding Mission, the Panel of Experts, and the International Criminal Court.

    Mr President, the things that Sudanese civilians want: an end to war; safety for their families; access to food, healthcare and education; the chance to live free from violence; to see their children grow up into safety and prosperity.

    These are the things that almost every human being wants.

    They, and the people of Sudan, need to remain in international attention, and with international support to achieve them.

    And the leaders, fighters, funders, and fuellers of this war need to choose peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 August 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv today following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.

    The Prime Minister started by thanking President Zelenskyy for the warm welcome he had been given by the Ukrainian people on his first visit.

    It had been an honest and productive conversation during the Coalition of the Willing, the leaders agreed, and it was clear the international community needed to step up and ensure Ukraine got the support it needed to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric attacks going into the winter.

    The Prime Minister emphasised the strength of unity among coalition members and reiterated that there would be no change in the UK’s steadfast support.

    That was further symbolised by the announcement that the UK had agreed that defence firm MBDA could release classified information on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, the Prime Minister said.

    Turning to the economic situation, the leaders discussed the need to work with the insurance industry to support the resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and businesses.

    The leaders also welcomed the new AI partnership between the UK and Ukraine, which would bring opportunity and potential to revolutionise aspects of public life in both countries.

    The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Historic council housebuilding comeback to help families into secure homes [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Historic council housebuilding comeback to help families into secure homes [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 24 August 2026.

    The government announces its first wave of funding from its £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

    • Families stuck without a secure home to benefit from the first wave of funding from the government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme 
    • Councils backed to build more homes as ministers drive the biggest council housebuilding revival in decades  
    • More decisions over housing investment to move closer to local communities 

    Families trapped in temporary accommodation or stuck on housing waiting lists will be helped into safe, secure homes as the government kickstarts its record £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme. 

    Today (25 August) the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, are announcing nearly £10 billion of allocations to build thousands more quality council, social and affordable homes. 

    The first wave of funding announced today will support the delivery of more than 70,000 homes across England. It will go to 33 Strategic Partners – councils, housing associations and other providers that have secured long-term funding certainty to deliver homes at scale. Today’s announcement also marks a major step in the ambition to getting councils building at scale again.  

    Alongside housing associations, councils will be awarded Strategic Partner status with Homes England, helping put them firmly back at the heart of housebuilding. Around 60% of homes delivered through these partnerships are expected to be for Social Rent, the most affordable form of rented housing, helping more families access a secure home. 

    With almost 180,000 children growing up without a permanent home, the government is putting councils at the heart of housebuilding.  

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:  

    No child should be raised in a hostel room and no family should wait ten years for a front door of their own. I have said from my first day in this job that everything starts with a good home.

    Nearly £10 billion will go to councils and housing associations to build genuinely affordable homes, most of them for social rent, in the places where families are waiting longest.

    Councils built this country out of a housing crisis once before. Backed properly, and trusted to get on with it, they will do it again.

    Secretary of State Angela Rayner said: 

    Families can’t be left raising children without a place to call home, and none of us should spend years waiting for somewhere safe and affordable to live. 

    I know how important fixing this is – because I’ve been there. A safe and secure home was the foundation for a better life – I couldn’t have got to where I have today without it. 

    That’s why the Prime Minister and I are doing everything we can to get councils building once again – it’s fundamental to turning the housing crisis around, helping families out of temporary accommodation and into a secure home.

    Over £2 billion of today’s funding is expected to be spent in Mayoral areas outside of London. As part of the government’s wider devolution agenda, Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities are setting the strategic direction for the programme in their areas, helping ensure investment reflects local priorities.  

    Over time, more funding is expected to flow directly to mayoral authorities as the programme develops, building on the Government’s commitment to move power and decision-making out of Whitehall. 

    Today’s allocation is only the first stage of the ten-year programme. More than £16 billion remains to be allocated outside London and in allocating this funding, we intend to prioritise Social Rent homes and council housebuilding, helping deliver the largest expansion of council housing in decades. 

    Amy Rees, Chief Executive Officer at Homes England said: 

    Today’s announcement marks an important step in delivering the government’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. Through these strategic partnerships and continuous market engagement, alongside Homes England’s wider investment including through the National Housing Bank, we can help unlock thousands of much-needed homes across England. By working with councils, mayors, housing associations and local partners, we can support the return of council housebuilding at scale, increase the supply of social rent homes and create thriving places that people are proud to call home.

    Today’s package goes further by helping councils access more of the funding available to the programme and make full use of Right to Buy receipts – with £1.61 billion raised from sales alone in the last financial year – and other available funding streams.  

    To support this ambition, the government is investing a further £46 million over the next three years to strengthen councils’ skills, expertise and capacity to bring forward ambitious housebuilding plans. 

    London will receive a major boost for housebuilding, reflecting the acute need for affordable housing in the capital. 

    The Greater London Authority intends to offer at least £6 billion through the programme, with councils expected to deliver more than half of the homes funded in London. The capital is already demonstrating what can be achieved when local leaders have greater control over housing investment and delivery.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

    Tackling the housing crisis is one of my top priorities and I’m doing everything I can to deliver more affordable homes that Londoners desperately need. We’ve built record numbers of council homes in London, but the number of families and children without a permanent home stuck on housing waiting lists is still unacceptable. I want to work with this new Government to deliver a step change in how many council homes we can deliver across the capital. 

    Thousands of Londoners will benefit from this new wave of new social and affordable homes, which will help people out of temporary accommodation and provide good, affordable homes to live in for the long-term, as we build a fairer, better London for everyone.

    Housing associations and other providers will continue to play a vital role in delivering the social and affordable homes the country needs.  

    Alongside councils, they will be central to delivering the Government’s ambition to increase housebuilding and expand access to genuinely affordable homes. 

    Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: 

    It is hugely welcome to see this much-anticipated funding confirmed, something we have been calling for to kickstart construction on tens of thousands of desperately needed new social homes. 

    This is a major vote of confidence in not-for-profit housing associations and in the vital and distinct role they play in this country, as organisations that work for the long-term benefit of their communities. 

    Housing associations have risen to the challenge of delivering the governments ambitions. Working in partnership with government, councils and mayors, they have used the support and certainty provided by government to rebuild their development capacity, invest in skills, and be the strong and reliable partners needed to build a new generation of social and affordable homes, alongside increasing investment in their existing homes. This is no better demonstrated than in the scale and ambition of the bids submitted to this Social and Affordable Homes Programme. 

    We will continue work with national and local government to maximise housing associations’ potential to deliver new social rented homes during this parliament and over the next decade, meeting the housing needs of local people in every part of the country.

    The package builds on the government’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament, including the biggest boost to council, social and affordable housing in a generation. 

    Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said:

    It’s very welcome to see funding from last year’s Spending Review now being allocated and getting into the hands of Strategic Partners across the country, turning the government’s long-term commitment into homes that can make a real difference for families. We welcome the strong focus on homes for social rent and the ambition for council housebuilding, and the recognition of the vital role that councils, housing associations and other providers will play in delivering the next generation of genuinely affordable homes. If delivered at pace, this investment has the potential to reduce homelessness, ease pressure on temporary accommodation and help more people access a safe, secure and affordable home.

    Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said:  

    Councils have long called for a sustained return to building genuinely affordable homes and stand ready to work with government to deliver the revival in social housebuilding.  

    The confirmed allocation of the first phase of the £39 billion fund and the increased Capacity to Build funding are positive steps to achieving this ambition.  

    Given the key role for councils in delivering these homes, it is crucial they remain at the heart of delivery. Mayors should work closely with local authorities in their areas to achieve the most from this money, with councils also having sustained access to preferential borrowing rates to support viability. 

    Notes to editors:  

    • The Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) is a £39 billion investment programme over ten years. The programme has a target for at least 60% of homes delivered through it to be for Social Rent.
    • £9.58 billion is being allocated to 33 Strategic Partners outside of London, including housing associations and other providers, to support the delivery of 73,600 new social and affordable homes across England over the next ten years. Nearly two-thirds of homes delivered through these partnerships are expected to be for Social Rent. This is the first major wave of funding allocations under the programme. Further funding will be allocated over the lifetime of the programme. 
    • Outside London, the Social and Affordable Homes Programme is administered by Homes England. 
    • Section 106 (S106) agreements are, and will remain, an essential mechanism for delivering social and affordable housing in addition to grant-funded delivery, through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 
    • In 2025/26, councils received £1.61 billion in Right to Buy sales, all of which can now be retained and reinvested in new social and affordable homes. 
    • The £46m ‘Capacity to Build’ funding forms a package of support to strengthen councils’ skills, capacity and capability to deliver and acquire new council homes. Building on the success of 2025-26, the £46m will fund the continuation of:  

    o   The Council Housebuilding Support Fund – delivered with Homes England, providing revenue funding for early-stage development activity to help councils bring forward ambitious bids to the SAHP;  

    o   The Council Housebuilding Support Service – delivered by the Local Government Association, providing bespoke no-cost support, advice and expertise to help councils deliver more homes;  

    • An expansion to the Pathways to Planning graduate scheme – delivered by the Local Government Association, helping councils recruit and retain graduates in specialist housebuilding roles, including surveying and construction project management.  
    • The Government has set out its long-term direction for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, with more funding expected to flow directly to Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs) outside London as the programme progresses.  
    • In allocating remaining funding, the government intends to prioritise Social Rent and council homes, alongside a continued focus on local decision-making and delivery.  
    • Social Rent is the most affordable form of social housing. It is usually provided by councils or housing associations, with rents typically set well below private market rents. This makes it one of the most affordable housing options for people on low incomes. 

    Regional funding breakdown  

    • For the following Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities outside of London, the estimated Strategic Partnership spend in each area is as follows:  

    o    Greater Manchester: £529m estimated spend to support c. 4,400 homes   

    o    West Midlands: £409m estimated spend to support c. 3,200 homes   

    o    North East: £445m estimated spend to support c. 3,400 homes   

    o    West Yorkshire: £441m estimated spend to support c. 4,000 homes   

    o    Liverpool City Region: £380m estimated spend to support c. 3,100 homes   

    o    South Yorkshire: £249m estimated spend to support c. 2,200 homes  

    • Following the designation of four new Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs), they will now also be able to set the strategic direction of the Programme in their areas. Those EMSAs are: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; East Midlands; West of England; York and North Yorkshire  
    • Today’s announcement comes as the final National Planning Policy Framework is published last week that encourages a more diverse mix of housing, including more affordable homes for rural communities, and stricter rules to maximise social and affordable housing delivery on low-quality grey belt land.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine on a UK-Ukraine Artificial Intelligence Partnership [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine on a UK-Ukraine Artificial Intelligence Partnership [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 August 2026.

    Joint Declaration of intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine on a UK-Ukraine Artificial Intelligence Partnership.

    We, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, meeting at a decisive moment for European security, and united in our resolve to shape the transformation of modern warfare,

    ACKNOWLEDGING the profound impact of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and network-enabled capability, and the strategic imperative for our two nations to lead in the safe, responsible, and operationally decisive application of Defence AI,

    RESOLVED that the technological edge of democracies must be preserved as a foundation of deterrence;

    RECOGNISING that Ukraine’s defence, resilience, and unparalleled operational experience represent a crucial contribution not only to its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also to the stability and security of the eastern flank of Europe, NATO, and the Euro-Atlantic community,

    RECALLING the existing framework of bilateral commitments between our two nations, in particular the 100-Year Partnership Agreement and the Agreement on Security Co-operation,

    DETERMINED that the United Kingdom and Ukraine should advance together — combining Ukraine’s unrivalled battlefield experience with the United Kingdom’s technological, industrial and research strength to build the AI-era armed forces our two nations, and our allies, will depend on,

    AFFIRMING our shared and existing determination to deepen our defence partnership and jointly contribute to the development of future European defence capabilities,

    Declare the following intent:

    I. Strategic Vision. We will act as close partners in developing next-generation, AI-enabled armed forces – leveraging our engineering, industry, academic capacity and defence organisations’ expertise to accelerate the development and deployment of AI-enabled military capabilities that strengthen Ukraine’s battlefield advantage and support the development of next-generation AI-driven Armed Forces powered by rapid innovation, autonomous systems, and network advantage.

    II. Cooperation Model. Our cooperation will proceed through three interlocking pillars: (1) Government-to-Government collaboration on co-developed models, secure data and compute pathways, and joint assurance; (2) Industry, coordinated through government-to-government arrangements to develop, test and deploy AI-enabled capabilities linked to agreed operational problem sets; and (3) Academia and Research, on autonomy, AI assurance, cyber security and synthetic data. Together, we will establish a model for developing and fielding AI-enabled military capabilities that others can follow.

    III. Principles. Cooperation will respect the sovereignty of each Party’s assets and data; be underpinned by trusted safeguards on data, IP and export controls in line with the national legislation; combine agility with proportionate governance; and deliver mutual strategic benefit and NATO interoperability. By mutual agreement, we will extend the outputs of this Partnership to trusted allies and partners.

    IV. Leadership and Oversight. We will steward this Partnership at the highest political level, with senior Defence leads empowered to drive delivery in line with the mutually agreed objectives.

    V. Framework for Implementation. We resolve to proceed on a pilot-first basis, giving priority to practical cooperation already underway. Further arrangements will be brought forward within the next few months, ensuring that this Partnership takes a tangible form from the outset and moves at the pace that our shared security requires.

    This Declaration reflects our shared political intent and does not create legally binding obligations.