Tag: 2026

PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary launches new International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 May 2026.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to lead UK-convened international coalition to tackle global emergency of violence against women and girls.
- mirroring the UK Government mission to halve VAWG in a decade, the Coalition announced at the Global Partnerships Conference will see countries across the globe share expertise and scale up prevention work
- eight countries have signed up to this new Coalition, driven by the Foreign Secretary
Women and girls across the globe will be better protected from violence and abuse, as the UK spearheads a new international effort to drive progress, to be announced by the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper today at the Global Partnerships Conference in London.

The new coalition brings together eight countries to work together to prevent violence so that women and girls can live free from fear, no matter who or where they are. Member states will drive practical action to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence, which affects 1 in every 3 women globally, as well as tackling online abuse, which is on the rise around the world.

Founding members are the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Jamaica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Australia.

As the world faces increasing conflict, the International Coalition will also look to strengthen global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and other forms of violence in humanitarian crises.

Next year, the UK will convene a major summit on tackling violence against women and girls where countries can set out further commitments and report on progress.

The Government has already pledged the largest crackdown on violence against women and girls in British history, committing to halve these horrific crimes within a decade and introducing lifesaving policies like Raneem’s Law, which has seen domestic abuse specialists embedded in 999 control rooms.

The Foreign Secretary has exported her domestic experience into foreign policy, declaring women and girls a departmental priority at the FCDO and protecting central spending on tackling violence against women and girls in a challenging fiscal context.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, said:

Violence against women and girls is a global emergency not just a national emergency. We are determined to work across borders to ensure women’s safety is a world wide priority. I visited the Sudanese border in February, and I heard girls speak of rape, abduction and abhorrent sexual violence. I will make sure their voices are heard and fight to end violence for every single one of them – and for the 1 in 3 women globally who will experience sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime.

I’m delighted to launch this Coalition with countries around the world that share our ambition. Because from the UK, to Brazil, to South Africa and beyond, women deserve to live free from fear of violence. And because there can be no peace, security, or prosperity for any of us until they do.

Through the Coalition, countries will share expertise in tackling the issue and develop national action plans to scale up work to prevent violence, protect women and girls, and hold perpetrators to account.

Yesterday, the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Lewisham Police Station, alongside the UK Safeguarding Minister Natalie Fleet and Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation. They spoke to Met police officers and saw demonstrations of their V100 programme – a pioneering digital risk assessment using counter-terrorism tactics to identify, target and manage the most dangerous VAWG offenders in London.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Natalie Fleet said:

Violence against women and girls is a global emergency and tackling this issue requires more than warm words.

To create a world where women and girls feel safe from harm, we must build a united, global front and I’m proud to stand alongside international partners today who committed to doing just that.

But we will not stop there. We will deploy the full power of the UK state to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

The launch comes alongside the publication of the UK’s new International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls, which sets out how the UK will defend the rights of women and girls across the world, embedding this across diplomacy, trade, security, and development, using UK partnerships and resources to drive progress.

The Framework outlines the UK’s increased ambition to ensure women and girls are placed at the heart of everything we do, and includes a commitment that at least 90% of FCDO bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) will have a focus on gender equality by 2030.
20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Knife robberies down by more than a fifth [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 20 May 2026.

Knife robberies have fallen by 21% as government action takes effect.

Knife robberies have fallen sharply in major cities thanks to joint government and police action to tackle one of the most harmful forms of violence and make communities safe.

New Home Office data shows that robberies involving a knife in the 7 highest volume areas are now more than a fifth lower (21%) than they were in June 2024. Offences fell from 15,918 in summer 2024 to 12,633 by March 2026, meaning thousands fewer people experiencing the fear and financial impact of this violent crime.

The continuing fall follows a period when knife robberies were rising. Since 2024, the new focused national leadership and close partnership with policing have turned the tide. The results, published at the start of Knife Crime Awareness Week, demonstrate the impact of innovation, collaboration and focusing on proven-to work tactics, that has come out of the Home Office‑led Knife‑Enabled Robbery Group.

The group, set up in October 2024, brings together the Metropolitan, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset and British Transport police forces to work together on tackling the issue. It has helped forces make better use of intelligence and analysis to spot crime patterns early, strengthen investigations by improving how technology such as CCTV is used to identify suspects and build stronger cases. It has also tightened offender management by targeting repeat and high‑harm offenders in hotspot areas and keeping closer grip on performance and outcomes.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:

These results show what can be achieved when we bring a clear focus and relentless grip to tackling knife crime, working hand in hand with the police and our frontline and grassroots partners.

I know knife robbery has a devastating impact on victims and communities, so sustained reductions like this matter because they mean fewer people at risk of harm.

I am determined to build on this progress as part of this government’s mission to halve knife crime, combining tough enforcement with early intervention and prevention to protect young people and keep communities safe.

Every police force involved has recorded sustained reductions. The largest percentage falls were seen in West Midlands Police and British Transport Police, both down by 39%, alongside a 17% reduction in the Metropolitan Police. Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset and South Yorkshire have also seen decreases, ranging from 10% to 21%.

As part of their ongoing efforts, Greater Manchester Police this month launched its new City of Manchester robbery team with dedicated officers targeting knife robberies and offenders in the heart of the city. Part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, officers will provide a visible deterrent, proactively targeting offenders and offences when they occur.

Force lead for robbery at Greater Manchester Police, Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley said:

Knife-enabled robbery is a crime that causes untold and lasting harm to its victims. In addition to the impact on the victims themselves these offences often happen in open and public spaces, and so affect feelings of safety in the local community.

Within GMP, we are committed to the role of effective neighbourhood policing in providing public reassurance, preventing these offences and responding efficiently when they do.

As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee the force has invested in the creation of a new City of Manchester robbery team who will be tackling all aspects of robbery, including knife-enabled robbery. These frontline officers will provide a visible deterrent, proactively target offenders and when offences do occur, they will provide a best standard of initial investigation to maximise opportunities to bring offenders to justice.

We are proud to support the government’s ambition to reduce knife-enabled robbery and to be part to the Home Office taskforce set up to achieve this goal. Through the taskforce we are able to increase knowledge, share best practice and test new ideas to keep our communities safe.

The reductions are part of a wider and sustained downward trend in knife crime. Recent figures show a 27% fall in knife‑related homicides, alongside an overall reduction in knife crime in England and Wales. 63,611 knives have also been removed from the streets through police seizures, surrender schemes and border interventions. Together, these indicators show real progress in reducing the most serious harm and keeping communities safer.

This targeted action is one example of the government’s broader response to knife crime. The latest results and the week of intensified police activity follow the publication of ‘protecting lives, building hope: a plan to halve knife crime’, which brings together action across government, policing and local partners to drive progress and end the cycle of knife crime. The plan sets out a long‑term approach combining tough enforcement with prevention, early intervention and community‑led solutions, as part of the government’s mission to halve knife crime over the next decade.

Knife Crime Awareness Week is a national week of action and engagement led by organisations including the Ben Kinsella Trust. The week shines a spotlight on the devastating impact of knife crime, while highlighting the action being taken across government, policing and communities to prevent violence, protect young people and save lives.

Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:

These figures show that coordinated national leadership from the government, and targeted policing, are making a tangible difference, with thousands fewer knife robberies than just 2 years ago. It’s important to recognise that behind every reduction is a life spared the fear, harm or long-lasting impact of violence.

However, Knife Crime Awareness Week highlights that real, lasting change depends on all of us. We cannot rely on enforcement alone; we must continue to prioritise prevention, work closely with young people, and ensure they feel supported, informed and empowered to make safe decisions long before they ever feel pressure to carry a knife.

The week also sees a wave of activity across England and Wales for Operation Sceptre, with intensified action from forces up and down the country to tackle knife crime by taking dangerous weapons off the streets and preventing violence before it happens. Led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the week will see forces carry out targeted enforcement alongside community engagement, including weapons sweeps, test-purchase operations to stop illegal knife sales, knife surrender activity and work in schools and neighbourhoods.

Commander Stephen Clayman, NPCC lead for knife crime and Head of the National Knife Crime Centre, said:

The impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities is truly devastating and long lasting.

While the causes and drivers of knife crime are complex, early intervention and putting in place measures to tackle the root causes are essential and this is a key focus of our work in the newly launched National Knife Crime Centre.

Reducing knife crime remains a priority and policing plays a pivotal role in enforcement activity, but we can’t do it alone. By working together with our partners and supporting communities we know that we can be more effective, responsive and take steps to prevent young people carrying knives.

Officers and staff work tirelessly every day to tackle knife crime and this week, Sceptre highlights the many activities policing undertakes to keep our communities safe.

Delivering on its plan, and building on these results, the Home Office will continue to work closely with policing partners to build on this progress, expand what works and keep the pressure on knife crime – driving down violence now, while building a safer future for the next generation.

Pooja Kanda, founder of Justice for Ronan Kanda, and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:

It is encouraging to see knife-enabled robberies down by 21% across key hotspot areas, and over 63,000 knives removed from our streets since July 2024. We must remember that behind every statistic is a real child, a real family and a community affected by violence. These reductions show that working in partnership together, targeted policing and stronger prevention measures can make a real difference when action is sustained and coordinated.

Knife Crime Awareness Week is not only about recognising progress, but about maintaining momentum. Through stronger laws such as Ronan’s Law, better education, earlier intervention and continued accountability around how weapons are sold, we can help protect future generations. The recent reduction in knife-related homicides is positive, but one young life lost is still one too many, and we must continue working together to build safer communities and lasting change.

20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Regional funding to train next generation of construction workers [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 20 May 2026.

£96 million to be allocated to create tens of thousands of placements on building sites across the country to plug skills gaps and boost housebuilding.

Tens of thousands of placements will be created for aspiring construction workers in a £96 million boost to train new talent and build more homes.

Funding is set to be allocated across the country on Friday (22nd) to provide hands-on learning and boost employability for learners who start their construction courses from this September.

The construction industry is facing significant shortages, with the latest Office for National Statistics figures showing that there are over 35,000 job vacancies – over half of which are due to a lack of required skills.

It comes as the government hits a major milestone in helping to bring vocational education on par with academic. It has published a plan to support schools and colleges to transition from legacy qualifications at the same level, including BTECs, to a  clearer  system of V Levels, T Levels and A Levels from 2027 as options after GCSEs, along with two new qualifications for lower attaining students to support them to progress beyond GCSEs.

New subjects have been announced for the second year of delivery in 2028 that will help to address skills shortages and boost key industries such as housebuilding. These subjects include construction design, bricklaying and plumbing. The plan also includes detailed rollout timelines, and advice on content development to help providers transition.

Together, these plans  are central to the Prime Minister’s ambition to ensure two thirds of young people are in a gold standard apprenticeship, higher  training or university by the age of 25, boosting priority sectors including housebuilding, and driving economic growth as part of national renewal. 

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: 

We’re removing the snobbery from hands-on learning and putting it on par with academic to break down barriers for young people to get rewarding jobs.

Our landmark vocational  qualifications and placements  will  create  a strong pipeline of workers  by  equipping  young people with the real-world skills that employers need and that will fuel the jobs of the future.

Announced in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, V Levels will sit alongside A levels and T levels. Equivalent to one A Level, they will allow students to mix and match academic and vocational subjects if they do not yet know where they want to specialise.

For 16-year-olds who are not ready to progress beyond GCSEs due to lower attainment, there are two new qualifications:
- Occupational Certificates: two-year courses for those who want to get into work or an apprenticeship but need support to achieve English and Maths GCSEs.
- Foundation Certificates: one-year courses for students who want to progress to A-Levels, T Levels or V Levels but need extra support to pass their GCSEs.
New subjects available from 2028 include:
- V Levels in construction design, engineering design and engineering manufacturing.
- Two new T Levels in sport and social care – part of the largest expansion for students who want to specialise in sector-facing studies since the qualifications began.
- Occupation Certificates in bricklaying, painting, plumbing, accounts and finance, and adult care worker.
- Foundation Certificates in engineering, health, legal services, and social care.
A new sector-led group, ‘Qualification Practitioners’, has been created to lead the way for the sector, shaping and sharing best practice as providers transition to the new qualifications. Providers will be required to have robust transition plans to support staff, students, and employers through the change.

New guidance has also been published removing the red tape around T Level industry placements. This includes scrapping the limits on the percentage of remote hours a student can do or how many employers they work with. This helps more young people to access premium placements and empowers businesses to offer placements that work for everyone.  

East Lancashire Learning Group is one of the Qualification Pioneers. Principal and CEO Lisa O’Loughlin said:

These Post 16 qualification reforms are one of the greatest steps forward our sector has seen in decades, and I am incredibly proud that we are helping to lead the way as a Pioneer college.

I believe these reforms will be transformational. They will create clearer pathways, stronger links with employers and a far more responsive education system that reflects the needs of our economy and communities.

Most importantly, they will give learners the confidence, skills and opportunities they deserve to succeed.

Post-16 and Skills Specialist at ASCL Claire Green said:

We welcome this implementation plan which provides colleges and sixth forms with much-needed detail in preparing for these major changes to the qualification system over the next few years.

We’re very pleased that the new system retains vocational qualifications – now clearly badged as V levels – alongside A levels and T levels. This was vital in providing students with a choice of pathways and maximising post-16 opportunities.

The timelines outlined bring valuable clarity as the sector navigates the transition to the reformed system and signal the government’s commitment to working collaboratively with providers and sector experts. The challenge now is to make sure that the new system works well for all our learners, fills skills gaps, and ultimately reduces the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training.

Chief Executive of Land based Colleges & Universities Aspiring to Excellence Alex Payne said:

We welcome the timetable set out for the development of these ambitious reforms. It is positive to see the breadth of engagement with the sector and to see views shared by members reflected in this document.

We look forward to continuing to work with the department to deliver a robust offer for the sector.

CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company John Yarham said:

We welcome the Government’s implementation plan, which provides vital clarity and direction on 16–19 qualifications. Careers education is the gateway to the skills system, and the plan rightly recognises the fundamental importance of ensuring that educators and careers professionals are equipped to support young people in understanding, engaging with, and confidently pursuing the opportunities available to them.

It is also important to recognise the vital role employers play in shaping these reforms and in inspiring young people to take up different pathways. We look forward to continuing to work with Government and partners nationally and locally through our network of Careers Hubs to help ensure every young person can take their best next step.

Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges David Hughes said:

It’s good to see this plan offer a lot of detail about the implementation of the new qualifications system for young people.

It’s a complex change process for colleges and their staff over the next few years, and this plan will help colleges to make more informed decisions about what is right for their students and communities.

We all want to make this new system work for every young person, giving them the choice of options which motivate and inspire them and lead onto further learning and great lives and careers.
20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Heat network upgrades to lower bills for families and businesses [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy and Net Zero on 20 May 2026.

Lower bills for families, hospitals and charities through energy efficiency improvements to heat networks.
- £15.6 million to upgrade old and inefficient heat networks, lowering energy costs for communities
- Four projects in England handed a share of £25 million for new, cleaner heating systems
- Funding from the government’s Warm Homes Plan is helping families cut energy bills and tackle fuel poverty
More than 10,000 residents, alongside hospitals and charities, will benefit from lower bills thanks to upgrades to old and inefficient heat networks.

Backed by £15.6 million, 94 heat networks across England and Wales will see a host of improvements to make them more energy efficient and help lower bills.

Improvements will include replacing leaky pipes, insulating pipework to reduce heat loss and replacing interface units in homes so residents have better control of their heating.

Four heat network projects across England will also receive a share of £25 million to provide clean, affordable and reliable power.

In Bristol, £13.5 million will be used to expand the Bristol City Leap heat network, which will use heat pumps to deliver fossil fuel free heating to more homes and businesses, and will lead to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs, apprenticeships and work placements.

In Rochdale, £1 million will go towards building a heat network which takes heat from a sewer going through the town to provide low carbon heat to public buildings such as colleges and schools, Rochdale Infirmary, businesses and residential buildings, including social housing.

Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said:

The conflict in the Middle East has shown once again why we must get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and onto clean, homegrown power we control.

Heat networks will play a crucial role in that shift, lowering bills for whole communities while strengthening our energy security.

That’s why we’re upgrading old and inefficient systems and investing in modern, low-cost networks fit for the future.

The funding announced today (20 May) is part of the government’s mission to upgrade the nation’s homes through the Warm Homes Plan, helping families to cut energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.

It follows the government’s commitment in January to allocate £195 million a year for the Green Heat Network Fund and £15 million a year for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme to 2029/30 in the Warm Homes Plan.

Heat networks are a way of heating multiple buildings from a central heating source – such as taking excess heat generated from a data centre or factory.

These systems provide communities with low-cost and efficient heat and will play a key role in the government’s mission to achieve clean power by 2030.

To ensure homes and businesses continue to receive a good quality service, government has committed funding to improve underperforming heat networks.

The latest round of funding through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme will upgrade 94 of these systems across England and Wales, including:
- £1.2 million to improve the older heating system of three 1960s high rise blocks in Salford
- £2.1 million to upgrade five heat networks in Solihull, serving 484 residents
- £2.1 million for efficiency upgrades on two heat networks in Camden, London, improving the service for 358 residents
Meanwhile, the Green Heat Network Fund will help the development of the following schemes:
- £8.6 million to support the next phase of the King’s Cross Heating and Cooling Network in London, which serves more than 1,700 homes and 44 buildings using heat pumps
- £2.2 million to build a heat network in Atherstone, Warwickshire, taking waste heat from the Baddesley Energy from Waste facility to supply low-carbon heating to 1,700 homes
Chris Unsworth, Head of ADE: Heat Networks, said:

Low-carbon heat networks work, they work for hospitals, they work for charities and they will work for over 10,000 residents who will now see lower bills. This funding will reach the strongest anchors in our communities – the places that can’t afford to be left behind. We now need to go further to fix every legacy heat network, connect every public institution that could benefit and unlock the full potential of heat networks.
20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Leaking church roofs to be fixed and heritage buildings revitalised as applications open for £48 million of heritage funding [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 20 May 2026.

Three heritage funds have opened for Expressions of Interest, including the new £92 million Places of Worship Fund, as well as the second rounds of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund and Heritage Revival Fund.
- Places of Worship Renewal Fund offers up to £23 million this year; Heritage at Risk Capital Fund up to £15 million; and Heritage Revival Fund up to £10 million
- Part of the wider £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, these investments will be targeted at areas of high deprivation, which face the greatest fundraising challenges
Heritage sites are set to benefit from a share of £48 million to fund everything from transformation projects to urgent masonry or stained glass window repairs.

Three heritage funding schemes have opened for applications, aimed at the 14,000 listed places of worship in England as well as the most at-risk heritage sites in our villages, towns and cities. The schemes will support communities in areas of the greatest need to repair, rejuvenate or transform their heritage buildings to meet the needs of local communities today.

Many places of worship and heritage sites fulfil wide roles in modern communities, from providing services like food banks and warm spaces, to providing affordable housing or workspaces for local entrepreneurs. Returning faith and heritage buildings to prime condition is part of the Government’s mission to increase pride in local communities.

Baroness Twycross announced the launch of these heritage funds during a visit to Grimsby Minster and the Sir Moses Montefiore Synagogue, where she met the volunteers who help care for the sites.

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said:

Across our country, thousand-year-old Norman church towers sit at the heart of communities, with brick mills and other former industrial buildings all too often needing significant repair to bring them back to their former glory and create community assets for the future. So many of these heritage sites are cared for by volunteers or community groups and our significant heritage funding schemes are designed to back their ambitions.

Our listed places of worship and heritage sites make vital contributions to local communities, particularly in areas of the greatest need. This targeted funding is an important step in keeping the roofs water-tight and doors wide open at churches, and for bringing historic buildings back into use for the communities who care for them.

Places of Worship Renewal Fund

Offering up to £23 million this year, the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund will support a range of small to large projects, from urgent structural repairs to physical access improvements and the installation of new facilities to expand community use. A further £69 million will be made available across the course of this parliament.

Listed places of worship across the country have reported falling behind on structural repairs and maintenance, with those in areas of high deprivation facing overwhelming challenges to fundraising for the capital costs of building works. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund targets those areas of the greatest need, helping remove previously insurmountable financial barriers to crucial repairs with upfront capital grants. It is open to listed places of worship serving all faiths.

The new funding scheme brings listed places of worship in line with the funding opportunities that other heritage buildings enjoy, with confirmation of the scheme for the next four years providing much-needed certainty to the church sector. The scheme will be delivered by Historic England, who have well developed relationships across the sector and can draw on their depth of experience to support communities and volunteers with projects of all sizes.

Heritage at Risk Capital Fund

A second round of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund has opened for Expressions of Interest, backing projects that ensure heritage buildings are fit for the future and continue to tell our national story in communities across the country. The fund prioritises projects that restore heritage sites serving disadvantaged communities and which demonstrate strong local benefits, from job creation to cultural events.

Up to £15 million in funding is available to at-risk heritage sites this year, as part of a total £75 million Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.

Heritage Revival Fund

The Heritage Revival Fund has also opened applications to its second round, with funding doubling to £10 million per year. The fund – worth £45 million in total – helps communities to rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings and transform them to meet modern needs, focusing on regenerating historic buildings in town centre locations to create new arts and culture venues, workspaces, affordable housing, and more.

Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEOs of Historic England said:

Places of worship and historic buildings are at the heart of communities across England. They connect people to their local history and identity, while providing spaces that support wellbeing, pride and social connection. Through the Places of Worship Renewal Fund and the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, this investment will direct support to the places where it is needed most, helping to repair and secure the future of some of our most valued heritage. By protecting these buildings and supporting their sustainable reuse, we can help communities unlock their potential for generations to come.

Matthew Mckeague, Chief Executive of the Architectural Heritage Fund said:

Over the past year, the Heritage Revival Fund has helped unlock the potential of social enterprises and charities throughout England to take on and transform neglected heritage assets into thriving new spaces. Thanks to our renewed partnership with DCMS and Historic England, we are thrilled to now be able to extend the reach of this work through the expanded programme, which will enable us to support many more exciting community-led schemes across the country over the next few years.

The Bishop of Lynn, Dr Jane Steen, the Church of England’s joint lead bishop for buildings, said:

Our church buildings are national treasures for the common good, both for their spiritual, cultural and historical significance and the vital practical help they provide communities across the country.

The majority of fundraising for the maintenance and repair of church buildings is done locally by thousands of wonderful volunteers. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund has a vital part to play alongside this local fundraising, and other funders who support churches.

We welcome the launch of the Fund and we look forward to working closely with Historic England, in helping encourage eligible churches to make full use of the scheme.

Notes to editors:
- Historic England will distribute the Places of Worship Renewal Fund and the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund. The Architectural Heritage Fund will distribute the Heritage Revival Fund in partnership with Historic England.
- Applicants can submit expressions of interest to the Places of Worship Renewal Fund through Historic England’s website.
- The first round of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund backed 37 projects across the country, helping transform vulnerable heritage locations into vibrant community spaces. Projects have included:
  - Health Hydro Turkish Baths, Swindon – Support for roof repairs at the rare Victorian-era Turkish baths is delivering a climate-resilient and environmentally enhanced roof structure. The reopened baths will offer affordable and inclusive programmes that respond to community needs, whilst bringing a culturally significant leisure facility back into use.
  - Greenhouse Centre, London – Funding for the final phases of transforming a shuttered 200 year-old space into a new sports hub in central London. The hub’s aim will be to provide coaching and mentoring to young people facing poverty.
  - Salford Lads Club, Manchester – Capital grants helping the essential repairs at the historic community club in Salford. The funding will support roof slate replacements and masonry repairs to ensure the sustainability of this iconic community building, famously linked to The Smiths.
- Images connected to the Places of Worship Renewal Fund and Heritage at Risk Capital Fund can be found on Historic England’s image gallery.
- Applicants can submit expressions of interest to the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund through Historic England’s website.
- The first round of the Heritage Revival Fund backed ten projects with capital grants to directly facilitate their transformative ambitions, as well as fifty-six projects with viability and development grants to formulate plans to reinvent their roles within communities. This includes:
  - Northumberland Hall, Alnwick – Capital funding has supported early works to get started on the restoration of the hall. It will become the new home of the volunteer-led Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery, facilitating new gallery spaces, meeting rooms, reinterpreted exhibitions of their collection, as well as spaces for local artists to exhibit and sell their work.
  - Kingsley Hall, Bristol – This Grade II*-listed former town house is being restored and transformed into a safe space for marginalised young people and the local community by charity 1625 Independent People. The project will create training spaces, a social enterprise café, and nine new affordable homes for young homeless people.
  - St John’s Church, Great Yarmouth – Restoration is underway to convert the Grade-II listed former church into a multi-use cultural and community hub, providing training and engagement, especially for unemployed young people. Once restored it will provide a space for workshops, training, exhibitions, screenings, events, music, rehearsals, artist residencies, learning and engagement.
- Images for the Heritage Revival Fund are supplied by the Architectural Heritage Fund.
- Applicants can submit expressions of interest to the Heritage Revival Fund through the Architectural Heritage Fund’s website.
- Heritage is a devolved matter. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund, Heritage at Risk Capital Fund and Heritage Revival Fund are open to listed places of worship and heritage sites in England. The Devolved Governments receive Barnett consequentials proportionate to overall departmental settlements, with decisions on the allocation of this funding for the Devolved Governments to take.
20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE: The United Kingdom strongly condemns the attack on the Barakah nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates – UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2026.

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

I thank Director General Grossi for his briefing. And I welcome the participation of the permanent representative of the UAE in our meeting today.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank Dr Grossi and staff at the International Atomic Energy Agency for their professionalism and dedication in delivering essential work on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, often in the most challenging circumstances.

The United Kingdom condemns this attack on the Barakah nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates, in the strongest terms.

This was a reckless attack which could have had severe consequences for nuclear safety and for regional security.

We welcome reports that radiation levels remain normal and that no injuries have been reported.

We call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to apply, respect, and uphold international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law.

Such actions risk further escalation at a time of heightened tensions.

President, looking to the wider region, we welcome action from the Council, led by the Gulf, to address increased tensions and instability.

Resolution 2817 is clear. Iran must cease all attacks, including in the Strait of Hormuz.

These attacks continue to threaten global security and prosperity, increase economic pressure on the most vulnerable, and put civilian lives in danger.

The United Kingdom stands firmly alongside the UAE and all our partners in the region in support of their sovereignty, security, and protection of critical national infrastructure.

We will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including here in the Security Council while providing practical support to help defend our friends in the Gulf.

Colleagues, the situation in the Middle East remains fragile.

We all want to see a de-escalation of tensions in the region.

Together, we must do all we can to support and sustain the ceasefire.

We call on Iran to engage meaningfully in negotiations, and to move towards lasting and sustainable peace.

20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Government backing future British ‘defence unicorns’ as new contracts awarded to drive innovation [May 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 19 May 2026.

Thirteen British businesses have been awarded contracts of up to £4 million to work with the Ministry of Defence to boost rapid procurement and deliver cutting-edge technology for the UK Armed Forces.
- Thirteen British tech companies sign contracts with defence to develop cutting-edge systems.
- Companies from across England, Wales and Scotland set to receive contracts worth up to £4 million for quantum sensing and autonomous systems to secure communications, space manufacturing and synthetic training.
- Part of new scheme to grow next billion-pound British ‘defence unicorns’ and boost to British businesses, jobs and UK Armed Forces readiness.
The new scheme gives accelerated contracts to small, innovative British companies who have done limited or no previous business with the Ministry of Defence.

More than half of winning firms are new to defence, with contracts awarded to companies from across England, Wales and Scotland, less than four months since the new ‘defence unicorn’ fund was announced.

The thirteen innovative British companies have been awarded contracts to develop cutting-edge technology for the UK’s Armed Forces as part of the Government’s work to open up new routes for small and growing businesses into the defence sector and deliver on the government’s Industrial Strategy.

The announcement comes as the Defence Secretary John Healey MP addresses the Good Growth Foundation today (Tuesday), arguing that Britain’s record defence investment must come with a back British pledge to boost UK jobs and innovation. He will tell the audience that today’s contracts are just the start of that approach.

The contracts – the largest worth £4 million – have been awarded through Commercial X, the Ministry of Defence’s accelerated contracting vehicle, as part of the government’s search for Britain’s next defence unicorn.

The contracts underline the Government’s focus on moving at pace, getting contracts to innovative British businesses faster than traditional procurement routes allow, and getting innovative new kit into the hands of UK Armed Forces.

The contracts support jobs in communities across Britain including Devon, Edinburgh, Newport in Wales and West Yorkshire. All the companies were founded after 2011, and the vast majority started in the last six years.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

This government is backing British innovators and entrepreneurs, doing things differently to deliver for our forces.

These are contracts, not words or promises, and they mean that thirteen British companies, many of them new to defence, are receiving real investment to develop the technology our Armed Forces need. This is defence delivering growth right across the country.

These companies may be small, but they all have the potential to become billion-pound FTSE 100 firms.

Director of The Good Growth Foundation (GGF) Praful Nargund said:

Our research shows that to build a defence settlement that lasts, the public needs to see the benefits of defence spending brought home to the UK. Pounds spent on defence must do double duty, protecting both our national security and our economic security.

Today’s announcements are a step towards bringing defence home: backing the British Innovators who will build our sovereign capability, keep the returns here, and create the defence industry Britain needs for a more dangerous world.

SMEs have the potential to be the heart of innovation in Britain, and it is only by backing SMEs that you build the domestic supply chain resilience that sovereign capability depends upon. Yet too often they are locked out of defence contracts, and defence investment flows overseas rather than building resilience in Britain. By backing our innovators, giving them the contacts and capitals to grow, we can create the conditions to build Britain’s next defence unicorn.

Chris Isaac CEO and Founder, SpaceAM said:

Game changer! In just five weeks.. six new staff, our first commercial labs operational, top London VCs lining up to invest, and the ability to scale at pace with confidence. That’s what this Unicorn Fund has delivered.

Phil Bottomley, CEO, Avenue3 said:

As an SME, this level of investment is transformative. It allows us to grow sustainably, create high-value jobs, and continue delivering complex engineering programmes at pace. It’s a strong signal of the role that smaller, specialist companies like Avenue3 can play in supporting national priorities while driving local economic growth.

The winning companies span a wide range of cutting-edge capability areas, from quantum sensing and autonomous systems to secure communications, space manufacturing and synthetic training. Together they represent the breadth and depth of British defence innovation – from established businesses scaling up to newer firms entering the sector for the first time.

The thirteen contracts are with:
- The RC Den Ltd (London)
- Aquark Technologies Ltd (Hampshire)
- Aether Aerospace Ltd (Newport, Wales)
- SpaceAM Ltd (London)
- Avenue 3 Ltd (West Yorkshire)
- Nereus Medical Ltd (Devon)
- Kraken Technology Group (Hampshire)
- Flowcopter Ltd (Edinburgh)
- Helyx Secure Information Systems Limited (Buckinghamshire)
- EP90Group Ltd (Winfrith Newburgh, England)
- Ritson Reid Ltd (Berkshire)
- SimCentric Limited (Oxfordshire)
- Spectra Group (UK) Ltd (London)
The awards are part of the government’s commitment to make Britain the best place to start and grow a defence business. Backed by the MOD’s commitment to increase defence spending with small and medium-sized enterprises by 50% through to May 2028 – an additional £2.5 billion, bringing total SME spend to £7.5 billion – the fund forms part of a wider package of reforms to open defence up to the next generation of British innovators.

This Government is backing UK Armed Forces with the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

Commercial X, a specialist function within the UK Ministry of Defence designed to accelerate the procurement of digital technologies and ground-breaking innovations, led the search for winning companies, assessed applicants against the requirements of the UK Armed Forces across a range of technology and capability themes, including AI and machine learning, robotics and autonomy, and precision capabilities.

The contracts provide winning companies with a foundation to attract further private investment, helping them scale rapidly and realise their full potential. The fund sits alongside the MOD’s new Office of Small Business Growth, which provides a single point of access for SMEs looking to work with defence, as well as the recently held Dragons’ Den-style event connecting defence innovators with private investors.
20/05/2026
David Lammy – 2026 Speech at the Global Partnerships Conference

The speech made by David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, on 19 May 2026.

First, let me thank the fantastic panellists that we’ve just heard speak so powerfully over the past few hours on this important issue: Shifting the Power.

Whether on the border of Sudan as Foreign Secretary, visiting Sri Lanka as Deputy Prime Minister or welcoming Global South leaders to the UK from across the world what’s clear is that the 1997 style approach to international development no longer works.

Global South partners feel the overlapping crises, the shocks and the creaking of the system the hardest.

We are living through a “Great Remaking”. In a changing international order, many powers are shaping this multipolar age, and so our status quo is not fit for purpose.

We are changing our approach. Moving from the paternalism of the past to the partnerships of the future and championing the reforms required across the system.

Making it fairer, more impactful and unblocking the finance needed to turbocharge development and climate action.

It’s fantastic to see that under my dear colleague Yvette Cooper and the wonderful Baroness Chapman this work has only grown in importance – look at us all here today. But as we’ve just heard, there is much more we must do together.

Why shifting power matters

As an international community, too often we have failed in our primary task: to work in genuine partnership. Not focussed on handouts. But on shared growth.

We know that when those most greatly affected shape the solutions, decisions carry greater legitimacy, outcomes endure, and our collective impact is stronger.

As the Foreign Secretary outlined earlier, we have a responsibility to make this right, but also an interest in doing so.

As Deputy Prime Minister, I know all too well that growth, tackling the climate crisis, and the health of our citizens cannot be separated from international shocks and crises.

Because as we’ve seen all too clearly in recent years, instabilities and crises across the world have a direct impact on us here at home. From the effects of COVID-19, which continue of course to reverberate, to the floods and extreme weather that damage our towns and cities, all of it costing billions of pounds. To the impacts of global economic shocks on the cost of living. If we are to shift course, we must see a genuine shift in approach; and a genuine shift in power.

Principles for modern partnerships

We’ve heard loud and clear over these two plenary sessions a rallying cry for a central organising principle: that countries’ and communities’ own aspirations, plans and priorities must be at the heart of development cooperation.

What are the three key things we have heard we can collectively do to turn this principle into practice?

Supporting country-led development

First, we must work alongside partners as they set their own agendas, aligning our support and finance behind their aspirations for their own development.

It means coordinating behind country platforms, where countries choose them, to align support with national priorities.

It means co-creating, co-designing and co-deciding solutions as best and standard practice, where partners determine what, where and how development resources are used.

That’s why the UK wholeheartedly endorses the Call to Action to all development actors to accelerate support for locally led development, and we encourage you to join us.

Taking a whole society approach

Second, that we need to take a whole of society approach. From government to the private sector to philanthropy to civil society, including the most marginalised voices. To support the changes that countries and communities want to see.

This Government has always believed in a feminist approach to international development and foreign policy. Women and girls – in all their diversity – and women’s rights organisations as drivers of change and progress, essential to growth, peace and stability.

That’s why I commend the work of Yvette Cooper. With her leadership, the UK has made this a standalone foreign policy priority.

Building self-sufficiency and economic resilience

And finally, to deliver this, we must support partners in building self-sufficiency and fiscal resilience.

We need to redouble our efforts to ensure countries can mobilise their own finance, spend well, borrow responsibly and manage shocks effectively, to build sustainable economies.

Control over finances is control over sovereignty.

This means tackling illicit finance and corruption. Which I see as one of the great progressive causes of our times.

Illicit financial flows are estimated to total between 800 billion dollars and 2 trillion dollars every year, that’s around 2–5% of global GDP.

This is money that should be in the hands of citizens, ordinary people supporting their public services.

Instead, it lines the pockets of kleptocrats, their cronies and funds their luxury homes in capitals like this one, here in London.

Together we must move beyond an agenda simply focussed on transparency and end the era of impunity for those exploiting developing nations for their own ill-gotten gains.

It also means mobilising more private capital and the City of London is a hub of green finance and we want it to become a hub of global development finance too.

So we are working with senior leaders from across the investment community to address practical barriers to scaling investment in developing countries.

This, to me, exemplifies a move towards building genuine partnerships, new coalitions that deliver growth and opportunity for citizens here and abroad.

Reforming the international system

But none of this will be enough if we don’t also work together to change the global development system.

You will have heard from many leaders and those championing reform initiatives over the course of today; and it is clear there are already some key areas of momentum.

Greater Global South representation

First, that we must address the injustice at the heart of the system for ensuring Global South voice, that’s representative has influence and a meaningful seat at the table.

Yvette Cooper set out earlier today how the UK is working in partnership to champion this shift across the system. Whether that’s ensuring greater voice across the debt architecture through the new Borrowers’ Platform, co-chairing the current World Bank Shareholding Review, reforming the UN Security Council to include permanent representation from the African continent, India, Germany, Brazil and Japan or ensuring the OECD DAC Reform Review keeps pace with the scale of the changes to the development partnership and finance landscape. We are proud to play our part.

Building a more coordinated development system

Second, it is clear that institutions and actors must work better as a system, to get behind the aspirations of countries and communities.

Working together should be the starting point, systemic and not ad hoc.

That means going further and faster on essential reforms to support genuine collaboration between development banks, climate funds, and other institutions. Bringing together finance, expertise, and implementation at scale.

Climate and development

Third, we must prioritise and protect the parts of the system that protect us. There is no development without climate action and no climate action without development. They are two sides of the same coin.

At all levels of government, the UK remains relentlessly focused on addressing this defining global challenge. The transition to a resilient, nature positive, clean powered global economy is the growth opportunity of the 21st century.

We will not succeed in tackling the climate and nature crisis, or delivering resilient, sustainable growth, without reforming the full development and climate ecosystem.

We need a climate and nature finance architecture that works faster, smarter and more effectively. We need to mobilise more finance from all sources whilst delivering a step change in access to ensure funding reaches the poorest and most vulnerable and we need to ensure funding reaches communities on the ground and that marginalised groups are at the centre of decision making.

This is proven to deliver stronger, more effective resilience – it needs to be at the core to shifting the power.

That is why we have always supported the vision of Least Development Countries to get more finance and decision-making power flowing to locally led climate action and to communities on the front line.

Looking ahead

Finally, that we must look ahead to the system we need for the future, and define that future together:

We as politicians, as leaders, must take greater responsibility to set out a common vision.

To re-inspire hope that we can tackle the collective challenges we face, for the betterment of my citizens and yours.

As we’ve heard today, there is much more to do on this agenda to deliver a true paradigm shift.

But we are committed, as partners, as reformers, to stay the course. What do we know?

We know that relationships grounded in old hierarchies no longer work and instead we need to base our relationships on mutual respect as equals. So how do we get there?

We know there is more to do. But when I look around this room, I see people, governments and organisations that are committed to do the work to realise our ambitions.

We are not all the same of course. We do not agree on everything. But together, we can build new coalitions which give us all a seat at the table.

We must take the discussions of this week and turn them into concrete actions. It is about restoring confidence that cooperation can deliver. This is what shifting the power means in practice; more trust, more legitimacy, more impact.

Thank you.

20/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Fairer taxes for high-value homes [May 2026]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 May 2026.

The government has launched a consultation on the details of the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge, to make the system fairer for households.
- Government launches next step in reforms that will tackle historic unfairness and see high value properties pay their fair share
- New surcharge on the top 1% of most valuable properties will put money into communities and local services across the country.
- First announced at Budget 2025, the reforms will rebalance the system which has been unchanged since 1992.
The government has launched a consultation today (May 19) on the details of the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge to make the system fairer for households across the country.

The move, announced at Budget 2025, will ensure those with the 1% most valuable properties pay their fair share – helping to fund vital local government services and implementing a significant reform to improve fairness within England’s property tax system.

Council tax has remained untouched for decades and has not been readjusted as property values increase. That means that under this flawed system, a multimillion pound mansion could be paying less council tax than a small family home.

Today the government is setting out the details for the new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million and above to address this unfairness. The consultation also outlines how properties will be identified, valued and placed in a band for the surcharge.

Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“A £10 million mansion in Mayfair should not be paying less council tax than an ordinary family home in Darlington or Blackpool.

“This change tackles historic unfairness, so that those with the most valuable properties pay their fair share, helping to rebalance the system and putting money back into communities up and down the country.”

Revaluations of properties worth more than £2 million will be carried out every five years, with the next revaluation being held in 2033, ensuring that the tax remains fair and up to date with house prices.

The consultation also sets out proposals for taxpayers to review the valuation of their property. The charge, which will affect less than 1% of properties, will come in from April 2028 and is expected to raise around £430 million per year to support funding for local government services.

Further information

The consultation launched today will run for eight weeks and taxpayers, local government, tax experts, legal professionals and those in the property industry are encouraged to respond.

The consultation will specifically seek views on:

·       the design of the tax surcharge

·       proposed scope of the tax surcharge

·       a deferral mechanism, to support those who cannot pay

·       the billing process

·       the proposed appeals process

·       administration and enforcement mechanisms
20/05/2026
Ellie Reeves – 2026 Comments on Adam Leddra

The comments made by Ellie Reeves, the Attorney General, on 19 May 2026.

Adam Leddra is a dangerous sexual predator. He knew his victim was only a teenager but completely disregarded her age, preying on her vulnerabilities to unleash some of the most horrific sexual abuse.

I welcome the court’s decision to increase his prison sentence and protect any more victims from harm. I want to commend the victim’s bravery for coming forward to help bring this perpetrator to justice.

20/05/2026