Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 April 2026.

A raft of new measures – coming into force today (1 April 2026) – will see wages go up, bills come down, and more support for those who need it most.

In an uncertain and volatile world, the Prime Minister is continuing to work with allies to push for de-escalation in the Middle East – which is the surest and quickest way to bring down pressures on prices.

On Monday, he hosted a roundtable with energy, insurance, and shipping companies and on Tuesday he chaired a COBR(M) meeting to assess the situation with Cabinet colleagues.

Measures coming into force today include:

–       Increasing the National Living wage to £12.71 – a £900 boost for 2.4 million workers

–       Increasing the National Minimum Wage to £10.85 – a £1,500 boost for over 200,000 young workers

–       Cutting energy bills by an average £117 a year for millions across the UK – locked in until end of June

–       The Crisis & Resilience Fund starts running – enabled by £1bn of funding – which helps vulnerable households with things like heating oil

–       A freeze on prescription prices – so people aren’t spending more than a tenner on their medicines

This follows an update to the public on 16th March where the Prime Minister set out five steps that were already in place on the cost of living. These were:

1)    Cutting the energy price cap until the end of June – thanks to last year’s Budget

2)    The Chancellor’s decision to extend the cut in fuel duty until this September

3)    £53 million for households that are most exposed to heating oil rises

4)    Building Britain’s energy security and independence

5)    Ongoing work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East

The cut to the energy price cap comes on top of the £150 Warm Home Discount that around 6 million families will have received this winter, following its expansion last year – and eligible billpayers will continue to receive this support every winter for the rest of the decade.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“In an uncertain and volatile world, it is my government’s duty to protect the British people at home and abroad.

“I know the public are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for them and their families.

“I want to reassure them that they have a government on their side, working with allies on de-escalation and bearing down on the cost of living.

“Today, millions of people up and down the country will see energy bills go down by £117, wages go up for the lowest paid, and more support will be available for people who need it most – because of the decisions this government has taken.

“But we must go further to bear down on costs, and that means pushing for de-escalation in the Middle East and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. That is the best way we can bring down the cost of living for families and that is my focus.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 March 2026.

The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Roderick (Rod) Ernest Alexander Green, BA, MA, MTh, Archdeacon of Llandaff, in the Church in Wales, to the Suffragan See of Stepney, in the Diocese of London, in succession to The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, MA, DPhil, following her translation to the See of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

Rod was educated at the University of Reading and the London School of Theology, and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.  He served his title at Christ Church, Spitalfields, in the Stepney Area of the Diocese of London and was ordained priest in 2008.

In 2011 he took up the role of Associate Rector at St Paul’s, Shadwell, also in the Stepney Area of the Diocese of London.  In 2014 he was appointed Vicar at St. Peter’s, West Harrow, in the Willesden Area of the Diocese of London. 

He has served in his current role as Archdeacon of Llandaff, in the Diocese of Llandaff, in the Church in Wales, since 2021.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 March 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah today. 

The Prime Minister began by condemning Iran’s unacceptable and reckless strikes on Kuwait’s oil refineries yesterday, as well as the wider attacks on the Gulf. He shared his condolences for those who have lost their lives in Kuwait and reiterated the need for de-escalation.

The leaders agreed on the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and to continue working together, including on defensive capabilities in the region.

They agreed to keep in touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 March 2026.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Nigerian President, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Downing Street today. 

The leaders began by acknowledging the longstanding ties shared by both countries, including our Commonwealth values and deep connections across communities, families and businesses.

Both leaders committed to deepening their long-term partnership on trade, infrastructure and sustainable growth. The Prime Minister welcomed Nigerian companies expanding into the UK, showcasing Nigeria’s role as a key source of innovation and investment.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of the deal agreed today to support the redevelopment of two of Nigeria’s major trading ports, with British Steel supplying 120,000 tonnes of steel billets to construction companies Hitech Nigeria and ITB Nigeria and supporting jobs at home in the UK.

The leaders shared their concern at the horrific situation in Sudan, and the Prime Minister updated on the latest UK action to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians on the ground.

On defence and security, they committed to work more closely together to enhance the UK and Nigeria’s response to transnational crime and terrorism. On migration, the leaders agreed to improve procedures on returns.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 March 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by condemning the Iranian strikes on Qatari energy facilities overnight. He said that such reckless attacks on critical infrastructure risk pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the severe economic impacts being felt globally, including in the UK.

Discussing the ongoing defensive support the UK is providing to our partners in the region, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK would continue to stand with Qatar and all our allies in the Gulf.

The leaders agreed that the immediate priority must be de-escalation and that they would stay in close touch in the coming days and weeks.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 March 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, this morning.

The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the egregious Iranian strikes on Qatari energy facilities.

Attacks on critical infrastructure risked pushing the region further into crisis, the leaders agreed.

Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders reiterated the importance of securing the key maritime route and supporting freedom of navigation for shipping.

It was vital partners worked together on a viable plan, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders agreed to speak again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 March 2026.

The PM spoke to the leaders of Germany and Italy last night about the situation in the Middle East.

Discussing the Strait of Hormuz, they agreed on the vital importance of freedom of navigation for vessels through these waters. They agreed to work closely together in the coming days in the face of Iranian threats.

The Prime Minister updated on the ongoing defensive measures taken by the UK in the region in recent days, in support of our partners in the Gulf.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 March 2026.

Joint E3 Leaders’ Statement on Iran.

E3 leaders are appalled by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks launched by Iran against countries in the region, including those who were not involved in initial US and Israeli military operations. Iran’s reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region.

We call on Iran to stop these reckless attacks immediately. We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source.

We have agreed to work together with the US and allies in the region on this matter.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 March 2026.

Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks.

The UK condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian regime’s reckless and ongoing indiscriminate attacks against countries in the region. Such actions demand a united response to restore peace and security and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

As well as defending itself and its position in the region, the UK is acting in the collective self-defence of regional allies who have requested support.  The UK and its allies are permitted under international law to use or support force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an ongoing armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate.

Accordingly, the UK has military assets flying in the region to intercept drones or missiles targeting countries not previously involved in the conflict.  In addition, the UK has responded to a US request which will facilitate specific and limited defensive action against missile facilities in Iran which were involved in launching strikes at regional allies.

The UK’s actions and related support to its allies is solely focussed on ending the threat of air and missile attacks against regional allies unlawfully attacked by Iran and who have not been involved in hostilities from the outset.  It does not signal the UK having any wider involvement in the broader ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.  

The UK remains of the view that a negotiated solution should be supported, and that further escalation into a wider regional conflict should be avoided.

The Government will notify the United Nations Security Council of relevant actions taken under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.