Tag: Downing Street

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

The Prime Minister spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine this evening.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine and set out our ongoing commitment to do everything possible to debilitate and degrade Putin’s war machine.

He outlined how the UK was ramping up measures to crack down on Russia’s economy including through the new package of sanctions announced yesterday, and that as a result of the UK’s actions to date, there will be less Russian oil on the market, with Russia weaker as a result.

The leaders reiterated the need to keep up this pressure on Russia and welcomed the strength of the UK-Ukraine relationship. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the people of Ukraine for their enduring courage in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. 

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 May 2026.

The Prime Minister is hosting a reception in Downing Street today (Monday 18 May), bringing together employers, workers and apprentices to demonstrate how strengthening Britain’s ties abroad is delivering for working people at home.

• PM welcomes businesses and workers to Downing Street to showcase how the Government’s action abroad is delivering for working people at home
• Reception highlights success stories of businesses expanding exports and growing as a result of stronger UK ties abroad
• Event underlines how the Government’s economic plan and trade deals are delivering growth and opportunity for working people

The Prime Minister is hosting a reception in Downing Street today (Monday 18 May), bringing together employers, workers and apprentices to demonstrate how strengthening Britain’s ties abroad is delivering for working people at home.

At a time of global uncertainty, the event will highlight how the government’s economic plan is providing the foundation for growth – backing British businesses, protecting working people, and making the UK more resilient to global shocks. That approach was borne out last week, with the UK delivering the fastest growth in the G7 ahead of the impact of the Middle East conflict.

The event will also showcase how trade deals and international engagement are creating jobs and driving growth across the UK. Guests will include apprentices, local representatives and employees from across the UK alongside business leaders, showcasing how the Government’s economic plan is translating into jobs, investment and growth on people’s doorsteps.

Representatives from the community engagement team involved in the new Universal Studios theme park in Bedford will also attend to showcase the local impact of a project secured after the PM met Universal executives in the UK and US. The project will support 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent roles, alongside a £50 billion boost for the UK economy and local businesses including hotels, restaurants, taxi firms and contractors.

The Prime Minister will meet attendees and tour a series of showcases highlighting success stories from across the UK – from Scotland’s world-leading whisky industry and cutting-edge medical technology in Cambridge, to fast-growing British food and drink brands exporting to global markets.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

By strengthening Britain’s place on the global stage, we are delivering real benefits for working people at home.                                                                                 

Our trade deals are supporting jobs and driving growth across the UK by opening up opportunities for people at every stage of their career, from apprentices starting out to experienced workers building new skills, as businesses expand into new markets. 

I’m determined that growth is felt by working people with better jobs, higher wages and more money in their pockets. That’s what our economic plan is about – taking action at home and abroad to deliver real change that people can see in their lives and their communities.

At the reception, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) will showcase one of the UK’s most iconic exports, with new trade agreements expected to significantly boost exports and cut tariffs in key markets. The SWA has projected that the India deal has the potential to significantly grow Scotch whisky exports over the coming years once it has entered into force, with the industry set to also benefit from zero tariffs in the US and reduced tariffs in China.

Most recently, the US announced tariff-free access for whiskies produced across the UK, including Scotch Whisky for which the US is the industry’s largest market by value, worth almost £1bn.

Innovative food brands Creative Nature and Happy Inside will also highlight how Government support is helping them expand internationally, including launching into new markets and exporting products around the world. Creative Nature launched their company’s snacks and foods into Japan after a government trade mission and now export to 16 countries and are carried on 9 airlines. Happy Inside will be launching their drinks in Mexico after a Department for Business and Trade ‘Meet the Buyer’ event and now exports to 6 countries.

The reception will also celebrate the best of British produce and industries supported by improved access to global markets, with catering featuring cheese from Somerset, beef from Northern Ireland, sea salt from Wales and whisky from Scotland.

Also attending are employers Octopus Energy, Whittard of Chelsea, Rolls Royce SMR, and Holland & Barrett, as well as industry groups MakeUK and the Federation of Small Businesses, along with apprentices from BAE Systems and Scottish Power.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Trade deals aren’t abstract policy wins – they translate into real benefits for British families and businesses right across the country. Whether it’s a whisky distiller in Scotland accessing new markets in India or an automotive worker in the West Midlands with greater job security because of our deal with the US.

By securing ambitious trade agreements, we can back British businesses to do what they do best: innovate, export and grow. That means more jobs, better wages and stronger local economies – not just today, but for decades to come.

The Government has secured major trade deals with partners including the United States, India and South Korea, helping to cut red tape, unlock investment and open up new export opportunities. These agreements are already delivering tangible benefits for working people across the country.

The landmark economic deal with the US will save thousands of jobs, protect key British industries, and help drive economic growth. Most recently, the US announced tariff-free access for UK whisky. 

Through this deal, the UK remains the only country to have agreed a 10% tariff for automotives within quota, a 25% tariff for core steel and aluminium exports and 0% tariffs for pharmaceuticals – saving hundreds of millions of pounds on UK exports annually and cementing our place as a world leader for life sciences investment.  During last year’s historic US State visit, we announced a record breaking £150bn in investment commitments creating 7,600 jobs, alongside signing a world leading Tech Prosperity Deal.

The India deal is already driving growth, with the Prime Minister’s visit securing 6,900 jobs and the trade agreement estimated to boost wages by £2.2 billion a year in the long run.

The South Korea deal could boost the UK’s world leading services industry worth up to £400 million in exports a year while protecting 98% of tariff-free lines for UK goods, opening up new opportunities for exporters and strengthening key industries.

Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the SWA, said: 

Positive trading relationships with established and emerging markets around the world are the bedrock of Scotch Whisky’s success, and over the past year the Free Trade Agreement with India, tariff reduction in China, and the announcement of zero tariff rate for the US, have been good news for producers looking to boost exports. 

We are grateful for UK government support and hope to see swift implementation of the India and US deals, as well as securing new international opportunities.

Export success abroad should be underpinned by a domestic market that fosters business confidence and supports home-grown sectors like Scotch Whisky and their supply chains, and we look forward to working with the UK Government to ensure our industry is in the best position at home and abroad to support jobs, boost investment and generate growth.

Founder of Creative Nature Julianne Ponan MBE said:

It is a real honour to be at 10 Downing Street showcasing Creative Nature products alongside so many inspiring British businesses. The support from the Department for Business and Trade through trade missions, the Export Academy and Free Trade Agreements has helped us grow from a kitchen table startup into exporting to 18 countries, proving that UK SMEs can thrive internationally when given the right opportunities and support.” 

Founder of Happy Inside Drinks Charlie Knockton said:

It is an immense honour to be at 10 Downing Street showcasing Happy Inside drinks alongside so many fantastic British businesses. The support from the Department for Business and Trade through Trade Missions, Meet the Buyer events and our International Trade Advisor has been invaluable – allowing us to scale production, become more competitive in the UK market, and expand into exciting markets including China, the UAE and soon Mexico. This shows that supporting British businesses abroad directly benefits the wider UK economy.

The Prime Minister is also deepening ties with other international partners and progressing new agreements to build a long-term pipeline of growth and investment:

• Commitments at the first UK-EU summit are estimated to deliver a package worth up to £9 billion by 2040. The European Partnership Bill will improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU – our largest trading market – by giving us the power to implement new deals agreed with the EU both now and in the future.
• The PM’s trade mission to China secured £2.2 billion in export deals, supporting jobs from Glasgow to the energy sector.
• Joining the CPTPP trade bloc is estimated to add £1 billion to real household wages every year compared to 2021 levels.
• Negotiations are also underway for a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council that could increase UK GDP by around £1.6 billion a year in the long run (when compared to 2035 projections). 

This work is already being felt in communities across the UK, with trade and international engagement supporting jobs, boosting wages and opening up new opportunities for businesses in every part of the country.

The world today is more volatile and dangerous than at any point in recent history with a war on two fronts – in the Middle East and in Ukraine – threatening living standards. The government’s economic plan has put the UK in a better position to weather these storms.

Before the conflict of Iran, the UK economy was showing clear signs of strength, with strong growth, rising living standards and falling unemployment, underlining the importance of economic stability in protecting households and businesses.

The government is continuing to rebuild our economy to make us more resilient, and the King’s Speech will drive forward this progress through more protections for small businesses, reforms to regulation to drive innovation, and changes to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.

By securing new partnerships abroad and delivering for working people at home, the Government is setting a clear course for long-term economic security and growth.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 May 2026.

Eleven foreign far-right agitators intent on coming to the UK to spew their extremist views have been blocked from entering the country, as the Prime Minister takes action to protect British communities from vile hate.

• Eleven foreign far-right agitators have been blocked from coming to the UK, ahead of the unpatriotic Unite the Kingdom March  
• Prime Minister warns violent thugs who spew hatred on our streets will face the full force of the law
• Saturday expected be one of the busiest days for policing in recent years, as thousands descend on the capital

Eleven foreign far-right agitators intent on coming to the UK to spew their extremist views have been blocked from entering the country, as the Prime Minister takes action to protect British communities from vile hate.

One of those barred from the UK is US-based extremist Valentina Gomez, known for using inflammatory and dehumanising rhetoric about Muslim communities.

Thousands are set to arrive in London on Saturday with a march organised by Unite the Kingdom. There will also be a pro-Palestine protest, who will be joined by Stand Up to Racism. This will make it one of the busiest policing days for the capital in years.

The Prime Minister has warned that the minority of violent thugs who plan to attend the marches this weekend with the intention of whipping up hatred and threatening communities will face the full force of the law.

The Met has confirmed they will arrest individuals who incite hatred, including using chants such as “globalise the intifada”. This follows the Government providing the Met with £18 million in emergency funding to protect and reassure the Jewish community.

During a visit to the Metropolitan Police’s Command and Control Special Operations Room, the Prime Minister heard how thousands of officers will be deployed to keep the public safe, equipped with live facial recognition technology, helicopters, drones, dog units, police horses and armoured vehicles.

These officers will be supported by a ramped-up justice system, ready to quickly haul violent offenders in front of judges. Prosecutors will also be working alongside police to speed up charging decisions, and more courts will be open, and open for longer. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

“We’re in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against. Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. 

“We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence. For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law.

“My government will always champion peaceful protest but will act decisively against hatred. We all have a responsibility to speak out against those spouting vile divisive views wherever we see it.

“We are a country built on decency, fairness and respect, at our best when people from different backgrounds come together in common purpose.  That is what we must fight for.”

Meeting Police Chiefs on Friday morning, the Prime Minister also made clear he recognises that the majority expected to attend are law-abiding citizens, who want to protest peacefully, and urged everyone attending a protest to act with decency and respect.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 May 2026.

The King’s Speech – the second under this government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain.

• King’s Speech will strengthen public services, reform the state and reverse decline
• Ambitious programme to break with the status quo
• New laws reflect big challenges country faces and bolsters UK’s economic, energy and national security

A stronger, fairer country that can weather the storm of global shocks and restore hope will be the focus of the new legislation set out in The King’s Speech today [13 May].

The King’s Speech – the second under this government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain.

The package of bills is targeted at strengthening the UK’s foundations through measures to bolster economic, energy, national security.

This includes laws to restore order and control to the immigration system, strengthen our public services and reform the state to support a more active government that is on the side of British people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“The British people expect the Government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better.

“Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world.

“Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past.

“My government will deliver on the promise of change for the British people.”

The government’s first session of Parliament delivered 50 government bills, including the Children and Wellbeing Act, Employment Rights Act, the Great British Energy Act, the Renters’ Rights Act and the Planning and Infrastructure Act.

The legislation passed delivered on core promises made to the British public – making our country safer, stronger and fairer through landmark laws to drive change. That includes help for parents with everyday school costs, stronger rights for victims and survivors, creating the first smoke-free generation to help people live healthier lives, tougher police powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour, and giving communities a say in the decisions that affect them. 

This second session will deliver change to our communities.

Economic, energy and national security

The world today is more volatile and dangerous than at any point in recent history. A war on two fronts – in the Middle East and in Ukraine – threatens living standards. The government’s economic plan has put the UK in a better position to weather these storms. We will rebuild our economy to make us more resilient – and the King’s Speech will drive forward this progress through more protections for small businesses, reforms to regulation to drive growth and innovation, and changes to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow. Delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, new laws will deliver more trade, more opportunity for young people and help to reduce the cost of living.

We need to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster with clean, homegrown power we control and electrification of our wider economy. The King’s Speech is expected to unveil the Energy Independence Bill which will give government more power to tackle the affordability crisis and speed up the delivery of clean energy technologies and vital grid infrastructure.

Building on the progress already made to restore order and control to our borders, legislation will be brought forwards to deliver a firm but fair immigration system that restores control and earns public trust.

Bills will also be introduced to meet the evolving threats facing the UK head on, strengthening our defences and keeping pace with modern technologies from cyber-attacks to new powers to counter state threats so we can better disrupt the sharing of extreme content online.

As the Prime Minister set out earlier this week, the King’s Speech will also set out legislation to protect the UK’s steelmaking capacity by giving government options to nationalise British Steel, so that necessary action can be taken if needed while we continue to rebuild the steel sector.

Ending the opportunity crisis

Ending the opportunity crisis requires an active state that can deliver on the government’s commitment to fight for every child. The King’s Speech is expected to include legislation to deliver government’s landmark reforms to transform the school system so that all children get access to an inclusive, high quality mainstream education, and parents don’t have to battle a system just to get their kids the support they deserve.

Removing barriers to opportunity and helping people get on in life is at the heart of the government’s drive to reverse the decline felt across the country. Laws to deliver the manifesto commitment to put an end to the unfair and outdated leasehold system will give people more control over how they live in their own homes and provide stronger rights for homeowners.

Strengthened public services and reformed state

Landmark public service reforms in the NHS, police and special education needs will also strengthen our country. This government is reversing the decline and neglect of our NHS so that it’s built to support people at every stage of their life, as well as preventing them from getting sick in the first place. A new Bill is expected to be brought forward to accelerate the reform needed to strip back bureaucracy, improve patient care and support early intervention. Legislation to protect much needed social housing stock and better protect domestic abuse survivors will also be included, making sure families have safe, secure, affordable homes to live in.

The new legislation comes alongside the government’s action to ease the cost of living crisis for working people, remove barriers to growth, create more highly paid jobs and equip people with the skills and routes to get on in life. That includes rolling out free breakfast clubs and supporting parents with free childcare, freezing rail fares, capping the price of bus journeys, and fixing the broken welfare system by tackling the disincentives that pushed too many people away from work and investing £2.5 billion in a youth employment package that will support almost one million young people and help deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 May 2026.

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

• Nesil Caliskan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Natalie Fleet MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office
• Catherine Atkinson MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
• Preet Kaur Gill MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
• Gen Kitchen MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
• Deirdre Costigan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
• Shaun Davies MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons

Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Jess Phillips MP, Alex Davies-Jones MP and Dr Zubir Ahmed MP have left the Government.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 May 2026.

The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring Peerages of the United Kingdom for Life upon the undermentioned:

Peers nominated by the Leader of the Labour Party

1. Stephen Benn, The Viscount Stansgate
2. Christopher John Suenson-Taylor, The Lord Grantchester

Crossbench Peers

1. Charles Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington OBE DL
2. Nicholas le Poer Trench, The Earl of Clancarty
3. Charles Colville, The Viscount Colville of Culross
4. Richard Denison, The Lord Londesborough
5. Simon Russell, The Lord Russell of Liverpool
6. Daniel Mosley, The Lord Ravensdale
7. Godfrey Bewicke-Copley, The Lord Cromwell
8. Richard Gilbey, The Lord Vaux of Harrowden
9. John Pakington, The Lord Hampton

Peers nominated by the Leader of the Conservative Party

1. Sebastian Grigg, The Lord Altrincham
2. Mark Cubitt, The Lord Ashcombe
3. William Stonor, The Lord Camoys
4. Jonathan Berry, The Viscount Camrose
5. Patrick Courtown, The Earl of Courtown
6. Rupert Ponsonby, The Lord de Mauley KCVO TD FCA
7. Edward Effingham, The Earl of Effingham
8. Giles Goschen, The Viscount Goschen
9. Jasset Ormsby-Gore, The Lord Harlech
10. The Rt Hon Frederick Penn, The Earl Howe GBE PC
11. Timothy Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, The Earl of Minto
12. Colin Moynihan, The Lord Moynihan
13. Aeneas Mackay, The Lord Reay
14. Massey Lopes, The Lord Roborough
15. The Rt Hon Thomas Galbraith, The Lord Strathclyde CH PC

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 May 2026.

The Prime Minister will meet with apprentices to underline the Government’s drive to overhaul the apprenticeship system, break down barriers to opportunity for young people and ensure the economy works for people in every part of the country.

• Apprenticeships put on an equal footing with university degrees as PM vows to “tear up the status quo” that held young people back
• Small businesses can take on young apprentices with training fully funded from August, reversing years of underinvestment that locked young people out of opportunity
• Part of the Prime Minister’s plan to build a stronger, fairer Britain by backing young people with real opportunities into work

The Prime Minister will meet with apprentices today [Tuesday 12 May] to underline the Government’s drive to overhaul the apprenticeship system, break down barriers to opportunity for young people and ensure the economy works for people in every part of the country.

Apprenticeships are being placed at the heart of a new approach to skills, giving young people more ways to build secure careers and offering employers the workforce they need to grow.

The Government is now making it even easier for young people to find and access opportunities in one place through JobHelp – bringing together online support on jobs, skills, apprenticeships and training. JobHelp is designed to help young people navigate the system more easily and find routes into work that fit around their needs.

The visit follows the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday, where he set out how the Government is not just fixing what went wrong, but changing how the country works and who it works for. Despite strong headline growth in recent years, too many communities and families have not felt the benefits, and too many young people were left without a clear route into secure, skilled jobs.

For decades, underinvestment in apprenticeships and technical education drove too many young people away from opportunity and left employers without the skills they need. This Government is determined to reverse that failure and place apprenticeships at the heart of a fairer economy.

Central to that mission is the Prime Minister’s ambition for more young people to take part in higher‑level learning – whether academic, technical or through apprenticeships – so that success is no longer defined by a single path, and talent and hard work are recognised in all their forms.

That ambition is now being delivered through a major, previously announced package of reforms to the apprenticeship and skills system. A £1 billion investment will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships and high‑quality training over the next three years, helping tackle youth unemployment while boosting economic growth. 

Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said:

“Too many young people have been locked out of good work and real opportunity. We are changing that and we are already making good on that promise.

“Through apprenticeships, training and the new JobHelp service, we are opening up clear, supported routes into work for young people in every part of the country. 

“A stronger, fairer economy is one where every young person has a real chance to succeed, and this Government is delivering that.”

Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson said:

“For too long, young people have been let down by a system that offered too few routes into skilled, well-paid work. That is changing as more people learn the skills and get the hands-on experience that will help them build their careers.

“I believe talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should too. We are building a system that works for every young person, wherever they live and whatever path they choose.”

A cornerstone of the reforms is removing the financial barriers that have held back opportunity for years. The Government will be covering the full cost of apprenticeship training for eligible under‑25s at smaller businesses, by abolishing the 5% co‑investment rate. This change opens up thousands of new opportunities for young people and makes it easier for local employers to grow their workforce and invest in young talent. 

The government is also offering businesses £3,000 for every young person aged 18–24 they hire who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months which is expected to support 60,000 young people into work over three years. 

This comes alongside a £2,000 Apprenticeship Incentive for each new 16–24‑year‑old taken on by a smaller will help drive progress towards the Government’s ambition of creating 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people. 

The Jobs Guarantee is also being expanded from 18–21 to 18–24, creating more than 35,000 additional subsidised jobs and taking the total number of opportunities supported through the scheme to over 90,000 in the next three years.  

In March, the government launched a major youth employment drive, backed by a further £1 billion investment in young people. This takes the total investment into the Youth Guarantee and the additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5 billion over the next three years. This will support almost one million young people and help deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn. 

The package also includes £140 million for new regional pilots, giving mayors the power to connect young people, including those not in education, employment or training – with apprenticeship opportunities at local employers. Working with regional leaders who understand their economies will ensure training meets real local skills needs.  

Employers and learners will benefit from a more flexible system, with new short training courses launched last month in areas such as AI, engineering and digital skills. The Government is also working closely with the defence sector to develop new work‑based training routes, helping build the critical skills needed for the future. 

Alongside this, new waves of foundation apprenticeships are being rolled out in sectors including hospitality and retail, creating more entry‑level routes for young people to earn, learn and progress. Taken together, the reforms are simplifying and modernising the apprenticeship system, making it quicker, more flexible and more responsive to employers and learners. 

Today’s visit underlines the Government’s commitment to breaking down barriers for young people, restoring pride in place and ensuring that growth and opportunity are felt all across the country.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 May 2026.

New legislation to be announced in the King’s Speech on Wednesday will give government the option to bring British Steel into public ownership.

• Government to introduce legislation which would give it the option to nationalise British Steel, subject to public interest test being met.
• Primary legislation would give Government a route to safeguard UK steelmaking capacity and avoid sudden halt of production at Scunthorpe, while it considers options for British Steel to help deliver on government’s Steel Strategy ambitions.
• Move strengthens economic resilience and backs Government’s long‑term ambition for a resilient, modern UK steel sector.

British Steel could be back in Government hands for the first time since being sold off in 1988, thanks to powers that will be included in new legislation to be set out in the Kings Speech on Wednesday.

The new powers would be subject to public interest tests, and if used to nationalise British Steel, they would boost national security while giving stability to workers at Scunthorpe, and British Steel’s suppliers and customers.

The Prime Minister announced the new legislation in a speech today (Monday 11 May) where he set out his plan to boost our sovereign capabilities, protect British industry, and prioritise British jobs and industrial communities.

The Government intervened at British Steel in April 2025 under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act to ensure uninterrupted steel production and to avoid the sudden closure of the blast furnaces, which would have disrupted supply chains and risked thousands of jobs. 

Since then, the Government has been in discussions with British Steel’s owner to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the business on acceptable terms.

It has not been possible to agree a commercial sale with the current owner, and government does not believe an agreement could be reached which would deliver acceptable value for money for taxpayers.

The Government believes introducing legislation to provide a route to public ownership is the appropriate next step, while recognising that any decision to use the powers in the Bill would be subject to the Bill’s public interest test being met. 

The public interest test considers factors including national security, maintaining critical national infrastructure and supporting the economy. 

The announcement today follows the launch of the Government’s landmark Steel Strategy in March, which set out its long‑term plan to revitalise the UK steel sector and bolster economic resilience by meeting up to 50 percent of UK steel demand domestically.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Steel is strategically important to our economy and our national resilience. That’s why we acted last year to avoid a sudden halt to production at Scunthorpe, protecting workers and the community that depend on the site, and why we’re now bringing forward legislation to give us options to protect Britain’s steelmaking capability.

This is what an activist state looks like – taking decisions in the national interest. This Bill would allow us to take action if we need to, while we continue rebuilding our steel sector.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Strong domestic steel production is vital for our economy, and this legislation would allow us to ensure stability for British Steel’s workers, suppliers and customers and avoid damaging disruption to crucial supply chains, while we consider options for the site’s future.

Revitalising our steel sector is a top priority for this government, and bringing forward this legislation would allow us to explore potential future options for British Steel. The government recognises that securing the long-term future of the UK’s steel sector relies on both public and private investment for modernisation.

Following the Government’s intervention in April 2025, British Steel has continued operating at the Scunthorpe site, protecting steelmaking capacity and supporting jobs across the local economy and supply chain, providing reassurance and stability for the town and its workforce.

The new Bill will be formally introduced to Parliament this week. Any decision to bring British Steel into public ownership would only be taken after the Bill receives Royal Assent, and if the public interest test set out in the legislation is met.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 May 2026.

Keir Starmer has appointed Gordon Brown as the Prime Minister’s Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation today.

The former Prime Minister will advise on how global finance cooperation can build a stronger Britain, boosting the country’s security and resilience.

His appointment comes as the UK prepares to hold the Presidency of the G20 next year.

He will be tasked with developing new international finance partnerships that can support defence and security-related investment, including measures that underpin the UK’s relationship with Europe.

As part of the role he will engage with international leaders and finance institutions as well as private finance partners to establish multilateral finance mechanisms.

Gordon Brown was Britain’s longest-serving modern Chancellor of the Exchequer.

As Prime Minister, he worked with international counterparts as they responded to the worldwide financial crisis.

In April 2009, he hosted the G20 Summit in London where world leaders pledged to make an additional $1.1 trillion available to help the world economy through the crisis and restore credit, growth and jobs.

Gordon Brown will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.