Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Iranian targets in response to national security threats [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Iranian targets in response to national security threats [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

    Foreign Secretary announces sanctions against organisations and individuals enabling hostile Iranian activity

    • New UK sanctions target organisations and individuals who threaten international and UK security. 
    • Action demonstrates UK commitment to countering Iranian threats to UK national security, regional stability, and the global economy. 
    • Sanctions will deter attacks against dissidents overseas and disrupt illicit revenue generation for the Iranian regime.

    Organisations and individuals enabling hostile Iranian activity are amongst those being targeted under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, today (11 May). The measures come in response to Iranian action against global security and its use of criminal gangs to carry out threats overseas. 

    The measures target illicit finance flows which enable the Iranian regime to pursue destabilising action across the Middle East, including their blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – contravening international law and disrupting the global economy – and military strikes against regional and Gulf allies. 

    Today’s sanctions also target criminal proxies who act on behalf of the Iranian state to threaten the US and Europe by preventing criminal gangs from travelling to the UK or accessing assets which finance their illegal activity. 

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

    This package of sanctions directly targets organisations and individuals who threaten security on UK streets and stability in the Middle East. Criminal proxies backed by parts of the Iranian regime who threaten security in the UK and Europe will not be tolerated, nor will illicit finance networks. We are coordinating these actions across Europe. 

    We continue to press for a negotiated settlement and a long-term diplomatic solution in the Middle East, which urgently restores freedom of navigation to the Strait of Hormuz.

    The package of sanctions is aligned with action taken by the EU and builds on recent action by the UK government to hold the Iranian regime accountable for hostile activity, including threats to national security. 

    More broadly, the Prime Minister has made clear that we need stronger powers to tackle threats posed by states like Iran, which is why we will fast-track Home Office state-threats legislation. On 28 April, the Minister for the Middle East summoned the Iranian Ambassador for the third time this year. The government has censured the Iranian embassy’s unacceptable and inflammatory comments on social media and made clear that any attempts to cause violence or inflame tensions in our communities will not be tolerated. 

    The UK also sanctioned 10 individuals and one organisation in February for their brutal response to Iranian protestors in January and in previous protests. 

    The UK already has imposed more than 550 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations, including the entirety of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps i and over 90 sanctions in response to Human Rights violations. 

    These sanctions form part of a UK day of action against destabilising activity by Iran and Russia. Earlier today, the UK announced sanctions against Russia’s hostile and heinous attempts to undermine democracy and destroy Ukraine’s future. 

    Background:

    The following entities are today sanctioned by the UK government and are subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification: 

    • Berelian Exchange 
    • GCM Exchange 
    • The Zindashti Network 

    The following individuals are today sanctioned by the UK government and are subject to a travel ban, asset freeze and director disqualification: 

    • Mansour Zarringhalam 
    • Nasser Zarringhalam 
    • Ekrem Abdulkerym Oztunc 
    • Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan 
    • Reza Hamidiravari 
    • Namiq Salifov  

    The following individuals are also today sanctioned by the UK government and are subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification: 

    • Fazlolah Zarringhalam 
    • Pouria Zarringhalam 
    • Farhad Zarringhalam 

    Information in this Press Release was accurate at the time of publication. Please see the UK Sanctions List for the current list of those subject to sanctions https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list 

    Definitions:   

    1. Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. 
    2. Director disqualification: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it is an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a UK company, or a foreign company that is sufficiently-connected to the UK, or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a company. 
    3. Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, as the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and France set to host multinational Strait of Hormuz meeting as British Warship to pre-position in the region [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and France set to host multinational Strait of Hormuz meeting as British Warship to pre-position in the region [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 May 2026.

    UK and France to host first meeting of Defence Ministers to advance the Strait of Hormuz multinational mission. This comes as HMS Dragon, one of the UK’s most capable warships, will forward deploy to the region.

    • UK and France to host first meeting of Defence Ministers to advance the Strait of Hormuz multinational mission.

    • HMS Dragon to deploy to the region, ensuring the UK has options to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow.

    • The UK will outline its military contributions with further coordinated multinational commitments to be confirmed.

    Under UK and French leadership, international partners are expected to use tomorrow’s meeting to discuss and outline their military contributions to the defensive mission to reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz when conditions permit.

    The Defence Secretary John Healey MP will co-chair a meeting of over 40 nations, alongside his French counterpart, Minister Catherine Vautrin, for the multinational mission’s first Defence Minister’s meeting.  

    This comes as HMS Dragon, one of the UK’s most capable warships, will forward deploy to the region, ensuring that the UK can contribute to a future multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz and safeguard freedom of navigation when conditions permit. 

    Tomorrow’s meeting builds on the significant progress made in the last few weeks by military planners from 44 nations, spanning every continent. The UK has consistently led the way, including hosting a meeting of military planners at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters on the 22-23 April, which was critical in converging national perspectives into a multinational plan.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: 

    The UK is leading this multinational, defensive mission because trade, energy, and economic security for working people here at home depend on it.

    We are turning diplomatic agreement into practical military plans to restore confidence for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. When I co-chair this meeting of nations from around the world, our job will be to make sure we are not just talking, we are ready to act.

    That is why I have directed HMS Dragon to the Middle East, so Britain is in position to support this mission the moment it is needed. This government will not stand by when instability drives up costs for British families and businesses. We will give people hope for the future by securing Britain and our national interests.

    Tomorrow’s discussions follow the international summit convened by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron, as well as military planning sessions which brought together national perspectives and potential contributions into a coherent, multinational approach. The plan is strictly defensive and, once conditions allow, will focus on restoring confidence for commercial shipping along this critical trade route. 

    HMS Dragon could play a key role in this mission. Equipped with the advanced Sea Viper air defence system, HMS Dragon will provide a credible contribution to a defensive, multinational mission. The ship’s forward presence will help strengthen confidence among commercial shippers, support mine-clearance efforts, and protect vessels once hostilities have ceased.

    The deployment follows HMS Dragon’s completion of rigorous weapons and sensor testing at a NATO facility off Crete, where the ship’s company honed their skills, including live firing, in realistic, high threat conditions to ensure readiness for operations in the region. 

    The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, disrupting international shipping including to around a fifth of the world’s oil supply. This has driven up global energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and increased costs for households and businesses in the UK and around the world.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The National Lottery Community Fund Board Appointments [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The National Lottery Community Fund Board Appointments [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 11 May 2026.

    The Secretary of State has reappointed Richard Collier-Keywood, Dame Helen Stephenson, and Paul Sweeney, and extended the terms of John Mothersole and Kate Still.

    Richard Collier-Keywood 

    Richard Collier-Keywood has been reappointed as a Member for a term of 18 months, commencing on 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027. 

    Richard Collier-Keywood holds a variety of prominent roles, primarily as a Chair. He chairs the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Fair4All Finance (the UK financial inclusion organisation funded by dormant assets), New Forest Care (a provider of bespoke care and education to children with complex needs), and the Welsh Rugby Union.

    Richard holds several other board positions: Board member and Chair of the finance committee for the Women of the World Foundation; Board member and Chair of the finance committee for St George’s House (Windsor Castle); and Non-executive director on the international Board for Eversheds Sutherland LLP.

    Previously Richard was a Global Vice-Chairman of PwC from November 2011 to February 2017 and served as Managing Partner of PwC UK from 2008 to 2011. Richard is a barrister and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

    Dame Helen Stephenson

    Dame Helen Stephenson has been reappointed as a Member for a term of 18 months, commencing on 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027.

    Her career includes serving as the former Chief Executive and Board Member of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Before this, she was the Director of Early Years and Child Care at the Department for Education. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Cabinet Office as Director of the Office for Civil Society and Government Innovation Group.

    Prior to joining the Civil Service, Helen was Head of Strategic Policy and Partnerships at the Big Lottery Fund. Her experience also spans the statutory and voluntary sectors as a researcher and consultant, and she served as a development manager for a major national charity. She holds a PhD from Bristol University.

    Helen is on the Board of the Independent Football Regulator and is a Trustee of The King’s Foundation. Furthermore, she is a Board member of the ECB Regulatory Board and serves on the People and Governance Committee at the Royal Academy of Dance.

    Helen’s contributions have been recognised with a CBE in 2014 and a DBE in the 2024 Birthday Honours for her services to charity and regulation.

    Paul Sweeney

    Paul Sweeney has been reappointed as a Member and Northern Ireland Chair for a second term of four years, commencing on 18 August 2026 to 17 August 2030. Paul has a wealth of experience working in the voluntary, community and public sectors in Northern Ireland.

    From 1987 to 1994, he was the Director of the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust, which supported community-based self-help initiatives.

    He joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) in 1994, initially on secondment, as an adviser on community development and reconciliation. Throughout his subsequent career in the NICS he held a number of senior positions including Deputy Secretary in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, Permanent Secretary in the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure and Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education.

    Since retiring from the NICS in 2017, Paul has undertaken a trustee role in a number of not-for-profit organisations involved in regeneration, culture and young people. 

    John Mothersole 

    John Mothersole’s second term as a Member and England Committee Chair has been extended by 2 years from 14 May 2026 to 13 May 2028. 

    John’s extensive career includes senior local government roles in UK cities, culminating in 11 years as Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council until December 2019. Since then, he has focused on non-executive and advisory roles.

    His current appointments include Chair of The Sheffield College, a trustee position with a community care charity, and advisory work with companies specialising in regeneration and environment. He was also an assessor for the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, concluding this role with the final report’s publication in September 2024.

    John has been a key figure in policy development for UK cities, actively participating in the Core Cities network, the Northern Powerhouse initiative, and working with the Government to secure city and city region devolution deals and participate in trade missions.

    More recently, John has been appointed as Trustee of the Historic Royal Palaces. He also chairs the Nature Towns and Cities Panel, a joint initiative by The National Trust, Natural England, and The Heritage Lottery Fund.

    His early career was rooted in the arts, primarily in London and the North-East. A key achievement from this period was the reopening of the Roundhouse in London, which paved the way for its subsequent redevelopment.

    Kate Still

    Kate Still’s second term as a Member and Scotland Committee Chair has been extended by 2 years from 14 May 2026 to 13 May 2028. 

    Kate brings over 30 years of relevant experience, having worked with and for communities across various fields, including grant-making, education, apprenticeships, employability, community enterprise, and regeneration. She is deeply committed to addressing issues of poverty, equality, diversity, and social justice.

    Her extensive career spans senior roles in the public, private, and charity sectors. In July 2024, she was appointed by the Scottish Government to lead the independent review of Community Learning and Development, which resulted in the report “Learning For All. For Life.”

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Board Members of The National Lottery Community Fund are remunerated at £7,848 per annum.

    The Chairs of the England and Scotland Committee of The National Lottery Community Fund are both remunerated at £24,000.

    The Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee of The National Lottery Community Fund is remunerated at £29,232.

    These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

    Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. 

    Richard Collier-Keywood, Dame Helen Stephenson, Paul Sweeney, Kate Still and Paul Sweeney have declared no political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Dr Simon Fabri appointed Chief Executive of HMGCC

    PRESS RELEASE : Dr Simon Fabri appointed Chief Executive of HMGCC

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 11 May 2026.

    HMGCC (His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre) has today announced the appointment of Dr Simon Fabri as its new Chief Executive, leading the organisation’s work at the forefront of national security and defence technology.

    Dr Fabri takes up the role today (11 May), succeeding Dr George Williamson CMG, who has left HMGCC to join the Alan Turing Institute.

    Founded in 1938, HMGCC is the UK government’s centre for national security engineering. Based at Hanslope Park in Milton Keynes, it brings together engineers, scientists and technologists to develop specialist tools and technologies that support national security, defence and law enforcement, helping to keep the UK safe.

    For much of its 88-year history, HMGCC operated almost entirely behind the scenes. In recent years, it has begun to share more of its technology challenges openly, working with partners across industry and academia through initiatives such as HMGCC Co‑Creation to source the best innovation from across the UK and beyond.

    Dr Fabri joined HMGCC in 2023 to lead its product and engineering teams. Since then, he has overseen significant changes to how the organisation designs and delivers technology, strengthening its ability to respond to rapidly evolving national security threats.

    Before joining HMGCC, Dr Fabri built a career spanning academia and industry, with senior roles across the telecommunications, energy and automotive sectors, followed by leadership positions at Amazon.

    Commenting on his appointment, Dr Fabri said:

    I am proud to be taking on this role at a time of both significant challenge and opportunity for HMGCC.

    Technology and national security are becoming ever more closely linked, and that intersection sits at the heart of HMGCC’s mission. I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the work we do and the impact it has on the UK’s security and defence capability.

    As Chief Executive, Dr Fabri will focus on building on HMGCC’s existing strengths: investing in its in‑house technical expertise, deepening partnerships with industry and academia, and ensuring that the organisation continues to deliver cutting‑edge capabilities for the national security community.

    He added:

    HMGCC brings together exceptional people, world‑class facilities and a strong location within the Oxford–Cambridge growth corridor. This gives us a unique opportunity to work with partners across the UK to strengthen our national security technology base.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Home Office Warns of FIFA Ticket Scams

    PRESS RELEASE : Home Office Warns of FIFA Ticket Scams

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 May 2026.

    Football fans are being urged to guard against scams when buying match tickets for the upcoming FIFA World Cup – which kicks off next month – as newly-released data from Lloyds reveals football ticket scams increased over a third (36%) during the current Premier League football season. 

    Which teams and fixtures do fraudsters target most?

    The findings, based on thousands of scam cases between October 2025 and March 2026, show fraudsters focus heavily on popular teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. Scammers also repeatedly target supporters looking for tickets to some of the most in‑demand football matches in the UK, such as the FA Cup Final and Champions League Final.

    With the World Cup, hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico, set to be the most spectated football event, it’s anticipated that fraudsters will target the big-name fixtures and attempt to exploit international demand.

    How much are victims losing?

    On average victims lost £215 during the current Premier League football season, but some fans paid hundreds or even thousands of pounds for ‘season tickets’ or VIP seats that never existed. Hopeful football fans are expected to pay much more for expensive World Cup tickets, meaning the potential loss for victims could be devastating – especially for those forking out on extra costs to travel across the pond.

    The government and Lloyds are teaming up once again to highlight the issue to football supporters, as part of the Stop! Think Fraud campaign. Led by the Home Office and supported by partners across law enforcement, banking, tech, retail and the charity sector, the campaign empowers individuals and small businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves from fraud.

    Lord Hanson, Minister for Fraud, said:

    As excitement builds for the World Cup, fraudsters are preparing to exploit loyal fans searching for tickets. I urge all football supporters hunting for tickets to Stop! Think Fraud and show fraudsters the red card. Only buy directly from FIFA or the FIFA Resale Marketplace. Missing out on a big match is disappointing, but becoming a victim to a scam makes it even harder to bear.

    Our new fraud strategy sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims.

    Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director, Lloyds said:

    Fraudsters thrive on urgency and target fans looking for hard‑to‑get tickets for big‑name fixtures. Most of the football ticket scams we see start on social media – especially Facebook and Instagram – before the criminal moves the buyer onto WhatsApp and insists on a bank transfer to pay. It’s incredibly convincing, and we don’t want fans to lose their money trying to support their team. We’re urging supporters to stay alert and stick to official ticketing channels.

    How football ticket scams work

    Most football ticket scams begin on social media. Criminals advertise a spare ticket, then shift the conversation to WhatsApp, where victims are pushed to make a bank transfer. Once the money is sent, the scammer blocks the buyer and disappears.

    World Cup warning: scammers will use the same tactics

    With the 2026 Men’s World Cup just one month away, Lloyds and the Home Office are taking action to protect fans by highlighting how criminals will try to exploit the excitement.

    Scammers know demand will be huge and will mimic the methods seen in club‑level scams: fake listings on social media, pressure to act quickly and requests for bank transfers. Fraudsters move quickly, creating fake waiting lists, counterfeit QR codes or bogus “pre‑release” offers to lure people in.

    Practical advice: Liz Ziegler’s tip for avoiding football ticket scams

    Take your time

    If you’re offered tickets for a match that’s in high demand, don’t let the fear of missing out make you rush your decision. Stop, think, and check if the offer is genuine.

    Be careful with social media adverts, especially on marketplace platforms

    If you see a last-minute ticket post on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, pause to consider whether it’s legitimate. Do some research and consult family or friends before proceeding.

    Don’t pay by bank transfer

    Genuine ticket retailers never ask for payment by bank transfer, but fraudsters do as it’s fast and hard to trace. Treat requests for bank transfers as a major warning sign, especially if the account details do not match the seller’s name.

    Be wary of “too good to be true” offers

    Derbies, European fixtures, and World Cup matches are magnets for scammers promising tickets that no one else can supply. If an offer seems unrealistic, it probably is.

    Use official club channels or authorised sellers

    For major events like the World Cup, only trust the tournament’s official ticketing platforms or club-approved sellers to ensure your purchase is safe. Don’t forget that artificial intelligence (AI) can help criminals to create professional content. Just because it has a good layout and graphics, doesn’t mean it is legitimate.

    Be cautious of pressure tactics

    Be cautious of classic pressure phrases like “lots of interest”, “I’ll send the QR code after payment”, or “I need to sell right now”. Scammers often use urgency to push you into making hasty decisions.

    Report Fraud

    Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud is encouraged to report it to Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

    Case study

    Robert Paterson, 39, Barber shop owner, Edinburgh.

    Like any passionate Scotland supporter, I’m over the moon we’ve qualified for the World Cup for the first time in nearly 20 years. I’ve been on the hunt for tickets, particularly for the Brazil game. I’ve spent time on various platforms like X and Facebook in the hope of securing seats but am always nervous of what’s real and what could be a scam.

    I own a popular chain of barber shops ‘Rag and Bone’, so have been swapping tips and stories with lots of clients in the barber’s chair who have also been looking for legitimate tickets.

    In the process, I’ve definitely come across a number of suspected fake or questionable listings, with many tickets appearing either massively overpriced or outright dodgy, especially on Facebook. It definitely takes a bit of the excitement out of buying tickets when you’re having to worry if it’s real or not.

    Earlier this year the government launched a new Fraud Strategy to tackle the UK’s most commonly experienced crime by strengthening partnerships across sectors, disrupting criminal operations and delivering better support for victims. This includes a £31 million investment for a new Online Crime Centre, combining the data, expertise and capabilities of the police, GCHQ, banks, telecommunications and tech firms to shut down the avenues that fraudsters exploit, wherever in the world they might be.    

    About the Stop! Think Fraud campaign 

    Stop! Think Fraud is the UK government’s national campaign to help people protect themselves from scams. Led by the Home Office and supported by partners across law enforcement, banking, tech, retail and the charity sector, the campaign empowers individuals and small businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves. 

    Launched in 2024, Stop! Think Fraud provides practical advice on how to spot the signs of fraud, secure personal information, and take action if targeted. The campaign encourages everyone to take a moment to stop, think and check before responding to suspicious messages or offers – because anyone can be a victim of fraud. 

    By raising awareness and promoting simple, effective steps to stay safe, Stop! Think Fraud is building a national movement to disrupt fraudsters and protect communities across the UK. 

    For more information visit: Stop! Think Fraud – How to stay safe from scams 

    Methodology

    Football ticket scam data

    Figures based on analysis of relevant purchase scams (football tickets) reported by Lloyds Banking Group customers between October 2025 and March 2026, with comparisons made to data from October 2024 and March 2025.

    Ticket scam data

    Figures based on analysis of relevant purchase scams (tickets) reported by Lloyds Banking Group customers between October 2025 and March 2026.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New legislation gives Government power to bring British Steel into public ownership [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New legislation gives Government power to bring British Steel into public ownership [May 2026]

    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.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK targets hostile and heinous Russian activity with latest sanctions [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK targets hostile and heinous Russian activity with latest sanctions [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

    The UK is exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile and heinous activity at every level, from its systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children to recent attempts to interfere in upcoming Armenian elections.

    • The UK has sanctioned 85 individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children, alongside those driving Russia’s information warfare campaigns 
    • In some of the toughest action to date, the UK is exposing and combatting hostile Russian activity across multiple fronts, including recent attempts to interfere in Armenian elections 
    • An additional £1.2 million in UK funding will help identify and return Ukrainian children to their homes and communities

    The UK is today [Monday 11 May] exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile and heinous activity at every level, from its systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children to recent attempts to interfere in upcoming Armenian elections.  

    Today’s action represents some of the toughest measures the UK has taken to target hostile Russian activity to date, directly hitting 85 individuals and entities. As Russia relentlessly seeks to undermine democratic process and global support for Ukraine, this latest tranche of sanctions cracks down on malicious information warfare campaigns. 

    New measures target 49 individuals working for the Social Design Agency (SDA), including writers, translators and video makers responsible for deceptive Kremlin propaganda. The SDA has been tasked and funded by the Kremlin to deliver a series of interference operations designed to undermine democracy and weaken support for Ukraine.   

    In continuing to expose Russia’s hostile and malign activities, the UK is today calling out that the Social Design Agency has planned campaigns which were almost certainly tasked by the Russian Presidential Administration, including seeking to establish pro-Russia organisations in Armenia and influence a change in power towards pro-Russia figures.   

    Elsewhere, the UK can also reveal that sanctioned entity ANO Dialog is tasked by the Russian Presidential Administration and has worked alongside Russian intelligence services to carry out malign influence campaigns on behalf of the Government of Russia. ANO Dialog has also coordinated with Russian intelligence on interference plans aimed at Armenian domestic politics. 

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  

    The UK will not stand idly by as Putin seeks to sow lies and pro-Kremlin narratives abroad.   

    Today’s sanctions are a strong step in exposing and disrupting the depths Russia is willing to go, to interfere and undermine democracy, and destroy Ukraine’s future through the abhorrent deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.   

    The UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad and we will continue to work alongside our allies to support every effort to identify and trace the children that have been cruelly taken from their communities and bring them home.

    Among those sanctioned today for their role in the heinous policy of Russification of Ukrainian children is the Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth, known as the ‘Warrior Centre’.  Here, Ukrainian children are subjected to military training and pro‑Kremlin ideology.  

    Also sanctioned is Yulia Sergeevna Velichko, Minister for Youth Policy in the so‑called ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’, for her role in implementing state‑led initiatives for the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, including the issuing of Russian passports to children from temporarily occupied territories and organising programmes that expose them to Russian ideology.  

    The announcement comes as Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty travels to Brussels to attend the High-Level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. While in Brussels, the Minister will announce a further £1.2 million of UK funding for the Verification Centre and Tracing Mechanism, helping to identify and locate Ukrainian children who have been cruelly taken from their homes.   

    The UK will continue to crack down on those who carry out malign activity on behalf of the Kremlin and organisations seeking to spread lies and undermine democracy in defence of our values. To date, the UK has sanctioned over 3,300 targets to clamp down on those fuelling Russia’s war efforts, from disrupting military supply chains to tackling the weaponisation of irregular migration.

    Notes to editors:  

    • This latest sanction package includes 29 targets linked to Russia’s systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children, and a further 56 designations targeting those responsible for the Kremlin’s information warfare.  
    • Russia’s heinous policy of forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children is a clear attempt to sever cultural and national ties to their home country. To date, over 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia and within the temporarily occupied territories. Sanctions are a critical tool in the UK’s arsenal to expose these injustices, uncover the perpetrators and defend the identity and values Ukraine is fighting to protect.  
    • The Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth operates a network of facilities across Russia and Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.   
    • Among those forcibly deported, an estimated 6,000 children have been taken to re‑education camps, where they are subjected to propaganda designed to erase Ukrainian identity and instil pro‑Russian, highly militarised beliefs.  
    • The UK is providing a further £1.2million to the tracing and verification of illegally deported Ukrainian children. This includes   
    • £600,000 for the Verification Centre which is locating these children and provided strong evidence to the UN Commission of Inquiry to support their conclusions that Russia’s actions constitute crimes against humanity.  
    • £600,000 for the Ukrainian led Tracing programme which is tracing and locating thousands of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See – Tammy Sandhu [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See – Tammy Sandhu [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

    Ms Tarandip Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Christopher John Trott CVO.

    Ms Tarandip Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Christopher John Trott CVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Sandhu will take up her appointment during August 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Tarandip (Tammy) Kaur Sandhu

    YearRole
    2025 to presentPre-posting Training (including Italian language training)
    2023 to 2025San Francisco, His Majesty’s Consul General
    2021 to 2023San Francisco, Deputy Consul General
    2020FCDO, Chair, Race and Ethnicity Network
    2017 to 2020FCO, Human Resources Directorate
    2014 to 2017Chennai, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Department for International Trade
    2012 to 2014Brussels, Deputy Spokesperson, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
    2009 to 2012Rabat, Second Secretary (Political/Economic)
    2009Pre-posting Training (including French language training)
    2007 to 2008FCO, Counter Terrorism Department
    2005 to 2007FCO, Parliamentary Relations Department
    2005Joined FCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : Multimillion-pound competition drives cutting-edge innovation in rail industry [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Multimillion-pound competition drives cutting-edge innovation in rail industry [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 May 2026.

    Modernising track and train will help improve the passenger experience, while supporting jobs, growth and homes in Britain.

    • rail industry innovation boosted as ninth round of the First-of-a-Kind competition launched with entries aimed at improving passenger experience on the railways
    • government partners with Innovate UK to provide £4.8 million funding to back ambitious new projects in lead up to the creation of Great British Railways
    • previous winners applauded for creating tech-led solutions and utilising AI to improve train performance and on-platform safety

    Railway passengers and staff to benefit as the Department for Transport (DfT) funds the development of pioneering, tech-led projects aimed at improving safety and reliability on Britain’s rail network.

    Opening today (11 May 2026) in partnership with Innovate UK, the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition offers £4.8 million grant funding to new projects so innovators can bring their ideas to life and present them to industry, boosting their chances of being rolled out on the network.

    The competition aims to address persistent issues on the railway, such as safety concerns, service reliability or anti-social behaviour. This year, applicants will put forward ideas to help deliver major projects on time and in budget, improve the passenger service performance and reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    Innovation is central to bringing Britain’s railway into the 21st century and our funding for the First-of-a-Kind competition puts this principle into action, helping turn creative concepts into real-life solutions.

    Supporting new ideas is all part of our plan to modernise track and train under Great British Railways, designing and adopting world-leading technology that improves passenger experience while supporting jobs, growth and homes.

    Now in its ninth round, the FOAK competition has been backed with £62.5 million in government funding to date. Previous winners include Transmission Dynamics Ltd, 1 of 7 project entrants from 2025, who developed intelligent roadside warning and analysis systems designed to prevent disruption following collisions between large goods vehicles and low-clearance bridges or tunnels.

    See the list of FOAK rail competition 2025 winners for more information.

    Trials of the technology are underway, including in Northumberland, where the detection system alerted Network Rail when a bridge was recently struck, enabling the team to quickly assess damage and minimise the likelihood of disruption for passengers travelling on the East Coast Mainline.

    Claire Spooner, Director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said:

    Since 2017, Innovate UK has delivered the Department for Transport-funded First-of-a-Kind competition to accelerate the development, demonstration and adoption of breakthrough technologies into rail innovation.

    FOAK26 marks the next step, introducing more focused, industry-led challenges aligned to DfT priorities and supported by strong sponsorship across the sector. By working closely with industry partners and stakeholders, FOAK26 will maximise the impact of public investment, support the commercialisation of innovation and drive economic growth by helping new solutions reach the rail network faster.

    Another of the FOAK competition winners from 2025 developed an automated monitoring system to track deliveries to an HS2 development site. The cameras worked by integrating AI software, alerting site workers to the delivery of time-critical supplies, helping to keep projects on track.

    Hao Zheng, Co-founder and CEO of Robok Limited, said:

    Innovate UK’s FOAK funding allowed us to develop SiteFlow with EKFB on a live HS2 site, turning existing CCTV into supplier-assurance and safety insight. That foundation is now enabling us to take the product to the wider HS2 community and to scale this practical AI across UK infrastructure.

    Noel Dolphin, GB Managing Director of Furrer+Frey, said:

    The FOAK competition has allowed us to take risks and innovate further and faster than we otherwise would. We’ve taken sound, but commercially risky concepts and used FOAK funding to develop and demonstrate them, working with a broad range of partners, into real-world products.

    Developing Lineform AI in the FOAK 2025 has already delivered cost savings to Network Rail and UK infrastructure.

    These projects will help to deliver better services for passengers, encouraging more people to travel by rail as the government rebuilds a publicly owned railway that the country can rely on and be proud of under Great British Railways (GBR).

    As a single organisation, GBR will deliver lasting change and build a railway fit for Britain’s future, owned by the public, for the public. The full public ownership programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with 8 out of the 14 train operators now publicly owned and operators managing more than 1,100 stations. By bringing track and train under a single directing mind, GBR will drive up standards for passengers and make journeys easier and better value for money.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Digital future of Essex supercharged with 9,500 more homes and businesses getting upgraded broadband [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Digital future of Essex supercharged with 9,500 more homes and businesses getting upgraded broadband [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 11 May 2026.

    • An extra 9,500 homes and businesses in Essex to receive faster, reliable internet as part of the government’s Project Gigabit roll out.  
    • Expansion of gigabit rollout to cover full fibre blackspots in urban areas, as well as the countryside.  
    • Openreach will extend its broadband rollout to additional homes, supported by £8.3 million government funding.  

    More than 9,500 more homes and businesses in Essex burdened with older broadband will be upgraded to fast and reliable internet as the government expands its Project Gigabit rollout. 

    Building on the success of upgrades in rural Essex – where over 10,000 premises are already set to benefit from this agreement and 500 have been completed already – this marks the first Project Gigabit contract to target pockets of poor connectivity in towns and cities as well as the countryside. 

    Backed by an extra £8.3 million in government funding, Openreach is extending its broadband rollout to more homes and businesses in Essex – connecting communities that would have otherwise missed out in earlier commercial plans. This latest investment builds on the £1.2 billion originally earmarked for the provider to build in disconnected areas.  

    Work to connect the premises will begin immediately, covering areas including, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Basildon, Clacton and Ardleigh. 

    UK Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said: 

    “Project Gigabit is bringing better internet to more blackspots across the UK, thanks to government backing. This is the very first contract that’s focusing on urban areas, not just the countryside.  

    “Pockets of our towns and cities are still left disconnected. To reach our 99% coverage target, it is vital no urban neighbourhood slips through the net. 

    “We’ve already got the ball rolling to connect areas of Essex missing out, and now we’re extending our efforts so that even more residents can access the digital opportunities they deserve.”  

    Kieran Wines, Openreach Partnership Director for London and the South East, said:  

    “As well as reaching rural communities, it’s vital we keep strengthening connectivity in towns and cities. This Project Gigabit contract helps us extend full fibre broadband into more urban neighbourhoods across Essex, adding to the almost 575,000 homes and businesses across the county that we’ve already reached through our own rollout.” 

    While much of Essex can be quickly upgraded through existing underground ducting that avoids the need for digging up roads, some areas – including housing estates, business parks and blocks of flats – are currently connected via underground cables without it, making them too costly for providers to reach via commercial rollout due to the additional engineering works.  

    Over 1.3 million premises across the UK have been upgraded thanks to government support to date, largely in rural areas where gigabit coverage is lower. Connecting hard-to-reach premises in urban areas will be vital to achieving the government’s target of full gigabit coverage by 2030 and the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity across the country.