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  • PRESS RELEASE : Construction of a new British High Commission in Nicosia begins [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Construction of a new British High Commission in Nicosia begins [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

    The British High Commission has announced that construction on the new buildings have started at the existing site in Nicosia.

    Our historic site, which was formerly part of the Central Prisons’ compound, will soon house a new, fit-for-purpose, eco-friendly High Commission, which will better symbolise the strong and growing partnership between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus. 

    The €40 million-plus project – the largest current project on the UK’s diplomatic estate – constitutes a mark of confidence in the strength of the bilateral relationship. And with the prime contractor being the Cypriot-owned firm Atlas Pantou, it is also a significant British investment into the Cypriot economy.

    Ground was broken in December and is the project is expected to be completed by November 2028. The project consists of a new High Commission office building, a security facility and a new Residence for the High Commissioner. The new compound will be carbon-neutral, contributing to Cyprus’ efforts to reduce emissions in our common fight to tackle the climate crisis.

    The existing High Commission buildings will continue to be functional until the opening of our new building. While there will be new temporary access points for visitors, our services will not be interrupted.

    British High Commissioner Michael Tatham, said:

    “Any new construction represents change and a departure from the past. We see this as a massive upgrade, reflecting the value that the UK attaches to its strong partnership with  the Republic of Cyprus. We are looking forward to seeing a new High Commission take shape – and to inviting our many Cypriot friends and partners to see it soon.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Escalation of Russian attacks undermines peace efforts in Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Escalation of Russian attacks undermines peace efforts in Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

    Ambassador Holland highlights the intensification of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure in 2025, despite ongoing peace negotiations. He reiterates the UK’s grave concern and calls for Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, cease its aggression, and engage seriously in negotiations.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. As we conclude the FSC’s work for 2025, the United Kingdom reiterates its grave concern at Russia’s ongoing campaign against Ukraine. Each winter since 2022, we have cited independent sources detailing Russia’s pattern of targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure. This year, that pattern has intensified. 

    Despite ongoing peace negotiations, Russia has escalated its attacks. Three data points make this very clear: 

    In 2025 Russia has killed over 2,200 Ukrainian civilians and injured more than 11,000. This is a 27% increase in casualties compared to last year.  

    Since Russia sent a delegation to the first bilateral talks with Ukraine in mid-May, it has launched the 35 largest air attacks of the entire war.  

    And from June to November, Russian drones fired have averaged over 5,300 a month. This is more than five times the 2024 monthly average.  

    This is not the conduct of a state seeking peace. That is why, at the Ministerial Council last week, our Minister said: “we are committed to holding Russia to account – for its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war against Ukraine; for the forced deportations of innocent children; and for unlawfully detaining civilians, including, as has been referenced, three members of this organisation’s staff.” 

    Mr Chair, the UK hopes that this is the last time we sit at this Forum against the backdrop of Russia’s war. As we have established clearly in this Forum, the only obstruction to peace is Russia’s continued willingness to fight a war of aggression that it started. A war which continues to cause misery and death on our continent. 

    The path to peace remains clear.  It is a path that Russia must choose. It must choose to return to full compliance with international law and the Helsinki Final Act. It must choose to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And it must choose to cease its attacks, withdraw all of its forces from all of Ukraine, and to engage seriously in negotiations. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Three Board Members extended to UK Sport board [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Three Board Members extended to UK Sport board [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 December 2025.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has extended the second terms of Sally Bolton OBE, Annie Panter, and Martyn Worsley.

    Sally Bolton OBE

    Sally was appointed Chief Executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in August 2020, having been Strategic Planning & Operations Director since 2018. Prior to joining the Club in 2016, Sally spent two years as Managing Director of the Organising Committee for the London double header of World Athletics Championships in 2017. Sally assumed this role having led the team that delivered a highly successful Rugby League World Cup in 2013, a role for which she was recognised with the award of an OBE.

    Prior to this Sally was the Rugby Football League’s Director of Projects & Planning and played an integral part in the Rugby Football League team that won the rights to stage the 2013 tournament. Prior to joining the RFL, Sally held a number of other roles in sports administration at club and Governing Body level including a period as Chief Executive of Wigan RLFC and Orrell RUFC. In addition, Sally has worked in the highly regarded sports consulting group at Deloitte and runs her own sports consulting business.

    Annie Panter

    Annie is a two-time Olympian, who competed in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games where she won a bronze medal in women’s hockey with Team GB. During much of this time, Annie was combining her sporting career with studying for a BSc in Mathematics and Economics at the University of Nottingham. Following her retirement from hockey in 2012, Annie pursued a career in finance with Goldman Sachs for several years, before moving back into the sports industry via TRM Partners in 2018 to lead the commercial programmes of premium sports properties. Following an acquisition, Annie is currently Managing Director at the sports marketing agency Two Circles.

    Whilst at Goldman Sachs, Annie stayed closely involved with high performance sport. Between 2016-2019 Annie chaired the Athletes’ Committee and was an Executive Board member of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Prior to her initial appointment to the UK Sport Board in 2018, Annie had been a member of the UK Sport Mission 2016/18 Panel and the British Cycling Independent Review Panel. She is currently a member of the UK Sport Major Events Investment and Assurance Panel.

    Martyn Worsley

    Martyn grew up in the West Midlands and was educated at The Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School before going to the University of Southampton where he gained a BSc Hons in Geography. He started off his career in 1997 as a graduate trainee at Lloyds TSB before spending time in a variety of organisations including BT Group, BNY Mellon, SAB Miller and Tate & Lyle undertaking Business and Human Resource roles globally until he joined Lockton Companies as Chief People Officer in November 2020. Martyn is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

    Martyn has had a life-long passion for both playing and being involved in sport including latterly coaching the Rugby Football Union for Women’s (RFUW) Academy for 5 years before being a non-Executive Director of the RFUW supporting the integration of the Women’s game into the Rugby Football Union. Martyn has completed the Trans- Atlantic Yacht Race, the London Marathon and undertaken multiple overseas expeditions whilst also being a Trustee for the London Youth Games. His other hobbies include skiing, sailing, mountaineering and spending time with his young family.

    Sally Bolton, Annie Panter and Martyn Worsley’s second terms have been extended to July 2026.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    UK Sport Board Members are remunerated at £218 per day. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s 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. 

    Sally Bolton, Annie Panter and Martyn Worsley have declared no political activity.

    Notes to Editors

    DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom.  To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 50,000 more young people to benefit from apprenticeships as Government unveils new skills reforms to get Britain working [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : 50,000 more young people to benefit from apprenticeships as Government unveils new skills reforms to get Britain working [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 10 December 2025.

    • Major £725 million investment to deliver more apprenticeships for young people and help match skills training with local job opportunities.
    • Young people to benefit from increased access to training with full cost of apprenticeships at SME’s covered by Government.
    • New wave of foundation apprenticeships in sectors such as retail and hospitality sectors to get young people into work.
    • Backing thousands more apprenticeship starts for young people through a £140 million partnership with local leaders.
    • 50,000 young people across the country will be better equipped for jobs of the future through a major investment to create more apprenticeships and training courses.

    The £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system will help to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth, with thousands more young people expected to benefit over the next three years.

    The latest funding includes a £140 million for a pilot where Mayors will be able to connect young people – especially those not in education, employment or training (NEET) with thousands of apprenticeship opportunities at local employers.

    By partnering with regional leaders who best understand their local economies, these pilots will ensure young people can access training that meets the needs of employers in their area.

    As part of the package, the government will also cover the full cost of apprenticeships for eligible young people under 25 at small and medium-sized businesses.

    Removing the 5% co-investment rate for SME’s means that the training costs for all eligible under 25 apprentices are fully funded opening up thousands of opportunities for young people. This will make it easier for young people to find opportunities and remove the burden from businesses, making it easier for them to take on young talent.

    Businesses will also benefit from a major boost in flexibility as new short courses in cutting-edge areas including AI, engineering and digital skills will begin rolling out from April 2026.

    This includes working closely with the defence sector to develop a new suite of flexible, work-based training options to help employers upskill their existing workforce in the critical skills needed for future success.

    Today’s announcement comes alongside plans to open up new waves of foundation apprenticeships in sectors such as hospitality and retail.

    The reforms will simplify and modernise the apprenticeship system, making it more efficient and responsive to the needs of employers and learners. From April 2026, short courses will be introduced to provide more flexible training options and a new Level 4 apprenticeship in AI will also be introduced, supporting employers to develop the skills of their workforce.

    The reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy build on the Prime Minister’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher level learners – academic, technical or apprenticeships – helping more young people gain the skills they need to start their careers.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go to university. That narrow view has held back opportunity and created barriers we need to break.

    If you choose an apprenticeship, you should have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else. That’s why the Government is investing £1.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy – creating 50,000 more apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships for young people over the next three years.

    It’s time to change the way apprenticeships are viewed and to put them on an equal footing with university. This is a defining cause for this government and a key step towards our ambition to get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

    Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them.

    That’s why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives.

    This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.

    The reforms are designed to tackle the sharp decline in apprenticeship starts among young people over the last decade – which have fallen by almost 40% since 2015/16 and shift the focus towards supporting young people into high-quality training and employment.

    This latest intervention follows an £820 million investment guaranteeing every young person the chance to gain the skills they need for success and support to find a job. This package will create 300,000 more opportunities to earn and learn and provide guaranteed jobs to almost 55,000 young people.

    Over the coming months, DWP and Skills England will work intensively with business on the right balance to further boost apprenticeship starts for young people while delivering the right flexibilities for business.

    Skills England will drive forward, with the Office for Investment, the service to support major investors and help them navigate the skills system. It will also establish a new skills infrastructure development service to support businesses to get training for jobs off the ground as quickly as possible and support young people in their careers.

    McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Nick Collins said:

    Apprenticeships are a critical pipeline for developing the next generation of talent. They provide an immersive pathway for young people to gain practical experience and learn in real world environments.

    At McLaren we recognise the importance of investing in people and skills to create the world’s most extraordinary supercars. We are proud to inspire and equip the next generation to continue this tradition of excellence.

    Craig Beaumont, Executive Director at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

    Small businesses are incredibly enthusiastic about apprenticeships, and we are pleased the Government is taking steps to make the system more small business friendly. It will help unlock more local roles, meaning small firms can do what they do best – taking people on and giving them a great chance in life.

    Rt Hon Robert Halfon, Executive Director, Make UK, said:

    Manufacturers support the Government’s commitment to a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to boost investment in high-quality training. The development of foundation apprenticeships has been a positive step in ensuring that effective entry level routes into employment are there for young people.

    Industry is also keen to work with mayoral authorities to recruit more young people into engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships. Enabling more businesses to invest in work-based training is critical to supporting more young people into skilled work, and mayoral authorities bringing together employers and young people will help this to happen.

    Chris Perriton, Head of Learning Pathways, Marston said:

    At Marston’s, we believe apprenticeships are a vital pathway for young people to build confidence, gain practical skills and unlock long-term careers in hospitality. We welcome the Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities and driving skills development, and we’re proud to play our part by offering high-quality apprenticeships across our pubs and support teams. These programmes not only provide hands-on experience but also the structured training and mentoring needed to help the next generation thrive in our industry.

    Dan Clarkson, Chief Operating Officer, Lee Marley Group said:

    Apprenticeships play a vital role in sustaining the strength and capability of the construction industry. They give young people the structured development and real-world experience they need to carry essential craft skills forward, while building the confidence to pursue long-term, rewarding careers.

    As construction continues to evolve, apprenticeships help address skills shortages and uphold the high standards our built environment depends on. Supporting future talent is a responsibility we take seriously, and it remains central to everything we do at Lee Marley Group.

    Daniel Woolf, Head of Policy at small business support platform and membership community Enterprise Nation, said:

    This fresh flexibility in the Government’s approach to apprenticeships will open up new opportunities for young people within the small business community. Unpicking the complexity and unlocking funding will make a great deal of difference to small firms with no HR department, that often find these challenges tip the balance against apprenticeships.

    If we are going to build a local workforce fit for the future, we must continue to recruit and train our young people, so this package of reforms is excellent news.

    Alex Hall-Chen, Principal Policy Advisor for Skills at the Institute of Directors, said:

    Getting more young people into apprenticeships at SMEs will help the next generation into rewarding careers while helping small businesses to access the talent they need to grow. Removing the cost and bureaucracy associated with the 5% co-investment is an important first step in making the system easier for SMEs to navigate.

    Bethany Windsor, Head of Skills Policy at Logistics UK, said:

    Apprenticeships are an ideal way for young people to enter careers like logistics, and today’s announcement will help more of them to discover the varied opportunities our sector has on offer.

    Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said:

    The new apprenticeship reforms are a positive step forward for small builders who can often struggle to take on apprentices because of the cost burden. Enabling the nation’s small builders to train apprentices under the age of 25 for free is a much-needed boost to plug the construction skills gap. This new funding will help deliver the next generation of tradespeople to upgrade our existing homes and build the new ones we so desperately need.

    Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said:

    This is clear recognition within the Government’s skills policy that hospitality is a vital employer of young people and key to getting people of all ages into employment, offering rewarding work, vital core skills, and swift career progression.

    The addition of hospitality to the sectors that can access foundation apprenticeships will provide more routes into work for young people and I look forward to continuing to work with the Government on its skills policy.

    Bill Buchan, HR Director Sodexo UK&I, said:

    Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of Sodexo’s talent and learning strategy, opening pathways for young people into hospitality and facilities management. We are long-time advocates of the opportunities that employment-based education can offer both to individuals and organisations in terms of additional skills, training new talent and allowing existing staff of all ages and backgrounds to retrain or upskill. We welcome any initiative that supports in the delivery of meaningful opportunities that will help to reduce NEET levels and strengthen the country’s skills agenda.

    Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

    We welcome the new package of reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy, particularly the introduction of short courses from April next year. Retail plays a crucial role in helping young people into work, so it is vital that it receives the same priority as industrial strategy sectors.

    We look forward to further detail on the proposed foundation apprenticeships for retail and the Youth Guarantee, as well as any additional measures that will add greater flexibility in how retailers can spend their Levy funds to boost skills development across the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes on the escalation in South Kivu [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes on the escalation in South Kivu [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

    Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as members of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), have issued the following statement on the alarming escalation in South Kivu.

    The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) expresses its profound concern regarding the renewed outbreak of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the new offensive of the March 23 Movement (M23), supported by Rwanda, around Uvira (South Kivu) close to Burundi which risks destabilizing the whole region. The ICG expresses particular concern at the increased use of both attack and suicide drones in the conflict. This represents a significant escalation in the fighting and poses an acute risk to civilian populations.

    The ICG urges the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to immediately halt offensive operations in eastern DRC, in particular in South Kivu, and calls on the RDF to withdraw from eastern DRC in line with UNSC resolution 2773 and on the M23 to uphold its commitments under the Declaration of Principles that was signed in Doha on 19 July 2025.

    The ICG calls on all parties to honour their obligations to protect civilians, adhere to all aspects of UNSC resolution 2773, including full respect of territorial integrity, to uphold their commitments under the Washington Accords of 4 December 2025 and immediately deescalate the situation. We urge all parties to avoid escalatory or provocative speech and actions that gravely endanger civilian populations and risk irreparably undermining the significant progress achieved with the Framework Agreement signed in Doha on 15 November 2025 by the Government of the DRC and M23. The ICG further calls on all actors involved to urgently and unequivocally recommit to the ceasefire and to ensure full, safe and unimpeded, humanitarian access so that critical assistance can reach those in need.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of the Suffragan Bishop of Grimsby [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of the Suffragan Bishop of Grimsby [December 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 December 2025.

    The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Jean Ann Burgess, MA, to the Suffragan See of Grimsby, in the Diocese of Lincoln.

    Background

    The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Jean Ann Burgess, MA, Archdeacon of Bournemouth, in the Diocese of Winchester, to the Suffragan See of Grimsby, in the Diocese of Lincoln, in succession to the Right Reverend Dr David Court following his retirement.

    Jean was trained for ministry via the East Midlands Ministry Training Course, accredited by Nottingham University.

    She served her title at St George and St Mary’s Church, Gresley, in the Diocese of Derby, and was ordained Priest in 2004. Jean served as Interim Minister at St Alkmund’s and St Werburgh’s from 2008 and was appointed Priest-in-Charge in 2013 and incumbent in 2018. Jean served as Archdeacon of Bolton and Archdeacon of Salford, both in the Diocese of Manchester, from 2018.

    In 2023, Jean took up her current role as Archdeacon of Bournemouth, in the Diocese of Winchester.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Thousands to get free digital training [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Thousands to get free digital training [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 10 December 2025.

    Free support to get people online is rolling out in communities in every region of the country.

    • 80 innovative digital skills and support schemes receive government funding to help most vulnerable in communities get online with confidence
    • People in every region of the country will benefit, from disadvantaged young people to elderly people and the homeless, through expanded fund as part of the government’s push to close the digital divide
    • Community-led initiatives to get people the skills and access to devices they need – delivering national renewal by boosting employment opportunities, saving people money, improving health and making life easier

    Free support to get people online is rolling out in communities in every region of the country, so they can book a doctor’s appointment on the NHS app, shop around for better deals on things such as home insurance and food, or stay in touch with loved ones.

    Today (Wednesday 10 December), Minister for Digital Inclusion, Liz Lloyd is unveiling 80 local schemes receiving backing from the first-of-its-kind £11.7 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

    From Leeds to London, Bristol to Nottingham this fund will support projects in communities across the UK, helping people at risk of being left behind get the access, skills and confidence they need to get online, improve their living standards and deliver national renewal.

    Research suggests there are currently 8 million adults in the UK who lack basic digital skills1 and 1.6 million who live offline altogether2. This prevents them from accessing convenient digital government services online, managing their finances on their phone, or searching for job opportunities.

    These people are locked out from some of the most basic opportunities that modern life offers, whether that’s mastering the essential digital skills for work – like setting up an email account and sharing files – or facing higher costs for things like home insurance, train travel and food – with people without internet access paying on average 25% more than consumers who are online3.

    These new innovative schemes, tailored to suit the needs of local people, will change that. Disadvantaged young people across the North and Midlands will use e-sports to learn new digital skills and develop safe online behaviours; over 7,000 older people will learn how to use the NHS app to manage their health; and people experiencing homelessness will be able to access devices and data to get online to help them find accommodation and other essentials.

    The success of these projects will help inform future initiatives to help get more people online and open up doors for them to make the most of the opportunities technology can bring – boosting employment, improving health and making life more convenient.

    Minister for Digital Inclusion, Liz Lloyd said:

    This government is tearing down the barriers to success and making the future work for all, not just the fortunate.

    Being online is something many of us take for granted, but for millions it could mean a new job opportunity, quicker access to healthcare or a lifeline to the local community.

    This fund will both empower community organisations to help those most at risk of being left behind get the skills, access and confidence they need – while also informing how we can help even more people in the future.

    Some of the projects funded

    The Bromley by Bow Centre’s Connected Lives project, visited by the Minister this week. This will support residents who attend the Centre’s Welcome Hub programmes, like its community food pantry, by providing digital skills training and devices to use for practical life tasks like managing benefits and paying bills online.

    A project run by Age UK will help thousands of older people through events and skills sessions, to learn how to use the NHS app to manage health matters. Helping improve their physical and digital health at the same time.

    Sheffield United’s Community Foundation will trial using e-sports video gaming to help 400 young people build digital skills and confidence, and raise awareness on being safe online. The Safe to Play project will adapt e-sports as a vehicle for digital inclusion in their existing Football Club charities youth programmes. Each club will deliver a 6–8 week programme of weekly workshops and esports play sessions, combining practical digital learning for young people, within a fun, safe and trusted environment.

    The University of Bristol’s Future IDEAS project will bring together digitally excluded members of the community, and digital design experts to co-create a chat bot that will be used to facilitate digital skills and confidence building for the public. The co-creation will ensure the chatbot is built to understand the needs and capabilities of the people it’s being built to support. The chatbot will then be trialled in a rollout in community hubs alongside trained digital champions to measure its success. 

    The fund is being directed at community organisations as the best placed to determine how to support the needs of their communities. Each organisation will report back on their project, with the findings used to work out what works best when it comes to helping people to get online, and using this to shape digital inclusion initiatives across the country in the future. 

    Portions of the fund have been allocated to the devolved governments in:

    • Scotland (£764,020)
    • Wales (£400,368)
    • Northern Ireland (£267,249)

    This ensures that it is a UK-wide digital inclusion drive.  

    The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is a key part of government’s drive to ensuring everyone has the digital skills needed to use technology to make life better and more convenient, and to access the jobs of the future. The Fund is one of government’s first 5 actions committed in this year’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan.

    This fund will underpin the focused approach to society-wide skills development and access being implemented by Secretary of State for Technology, Liz Kendall. This includes the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s work with industry and civil society to get 7.5 million UK workers essential AI skills by 2030. DSIT is also preparing to launch government’s hallmark £187 million TechFirst skills programme in 2026, which will reach 1 million school students in classrooms across the UK, and develop the essential tech skills needed for our future workforce.

    Elly De Decker, CEO of Bromley by Bow Centre:

    Technology is ever-present in all aspects of our lives. Too many people, for a variety of reasons, are not able to engage with the growing influence of this technology, leading to more exclusion and inequality.

    The reality in our community is that many people do not have the skills and access to the right tools to engage in the digital economy with confidence. We see this every day and we are working alongside local residents to help them improve their skills and confidence in practical and meaningful ways. This funding is absolutely crucial to reducing the digital divide.

    Paul Farmer, CEO, Age UK, Mehfuz Ahmed, CEO, Age UK Westminster and Mary-Ann Foxwell, CEO, Age UK East London said: 

    While many older people embrace the digital world, too many remain locked out of essential services. Age UK, Age UK East London and Age UK Westminster, welcome the government’s recognition of older people’s needs through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

    This vital support enables us to build on proven work in local communities: breaking down barriers, and empowering older people to use digital services confidently – improving health outcomes and fostering healthier, more connected, and independent lives

    Debbie Cook, Director of Community at the English Football League (EFL) said: 

    The Safe to Play campaign is an exciting and innovative way to support young people in our EFL Club communities. Using esports as a vehicle for digital inclusion, online safety, and wellbeing, we’re equipping disadvantaged young people with essential skills for the modern world.  

    The project, that will run in 10 Football Club communities, led by Sheffield United’s Community Foundation, will provide a safe, engaging environment for around 400 participants and empower trained facilitators to deliver guidance informed by the British Esports Federation ‘Duty to Care in Esports’ framework. This project is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and ensuring every young person feels supported online and offline.

    Councillor Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Innovation, said:

    Digital inclusion isn’t just about providing access to technology – it’s about empowering people with the tools to change their lives.

    Through our Digital Inclusion Initiative, over 5,500 residents can now connect to jobs, education, healthcare, and stay in touch with loved ones. It’s already having a real impact across our communities and proved to government that we know how to tackle digital exclusion. 

    I’m proud that, working with our partners, and thanks to the government’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, we’re now able to build on that success to get even more people online. And this is only the start. We’re committed to closing the digital divide and creating a future where no one is left behind.

    Helen Milner OBE, CEO of Good Things Foundation said: 

    The funding from DSIT is a welcome and vital step that places digital inclusion firmly on the national agenda, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing exclusion. Support through the Fund is enabling Good Things Foundation to work alongside our trusted community partners to capture the real life barriers that people face.

    Our evidence-led work with councils will create a blueprint that any local authority can use. We must ‘bake in, not bolt on’ digital inclusion to ensure everyone can participate in our digital society.

    Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Essex County Council said:  

    We’re thrilled that Essex has been recognised nationally for its commitment to digital inclusion. Securing this funding is a fantastic achievement and will allow us to make a real difference in the lives of those groups who can sometimes be left behind in today’s digital world.  

    By focusing on older adults, young people who are not in education or employment, and individuals with disabilities, we’re helping improve their computer skills and access exciting new opportunities, whether that is gaining employment, learning new skills or better connecting with their local community.

    Rachel Kelly, Chief Executive of Women’s Health Matters said: 

    At Women’s Health Matters in Leeds, we are delighted that this funding for our DigitALL Women project will help women build confidence and skills to use technology safely and independently.

    Sitting alongside our support work for victim-survivors of Domestic Abuse, women whose children live in the care of others, and women seeking asylum, the project will provide support to help get women online, stay safe, provide suitable hardware, and make the most of digital tools in everyday life.

    Andrew Morter, Chief Executive of Vision Norfolk said: 

    We’re delighted to receive support from the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund for this vital project. For people with sight loss, digital technology can be truly life-changing – and is as important today as braille was 100 years ago – opening up access to information, services, and social connection – but only if they have the right support to use it safely and confidently.

    This funding will enable us to recruit and train volunteers who can provide that crucial one-to-one support to help our clients navigate the digital world independently.” 

    Andria Birch MBE, Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Services CEO said: 

    We are absolutely delighted to be leading the Tackling Technology Together partnership project. It is built on years of learning and partnership work with local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and our NHS and wider public sector colleagues and will enable us to deliver local solutions to local problems for those in greatest need.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government unveils ambitious plan to tackle youth isolation crisis and deliver real life opportunities [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government unveils ambitious plan to tackle youth isolation crisis and deliver real life opportunities [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 December 2025.

    Government plans will offer young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing in moves to strengthen their connections in real life.

    • Ambitious 10-year plan to give 500,000 more young people access to a trusted adult outside their home and equip them with skills to boost their resilience and stay safe online
    • National Youth Strategy to deliver up to 250 new or refurbished youth centres, 50 Young Futures Hubs, and new support for youth workers, backed by over £500 million of investment

    Young people across England will benefit from over £500 million of government investment as the first National Youth Strategy in 15 years is published today, setting out an ambitious delivery plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade. 

    ‘Youth Matters’ has been co-produced with more than 14,000 young people across England through a landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey. It represents a fundamental shift in how the government will support young people over the next decade – turning the tide from isolation online, to real life connections. 

    Local government spending on youth services fell by 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with more than 1,000 youth centres closing and over 4,500 youth worker roles being lost. The Prime Minister has spoken of young people being “collateral damage” over the past decade and how this must be turned around, with the government investing in the potential of young people – offering them the chance for real life connections to support their talent and potential. 

    A centrepiece of the National Youth Strategy centres around additional investment to transform youth services. The government is committing over £500 million of new funding, which will:

    • Build or refurbish up to 250 youth facilities over the next four years, as well as providing equipment for activities to around 2500 youth organisations, through a new £350 million ‘Better Youth Spaces’ programme. It will provide safe and welcoming spaces, offering young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing.
    • Launch a network of 50 Young Futures Hubs by March 2029 as part of a local transformation programme of  £70 million, providing access to youth workers and other professionals, supporting their wellbeing and career development and preventing them from harm.
    • The first eight hubs to be operational by March 2026 are in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton and Hove.
    • Support organisations in underserved areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities through a ‘Richer Young Lives Fund’ worth over £60 million.
    • Boost young people’s wellbeing, personal development, and essential life skills through a new £22.5 million programme of support around the school day in up to 400 schools.
    • Recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other trusted adults with £15 million of investment. 
    • Strengthen youth services through £5 million to improve local partnerships, better information sharing, and digital infrastructure, ensuring young people receive high-quality, safe, and effective support in their communities.

    Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said:

    “As a dad and as Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation’s greatest responsibility to turn the tide on the lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage. It is our moral mission. 

    “Today, my government sets out a clear, ambitious and deliverable plan – investing in the next generation so that every child has the chance to see their talents take them as far as their ability can.” 

    “That is also why we will ensure that if you choose an apprenticeship, you will have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else, as we get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.”

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    “The challenges facing young people today are urgent and demand a major change in direction. For too long, youth policy has been an afterthought. This generation deserves better.

    “Young people are the most digitally connected but also the most isolated in generations with many wanting more meaningful real life connections. Young people have been crystal clear in speaking up in our consultation: they need support for their mental health, spaces to meet with people in their communities and real opportunities to thrive. We will give them what they want. Today’s National Youth Strategy puts young people at the heart of decision-making and begins to rebuild the youth services that were decimated over the past decade.

    “From Young Futures Hubs in local communities to hundreds of millions of pounds invested in youth facilities to transforming the services that support them – we will give young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing. They have spoken – now we’re delivering for them.”

    Over the next decade this strategy will also reverse the decline in local government spending with plans for: 

    • Half a million more young people to be given access to a trusted adult outside their home, helping equip them with essential skills, such as resilience or how to manage their online safety, to help them transition to adulthood and adapt to a digital world. 
    • The government aims to halve the gap in who gets to do meaningful activities between richer and poorer families. This covers after school activities, as well as those in the evenings, weekends and holidays
    • It delivers on key government missions within the Plan for Change: spreading opportunities, making streets safer and taking pressure off the NHS.

    What young people said

    The measures respond directly to the landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey commissioned by the Culture Secretary, and published alongside the strategy today. It sets out the reality of what it is like to grow up in England in 2025, painting a vivid picture of their experiences growing up in a world shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost of living crisis, an always-on digital world, and ongoing global uncertainty.

    It reveals stark concerns from young people about a lack of mental health support, growing social isolation and an absence of youth services in their communities. 

    While young people today are the most digitally connected generation, the report highlights that they face unprecedented levels of isolation, among the highest globally. They want more opportunities to connect in person safe spaces to go to, better mental health support, guidance for their education and careers, greater access to enriching activities and opportunities, and tools to engage positively online and offline. 

    Building on recent investment

    The National Youth Strategy marks the start of a decade of sustained investment in young people, building on:

    ENDS

    Additional quotes: 

    Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO of the National Youth Agency: “The National Youth Strategy puts young people at the centre of change, reflecting what they have said they need: safe spaces, trusted adults, and real opportunities to thrive. Youth work is essential in delivering these plans, and the Strategy makes that clear. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure this ambition is matched with action, delivering equity and lasting improvements for every young person.” 

    Alex Holmes OBE, The Diana Award: “For a quarter of a century The Diana Award has shown what happens when you back young people with trust, resources and a platform. It’s been inspiring to see this National Youth Strategy built with young people, not just for them. The next 10 years must be about turning their ideas into action and giving young people the tools and confidence to hold us, as adults and institutions, to the promises we’ve made.”

    Jonathan Hopkins, Centre for Young Lives (member of the DCMS Expert Advisory Group): “This is a strategy by young people, for young people that we all benefit from. It is a generational shift in how young people are seen and heard. Backed by commitments like Young Futures to turn lives around, it will deliver a more confident and close knit society.” 

    Dan Lawes, CEO of My Life My Say: “I’ve seen firsthand that the greatest successes of the National Youth Strategy come from one simple principle: putting young people at the centre. Its strength lies in the fact that youth voices didn’t just contribute to its composition — they shaped its direction, its priorities and its purpose. By listening to young people every step of the way, we’ve created a strategy that is not only credible and representative, but one that I hope will deliver real, lasting change.”

    Paul Lindley, entrepreneur, campaigner, author: “This Youth Strategy puts young people exactly where they belong — at the heart of decisions that shape their lives. By rebuilding the local places, services and relationships that help them feel seen, supported and able to belong, it tackles the postcode lottery of opportunity and invests in a generation whose potential is extraordinary.”

    Sophie Pender, Founder, The 93% Club: “The National Youth Strategy represents hope: targeted investment in the working class communities too often overlooked. It strengthens our mission to show the state schoolers, the kids on the council estates, the ones whose youth has been shaped by limited resources, that they matter too.” 

    Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy, Centre for Mental Health: “The National Youth Strategy is an important cross-government opportunity to strengthen young people’s mental health. Trusted adults, safe community spaces and early support are all key to preventing mental health problems escalating. By expanding these opportunities nationwide, the strategy can help ensure every young person feels supported, connected and able to thrive.” 

    Zafeera Karim​, Member of Youth Parliament, said: “From a teacher, I learned, ​’If someone says you are the future, say no. I am the present; I have things to do now.​’ Those words resonate because young people are already acting, supporting one another, and taking on responsibilities that often go unseen. This National Youth Strategy matters because it has the potential to listen to these realities, address structural barriers, center voices too often excluded from decision-making, and provide practical support that engages with the work already happening. My hope is that this strategy will recognise what young people and their communities are already doing today and strengthen this work with sincerity at its origin and soundness in its fulfillment to create responsible, lasting change.​”

    Notes to editors:

    1. The full National Youth Strategy and the State of the Nation report are available at GOV.UK.
    2. Youth summaries of both the main strategy and report are available alongside associated research.
    3. The ‘State of the Nation’ survey engaged 14,134 young people and was conducted in  partnership with Savanta, My Life My Say, the #iwill Movement and Youth Collaborators
    4. The consultation included focus groups, discussions and workshops with Ministers, officials and youth sector organisations.
    5. A Youth Advisory Group of 14 young people from across England was convened to help shape the strategy.
    6. According to the latest statistics from the OECD, 15-year-olds in the UK spend more time on their digital devices than the average OECD country. 
    7. In a study of 40 countries, 11, 13 and 15-year-olds in England ranked among the highest in reporting that they feel lonely most of the time or always (HBSC, 2022).
    8. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are about 10.6 million young people aged 10-24 in England.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government acts to strengthen fairness and transparency in combinable crops contracts [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government acts to strengthen fairness and transparency in combinable crops contracts [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 December 2025.

    Consultation launched to review contract practices in the combinable crops sector, building on Fair Dealing reforms in dairy, pigs, eggs and fresh produce sectors.

    Arable farmers are set for stronger protections under a new government review into unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain, Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced.

    The work of the sector, covering crops such as wheat, barley, oilseeds and pulses, underpins domestic food, feed and fuel production. Improving fairness will help ensure resilient domestic production and support the long-term health of the food system.

    An eight-week consultation, launched today (Wednesday 10 December), will seek views on issues such as clarity of standards, sampling and testing procedures, supply volumes, data sharing and dispute resolution, to inform proposals for clearer contracts and fairer treatment for producers.

    The consultation looks to ensure farmers always receive a transparent price for their produce and understand which factors determine it. Fairness within the agricultural supply chain is a key priority for the government and integral to food security.

    Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

    Farmers should have confidence that the contracts they sign are fair and transparent and work as they should.

    Our strong food system needs to be built on solid foundations with farmers treated fairly. This consultation is a chance for growers to tell us where changes are needed in their supply chain.

    By improving clarity and ensuring fair and transparent contracts, we’re backing British producers through our Plan for Change, strengthening our food security and supporting a resilient future for the sector.

    The action forms part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers and builds on Fair Dealing rules already introduced for dairy and pigs, with work under way for eggs and fresh produce. The government is committed to tackling contractual unfairness wherever it exists through its Fair Dealings Regulations, which are enforced by its Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator.

    The launch of the consultation also complements wider work to protect farmers in trade deals, strengthen supply chain resilience, lower costs for consumers, and deliver a thriving, innovative food sector through the Good Food Cycle.

    Following recent reforms and continued collaboration with devolved governments, this latest step will help build a more transparent and competitive supply chain that benefits farmers and the public alike.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government to prioritise UK medical graduates for training places [December 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government to prioritise UK medical graduates for training places [December 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 December 2025.

    The government will prioritise UK medical graduates for training places from 2026 as part of efforts to bring an end to industrial action by resident doctors.

    • Substantial offer put to BMA in bid to end resident doctors’ strikes once and for all
    • Includes bringing forward emergency legislation to fix choked recruitment system that overlooks UK graduates, benefiting this year’s applicants
    • BMA refusing to call off Christmas strikes despite an unprecedented government offer to extend their mandate

    The government has put an offer to the British Medical Association (BMA) that would put in place emergency legislation for UK and Republic of Ireland medical graduates and doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period of time to be prioritised for specialty training and tackling bottlenecks through an overhaul of recruitment for medical training. Should the BMA accept this offer, the government will accelerate plans to prioritise these medics, addressing the current system that has led to soaring competition ratios – with current applicants set to benefit from the 2026 intake.

    Other measures in the offer include:   

    • creating 4,000 more specialty training places, with 1,000 of these brought forward to this year
    • cost-related measures, such as reimbursement for exam fees, to address the unique costs that resident doctors face
    • increasing the less-than-full-time allowance by 50% to £1,500

    Strikes suck up time, resources and energy, with each round costing the NHS around £250 million. As a result, enacting this emergency legislation is contingent on the BMA and its members accepting this offer, and the government will not be able to deliver its offer of 4,000 more training places if strikes continue.

    The government also offered to extend the BMA’s strike mandate in exchange for cancelling their damaging Christmas strikes, which are designed to cause maximum disruption to the NHS. This would have allowed the BMA to hold a formal referendum on the offer, with enough time to rearrange the cancelled strikes for the end of January should it have been rejected. It is deeply disappointing that the BMA leadership has refused this generous compromise, creating untold anxiety for patients across the country. Latest data shows that at the end of November, there were 1,649 beds occupied by flu patients, which is up 55.6% from this time last year. 

    The BMA will now conduct a short, informal survey before making a decision on the offer next week.

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:   

    Doctors asked me to deliver on jobs, especially unfair competition from overseas, and this comprehensive offer will deliver – providing resident doctors currently applying with more jobs, prioritising UK-trained graduates, and putting money back in the pockets of resident doctors. It builds on a 28.9% pay rise which has already been delivered.

    We have been working around the clock to prepare emergency legislation to prioritise our homegrown talent and halve the competition for jobs that resident doctors currently face – that is now on the table. But it can only happen if resident doctors vote to accept the deal and end these strikes.

    This offer will now go to BMA members, but the BMA has chosen to continue holding the spectre of strikes over the NHS next week. This was entirely avoidable as I offered to give the BMA the chance to reschedule strikes in January after the vote has taken place so that they could cancel the Christmas strikes, which are timed for the most damaging period of the year.

     I am astounded that the BMA’s leadership rejected this. It means their NHS colleagues will this week be cancelling Christmas plans to cover shifts, and patients will have their operations cancelled, as the NHS prepares for the worst. I cannot understand the wilful casualness with which the BMA’s leadership have chosen to inflict this pain on patients, other staff and the NHS itself. It is one of the most shameful episodes in the long history of the BMA.

    I am appealing directly to resident doctors, who now have an opportunity to vote for more jobs, better career opportunities, more money in their pockets, and to end the strikes. I urge them to vote for this deal.

    There are currently record numbers of doctors working in the NHS, but training bottlenecks are at all-time high, with UK graduates facing record competition for places due to rising numbers of international applications, and in many cases being left without a job to go into. 

    The last government scrapped the Resident Labour Market Test, which required employers to check first if they can find an acceptable locally trained person to do the job. Medical school places were also expanded in recent years without also expanding postgraduate training, leading to increased competition for jobs.  This has seen NHS-trained doctors forced to compete on equal terms with doctors from around the world for NHS jobs.   

    Competition ratios for postgraduate places have increased by 150% since 2019 – from 1.4 applicants per place in 2019, to 3.5 per place in 2025. There were around 12,000 applicants for 9,000 places in 2019, which has soared to over 30,000 applicants for near 10,000 places in 2025.   

    Government reforms requiring General Medical Council registration at the point of application and limiting applicants to 5 specialty training applications have already reduced applications by 11% this year.

    However, the system is still currently hostage to the previous government’s changes allowing increased overseas applicants. As a result, while applications are down, overall applicant numbers are still 16% higher than last year, making recruitment even more competitive than this year.   

    UK and Republic of Ireland graduates would also be prioritised for foundation training. These reforms would be delivered through emergency primary legislation to be introduced in the new year, so that those applying in this current round are able to benefit from the changes.   

    The plans will not exclude internationally trained staff who will still be able to apply to the roles and continue to bring new and vital skills to the NHS. The UK is fortunate to have exceptional internationally trained graduates, and the NHS will always benefit from their experience. We will be continuing to support and attract talented overseas staff that want to dedicate their time, energy and skills to the health service. That’s why the reforms will also prioritise doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period for specialty training.    

    However, at a time when competition for medical staff globally has never been fiercer, we want to ensure we have a sustainable workforce fit for the future that is not overly reliant on international graduates. Taxpayers spend £4.3 billion in training medics every year, and we want to better protect this investment.

    Further details on the changes that will be made to the recruitment system will be set out if the BMA decide to accept the offer put to them.