Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Major Investment in North Wales delivers 140 new jobs [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 May 2025.

Around 140 jobs will be created in North Wales after Knauf Insulation unveiled plans to invest £170 million in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
- International manufacturer Knauf Insulation to invest £170m in a new facility in Shotton creating 140 new jobs
- UK and Welsh Governments welcome the investment into new manufacturing facility
- Announcement comes as UK and EU hold a summit to discuss future opportunities to boost economic growth
Around 140 jobs will be created in North Wales after Knauf Insulation unveiled plans to invest £170 million in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shotton.

The landmark development will produce more than 100,000 tonnes of non-combustible rock mineral wool insulation per year and create approximately 140 direct jobs, with more in local supply chains.

The announcement coincides with the UK-EU Summit taking place today (Monday 19 May) underscoring the UK Government’s commitment to fostering economic growth through its Plan for Change and attracting inward investment to strengthen the economy.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

This £170 million investment by Knauf Insulation is fantastic news for North Wales and our UK Government mission to drive economic growth.

This is a vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our government’s plan to make Britain the destination of choice for investment in industry.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said:

This is great news for North Wales. The plans will be a major investment in the area and are a testament to the skills and facilities we have here.

This positive announcement is the start of the journey and we will continue to provide support as the work to deliver the project gets underway.

Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said:

The UK is open for business, and this is yet another vote of confidence in North Wales and its thriving advanced manufacturing sector which will boost jobs and prosperity across the region.

Our modern Industrial Strategy, which will prioritise advanced manufacturing as one of eight key UK sectors, will help us go further by attracting even more investment, creating new opportunity across the country and making our Plan for Change a reality.

Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director of Knauf Insulation Northern Europe said:

Knauf Group has a proud history of manufacturing in Wales and this project aligns with the Welsh and UK Government’s commitment to sustainability and the industrial vision for North Wales and Deeside.

Using UK-First Submerged Arc Furnace technology, the new factory will produce non-combustible, low embodied carbon, recyclable rock mineral wool insulation to support the need for safer, more energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

Joint efforts by the UK Government, Welsh Government, and local leadership have paved the way for Knauf Insulation’s confidence in Wales as a destination for transformative projects.

The UK and Welsh Government-backed North Wales Growth Deal and the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone collectively support the decision by Knauf Insulation to locate a second plant in the area.

As leaders in the production of sustainable building materials, Knauf Insulation’s expansion further supports the growing advanced manufacturing cluster in North Wales.
May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement with the WHO in 2025 [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2025.

Joint press release: Support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement with the World Health Organization and participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly.

We, the British Office Taipei; the Australian Office Taipei; the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; the Czech Economic and Cultural Office; French Office in Taipei; the German Institute Taipei; the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association; and the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office wish to reaffirm our support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the work of the World Health Organization and Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly.

As this year’s 78th session of the World Health Assembly commences in Geneva, Taiwan remains largely excluded from the world’s international health system. As COVID-19 and continued public health crises make plain, infectious diseases and health hazards do not respect borders. Global cooperation is required to keep the whole world safe.

Taiwan has shown itself to be a highly capable, engaged, and responsible member of the global health community and was invited to participate as an observer in WHA meetings from 2009 to 2016. Taiwan’s distinct capabilities and methods – including its significant public health expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology – bring considerable value that would inform the WHA’s deliberations. Taiwan’s isolation from the WHA, the preeminent global health forum, is entirely unjustified. This undermines inclusive global public health cooperation and security, which the world demands, and which is enshrined in the founding documents of the WHO.

Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the fora and technical committees of the World Health Organization would bring benefits not just to people in Taiwan, but also around the world. Only by including Taiwan as an observer would the WHO be able to fully exemplify the Health Assembly’s commitment to “One World for Health.”

May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Legal Aid Agency data breach [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 May 2025.

An update following a cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency’s online digital services.

On Wednesday 23 April, we became aware of a cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency’s online digital services.

These are the services through which legal aid providers log their work and receive payment from the Government.

In the days following the discovery, we took immediate action to bolster the security of the system, and informed all legal aid providers that some of their details, including financial information, may have been compromised.

Since then, we have worked closely with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre as well as informing the Information Commissioner.

On Friday 16 May we discovered the attack was more extensive than originally understood and that the group behind it had accessed a large amount of information relating to legal aid applicants.

We believe the group has accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data from those who applied for legal aid through our digital service since 2010.

This data may have included contact details and addresses of applicants, their dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.

We would urge all members of the public who have applied for legal aid in this time period to take steps to safeguard themselves. We would recommend you are alert for any suspicious activity such as unknown messages or phone calls and to be extra vigilant to update any potentially exposed passwords. If you are in doubt about anyone you are communicating with online or over the phone you should verify their identity independently before providing any information to them.

Jane Harbottle, Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Agency, said:

I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened.

Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the National Cyber Security Centre to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency.

However, it has become clear that to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we’ve taken the decision to take the online service down.

We have put in place the necessary contingency plans to ensure those most in need of legal support and advice can continue to access the help they need during this time.

I am incredibly grateful to legal aid providers for their patience and cooperation at a deeply challenging time.

We will provide further updates shortly.

Further information on how to protect yourself from the impact of a data breach can be found on the NCSC website.

May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with leaders of US, France, Germany and Italy [May 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 May 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to leaders of the United States, Italy, France and Germany last night [18 May 2025].

The leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, and the catastrophic cost of the war to both sides.

Looking ahead to President Trump’s call with President Putin tomorrow, the leaders discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire and for President Putin to take peace talks seriously.

They also discussed the use of sanctions if Russia failed to engage seriously in a ceasefire and peace talks.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government to set new ten-year budgets for R&D funding [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 19 May 2025.

New criteria to give certainty to world-class research organisations, helping to attract greater private investment and grow the UK economy.
- New plans unveiled to support long-term, ten-year funding for certain R&D activities
- Change will provide long-term certainty to researchers and industry, deepening opportunities for partnerships in vital R&D work that could transform UK economy
- Introduction of guidance meets key manifesto commitment, supporting the government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy and delivering growth as part of our Plan for Change
Vital R&D work exploring innovation in areas as diverse as human health and cutting-edge computing will be given much-needed long-term certainty under new criteria unveiled by Science Minister Lord Vallance today (Monday 19 May).

It will enable and support government departments and other public bodies to fund R&D over a ten-year period – giving certainty to world-class research organisations that their work will continue over the long-term, helping to attract greater private investment, grow the UK economy and deliver on our Plan for Change.

While specific funding will be determined in the coming weeks, it could, for example, see research organisations tackling areas like antimicrobial resistance or developing quantum computers – complex issues which can take years to develop and understand – granted longer timescales to boost their chances of unearthing truly valuable solutions and improving lives.

It could also mean longer-term funding for infrastructure, such as large-scale research facilities and equipment, giving them certainty that the tools they need to drive progress are secured.

This will more broadly enable long-term research that tackles the key issues facing the UK, and will crowd investment into the sector from businesses attracted to the certainty of public backing.

Evidence shows that the average £1 invested in public R&D leverages double that in private investment and generates £7 in net benefits to the UK economy in the long run – providing a major boost to the UK economy. This also delivers on a manifesto commitment and on calls from research organisations, innovators and milestone independent reports such as the Landscape Review of R&D.

The criteria which will be used by departments and public bodies to identify and prioritise relevant ten-year funding proposals are centred around 4 areas:
- Infrastructure and core capabilities – where ten-year funding will allow recipients to develop or maintain core national infrastructure or support more impactful use of such infrastructure, which would not be possible under shorter funding cycles.
- Talent attraction and retention – where the skills development in a particular area is demonstrably vital to the UK growth agenda and longer-term funding would enable development of a pipeline of skilled researchers, scientists or engineers that otherwise would be difficult.
- International collaboration – where there are demonstrable, additional opportunities for international collaborations with wider strategic benefits.
- Partnerships and business collaboration – where there is demonstrable need for long term partnerships with industry – including charity and philanthropy – to tackle a significant challenge relevant to economic growth, and where shorter funding cycles would impede effective partnerships.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

Research and innovation, from computing and AI to health breakthroughs need stability of funding.

We are delivering on our manifesto commitment to support and encourage public bodies to deliver long-term ten-year funding streams where appropriate, while retaining the flexibility of shorter-term cycles to deal with emerging priorities.

This change will provide certainty to certain types of research organisations and unlock vital business investment into our world-class research sector to drive the growth at the heart of our Plan for Change.

The announcement comes ahead of the publication of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy and will ensure the UK continues to be a world leader in growth-driving sectors delivering increased investment and secure, skilled jobs for working people across the country.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has worked with the Treasury and other stakeholders to develop the principles of ten-year funding and the process by which public bodies will select specific activities or institutions for long-term funding, to provide transparency for the R&D sector.

The guidance recommends that public bodies should set a maximum limit for the proportion of R&D budget that, at any one time, should be allocated to ten-year funding. This will retain the agility to respond to new and emerging priorities in the short and medium term.

Further details on the initial recipients of ten-year budgets will be set out in the second phase of the Spending Review, and in due course following the allocation of the R&D budget.

Departments will operate their own selection process, in line with the guidance. The guidance will allow departments to implement a targeted approach and allocate ten-year budgets to the specific programmes, activities and smaller research organisations that would best be able to unlock the economic and scientific benefits associated with long-term funding.

Ten-year budgets will also act as a signal of government’s long-term priorities in key sectors, helping to underpin the government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy. This is part of a wider government approach to reforming R&D funding over the longer-term, including providing stability and certainty to the R&D sector by giving clarity on the government’s R&D priorities.
May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2025.

Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.

The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.

We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.  We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve, and ensure long-term stability in the region.

We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalise consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan. We affirm the important role of the High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June in building international consensus around this aim. And we are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.

May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government to launch £360m Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 May 2025.

A major investment will modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, enhance workforce skills, and revitalise coastal communities to boost tourism.

British fishing and coastal communities will benefit from £360 million investment to drive growth and boost the sector for the future as the Government launches its Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.

The Fund will invest in new technology and equipment to modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, deliver new training and skills to back the next generation of fishers and promote the seafood sector to export our high-quality produce across the world. The government will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most.

The investment comes alongside a new twelve-year fisheries access agreement with the EU securing long-term certainty for British fishing fleets. The deal protects Britain’s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas. As a result, there is no change to current access for coastal communities and no reduction in British quota or increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch.

The Government has also secured a new SPS Agreement that will slash red tape for UK seafood exporters and businesses, and reopen the EU market to GB shellfish from certain domestic waters. This will make it easier to sell British fish to our largest trading partner – in turn driving growth and removing barriers to trade that have been holding businesses back.

Under new plans to be set out by the Government later this week, coastal communities will receive a cash boost for new community facilities, better transport links and investment in apprenticeships. Proposals would see offshore wind farms required to invest into coastal communities benefiting for families, businesses and local community groups across the country.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

The agreement reached today protects Britain’s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas with no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters.

The Government is backing coastal communities by investing £360 million into our fishing industry, securing the future for the next generation of fishers and breathing new life into our coastal communities as part of the Plan For Change.

Government and agencies will work with fishers to reform support to meet safety regulations, supporting the sector to be more prosperous and safe.

May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Train services between Bradford and London more than triple thanks to government funding [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 July 2025.

5 additional train services daily will bring an estimated extra £4 million into the local economy each year.
- new platform at Bradford Forster Square station, thanks to £35 million government funding
- will boost daily trains between Bradford and London from 2 to 7, providing an extra 1.9 million train seats a year
- key part of the government’s commitment to investment in transport infrastructure in the North of England and Plan for Change
Passengers in Bradford are now benefiting from improved, increased rail journeys thanks to a multi-million-pound government boost.

Today (19 May 2025) saw the opening of a brand-new platform at Forster Square Station, which is already facilitating 5 additional services a day between Bradford and London.

The new platform and improved station infrastructure will ease congestion and increase access into the city for passengers, commuters and tourists.

Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, who officially opened the platform, said:

Thanks to £35 million of government investment, rail passengers in Bradford will now be connected to more jobs, education and business opportunities.

These additional services will not only create a more reliable and comfortable journey but bring an estimated extra £4 million into the local economy each year.

After decades of underfunding, this government is investing in change for the people of Yorkshire by delivering the transport system they deserve.

The new services to Bradford come at a key time as they celebrate being the UK’s City of Culture for 2025. Visitors enjoying the celebrations throughout the year will make use of the enhanced timetable, which sees the first train from London to Bradford now arrive at 09:52 compared with 19:30 previously.

Minister Lightwood continued:

You cannot achieve real growth without the transport connectivity to support it. We have an ambitious Plan for Change that’s making a real difference for the people of West Yorkshire, evidenced by large scale projects like this one.

The extra 1.9 million seats annually, increasing weekday services to Bradford by 250%, show that we are delivering our plan, creating more jobs and more opportunities.

Today’s unveiling is part of the government’s wider commitment to investing in transport infrastructure across the North of England and its wider Plan for Change. Thanks to a £10 billion cash injection from the government, the TransPennine Route Upgrade will provide more capacity on faster, more reliable, greener journeys between Manchester, Leeds and York.

Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield will see their connectivity further improved thanks to the government providing £200 million development funding to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:

There is such a positive energy in Bradford at the moment, with the recent transformation of the city centre and the series of amazing City of Culture events.

Increasing capacity at one of West Yorkshire’s flagship city centre stations means the city can really build on this momentum.

This will help us to create a transport system to be proud of and is vital to helping us create a more prosperous and better-connected region.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said:

I’m so pleased about the new Platform 0 and the important London services that will now happen as a result of the investment. A major city like Bradford needs to be better connected, not just to the capital but also to other major cities in the country. We’ve been able to work with government, Network Rail and the train operators to make this happen in this major year for us.

These services will provide local people with better access to more and better jobs, not just for this year but permanently. There will be more opportunity to travel for education and training and cultural experiences, as well as giving people from across the country more opportunity to visit us and experience all we have to offer.
May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK-EU Summit [May 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 May 2025.
- This week, the Prime Minister will strike yet another deal that will deliver in the national interest of this country. It will be good for growth, good for jobs, good for bills, and good for our borders.
- In the last two weeks alone, the government has delivered trade deals with India and the United States. Jobs saved, faster growth, wages rising.
- These deals are a huge vote of confidence in the United Kingdom. They show that, even though times have been tough, the decisions the government have taken to stabilise the economy and lead the way internationally have made this a country people want to do business with again.
- Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will set out how a strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people and lead to more money in pockets as part of our Plan for Change – and sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto.
- Because the British public deserve better than the deal reached under the previous government, which isn’t working for anyone.
- It will be better for UK producers – who face red tape and checks just to export to our nearest and biggest trading partner. Or sometimes can’t export at all.
- It will be better for British supermarkets, who have to pass these costs onto consumers and reduce the availability of products on shelves.
- And it will be better for British families who face higher bills, queues on holiday and whose safety and security is harmed by a lack of cooperation between neighbouring countries facing the same global challenges.
- First India, then the US, now the European Union. This is what outward-looking, independent sovereign nations do – we look at the problems facing our country and we work hard, alongside our allies, to find solutions that deliver for our people.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“In this time of great uncertainty and volatility, the UK will not respond by turning inwards, but by proudly taking our place on the world stage – strengthening our alliances and closing deals in the interests of British people.

“First India, then the United States – in the last two weeks alone that’s jobs saved, faster growth and wages rising. More money in the pockets of British working people, achieved through striking deals not striking poses.

“Tomorrow, we take another step forwards, with yet more benefits for the United Kingdom as the result of a strengthened partnership with the European Union. It will be good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders.

“That’s what the British people voted for last year, and it’s what my government will deliver.”
May 20, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK Armed Forces to benefit from ground breaking underwater glue developed with industry [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 17 May 2025.

Defence scientists develop glue that enables rapid repairs to equipment in extreme environments.

An underwater glue could soon be saving lives and providing UK Armed Forces with an operational edge following successful trials in Portsmouth.

The glue, which mimics the way a mussel sticks to a rock in nature, will enable military personnel to repair wetsuits, damaged dinghies and other equipment rapidly in extreme environments, potentially saving lives. It will also make it easier to repair bridges under the water line and could save the public money by enabling repairs during deployment.

The glue was developed by the Ministry of Defence’s Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), working with biotech firm Zentraxa.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle said:

This unique approach, inspired by nature, demonstrates how the UK is becoming a hotbed for pioneering defence technology.

Our scientists are working with industry to unlock emerging technologies, finding new ways to protect the military personnel who keep our nation safe, at home and abroad.

That’s why we’re establishing a new innovation organisation, UK Defence Innovation, with a ring-fenced budget of £400 million, to help deliver even more cutting-edge tools like this to the Armed Forces.

May 20, 2025