Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : First-ever National Cadets Week to celebrate cadets and reconnect young people with the Armed Forces [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 May 2026.

    The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations.

    • The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations
    • A new Cadets Action Plan will set out the government’s long-term vision for the cadet forces
    • The initiative will help deliver on the Strategic Defence Review’s demand for a whole-of-society approach to defence

    Tens of thousands of young people across the UK will have the opportunity to discover the cadet forces as the government announces the first ever National Cadets Week, taking place from 5-11 October 2026.

    The week will celebrate the UK’s cadet community – one of the country’s most effective youth organisations – and the tens of thousands of young people and adult volunteers who make the cadets a success.

    Throughout the week, cadet units across the UK will open their doors to schools, families, and local communities. Cadets and volunteers will take part in outreach activities, delivering presentations to schools and places of work to raise awareness of the programme. 

    With a strong focus on first aid training, activities will showcase the opportunities available, and inspire new cadets, attract new volunteers, and demonstrate how cadet experiences help prepare young people for adult life.

    As part of the Strategic Defence Review’s whole-of-society approach to defence, National Cadets Week aims to deepen the bond between the Armed Forces and communities across the UK.

    Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:

    Cadet forces are one of the best examples we have of the whole-of-society approach to defence in action, bringing together young people from all backgrounds and giving them the confidence, skills and sense of purpose that benefit their communities and our country as a whole. 

    None of this would be possible without the thousands of adult volunteers who give their time freely, and I want to thank every one of them. I hope National Cadets Week inspires more people to get involved and support their local cadet force. You don’t need a military background, just a commitment to young people. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

    Under the Government’s ‘30 by 30’ campaign launched in August 2025, the MOD is expanding cadet opportunities for a new generation of young people – boosting the cadet forces by 30% by 2030.

    This will deliver over 40,000 more cadets across the UK, supporting the government’s commitment to break down the barriers holding back Britain’s young people.

    Royal Navy cadet Lila Unlu, age 14, said:

    Being a cadet has given me amazing opportunities I would never have experienced in my day-to-day life. It’s taught me so much about resilience, team building, and leadership. Along the way I’ve made some incredible friends, built confidence and created memories and skills that will stay with me for life.

    The initiative will showcase the opportunities available through the MOD-sponsored cadet forces: the Royal Navy Cadets (Sea Cadet Corps and Volunteer Cadet Corps), Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force. 

    A new Cadets Action Plan will be published during National Cadets Week setting out the government’s long-term vision to expand high-quality, accessible cadet provision and ensure more young people from all backgrounds can benefit. This will include modernising the cadet experience, providing an attractive offer to retain and recruit adult volunteers, and ensuring that cadets and volunteers have the right resources and support.

    Minister for Schools Standards, Georgia Gould, said:

    National Cadets Week will be a fantastic chance to celebrate the incredible difference cadet programmes make to young people’s lives across the UK.

    We’re making sure more young people than ever are building confidence and life skills through cadets in schools and we’re going further to make sure every child and young person at every school and college can access a range life-changing extra-curricular activities like sports, outdoor adventure and civic engagement.

    Boosting the whole-of-society approach to national resilience, the week will celebrate the dedicated network of adult volunteers who lead local cadet groups.

    Through the cadets, young people develop essential life skills, including leadership, teamwork, and resilience, taking part in activities ranging from adventurous training and fieldcraft to flying, sailing, and gaining Civil Aviation Authority-endorsed drone qualifications.

    Participants can also work towards nationally recognised qualifications, including BTECs, first aid certifications and The Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

    The Cadets Action Plan will support the growth of the cadet forces, helping more young people to progress into careers in the Armed Forces, public services, and wider defence sector, while strengthening national resilience.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Millions to benefit from Sci Tech deal between UK and France [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Millions to benefit from Sci Tech deal between UK and France [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 29 May 2026.

    Cures for infectious diseases and pioneering improvements in women’s health, and strengthening a partnership between two of Europe’s leading supercomputers.

    • Scientists in Britain and France to work together on cures for infectious diseases and pioneering improvements in women’s health
    • New funding for partnership which brings together two of Europe’s leading supercomputers to accelerate AI adoption and scientific discovery
    • Technology Secretary heads for G7 talks in Paris on improving AI adoption and security and child safety online

    Millions of women suffering from complications arising from childbirth, or living with endometriosis, will benefit from the shared research expertise and ambition of the UK and France, under a new partnership inked today. 

    Working together, both countries will put AI and data at the heart of their work on these historically under-researched, under-diagnosed conditions which have left patients waiting too long for the answers or care they need.

    Announced as the Technology Secretary arrives in Paris for talks with G7 Ministers, this partnership will unlock new treatments, enable earlier diagnoses for safer pregnancies and more personalised care. By closing long-standing gaps in women’s health, it has the potential to transform outcomes, and improve the day-to-day lives of millions of women on both sides of the Channel.

    The partnership will also bring together global data on diseases like drug-resistant E. coli, enabling faster detection of microbes which can resist treatments, and speeding up how we can identify and tackle infectious outbreaks. Doctors will be better equipped to spot dangerous infections, helping patients get the right treatment sooner and reducing the risk of illness spreading.

    In particular, researchers based in the UK and France will use cutting-edge imaging and AI to study infections like tuberculosis, malaria and emerging viruses – ultimately saving lives.

    At the heart of this new collaboration is an ambition to make it simpler and faster for British and French institutions to cooperate on biomedical research. Harnessing emerging tech like AI, this will involve everything from joint projects, sharing research expertise in both countries, and working together on joint funding bids – delivering the technologies and products that will benefit people all over the world.

    Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    This ground-breaking partnership between the UK and France will tackle some of the biggest challenges in women’s health, deliver safer and healthier pregnancies, and accelerate the fight against infectious diseases worldwide. That means new treatments, earlier diagnoses, and more personalised care.

    We are determined to build on that spirit of co-operation with our G7 partners this week, to drive forward work on some of the most important issues that affect us all, from AI adoption to keeping kids safe online.

    Philippe Baptiste, French minister for higher education, research and space, said:

    The renewed dialogue between France and the United Kingdom marks a decisive step in our scientific partnership. Together, we are building a dynamic and ambitious roadmap, transforming our shared vision into concrete actions, notably through enhanced collaboration in Horizon Europe projects. This cooperation, anchored in trust and excellence, will deliver tangible results in artificial intelligence, health, and beyond, for the benefit of both nations.

    At today’s G7 talks (Friday 29 May), Ministers will focus their discussions on key issues to protect citizens and spark the growth which will unlock jobs and new opportunities. AI adoption and security and the resilience and resource efficiency of the digital sector will all be on the agenda, along with discussions on how to create a safer online world for children and young people.

    As the Technology Secretary arrives in Paris, nearly £900,000 of UK government funding has also been committed to boosting the partnership between the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing which hosts Isambard‑AI  and France’s computing centre GENCI.

    This will allow researchers at both bases to access world class compute and deliver scientific breakthroughs. Isambard-AI is already supporting cutting-edge research in areas ranging from drug discovery to combat heart disease to climate scenario modelling. 

    The UK government will also contribute £300,000, matched by €330,000 from the French government enabling early‑career researchers to be supported to live and work in both the UK and France, helping them advance their careers, and unlock new collaboration opportunities – including on major Horizon Europe projects. This is through UKRI’s International Science Partnerships Fund, designed to support UK researchers and innovators collaborate with peers internationally.

    Taking the strength of UK-France collaboration even further, Imperial College London and the French National Center for Scientific Research will sign a separate landmark agreement today to collaborate on metabolism research – tackling major health challenges including heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

    Notes to Editors

    • The G7 Digital and Technology Ministerial Summit takes place in Paris on 28–29 May 2025, under the French G7 presidency.
    • At the core of the research in women’s health, infectious diseases, data science and advanced bioimaging is the UK–France Strategic Biomedical Alliance in Health and AI, a partnership between the University of Oxford, Université Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur and the UK and French national advanced imaging facilities, the Diamond Light Source and Synchrotron SOLEIL. Together, these partners combine world‑leading science with national bioimaging infrastructure and technology development.
    • The Bristol Centre for Supercomputing hosts Isambard AI, one of the UK’s most powerful AI supercomputers, as part of the UK’s AI Research Resource the UK’s national programme providing leading, AI‑specialised computing capacity to researchers and innovators 
    • The new partnership will allow mutual access to infrastructure like the UK’s Diamond Light Source and France’s Synchrotron SOLEIL, using extremely bright light to reveal the structure of materials and biological systems down to the molecular level.
    • GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) is France’s national high-performance computing body.
    • The £1.2 million figure combines the £894,000 Isambard AI/GENCI partnership funding and £300,000 per year student mobility funding.

    Professor Richard Cornall, Head of the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford, said: 

    At a time of growing global health threats and rapid technological change, the Alliance brings together leading expertise in AI, advanced imaging and biomedical science to better understand, predict and treat complex disease. Starting with accelerating progress in women’s health, infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, we will create a powerful UK-France capability for biomedical innovation and the joint development of world-leading new technology.

    Professor Philippe Guérin, Director of the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) at the University of Oxford, said: 

    Through this Alliance we will be able to see disease in new ways – combining the technology of two of the world’s most powerful synchrotrons, with the world’s greatest research minds, to understand how infections develop, spread and respond to treatment at an unprecedented level of detail. That deeper understanding will drive innovation in diagnostics and therapies, helping improve outcomes for patients and at the same time strengthening preparedness for future health threats worldwide.

    Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: 

    Understanding metabolism is crucial to addressing some of the biggest health challenges of our time – from obesity and diabetes to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases – and our new joint laboratory will put the UK and France at the forefront of this critical area of research. By bringing together world-leading expertise and cutting-edge technologies, including AI and machine learning, we will deepen our understanding of these complex conditions for the benefit of all. Our collaboration with France’s CNRS will create new opportunities to share talent, knowledge and resources – accelerating discovery, driving health-tech innovations and delivering meaningful societal impact.

    Professor Gianluigi Botton, Chief Executive of Diamond Light Source, said:

    This collaboration represents an exciting step forward in harnessing the full potential of advanced synchrotron imaging, data and AI in healthcare. By strengthening links between UK and French research communities, we are creating new opportunities to better understand disease, accelerate innovation and improve patient care. Diamond is delighted to support this shared ambition to deliver scientific breakthroughs that will have a lasting global impact.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to the Planning Inspectorate Board [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to the Planning Inspectorate Board [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 29 May 2026.

    Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed the appointment of Ben Alexander as the new Chair of the Planning Inspectorate Board. His appointment is expected to commence on 1 July 2026 and run for a period of four years. In addition, the Minister has confirmed a one-year extension to the terms of two existing Inspectorate board members.

    Ben will take over from Trudi Elliott, CBE MRTPI, who is completing her second term as Chair. He will lead the Planning Inspectorate as it continues its vital role in the planning system, supporting timely, fair and proportionate decision‑making on nationally significant infrastructure projects, certain planning applications, local plans and planning appeals.

    The Planning Inspectorate plays a central role in delivering the government’s ambitions to speed up planning decisions, thereby unlocking housing growth and economic development, while ensuring communities’ voices are heard and environmental protections upheld.

    Alongside Ben’s appointment, the Minister has also confirmed extensions to the terms of two existing board members, Adrian Penfold and Oliver Munn, to September 2027, ensuring continuity and stability as the organisation continues to modernise and respond to the government’s ambitious agenda for planning.

    Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:

    “I’m delighted to confirm Ben Alexander’s appointment as Chair of the Planning Inspectorate Board.

    “Ben has a proven track record of effective leadership, commercial expertise and successfully driving through organisation change in the public sector. He will make an invaluable contribution to ensuring the Inspectorate provides timely, high-quality and cost-effective decisions, recommendations and advice.

    “I would also like to thank Trudi Elliott for her outstanding leadership over two terms, and to recognise the continued contribution of board members who have agreed to extend their service.”

    Further information

    Ben Alexander

    Ben is currently Chair of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, an external member of the Cambridge University finance committee and serves as a commercial advisor at the Cabinet Office. He has previously held senior roles in international finance and asset management and brings extensive experience in governance, infrastructure and strategic decision‑making across both the public and private sectors.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £340m pharmacy boost brings faster care to your high street [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £340m pharmacy boost brings faster care to your high street [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 May 2026.

    Patients to benefit from more services and treatments from their community pharmacy, as part of new deal.

    • Patients will see quicker access to treatments at their local pharmacy, avoiding GP referrals under new agreement 
    • Government to roll out NHS-funded Independent Prescribing, bringing more care closer to home, as part of £340 million deal 
    • Qualified pharmacists will deliver more NHS care on the high street, expanding successful Pharmacy

    Patients across England will benefit from more services, treatments and better access to medicines from their local pharmacy under a new £340 million government-funded deal.

    Under the new contractual framework, pharmacists who hold an Independent Prescribing qualification will be able to assess patients and prescribe medicines directly, building on the success of the Pharmacy First service. This delivers on-the-spot care for common conditions and gives patients access to a wider range of medicines.

    The changes, which will be rolled out from Autumn 2026, will reduce the number of referrals back to GPs, boosting efficiency and improving both patient experience and outcomes. It will also lessen the burden on hospitals, as patients will be able to receive further treatment for common conditions from a qualified pharmacist in their community – avoiding the need to go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E.

    Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock said: 

    Through our landmark 10 Year Health Plan, we are making the most of our highly skilled pharmacists, while boosting access to services and giving patients more care right on their doorstep.

    Independent Prescribing will play a major part in delivering this shift – easing pressures on GPs, cutting unnecessary red tape and helping patients get the right care closer to home.

    Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England said:

    Community pharmacies already play a vital role in delivering NHS care closer to home, and this agreement will make it easier for patients to get advice, treatment, and medicines through their local pharmacy.

    Expanding independent prescribing will help make better use of the clinical expertise within our community pharmacy teams, helping patients get the right care in the right place while helping reducing pressure on other NHS services.

    Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, David Webb said: 

    This is great news for patients that community pharmacists will for the first time be able to prescribe NHS medicines across a range of health conditions as a nationally commissioned service.

    I want to thank everyone involved in making possible this huge step towards a more effective use of our highly trained workforce in community pharmacy. Community pharmacies will be enabled to play a more integrated role in neighbourhood health teams, digitally connected and helping people access the medicines they need when they need them.

    Over 3.3 million Pharmacy First consultations were delivered between March 2025 to February 2026, an increase of 43% on the previous 12 months. Almost nine in ten (86%) people using the service reported a positive experience of visiting their pharmacy for support for one of the seven common conditions covered by the service.

    The £340 million funding package and rollout of Independent Prescribing has been agreed with Community Pharmacy England. 

    Today’s announcement follows record investment over the past 2 years and a raft of measures to deliver more services to patients, including: 

    • making the ‘morning-after pill’ available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS for the first time ever, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities 
    • offering patients suffering depression convenient support at pharmacies when they are prescribed antidepressants, to boost mental health support in the community 
    • cutting red tape and bureaucracy to give patients easier access to consultations, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver a wider number of services such as medicines and prescriptions advice, Pharmacy First consultations for minor conditions, and carrying out blood pressure checks 
    • boosting financial incentives for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure. 
    • boosting funding for medicine supply so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them.  

    Janet Morrison OBE, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:  

    We welcome the agreement reached for community pharmacies in 2026/27, which includes an important commitment to a programme of reform for the sector.  It also opens the door to pharmacist prescribing – a first step towards making fuller use of their clinical expertise.

    We hope these changes, accompanied by appropriate future investment, will help pharmacies to play an even greater role in supporting patients, improving access to care, and helping people get the advice and treatment they need in their communities.

    Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive, Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), said:

    Today’s announcement recognises the longstanding and significant economic challenges facing the sector.

    We welcome continued efforts to close the widely-acknowledged pharmacy funding gap.

    Independent prescribing is a generational opportunity to expand the care that pharmacies can provide to patients. This announcement is the first step in realising this opportunity.

    Under Pharmacy First, patients already have access to advice, over-the-counter treatments, and prescription only medicines under Patient Group Directions, which are the instructions for supplying or administering medicines. 

    This includes a range of minor health conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, eyes and skin, among others. It provides rapid access for patients on their high street whilst taking pressure off GPs. 

    Community Pharmacies are crucial to the 10 Year Health Plan and shifting care out of hospital and into the community, as part of Neighbourhood Health Services. 

    Independent Prescribing will be rolled out nationally from Autumn 2026.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s war is failing, so Moscow is resorting to escalation and intimidation – UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s war is failing, so Moscow is resorting to escalation and intimidation – UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

    The UK supported Ukraine in calling for today’s meeting. 

    Colleagues, last Friday, Russia asked the Council to meet following an alleged incident in occupied Luhansk, which UN briefers said they had not been able to verify because Russia refuses access to Ukrainian territory which it occupies.

     The very next day, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion. 

    These strikes caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, emergency service facilities, Ukrainian government buildings and cultural institutions. These are not just buildings – they sustain essential service and underpin communities; they are people’s homes.

     So far this month, Russian attacks have killed nearly 200 civilians and injured over 1,500 more. May is on track to see the most civilian casualties in Ukraine since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

    This weekend also marked the third time Russia has deployed an Oreshnik missile – and the first time in Kyiv Oblast. Russia’s use of this nuclear-capable system in urban environments is brazen and reckless.

    We are also deeply concerned by reports that diplomatic sites in Kyiv were struck, including UN premises and a residential complex housing the Albanian Ambassador. And Russia followed up its attack with threats to diplomats to leave the city, warning of another barrage.

    Russia attempts to project strength through mass attacks, then comes to this chamber and plays the victim. But the truth is that Moscow’s escalating attacks against civilians betray its weakness.

    Russia is desperate because it is going backwards on the battlefield. New intelligence shows that almost half a million Russian soldiers have been killed since the conflict began, while Ukraine still stands firm. Russia’s war is failing, so Moscow is resorting to escalation and intimidation.

    Security Council members have been clear that we need peace. But such peace cannot be achieved while Russia continues its campaign against Ukraine’s people. Russia’s escalating attacks do nothing to bring us closer to a peaceful outcome – nor do they bring Russia any closer to achieving Putin’s war aims.

    As the Secretary General said, an immediate comprehensive ceasefire is essential.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Councils to be prevented from making risky investments [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Councils to be prevented from making risky investments [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 28 May 2026.

    Taxpayers to be protected from financial mismanagement in local government.

    Powers will be used to prevent excessive borrowing, risky investments and poor financial decisions in local government.

    Announced today (28th May), these powers will be switched on to help the government find early warning signs by tracking every council’s investments, debt, and revenue to spot financial risk before it becomes a crisis, allowing faster action to protect taxpayers. 

    How these powers will work and what other measures could be used to find risks will all be considered in a consultation that has launched today.

    In recent years, some councils have borrowed excessively in risky financial projects. Woking Borough Council amassed over £2 billion in debt, nearly 100 times its annual budget. And Thurrock Council built up £1.5 billion in debt through borrowing to finance failed investments, though both have curbed excessive borrowing since.

    The new metrics will strengthen oversight and transparency and ensure that borrowing across local government is affordable and sustainable.

    Local Government Minister Alison McGovern said:

    In Woking, Thurrock, and other councils we’ve seen poor investment decisions leaving taxpayers footing a big bill.

    We can’t afford to wait until a council is on the brink of collapse to act. That’s why we want to bring in new powers so we can identify the risks and act before its too late.

    This is alongside making £78 billion available through the Fair Funding Review to get councils back on their feet through the first multi-year settlement in a decade.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Care leavers and ex offenders in the West Midlands helped into jobs through new partnership between government and leading businesses [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Care leavers and ex offenders in the West Midlands helped into jobs through new partnership between government and leading businesses [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 28 May 2026.

    Greene King, Severn Trent and other leading UK businesses have joined forces with central and local Government to help more care leavers, ex-offenders and young people with mental health challenges in the West Midlands into quality jobs.

    • Businesses, charities and government to work together to help care leavers, ex-offenders and young people with mental health challenges  to find jobs
    • Partnership aims to help thousands of people each year find meaningful employment
    • Builds on launch of Office for the Impact Economy which helps the government to partner with and grow the impact economy – including purpose-driven businesses, impact investors and philanthropists

    Greene King, Severn Trent and other leading UK businesses have joined forces with central and local Government to help more care leavers, ex-offenders and young people with mental health challenges in the West Midlands into quality jobs.

    Through the partnership, the businesses aim to provide work opportunities for another 500 people from these backgrounds – an increase of 20% – with successful initiatives rolled out nationally to support thousands of people each year.

    The Economic Inactivity Partnership brings together 12 businesses that have a strong presence in the region, with five government departments and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

    It is supported by purpose-driven business charity ReGenerate and harnesses the power of business to support people who might otherwise struggle to find employment. This includes care leavers, prison leavers or young people with mental health issues, known as “hidden talent”, who businesses frequently find make highly capable and loyal employees. 

    Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, announced the partnership at the Severn Trent Academy today in Coventry, where he met care-leavers who work at the business, which offers work experience placements to support individuals with the transition from the care system into the workplace. He also met a number of young apprentices at the start of their careers, who also use the Academy to learn skills and develop their training. The event was attended by representatives from some of the biggest employers in the UK – collectively responsible for employing 1% of the UK workforce – including Amazon, John Lewis, Severn Trent, Keir Construction and Greggs. 

    Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said:

    It’s great to be focussing on skilling people up because there’s so much untapped potential across the country. 

    Giving people the right opportunity at the right time can transform their life. It’s good for them – both for their financial position and their mental health. But it’s also good for our country if we can help people fulfil their potential – whatever their background and whatever challenges they’ve been through. 

    So I’m thrilled to launch the Economic Inactivity Partnership in the West Midlands to make sure that’s the Britain we’re building.

    The pilots will help identify what works in the West Midlands and solutions that can be scaled up across the UK. They include:’ 

    • An AI tool, trained on the insights and best practice partner businesses, including Timpson and Cook Foods, to help employers better understand how and why to employ hidden talent, providing personalised answers to their questions and directing them to the most relevant sources of information and support.
    • West Midlands Jobcentre Plus, Severn Trent and Amazon are building a shared talent pool between partnership businesses, enabling hidden talent to be fast-tracked from a placement at one employer into a suitable job at another.
    • Following the success of Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs) in Job Centres, the government will work with the partnership to develop options to test SWAPs in a closed prison, including in the West Midlands. And because we want these ideas to have national impact, we will also trial SWAPs in an open prison outside the West Midlands.

    The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister also met several current employees who have joined under Severn Trent’s employment pathway for care leavers. The company is one of the key regional businesses who make up the partnership, alongside Birmingham Airport.

    The partnership builds on the launch of the Office for Impact Economy last year, which helps the government to partner with and grow the impact economy – including purpose-driven businesses, impact investors and philanthropists – tackle some of the UK’s biggest social, environmental and economic challenges. 

    Based in the Cabinet Office, the Office for the Impact Economy acts an interface with the impact economy to help government partner and deliver with philanthropy, impact investors and purpose driven businesses.

    Last week, Severn Trent became the latest backer of the Government’s Youth Guarantee, the Government’s scheme to give every young person the chance to earn or learn, with supporters including the Premier League, Channel 4 and Pinewood Studios.  The company is creating 400 employment opportunities for young people across the Midlands.

    Ed Boyd, CEO of ReGenerate said:

    For too long, care leavers, ex-offenders, and young people with mental health conditions have been kept on the margins of the labour market – this is despite the fact that businesses benefit when they recruit them; often gaining talented, hard working and valuable members of their team. 

    Everyone in this partnership, from the 5 government departments to the 12 major businesses, recognise this reality. It is so exciting to work together to build everything from an AI tool supporting recruiters to a way of sharing opportunities between companies, to reduce the number times a potential employee is sent back to the Jobcentre as they are building their career. 

    This partnership plans to create 500 more job opportunities for hidden talent in the West Midlands this year alone, and we cannot wait to expand it throughout the UK together in 2027.

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

    Here in the West Midlands, we have nearly 600,000 people who are out of work, and too many of them feel completely shut out of opportunity. Care leavers, prison leavers, young people who’ve struggled – these are all people who want to work, who want to build a future, but who keep hitting walls that others don’t. That’s both a moral failure and an economic one, because every person locked out of work is talent our economy is missing out on.

    This challenge is too big for government or business to solve alone. But when local agencies, central government and purpose-driven businesses work as genuine partners from the start, not as an afterthought, real change becomes possible.

    That’s exactly what this Economic Inactivity Partnership does, and our region is the right place to prove it. I’m determined that what we build here can shape how Britain tackles this challenge across the country.

    James Jesic, Severn Trent Chief Executive said:

    At Severn Trent, we’ve seen first-hand the difference removing barriers to work can make, and creating opportunities can be truly life changing to those who need it. We’re proud to be building something bigger through the Economic Inactivity Partnership and working alongside good business charity ReGenerate, to bring together government and business to drive real, meaningful change. Today’s launch is just the beginning, we’re determined that what starts here in the West Midlands really helps shape the future of hidden talent employment across the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Major new Swedish fighter jet deal to strengthen Ukraine and boost British jobs [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major new Swedish fighter jet deal to strengthen Ukraine and boost British jobs [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 May 2026.

    UK welcomes Sweden’s leadership in brokering new deal to supply Ukraine with fighter jets.

    Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression will be strengthened through a major new fighter jet deal, with essential parts of the aircraft to be built in Britain, supporting over 5000 UK jobs.   

    The deal is set to unlock Ukraine’s ambitions to build a strong air force, interoperable with NATO Allies, and will see 16 Swedish Gripen aircraft urgently gifted to Ukraine.  

    Ukraine will also be purchasing 20 new Gripen aircraft through an EU support loan, ensuring their future capacity.  

    The deal will give Ukrainian forces modern, agile and highly capable multirole air combat platforms to fight back against Russia’s illegal invasion. The aircraft will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air power and bolster NATO supply chains and resilience across the Alliance.  

    The Gripen is a collaboration between the UK, Sweden and the US. Companies across the UK supply critical components including the radar and landing gear, with over 30% of each aircraft manufactured in the UK. At least 50 British-based companies, from Saab UK in Fareham to Leonardo UK in Edinburgh, are set to be involved in the deal, supporting over 5000 UK jobs.  

    The UK continues to play a leading role in international support for Ukraine with training for Ukrainian Armed Forces, expertise sharing and billions of pounds per year of military equipment support including 120,000 drones for the country this year. Combined military support from the UK and Sweden since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion in February 2022 now stands at £11.4 billion.  

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

    This deal shows what British industry can achieve on the world stage – supporting thousands of jobs from Yeovil to Edinburgh while helping to deliver the air power Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. 

    By standing with our allies and backing Ukraine, we are securing real benefits for British workers and businesses. This is our international partnerships working for Britain.

    Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:  

    As the fierce resistance of the Ukrainians continues, and as Russian aggression grows, the UK will not waver. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and our NATO Allies like Sweden, bringing the combined power of our industries to bear to support the fight against Putin’s illegal war.   

    This deal is both a big boost for Ukraine’s air power and a show of confidence in our world-leading UK defence industry, supporting thousands of good British jobs here at home. This is the UK stepping up as one for Ukraine: our government, our military and our industry.

    The UK and Sweden share a strong defence and security partnership, built on JEF and NATO membership and a shared commitment to security in the Baltic Sea region and the High North. Last summer a squadron of Swedish Gripens deployed to Poland alongside the Royal Air Force to conduct NATO air policing.  

    The UK and Sweden have a strong track record of industrial collaboration in defence, demonstrated by Gripen export successes in Colombia and Thailand. Saab is investing £100 million in its Fareham site in the UK, while BAE Systems has a long-standing presence in Sweden through BAE Bofors and BAE Hägglunds – helping drive the next generation of defence and maritime technology, combining the best of Swedish and British innovation.  

  • PRESS RELEASE : Report of the Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo – UK statement [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report of the Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo – UK statement [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

    The UK thanks Ambassador McGurk for his concise and focused report presentation, and underlines support for the Mission’s work on democratic processes and with non-majority communities.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    I would like to warmly welcome Ambassador McGurk – dear Gerard – back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your concise and focused report and presentation this morning. We commend the OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s sustained and professional work during such a demanding reporting period.

    Mr Chair, the Mission’s report rightly highlights the strain placed on Kosovo’s institutions by repeated electoral cycles and prolonged political uncertainty. We continue to urge Kosovo’s political parties to work together constructively, in the interests of all communities, to provide institutional stability, restore public confidence, and enable progress on priority reforms.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the peaceful return of representative Kosovo‑Serb mayors to the northern municipalities following the October local elections. We encourage them to focus on practical governance, working constructively with central institutions, and responding to the needs of all their constituents. 

    The United Kingdom strongly values the Mission’s work in support of democratic processes. The Mission’s technical assistance to election authorities continues to play a vital role in supporting free, fair and credible elections, particularly in a complex political environment. We also welcome the Mission’s wider efforts to strengthen the rule of law, protect community rights, and promote accountability across Kosovo.

    Mr Chair, we commend the efforts of the EU Special Representative and international partners to support the implementation of Kosovo’s Law on Foreigners. It remains essential that this process is carried out gradually, transparently, and in close coordination with affected communities and the international community. Access to essential services, including healthcare and education, must not be disrupted. Dialogue and consultation remain key.

    The UK remains concerned by the continued lack of normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia. Constructive engagement with the EU facilitated Dialogue, by both sides, and full implementation of all agreement is essential for regional stability and for improving the daily lives of all citizens. We also urge both parties to refrain from rhetoric and actions that undermine trust or escalate tensions.

    Accountability also matters. Serbia must bring to justice those responsible for the both the Banjska attack and the attacks against Kosovo Police and KFOR personnel in Zvečan. There can be no impunity for such acts. Full cooperation with investigations is essential.

    Finally, we underline the importance of the OSCE Mission’s work with non‑majority communities, including its engagement with institutions such as the Serbian Orthodox Church. The work of the Mission’s network of regional centres – often long-term, low-key and field‑based – remains essential to confidence‑building, early warning, and long‑term stability.

    Mr Chair, the UK welcomes the agreement of the 2026 Unified Budget under Switzerland’s Chairpersonship, bringing to an end a prolonged period of financial uncertainty, and providing a more predictable basis for planning and delivery. The reduced financial envelope makes it all the more important that resources are prioritised effectively, and that field missions are enabled to focus on delivering impact against their core mandates. We look forward to further substantive discussions on this matter over the coming months.

    In closing, I would like to again thank you, Gerard, for your leadership of the Mission at this critical time. The UK will continue to strongly support the OSCE Mission in Kosovo as it delivers its mandate under challenging circumstances. Its role remains indispensable.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    Published 28 May 2026

  • PRESS RELEASE : MSK patients to get faster care and help returning to work [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : MSK patients to get faster care and help returning to work [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 28 May 2026.

    Thousands of patients with painful joint and muscle conditions will receive employment support and treatment to tackle health-related economic inactivity.

    • £3.2 million government investment to expand NHS programme that cut musculoskeletal (MSK) waiting lists by 20%
    • England-wide rollout to drive improvements across the country and increase access to care
    • Funding to ensure patients are offered employment support alongside treatment, tackling one of the UK’s leading causes of health-related economic inactivity

    Thousands of people living with conditions like arthritis and back pain will receive faster care and help to get back to work thanks to the national rollout of a government pilot scheme.

    Backed by more than £3 million of government funding, the expansion of NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme builds on a successful pilot, which cut 18-week waiting lists by 20% across 17 areas between December 2024 and March 2025.

    The new funding will support MSK community appointment days – innovative one-day clinics that bring health specialists and mental health support and physical activity services together, allowing people to engage with multiple services in one visit. 

    It will also support ‘super clinics’, which rapidly increase clinical capacity and provide one-to-one, in-depth clinical diagnostics and targeted treatments.

    Funding will also be directed at areas with the greatest need to remove the current postcode lottery and improve local services where the need is greatest.

    Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Sharon Hodgson, said:

    I’m delighted to announce the national rollout of such a successful scheme, which will help address the unacceptably long waits for painful MSK conditions.

    Patients are suffering, and so is the economy, which is why this government is taking a new approach to cutting waiting lists while supporting patients back into employment.

    The NHS should drive economic growth, and by getting people with painful MSK conditions the care they need faster, they stand a better chance of getting a job and back to normal life.

    The rollout will address the long waiting lists for community MSK care that this government inherited.

    The scheme brings together health specialists, employment advisers and wider support services so patients can access everything they need in a single visit, rather than being forced to get support in different settings – often while dealing with excruciating pain.

    MSK conditions affect nearly 18 million people in England and are among the leading causes of health-related economic inactivity in the UK, accounting for 100,000 people currently signed off work. More than half a million people who are currently economically inactive for health reasons report an MSK condition.

    Crucially, the programme places a strong emphasis on helping people get back to work. The expansion will ensure that access to work and health support is woven into community MSK care as standard – not treated as an afterthought.

    This supports the government’s efforts to boost economic activity.

    Minister for Employment, Dame Diana Johnson MP, said:

    No one should feel locked out of work because of a painful joint or muscle condition, and this investment will make a real difference to hundreds of thousands of people across England.

    By ensuring MSK services direct people to employment support, we are making it easier for people to get well and get back to work, and the pilot results show this approach works.

    Giving people the support they need to get into good, secure jobs is better for people who want to work, for business, and our economy – so that’s what this government is delivering.

    The pilot, which began supporting 17 NHS areas in December 2024, demonstrated that faster, smarter, more effective community MSK care is achievable.

    By working with health system leaders to use data, benchmark performance and trial new ways of working, participating areas saw long waits fall rapidly and significantly.

    Innovative approaches tested during the pilot included digital tools to help patients manage their conditions remotely.

    The new investment will now bring this approach to every corner of England.

    Clinical leads will be appointed across all health systems to drive best practice, standardise the quality of care, and ensure patients are routinely connected to employment support alongside their treatment.

    Professor Tim Briggs, National Director for Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery at NHS England and Chair of the GIRFT programme, said:

    It’s hugely encouraging to see this transformative initiative now being expanded across every health system in England after seeing waiting lists fall by 20% across 17 pilot areas in just a few months.

    MSK conditions are one of the biggest drivers of sickness absence and economic inactivity, affecting around 17 million people nationwide. This rollout will help many more patients get faster access to high-quality care closer to home.

    By bringing together clinical care, employment support and wider community services under one roof, the GIRFT programme is transforming how the NHS supports people – helping patients not only recover more quickly, but return to work, independence and everyday life.

    Sue Hayward-Giles, Assistant Director of Practice and Development at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: 

    We welcome this much-needed focus on MSK issues, which have often been overlooked in the past. 

    Faster access to the expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment that physiotherapists and other key professionals provide will reduce waiting lists and help keep people in work – or help them return quickly – while reducing the impact on other parts of the system. 

    If successful, this initiative is good news for patients and the NHS, and represents a long overdue recognition of the critical importance of addressing MSK health.

    The rollout is part of the government’s broader mission to:

    • shift more NHS care out of hospitals and into communities
    • reduce waiting lists
    • help more people live healthier, more productive lives

    It sits alongside a wider package of employment support for people with health conditions as the government works to tackle economic inactivity and get Britain working.

    Fergal Monsell, President, British Orthopaedic Association, said:  

    Improving access to high-quality care for patients with MSK health issues is key to enabling people to return to work, caring responsibilities and regaining their independence.

    Patients must be seen by the right clinician in the right place with pathways facilitating care by orthopaedic surgeons, first contact practitioners and other MSK specialists in the most appropriate settings.

    Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said: 

    Community MSK waiting lists are among the longest in the NHS, with people waiting far too long in pain for treatment. An injection of funding focused on reducing community waiting times is a welcome step forward for people living with arthritis and MSK conditions across England.

    Access to timely, holistic treatment and care remains a barrier for many, negatively impacting their mental and physical health, their ability to work and to live their lives. Much of this care can and is being delivered in a community setting but we must do more to ensure equitable access.

    We hope the announcement of clinical leadership in every local area will start to tackle the existing postcode lottery, but it is essential this is underpinned by a well-trained workforce and an ongoing commitment from government to meet the needs of people living with arthritis and MSK conditions.