Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 June 2026.

    Three UK-designed long-range strike systems have been flight tested just months after competition launch, as British defence industry deliver battlefield capability at record speed.

    A major UK project to develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukrainian has reached a significant milestone, with three British-designed systems successfully flight tested just months after the competition was launched. 

    Project Brakestop, launched by the Ministry of Defence’s Taskforce Kindred in November 2024, challenged UK industry to develop a low-cost, ground-launched strike weapon capable of hitting targets more than 500km away while carrying a powerful 225kg warhead. 

    The programme was designed to harness the speed, innovation and expertise of British industry to deliver a new capability at a pace rarely seen in defence. Follow on contracts worth around £15 million each have now been awarded to three companies.  

    Ambitious requirements were set for competitors for the new system, including: 

    • A range of at least 500km 
    • Capable of carrying a warhead weighing at least 225kg 
    • A speed of more than 600km/h 
    • Target unit cost of around £400,000 excluding the warhead 
    • Ability to produce at least 20 weapons a month within months of a production order. 

    27 bids from industry were received when the competition opened, and MOD experts carried out detailed technical assessments and held competitive “Dragon’s Den” style pitches in February 2025. Six British companies were awarded contracts worth around £5 million each to design and build prototype weapons for testing in just seven months. 

    Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: 

    The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, and we will continue to provide the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. 

    Project Brakestop shows what happens when we combine that commitment with the talent and ingenuity of British industry. In less than a year, UK companies have taken an ambitious concept from the drawing board to flight testing, delivering a new generation of capability at remarkable speed. 

    This is a clear demonstration that Britain has the industrial strength, innovation and determination to meet the challenges of modern warfare and support our allies.  

    By December 2025, only three suppliers remained, who progressed to flight testing: 

    • MBDA UK, a long-standing strategic partner of the UK who produce systems including Storm Shadow. 
    • MGI Engineering, a UK SME with over 25 years of success in Formula 1 – Brakestop is MGI’s first defence contract.  
    • Rotron Aerospace, a UK SME with a strong history of working with the MOD including the Dismounted Soldier Close Combat and Defence (DSCDP) programme.  

    Each of their systems were tested at the MOD Hebrides Range, a specialist trials site managed by QinetiQ through the Long-Term Partnering Agreement. 

    The announcement comes following a week of UK commitments to Ukraine where the Prime Minister announced at G7, a further £210 million of UK Export Finance support to power Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.

    Whilst on Thursday, The Defence Secretary announced that the UK will provide 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones and over 350 air defence missiles and radars funded from Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan.

    Project Brakestop demonstrates the ability of UK industry to rapidly develop and test complex long-range strike systems. 

    The 225kg warhead that the systems must be capable of carrying has already been successfully developed and tested by another UK company, proving the destructive power of the system. 

    The next phase of Project Brakestop is now underway, with Phase 2 contracts worth around £15 million awarded to multiple suppliers to further develop and produce 15 improved effectors each, alongside launchers and support vehicles. 

    Further testing will take place in the UK in the coming months, followed by additional trials overseas, including in Ukraine. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 22 June 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the reappointment of David Johnstone as the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

    Background

    The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioners Office was established in September 2020 to provide a voice for veterans living in Northern Ireland to ensure fairness and safe access to services. 

    Terms of Appointment

    • This position is part-time for a period of a further three years ending on 31 August 2029.
    • The position attracts a fixed remuneration of £306 per day plus expenses, with an expectation of a time commitment of a maximum of 140 days per year.
    • The position is not pensionable.

    Biography

    David Johnstone was appointed as NI Veterans Commissioner in January 2025. He  formerly served as an Officer in the Royal Irish Regiment (Reserves) from 1988 to 2014, including operational deployment in Iraq. He currently holds the position of Chief Vision Officer at PropFundrs, a Property Developer Consultancy Firm and formerly Chief Executive Officer of an online property platform, a role that required him to be a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Approved Person. David also currently has a senior executive role in local football.

    Regulation

    This appointment is not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Political Activity

    All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements.  Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public. Mr Johnstone has not declared any political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 June 2026.

    Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals projects.

    • Government backs critical minerals projects across the UK, strengthening Britain’s economic security by diversifying supply.
    • £50m investment will turbocharge domestic production of critical minerals to help shore up UK’s supplies of smartphones, fridges and electric vehicle batteries.
    • This builds on over £200m government support for critical minerals projects boosting local jobs and opportunity.

    Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals essential for everyday products – from smartphones and fridges to electric vehicles.

    The funding will boost domestic production, support high-value jobs and reduce the UK’s reliance on overseas imports, helping to protect the economy from global shocks and supply disruptions.

    With global supply chains increasingly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption, the UK has for too long relied heavily on a small number of international suppliers. This investment marks decisive action to strengthen economic resilience, secure vital materials and support long-term growth as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

    The Critical Minerals Strategy will back British companies to accelerate the extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals, while investing in cutting-edge manufacturing capability and attracting private investment into the UK.

    Today (22 June), Industry Minister Chris McDonald will visit Teesside’s Wilton Centre to officially launch the Government’s programme to industry and tour Seloxium and DEScycle – two cutting-edge firms advancing critical minerals processing and metal recycling.

    Industry Minister Chris McDonald said:

    Critical minerals are vital for our national security, and this targeted funding will support companies in ramping up domestic production, helping to create new jobs and opportunities in local communities, whilst building more resilient supply chains.

    Through our Critical Minerals Strategy, we’re leveraging Britain’s mineral wealth, attracting new investment and forming dynamic relationships with partners across the world to boost our economic security.

    Founder of the Critical Minerals Association Jeff Townsend said:

    The UK Government has taken important steps to strengthen the critical minerals sector. As attention turns from policy development to delivery, it is encouraging to see the £50 million grant programme being used to accelerate strategically important UK projects as they reach maturity.

    As the home to Seloxium and DEScycle, the Wilton Centre sits in the heart of the North-East of England Process Industry Cluster. Building on its strong industrial heritage, the North East offers expertise in the recycling, processing and recovery of critical minerals alongside growing lithium development.

    CCO and Co-Founder of DEScycle and Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group at the UK Critical Minerals Association, Fred White said:

    We are nearing construction completion of our world-first demonstration facility, with key equipment installed ahead of commissioning. Our disruptive technology is reshaping how the UK views e-waste, transforming its treatment into a sovereign form of urban mining and Teesside’s world-leading industrial heritage, skilled workforce makes it the ideal location for our facility, deploying infrastructure directly supporting the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

    The funding programme will be delivered through three distinct pillars: 

    • Magnet Hub: £20 million to establish a world-class national facility to develop, test and scale up rare earth magnet manufacturing, alongside skills and training capabilities.
    • Critical Minerals Accelerator: £25 million to support collaborative projects across extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals, accelerating innovation and commercialisation opportunities.
    • Demand Aggregation Platform: a new up to £5 million platform to help UK industry consolidate and pool its critical mineral demand across different industries, unlock investment and secure supply through strategic partnerships.

    Together, these measures will help grow the UK’s domestic capability across the critical minerals value chain, and builds on over £200 million of funding already provided including through the National Wealth Fund, DRIVE35 and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

    A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, Industrial Strategy, and clean energy transition – and the Critical Mineral’s Strategy paves the way to creating resilient supply chains that will help protect British industry during a time of global instability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 21 June 2026.

    Councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 from 22 June 2026, if landlords are found to have serious hazards in their rented properties.

    • Landlords who don’t fix dangerous problems like damp and mould now face fines of up to £7,000
    • New power now in force in the Renters’ Rights Act so councils can take stronger action where landlords fail to fix problems, alongside existing enforcement powers
    • New penalty will speed up fixes, as the Housing Secretary calls on councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle poor conditions

    Private renters will see stronger action on dangerous problems like severe damp and mould, following a new government crackdown.

    Councils can now issue fines (from Monday 22 June) of up to £7,000 if landlords refuse to fix poor conditions.

    The fine will apply to 21 types of hazards that are found to be serious – the most dangerous level – which include freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts. Around 10% of private rented homes are estimated to have at least one of these health and safety problems classified as serious.

    The new penalty sits alongside existing powers councils can use to tackle unsafe homes that put tenants at risk. These include forcing repairs, carrying out emergency works and recovering costs from landlords who fail to act.

    Today (Monday 22 June) the Housing Secretary has written to mayors across England urging councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle unsafe housing and protect tenants.

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:  

    Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.

    These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home – a situation that no family should have to live with.

    Alongside the new fines, this government is updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) for the first time in 20 years. This important system is used to assess health and safety in all types of housing, making it simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action.

    The improved final framework comes into force on Tuesday 23 June and will support quicker enforcement, helping to ensure hazards such as damp, fire risks and unsafe electrics are addressed more effectively.

    Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said:

    Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

    The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes. For renters to feel the benefit, though, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.

    Clara Collingwood, Director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:

    Home is where you should feel safest, but for far too long hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults. It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.

    And now that we have new rights as renters, we need to use them – any tenant living with serious disrepair or damp and mould should know they don’t have to put up with it any longer. With new rights and protections, and section 21 evictions scrapped, we can’t be evicted for complaining and shouldn’t be afraid to report dodgy landlords to the council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 20 June 2026.

    Specialist trained firefighters in reach of communities and an overhaul of fire and rescue assets to the value of almost £100 million have been announced.

    Through the new programme, teams of specialist firefighters will be positioned in key areas and ready to respond to fires across England – delivering help to people on the ground more quickly and taking pressure off local services as the number of incidents continues to grow. 

    The teams have undergone intense training over spring and summer, upskilling in the latest strategies like tactical burning, and travelling to South Africa and Poland to learn from the international community. 

    In the wake of devastating wildfires last year, which included widespread damage across North York Moors National Park, today’s announcement will provide crucial protection to precious countryside and communities.  

    State-of-the-art kit, like dedicated off-road vehicles, will also be available through a wider £97 million investment to fund the largest scale upgrade of National Resilience assets in almost twenty years. 

    Building Safety Minister, Samantha Dixon, said: 

    This country benefits from a dedicated fire and rescue service and as incidents continue to evolve in complexity, it’s critical that we back those on the frontline with the latest equipment.  

    Last year saw some of our most devastating wildfires in recent history and as we head into peak season, we’re getting on and delivering the resource, training and assets needed to minimise the escalating risk.

    The Fire National Resilience programme was established after the 9/11 terrorist attack, recognising that specialist capabilities, personnel and resources were needed to enable fire and rescue services to respond effectively to a national-scale catastrophic incident. 

    The significant cash boost will ensure the dedication of our fire and rescue services is matched with the most up-to-date assets, funding a huge overhaul of existing vehicles and equipment. 

    This will crucially strengthen the country’s national response to the largest and most complex of incidents, from flash flooding to raging wildfires and collapsed structures. 

    These specialist capabilities were used over 1,000 times in 2025 alone to tackle a diverse range of incidents, with devastating wildfires identified as a growing demand on the service.   

    The wildfire teams will be located strategically and hosted by fire and rescue services in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales – deployable to incidents across England by the end of June.

  • PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 June 2026.

    Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.

    • Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7
    • Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home
    • Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime

    Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament. 

    The innovative tags work around the clock and quickly detect if an offender has been drinking by analysing their sweat. If an offender dares to have a drink, an alert is sent to their probation officer who can take action to punish them, such as an order to return to court or even prison. 

    The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between those simply soaking up the atmosphere at pubs and fan zones where alcohol is present, and those risking a red card by actively drinking. 

    The move comes as police forces and local authorities prepare for increased demand during the tournament, with alcohol often linked to incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and disorder around major football fixtures. 

    The technology is playing a significant role in the Government’s mission to take back our streets from alcohol-fuelled harm, which the National Audit Office estimate costs the UK economy £21 billion a year. 

    Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister Lord Timpson said: 

    Major sporting events should be a time for the country to come together and enjoy the game, not for alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder to ruin the occasion. 

    Having this tech fixed around the ankle is the wake-up call to offenders and leaves them with the sobering thought that one slip-up could send them to jail.

    New tagging technology is a critical tool in our efforts to punish offenders, cut reoffending and keep the public safe, and the evidence is increasingly proving its effectiveness. 

    Offenders who are banned from consuming alcohol by the courts have remained sober for 97% of the days they have been tagged since the technology was first rolled out in 2020. 

    They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers. Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classified as having a drinking problem. 

    As part of the Government’s action to make streets safer, tens of thousands more criminals will be tagged over the next three years as part of a major technology expansion. 

    The Government is also introducing, for the first time, a presumption that all prison leavers will be tagged on release as part of intensive supervision with the Probation Service keeping a closer eye on offenders’ behaviour.  

    It is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public. 

    Further information: 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2026.

    Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    • newly appointed Special Envoy will drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war
    • up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence
    • appointment comes after launch of UK-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls

    Britain will continue to drive international action to prevent sexual violence in conflict, following the appointment of the Minister for Human Rights, Chris Elmore as the UK Special Envoy for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

    Up to 30% of women and girls in conflict zones worldwide have experienced conflict-related sexual violence, which is not only a grave human rights violation, but a threat to global peace, security and prosperity. There are immense barriers to reporting, particularly in conflict zones, therefore these figures could be much higher in reality. 

    Men and boys are also affected, notably in Ukraine, where over two thirds of prisoners of war have experienced sexual violence, and in Palestine, where UN reporting has documented the use of sexual violence in detention settings. 

    In the UK’s capacity as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, Minister Elmore will play a leading role in strengthening global advocacy and in advancing trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches across the Alliance’s prevention, protection and accountability efforts.  

    Minister Elmore’s appointment into the Special Envoy role follows the Foreign Secretary’s launch of a new UK-convened International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls. The coalition is bringing countries together to scale up prevention and end this violence everywhere. 

    The UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Chris Elmore MP said:

    “Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave human rights violation and a global threat to peace and security. I commit to working with survivors, international partners and civil society around the world to drive action to end these abhorrent crimes and hold perpetrators to account.” 

    Notes to editors: 

    The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict seeks to recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security – and a potential war crime, crime against humanity, or an underlying act of genocide. For survivors, this day can act as an important moment of global recognition, challenging the stigma that too often silences those with lived experience of this issue, reaffirming their right to be heard and to access justice and support.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Court and tribunal fees changes [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Court and tribunal fees changes [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 June 2026.

    The Ministry of Justice plans to make a series of changes to court and tribunal fees payable in HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

    These changes will take place on 13 July 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. The purpose of the changes is to strengthen cost recovery, improve consistency in how and where fees are charged, and maintain fair access to justice for all.

    The Help with Fees remissions scheme remains available for those with lower financial means who are unable to afford a court or tribunal fee.

    The changes are:

    • The introduction of an exemption to the court fee otherwise payable by local authorities applying to the family court under Section 18 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (more commonly known as ‘Jade’s Law’). This change will be in force from the date the provisions in the Act are commenced.
    • Increases to fees in HM Courts and Tribunals Service to account for inflation. These include 170 fees which will increase by 2.6% in line with inflation for 2024/25 and 27 fees which will increase by an average of 34% (equivalent to £6.19) in line with accumulated inflation. Four fees will be reduced to reflect reductions in their underlying costs.
    • An increase to the probate application fee to £526. This recovers the cost of an ever-improving service, and the new cost accounts for rising inflation as well as investment in delivering an efficient and modern service.
    • Creating a separate, reduced fee for when someone requests copies of probate documents concurrently with their probate application, so that, instead of £16, the fee will only be £2. This will better reflect the cost of that service.
    • An increase to 80 fees across the Residential Property Division of the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, including for leasehold cases, most residential property cases and park and mobile home cases. This is the second tranche of changes in a wider programme of reform to introduce a new fees framework to cases in the Property Chamber.
      • The new framework sets fees at one of five tiers, depending on case type and access to justice considerations. Most case types will attract fees of £200 for an application and £300 for a hearing, or fees of £114 for an application and £227 for a hearing.
      • A small set of case types have further reduced fees: £47 for applications to appeal a rent increase, with hearing fees waived; £23 for applications to determine a pitch fee, with hearing fees waived; and no fees at all for matters relating to urgent building safety matters.
      • These July changes apply this new framework to most cases in the Property Chamber. Fees for Electronic Communications Code and building safety cases will remain free of charge until early 2027.
      • This framework was extended to cases impacted by the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) on 1 May 2026.

    Inflationary increases to court and tribunal fees

    Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    1.4aRecovery of Land – High Court£545£559
    1.4bRecovery of Land – County Court£404£415
    1.5CCAny other remedy – County Court£377£387
    1.5HCAny other remedy – High Court£646£663
    1.6Filing proceedings against an unnamed party£67£69
    1.8aPermission to issue proceedings£67£69
    1.8bAssessment of costs£67£69
    1.9aPermission to apply£174£179
    1.9bOn request to reconsider at a hearing a decision on permission£438£449
    1.9cPermission to proceed£874£897
    1.9dPermission to proceed (claim not started by an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review (JR)£174£179
    1.9(ba)Application for judicial review where fee 1.9(b) has been paid and permission is granted at a hearing£436£447
    2.2Appellants/respondents notice (High Court)£294£302
    2.3aAppellants/respondents notice (County court small claims)£147£151
    2.3bAppellants/respondents notice (County court other claims)£171£175
    2.4(a)General application (on notice) excluding s3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997& Court Fund Pay Out£313£321
    2.4(b)General application (on notice) excluding s3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 19976 & Court Fund Pay Out£190£195
    2.5(a)General application (by consent/without notice) excluding s3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 & Court Fund Pay Out£123£126
    2.5(b)General application (by consent/without notice) excluding Protection from Harassment Act 1997 & Court Fund Pay Out£61£63
    2.7Application to vary a judgment or suspend enforcement£15£16
    3.1bPetition for bankruptcy (presented by creditor/other person)£343£352
    3.2Petition for an administration order£343£352
    3.3Any other petition£343£352
    3.4bCopy of a certificate of discharge from bankruptcy£11£14
    3.5Insolvency – other application£318£326
    3.8Notice of intention to appoint administrator£57£58
    3.11Application within proceedings (by consent/without notice)£30£31
    3.12Application within proceedings (with notice)£112£115
    4.1aCopy of a document (10 pages or less)£11£14
    4.2Copy of a document in electronic form (for each copy)£11£14
    5.1Where the party filing the request is legally aided£237£296
    5.3Issue of default costs certificate – Civil£80£82
    5.4Appeal (detailed assessment proceedings) – civil£283£290
    5.5Request/application to set aside a default costs certificate£148£152
    5.6On a request or application for a fixed costs determination£398£408
    6.1On the filing of a request for detailed assessment in the Court of Protection£99£102
    6.2Appeal against a Court of Protection costs assessment decision£79£81
    6.3Request to set aside a default costs certificate in the Court of Protection£74£76
    7.1Sealing a writ of control/possession/delivery (High court)£80£82
    7.2Order requiring a judgment debtor or other person to attend court£67£69
    7.3aThird party debt order or the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution.£135£139
    7.3bApplication for a charging order£135£139
    7.4Application for a judgment summons£135£139
    7.5Register a judgment or order, or for permission to enforce an arbitration award, or for a certificate or a certified copy of a judgment or order for use abroad£80£82
    8.1Issue warrant of control in any other cases£94£96
    8.2Request for attempt of execution of warrant at new address£37£38
    8.3Application to require judgment debtor to attend court£67£69
    8.4aApplication for a third-party debt order£135£139
    8.4bApplication for a charging order£135£139
    8.5Application for a judgment summons£135£139
    8.6Issue of a warrant of possession/warrant of delivery£148£152
    8.7Application for an attachment of earnings order – Civil£135£139
    8.9Application for enforcement of an award of a sum of money or any other decision made by any court, tribunal, body or person£54£55
    8.10Request for an order to recover a specified road traffic debt£10£11
    8A.1Service of a bailiff of an order to attend County Court for questioning£135£139
    10.1Bills of sale£34£35
    10.2Official certificate of the result of a search (for each name)£54£67
    10.3Search, in person, of court records (per 15 minutes)£12£15
    10.4Appointment of a High Court judge£692£710
    10.5Hearing before a High Court judge (per day or part day)£692£710
    11.1Issue of a warrant for the arrest of a ship or goods£21£22
    12.1Affidavit£14£15
    12.2For each exhibit referred to£2£3
    13.1aApplication – permission to appeal/extension of time£646£663
    13.1bPermission to appeal is not required or has been granted£1,466£1,504
    13.1cAppellant/respondent filing an appeal questionnaire£1,466£1,504
    13.2On filing a respondents notice£587£602
    13.3On filing an application notice£646£663
    15.1Request for service by a bailiff of document (see order for exceptions)£46£47

    Family Proceedings Fees Order 2008

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    1.1Originating proceedings where no other fee is specified£279£286
    1.2Filing an application for a divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution£612£628
    1.3Application for matrimonial or civil partnership order£415£426
    1.5Amendment of application for matrimonial/civil partnership order£59£61
    1.6Answer to application for matrimonial/civil partnership order£234£240
    1.7Application for an order of assessment of costs£57£58
    1.8Application for parental order£263£270
    2.1aParental responsibility (s4(1)(c) or (3), 4A(1)(b) or (3) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1bParental responsibility (s4ZA(1)(c) or (6) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1cGuardians (s5(1) or 6(7) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1dSection 8 orders (s10(1) or (2) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1eEnforcement orders (s11J(2) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1fCompensation for financial loss (section 110(2) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1gChange of child’s surname or removal from jurisdiction while residence order in force (s13(1) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1hSpecial guardianship orders (s14A (3) or (6)(a), 14C(3) or 14D(1) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1iSecure accommodation order (s25 Children Act 1989) – England£263£270
    2.1jChange of child’s surname or removal from jurisdiction while care order in force (s33(7) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1kContact with child in care (s34(2), (3), (4) or (9) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1lEducation supervision order (s36(1) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1mVariation or discharge of care and supervision orders (s39 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1nChild assessment order (s43(1) Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1oEmergency protection orders (s44, 45 and 46 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1pWarrant to assist person exercising powers under emergency protection order (s48 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1qRecovery order (s50 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1sWarrant to assist person exercising powers to search for children or inspect premises (s102 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1tApplications in respect of enforcement orders (paragraph 4(2), 6(2), 7(2) or 9(2) of Schedule A1 Children Act 1989)£116£119
    2.1uAmendment of enforcement order by reason of change of address (paragraph 5(2) of Schedule A1 Children Act 1989)£79£81
    2.1vFinancial provision for children (paragraph 1(1) or (4), 2(1) or (5), 5(6), 6(5), (7) or (8), 8(2), 10(2), 11 or 14(1) of Schedule 1 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1wApproval of court for child in care of local authority to live abroad (paragraph 19(1) of Schedule 2 Children Act 1989) – England£263£270
    2.1xExtension of supervision order (paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1yExtension or discharge of education supervision order (paragraph 15(2) or 17(1) of Schedule 3 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1zAppeals concerning foster parents (paragraph 8(1) of Sch 8 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.1iaSecure accommodation order (s119 Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014)£263£270
    2.1waApproval of court for child in care of local authority to live abroad (s124(1) Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014)£263£270
    2.2Application for proceedings (s31 of the Children Act 1989£2,515£2,580
    2.3Appeal relating to Children Act 1989 fees 2.1(a) to 2.1(s) (v) to (y) and 2.2£245£251
    2.4Appeal against a contribution order under Children Act 1989£245£251
    2.5Appeal against a contribution order – Wales£245£251
    2.6(a)Cancellation, variation or removal or imposition of condition of registration of child minder or day carer (England) (s72 Children Act 1989)£263£270
    2.6(b)Cancellation of registration of child minder or day carer (s34 of the Children and Families Measure Act (Wales)£263£270
    2.7Commencing child mind or day carer appeal (s34 Children and Families Measure Act (Wales) or s72 Children Act 1989 (England))£245£251
    3.1Application/permission to apply for adoption£207£212
    3.2Application for a placement order (under s22 of the Adoption and Children Act 2022)£556£570
    3.3Application to the High Court£207£212
    4.1Application for warning notice to be attached to a contact order£56£57
    5.1Application (without notice)£60£62
    5.2Application for decree nisi, conditional order, separation order (no fee if undefended)£61£63
    5.3Application (on notice) (unless otherwise listed)£190£195
    5.4Application for a financial order£313£321
    6.1Filing an appeal notice from a district judge, one or more lay justices, a justices’ clerk or an assistant to a justices’ clerk£142£146
    7.1Search of central index of decrees absolute/final orders£65£89
    7.3Search of index of decrees absolute/final orders£45£61
    8.1aCopy of a document (10 pages or less)£11£14
    8.2Copy of a document in electronic form (for each copy)£11£14
    9.1Where the party filing the request is legally aided£94£74
    9.2dDetermination of costs, where costs claimed: Exceeds £100,000 but does not exceed £150,000£1,365£1,400
    9.4Appeal (detailed assessment proceedings) – family£238£244
    9.5Request/application to set aside a default costs certificate£125£128
    10.2Application for a maintenance order to be registered under the Maintenance Orders Act 1950 or 1958 Act£57£58
    11.1Application for an order for financial provision£245£251
    12.1Application to question a judgment debtor or other person£61£63
    12.2Application for a third-party debt order/appointment of a receiver£88£90
    12.3Application for a charging order£43£44
    12.4Application for a judgment summons£83£85
    12.5Application for an attachment of earnings order – Family£38£39
    13.1Application for enforcement of a judgment or order£114£117
    13.3Issue for a warrant of possession or a warrant of delivery£135£139
    14.1Sealing a writ of execution/possession/delivery£68£70
    14.2On a request or application to register a judgment or order; or for permission to enforce an arbitration award; or for a certified copy of a judgment or order for use abroad.£68£70
    17.1Taking an affidavit/affirmation/attestation upon honour£12£13
    17.2For each exhibit referred to and required to be marked£2£3

    Magistrate Court Fees Order 2008

    SI Ref IDDescriptionCurrentNew
    1.1Application for Justice of the Peace to perform function not on court premises£29£30
    2.1Application to state a case for the opinion of the High Court£156£160
    2.2Appeal (deduction from earnings order)£22£23
    2.3Appeal – proceedings under Schedule 5 Licensing Act 2003£70£72
    2.4Appeal (no other fee specified)£70£72
    3.4Request for certificate/certified document (no other fee specified)£23£24
    5.1aCopy of a document (10 pages or less)£11£14
    5.2Copy of a document in electronic form (for each copy)£11£14
    6.1Request for licence/consent/authority (no other fee specified)£31£32
    6.2Application for renewal/variation of an existing licence£31£32
    6.3Application for the revocation of licence (no other fee specified)£31£32
    7.1On taking attestation of a constable or special constable£12£13
    7.2For every oath where no other fee is specified£31£32
    8.1Commencing proceedings where no other fee is specified£284£292
    8.2aApplication for leave/permission to commence proceedings (no other fee specified)£142£146
    8.2bProceedings where leave/permission has been granted£142£146
    8.3Contested hearing£644£661
    9.1Application for a warrant of entry£22£27
    9.2Application for any other warrant (no other fee specified)£92£94
    10.1Application for a warrant of commitment£212£215
    10.2Application for a warrant of commitment (Child Support Act 1991)£46£47

    Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Fees Order 2009

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    1Permission to appeal under rule 21£250£257
    2Lodging a notice of reference under rule 28/ an appeal under rule 24£313£321
    3Absent owner application under Sch 2 Compulsory Purchase Act 1965£624£640
    4Applications to discharge/ modify a restrictive covenant£999£1,025
    5aRights of light application rule 41 to s2 (d) Right of Light Act 1959- Definitive certificate£775£795
    5bRights of light application rule 41 to s2 (d) Right of Light Act1959- Temporary & Definitive certificate£761£781
    6Interlocutory or consent order application£125£128
    7Interlocutory or consent order rule 50£165£162
    11aHearing to determine entitlement to a restrictive covenant under s84(3A) Law of Property Act 1925£624£640
    11bOrder without hearing(rule 46) – s84 (e) Land of Property Act 1925(e) discharge /modify restrictive covenant£166£161
    11cSubstantive hearing of original Application to discharge /modify restrictive covenant£1,249£1,281
    11dEngrossing Mins of Order -s84 (e) Land of Property Act 1925 discharge /modify restrictive covenant£41£40
    12Hearing or preliminary hearing of reference /appeal (no amount awarded)£624£640

    First-tier Tribunal (Gambling) Fees Order 2010

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    1.1On filing an appeal under section 141 of the Gambling Act 2005 in relation to sections 65(2)(a) to (j) of the Act£4,521£4,639
    1.11Appeal under s141 of the Gambling Act 2005 – personal management office licence s127 of the Act£1,816£1,863
    1.12Appeal under s141 of the Gambling Act 2005 – personal operational function licence s127 of the Act£908£932
    2Appeal under s337(1) of the Gambling Act 2005 – order to void a bet s336(1) of the Act£4,521£4,639

    Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (JR) (E&W) Fees Order 2011

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    1.1Application to request a reconsideration at a hearing of permission to apply for Judicial Review£174£179
    1.1aProceed with JR – permission granted at oral hearing£438£449
    1.2(a)Permission for JR -where order permitting to proceed given and 1.1(a) has already been paid£436£448
    1.2(b)Permission for JR -where order permitting to proceed given£874£897
    1.3Permission for JR – where permission given to proceed with JR£174£179
    2.1General Application – On notice (where no other fee is specified)£290£298
    2.2General Application – By consent or without notice (where no other fee is specified)£114£117
    2.3Application for a summons or order for a witness to attend the Tribunal.£57£58
    3.1aCopy Documents – ten pages or less£10£14
    3.2Copy Document / Electronic copy – each copy.£10£14

    Non- Contentious Probate Fees Order 2004

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    3.1Duplicate/second grant for same deceased person£21£22
    4Applications for the entry or extension of a caveat£3£4
    5Application for a standing search£3£4
    6Deposit of wills£23£24
    7Inspection of will/other document retained by the registry£23£24

    Court of Protection Fees Order 2007

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    4Application to start proceedings or application for permission to start proceedings£421£432
    5Filling an appeal£265£272
    6Hearing fees£259£266
    7.1Copy of a document fee£5£8

    The Enrolment of Deeds (Fees) Regulations 1994

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    2Copy of change of name deed£0.25£0.50
    3Searches by staff on behalf of the applicant£5£11

    First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Fees Order 2011

    SI RefDescriptionCurrentNew
    3(3)(a)Appeal determined without a hearing£80£82
    3(3)(b)Appeal determined with a hearing£140£144

    Increases to fees for existing fee-bearing case types in the Property Chamber

    ApplicationApplication feeHearing fee
    Park and mobile homes  
    Form PH1 – For a written statement as to the terms of agreement£114£227
    Form PH2 – For an implied terms order, express terms order or an unenforceable express term order£114£227
    Form PH3 – Determination of any question arising under the Mobile Homes Act 1983£114£227
    Form PH8 – To secure that a temporarily re-sited home is returned to the original pitch£114£227
    Form PH9 or PH10 – Determination of a pitch fee£23£0
    Form PH14 or 15 – Applications relating to site rules£114£227
    Form PH21 – Revocation of a mobile home site licence where the manager is not a fit and proper person£114£227
    All other applications£200£300
    Right to buy appeals  
    Appeal of decision on Right to Buy application due to property being suitable for elderly people£114£227
    Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016  
    Applications brought by local authorities relating to demolition orders, Empty Dwelling Management Orders, Interim and Final Management Orders, and banning orders£114£227
    All other applications£200£300
    Leasehold management (apart from Ground Rents)  
    Application to challenge a leasehold management charge£114£227
    Applications in relation to determination of liability for administrative charges£114£227
    Applications to appeal a choice of insurer£114£227
    Application to appoint a manager for a property£114£227
    Application to limit or recover payment of landlord’s legal costs for a tribunal claim£114£227
    Application in relation to liability for service charge£114£227
    Application to vary a lease£114£227
    All other leasehold management applications£200£300
    Leasehold enfranchisement  
    Applications relating to leasehold enfranchisement£114£227
    Tenants’ Association applications  
    Applications relating to tenants’ associations£114£227
    Electrical Safety Standards  
    All applications£200£300
    Right of entry for the Valuation Office Agency  
    All applications£114£227
  • PRESS RELEASE : Resident doctors to vote on government offer to end strikes [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Resident doctors to vote on government offer to end strikes [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 19 June 2026.

    Resident doctors will vote on an offer that will see greater opportunities for career progression, better pay and improved working conditions.

    • Offer improves resident doctor pay, working conditions and career progression
    • Ballot opened on 18 June and will close on 26 June 
    • Simple majority will end strikes long term

    Resident doctors will see greater opportunities for career progression, better pay and improved working conditions if they vote for the government’s transformative offer in a ballot.

    The British Medical Association (BMA) is now putting the offer to members for their say. Strikes set to take place this week were called off as a result of this vote.

    The government has carefully listened to feedback provided by the BMA resident doctors committee on behalf of their membership and worked with them to strengthen and clarify the offer originally made in March.

    The offer would see resident doctors benefit from pay structure reform, leading to more frequent pay rises as doctors gain key competencies and demonstrate increasing capability. The revised offer brings forward pay scale reform so that resident doctors experience the benefit of the pay rises faster compared with the offer set out in March.

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, said:

    This transformative offer improves the pay, working conditions and job prospects of hardworking resident doctors. 

    It is a very good offer, and it’s one that will not get any better. 

    We now all have a chance to draw a line under the disruption of strikes and focus on getting on with the job of caring for patients and fixing our health service.

    Resident doctors have had a 28.9% pay rise over the last 3 years – the highest anywhere in the public sector.

    Under the offer, resident doctors would see an average pay rise of 4.9% this year, making resident doctors on average 35.2% better off than 4 years ago. There would be even higher pay rises on average for the lowest paid first year and second year doctors – at 6.2% and 7.1% respectively.

    The offer would also put money back in resident doctors’ pockets through the reimbursement of mandatory Royal College portfolio fees and mandatory examinations costs, often worth thousands of pounds. It would also raise the flexible pay premia for clinical academic resident doctors to £10,000 in recognition of their unique contribution. 

    To tackle training bottlenecks that can hinder career progression, the offer would see up to an additional 4,500 training posts implemented over the next 3 years, including 1,000 next year. Two hundred and fifty of these roles will start in February 2027. This builds on the impact of the Medical Training Prioritisation Act – the new law this government has already brought in – which is expected to halve competition ratios for this year’s applicants.

    The offer also provides greater stability for locally employed doctors who are employed on a different contract to most resident doctors, allowing them to progress more easily into higher training and improve their terms and conditions.

    Professor Francesca Swords, National Medical Director for the NHS, said:

    We want the NHS to be the best place to work for resident doctors, and we know we haven’t always got things right.

    But we are turning things around: ending the frustration of payroll errors, providing faster turnaround on repaying expenses and offering more training places – and we will not stop this important work.

    This offer agreed together with BMA will increase pay further for resident doctors, reimburse them for expensive exam fees, ensure they have better training and job opportunities, and improve working conditions further.

    I hope resident doctors are already starting to feel the difference, and I hope that they recognise the further significant improvements this deal could make for them.

    In the most recent round of strikes, NHS staff delivered 94.1% of planned care, but every day of strike action affects patients and colleagues, impacts the NHS budget and delays improvements to working conditions. 

    If this offer is rejected in pursuit of further damaging industrial action, it will be operationally and financially impossible for the government to maintain such a generous offer again.

    Resident doctors have until 26 June 2026 to vote on the offer, with a simple majority needed to proceed with the offer and end the strikes for the long term.

    Despite major challenges, under this government NHS staff are treating more patients than ever before. The overall waiting list is now 403,000 lower than in June 2024 and 171,000 lower than a year ago. 

    Thanks to our record investment, modernisation and the remarkable efforts of NHS staff across the country, we are making the NHS fit for the future. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Border Force secures its largest ever cannabis seizure [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Border Force secures its largest ever cannabis seizure [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 June 2026.

    Border Force has seized a record-breaking 12 tonnes of cannabis as part of a major international operation.

    The staggering haul deprives organised crime of an estimated £139 million in revenue.

    The illegal drugs were detected last month at Southampton Port, crammed into two shipping containers from Canada.

    Officers found 1,200 boxes of cannabis inside them weighing around 12 tonnes – making it Border Force’s largest ever cannabis seizure.

    Working with Canadian partners and UK law enforcement, expert Home Office intelligence analysts identified the two containers on their way to Southampton, priming officers to make the seizure.

    The previous largest cannabis seizure that Border Force undertook was just under 8 tonnes (7,955 kilos) in April 2017 at Southampton Port.

    Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp said:

    Congratulations to our brilliant Border Force officers for this record-breaking haul.

    We will not allow criminal gangs to profit from misery and peddle their vile trade.

    More than ever before, we are working with policing and international partners to secure our borders and keep our streets safe.

    Border Force Director General, Phil Douglas said:

    This biggest cannabis seizure ever shows Border Force’s relentless action to stop drugs reaching UK streets and destroying lives.

    My thanks to our officers, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, and the Canada Border Services Agency for their dedication, collaboration, and professionalism.

    The interception on 6 May 2026 formed a key part of a wider South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigation into criminal gangs peddling drugs.

    It follows the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) preventing a shipping container with cannabis destined for the UK leaving Canada in April.

    SWROCU Acting Inspector, Stuart Cumine, said:

    Operations like this, working with partners on a national and international level, disrupt criminal networks, deprive them of funds, and protect communities across the UK from the harm that drug supply and other organised criminality causes.

    Canada Border Services Agency President, Erin O’Gorman said:

    These seizures reflect the strength of the combined operational focus and intelligence-sharing efforts between Canadian federal law enforcement and our UK Border Force partners. It is the result of a highly coordinated, intelligence-led approach to disrupting transnational organised crime.

    The movement of illegal cannabis fuels organised crime networks, and this seizure underscores our collective commitment to combat these criminal activities and keep our borders strong and secure.

    Today (16 June 2026), SWROCU have arrested three people on suspicion of facilitating importations.

    May’s huge cannabis seizure builds on a record-breaking year of Border Force action.

    According to the latest statistics, almost 150 tonnes of illegal drugs (148 tonnes) were seized by Border Force (year ending March 2025), making it the highest amount since records began.

    It also represents a 40% year-on-year rise in the quantity of drugs seized.