Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Statement from the Attorney General on the case of Axel Rudakubana [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 14 February 2025.

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC has released a statement following a request to review Axel Rudakubana’s sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

The senseless and barbaric murder of three young girls in Southport last summer shocked our nation.

No words come anywhere close to expressing the brutality and horror in this case.

It was understandable that we received multiple requests to review the sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme – which is designed to identify and remedy gross errors made by judges.

After careful consideration of independent legal advice and consultation with leading criminal barristers and the Crown Prosecution Service, I have concluded that this case cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.

No one would want the families to be put through an unnecessary further court process where there is no realistic legal basis for an increased sentence.

The 52-year sentence imposed by the judge was the second longest sentence imposed by the courts in English history.

Rudakubana will likely never be released and will spend the rest of his life in jail.

The Government have set out the next steps that must now take place to ensure that these awful murders will be a line in the sand.

My thoughts today are with the friends and families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice, as well as the other victims – your memories will not be forgotten.

February 25, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : European partners urged to develop sanctions to smash people smuggling gangs [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2025.

The Foreign Secretary will press partners to replicate Britain’s world-first plans for a sanctions aimed at organised immigration crime gangs.
- Foreign Secretary urges international action on one of the defining security threats of our time – irregular migration
- Partners pressed to replicate UK’s world-first plans for sanctions targeting people smugglers
- £8m additional funding will short-circuit people smugglers’ business model, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change and commitment to protect UK borders
European partners will be urged to join up with the UK’s pioneering efforts to smash the business model of people smugglers to help tackle irregular migration.

The Foreign Secretary David Lammy will press partners at the Munich Security Conference to replicate Britain’s world-first plans for a sanctions regime aimed squarely at organised immigration crime gangs and their networks.

On the first day of the conference (today), the Foreign Secretary met Vice President of the US J.D. Vance. They discussed the importance of the special relationship, the war in Ukraine, their shared commitment to NATO and AUKUS, and building on our strong trade which already delivers growth and jobs for millions.

The UK and Italy will co-host a migration roundtable on the second day of conference, gathering representatives from The Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany and others to promote the use of innovative tools to tackle migrant smuggling and organised immigration crime.

The UK’s plans to freeze the assets of and slap travel bans on smugglers who facilitate the deadly trade in people will help to cripple people-smuggling crime rings and starve them of illicit finance fuelling their operations, delivering on the government’s commitment to secure borders.

The Government is targeting irregular migration through a ‘whole-of-route’ approach, tackling both smugglers and the drivers of migration – such as limited opportunities in would-be migrants’ region.

A new £8m funding package announced today will give more people in East Africa an alternative to making perilous journeys to the UK in small boats by boosting access to education alongside employment opportunities across the region.

This programme has already helped to deliver entrepreneurship training to over 650 would-be and returned migrants in Ethiopia and Kenya, enabling many of them to set up their own businesses in their home countries, rather than migrating further afield.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

Criminal gangs enabling irregular migration are a national security threat across Europe. We must deliver on our mandate to smash the gangs, secure this country’s borders and deliver the Plan for Change.

Only by working together with our neighbours will we take the wind out of their sails and degrade the appalling trade in people.

We must also target the root causes of migration, which is why we are boosting opportunities across Eastern Africa – making people less likely to travel to the UK in the first place.

This will further boost this government’s progress on irregular migration. Nearly 19,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders have been returned since the election to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America following a major escalation in immigration enforcement by the Home Office.

The government’s success in ramping up removals is a key part of our Plan for Change to deliver on working people’s priorities and finally restoring order to the asylum system. This new approach focusses on breaking the business model of smuggling gangs through tougher law enforcement powers than ever before, rapidly removing those who are here illegally and ending the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats.

Following a drive from this government to have more deployable enforcement staff, a renewed crackdown on those attempting to undermine the UK’s borders last month saw the highest January in over half a decade for enforcement activity.

Throughout January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams descended on 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January. Arrests also surged to 609, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year.
February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Probate waiting times halved thanks to Government push [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 February 2025.

Families, individuals, and charities will receive funds left to them in wills twice as quickly as they did last year, with probate applications now being granted in less than half the time.
- Outstanding caseload hits lowest level since early 2023
- Overall wait times cut to just over four weeks, as around eight out of ten of applications go digital
- Additional staff trained as part of Government’s Plan for Change to restore public services
The data published yesterday shows that HMCTS has slashed average wait times in December 2024 to just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduce the backlog of cases which built up because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 80 per cent of grant applications are now completed online, with digital applications taking on average just over two weeks to complete – improving support for those who need it and easing the burden on people who are navigating what is often a challenging time. For those who complete the application online and submit their documents without any issues probate is granted in less than a week on average.

Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said:

We know that handling probate can be tough for families at a difficult period in their lives. That is why so we’ve worked hard to reduce delays and make the process easier.

By cutting wait times and going digital, we’re ensuring people receive the support they need quickly at what can be a challenging time.

We’re getting public services back on their feet again as part of this Government’s Plan for Change.

The change comes after action was taken to recruit extra staff who have been trained to handle applications quickly and ensure fair and efficient processing, preventing delays.

In 2024, the average number of monthly grants issued was 27,400, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the number of outstanding cases is at its lowest point since early 2023 when data was first published.

The probate system has achieved a remarkable turnaround, reducing its backlog by over 50,000 cases since August 2023 and ensuring faster estate settlements for families.

Charities also benefit from a more efficient probate system because they now have quicker access to funds which have been entrusted to them – easing financial pressure on the third sector.

Even paper applications, which historically take longer to process than the digital system, have seen significant improvements in timeliness with waiting times reducing from just over 22 weeks to under 15 weeks.

James Stebbings, Chair of the Institute of Legacy Management, said:

We are delighted to see that HMCTS have reduced probate application processing times to where they were 5 years ago.

Each year the public leave charities £4bn of gifts in their wills and the relief in the charity sector that this income is flowing again is huge.

On behalf of the charity sector and all who benefit from it we would like to say a huge thank you.

Alex McDowell, Vice Chair of Remember A Charity and Director of Fundraising at the Duke of Edinburgh Award, said:

With more and more people across the UK choosing to support good causes through their Wills each year, an efficient and effective probate service is vital for sustaining charitable services and charities’ financial planning.

It ensures charitable gifts in wills can be put to good use swiftly, in line with supporters’ wishes.

We are hugely grateful to HMCTS for the improvements they have made and their ongoing engagement with the charity sector.
February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Trump’s Special Envoy to the UK Mark Burnett [February 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 February 2025.

The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s Special Envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.

Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.

Mr Burnett reflected on his personal connections to the UK, and his mother’s experience working part time in Downing Street as a waitress over 30 years ago.

They emphasised the huge potential for even stronger collaboration on trade, tech and cultural matters between the US and the UK and looked forward to working together.

February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Apprenticeship reforms set to turbocharge economic growth [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 14 February 2025.

New research shows apprenticeships contribute £25bn to England’s economy, with reforms announced during National Apprenticeship Week set to boost growth.

Apprentices in England will drive £25bn of economic growth over their lifetime, new figures have revealed.

This is almost double the £14bn contribution found the last time this was assessed in 2018, demonstrating apprentices’ importance to the government’s mission to grow the economy under the Plan for Change.

These figures are for apprentices who were participating in an apprenticeship at levels 2 to 5 in the 2021-22 academic year, representing the immense value of apprentices to economic growth.

The research comes as the government reaffirms its commitment to apprenticeships as the golden thread through all six missions under the Plan for Change, and follows recently published data revealing apprenticeship starts rose by 1.3% and achievements rose by 1.1% in the first quarter following last year’s general election.

New apprenticeships announced today include wind turbine technician and heat network maintenance technician, which are key sectors that will support the government’s clean energy mission. The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will today be visiting Hinkley Point C and Bridgwater and Taunton College in Somerset to meet apprentices working on this critically important piece of national clean energy infrastructure.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:

We need to take skills seriously as a country again, and the measures we’ve taken this week to slash red tape and boost the number of apprentices, show how we will deliver on this and break down the barriers to opportunity for our young people.

Apprenticeships are key to delivering our number one mission of growth and on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, as evidenced today by their increasing value to the economy which will continue to rise thanks to our reforms.

As National Apprenticeship Week draws to a close, it’s vital therefore that schools, colleges and businesses continue to champion apprenticeships, and this government will back them all the way.

These conclude a series of sweeping reforms announced during National Apprenticeship Week, after the Education Secretary revealed a boost in flexibility for employers around English and Maths requirements that will lead to an extra 10,000 apprentices qualified each year in key sectors including construction, healthcare and clean energy.

A cut in the minimum duration of apprenticeships from 12 to eight months will help get boots on the ground quicker if workers have prior experience, while simpler End Point Assessments and a reformed payment system will free up time for providers and employers to focus on apprentices’ career and skills development.

The visit comes after the Prime Minister recently announced reforms to planning rules which will clear a path for new nuclear power stations, creating thousands of new highly skilled jobs while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people.

HMRC have also promoted tips to help apprentices ensure they are getting paid fairly, and government Ministers including the Chancellor Rachel Reeves have been visiting employers throughout National Apprenticeship Week to understand better how apprenticeships can deliver the Plan for Change.

Minister for Industry Sarah Jones said:

The shift to home-grown, clean energy is creating thousands of apprentices with world-class experience.

Hinkley Point C alone has provided 1,500 new apprenticeships – helping to make the UK a clean energy superpower, give us energy security and protect billpayers.

New and updated apprenticeships for police constables, teaching assistants, healthcare support workers, dental hygienists and civil engineers will further support the government’s Plan for Change. A total of 660 occupations are now available.

Today, the government also launches a new “one stop shop” app that is set to revolutionise how apprentices access training and support.

The Your Apprenticeship app, designed by the DfE with extensive input from apprentices, provides easier access to essential tools, resources, and support to help apprentices to thrive in their qualification.

They will be able to track their apprenticeship through the app, ensuring they have learnt all the necessary knowledge and skills and they need to progress into skilled work and help drive Britain’s economic growth.

The Your Apprenticeship app is available to be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple app store now.

Anyone considering an apprenticeship is encouraged to go to www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk to discover what apprenticeships are available in their local area.

February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK targets Putin’s inner circle with new sanctions [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2025.

New British sanctions target high profile figures working in the Russian Government and supporters of Russian state-owned business.
- UK sanctions several high-profile individuals with links to Putin’s inner circle in latest crackdown on the Kremlin.
- Russia’s war machine further constrained by British sanctions, bolstering UK’s national security and delivering on the Plan for Change.
- Foreign Secretary will also urge partners to act to smash illicit people-smuggling gangs driving irregular migration.
Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, the UK has imposed new sanctions against people with links to Putin’s inner circle in a crackdown on the Kremlin.

Today’s sanctions target high-profile figures working in the Russian Government, including Pavel Fradkov, a Russian Defence Minister and Vladimir Selin, who heads up an arm of the Russian Ministry of Defence. They also target Artem Chaika, whose extractives company supports Russian state-owned business.

All three of these targets are also on the Navalny 50’ anti-corruption list. The UK is also sanctioning two entities linked to Russia’s nuclear energy giant Rosatom, which are supporting Russia’s military activity on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The measures come as the Foreign Secretary attends the Munich Security Conference where he will meet Yulia Navalnaya and reflect on Navalny’s enduring legacy.

The UK continues to stand with civil society and human rights defenders working tirelessly to build a better future for Russia despite immense personal risk.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

I am announcing further sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin. Ukrainians are fighting for their country’s future and the principle of sovereignty across Europe at the frontline.”

Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, I am honoured to meet with Yulia Navalnaya and make clear our commitment to weaken Putin’s attempts to stifle political opposition and crack down on the Kremlin’s corrupt dealings globally.

We are calling on our friends and allies to continue to step up in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Last week, the Foreign Secretary visited Kyiv, pushing on with implementation of the 100 Year Partnership with Ukrainian friends. David Lammy will make the case to others in Munich that it is in the collective interests of Ukraine’s partners to stand by them.

The UK-US relationship remains the backbone of the security and prosperity for millions on both sides of the Atlantic, and David Lammy will meet representatives of the new administration to discuss closer working to boost both economies and make our people safer.

The Foreign Secretary will also discuss the situation in the Middle East with a wide range of leaders including Quint partners. He will urge for lasting peace as the current ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon hold, and phase two of the negotiations continues.

On Syria, the UK recently announced £3m for deliveries of Ukrainian grain and other food produce to Syria as part of our 100-year partnership. David Lammy will push for a peaceful future for Syria, centred around the interests of the Syrian people.

More Information

Today’s sanctions target 4 individuals and 2 entities including:
- Vladimir Viktorovich SELIN, Head of the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEK), a federal service of the Russian government.
- Pavel Mikhailovich FRADKOV, a Deputy Minister of the Russian Ministry of Defence.
- Artem Yuryevich CHAIKA, owner of First Non-Metallic Company Ural (PNK-Ural) which conducts business in the Russian extractives sector, and the son of Yuri Yakovlevich CHAIKA, a member of Russia’s Security Council.
- Joint Stock Company Kirov Energomash Plant and Limited Liability Company Rosatom Additive Technologies, two subsidiaries of Russia’s state-owned civil nuclear energy company Rosastom. As well as operating in Russia’s energy sector both entities are operating in Russia’s defence sector.
- We have also made a variation to the existing designation of Yuri Yakovlevich CHAIKA. He was previously designated in March 2022.
All individuals and entities in this package have been designated for the purposes of an asset freeze and trust services sanctions. All individuals in this package are also be subject to a travel ban. Several individuals have also been designated for the purposes of a transport ban.

The Navalny list is created by the Anti-Corruption Foundation, also known as FBK, a non-profit organisation established in 2011 by Alexei Navalny.

View the full UK Sanctions List and more information on UK sanctions relating to Russia.
February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [February 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning.

The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed.

He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.

The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year.

Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.

The leaders also reflected on the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the President updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference.

They agreed to stay in close contact.

February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : His Majesty The King honours Mr Itsushi Tachi, Former President of the Japan Chevening Alumni Network [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2025.

His Majesty King Charles III has approved the award of an honorary BEM (British Empire Medal) to Mr Itsushi Tachi for services to people-to-people relations between the UK and Japan.

Mr Tachi was a recipient of a Chevening scholarship which allowed him to complete an MSc in Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the 1980s. Three decades later, he and five other Japanese Chevening alumni decided to form a Chevening alumni association in Japan. Mr Tachi led the preparatory work, and liaison with alumni and the British Embassy, becoming the founding President of the Japan Chevening Alumni Network (JCAN).

Since its foundation in 2016, JCAN has undergone a dramatic expansion in membership, activities and profile, helping to enhance connections between the UK Government and its Chevening alumni, and creating a lasting legacy of people-to-people ties between the UK and Japan.

Footnote:

The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship, funded by the FCDO and partner organizations, that enables foreign students to study a Masters degree at universities in the United Kingdom. More information can be found on https://www.chevening.org/

February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Open competitions launched for Independent Prevent Commissioner and Commissioner for Countering Extremism [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 February 2025.

The government has launched open competitions for two roles.

Today, two open competitions have been launched for the role of permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner and the role of Commissioner for Countering Extremism.

In December 2024, the Home Secretary announced the introduction of a new Independent Prevent Commissioner role. In January 2025, Lord David Anderson KC was confirmed as the Interim Prevent Commissioner until the appointment of a permanent holder. The commissioner will have the specific remit of reviewing the programme’s effectiveness, identifying gaps and problems before they emerge. The appointment will be announced in due course.

The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the government with independent expert advice on extremism, with the current commissioner, Robin Simcox’s fixed term due to end in July. He has held the appointment since March 2021, first in an interim capacity, then on a substantive basis since July 2022. The appointment of a new commissioner will also be announced in due course.

The role of Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption, previously held by Lord Walney, will come to an end. The CCE will take forward work as part of its new strengthened remit.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

To continue our fight against extremism and terrorism in whatever form they take, we need expert advice and oversight. The role holders will be crucial in those efforts, and I look forward to working with the successful candidates.

I would also like to thank Lord Walney and Robin Simcox for their work in their respective roles as Independent Advisor on Political Violence and Disruption and as Commissioner for Countering Extremism.

February 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Tackling AI security risks to unleash growth and deliver Plan for Change [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 14 February 2025.
- UK’s AI Safety Institute becomes ‘UK AI Security Institute’ – strengthening protections against the risks AI poses to national security and crime
- Institute bolstered by new criminal misuse team, partnering with the Home Office, to research a range of crime and security issues which could harm UK citizens
- New agreement reached with AI giant Anthropic on AI opportunities to help grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change
Safeguarding Britain’s national security – a key pillar of the government’s Plan for Change – and protecting citizens from crime – will become founding principles of the UK’s approach to the responsible development of artificial intelligence from today (Friday 14 February), as the Technology Secretary sets out his vision for a revitalised AI Security Institute in Munich.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference and just days after the conclusion of the AI Action Summit in Paris, Peter Kyle has today recast the AI Safety Institute the ‘AI Security Institute’. This new name will reflect its focus on serious AI risks with security implications, such as how the technology can be used to develop chemical and biological weapons, how it can be used to carry out cyber-attacks, and enable crimes such as fraud and child sexual abuse.

The Institute will also partner across government, including with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the Ministry of Defence’s science and technology organisation, to assess the risks posed by frontier AI.

As part of this update, the Institute will also launch a new criminal misuse team which will work jointly with the Home Office to conduct research on a range of crime and security issues which threaten to harm British citizens.

One such area of focus will be the use of AI to make child sexual abuse images, with this new team exploring methods to help to prevent abusers from harnessing the technology to carry out their appalling crimes. This will support work announced earlier this month to make it illegal to own AI tools which have been optimised to make images of child sexual abuse.

This means the focus of the Institute will be clearer than ever. It will not focus on bias or freedom of speech, but on advancing our understanding of the most serious risks posed by the technology to build up a scientific basis of evidence which will help policymakers to keep the country safe as AI develops. To achieve this, the Institute will work alongside wider government, the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), and the national security community; including building on the expertise of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s national technical authority for cyber security, including AI.

The announcement comes just weeks after the government set out its new blueprint for AI to deliver a decade of national renewal, harnessing the technology to deliver on the Plan for Change. A revitalised AI Security Institute will ensure we boost public confidence in AI and drive its uptake across the economy so we can unleash the economic growth that will put more money in people’s pockets.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said:

The changes I’m announcing today represent the logical next step in how we approach responsible AI development – helping us to unleash AI and grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change.

The work of the AI Security Institute won’t change, but this renewed focus will ensure our citizens – and those of our allies – are protected from those who would look to use AI against our institutions, democratic values, and way of life.

The main job of any government is ensuring its citizens are safe and protected, and I’m confident the expertise our Institute will be able to bring to bear will ensure the UK is in a stronger position than ever to tackle the threat of those who would look to use this technology against us.

As the AI Security Institute bolsters its security focus, the Technology Secretary is also taking the wraps off a new agreement which has been struck between the UK and AI company Anthropic.

This partnership is the work of the UK’s new Sovereign AI unit, and will see both sides working closely together to realise the technology’s opportunities, with a continued focus on the responsible development and deployment of AI systems.

This will include sharing insights on how AI can transform public services and improve the lives of citizens, as well as using this transformative technology to drive new scientific breakthroughs. The UK will also look to secure further agreements with leading AI companies as a key step towards turbocharging productivity and speaking fresh economic growth – a key pillar of the government’s Plan for Change.

Chair of the AI Security Institute Ian Hogarth said:

The Institute’s focus from the start has been on security and we’ve built a team of scientists focused on evaluating serious risks to the public.

Our new criminal misuse team and deepening partnership with the national security community mark the next stage of tackling those risks.

Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic said:

AI has the potential to transform how governments serve their citizens. We look forward to exploring how Anthropic’s AI assistant Claude could help UK government agencies enhance public services, with the goal of discovering new ways to make vital information and services more efficient and accessible to UK residents.

We will continue to work closely with the UK AI Security Institute to research and evaluate AI capabilities in order to ensure secure deployment.

Today’s reset for the AI Security Institute comes just weeks after the UK government kickstarted the year by setting out a new blueprint for AI to spark a decade of national renewal.

Thanks to the work of the Institute, the UK now stands ready to fully realise the benefits of the technology while bolstering our national security as we continue to harness the age of AI.
February 24, 2025