Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes Terms of Reference for Wholesale Digital Markets Champion [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes Terms of Reference for Wholesale Digital Markets Champion [June 2026]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 June 2026.

    Government has today set out in further detail what Chris Woolard will focus on and deliver.

    The published Terms of Reference, Terms of Reference – Wholesale Digital Markets Champion (PDF, 209 KB, 3 pages), sets out how he will lead industry in driving the adoption of digital technologies across UK markets, increasing competitiveness, driving down cost and enhancing resilience.

    On 21 April, the government appointed Chris Woolard CBE as the Wholesale Digital Markets Champion to provide market leadership and support industry progress on the development of a tokenised wholesale financial markets ecosystem, as well as to support the government’s work to deliver a more efficient and competitive financial sector.

    Following a meeting between the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Chris to discuss the forward plan for this work, the Government is today publishing the Terms of Reference for this role, setting out how the Champion will work in partnership with industry and government to accelerate the digitalisation of UK wholesale financial markets.

    Under the Terms of Reference, the Champion will provide leadership to co-ordinate the sector’s wider implementation of digital as outlined in the Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy, which was published on 15 July 2025 as part of the Leeds Reforms. The strategy covers the immediate steps to optimise UK markets by replacing outdated processes, as well as medium to longer term steps to transform UK markets by realising the benefits of emerging technologies, particularly the adoption of tokenisation through use of distributed ledger technology (DLT).

    The Champion will:

    1. Establish a cross-industry taskforce, with representatives from across the market ecosystem, to provide input and support.
    2. Deliver a report to the Chancellor, developed with the sector, covering how UK wholesale markets can best adopt tokenisation and other related technologies, as well as how the sector and government can ensure DLT interoperability.
    3. Promote the delivery of the Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy across the sector.
    4. Co-ordinate with the Chairs of the other workstreams (on AST and DEMAT) as they implement their programmes to deliver T+1 and remove paper shares.

    The Terms of Reference sets out a clear timetable for delivery. The Champion will provide an initial forward look, including plans to establish the industry taskforce, by July 2026. A full report on DLT adoption and interoperability will be submitted to the Chancellor by July 2027. The appointment will run for 18 months, with ongoing work to support implementation of the strategy across the sector. The role is unpaid.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Pubs, shops and local assets protected with communities in charge [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Pubs, shops and local assets protected with communities in charge [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 16 June 2026.

    £61m fund to encourage people to save treasured local assets announced as part of a set of reforms to put more power in the hands of communities.

    • £61 million fund to encourage local people to step in and save pubs, shops and other community gems
    • Communities Secretary Steve Reed announces cash boost in part of a wider £301 million package to support high streets, drive community control and back local people
    • Package builds on wider £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme, handing real power and money to local people who know their areas best

    Pubs, shops and other treasured high street gems will be saved from closure more easily thanks to a new £61 million package to back local communities announced today (16 June). 

    This government’s latest Pride in Place initiative, a new Community Right to Buy Fund, will hand people in deprived areas the money they need to step in and take over community assets at risk of closure otherwise – allowing pints to continue flowing and community centres to keep bringing people together in their areas. 

    Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced the investment at a speech in London earlier today as part of a package of measures, building on wider reforms in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act to allow people to take over treasured assets. This funding is part of the £301 million announced by the government to support our high streets and community spaces. 

    Further action was committed to on tackling profiteering in the temporary accommodation and children’s social care sector, allowing councils to spend taxpayers’ money on what local people want to see, alongside making it easier for social housing tenants to take control over their homes. 

    These reforms build on the government’s commitment to shift more power out of Westminster and empower communities, including through the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme. 

    Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: 

    I am pushing power out of Whitehall and into the hands of the people who actually use these high streets. They know what they need better than any politician in Whitehall. 

    We’re backing communities to step in and save these high street gems, building on our drive to give communities the key to their own future and power over what matters to them.

    The Communities Secretary also announced: 

    • Streamlining Right to Manage: Supporting social housing tenants to come together, take control of their homes and estates, and make housing managers accountable to the people who live there. Reforms include stronger enforcement action where serious mismanagement puts residents’ safety at risk, as well as calling on social landlords to encourage tenants to take up the Right to Manage.  
    • Test and Learn funding: The Test, Learn and Grow programme is putting people at the centre, starting small and building on what works – empowering frontline staff and local places to respond to what users need. Crucially, it is also about growing this way of working. To build regional capability and ensure that learning from the programme is diffused across the country, a £10 million Test, Learn and Grow Capability Fund is being launched to support up to 20 places. The fund will first be targeted at those already involved in the programme, with a specific focus on extending learning beyond individual local authorities and across sub-regions, through Mayoral Strategic Authorities and clusters of local authorities working together. It will then expand to new locations later in the autumn. 
    • Community Power Pilots: Supporting community groups and local authorities in up to 25 areas with £15 million in funding to transform services for residents with their input. 
    • Commitment to tackling profiteering: The government will work with councils in London to compare the prices of temporary accommodation, stopping companies exploiting different parts of the state. Further action will also be taken in the children’s social care sector where profiteering off vulnerable children is leaving councils on the brink. 
    • Commitment to support better use of local data: Ineffective data sharing is hampering local authorities from delivering better, more joined up services. To fix this, DSIT is developing standardised data sharing agreements for central government and wider public sector, including local governments to use, reducing administrative burdens and speeding up processes. 
  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 Summit in Evian today.

    The leaders began by reflecting on discussions at the G7 and the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    With war still raging in Europe, and a conflict thousands of miles away impacting people at home, it was vital the UK and the European Union worked closely together to provide security and opportunity for both sides, the Prime Minister said.

    The leaders agreed to press ahead with a UK-EU Summit on July 22 so that people on both sides could feel the benefits of UK-EU collaboration as soon as possible

    Discussing migration, the Prime Minister welcomed the EU’s new Channel migration plan and updated on the UK’s work with France to deter and intercept illegal crossings.

    They agreed to stay in touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Costa of the European Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Costa of the European Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of the European Council António Costa at the G7 Summit in Evian today.

    The leaders underlined the importance of close cooperation between the UK and Europe, to benefit both sides.

    A closer relationship was vital for European security, resilience and prosperity, they reiterated.

    Both leaders agreed to work closely ahead of the UK-EU summit, which they agreed would be held on July 22.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Early industry engagement increasing speed of Middle East support [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Early industry engagement increasing speed of Middle East support [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    Industry engagement is speeding up support to the Middle East, enabling faster decisions, improved capability access and stronger defence supplier collaboration

    Key points

    • The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) is a key forum for strategic engagement, enabling earlier collaboration and fast responses to urgent operational needs
    • Early market engagement is providing clearer and insight into available capability, supporting quicker, better informed procurement decisions
    • MOD Category Strategies are strengthening  access to critical materials, reducing supply chain delays, and aligning activity with industry through the DIJC Working Group.

    Increasing the speed of support through early industry engagement

    Meeting urgent operational demands in the Middle East relies on earlier, stronger engagement with industry. The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC), alongside the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group’s newly formed Early Market Engagement team, is central to increasing the speed of support. This work supports the Defence Industrial Strategy commitment to provide clearer, earlier demand signals, ensuring suppliers are better positioned to respond to rapidly evolving requirements.

    Through structured engagement, including Strategic Industry Roundtables, MOD has moved beyond traditional procurement approaches to earlier, more open conversations with suppliers. The approach engages industry before requirements are fully defined. By sharing clearer problem statements and operational context, Defence can better understand available capability, test feasibility, and shape delivery options at speed.

    Nathan Hinchliffe, Head of Market Engagement, National Armaments Director Group, said:

    Early and continuous engagement with industry allows us to adapt to rapidly evolving requirements, understand what is feasible, and speed up capability. By bringing industry into the conversation earlier and broadening participation, we are creating a more partnership-based approach that is already helping delivery happen faster and unlocking tangible results.

    Better access and faster delivery

    This approach is widening participation beyond established primes, bringing in Small and Medium -Sized Enterprises (SMEs), academia, and non-traditional suppliers based on capability. Insights gathered from these engagements are directly shaping delivery decisions, particularly in areas such as export processes and procurement routes. For example, industry feedback identified barriers in export approvals, prompting accelerated government-to-government mechanisms and closer coordination with the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). As a result, 37 of 47 export licences have been expedited many significantly faster than standard timelines helping priority capabilities to reach partners more quickly.

    The Middle East context has also highlighted existing structural pressures in the supply chain, including constraints in critical raw materials and long lead times for key components. In response, NAD is developing Category Strategies to improve access to constrained areas such as Sensors, Rocket Motors, and Energetics. This work improves understanding of assembly capacity and the drivers of long lead times, enabling joint identification of opportunities to compress delivery timelines. Activity is being coordinated across MOD and industry through the DIJC Readiness and Resilience Working Group, ensuring alignment and coherence.

    Making this the standard approach

    Together, these efforts represent a shift in how Defence works with industry, embedding early, continuous engagement as a core part of delivery. This demonstrates how Defence Reform and the Defence Industrial Strategy are being implemented in practice to improve pace, access, and outcomes for the frontline.

    Lessons from Middle East support are now shaping a more sustainable, business-as-usual model, including the development of a Coordinating Authority for Market Engagement. By formalising this approach, MOD aims to create a repeatable and scalable framework that improves industry relationships, supports investment confidence, and ensures rapid and resilient delivery of capability to the warfighter.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Public Health Rapid Support Team deploys in response to the Ebola outbreak [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Public Health Rapid Support Team deploys in response to the Ebola outbreak [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 16 June 2026.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is deploying public health specialists from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the region.

    Developed following the 2014 to 2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, UK-PHRST works with low- and middle-income countries to respond and prepare for infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. UK-PHRST brings extensive experience to the current response, including 10 deployments to Eastern DRC during the 2018 to 2019 North Kivu Ebola outbreak – part of more than 50 deployments involving over 100 people in the last 9 years.

    As a key international partner in epidemic disease response, the team is now deploying 7 specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to support the international response to the outbreak:

    • 4 will be based in Eastern DRC, supporting World Health Organization (WHO) field operations across infection prevention and control, epidemiology, and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
    • a further RCCE specialist is being deployed to the WHO country office in Kinshasa
    • an epidemiologist is being deployed to the Republic of Congo to support the wider regional response
    • additional support is being provided remotely by a data modelling expert

    UK-PHRST has worked closely with WHO and UNICEF, offering support in response to the formal requests for assistance through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). 

    Today, UKHSA together with continued funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) also announced the renewal and expansion of the academic partnership underpinning the UK-PHRST more broadly.

    The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will lead a new multi-institutional academic consortium, building on nearly a decade of collaborative research between UKHSA and LSHTM since the UK-PHRST was established in 2016. The expanded partnership brings together world-leading expertise in epidemic preparedness and response, with a central commitment to shared leadership between UK and low- and middle-income country (LMIC) institutions. 

    The £18million 5-year programme will conduct applied research across Africa and Southeast Asia, spanning the readiness, detection and response phases of epidemic outbreaks. Research priorities include equity and gender in outbreak response, mental health and psychosocial support, diagnostics, AI-assisted decision-making, and community engagement. Amid an increasing risk of epidemic threats, this renewal highlights the UK government’s commitment to global health security.

    Dr Edmund Newman, Director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team at UKHSA, said:

    This deployment will help strengthen the existing response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and across the region, with experts in epidemiology, risk communications and community engagement, infection prevention and control and data modelling now on the ground to support.

    We know infectious diseases are not restricted by borders, which is why it’s vital we continue to work collaboratively with the World Health Organization and other international partners, as well as national and local response organisations,  to protect global health security.

    Amid uncertainty in the global landscape, we’re really pleased to announce the renewal and expansion of the UK-PHRST partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which allows us to continue sustainably sharing knowledge and support internationally, delivering cutting edge research and evidence to help prevent outbreaks >from becoming global health emergencies.

    Jenny Chapman, Minister for Africa and International Development, said:

    Ebola is a devastating disease, and this latest outbreak is deeply concerning. The UK is acting fast, working with regional partners to save lives and stop the spread.

    The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team brings world-class expertise, from infection control to community engagement and modelling the data. It demonstrates our commitment to global health security, and supporting the4 African-led response to this crisis.

    We are investing in the research, evidence and local leadership needed to respond faster and more effectively to this deadly disease.

    The UK has committed up to £21 million to support the government-led Ebola response in DRC to support a locally led response, helping to protect frontline workers and vulnerable communities.

    Today (16 June) the Minister for Africa and International Development will join African leaders, the WHO Director-General, the Africa Centres for Disease Prevention Director-General and others at their high level meeting to discuss regional preparedness and response.

    UKHSA continues to monitor the Ebola outbreak closely. The risk to the public in the UK remains very low.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of UK Chargé d’Affaires in Belarus – William Longhurst

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of UK Chargé d’Affaires in Belarus – William Longhurst

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    Mr William Longhurst has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Minsk in succession to Mr David Ward.

    Mr Longhurst will take up his appointment during July 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: William Jesse Longhurst

    YearRole
    2024 to 2026FCDO, Full time Language Training in Russian
    2019 to 2024British Embassy Berne, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General to Switzerland & Liechtenstein
    2019FCO, Full time Language Training in German
    2018FCO, Deputy Head, Global Britain Task Force
    2014 to 2018Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
    2011 to 2013FCO, Deputy Head, ASEAN Department
    2007 to 2011British Embassy Belgrade, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General
    2006 to 2007FCO, Full time Language Training in Serbian
    2001 to 2006UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, First Secretary (Finance and Management Reform)
    1998 to 2001Department of Trade and Industry, Head of Exports to Japan Unit
    1995 to 1998British Embassy Tokyo, First Secretary (Commercial)
    1992 to 1995British Embassy Seoul, Third Secretary (Economic), later Second Secretary (Political and Information)
    1990 1991FCO Assistant Desk Officer, Economic Relations Department
    1990Joined Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    UK Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Mr President,

    Thank you, High Commissioner,

    In Iran, the killing of thousands of Iran’s own people, including the continued execution of protesters, lays bare Iran’s longstanding violent suppression of peaceful dissent. This Council condemned that brutality in January, and we remain steadfast in supporting international accountability efforts.

    Four years on from your Office’s Xinjiang Assessment, China has not implemented its recommendations. Human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet continue. We support your efforts to understand the impact of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress on ethnic and religious minorities.

    The situation in Afghanistan is alarming. The erosion of the rights of women and girls, and religious and ethnic minorities, is deeply troubling. As UN reports make clear, Taliban decrees entrench gender inequality, restrict access to justice, and institutionalise religious discrimination. We condemn these laws.

    In Russia, the Kremlin claims to act for the Russian people but crushes dissent and uses repressive legislation to create a climate of fear internally while targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In Russia, people are behind bars for exercising their human rights.

    We must shine a spotlight on Russia to hold it to account for its repression of Russian people – and its continued atrocities in Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – Sri Lanka Core Group Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – Sri Lanka Core Group Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    Sri Lanka Core Group Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you Mr President.

    This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.

    High Commissioner, we thank your Office for its continued work on Sri Lanka.

    We acknowledge government efforts to enable communities to commemorate peacefully, and without disruption, the loss of life at the end of the armed conflict in 2009.

    While we note some progress in long-standing human rights cases, reports persist of intimidation of witnesses and family members. Meaningful progress in these cases is essential to address impunity and restore public confidence . We also urge necessary reforms to the criminal justice system to expedite prosecutions in other emblematic cases.

    We acknowledge developments in certain mass grave investigations. We urge that excavations meet international standards and much greater progress addressing enforced disappearances. Implementation of a credible, inclusive reconciliation process supported by affected communities remains vital.

    Ongoing reports of harassment of human rights defenders, especially women defenders, are troubling.

    We are also concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and urge the Government to introduce legislation consistent with its international human rights obligations.

    We stand ready to support Sri Lanka in advancing reforms, in line with its international commitments.

    Thank you

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK deepens joint migration efforts and marks Pakistan’s role in brokering US-Iran peace deal on two-day Ministerial visit [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK deepens joint migration efforts and marks Pakistan’s role in brokering US-Iran peace deal on two-day Ministerial visit [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    UK thanks Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal and bolsters joint efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK.

    • Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer uses a visit to Islamabad to thank Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal.  
    • Visit underlines longstanding UK support for stability in the Middle East and for Pakistan’s mediation role. 
    • Minister bolsters joint UK-Pakistan efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK with additional funding to target underlying drivers which entice people to illegally travel to the UK. 

    The UK has welcomed the news of a peace deal between the US and Iran, following intense negotiations brokered by partners including Pakistan.  

    On the first day of his visit to Islamabad, Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, personally thanked Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, for Pakistan’s role in reaching this significant moment.  

    He reiterated the UK’s steadfast support for stability in the Middle East, and made clear the UK would continue to do all it could to work with partners such as Pakistan to shore up this opportunity for a lasting peace. 

    During his meetings with senior Pakistani leadership, the Minister also committed an additional £8 million to support joint UK–Pakistan efforts to tackle crime and illegal migration. The funding will be used to strengthen border and visa systems and bring in expertise to help Pakistani law enforcement disrupt people‑smuggling and trafficking networks.

    It will also support the return of individuals with no right to remain in the UK and fund community‑based programmes in high‑risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration. This includes support for improving identity and information‑sharing processes, strengthening law enforcement capability to investigate smuggling networks, and expanding community‑based prevention programmes that reduce vulnerability to exploitation. 

    Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, said: 

    The news of a US-Iran deal is a hugely significant moment and I am pleased to convey my personal thanks, and that of the UK, to Pakistan during my visit here in Islamabad. Pakistan has played a critical role in brokering this opportunity for regional stability and we stand ready to work together to support a path to lasting peace. 

    The UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for safeguarding global, regional and UK national security – working closely together to tackle terrorist threats, visa fraud and serious organised crime.  

    We are taking this partnership and our co-operation to a new level, with additional funding to deter illegal migration and target drivers from the source.

    We remain grateful for the role Pakistan has played in facilitating negotiations. The UK and our partners will continue to work together to see the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

    On his second visit to the country as an FCDO Minister, the Minister will also witness a live demonstration of joint work by law enforcement to tackle illegal migration. Backed by UK support, this work sees Pakistani authorities intercept non-genuine visa holders at Pakistani airports, ensuring only eligible travellers and students travel to the UK.  

    This visit will follow meetings between Minister Falconer and Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and the Higher Education Commission to discuss closer practical collaboration to deter visa abuse.  

    Deepening the UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for ensuring UK and global security, with the UK providing counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan to train civilians in investigating and prosecuting terrorist cases. As part of his visit, Minister Falconer met with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan to discuss the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, encourage a return to dialogue, and offer UK support to tackle the terrorist threat from Afghanistan. 

    The UK government is steadfast in its commitment to secure borders and national security. Building and deepening international partnerships is critical in delivering this.