Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Advanced manufacturer from Yorkshire drives export growth with £1.5 million government guarantee [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 16 October 2025.

High-voltage bar and coil manufacturer Preformed Windings Limited strengthens international competitiveness and creates new jobs following government-backed General Export Facility.
- Rotherham-based manufacturer secures £1.5 million trade loan facility from HSBC UK, backed by UK Export Finance guarantee
- The firm has over 50 years’ experience supplies critical high-voltage bars and coils to sectors including hydropower, nuclear, and power generation globally
Preformed Windings Limited, a leading manufacturer of high-voltage bars and diamond coils, has secured enhanced financial backing to strengthen its position in international markets through a £1.5 million trade loan facility from HSBC UK, backed by a guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency.

The company has over 50 years of experience manufacturing high-voltage bars and coils that are essential for stabilising and enhancing the performance of heavy machinery across multiple sectors, including hydropower, nuclear and power generation. These specialised components extend asset life, improve efficiency and reduce maintenance requirements for equipment that typically operates under extreme electrical stress.

With over 90% of its business driven by exports, Preformed Windings supplies customers across multiple continents. The trade loan facility, backed by UKEF’s General Export Facility, provides the financial flexibility needed to manage working capital while continuing to invest in growth and technical innovation, enabling the company to confidently handle large international orders and serve its expanding global customer base.

The company’s continued expansion has had a significant positive impact on the local economy in Rotherham and Sheffield. Over the past 12 months, Preformed Windings opened a new facility which has expanded production capacity and enabled better service to global customers. The company now employs more than 120 people – with 10% of staff recruited in the last six months – and expects to add further roles across production, technical, and sales teams as growth continues.

Preformed Windings works closely with Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Limited and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, offering post-graduate and degree apprenticeship schemes to develop future engineering talent within the region.

Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said:

Preformed Windings’ success shows exactly why we created the General Export Facility – to give UK businesses the flexibility to invest in export growth. Their commitment to technical innovation and training showcases why the UK remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing.

By backing companies like Preformed Windings, we’re strengthening the UK’s competitive edge, supporting skilled jobs, and nurturing the engineering talent that underpins our economy.

Looking ahead, the company is focused on expanding further into markets in North America, Middle East, Japan, and Europe, which present exciting opportunities for Preformed Windings advanced bar and coil technologies and expertise in supporting high-efficiency power generation.

James Stevens, CEO at Preformed Windings Limited, said:

With over 90% of our business driven by exports, the support by UKEF and HSBC UK has been critical in strengthening our position as a global leader in high-voltage bars and diamond coils.

The General Export Facility has given us the confidence to manage working capital to meet overseas demand efficiently and competitively. As we expand into new markets, we see UKEF as a key partner in our international growth.

Kayley Towle, International Manager at HSBC UK, said:

At HSBC UK, we’re delighted to support innovative businesses like Preformed Windings to achieve their export growth ambitions. Working alongside UKEF, this is a great example of how partnership between banking and government can provide the flexible financing that businesses need to capitalise on international opportunities.

This latest announcement follows the publication of UKEF’s annual report & accounts for 2024/25. 

Over the last financial year, UKEF provided a record £14.5 billion in new financing, helping over 667 UK companies to export and grow, supporting up to 70,000 jobs across the country.
October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK condemns Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2025.

Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, highlighting the severe impact on the civilian population. The UK calls on Russia to respect international law.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Russia has once again weaponised winter, launching a series of coordinated attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure in recent weeks. These strikes have severely disrupted gas production and hit critical storage facilities in western Ukraine. Strikes on thermal power stations on 10th October left half of Kyiv without power and many without access to water.

The UK strongly condemns Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, particularly its domestic gas production capacity. Restoring this capacity is both challenging and expensive, often taking many months to repair and increasing the need for gas imports over winter. As the country enters winter and heating demand rises, such attacks have an even greater impact.

These attacks are morally indefensible, and the UK is not alone in having this assessment. The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported that Russia’s systematic targeting of energy infrastructure may amount to war crimes and, in some cases, crimes against humanity. The Commission concluded that such strikes, particularly during winter, show a “disregard for civilian harm and suffering” and violate international humanitarian law. Similarly, reporting by ODIHR has stated that Russia’s large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities reflect a general disregard for the laws of war and may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Russia argues that these sites are legitimate military targets, justifying their actions by stating they are weakening facilities that assist Ukraine’s military industrial complex. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine found that Russia’s attacks on these sites likely violated the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution to protect civilians and civilian objects.

So far this year Russia has launched around 40,000 drones—a fourfold increase from 2024. In September alone, at least 214 civilians were killed and nearly 1,000 injured, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission. And just this month, Russia carried out its largest coordinated assault of the war on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, deploying 35 missiles and 60 drones in a single offensive, which resulted in the tragic death of a child. Each round of peace talks has coincided with further escalations in Russian attacks.

Mr Chair, the UK stands resolutely with Ukraine. We urge continued support for Ukraine’s air defences and energy resilience. And we call on Russia to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and the OSCE Decalogue. Russia must not deliberately target civilian infrastructure that provides essential needs for Ukraine’s population; and must withdraw from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine.

Thank you.

October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Ground-breaking use of AI saves taxpayers’ money and delivers greater government efficiency [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 October 2025.

The government’s AI tool Consult analysed 50,000+ responses to the Independent Water Commission review in 2 hours, matching human accuracy and potentially saving 75,000 days of manual work each year.
- AI tool built by the UK government sped up analysis of over 50,000 responses to a government-commissioned review of the water sector.
- Named ‘Consult’, the tool was found to be at least as accurate and reliable as humans.
- The tool could ultimately help save 75,000 days of manual analysis which is currently slowing down policy action across government every year.
Specialist AI tech built by the UK government helped to speed up the government’s decision to abolish Ofwat.

The simple task of sorting over 50,000 responses into key themes made the Independent Water Commission (IWC) analysis more efficient and effective. The AI tool categorised responses into themes in around 2 hours, costing £240 and experts only needed 22 hours to check the results.

It meant policy experts could focus on using themes and categorised responses to inform recommendations for their independent report, rather than sorting tens of thousands of individual responses.

Alongside the AI-assisted thematic analysis, the team also completed detailed manual reviews of responses from stakeholders to ensure their perspectives were thoroughly considered.

The work of ‘Consult’ was compared to 2 groups of experts. It agreed with one or both of the groups almost 83% of the time, while the 2 well-practiced human groups only agreed with each other 55% of the time.

Earlier in the year the tool successfully supported the analysis of the Scottish government’s consultation on non-surgical cosmetics. It has been confirmed that it was also used to sort responses to the Digital Inclusion Action Plan. With 800 people responding to the ‘call for evidence’, the technology was accurate and sped up the government’s ability to find initial results.

The technology, part of ‘Humphrey’, will analyse other consultations responses in a bid to save officials from 75,000 days of manual analysis every year, which costs £20 million in staffing costs. This will help to create a more agile, effective state refocused on delivering Plan for Change.

Digital Government Minister Ian Murray said:

This shows the huge potential for technology and AI to deliver better and more efficient public services for the public and provide better value for the taxpayer.

By taking on the basic admin, Consult is giving staff time to focus on what matters – taking action to fix public services. In the process, it could save the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Another tool in the ‘Humphrey’ suite, called ‘Redbox’, helped 5,330 officials at its peak work more efficiently – with the technology helping them to summarise long documents, draft briefing notes and more.

Since it was introduced, major tech companies have started to provide tools that give officials a secure way to use large language models that are integrated into IT systems they are already using, for example, Microsoft Copilot. Often, these come as part of existing software deals between the government and technology companies.

For example, a recent trial of Microsoft Copilot found that the technology could save officials 2 weeks every year. As a result, engineers in the team are developing new tools, such as those identified by the Prime Minister as ‘AI Exemplars’ which aim to speed up planning decisions to help build homes, help probation officers have more impactful engagements with offenders, and more.

As a result, development on Redbox will not continue, though it has now been open-sourced. The engineers that built the tool have gone on to use their knowledge to build other technology in the ‘Humphrey’ suite and also shared information that was used to build GOV.UK Chat, the generative AI chatbot that will soon be trialled in the GOV.UK App.

Notes to editors

The evaluation of Consult on the Independent Water Commission call for views shows that it secured an F1 score (a common measure of alignment for AI tools) of 0.79 and 0.82. This is higher than the F1 score between human reviewers (0.74), and shows an increase from 0.76 when the technology was used on the Scottish government consultation, which received fewer responses (2,000). There are 2 F1 figures since there were 2 groups of reviewers that Consult was compared to. They’ve reported the individual scores for both groups.
October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Russia is weaponising winter against Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2025.

Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter appears to follow a clear pattern aimed at undermining Ukraine’s resilience.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Once again and for the fourth year in a row, Russia is weaponising Winter against Ukraine. Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter appears to follow a clear pattern aimed at undermining civil resilience.

Each month Russia sets new, and unwanted, records. In October, Russia launched its largest coordinated strike of the war on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, firing 35 missiles and 60 drones at Naftogaz gas facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava, causing critical damage and disrupting operations. Russian forces also damaged a major energy facility in Zaporizhzhia, cutting power to thousands, and targeted gas transportation infrastructure in Lviv, killing four civilians.

Madam Chair, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that “continued attacks on energy infrastructure will severely impact civilian access to essential services this winter.”

Other independent assessments, including the REACH Cold Spots Risk Assessment, confirm that repeated strikes on energy facilities create “critical vulnerabilities” for households, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine, where repair capacity is limited.

The OSCE’s Code of Conduct reiterates the need for us all to ensure that our Armed Forces comply with international law. And yet, the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, continue to report on mounting independent evidence of Russia violating international law, including international humanitarian law.

Destroying energy infrastructure ahead of winter, affects the most vulnerable civilians in society, and risks individuals freezing to death in their own homes and being denied access to essential services. The facts are stark and simple. Under international law, deliberately targeting civilians is illegal. Under international law, Russia’s invasion is illegal. Under international law, Ukraine has a right to defend itself. And the UK will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself– today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

We once again call on Russia to cease these attacks immediately, end its illegal war and to return to full compliance with international law.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Resilience through Comprehensive Security: UK statement to the OSCE [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2025.

At the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, the UK outlines that our approach to resilience is rooted in our whole-of-society model, as outlined in the UK Resilience Action Plan published in July 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The UK welcomes Finland’s initiative to convene this timely Security Dialogue on resilience through comprehensive security. We fully support the emphasis on civil-military cooperation as a strategic pillar of national defence.

The UK’s approach to resilience is rooted in our whole-of-society model, as outlined in the UK Resilience Action Plan, published in July. We see resilience not merely as a response mechanism, but as a proactive, integrated system that spans government, business, civil society, and individuals. Our strategy prioritises prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery — ensuring that vital societal functions endure even under stress.

This model is reflected in our Strategic Defence Review 2025, which underscores the importance of civilian-military integration in safeguarding national security. Chapter 6 of the Review outlines how the UK Armed Forces work alongside local authorities, emergency services, and community organisations to build resilience at every level — from cyber defence and infrastructure protection to public health and crisis communications. Associated actions are being delivered through the UK’s new Home Defence Programme.

In today’s threat landscape — shaped by hybrid tactics, disinformation, and coercive diplomacy — resilience is a strategic imperative. The UK commends the OSCE’s multidimensional approach and the Code of Conduct’s emphasis on democratic control of armed forces. We see civil-military cooperation not only as a defence asset, but as a democratic strength.

We also draw inspiration from Ukraine’s extraordinary resilience in the face of aggression. Their ability to sustain societal functions under extreme pressure exemplifies the power of unity and preparedness.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Honduras Launches National Strategy to Combat Organized Crime with Support from UNODC and the UK [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2025.

Honduras officially launched a new national strategy to tackle organized crime, developed with technical assistance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and partial funding from the United Kingdom.

The strategy was created using UNODC’s “Organised Crime Strategy Toolkit,” supported by the UK Home Office’s Integrated Security Fund. This toolkit helps countries build comprehensive frameworks to prevent and combat organized crime, emphasizing principles of prevention, protection, prosecution, and institutional strengthening.

Collaboration began after a regional meeting in Bangkok in February 2022, where Honduras requested UNODC’s support. Since then, the country has worked closely with UNODC to develop a strategy that integrates gender, human rights, and a holistic approach to crime prevention.

This initiative reflects Honduras’s commitment to coordinated, sustainable action against organized crime and aligns with the UK’s support for the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on UK military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 16 October 2025.

Update to Statement on UK military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.

In support of these efforts the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.

The UK government strictly controlled what information was passed on and only information relating to hostage rescue was passed to the relevant Israeli authorities.

Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last flight took place on the 10 October 2025.

We thank our UK personnel for their dedication and professionalism.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP:

This ceasefire is a moment of profound relief, for the civilian population of Gaza, for the Israeli hostages and their families, who have all endured unimaginable suffering.

I am proud of the UK’s efforts to support the safe return of the hostages, and the professionalism of our service personnel involved.

The safe return of all hostages, along with the immediate restoration of aid are critical first steps in efforts to securing a lasting peace.

October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : £80 million support for children’s hospices over 3 years [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 October 2025.

Settlement provides £26 million annually offering crucial financial certainty for services supporting seriously ill children and families.
- Children’s and young people’s hospices will receive £80 million over 3 years
- Multi-year settlement provides certainty for vital services providing support for seriously ill children and families
- Funding will ensure thousands of children can continue to receive compassionate care and support
Children’s and young people’s hospices in England will receive almost £80 million in funding over 3 years, ensuring these services can continue supporting families during the most challenging times.

The multi-year revenue funding builds on the government’s £100 million investment in hospices – the largest in a generation – and will allow compassionate care to continue to be provided for thousands of children and their loved ones across the country.

This funding will be adjusted for inflation and distributed through local integrated care boards (ICBs), on behalf of NHS England.

Around 99,000 children across the UK are living with life-limiting conditions – such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, brain or spinal injuries – a number that has tripled in the last 20 years. Hospices provide care, support and wraparound services for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

This commitment for the remainder of this Parliament gives children’s hospices certainty so they can plan ahead and continue to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to children with life-limiting conditions and their families during some of the most challenging times in their lives.

As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, the government will shift more care out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive more personalised care in the most appropriate setting. The palliative and end-of-life care sector, including hospices, will have a big role to play in that shift.

Minister Kinnock yesterday (15 October 2025) visited Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Barnet, London where he met children, families and staff. Noah’s Ark has received £882,000 from this year’s (2025 to 2026) £26 million allocation for children’s and young people’s hospices. Individual hospice allocations for the next 3 years will be published in due course.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:

Children’s hospices provide invaluable support to children, families and loved ones facing unimaginable challenges.

Through this funding, we are making sure hospices can continue delivering invaluable, compassionate and high-quality care to children and their families – and ending the cliff edge of short-sighted, annual funding cycles – providing certainty for children’s hospices, but crucially for those they care for.

Having witnessed first hand the extraordinary impact of Noah’s Ark, I am determined that children receive the excellent, wraparound care they deserve.

The revenue funding will be adjusted for inflation and distributed via ICBs, on behalf of NHS England. It is intended to be spent by hospices to provide high-quality care and support for the children and families they care for, either in the hospice or in the community, including in children’s homes.

They could use this funding to provide respite care for children who have high health needs, physiotherapy or occupational therapy, or 24/7 nursing support for a child at the end of their life.

Distributing funding through ICBs will help ensure there is a more consistent national approach, helping to end the postcode lottery of funding for palliative care services and meeting the needs of local populations across the country.

Nick Carroll, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives, said:

I warmly welcome this news and thank ministers for listening to families of seriously ill children and those who provide them with the children’s hospice services they rely on.

Children’s hospices are amazing and create precious moments of joy for seriously ill children and their families. As demand for this lifeline care grows in both volume and complexity, children’s hospices are providing more support than ever before.

Maintaining and increasing this funding over 3 years will help to bring some clarity and reassurance to children’s hospices, helping them to plan and deliver care over a longer period. Above all, it will help ensure seriously ill children and their families can continue to access vital hospice care beyond 2025 to 2026.

I look forward to continuing to work with ministers to make sure children’s hospices are in a position to play a full role in realising the shifts in healthcare set out in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan. Together, it’s vital that we shape a palliative care delivery plan which means seriously ill children can access high-quality, sustainable support in hospital, in the community and in children’s hospices.

Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said:

This is a welcome and significant first step to placing the children’s hospice sector on a sustainable footing. The stability provided by a multi-year settlement will have a real impact on the care children’s hospices provide and the families they support.

We look forward to working with the government on long-term reforms which are essential to safeguarding all hospice services and ensuring they can play their role in the shift towards more care delivered in the community.

Sophie Andrews OBE, CEO of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, said:

We were delighted to welcome Minister Kinnock to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and meet a family who receive our support and those who provide it. We welcome this announcement as a real step forward for children’s palliative care funding.

This funding will allow us to support more children and families in our catchment area, providing not only moments of normality but of magic and joy.

Background information

£26 million will be provided to children’s and young people’s hospices for financial years 2026 to 2027, 2027 to 2028, and 2028 to 2029. This will be adjusted for inflation.

The allocation of funding for individual hospices over these 3 years will be published in due course based on new prevalence data received by NHS England.

£26 million was also provided to children’s and young people’s hospices for financial year 2025 to 2026, of which £882,000 was allocated to Noah’s Ark hospice.
October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Students urged to Stop! Think Fraud as more than half face scams [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 October 2025.

As the new term begins, students are reminded to spot scams, with fraudsters targeting those fresh to university life and financial independence.

As the buzz of Freshers’ Week fades and fraudsters step up their game in the new term, the Home Office and NatWest have partnered to urge students to Stop! Think Fraud.

Over half of students (57%) have encountered or had money stolen by criminals, according to new data from NatWest’s Student Living Index. Young adults aged 18 to 24 are now having an average of £300 stolen by scammers in the past year, showing the crucial need for action.

The fraud minister is urging students to follow the government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign advice to ensure they are protected from scams, especially as university life brings new challenges.

The minister responsible for fraud, Lord Hanson said:

Fraudsters prey on students finding their feet at university, and the risks have never been higher. We’re acting decisively to crack down on these criminals and protect young people, with our new expanding Fraud Strategy leading the way.

I urge students to stay alert; anyone can be a victim. A little vigilance now could save you from a financial nightmare. For help and advice, search Stop! Think Fraud.

Students in Kent are hit the hardest by scams, with the average victim having a staggering £436 stolen, followed by Lincolnshire at £355 and Greater London at £350. These figures paint a stark picture of just how far-reaching and costly scams have become, affecting students up and down the country.

The top scam hitting students is bank impersonation, with one in four targeted. In bank impersonation scams, criminals pose as genuine bank staff and contact victims via text messages, phone calls, or emails. If fraudsters succeed, they can steal funds and commit identity theft, causing victims not only financial loss but also significant disruption to their studies, wellbeing, and future plans.

Other common scams encountered include fake tax rebates, with fraudsters sending fake messages claiming an HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax refund is just a click away. Meanwhile, investment scams promise sky-high returns but deliver empty pockets, with 13% of students also being impacted.

Nick Perkins, Director of Fraud Prevention at NatWest said:

We want students to have a positive and confident experience throughout their time in higher education. Our role is to support them by building their awareness of scams and helping them feel secure in managing their finances.

Our advice to students before acting on any request, is to take a moment to think: does it feel rushed or too good to be true? Pause before spending your hard-earned money. If you’re unsure, speak to someone you trust. And if you believe you’ve been scammed, please don’t feel ashamed – criminals are highly skilled at deception. What matters most is reporting it to your bank and accessing the support available to you.

Fraud is on the rise, so the best way to get more confident about keeping your money safe is by being vigilant and knowing simple ways to protect yourself and making the most of university life.

A new, expanded fraud strategy will raise awareness and help us beat these criminals together.

It is important to remember that anyone can be a victim of fraud. There is no ‘typical’ target. Fraudsters frequently exploit emotions, reaching out via convincing phone calls, text messages, or emails.

Mark Tierney, Chief Executive of Stop Scams UK said:

It’s deeply saddening that we need to warn students about fraud as they begin what should be an exciting chapter in their lives. We applaud the Home Office and NatWest for equipping students with the knowledge to protect themselves through the Stop! Think Fraud campaign.

At Stop Scams UK, we believe the biggest win will come from preventing scammers from reaching students in the first place. That’s why we work with our 37 members – including NatWest – across banking, payments, tech and telecoms to shut down the routes fraudsters use to target the public. But scammers are wily, and until we can stop them entirely, our advice to students is simple: if something feels rushed, too good to be true, or just not quite right – pause, check, and don’t engage.

Joe Woodcock, Head of Community and Safeguarding at The Student Room said:

Students should take a moment to pause before acting on unexpected messages or requests for money. If something feels rushed or too good to be true, it probably is. We’re proud to support Stop! Think Fraud in helping students stay alert, protect their finances, and look out for one another.

National Union of Students President, Amira Campbell, said:

The Stop! Think Fraud initiative is really important. Fraudsters often target students who are living independently for the first time.

International students are also disproportionately targeted, with fraudsters taking advantage of the fact that they have moved to a new country and don’t know how all our housing and banking systems work.

We are really pleased that the government is focused on tackling this issue and is providing guidance for students to spot fraud in advance.

October 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Young people given stark warning on deadly risks of taking drugs [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 October 2025.

The government has launched a new campaign to alert young people to the dangers of ketamine, counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes.
- New campaign to alert young people to the dangers of ketamine, counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes
- Ketamine use and drug poisonings highest on record with 8 times more people seeking treatment since 2015
- Government investing £310 million into drug treatment services alongside awareness campaign
Young people are being warned that they risk irreparable bladder damage, poisoning and even death if they take ketamine, synthetic opioids or deliberately contaminated THC vapes, as part of a new anti-drugs campaign.

Launching today (16 October 2025), the campaign, which includes online films, will target 16 to 24 years olds and social media users, following a worrying rise in the number of young people being harmed by drugs. There has been an eight-fold increase in the number of people requiring treatment for ketamine since 2015.

Supported by £310 million investment in drug treatment services, this initiative directly supports the government’s Plan for Change mission to create safer streets by reducing serious harm and protecting communities from emerging drug threats.

Health Minister Ashley Dalton said:

Young people don’t always realise the decision to take drugs such as ketamine can have profound effects. It can destroy your bladder and even end your life.

We’ve seen a worrying rise in people coming to harm from ketamine as well as deliberately contaminated THC vapes and synthetic opioids hidden in fake medicines bought online.

Prevention is at the heart of this government’s approach to tackling drugs and this campaign will ensure young people have the facts they need to make informed decisions about their health and safety, so they think twice about putting themselves in danger.

As part of the campaign, experts will highlight particular risks, including the:
- potentially irreparable damage ketamine can cause to your bladder
- dangers of counterfeit medicines containing deadly synthetic opioids purchased online
- risks from so-called ‘THC vapes’ that often contain dangerous synthetic cannabinoids like spice rather than THC
Resources will be available for schools, universities and local public health teams with content available on FRANK, the drug information website.

There are growing concerns about novel synthetic opioids, particularly nitazenes, which are increasingly appearing in counterfeit medicines sold through illegitimate online sources. Users purchasing these products are typically younger and more drug-naïve.

Reports of harms from THC vapes have also increased, with many products containing synthetic cannabinoids (commonly known as ‘spice’) that have higher potency and unpredictable effects.

Katy Porter, CEO, The Loop, said:

The Loop welcomes the further investment in evidence-based approaches and support to reduce drug-related harm.

Providing accurate, non-judgemental information equips and empowers people to make safer choices and can help reduce preventable harms.

Drug poisoning deaths reached 5,448 in England and Wales in 2023, the highest number since records began in 1993. The campaign emphasises that while complete safety requires avoiding drug use altogether, those who may still use substances should be aware of the risks and know how to access help and support.

The campaign underlines that ketamine’s medical applications do not make illicit use safe, with urologists increasingly concerned about young people presenting with severe bladder problems from recreational ketamine use.

Resources will be distributed to local public health teams, drug and alcohol treatment services, youth services, schools and universities. The campaign provides clear information on accessing help and support for those experiencing drug-related problems or mental health issues.

This year the Department of Health and Social Care is also providing £310 million in additional targeted grants to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in England, including specialist services for children and young people.
October 22, 2025