Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Government seeks views to modernise laws on powered mobility devices [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 January 2026.

Have your say on how laws around powered mobility devices could reflect modern technology and improve safety by 31 March 2026.
- 40-year-old laws on powered mobility devices to be brought up to date to better support those who use electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters
- consultation seeks to review size, speed and usage rules to better reflect modern technology and improve safety
- this forms part of the government’s wider mission to break down barriers to opportunity and make transport more inclusive and accessible for all
Laws around powered mobility devices, including electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, could be modernised, as the Department for Transport launches a 12-week consultation today (6 January 2026).

The government is inviting users, accessibility organisations, industry and the public to share views on how outdated rules should evolve to reflect modern technology and improve safety.

Current legislation, which dates back nearly 40 years, does not reflect the technological advances that have transformed these devices. For example, some modern wheelchairs used by adults and children exceed the current maximum legal weight limit, meaning they can only legally be used on private land.

The consultation seeks views on how regulations should evolve to better support people who rely on powered mobility devices, while ensuring safety for everyone who uses our roads and pavements.

Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Roads and Buses, said:

Powered mobility devices give people independence and freedom and the law should enable their safe use.

This consultation is a chance for users and organisations to help us modernise these outdated rules and ensure they meet today’s needs.

Throughout this consultation, powered mobility device users, accessibility organisations, industry and other members of the public will be able to make their views heard on a variety of areas critical for updating these laws. These include:
- updating terminology in law, replacing outdated terms such as ‘invalid carriages’ with language that reflects modern attitudes and respect for users
- clarifying where powered mobility devices can be used – on roads, pavements, or other spaces
- reviewing size, speed, and age requirements for larger devices
- considering whether 2-person tandem devices should be permitted on UK pavements and roads
- exploring whether other devices, such as powered transporters, should be allowed on public roads or pavements when used by disabled people or those with reduced mobility
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said:

We are determined to break down barriers to opportunity for disabled people and improving access to assistive technology, as well as making sure that the laws around its use are up to date, is essential to this.

I encourage disabled people to respond to the Department for Transport’s consultation so their views and voices are used to shape this policy.

Isabelle Clement, Director of Wheels for Wellbeing, said:

We are delighted to see the Department for Transport consulting on modernising laws on ‘powered mobility devices’. Over 10 million people in the UK have mobility-related impairments and existing laws create confusion, restrict market innovation and limit disabled people’s freedom to travel.

New high-quality regulations that meet disabled people’s needs will enable millions more disabled people to legally use a growing range of existing and innovative safe, convenient, cost-effective, low-carbon mobility devices to move around our communities.

This has the potential to improve the independence, physical and mental health, employment, educational and social options of disabled individuals and our families across the UK.

Nick Goldup, CEO, Wheelchair Alliance CIC, said:

The Wheelchair Alliance wholeheartedly welcomes this government review of powered wheelchair legislation. For too long, wheelchair users have been sidelined by outdated legislation and offensive terminology. Many individuals using wheelchairs over 150kg have been left feeling anxious and worried about breaking the law.

Having worked closely with Simon Lightwood MP for over a year, we are beyond proud that our campaigning has secured this commitment to change. We will continue to amplify the voices of our community to ensure this review delivers a fairer, more inclusive future for all.

The powered mobility devices consultation will run for 12 weeks and will close on 31 March 2026. A government response will be published soon after.
January 6, 2026
NEWS STORY : Government extends Plug-in Truck Grant with £18m boost, offering up to £120,000 off electric lorries

STORY

Hauliers and fleet operators will be able to claim discounts of up to £120,000 on new electric lorries after the government announced an extra £18 million to extend the Plug-in Truck Grant until March 2026. The Department for Transport said the move is designed to cut the higher upfront cost of going electric and help firms benefit from lower day-to-day running costs compared with diesel vehicles.

Ministers said the funding sits within a wider £318 million green freight investment package aimed at reducing emissions while supporting growth and jobs. Under the updated grant levels, smaller trucks (4.25t to 12t) can receive up to £20,000, mid-sized trucks (12t to 18t) up to £60,000, larger trucks (18t to 26t) up to £80,000 and the biggest lorries (26t and over) up to £120,000.

Alongside the grant extension, the government said it will launch a consultation on a regulatory roadmap to phase out the sale of new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040, which it said is intended to give industry more certainty to plan investments.

January 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Boost for British business as government slashes cost of electric lorries by up to £120,000 [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 January 2026.

We’re making electric lorries more affordable to help hauliers make the switch, while boosting growth and investment in the sector.
- £18 million to slash up to £120,000 off the cost of green lorries, making it cheaper for businesses to go electric
- part of £318 million green freight investment to cut costs for industry and reduce emissions, delivering on the government’s promise to boost growth and support jobs
- government launches consultation on roadmap to phase out sales of new non-zero emission HGVs, giving industry certainty to plan for zero emission by 2040
Hauliers and fleet operators will access discounts of up to £120,000 on new electric trucks thanks to an additional £18 million announced by the government today (6 January 2026) to increase the Plug-in Truck Grant until March 2026.

The move is part of a £318 million plan for green freight, which is backing British businesses by slashing upfront costs on new lorries and helping businesses to access the lower running costs. This is all part of the government’s plan to reduce emissions while cutting costs, sparking growth and creating jobs as the sector moves to the technology of the future.

See the list of electric and hybrid vehicles eligible for a plug-in grant for more information.

Similar to the government’s Electric Car Grant, which has saved over 45,000 drivers up to £3,750 when making the switch, the Plug-in-Truck Grant enables lorry operators to access savings of up to £120,000 when buying a new electric truck.

New grant levels mean:
- smaller trucks (4.25t to 12t) could save up to £20,000
- mid-sized trucks (12t to 18t) up to £60,000
- larger trucks (18t to 26t) up to £80,000
- and the largest lorries (26t and over) up to £120,000
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said:

We’re backing British businesses to go green by making electric lorries more affordable, helping hauliers to make the switch whilst turbocharging growth, investment and jobs in the sector.

Our proposals will provide the certainty the industry has been calling for so that Britain becomes the best place for green investment.

The funding is set to increase zero emission truck sales to support delivery of the UK’s climate obligations and comes as the government has already invested over £120 million as part of the zero emission heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and infrastructure demonstrator (ZEHID) programme to roll out more zero emission lorries on UK roads.

Backed by this fund, companies like Amazon and Marks & Spencer have already rolled out more electric delivery trucks on UK roads, with ZEHID rolling out nearly 300 zero emission HGVs by March 2026.

Day-to-day running costs can already be lower for electric lorries compared to their diesel counterparts, but upfront vehicle costs are typically higher. The increase to the Plug-in Truck Grant will help businesses access those daily savings, cutting costs for businesses as well as emissions.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon UK:

Amazon welcomes the government’s continued commitment to supporting the electrification of commercial fleets. The UK will be home to the largest number of electric heavy goods trucks in Amazon’s global transportation network and the first of our record-breaking order of eHGVs are already on the road.

We’re investing to help the UK decarbonise and meet our goal of being net zero carbon by 2040. We look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure the growth of more sustainable logistics.

Alongside increased funding, the government will also launch a consultation on the regulatory roadmap to phase out sales of new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040, giving industry the certainty it needs to invest and plan for the future.

By consulting closely with industry, the government will ensure the road to net zero is one that works for businesses and supports jobs, growth and increased investment.
January 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New cyber action plan to tackle threats and strengthen public services [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 6 January 2026.

New measures will be introduced to make online public services more secure and resilient, so people can use them with confidence – whether applying for benefits, paying taxes or accessing healthcare.
- £210 million plan to strengthen cyber resilience across government
- Government Cyber Unit to coordinate risk management and incident response across departments
- Leading firms with strong track record of cyber security to drive best practice through new Software Security Ambassador Scheme
New measures will be introduced to make online public services more secure and resilient, so people can use them with confidence – whether applying for benefits, paying taxes or accessing healthcare.

Backed by over £210 million, the Government Cyber Action Plan published today (Tuesday 6 January) sets out how government will rise to meet the growing range of online threats. Driven by a new Government Cyber Unit, the plan will rapidly improve cyber defences and digital resilience across government departments and the wider public sector, so people can trust that their data and services are protected.

It underpins UK government plans to digitise public services. This will make more services accessible online, reduce time spent on phone queues and paperwork, and enable citizens to access support without repeating information across multiple departments. This approach could unlock up to £45 billion (note) in productivity savings by using technology effectively across the public sector.

However, realising these benefits depends on trust. As services move online, they must be secure and resilient. Cyber attacks can take vital public services offline in minutes, disrupting lives and undermining confidence. The new plan addresses this challenge head-on.

Released as the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Commons, the Bill sets out clear expectations for firms providing services to government to boost their cyber resilience. From energy and water suppliers to healthcare and data centres, strong defences throughout supply chains will help keep the water running and the lights burning – facing down the cyber attackers who want to grind our country to a halt.

The plan will lead to:
- clearer visibility of risks: shining a light on cyber and digital resilience risks across government, so we can focus efforts where it matters most
- stronger central action on the toughest challenges: taking decisive, joined-up action across departments on severe and complex risks that no single organisation can solve alone with a dedicated team overseeing coordination
- faster response to threats and incidents: reacting quickly to fast-moving cyber threats and vulnerabilities to minimise harm and speed up recovery by requiring departments to have robust incident response arrangements in place
- higher resilience across government: boosting resilience at scale, with targeted measures to close major gaps and protect critical services
Digital Government Minister Ian Murray said:

Cyber-attacks can take vital public services offline in minutes – disrupting our digital services and our very way of life.

This plan sets a new bar to bolster the defences of our public sector, putting cyber-criminals on warning that we are going further and faster to protect the UK’s businesses and public services alike.

This is how we keep people safe, services running, and build a government the public can trust in the digital age.

Today’s plan is also bolstered by further steps to take the UK’s cyber defences further and faster.

A new Software Security Ambassador Scheme will now help drive adoption of the Software Security Code of Practice – a voluntary project designed to reduce software supply chain attacks and disruption.

Software underpins the economy as a core component of all technologies that businesses rely on. Yet weaknesses in software can cause severe disruption to supply chains and the essential services the public use every day with more than half (59%) (note) of organisations experiencing software supply chain attacks in the past year.

These issues can be addressed by embedding basic software security practices across the software market. Among others, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Sage, Santander and NCC Group will come on board as the scheme’s ambassadors, championing the Code across sectors, showcasing practical implementation, and providing feedback to inform future policy improvements.

Cyber risk to the public sector remains high. The plan responds with £210 million to spark a step change in public sector cyber defences, holding organisations to account for fixing vulnerabilities. This includes setting clear minimum standards and investing in more hands-on support to minimise the impact when incidents do occur.

Cyber resilience is central to the government’s mission of national renewal. Secure, reliable digital public services help protect citizens, support growth, and deliver better value for taxpayers, while maintaining trust in the services communities rely on every day.

Thomas Harvey, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Santander UK said:

We are pleased to be an ambassador for the UK government’s Software Security Code of Practice and it reflects our broader commitment to collective resilience. By advocating for these standards we’re not just protecting Santander and our customers, we are helping to build a more secure digital economy for everyone.
January 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 January 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre today, ahead of the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.

Tomorrow’s meeting would offer further opportunity to integrate US and Coalition of the Willing planning for the cessation of hostilities, the Prime Minister said.

It was vital all parties sustained the momentum towards a just and lasting peace, the leaders agreed.

The leaders also discussed maritime security in the High North, building on the UK and Norway’s already close cooperation.

They looked forward to speaking again in Paris.

January 5, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : World Cup Public Holiday in Scotland [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 5 January 2026.

First Minister John Swinney will propose Monday 15 June 2026 is designated a national bank holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations in Scotland to celebrate after the men’s team play their opening game against Haiti in Boston.

The First Minister said:

“Scotland qualifying for the men’s World Cup was a remarkable achievement and a landmark moment, and the reaction to the dramatic win against Denmark reminded us all what football means to the country.

“This year, we want to make the most of this huge opportunity for Scotland and ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to celebrate the team’s success.

“Not only is this an historic sporting event, it’s also a chance for Scotland to be on the world stage, to attract business development, create tourism interest within the country and to make cultural and sporting connections.

“That is why I am taking steps to ensure the Monday after our opening game should be national bank holiday, so that – no matter the outcome of the match – we can all come together to share the occasion.”

Background

Bank holidays are set under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. The relevant powers were devolved by the Scotland Act 1998.

A day can be appointed as a bank holiday in Scotland by Royal Proclamation. The First Minister advises the Privy Council on proclamations for Scotland that are then designated by Royal Proclamation by His Majesty the King.

January 5, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom wants to see a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 January 2026.

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

The Venezuelan people have suffered for years.

This Council now meets at a pivotal moment for Venezuela’s future.

Maduro’s actions created extreme levels of poverty, violent repression, and failing basic services.

His regime’s rule precipitated a displacement crisis affecting the whole region.

The United Kingdom has long been clear that Maduro’s claim to power was fraudulent.

To date, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council has failed to publish the full results of the July 2024 Presidential elections.

Independent domestic and international reports also observed significant irregularities and a lack of transparency.

President, the United Kingdom wants to see a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.

They deserve a government which reflects their vote at the ballot box, and delivers a more stable, prosperous future for all Venezuelans.

Finally, President, the United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

These foundations are essential for maintaining global peace, security, and the rule of law.

January 5, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : 5.65 million still to file as the Self Assessment deadline looms [January 2026]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 5 January 2026.

Millions of taxpayers have less than one month to file their Self Assessment tax return.
- 5.65 million people still need to file their Self Assessment tax return
- thousands of people celebrated the New Year by filing their Self Assessment tax return
- 6.36 million people head into 2026 with their tax affairs in order
Thousands of people got a head start on their 2026 resolutions by filing their Self Assessment tax return over the New Year.

With less than a month to the 31 January deadline, 54,053 customers chose to ring in the New Year by filing their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The figures, show:
- 342 customers beat the bells by filing their tax return in the last hour of 2025
- 19,789 missed their traditional New Year’s Day walk or day in front of the TV to file their tax return instead
- 3,927 people filed between 11am and 11:59am on 31 December – the most popular time to file over the 2 days
More than 6.36 million taxpayers have submitted their tax return so far, which leaves almost 5.65 million who still need to complete their Self Assessment. Those who miss the deadline could face an initial late filing penalty of £100.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:

New Year is a great time to start afresh. What better way than to ensure your tax affairs are in order for another year than completing your tax return. If you have yet to start, the clock is ticking, go to GOV.UK and start today.

A wide range of online help and support is available on GOV.UK to help people fill in and file their tax return.

Customers can start their tax return, save it and re-visit it as many times as they need to before they submit it. And, once they’ve sent it, the bill doesn’t have to be paid straight away, but does need to be paid before the 31 January deadline.

The easiest way to pay is through the HMRC app. Customers can also set up notifications in the app to ensure they know when payments are due so they don’t miss a deadline.

Information about different payment options can be found on GOV.UK.

Customers who are unable to meet the tax return deadline need to tell us before the 31 January. HMRC will treat those with reasonable excuses fairly.

The penalties for late tax returns are:
- an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
- after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
- after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
- after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
There are also additional penalties for late payments of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed, in addition to the penalties above.

People who complete a Self Assessment tax return to pay the High Interest Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) can opt out and choose to pay it through their tax code via the new PAYE digital service.

Eligible customers need to notify HMRC to stop Self Assessment before the filing deadline. Where a tax return has already been sent, customers can choose to stop from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code and they will be registered to pay HICBC through PAYE.

Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

Self Assessment customers are at increased risk of being targeted by criminals and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.

Further Information

See more information about Self Assessment.

New Year filing figures include:
- 34,264 customers filed on New Year’s Eve, the most popular time being 11:00 to 11:59 when 3,927 filed their tax return
- 19,789 customers filed on New Year’s Day, the most popular time being 16:00 to 16:59 when 1,994 filed their tax return
More than 12 million people are expected to file a Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year.

Sole traders and landlords with a turnover above £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2026 and be required to submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC. HMRC is urging eligible customers to act now and sign up to Making Tax Digital as this is the best way to get ahead, giving you extra time to select software and familiarise yourself with the new service. Agents can also register their clients via GOV.UK.

People who have sold assets such as shares after 30 October 2024 need to be aware of changed rates of Capital Gains Tax for the disposal of assets when completing their Self Assessment tax return as it won’t automatically calculate the correct amount of Capital Gains Tax due. Instead, they may need to work out an adjustment to the tax automatically calculated using the adjustment calculator on GOV.UK.
January 5, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Landmark junk food ad ban to protect kid’s health [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 5 January 2026.

Children will be protected from exposure to junk food ads under new regulations, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.
- Government delivers on pledge to restrict junk food advertising and help parents raise healthiest generation of children ever
- New regulations will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children’s diets each year as part of drive to reduce childhood obesity
- Children will be protected from excessive exposure to unhealthy food adverts on television and online.
Kids will be protected from exposure to junk food advertising on TV and online as new regulations come into force to help tackle childhood obesity.

From today, adverts for less healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9pm, and online at all times.

This decisive and world-leading action by this government is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around £2 billion in health benefits over time.

Evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses. The ban targets the media children and young people use most at the times they use it.

At the start of primary school, 22.1% of children in England are living with overweight or obesity and this rises to 35.8% by the time they leave. Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children (typically ages 5-9) in the UK.

Minister for Health, Ashley Dalton said:

We promised to do everything we can to give every child the best and healthiest start in life.

By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children.

We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it.

This government has worked closely with health campaigners and industry leaders to find the right balance which combines our commitment to raising healthy kids and economic growth. It’s in everyone’s interest that parents and children can make healthy choices and we thank food and drink companies for getting behind these restrictions voluntary since October ahead of them taking legal effect today.

Previous interventions, such as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy resulted in businesses reformulating to make products healthier, and the measures coming into effect today have already had a similar impact, driving the development and promotion of healthier options.

This change is part of a range of measures the government is taking to lift children out of poverty and help give them the best start in life.

To tackle obesity and improve diets, this government has introduced the Healthy Food Standard to make the average shopping basket of goods healthier, and we’re giving local authorities the power to stop fast food shops setting up outside schools.

Katharine Jenner, Executive Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said:

It’s been one battle after another, but we are finally going to see children being protected from the worst offending junk food adverts. This is a welcome and long-awaited step towards better protecting children from unhealthy food and drink advertising that can harm their health and wellbeing. These new restrictions will help reduce children’s exposure to the most problematic adverts and mark real progress towards a healthier food environment.

For the government to achieve its ambition of raising the healthiest generation ever, this is an important policy as part of a broader approach to preventing obesity-related ill health. Continuing to strengthen the rules over time will help ensure these protections remain effective.

Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said:

With type 2 diabetes on the rise in young people, the need to improve children’s health in the UK has never been greater. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people – leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease.

The long-awaited move to restrict junk food advertising – along with other measures such as mandatory healthy food sales reporting for businesses and the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy – can help protect the health of our children, creating a future where conditions like type 2 diabetes can be prevented in young people.

The Soft Drink Industry Levy will be extended to cover more products, including sugary milk-based drinks – and we’re helping to further improve kids’ diets by banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.

In December, the Prime Minister announced parents could save up to £500 a year on baby formula thanks to new government measures aimed at reducing household costs and easing the cost of living for hard-working families.

This government has also introduced supervised toothbrushing for three to five-year-olds to protect those in the most deprived communities from tooth decay.

Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, meanwhile, will break the cycle of addiction and stop the next generation getting hooked on nicotine. It will also halt the advertising and sponsorship of vapes, limiting their packaging, flavours and displays which lure young people in.

These measures combined with the junk food ban mark the 10 Year Health Plan’s shift towards prevention and significant progress towards the government’s our pledge of raising the healthiest generation of children ever.

Farid (17), Bite Back Activist, said:

Today is a milestone moment – one that young people across the UK have been campaigning for over many years. We welcome the government taking action to put children’s health front and centre, to protect young people from the predatory and manipulative marketing of unhealthy food by junk food giants.

These new rules are an important first step that begins to rip down the wallpaper of junk food advertising that surrounds young people on TV and online every day. We’re proud to see this change finally happen. But this cannot be the end. Young people are energised to keep pushing, working hard to make 2026 the year we fully transform the environments children grow up in.

Malcolm Clark, Senior Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK, said:

The world around us heavily influences what we eat and drink, which is why Cancer Research UK has long campaigned for restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to children.

Measures announced today – if properly enforced – are a crucial step towards creating an environment that protects children and empowers healthy lifestyle changes.

Obesity and overweight causes at least 13 different types of cancer, and children living with obesity are much more likely to live with obesity as adults too. The UK Government must build on this landmark legislation with further bold action to make a healthy diet more accessible and reduce people’s risk of cancer in the future.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said:

This is a positive step towards creating healthier environments for children and tackling childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges we face, driving health inequalities and placing a significant cost burden on the NHS and wider society. These measures are an important part of a whole systems approach, alongside local action to improve access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.

We are pleased to see that these measures complement other public health initiatives, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which together signal a strong commitment to prevention and improving health outcomes.

Alice Wiseman MBE, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said:

The vast majority of deaths in this country are caused by preventable illnesses and disease, including many cancers, respiratory, heart and liver disease. These illnesses are often linked to the consumption of harmful products like unhealthy food and drink, but this is not the result of personal choice.

The reality is that what we eat and drink is heavily influenced by cheap prices and clever marketing campaigns backed by multi-million pound budgets. We simply don’t have the freedom to choose.

There is no quick fix, but we know from our experience of tackling tobacco harm, that one of the key ways to reduce illness and death caused by harmful products is to introduce tighter restrictions on advertising those products.

There is of course further to go, but today’s legislation is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting people from industry influence and reducing the number of people living with – and dying from – preventable illness and disease.
January 5, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Strikes on Daesh [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 January 2026.

Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France.

Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to conduct patrols over Syria to help prevent any attempted resurgence of the Daesh terrorist movement following its military defeat at Baghuz Fawqani in March 2019. Careful intelligence analysis identified an underground facility, in the mountains some miles north of the ancient site of Palmyra. This facility had been occupied by Daesh, most likely to store weapons and explosives. The area around the facility is devoid of any civilian habitation.

RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, therefore joined French aircraft in a joint strike on the underground facility on the evening of Saturday 3 January. Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now underway, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully. There is no indication of any risk having been posed to civilians by the strike, and all our aircraft returned safely.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East.

I want to thank all the members of our Armed Forces involved in this operation – for their professionalism and their courage.

They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our Armed Forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

January 3, 2026