Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK National Statement for the 79th World Heath Assembly [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK National Statement for the 79th World Heath Assembly [May 2026]

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

    UK National Statement for the 2026 World Heath Assembly as delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

    Thank you President, dear friends,

    At this very moment, World Health Organization staff are saving lives on the frontlines of crises, responding to public health challenges like Ebola, and are often working in the world’s most dangerous and demanding conditions.

    Whether in Ukraine, Sudan or Palestine, their work embodies what this organisation stands for: science, solidarity, and service. It also serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect everyone, and the essential civilian infrastructure that makes that care possible.

    I reiterate that the United Kingdom unequivocally condemns all attacks on civilian infrastructure.

    It is precisely because of these realities that the World Health Organization remains indispensable. At a time of profound and intersecting global challenges, its leadership, grounded in science, technical expertise, and evidence-based action has never been more important. We saw the power of that global technical expertise and collaboration in the response to the Hantavirus outbreak.

    The WHO’s role in convening countries, setting global standards, and providing impartial advice is fundamental to strong health systems worldwide, and the UK is proud to support it.

    To meet the demands of today’s crises and those ahead, the WHO must continue to uphold the highest standards of technical excellence. In that spirit, like others, we call for Taiwan to have meaningful access to all relevant technical WHO meetings and to observe the World Health Assembly, as it did from 2009 to 2016.

    The United Kingdom is committed to translating science and innovation into real-world impact, including through our 66 WHO Collaborating Centres. We also commend Member States working to agree an effective and equitable Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the Pandemic Agreement.

    We must now act with urgency on antimicrobial resistance, one of the most serious threats to global health, and on the destructive power of nicotine, where the UK is taking bold steps to create our first smoke-free generation through our Tobacco and Vapes Act.

    The United Kingdom remains steadfast in our commitment to multilateralism. Together, we can strengthen an effective global health system that delivers for those who depend on it most.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Third waste carrier convicted in Environment Agency operation [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Third waste carrier convicted in Environment Agency operation [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 19 May 2026.

    The Environment Agency has secured a third conviction in relation to a major illegal waste site in Kingsteighton, South Devon, where thousands of tonnes of waste were dumped on a floodplain.

    DTM Grab Hire Ltd has been ordered to pay £16,664 for its part in depositing the waste at the illegal site which was shut down by the Environment Agency in 2022.

    The Environment Agency has now prosecuted the landowner of the site and two waste carriers as part of the investigation.

    Plymouth Magistrates Court heard that DTM Grab Hire Ltd deposited 3,490 tonnes of soil, stones and road planings at the illegal site between 3 January 2021 and 11 September 2021. 

    Following Thursday’s hearing, the company was fined £13,653, told to pay the Environment Agency’s costs of £2,821 and a victim surcharge, after pleading guilty to the illegal deposit of controlled waste. 

    The landowner of the site in question, Christopher Garrett, was prosecuted in 2024  after repeatedly ignoring warnings from the Environment Agency. 

    Another waste carrier, David Gorton, was fined last month for his contribution to the deposit of waste on the site. 

    Thousands of tonnes of mixed construction and demolition waste was found at the premises. 

    It is estimated it would cost at least £2.5 million to remediate the site, which sits on a flood plain. 

    The deposits of waste would have significantly increased the flood risk in the area. 

    Registered waste carriers have a duty of care to ensure that they know where they are sending their waste and take steps to ensure that their waste is handled by legal sites. 

    An Environment Agency spokesperson said: 

    We have now successfully prosecuted the landowner of this illegal site, plus two waste carriers who contributed to the deposit of soil and stone. 

    Waste regulations are in place to protect people and the environment, and it is essential that all companies follow the rules. 

    We will take enforcement action against anyone who transports, disposes or stores waste illegally.

    Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    The prosecution comes as the government yesterday announced major reforms to tighten the waste carriers regime, including stricter background checks and tougher sentences for those illegally dumping waste.

    These changes are part of the government’s new Waste Crime Action Plan and the Environment Agency’s 10 Point Plan for ending waste crime.

    Background 

    DTM Grab Hire Ltd was charged with one offence: 

    Between 3 January 2021 and 11 September 2021 on Land at Little Lindridge Farm, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon you, DTM Grab Hire Ltd, deposited waste not under or to the extent authorised by an environmental permit, namely the deposit of excavation spoil consisting of soil, stones and road planings. Contrary to regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New urban village with nearly 2,000 homes another step closer for Leeds thanks to £16 million government funding boost [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New urban village with nearly 2,000 homes another step closer for Leeds thanks to £16 million government funding boost [May 2026]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 19 May 2026.

    Transformation of redundant brownfield land into a thriving urban neighbourhood by Caddick Group boosted by £16 million Homes England grant.

    Plans to turn derelict land in the heart of Leeds into a thriving new mixed-use neighbourhood with nearly 2,000 homes have taken a major step forward. 

    Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has announced it will provide a £16 million infrastructure grant to Caddick Group to help deliver Leeds South Village.

    The long-term funding will allow Caddick Group to progress vital infrastructure works at South Village including roads, utilities and significant green space. 

    The site has outline planning permission for 1,925 homes, a proportion of which will be affordable, alongside commercial and significant green spaces. It is part of the city’s South Bank, a former industrial heartland now at the centre of significant regeneration efforts and is one of the focus areas of Homes England’s Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.  

    The site will also be part of bold new plans to establish a Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ), unveiled today (19 May) by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Leader of Leeds City Council Cllr James Lewis. Subject to approval by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the MDZ would cover a broad area across Leeds city centre, acting as a powerful delivery vehicle to unlock up to 20,000 new homes, local jobs, major new public spaces, cultural destinations and commercial developments. 

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

    The government is building the homes we need and transforming neglected brownfield into thriving places where people want to live.

    Our cash injection in Leeds will not only see local families achieve the homeownership dream but it will also open the door to job opportunities, community facilities, and more green spaces. By working together, we can make a real difference in this special part of the city.

    Amy Rees CB, Homes England Chief Executive, said:

    The agency is proud to support meaningful collaboration, powered by new funds, blended interventions and even deeper regional relationships, that mean once redundant spaces can become thriving places to live, work and grow for generations to come. We are working at pace with partners across Leeds and West Yorkshire, and in places across England, to accelerate housing and regeneration delivery for people the length and breadth of the country and to help boost economic growth.

    Tom Bridges,  Homes England Executive Regional Director for the North East and Yorkshire, said: 

    Leeds South Village is an example of how collaboration with multiple partners, coupled with essential, long term support to the sector, breeds confidence and breathes renewed energy into tailoring place-based solutions and realising a clear locally-led vision. It is so important to work closely with leaders and communities who know their area best to unlock progress, find solutions and create sustainable, high-quality homes and places that work for local people.

    Lee Savage, Director at Caddick and project lead for South Village, Leeds, said: 

    The funding from Homes England marks a major milestone for South Village and Caddick’s aspirations for the Leeds’ South Bank, enabling us to move decisively into delivery. 

    The infrastructure works now getting underway are significant in both scale and complexity and will lay the foundations for the new neighbourhood, delivering essential roads, footpaths and cycleways, and unlocking the site for rapid onward development. 

    We’re proud to be working in close partnership with the Government, Homes England, Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to transform this long-derelict site into a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood for the city.

    Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council said: 

    The momentum we are seeing across the South Bank is clear. Between the ongoing works at Elland Road and now the progress here at South Village, we are transforming this area into a vibrant destination for residents and businesses alike. 

    With future milestones at sites like the Royal Armouries still to come, the scale of our ambition is becoming a reality. The progress and speed which we are making this happen is a testament to the power of partnership and the spirit of collaboration that defines our city.

    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: 

    Having a safe and secure home is a basic human right that everyone deserves, and this funding will help us support the delivery of thousands of much-needed homes for families. 

    Transforming disused land in Leeds South Village to build almost 2,000 new, high‑quality homes will help us deliver record numbers of affordable homes, create new thriving communities, as well as protect vital green spaces. 

    Devolution is working in West Yorkshire, and we remain committed to working with partners such as Homes England as we build a stronger, brighter region that works for all. 

    The Homes England grant is an example of how new funds and interventions launched earlier this year by the agency is supporting the sector, partners and local leaders at pace, with more tailored support, flexibility, longer-term funding and the ability to support delivery at scale.   

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘Appalling’ director, Ademilson Nascimento, banned for maximum 15 years after securing Covid loan for company which never traded [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘Appalling’ director, Ademilson Nascimento, banned for maximum 15 years after securing Covid loan for company which never traded [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 19 May 2026.

    South London director disqualified for Bounce Back Loan abuse.

    • Ademilson Nascimento secured £46,500 in Bounce Back Loan funds for a construction company which never traded
    • His actions were described by the judge as “bluntly appalling”, “dishonest”, and “deliberate”
    • Nascimento has been banned as a company director for 15 years, the maximum period possible

    A South London man who secured Covid support funds for a construction firm which never traded has been disqualified as a company director for the maximum period of 15 years.

    Ademilson Nascimento obtained a £46,500 Bounce Back Loan in July 2020 by falsely claiming that his Buildan Construction Ltd company had a turnover of £192,000.

    The 53-year-old also failed to use the money for the economic benefit of his business as required under the terms of the scheme, because the company never traded.

    Indeed, the company filed dormant accounts for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Nascimento, of Ridgemount Close, was disqualified as a company director for 15 years at a hearing of the High Court in London on Tuesday 28 April.

    His ban started on Tuesday 19 May.

    He was also ordered to pay costs of £5,667.

    Simon Gillett, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Ademilson Nascimento’s conduct was described by the judge as ‘bluntly appalling’ and it’s clear to see why.

    His selfish actions caused real harm to the public purse and showed utter contempt for a scheme designed to support genuine businesses during the pandemic.

    The Insolvency Service will not tolerate those who abuse their position as a company director, as this lengthy disqualification demonstrates.

    Nascimento’s disqualification runs through until May 2041 and prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Buildan Construction Ltd went into liquidation in April 2023 and was dissolved in December 2025.

    Further information

    • Ademilson Nascimento is of Ridgemount Close, London. His date of birth is 9 July 1972
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK-Kenya partnership supports listing of Kenya’s first infrastructure fund on the Nairobi Securities Exchange [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK-Kenya partnership supports listing of Kenya’s first infrastructure fund on the Nairobi Securities Exchange [May 2026]

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

    Second UK-backed listing in 2026 enables KSH 3.4 billion investment in local infrastructure, supporting jobs, services and long‑term growth.

    The UK government in partnership with Kenya’s CPF Financial Services has supported the listing of the Spearhead Africa Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). SAIF is the first infrastructure fund to list on the NSE, marking an important development for Kenya’s capital markets.

    The fund raised a total of KSH 3.4 billion. This will be invested into infrastructure projects in sectors including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, logistics and electrification, using long‑term finance using Kenyan shillings.

    The listing was marked by a bell‑ringing ceremony at a public launch at the NSE on 19 May 2026, attended by British High Commissioner to Kenya, Matt Baugh, and the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury & Economic Planning, John Mbadi, alongside representatives from across the Kenyan capital markets sector.

    Infrastructure underpins everyday life – from power and connectivity to transport and jobs. Yet until now, the lack of listed infrastructure products has limited Kenyan institutional investors’ ability to invest in these sectors.

    SAIF’s listing helps change that by allowing local investors, including pension funds, to invest in Kenyan infrastructure through the listed market and using Kenyan shillings. This reduces foreign exchange risk for borrowers and supports long term investment aligned with Kenya’s development priorities.

    The UK’s investment anchor investment was delivered though it’s MOBILIST programme.  MOBILIST provides technical assistance and catalytic investment to help bring new investment products to public markets. In Kenya, this support has helped establish infrastructure as a new asset class on the NSE.

    MOBILIST is a prime example of the UK’s new approach to international development: moving from donor to investor, and using public capital to unlock sustainable, privately led growth.

    This is the second MOBILIST‑backed listing in Kenya in 2026, following the successful listing of Africa Logistics Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (ALP REIT) in March, in which the programme was an anchor investor.

    Matt Baugh, British High Commissioner to Kenya, said:

    This latest listing is further demonstration of the UK’s partnership to secure Kenyan investment in the things that Kenyans rely on every day. Better infrastructure means better services – energy, digital, logistics and electrification, strengthening the basis for long-term growth.  All delivered in partnership. The total of KSH 3.4 billion raised from the UK’s anchor investment of KSH 1.2 billion reflects our shift from donor to investor – using funds to raise capital that delivers impact at scale. We’re going far, together.

    Ngatia Kirungie, Managing Director and CEO, Spearhead Africa Asset Management, said:

    SAIF is designed to democratize access to the infrastructure asset class for all investors and demonstrates that local currency infrastructure finance can be delivered at scale, in a structure that meets both investor expectations and project owners’ requirements. The strong participation of domestic and international institutional investors and support from our regulators underscores the credibility of SAIF’s structure and strategy and signals a broader evolution in African capital markets, where fast-growing pools of domestic capital can be channeled into productive investments that foster sustainable economic growth for all.

    By listing on the exchange, SAIF offers investors a regulated, transparent and tradable way to invest in long‑term infrastructure projects, making it easier for domestic capital to support economic growth.

    By supporting listings like SAIF and ALP REIT, the UK and Kenya are helping to strengthen Kenya’s capital markets and enable more local investment in infrastructure that supports jobs, services and long‑term prosperity.

    This approach aligns with the Kenya–UK Strategic Partnership and the UK’s wider Africa approach, which prioritises economic transformation led by African priorities.

    EDITORS’ NOTES

    • MOBILIST is a UK government programme that supports the development of capital markets in emerging economies by providing early investment to help new companies and funds list on public stock exchanges.
    • MOBILIST investments aim to mobilise private capital, support job creation and strengthen financial systems.
    • Spearhead Africa Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) is managed by Spearhead Africa Asset Management and is regulated by Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Homes England achieves highest number of completions since 2020 as new era of housing and regeneration delivery hits the ground running [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Homes England achieves highest number of completions since 2020 as new era of housing and regeneration delivery hits the ground running [May 2026]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 19 May 2026.

    Government agency surpasses number of starts, completions and land unlocked compared to previous year and exceeds two of three 2025/26 key targets.

    Homes England achieved the highest number of housing completions for six years in 2025/26 and outperformed against two of its three government set targets, preliminary figures show.

    The government’s housing and regeneration agency, working in close collaboration with thousands of regional and national stakeholders:

    • enabled the completion of more than 40,200 homes, up 9% on 2024/25 (36,900) and a 97% achievement against the latest government target (41,500).
    • facilitated the start of construction for an additional 42,400 homes, up 11% on 2024/25 (38,300), and a 114% achievement against the latest government target (37,100).
    • unlocked land capable of delivering 61,7008 further homes, a 115% achievement against the latest government target (53,700).

    The figures represent a snapshot of progress during a pivotal year of change for the agency including the launch of its new Strategic Plan to 2030, setting out new support to partners including more tailored support, flexibility, longer-term funding and the ability to support delivery at scale.  

    Delivering on the plan at pace, key agency developments in 2026 have so far included:

    • Completion of hundreds of millions of pounds investments, aiming to support the delivery of thousands of new homes across the country.
    • Launch of a new regionally focused operating model, strengthening collaboration with Mayors, local leaders and partners and ensuring tailored solutions for housing and regeneration reflect local priorities, building on 10 strategic place partnerships the agency has with combined authorities across the country.
    • Launch of the £27.2 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036 (excluding London) to accelerate the delivery of hundreds of thousands of new homes for social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership, helping to meet housing need while creating thriving, sustainable communities.
    • Launch of the National Housing Bank, a Homes England company, which will work with house builders, developers, investors and registered providers to deploy up to £16 billion of debt, equity and guarantees.
    • Launch of the agency’s wider Investment Prospectus, setting our investment principles, themes and criteria, alongside the products and interventions available to partner organisations including the National Housing Delivery Fund.

    Pat Ritchie CBE, Chair of Homes England, said:

    These figures tell the story of the positive impact of collaboration – when organisations with a common aim, from communities to town halls to central government, work together to deliver the new homes and thriving places that people want and need across the country.

    Agency colleagues are not just experts but enablers and collaborators within this context. Our new regional operating model, which is embedding at pace, deepens the tailored support we can provide to local leaders with a clear vision for their communities, and I expect 2026/27 to be a year of even stronger collaboration for the benefit of people across England.

    Amy Rees CB, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

    I am proud of what the agency and its many partners achieved in 2025/26, but our ambition is to go further and faster. Our new funds and greater autonomy, including the National Housing Bank and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, equip us to do this at pace and provide the sector – from SME builders to global investors – with flexibility and long-term confidence to invest and deliver homes and regenerated places that are desperately needed.

    The provisional performance figures are part of Homes England’s annual report, which will be published this summer.

    Notes to editors:

    • ‘Unlocked’ refers to land that is capable of delivering homes.
    • Homes England is the government’s housing and regeneration agency. We’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.  We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.  Link to learn more about Homes England.
    • Figures in the press release are rounded to the nearest 100 for ease of understanding. Exact figures are below, with the exception of starts and completions delivered in 2025/26, which will be published as official statistics at the end of June. All 2025/26 figures in this release are provisional management information and may be subject to change following further validation.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Maternity Advisor to champion safer care for mothers and babies [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Maternity Advisor to champion safer care for mothers and babies [May 2026]

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

    Michelle Welsh MP appointed as the government’s first Maternity Advisor.

    Women and families failed by maternity services will be better heard and their experiences will drive lasting improvements to care, as Michelle Welsh MP has been appointed as the government’s first Maternity Advisor.

    Welsh will work directly with families, the government, the NHS and key maternity organisations to push for better, safer care for mothers, babies and families.

    She will meet regularly with ministers to share evidence and advice, and work with families and communities to bring a wide range of voices into the heart of the government’s action to improve maternity services. There will be a special focus on those from communities that face the greatest health inequalities.

    Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray said:

    Far too many women and families have been let down by maternity services, and that must change.

    Michelle Welsh brings exactly the commitment and expertise this role demands, and I know she will be a powerful champion for the women and families.

    Today marks a significant step forward in our determination to make maternity care safer for every mother and baby in England.

    Michelle Welsh, MP and Maternity Advisor said:

    I am honoured to have been appointed as the National Maternity Advisor to the Government.

    This role is deeply personal to me. Like far too many women across this country, I know what it feels like to come through childbirth carrying both physical and emotional scars. That experience has strengthened my determination to fight for safer, more compassionate maternity care for every family.

    As National Maternity Advisor, I will work tirelessly to drive forward meaningful reform focused on safer staffing, stronger accountability, listening to women, tackling inequalities and ensuring lessons are learned when failures happen.

    This is about rebuilding trust and creating a maternity system that is not only safer, but kinder too.

    Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England, said:

    I warmly welcome Michelle Welsh to this new role of Maternity Advisor and look forward to working together to improve maternity care across the country.

    Michelle will be a fantastic advocate to ensure women’s experiences and voices are heard and help us continue to shine a light on and address the inequalities faced by mothers and babies from ethnic minorities.

    Her appointment and the work of the taskforce will be vital to our drive to ensure that all women experience the best maternity care before, during and after their pregnancy.

    Welsh brings both personal and professional experience to the role. As a harmed mother from Nottinghamshire, she has lived through the failures she is now fighting to fix.

    As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maternity, Welsh has also spoken to thousands of other women and families across the country about their experiences and has been a tireless advocate for making maternity services safer, particularly for Black, Asian and minority women who face the greatest inequalities in care.

    Welsh was also the first elected member in Nottinghamshire to call for an independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, in 2020.

    Welsh will also sit as a member on the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce – set up to drive change in response to Baroness Amos’ independent investigation into maternity and neonatal care. Welsh will work closely with the Taskforce on the response and implementation of the actions from the investigation, expected in June.

    Separately, the Taskforce has today published its Terms of Reference.

    The Taskforce has two core jobs: developing a national action plan covering the full maternity journey, from pre-pregnancy through to postnatal and bereavement support, and holding the NHS to account for delivering real improvements for women, babies and families. A key focus will be closing the stark inequalities that mean Black and Asian women are significantly more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than white women.

    Families and those with lived experience remain at the heart of the Taskforce’s work. This includes membership of the Expert Reference Groups announced today, which bring together families, clinicians, charities and academics to directly inform its decisions.

    This builds on significant action the government has already taken since July 2024, including investing £149 million in maternity and neonatal facilities, and expanding mental health services and baby loss support for families.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary warns the world cannot wait any longer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as food security crisis looms for countries already on the edge [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary warns the world cannot wait any longer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as food security crisis looms for countries already on the edge [May 2026]

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

    Foreign Secretary warns the world cannot wait any longer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as food security crisis looms for countries already on the edge.

    • the world needs fertiliser to be moving in weeks not months, damage has begun to be priced in to the agriculture market for the next year as harvests suffer and food prices rise
    • global conference brings governments, investors, international organisations, technology leaders and civil society together to agree new ways of working on shared global challenges, including directly combating the impact of the ongoing Iran conflict
    • new investment unlocked at scale to strengthen economies and build resilience, including billions mobilised by British International Investment to tackle the climate crisis

    Today at the Global Partnerships Conference, in London, Britain’s Foreign Secretary is bringing together countries from all over the world to build new partnerships and setting out the UK’s new approach to development as the crisis in the Middle East continues to wreaks havoc on global energy and food security. The World Food Programme estimates that almost 45 million more people could fall into acute food insecurity if the conflict does not end by the middle of this year.  

    This is a critical time in the agriculture calendar, not just the diplomatic one – if global partners don’t get fertiliser moving there will be shipments of critical emergency aid needed not just external investment and technology. 

    People around the world will benefit from a new era of cooperation on international development, after a broad coalition of partners pledge new ways of working to build resilience and tackle global challenges as the UK co-hosts the Global Partnerships Conference. 

    The world is changing faster than the system designed to support it. The current conflict in Iran has significantly driven up global oil and gas prices, shocks like these can stretch public finances and push more households into food insecurity, underlining the need for countries to build stronger systems, partnerships for growth, and response mechanisms to stop risks becoming crises. 

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper MP said: 

    The world is sleepwalking into a global food crisis. We cannot risk tens of millions of people going hungry because one country has hijacked an international shipping lane. Iran’s continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz while the agriculture clock is ticking shows why we need urgent global pressure to get the Strait reopened, fertiliser and fuel moving and ease the costs of living pressures. That is why we will continue to lead calls for the immediate and unrestricted opening of the Strait and advance plans for the Strait of Hormuz Multinational Mission to support any agreement. 

    This crisis is affecting developed and developing countries, the private and public sectors alike. It shows why we need a new approach to global partnerships, to drive international development to prevent crises in the first place.  

    The world has changed faster than the international system can support it. This conference reflects our modern approach to development working in a new spirit of partnership and building new coalitions to drive a world free from poverty on a liveable planet.  

    Our commitment to international development reflects our values and our national interest. In an increasingly interconnected world, instability abroad affects us here at home, from energy prices to food security. Building resilience abroad makes the UK stronger, that’s what this week’s conference is about.

    Global challenges, such as the Iran crisis, do not stop at borders and neither do their solutions. 

    That is why the UK, alongside co-hosts South Africa, British International Investment (BII) and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), has convened a  broad coalitions of partners, from governments, international organisations, business, technology philanthropy, and civil society to rethink how to combine strengths in addressing global challenges such as economic, climate and health shocks.  

    Across the week, this will include events that address the economic and human impacts of the Iran crisis directly, focused on global resilience and effects of energy and supply chain disruption, such as fertiliser supply and food security risks, and how to ramp up early action where pressures are greatest. 
     
    The Foreign Secretary will also use key moments across the conference, including a keynote speech on Tuesday, to set out the case for a more shock-resilient model of international co-operation. 

    At the centre of the Global Partnerships Conference is a shared agreement – the Global Partnerships Compact – to work together differently, faster, more openly, and in genuine partnership. It will aim to create a system of international cooperation that not only responds to shocks like the Iran crisis and its global impacts on energy, fertiliser and food prices, but also builds a system that’s resilient in the face of the crises of the future putting countries at the forefront of their own growth. 
     
    Minister for Development Baroness Chapman said: 

    We have heard what our partners have been calling for. They want to work in partnership with the UK. Countries want to have more control, move beyond aid, attract investment, strengthen their own health and education systems, and take charge of their own futures. 

    Traditional development finance alone cannot meet that call, indeed it never could. Nor can it respond to the scale of today’s challenges. We need to bring new ideas and a broader coalition of partners to the table, 

    The decisions that come out of this conference will benefit everyone: stronger economies, fewer crises, and a more stable and prosperous future that unlocks opportunity.

    The conference aims to unlock billions of pounds in innovative finance, harness technology including AI, and build new partnerships that help countries strengthen systems, manage risk earlier and become more self-sufficient in the face of future shocks.
     
    Commitments will push forward reforms and new measures with a strong focus on countries setting their own priorities and partners shifting resources and decision-making towards locally-driven plans.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Football charity trustees “let down players” after £2.5m is recovered by regulator [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Football charity trustees “let down players” after £2.5m is recovered by regulator [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Charity Commission on 19 May 2026.

    In a highly critical report published today (19 May 2026), the Charity Commission’s inquiry finds serious mismanagement at the Players Foundation (previously known as the Professional Footballers’ Association Charity, charity number: 1150458).

    This included £1.9 million which was transferred from the charity’s bank account to a trade union, The Professional Footballers’ Association, without adequate explanation or governance.  

    Additionally, the charity allowed the union to occupy its properties rent free, some for over a decade, resulting in significant financial loss to the charity. 

    Both the £1.9 million, plus interest, and the outstanding rent plus interest (£627,000) were subsequently repaid to the charity during the inquiry once the Commission had raised concerns. 

    The Chief Executive and Director of Finance at the connected union were also trustees of the charity. The Commission’s intervention ensured that their remuneration was transparently disclosed in the charity’s accounts as related party transactions, which was not previously the case. 

    As a result of these and other findings relating to the charity’s relationship with the trade union, the regulator issued an Official Warning to the charity on 7 September 2022 for mismanagement that had taken place from its incorporation in 2013 to the beginning of 2019.

    It also disqualified a trustee, Darren Wilson, from being a trustee or holding a position in a charity with a senior management function for four years. 

    The charity and the union are now more clearly separate. 

    Background 

    The charity, which was formerly known as The Professional Footballers’ Association Charity, supports current and former professional footballers. 

    In November 2018, the Commission opened a regulatory compliance case to explore concerns about the charity’s relationship with a connected trade union, The Professional Footballers’ Association, its management of conflicts of interest and the trustees’ ability to act in the charity’s best interests.  

    Funding a trade union is not considered a charitable purpose in law. 

    Following extensive engagement with the charity, the Commission’s serious concerns led to the opening of a statutory inquiry in December 2019.  

    Key findings  

    The inquiry uncovered a pattern of poor oversight and financial mismanagement that put charitable funds at risk over several years. It found that:  

    • Through a longstanding but informal arrangement, the charity paid approximately 80% of the trade union’s annual operating costs – around £6 million annually, including £5 million on union staff salaries. In return, the union provided coaching and training to further the charity’s aims. This arrangement operated for years without any contractual agreement, proper review, or value-for-money assessment until the Commission raised concerns in April 2019.
    • £1.9 million of funds the Football Association deposited in the charity’s bank account was transferred from the charity to the union in two separate transactions, without a clear explanation for the action. In the report, the Commission is highly critical of trustees’ failure to spot the huge reduction in funds during their reviews. The funds plus interest were only returned after the Commission raised concerns. Subsequently, an alternative explanation was provided by trustees, who suggested that the funds belonged to the union but were held by the charity pending confirmation of their donation to the charity by the union. The inquiry found that the changing explanation provided regarding the £1.9 million demonstrated poor financial management and controls at the charity.
    • The charity owned several properties in Manchester and London and allowed the union and its trading subsidiary to occupy these rent-free for several years. When interest was included, this cost the charity over £627,000 in unpaid rent, which was subsequently repaid after the Charity Commission’s intervention.
    • Multiple trustees held positions within both the charity and the trade union – two trustees held senior union salaried positions, whilst three others sat on the union’s Business Advisory Committee, which set salaries for union staff. This created inherent conflicts of interest, particularly as the charity funded union salaries to the sum of £5 million annually.
    • The charity also failed to properly disclose related party transactions in its published accounts, reducing transparency for the public and regulators. Whilst trustees placed reliance on professional advisors, they failed to fulfil their fundamental duty to actively oversee and review the charity’s operations and relationships.

    Regulatory action 

    As a result of the inquiry’s findings, the Commission has taken the following action:  

    • One trustee, Darren Wilson, has been disqualified from being a trustee or holding a senior management position in any charity for four years after the Commission found him responsible for misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity. At the time of his trusteeship, he was also Director of Finance of the union. The inquiry found he had a greater culpability than the other trustees, due to his role as a qualified director of finance. The Commission took action to suspend Mr Wilson as a trustee until any disqualification took effect. Mr Wilson appealed against his suspension and disqualification, resulting in hearings over the course of several years, with the appeal. ultimately withdrawn in January 2025. The period of disqualification is ongoing and will end on 14 August 2027.
    • The Commission issued an Official Warning in September 2022 to the charity for mismanagement during the period from when it was incorporated in 2013 to the beginning of 2019.
    • Remedial actions have now been implemented at the charity, including proper separation from the union, appointment of new trustees, and establishment of a distinct identity for the charity. It has also adopted a new funding model, after the Football Association and Premier League stopped funding of the charity upon its separation from the union.

    Angela Ascroft, Critical Case Lead at the Charity Commission said: 

    In this case, the lines between the charity and Professional Footballers’ Association union were blurred beyond distinction, resulting in the multiple instances of conflict of interest and mismanagement at the charity.

    Charity trustees have a duty to act in the best interests of their charity, but trustees at the Players Foundation fell dismally short of this expectation and, as a result, let down the players they were supposed to be helping. 

    The Charity Commission’s extensive regulatory involvement led to the disqualification of trustee Darren Wilson. Since then, the Players Foundation is more separated from the union and can now focus on helping those it was set up to serve.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 May 2026.

    Tens of thousands of disabled people needing support to move into or stay in work will have their claims processed quicker, thanks to action taken by the Department for Work and Pensions.

    • Nearly 500 additional staff to be recruited to clear inherited backlog in the Access to Work scheme.
    • Comes as payment delays already eliminated and 96 percent of urgent cases cleared within 28 days.
    • Action taken will allow thousands more disabled people and people with health conditions to start or remain in work.

    Tens of thousands of disabled people needing support to move into or stay in work will have their claims processed quicker, thanks to action taken by the Department for Work and Pensions. 

    The Access to Work scheme can help fund specialist equipment, support workers including BSL interpreters, and the costs of travelling to work for people with health conditions and disabilities.  

    Demand for the scheme has surged in recent years, with the number of claims more than doubling since 2018/19. This, coupled with the backlog inherited from the previous Government – of 48,270 applications awaiting a decision at the end of June 2024 – means around 60,000 applicants are awaiting a decision. 

    As part of its efforts to move from a welfare state to a working state, the DWP is taking action to address the backlog by recruiting nearly 500 new members of staff to speed up processing times and help people get the support they need quicker. 

    The change is part of a range of measures to break down barriers for sick or disabled people left behind by the previous Government. 

    This includes:  

    • Investing £3.5 billion into employment support of sick or disabled people by the end of the decade.
    • Connect to Work which delivers tailored, personalised, local support that will help 300,000 people into work by the end of this parliament.
    • The national expansion of WorkWell backed by £259mn, helping up to 250,000 people with health conditions to stay in or return to work.
    • Allowing sick or disabled people to try work without the immediate fear of reassessment through the Right to Try. 
    • The redeployment of 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers who’ve already helped tens of thousands of people the previous Government wrote off.

    Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said: 

    Access to Work is a lifeline for disabled people and those with health conditions, helping them to start and stay in work, but when I came to the DWP it was clear there was a major issue with people waiting for a decision. 

    That’s why I’m taking action to clear the backlog, because we know that the right support can change lives.  

    This is part of our wider commitment to move from a welfare state to a working state, building an economy that works for everyone.

    The recruitment drive will see 480 new case managers and caseworkers employed to help fix the inherited backlog by September 2027 – representing a 72 percent increase to the 658 people working on the scheme.  

    New case managers will receive extensive training to handle complex applications, ensuring disabled people receive timely support to secure and sustain employment. Alongside recruitment, the government is already prioritising cases where applicants are due to start work within four weeks. 

    Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability charity Mencap:  

    We welcome the government taking action to clear the Access to Work backlog. Payment delays are putting enormous pressure on disabled people who rely on this vital support to get into and stay in work, as well as charities like Mencap who employ and support them.  

    People with a learning disability can be fantastic employees, but many will need the right support to thrive in the workplace. Access to Work is one of the best ways to support disabled people in work, for example funding dedicated job coaches who help people with a learning disability to develop their skills in the workplace, build confidence, and sustain paid employment.   

    This recruitment drive is a positive step in tackling the systematic delays and bogged down administration that has threatened this vital programme. If Access to Work runs as intended, it will help reduce the disability employment gap and get more people with a learning disability into paid work. We look forward to seeing this announcement translate into real, lasting improvement.

    Laura Davis, CEO at BASE said:

    Access to Work remains a lifeline for disabled people, enabling access to good careers and providing the practical support that helps individuals not just enter work, but flourish within it. It is wonderful to see the government joining the dots to create an environment where more disabled people can access good careers. 

    At the same time, the current backlog is creating significant pressure across the system. For many providers, delays in decisions and payments are impacting their confidence to sustain and grow provision, with some concerned about their ability to continue offering support at all. This has implications not only for individuals, but for employers who are >ready to recruit and retain disabled talent.

    We welcome the steps being taken to increase capacity and prioritise urgent cases. Addressing the backlog at pace, and ensuring timely payments to individuals, providers and employers, will be critical in restoring confidence and stability. This will enable the sector to focus fully on delivery, supporting more disabled people into sustainable employment and contributing to the wider ambition of building an economy that works for everyone.

    Harriet Oppenheimer, Chief Executive of RNID, said: 

    We are pleased to see the Government have acknowledged the scale and impact that Access to Work delays are having on disabled people and are investing in clearing the scheme’s backlog. 

    Being able to access the tools and support needed to work is essential. For many people who are deaf, especially British Sign Language (BSL) users who rely on interpretation, the Access to Work scheme is vital to get the communication support they need to be able to do their jobs effectively. RNID’s research shows that Access to Work delays have forced people to change how they work or reduce their hours, while some people have been forced to cover the costs out of their own pocket.  

    An effective Access to Work scheme is crucial to ensure deaf people have equal access to the workplace. We hope this announcement will help to ensure this vital scheme genuinely works for those who need it by reducing the waiting times people >are experiencing through Access to Work.

    Today’s announcement builds on action already taken by the Government. Staff numbers have increased by around 30 percent since March 2024, payment delays have been eliminated, and 96 percent of urgent start-date cases are now decided within 28 days. 

    It comes alongside wider work on Keep Britain Working where Government is partnering with Employers and stakeholders to develop practices and approaches to better support disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace. 

    Wider reforms to ensure Access to Work remains fair and sustainable are also being considered, with evidence gathered from disabled people, employers, and representative organisations to shape future changes. 

    Further information: 

    • Access to Work provides practical and financial support to disabled people and those with health conditions to help them start or stay in work. Further information is available at gov.uk.