Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : We welcome the continued commitment of this Council to the Hodeidah and Stockholm Agreements – UK Explanation of Vote at the UN Security Council [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2026.

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UNMHA.

We welcome the Council’s extension of UNMHA’s mandate for a final two-month period until 31 March 2026.

We look forward to the UN’s orderly and sustainable transition of UNMHA’s responsibilities and residual functions to the Office of the Special Envoy and we welcome the continued commitment of this Council to the Hodeidah and Stockholm Agreements.

I want to thank those UNMHA officials who have worked tirelessly as since 2019, especially in the face of continued Houthi restrictions which inhibited the Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate.

The safety of UN personnel across Yemen remains of the upmost importance.

Once again, the UK condemns arbitrary detentions by the Houthis, and we reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.

The UK remains steadfast in our support for the Special Envoy in fostering an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices.

January 31, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Farming rules shake-up to cut pollution and support farmers [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2026.

Streamlined agriculture rules to cut duplication and make it easier for farmers to drive down water pollution.

New, clearer rules proposed today (Tuesday 27 January) will help to improve water quality, reduce pollution in our rivers and give farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably.

41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, and they will get stronger protection under new proposals to increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading.

A consultation launched today proposes tighter controls on spreading sewage sludge on farmland, including options to bring it under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to better protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants.

At the same time, existing agricultural water rules will be simplified, cutting unnecessary duplication and complexity and making it easier for farmers to understand and follow the rules.

The measures form an important part of delivering the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, reducing ammonia emissions from farming, and the Water White Paper – a major overhaul of how England’s water system is regulated and managed.

Water Minister Emma Hardy and Farming Minister Angela Eagle set out the plans at a roundtable with key farming, water and environmental stakeholders today as part of the government’s plan to transform Britain’s water system.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

By setting clearer guidelines and providing better support, we’re making it simpler for farmers to meet standards, farm sustainably and protect our environment.

Jennie Donovan, Environment Agency Director, Nature and Place, said:

We support government’s plans to strengthen the regulation of sludge use, with our preferred option being to move it into Environmental Permitting Regulations. Our aim is to ensure that sewage sludge can be recycled to agricultural land in a safe and sustainable way.

These proposed changes will reduce risks to human health and tighten environmental protections. We will continue to work closely with the water industry, farmers and partner organisations to support this regulatory reform.

The Government’s approach to working with the farming sector on water pollution is focused on advice and partnership. Already funding to double the number of advice-led inspections has been introduced, enabling at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029.

This simplified, clearer regulatory approach will sit alongside support through Environmental Land Management schemes, the Catchment Sensitive Farming advice programme and targeted infrastructure grants, helping farm businesses reduce pollution, protect water and strengthen their long‑term resilience.

The changes build on last summer’s ministerial roundtable, where the government established the Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme, working with farming and environmental stakeholders to drive reform of agricultural water regulations.

January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 January 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson this afternoon.

The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Kristersson for Sweden’s strong and consistent support for Ukraine and highlighted the need to collectively go further to support their resilience, energy security, and air defence.

They underlined the importance of ensuring Ukraine has the long‑term security assurances and continued international support it needs to secure a just and lasting peace.

The leaders then reflected on the strength of the wider UK-Sweden defence relationship. They agreed on the need to step up security in the High North and across Europe to deter threats posed by adversaries such as Russia.

They agreed to speak again soon.

January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prisoners turn new page with launch of Reading Laureate [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 January 2026.
- Author Lee Child announced as first ever Prison Reading Laureate
- Role will boost prisoner’ literacy skills to help reduce reoffending
- Initiative part of National Year of Reading 2026, part of Plan for Change
Prisoners are being given the chance to start a new chapter away from crime with the launch of the first ever Prison Reading Laureate.

Author Lee Child best known for the Jack Reacher book series will be the inaugural holder of the role, created to champion the importance of literacy skills in helping prevent prisoners from reoffending.

It comes as data shows more than two-thirds of prisoners enter prison with reading levels below GCSE standard – many at primary school level. This can create major barriers to living crime-free lives, such as being unable to secure a job on release.

The creation of the laureate builds on Government action to ensure prisons deliver punishment that cuts crime and produce better citizens, and not criminals – helping to make our streets safer.

Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, said:

We know the crucial role education, including learning key skills like reading, can play in helping offenders turn their lives around.

I would like to thank Lee Child for the inspiring work he continues to do in our prisons. The Prison Reading Laureate will be a powerful influence, boosting our efforts to break the cycle of reoffending and create safer streets.

Author Lee Child said:

This isn’t about being soft on crime, it’s about being smart. Improving literacy is an evidence-based, practical approach that works. When people leave prison better equipped to read and learn, they’re less likely to reoffend. That makes communities safer for everyone.

Today’s announcement forms part of the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign Department of Education and the National Literacy Trust to help millions of families, children and communities benefit from the power of reading.

Each year the chosen laureate will bring their own passion and experience to the role, with the freedom to promote specific areas such as supporting children of prisoners, creative writing, or post-release employment in publishing.

Mr Child will initially focus on the expansion of his successful literacy pilot programme which has been running in a number of prisons since 2025 in partnership with MP Paul Davies. It will include bringing in more authors to work with prisons across the country and promoting the benefits of reading to rehabilitation.

Background

Key delivery partners for prison literacy include:
- Shannon Trust: Expanding peer-to-peer reading support in prisons using the Turning Pages programme
- National Literacy Trust: Running monthly workshops including reading groups, creative writing sessions, spoken word and storytelling workshops for children
- Bang-Up Books: Has distributed over 150,000 books to more than 100 prisons
- Prison Reading Groups: Delivering monthly book groups, family reading days and creative reading projects across approximately 80 prisons. Throughout the year they will continue their work with ongoing opportunities to read regularly together and improve access to free books
- Storybook Mums and Dads: Enabling imprisoned parents to record audio and video of themselves reading stories for their children
- The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads books will be used throughout the year, making great stories genuinely accessible to every reader and celebrating exciting campaign moments like World Book Night.
January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Major milestone for HS2 as tunnelling to Euston starts [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 January 2026.

Taking the HS2 railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to create more jobs, more homes and to boost the British economy.
- the first of 2 HS2 tunnel boring machines begins its journey from Old Oak Common to Euston station
- key step on a major milestone in the government’s commitment to bring the new, high-speed rail line into central London
- delivering HS2 to Euston supports the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth, with recent estimates showing development at Euston could add around £41 billion to the UK economy by 2053
High Speed Two’s (HS2’s) journey into central London is a stop closer today (27 January 2026), after a huge tunnel boring machine started its passage from Old Oak Common in the capital’s west, to Euston station, marking a key milestone in the government’s commitment to deliver the new, high-speed rail line to the city centre.

Taking HS2 to Euston is essential to unlocking the project’s full economic potential, with estimates from Camden Council suggesting a mix of new homes and commercial development at Euston could add £41 billion to the economy by 2053 and support 34,000 new jobs. Today’s tunnelling in Old Oak Common is part of wider progress on HS2 and follows the completion of 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges and 2 viaducts along the rail line’s route from central London to Birmingham.

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, and the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, visited Old Oak Common station alongside the Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, and Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner, Andy Lord, to switch on the 1,624-tonne tunnel boring machine, which will excavate a 4.5-mile tunnel between the 2 stations.

The machine works by both excavating and constructing the tunnel as it goes, slotting concrete segments into place to build the structure through which HS2’s trains will travel. It is the first of 2 tunnel boring machines that will construct the 2 parallel tunnels to Euston and is named ‘Madeleine’ after the former president of the Women’s Engineering Society, Madeleine Nobbs.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:

It was brilliant to switch on the tunnel boring machine at Old Oak Common today – not just because it’s an engineering marvel – but because it brings HS2’s journey to Euston another step closer to reality.

We’re putting HS2 back on track, and taking the railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to deliver more jobs, more homes and a long-term boost to the whole British economy.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said:

There’s nothing boring about tunnel boring. Today’s launch was a brilliant moment for the UK’s railways, building on 6 major rail tunnel and road milestones completed ahead of schedule last year.

We’re boosting the links between our big cities across the country to create more opportunities for people to trade, meet and socialise with each other, turning the corner on years of decline.

HS2 Ltd CEO, Mark Wild, said:

On my first day at HS2, I unveiled the Euston TBMs as they were being prepared to build the Euston Tunnel. Just over a year on, we’re beginning to excavate the tunnel – a show of confidence that HS2 will be built into central London and kickstart economic growth.

Over the past 12 months, I have been leading a comprehensive reset across HS2 to get it back on track and I am confident that we’re on the right path to delivering HS2 safely and efficiently. The start of tunnelling here today is a part of the strong foundations we can build upon to completing HS2 and deliver better journeys for rail passengers.

With over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway, HS2 is estimated to add £10 billion to the west London economy over the next decade, including 22,000 more homes and almost 19,000 new jobs. Once complete, HS2 will mean faster, better train travel for passengers between London and Birmingham and beyond.

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:

Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards bringing high-speed services into Euston, unlocking faster journeys and delivering greater connectivity, as well as supporting growth in jobs and homes in the heart of the capital.

At TfL, we’re working closely with our partners to ensure the best possible experience for customers interchanging between London Underground, London Buses, HS2 and National Rail services at Euston.

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, said:

Today is an important and exciting milestone for HS2 as this much-needed new high-speed rail line into central London gets another step closer to completion.

It will boost the UK economy by £41 billion and support 34,000 new jobs, while delivering 22,000 more homes for Londoners over the next decade.

The mayor and I will continue working closely with government and partners to unlock the full economic potential of our transport network as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.

Today’s milestone comes as HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Wild leads a comprehensive reset of HS2 to ensure the new railway is delivered safely between London and Birmingham at the lowest reasonable cost. Despite HS2’s challenges, the project supports the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by creating jobs, homes, and unlocking much-needed rail capacity, with over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway.

The delivery of the government’s plans for Euston will be taken forward by a new body, the Euston Delivery Company. Once established, the company will lead delivery of an affordable and integrated transport hub – including the new HS2 station, the redevelopment of the existing station, and upgrades to the London Underground station – along with commercial development across the Euston campus.

More broadly, the government is delivering landmark legislation to overhaul the railway and bring it together under Great British Railways, a new body which will be owned by the public and deliver for the public. The government is also making fares cheaper through the first fare freeze in 30 years, which is putting money back in millions of passengers’ pockets and easing the cost of living for hard-working people.

Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Richard Olszewski, said:

Euston holds a once-in-a-century opportunity to boost the national economy, build much-needed affordable homes, and create new jobs for people in Camden and beyond.

The start of tunnelling brings us a step closer to that future, adding new momentum and even-greater confidence in Euston’s potential to be a driver of national growth.

In Camden, we stand ready to lead the next chapter of Euston’s vibrant history through a new, locally led development corporation – working with the GLA and government to make Euston a place that delivers for the country, the capital and our communities.

Richard Adams, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said:

We are delighted to be commencing our final TBM drives to build the 2 4.5-mile tunnels to Euston. During this work, our TBMs will remove over 1.5 million tonnes of excavated material and place more than 8,000 pre-cast rings, built in a dedicated facility in Hartlepool.

Our tunnel segments and excavated material will all be transported by rail and managed through our state of the art logistics hub. This will remove over 70,000 lorry journeys from the local road network, emphasising our commitment to being a good neighbour and greener construction.

SCS JV has already driven 8.4 miles of twin-bore tunnels under London, from West Ruislip to Old Oak Common and our expert teams on site will work 24/7 to deliver these final HS2 tunnel drives with the highest levels of safety and productivity.
January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UPR51 – UK Statement on Oman [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2026.

Delivered at Oman’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Vice President,

The UK recognises Oman’s progress on human rights issues since its last review, particularly efforts to combat human trafficking, including through the introduction of a new Anti-Trafficking Law. We also welcome Oman’s accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

However, we encourage continued action to ensure full equality for women and girls in law and in practice, in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

We urge Oman to continue enhancing the rights and protections afforded to migrant workers within its national legal framework.

We recommend Oman:
1. Fully implements its new anti-trafficking legislation;
2. Continues strengthening its domestic laws and policies to safeguard the rights and welfare of migrant workers.
3. Brings forward reforms which ensure gender equality is guaranteed in its nationality laws.
Thank you.
January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : UPR51 – UK Statement on Austria [January 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2026.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Austria’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Madam Vice President,

The UK commends Austria for adopting its Freedom of Information Act, ratifying the ILO Convention on violence and harassment at work, and approving the National Action Plan to combat violence against women and girls. We also welcome Austria’s structured dialogue with civil society to monitor UPR implementation.

We encourage Austria to take further steps to combat all forms of discrimination, such as advancing gender equality, strengthening measures against racism and intolerance and ensuring effective legal remedies.

We recommend that Austria:
1. Ensures full implementation of the National Action Plan 2025–2029 to combat violence against women and girls and adopts additional measures to improve gender equality in employment.
2. Develops and implements a comprehensive national anti-racism strategy to eliminate structural discrimination, counter hate speech, and ensure equal treatment and protection for minorities, including Muslim women and girls.
3. Ensures that individuals and organisations have effective legal avenues to challenge climate-related laws, policies, or omissions, in line with Article 2(3) of the ICCPR and Article 13 of the ECHR.
Thank you.
January 30, 2026
NEWS STORY : UK condemns North Korea following latest ballistic missile launch

STORY

The UK Government has expressed deep concern after North Korea conducted another ballistic missile launch on 27 January 2026. In a statement released by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), a spokesperson highlighted that the act serves as a direct violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The British government warned that such launches continue to destabilise peace and security across the Korean Peninsula. This latest provocation follows a series of similar tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over recent months, which have consistently drawn international condemnation for threatening regional stability and the rules-based international system.

In its official response, the FCDO urged the North Korean leadership to cease further provocations and instead focus on the well-being of its citizens. The UK continues to call for the DPRK to engage in meaningful diplomacy and return to the negotiating table. British officials noted that they remain committed to working alongside international partners, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, to ensure a robust and collective response to the ongoing threat posed by the DPRK’s unlawful weapons development.

January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : FCDO statement on DPRK ballistic missile launch [January 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2026.

The FCDO has released a statement following a ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 27 January.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

We are concerned by reports that North Korea conducted a further ballistic missile launch on 27 January.

Ballistic missile launches violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and destabilise peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The UK continues to urge North Korea to stop provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and return to dialogue.

January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister – “We’re capping ground rents at £250” [January 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 January 2026.

Millions of leaseholders across England and Wales are set to benefit from a major shake-up of the outdated leasehold system – with ground rents set to be capped at £250 a year, changing to a peppercorn cap after 40 years.

Making the announcement in a video on TikTok this morning, Prime Minister Keir Starmer sets out how the cap will save some families hundreds of pounds as the cost of living is the single most important issue across the country.

New leasehold flats will also be banned and homeownership strengthened thanks to groundbreaking legislation that will give people control over their homes and calls an end to the feudal leasehold system which dates to medieval times.

Over 5 million leaseholders and future homeowners will benefit from stronger control, powers and protections, through the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill published today (Tuesday 27 January), which will fundamentally rewire homeownership across England and Wales.

It will cap ground rent at £250 a year before ultimately reducing it to a peppercorn after 40 years – marking the end of residential leaseholders paying over the top bills for no clear service in return.

This move will ensure leaseholders keep more of their hard-earned cash, with many seeing savings of over £4,000 over the course of their lease, improving cost of living for millions. This will also unlock house sales for leaseholders whose lives have been put on hold because of ground rent terms that make their homes hard to sell.

In a video on TikTok making the announcement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Good news for homeowners, we’re capping ground rent at £250. That means if you are a leaseholder, and your ground rent is more than £250, you’ll be paying less.

And I’ve spoken to so many people who say this will make a difference to them of hundreds of pounds.

That’s really important because the cost of living is the single most important thing across the country.

So this is a promise that we said we’d deliver and I’m really pleased that we’re delivering on that promise.

Secretary of State for Housing Steve Reed said:

If you own a flat you can be forced to pay ground rents that can become completely unaffordable. We said we’d be on the side of leaseholders – which is why today we are capping ground rent – helping millions of leaseholders by saving them money and giving them control over their home.

The leasehold system has tainted the dream of home ownership for so many. We are taking action where others have failed –strengthening home ownership and calling time on leasehold for good.

Forfeiture, whereby leaseholders can lose their home and the equity they built up by defaulting on a debt as low as £350, will also be abolished and a new enforcement regime will rebalance the system – making it fairer between landlord and leaseholder.

A new process to make it easier for existing leaseholders to convert to commonhold will also be introduced under a revamped commonhold model where homeowners will receive a stake in the ownership of their buildings and be given a stronger say in the issues that affect them, with greater control over how the building is managed and the bills they pay.

The reinvigorated commonhold system will ensure it works for all types of developments, as well as mortgage lenders, with strong management rules in place around repairs and leadership, and greater rights for homeowners.

Those living in the building will have a say in the annual budget and how the building is run, and new protections when things go wrong. Current leaseholders will also be given the opportunity to switch to commonhold, where the majority of residents agree to it.

The reforms build on action currently being undertaken by the government to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, including increased transparency over service charges so that leaseholders can better hold their landlords to account.

This comes as the government passed through its landmark Renters’ Rights Act, delivering the biggest boost to renters’ security and protections in a generation – ending unfair ‘no fault’ evictions, multiple rent hikes and bidding wars, and giving millions more stability and control over their homes.

Supportive stakeholder comments

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA said:

CMA action has freed thousands of homeowners from doubling ground rents, and we have long supported a cap on ground rents to make sure all leaseholders get the fair deal they deserve. The CMA welcomes the government’s proposals so people won’t have to struggle against these rising fees anymore – particularly when many are already grappling with high costs elsewhere.

RICS Chief Executive Justin Young said:

Today’s announcement offers greater certainty and clarity on the Government’s proposed reforms to the leasehold system, including long-awaited action on ground rents. The publication of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill is a critical step in this process. RICS looks forward to working with members, MHCLG, and other key stakeholders to deliver the best outcomes for consumers and the market”.

Martin Boyd, Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service said:

This is a significant milestone for leaseholders and marks the beginning of the end for the leasehold system as we know it. The draft Bill tackles some of the most damaging features of leasehold, including high and escalating ground rents and the threat of forfeiture, which has left some leaseholders at risk of losing their homes over relatively small debts.

More fundamentally, the Bill signals a decisive shift away from leasehold as the default form of home ownership. Moving towards commonhold, and making it easier for existing buildings to convert where leaseholders choose to do so, has the potential to give homeowners genuine control, security and long-term certainty over their homes.

Chris Norris, Chief Policy Officer for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said:

Around one in four leasehold homes are in the private rented sector. Given this, the greater certainty provided by today’s announcements is welcome.

In particular, the cap on ground rents will enable landlords to plan more effectively for future expenditure and business costs.

January 29, 2026