Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with President Aoun of Lebanon

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 April 2026.

The Prime Minister called the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, from Paris this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by expressing his condolences for the loss of life in Lebanon during the recent conflict.

It was important to use the current truce as a gateway to a lasting peace agreement, the Prime Minister added.

Reiterating the UK’s commitment to Lebanon’s security, the Prime Minister said the UK would continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure long term stability in the country.

The leaders also welcomed the UK’s humanitarian contribution to Lebanon, including a £20 million package for vital assistance to those displaced in the recent conflict and vulnerable families in hard-to-reach areas.

They both looked forward to speaking again soon.

22/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Macron of France [April 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris this morning, ahead of talks with partners on the Strait of Hormuz.

The leaders began by reflecting on the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need for a lasting peace to ensure a return to global stability and security in the region.

Turning to the bilateral relationship, both leaders discussed how the UK and France were entering a new era of global collaboration together through the convening of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine, and Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative.

The Prime Minister also set out his ambition for a closer relationship between the UK and European Union, reflecting the threats and challenges now faced, and the need to build a stronger Europe.

Returning to Ukraine, the leaders underlined the need to continue to ensure the country had the means necessary to drive forward the momentum they had seized on the battlefield.

The leaders also discussed migration. The Prime Minister and President agreed on the need to continue momentum to drive down illegal crossings between France and the UK, and tackle the problem upstream working with international partners.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again during the summit.

22/04/2026
NEWS STORY : UK urges immediate ceasefire in South Sudan crisis

STORY

Britain has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in South Sudan, warning that continued fighting is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis and putting more civilians at risk. In a statement to the UN Security Council, UK Deputy Permanent Representative Archie Young said the violence between the main parties to the peace agreement was causing fresh displacement, serious human rights abuses and further destruction in places including Akobo.

The UK said South Sudan’s leaders must meet their obligations under international law, protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need without obstruction. Young also pointed to reported abuses including conflict related sexual violence and the recruitment of children, saying the crisis could only be resolved through an inclusive political process involving all key parties, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

22/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : The only solution to the current crisis in South Sudan is through the immediate cessation of hostilities – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

Thank you, President.

I congratulate SRSG Gbeho on her appointment and thank her and USG Fletcher for their briefings and clear steps. I also pay tribute to her predecessor, the late Fink Haysom, for his extraordinary contribution to the United Nations and the cause of peace.

In the context of this fragile and deteriorating situation, I will make three points.

First, calling for the protection of civilians; second, on the importance of an inclusive political dialogue; and third, on the critical role of the UN peacekeeping mission.

As we have heard very clearly from the briefers today, the continued fighting between the two main parties to the peace agreement is displacing civilians and compounding an already acute humanitarian crisis.

The Secretary-General’s reporting highlights serious human rights violations and abuses, including conflict‑related sexual violence and the recruitment of children.

In Akobo civilians have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced and infrastructure destroyed, exacerbating the suffering of the South Sudanese people. We call on South Sudan’s leaders to comply with their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to reach those in need.

Second, the United Kingdom recognises that the only solution to the current crisis in South Sudan is through the immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

We welcome the appointment of AU Special Envoy President Kikwete and the close cooperation between the UN, AU, IGAD and other stakeholders including the Troika to support a resolution to the current crisis.

We strongly urge the transitional government and other parties to fully engage with these efforts and heed the appeals from the international community to return to the political process.

Third, we underscore and praise the vital role played by the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. It is regrettable that the South Sudanese authorities have continued to obstruct the mission’s ability to deliver its mandate in full.

This prevents the mission delivering necessary tasks including the protection of civilians and supporting humanitarian assistance in volatile and hard-to-reach areas. We call on the transitional government to cooperate fully with UNMISS.

As this Council considers the mandate for the mission, we will need to ensure it is credible, deliverable and responsive to conditions on the ground.

Thank you.

22/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Dame Helen Ghosh named as preferred Chair for the Office for Environmental Protection [April 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 April 2026.

Dame Helen Ghosh has been named as the preferred candidate to succeed Dame Glenys Stacey as Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection,.

Dame Helen has been selected by the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and by Andrew Muir, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) following a rigorous process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Emma Reynolds has invited both the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee to hold a joint pre-appointment hearing and to report on the suitability of Dame Helen for the post.

Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny, to verify that the recruitment meets the principles set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence from a Minister’s preferred candidate before they are appointed. The Select Committee will then publish a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity, if any declared, to be made public. Dame Helen has not declared any significant political activity in the past five years.

Subject to the outcome of the pre-appointment hearing and the final decision of the Environment Secretary and Minister Muir, Dame Helen is expected to take up the post on 1 June 2026.

Biographical details of Dame Helen Ghosh:

As the Master of Balliol College in Oxford University from 2018 to 2026, Dame Helen Ghosh held various senior roles in the governance of the University as well as taking on the role of Chair of the Conference of Colleges. She previously spent six years as Director General of the National Trust and has held several senior roles in the Civil Service, including as Director General at HMRC, and as Permanent Secretary at both Defra and the Home Office. Dame Helen also has a wealth of experience as a non-executive, including seven years as a Trustee on the Board of Action for Conservation.

22/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Firefighters to benefit from bespoke health support [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 April 2026.

Government to back firefighters with tailor-made, research-backed health support during and after service.
- Government announces a Firefighters Concordat, focused on health and wellbeing and built in partnership with the profession – to drive improvements in prevention, early diagnosis and support
- Firefighters will receive consistent, regular health checks for every single firefighter in the country, recognising the unique risks they’re exposed to
- Government will back and fund research into the hazards they face to improve our physical and mental health support offer to all firefighters
Recognising the extraordinary bravery of firefighters, this government is backing them with tailor‑made, research‑backed health monitoring to better support their health and wellbeing during and after service.

The potential dangers associated with tackling burning buildings, mounting rescues and attending road traffic incidents are well documented, but there is little research in the UK into the long-term effects of working within the service.

Speaking at the Fire Brigades Union, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced today (16 April 2026) that this government will establish a Firefighters Concordat on Health and Wellbeing – an agreement among key organisations to work together to improve firefighters’ health and wellbeing.

Rather than waiting until firefighters become ill, the government is committing to prevention first – this agreement aims to keep firefighters healthier for longer, reduce NHS costs and ensure the fire and rescue service can retain experienced, fit and skilled workers.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

Firefighters run towards danger knowing full well the risks they face during an emergency, but we know very little about how the speed and courage of their work impacts their health.

That is because for too long their concerns have been ignored – but this new agreement promises to change things: to boost funding for research that is well overdue, and work in partnership with firefighters and their unions, alongside employers and fire chiefs, to better protect and support them in the long term.

We cannot continue to ask people to give everything in service of others and then fail them when they need help themselves.

Despite the unique hazards of their profession, the evidence base on firefighter health and wellbeing remains limited. That is why the government is directing new funding for research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to build the evidence base and better support understanding of how best to tackle firefighters’ health risks – from mental health to musculoskeletal health, and from cancer to cardiovascular disease.

There will be a specific focus on underrepresented groups in the profession, including women, who have too often had to do their jobs in kit and protective equipment that was not designed for them.

This agreement – a Firefighters Concordat on Health and Wellbeing – builds on commitments made in the 10 Year Health Plan, which will also raise awareness of the NHS services that could most benefit and support firefighters as well as better information on how they can access them at times that work best for them.

The agreement is part of our work with the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform.

National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, Phil Garrigan, said:

Firefighter health and wellbeing is a long‑standing priority for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), and we welcome continued recognition of the unique risks firefighters face through their work.

Firefighters’ work sees them encounter hazardous environments and harmful contaminants, often with long‑term consequences that may only become apparent years down the line. A shared, co-ordinated approach across employers, representative bodies, health services and partners is essential if those risks are to be understood, reduced and properly monitored.

We have been clear that prevention, early intervention and consistent standards are key. Work to strengthen contamination controls, improve facilities and enhance health monitoring must be informed by the best available evidence and applied consistently across all fire and rescue services.

Supporting further research and building a stronger evidence base will be vital to improving understanding of occupational risk and ensuring firefighters receive appropriate, timely support throughout their careers. NFCC will continue to work constructively with partners across the sector, including through the ministerial advisory group, to advance firefighter health and wellbeing.

Those who protect our communities deserve the highest possible standards of care and protection in return.

Significant progress has already been made to reduce risks on the job, including improvements to health and safety practices, protective equipment, breathing apparatus and decontamination standards.

But prevention must go further – supporting firefighters’ long-term health and wellbeing, including:
- cardiovascular health
- musculoskeletal conditions
- mental wellbeing
- awareness of cancer risks
The concordat will send a clear message that firefighter health matters, both during service and beyond. By setting out shared expectations, building on best practice and evidence, it will provide a mechanism for working in partnership to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

Building on commitments in our 10 Year Health Plan, the agreement will raise awareness of the NHS services that could most benefit and support firefighters – like mental health support, cancer screening and musculoskeletal care – and how they can access them at times that work best for them. Firefighter occupation will be recorded in NHS records so doctors can make better-informed decisions.

Building Safety Minister, Samantha Dixon, said:

Behind every emergency response is a person who puts themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives of others time and time again. This partnership is our commitment to them.

It’s a serious, long-term promise to understand the risks they take and make sure every firefighter gets the health support they deserve – during their career and beyond.

I’ll be working closely with firefighters, unions, employers, chief fire officers and health partners to make that a reality.

Steve Wright, General Secretary, Fire Brigades Union, said:

The commitment from the Health Secretary to increase health monitoring for firefighters is a very welcome and important step forward.

It reflects the constructive work that has taken place between the union and government, and shows what can be achieved when firefighters’ voices are properly represented.

Our members put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, often in extremely challenging and dangerous conditions. It is right that their health and safety is recognised and taken seriously.

Today’s commitment is an important milestone, and we are pleased to see this progress being made.

The Firefighters Concordat on Health and Wellbeing will be delivered through a working group established under the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform, bringing together the government, fire and rescue services, employers and representative bodies to deliver a comprehensive programme of improvements, including working to establish monitoring to better assess firefighter health and better spot risks.
19/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Urgent action to rapidly improve HMP Woodhill [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 16 April 2026.

Specialist staff, tougher disciplinary action and bolstered security measures will be deployed at HMP Woodhill to reduce violence, combat drugs and improve safety.
- Action plan to target violence, drugs and poor conditions at Buckinghamshire jail.
- Extra staff support, training and security measures to help stabilise the prison
- Education, rehabilitation and preparation for release to be strengthened
The Government has launched a comprehensive action plan to address serious failings at the jail after His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) issued an Urgent Notification in March.

Inspectors found high levels of violence, with drugs far too easily available and some of the highest rates of self-harm in the estate.

In response, Ministers have acted to roll out a comprehensive plan to improve safety and conditions, strengthen staff capability and deliver better outcomes for prisoners.

This includes a new safety strategy to better spot and support those at risk of self-harm, while stronger security measures including new physical barriers such as wires and window grilles will be installed to stop the flow of illicit items using drones.

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson, said:

The prison crisis we inherited has left too many jails struggling with violence, drugs and poor conditions.

This action plan sets out the decisive steps we are taking to improve safety, tackle drugs and drones, and get more prisoners into the education and training they need to leave crime behind.

We are putting more staff on the ground and backing HMP Woodhill with the investment it needs to improve, as we continue to fix the broken prison system we inherited to deliver punishment that works to cut crime.

A new living unit will also be introduced – where offenders are incentivised to keep off substances – helping reduce the demand for drugs. This is in addition to recruitment of specialist staff dedicated to supporting prisoners dealing with addiction.

The action plan also sets out refurbishments and a renewed focus on cleanliness to improve conditions. Meanwhile rehabilitation efforts will be strengthened through greater access to the education and work opportunities offenders rely on to turn their lives around.

A new governor appointed in 2025 has already begun work to stabilise HMP Woodhill, supported by regional and national teams, including a dedicated taskforce focused on improving performance across the Long Term and High Security Estate.

More widely, the Government is building 14,000 extra prison places – with more than 3100 already delivered – and reforming sentencing to ensure punishment cuts crime and dangerous can always be locked up to keep streets safe.

Notes to editors
- The Urgent Notification process was introduced in 2017 to ensure immediate action is taken to address the most serious concerns identified by inspectors.
19/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : New UK Aid for displaced people in Lebanon as Minister visits Beirut [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2026.

Minister for the Middle East in Lebanon on first visit since regional escalation and pledges new humanitarian funding.
- Minister calls on all parties to end hostilities in Lebanon.
- UK reaffirms support for direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
- Stability and security in the Middle East will be critical for Antalya Diplomatic Forum.
On the first UK ministerial visit to Lebanon since regional escalation, Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer has today (16 April) reaffirmed UK support for the country and announced over £20m in fresh humanitarian funding.

During the one-day visit to Beirut, the Minister met with Lebanese leaders to discuss efforts to deliver regional stability and security.

He reiterated the urgent need for the ceasefire to extend to Lebanon and expressed support for recent direct negotiations with Israel as the best path to enduring stability and security for both sides.

In a major increase in aid to the country, Minister Falconer announced new support for the Government of Lebanon’s crisis response and saw the humanitarian projects the UK will be funding. The projects are delivering life-saving aid and support to some of the most vulnerable families affected by conflict, including those who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of missile strikes.

The Minister also expressed thanks to healthcare workers and first responders during a meeting with them. He reiterated that both must be protected by all sides and that attacks on staff doing these vital roles are unacceptable.

The £20.5m package includes vital assistance to displaced people and those in hard-to-reach areas. It includes funding for the Lebanese Red Cross’ rescue and medical teams, ensures shelters support women and girls and provides a boost to critical national crisis response systems. It forms part of a wider package for support to Lebanon and follows the £9.5m the UK government announced earlier this year to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:

Conflict in the Middle East benefits no one. The UK is working with partners to de-escalate and pursue a political solution.

People in Lebanon are again suffering a conflict they did not choose, with displacement robbing families of security and dignity. The UK is increasing support for those most in need, reflecting our commitment to regional stability.

In Beirut I met leaders and welcomed direct Israel–Lebanon talks. We need an end to hostilities. This government will work with Lebanon and international partners to deliver vital aid and support a durable resolution. In Antalya, I will reinforce de-escalation efforts regionally.

The visit came as the country continues to face the impact of conflict between Hizballah and Israel, which has displaced over a million civilians in Lebanon and caused widespread death and destruction.

The Minister met with Lebanon’s President, Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister to emphasise the UK’s support for an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon. He welcomed the Government of Lebanon’s leadership during the humanitarian crisis, as well as direct talks with Israel and their decision to ban all Hizballah’s military activities.

Following his visit to Lebanon, the Minister will represent the UK at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, with a focus on shaping diplomacy and foreign policy for the future.

He will take part in a panel session outlining the importance of stability in Syria and will meet with several Middle Eastern counterparts to discuss the need for immediate de-escalation in the region and the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to deliver peace and stability across the region, including calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea to be upheld.

Notes to Editors:

The funding announced today includes:
- £12.3m for the Government of Lebanon’s Shock Responsive Safety Net and World Food Programme to ensure civilians can meet their basic needs.
- £2.9m for the Lebanese Red Cross to provide key relief items (food, hygiene kits, mattresses, blankets, etc), equipment including ambulances and critical capacity to the Government of Lebanon’s Disaster Risk Management Unit.
- £3.1m via UNICEF to support to children and vulnerable families in shelters and non-formal education spaces. Depending on location and individuals, support includes education, psychosocial support, and different levels of child protection & GBV services. Also includes technical assistance to Government of Lebanon on integrated & specialised services.
19/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : RAAC hit court reopens in boost for London justice [April 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 16 April 2026.

Victims across London will see justice delivered faster and fairer as Harrow Crown Court reopens in a major Government drive to cut court backlogs.
- £26m cash boost brings Harrow Crown Court back after three‑year RAAC shutdown
- Eight courtrooms set to hear cases as Government looks to cut criminal backlogs
- Part of the Government’s plan to deliver faster and fairer justice for victims across London
Thousands of victims across London will see justice delivered faster and fairer as the RAAC‑hit Harrow Crown Court reopens in a major Government drive to cut court backlogs.

Eight courtrooms, with some newly refurbished, are back in action following a £26 million safety overhaul, after the building was forced to shut in August 2023 amid fears over crumbling concrete.

Before it was forced to shut, the court was handling hundreds of cases a year. Bringing it back at full strength will supercharge capacity for criminal trials, easing pressure on neighbouring courts and helping to get dangerous criminals locked up sooner.

This week the Courts Minister, Sarah Sackman, visited the newly reopened site — a modernised court building fitted with the latest technology and designed to deliver faster, fairer and more transparent justice.

The move comes against a stark backdrop, with the latest figures showing some London victims — particularly in rape cases — are waiting until 2030 for their day in court, while more than 19,000 cases are currently awaiting trial across the capital.

Minister for Courts and Legal Services Sarah Sackman KC said: 

We inherited a justice system in crisis — backlogs at record levels, courts left to crumble, and victims waiting far too long for justice.

Reopening Harrow Crown Court is a major boost to London’s overstretched court system, cutting delays and getting justice moving again for Londoners.

Built in 1991, the court was closed after RAAC was uncovered and the building deemed unsafe. Its reopening marks a key milestone in the Government’s drive to modernise courts and bring cases to court faster in the capital.

Wheelchair accessible and equipped with the latest courtroom technology, the hearing rooms are greener, more efficient and flexible enough to handle a wide range of cases — maximising the number of hearings that can take place each day.

London Victims Commissioner Andrea Simon said:

Victims are waiting years for their day in court, and even when they get there are often faced with a difficult and trauma-inducing experience.

The re-opening of Harrow Crown Court not only brings some capacity back into the system, but the investment in modernising the court will I hope lead to a better and more supportive experience for victims.

The Government also invested £148.5 million in court maintenance funding last year, with a further £287 million this year to repair and modernise courts across England and Wales, alongside recruiting up to 1,000 new judges and tribunal members to speed up cases and deliver fairer, faster justice for victims.
17/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE : New practical advice for families to get children school ready [April 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 16 April 2026.

New government guidance and practical advice launched on primary school offer day to help families get children ready for school, backed by language support.

Families will receive new support from today to help children prepare for school, as the government rolls out a package of measures from primary school offer day through to the first day in September.

The move comes as over a third (37%) of children are starting school without the basic skills they need for the classroom, with teachers and charities finding many children arriving in Reception unable to use the toilet independently, communicate clearly or follow simple instructions.

As part of the government’s mission to get a record number of children school ready, the guidance published today – on primary school offer day – will provide parents with a clear idea of what good support looks like from schools and early years settings to help their child transition into Reception.

For the first time, new guidance sets out how schools, nurseries, and childminders should work together as one system around families to get children ready for Reception – making clear that Offer Day is the starting gun for children beginning their school education.

It sets three key building blocks for a smooth start: strong relationships with families, close partnership working between schools, nurseries and childminders, and early identification of children’s needs, including SEND. It includes practical examples to follow, like home visits and stay and play sessions, giving families the opportunity to visit their new school, or for teachers to visit children in their early years setting.

The package is backed by continued investment in the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme until 2029, and comes as a new national campaign, fronted by award-winning teacher and rapper MC Grammar, gives parents simple ways to practise key skills at home.

Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey MP said:

Starting school is a huge milestone – for children and parents. I remember getting my own children ready for their first day, excited and hoping they’d walk through the door feeling confident.

From the moment families receive their school place, they should feel supported with simple, practical ways to help their child build confidence, independence and the skills they need for the classroom.

By bringing schools, nurseries, childminders, and families closer together, we can make sure every child gets off to a strong start – arriving at school feeling settled and ready to learn.

The NELI programme helps children who need extra support with speech and language to catch up during Reception. It has already been shown to deliver strong results, with an evaluation finding that it boosts language skills by an additional four months for children on the programme compared to those that aren’t, or up to seven months for children from more deprived backgrounds.

The new campaign shows that school readiness is about everyday skills like communication, independence and confidence – not just uniforms or academic ability. It features a new ‘Steps for School’ song by MC Grammar highlighting key skills from getting dressed and using the toilet to listening, speaking and following instructions.

Jacob Mitchell, known as MC Grammar, said:

As a former teacher and a dad with children already at school – and one starting next year – I know how much practicing simple skills early can boost confidence when it’s time to start Reception.

With our new ‘Steps for School’ song, we’re giving families a fun, memorable way to build those everyday skills that will help set children up for a smooth start in September.

Lee Parkinson, primary school teacher and education content creator Mr P, said:

Preparation for school is about those small, meaningful interactions that begin at home.

I’ve seen first-hand the difference these everyday routines can make alongside the care and learning children get in childcare and early years settings, giving them the reassurance they need to thrive.

I always remind parents it’s never too early to start. Even families with 2–3-year-olds can build confidence and independence through everyday chatting, playing and reading.

With family life getting more challenging for many, this work forms part of a wider push to make life easier for parents and give children the best start.

This government is bringing together support from pregnancy through to starting school, including through the rollout of Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority, offering parenting advice, health services and help with children’s development, alongside the first ever guidance to help families manage screen time at home.

17/04/2026