Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : The prolonged suffering will have irreversible consequences that will last generations – Joint statement on conflict and hunger in Gaza [July 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 July 2025.

A joint statement by the Permanent Missions to the UN of the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Guyana, Ireland, Mexico, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

It is unacceptable that man-made and avoidable conflict-induced hunger continues to afflict civilians in Gaza. The prolonged suffering will have irreversible consequences that will last generations.

From the May IPC Special Snapshot, we know that the Gaza Strip is facing a critical risk of famine. The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with 500,000 people facing starvation and more than 70,000 children set to require treatment for acute malnutrition.

The latest figures are even more disturbing, and we are witnessing increased deaths due to malnutrition. This follows sustained denial of essential humanitarian assistance to civilians by Israel.

To address this crisis, we call on all parties to fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. In particular, we call on Israel as the occupying power to adhere to its obligations under international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2417. Israel must:
- Lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid and facilitate immediate, safe, rapid, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access by the UN and humanitarian organisations that ensures relief supplies at scale to civilians in need throughout Gaza.
- Facilitate the effective delivery of life-saving nutrition, health, water, sanitation and other essential services by the UN and humanitarian organisations, as well as the fuel needed to sustain them.
- Protect objects necessary for food production and distribution and facilitate the restoration of essential commercial supplies and market systems at scale.
- Urgently ensure the protection of civilians, including aid workers, UN and associated personnel, and medical personnel, and allow their unrestricted access.
We urge all parties to do everything to support efforts to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. While humanitarian assistance is essential, the answer to conflict-induced hunger is peace.

We need to ensure accountability for actors who deliberately cause or prolong conflict-induced hunger in violation of international law. Using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare may constitute a war crime.

All Member States should use their influence to address conflict-driven hunger in Gaza and promote compliance by all parties to the conflict with international law.

We call for rapid and full implementation of humanitarian commitments made by Israel including the steps agreed between Israel and the EU to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This is imperative. We will follow delivery measures by Israel closely.

We must all support the work of the UN-coordinated humanitarian system in Gaza led by OCHA. It is best equipped to ensure aid is delivered to civilians, apply established strong aid diversion prevention systems and adhere with humanitarian principles.

UNRWA remains crucial to the delivery of humanitarian aid and essential services, despite increasing restrictions and attacks.

The new Israel-approved aid delivery model is dangerous and is not operating in accordance with humanitarian principles. We condemn the killing of well over 800 Palestinians, including children, seeking water and food.

The 20 July incident where people came under Israeli fire beside a WFP convoy was terrible. Humanitarian action must be based on humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

We condemn the heinous attack by Hamas on October 7 2023. Hamas must release all hostages unconditionally now.

Immediate action is needed to address this debilitating suffering.
July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New operational partnership with delivery giants to combat illegal working [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 July 2025.

New agreement between Home Office and top food delivery firms will help stop illegal working in the delivery sector.

More delivery riders caught sharing their accounts with migrants who have no right to work in the UK will be suspended, as part of the government’s UK-wide crackdown on illegal working under the Plan for Change.

A new agreement between the Home Office and Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats will ensure delivery firms receive new information concerning the locations of asylum hotels to help tackle illegal working.

Under existing security measures, any delivery riders caught sharing their accounts with migrants who have no right to work in the UK will be suspended. This new agreement goes further to ensure more people who are breaking the rules can be caught.

Efforts by the companies to crack down on illegal account sharing through real-time identity and Right to Work checks have been successful and have led to thousands being offboarded from platforms. Despite this, there continues to be abuse in the system. Under the new agreement, the firms will be empowered to go further in detecting patterns of misuse, identify unauthorised account sharing and quickly suspend accounts.

The move comes after a commitment made by the firms during a roundtable last month, chaired by Ministers, to implement new security measures. This includes increased facial verification checks and fraud detection tools meaning only verified users can access their platforms. The Home Office will continue to collaborate closely with the three companies, with meetings taking place in the coming weeks to update on progress and delivery.

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s work to step up enforcement across the UK targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working illegally as delivery riders. It forms a key part of a whole system approach to tackle illegal migration from every angle, by ending the false promise of jobs used by smuggling gangs to sell spaces on small boats.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, said:

Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime.

By enhancing our data sharing with delivery companies, we are taking decisive action to close loopholes and increase enforcement.

The changes come alongside a 50% increase in raids and arrests for illegal working under the Plan for Change, greater security measures and tough new legislation.

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office, said:

This next step of co-ordinated working with delivery firms will help us target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy and exploit their status in the UK.

My teams will continue to carry out increased enforcement activity across the UK and I welcome this additional tool to disrupt and stop the abuse of our immigration system.

A Deliveroo spokesperson said:

Deliveroo has led the sector in introducing security measures to prevent the abuse of our platform and tackle the sophisticated criminals seeking new ways to exploit all delivery platforms’ systems. We are fully committed to working with the government as we continue to collectively combat illegal working.

A Just Eat spokesperson said:

Just Eat is committed to tackling any illegal working via our platform. We continue to invest significant resources to strengthen our systems against abuse by individuals and organised criminal groups seeking to evade right to work rules. We are working closely with the Home Office and our industry partners to address any loopholes in the industry’s checks, as well as collaborating on data sharing and enforcement.

An Uber Eats spokesperson said:

Uber Eats is fully committed to tackling illegal work and will continue to work with the Home Office and industry. We have introduced a range of state of the art detection tools to find and remove fraudulent accounts. We are constantly reviewing our tools and finding new ways to detect and take action on people who are trying to work illegally.

Since the government came into power one year ago, there have been more than 10,000 illegal working visits across multiple sectors, leading to 7,130 arrests, up around 50% compared to the year before. This marks the first time in a 12-month period where more than 10,000 visits have taken place.

Almost 750 illegal working civil penalty notices were also handed to businesses caught violating immigration rules in the first quarter of the year, marking the highest level since 2016 – and an 80% increase compared to the same time last year.

The government is tightening the law by making it a legal requirement for all companies, including the gig economy, to check that anyone working for them has the legal right to do so. This will end the abuse of flexible working arrangements. The new measures will be introduced through the landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

The fight against illegal working forms just one part of government’s work to bolster border security across the system.

Since coming into power one year ago, the government has returned 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK including failed asylum seekers, immigration and foreign national offenders. There are now fewer asylum hotels open than since the election, saving millions of taxpayers’ money.

This is on top of a new groundbreaking deal with the French which will mean that, for the very first time, illegal migrants will be sent back to France. This targets the heart of the criminal smuggling gangs’ business model and sends a clear message that these life-threatening journeys are pointless and a waste of thousands of pounds.

The deal seeks to detain and return migrants who arrive via small boat, and an equal number of migrants will be able to come to the UK from France through a new legal route – fully documented and subject to strict security checks.

July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK-Egypt Strategic Partnership [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 July 2025.

A Strategic Partnership between the UK and Egyptian governments.

The UK and Egypt share deep, historic ties. We partner across multiple fields, from climate change to global security, trade and investment to tourism, underpinned by rich people-to-people and cultural connections. However, both countries aspire to strengthen this co-operation in pursuit of shared prosperity and greater regional and global security.

The Governments of Egypt and the UK have therefore committed to elevating the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This commitment marks a significant milestone and will enable both governments to strengthen and systematise existing collaboration in line with shared interests and priorities such as trade and investment, irregular migration, regional security and responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UK and Egypt will launch the Strategic Partnership during a visit to Cairo by the Prime Minister in the autumn of 2025. To unlock new mutual growth opportunities and strengthen economic ties, the Prime Minister and President Sisi will jointly chair an Investment Conference convening key British and Egyptian businesses.

The UK Government looks forward to building the Strategic Partnership with Egypt to enhance the prosperity and security of our citizens.

July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Sentence tripled for former police officer [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 22 July 2025.

A police officer who continued an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable girl he met on duty over several years has had his sentence increased.

Che Homersham (37), from Southgate in North London, had his sentence increased by 12 months after the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred it under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that Homersham met the 16-year-old girl while on duty. He contacted the girl from his personal number under the pretext of taking a personal statement before picking her up and driving her to a remote location. Homersham then asked if he could kiss her but, the victim refused his advances.

This was the start of Homersham’s inappropriate relationship with the teenager over several years, which included describing sexual fantasies and making sexual advances.

Homersham was arrested for a separate matter in August 2023, when his texts to the victim were uncovered.

In a victim personal statement, the girl said that Homersham’s actions has meant she doesn’t trust many people anymore and impacts how she perceives the police.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

Homersham abused his position as a police officer – a role that rightly commands public trust – and I welcome the Court’s decision to increase his sentence.

On 13 May 2025, Che Homersham was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for misconduct in public office.

On 22 July 2025, his sentence was quashed and tripled to 18 months after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government Appointment [22 July 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 July 2025.

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment:
- Lord Lemos CMG CBE as Lord in Waiting (Government Whip).
Lord Moraes OBE has left the Government.
July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Multilateralism remains the best tool we have to meet the shared challenges of the 21st century – UK statement at the UN Security Council [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 July 2025.

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council debate on peace and security.

Mr President, the United Kingdom thanks Pakistan for convening this timely debate at a time when multilateralism faces unprecedented strain.

As the Secretary-General has said, the world is witnessing more conflict than at any time since the founding of the United Nations.

From Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine to the protracted crisis in Gaza, the international community is being tested.

Our response must strive for peace and be guided by the principles of the UN Charter.
Multilateralism remains the best tool we have to meet the shared challenges of the 21st century.

And this Council, as the UN organ with the primary responsibility for international peace and security, should play a central role.

That includes through a collective commitment to the rule of law, including international humanitarian law, and to the peaceful settlement of disputes.

These are not abstract ideals.

They are principles by which we could collectively prevent and resolve conflict.

That is why the United Kingdom has kept these principles at the heart of its foreign policy.
But as we mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, we must seize this moment to revitalise the peace and security architecture, champion human rights, and strengthen the UN development system and humanitarian architecture to ensure all three pillars are collectively fit for purpose.

We should make full use of the UN’s mediation and conflict prevention capabilities.
In Sudan, we continue to urge the warring parties to engage meaningfully with existing diplomatic initiatives, including the United Nations’ mediation efforts to achieve a lasting national ceasefire and political solution.

Here and elsewhere, we need the UN to help address the root causes of conflict.
Peace operations should be more adaptable, politically attuned and better coordinated with other UN and regional actors, leveraging new technologies and local expertise.
We must focus not only on brokering peace but on sustaining it.

The UN’s efforts to verify the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia is a good example of this work in the field.

And here in New York, we can make better use of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture to support national efforts to sustain peace.

Underscoring this, we must recall that crucially, sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive peace processes, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women.

Mr President, the UN Charter is our shared foundation.

In this moment of global uncertainty, we must recommit to multilateralism, not as a slogan, but as a strategy.

The United Kingdom stands ready to work with all Member States to this end, including to uphold peace, security, and the rule of law.

Thank you.

July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK Carrier Strike Group contributes to Exercise Talisman Sabre [July 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 July 2025.

The UK Carrier Strike Group has led a major British contribution to the large multinational exercise in Australia.

More than 3,000 British forces are taking part in the largest military exercise Australia has ever hosted, as the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG25) demonstrates Britain’s unwavering commitment to Indo-Pacific security.

The Carrier Strike Group is in Australia as part of Operation Highmast, the major global deployment that demonstrates Britain’s strategic commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

From British Gurkhas to US Marines to Australian Defence Force amphibious specialists, Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 serves as one of the deployment’s key moments, bringing together multinational forces to strengthen and test how nations can work together to safeguard global trade routes and maintain regional stability.

Spanning across a vast area in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales, the Australian-US led biennial exercise is bigger than ever, involving over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations – making Talisman Sabre the largest exercise of the CSG’s deployment and one of the largest military exercises in the world this year. For the first time, offshore activities will also be conducted in Papua New Guinea.

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

The historic bonds between Britain and Australia run deep, and through AUKUS and exercises like Talisman Sabre we are strengthening these ties for the challenges of tomorrow.

Our commitment to the Indo-Pacific is unwavering, as this huge military exercise demonstrates. The unprecedented scale showcases the growing importance of cooperation in addressing shared challenges. We will continue to work alongside our closest allies to maintain the security and stability that underpins global prosperity.

Commodore James Blackmore said:

This is a real demonstration of the UK and our partners’ warfighting capabilities.

As the first UK-led multinational Carrier Strike Group to Talisman Sabre this is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Exercise Talisman Sabre is also an opportunity for the UK to develop new levels of integration between systems and capabilities with the US, Australia, and other partners, enhancing our interoperability even further and to unprecedented levels.

All three branches of the UK Armed Forces are engaged, with the Royal Marines playing a central role throughout the exercise alongside a Ranger Battalion from the Army and RAF Voyager aircraft.

The exercise strengthens operational cooperation with international partners, ensuring our collective ability to maintain the rules-based international order that underpins global trade and security.

The Royal Navy, alongside its AUKUS partners, is testing cutting-edge sub-sea and seabed warfare capabilities, showcasing interoperability across our navies. Additionally, for the first time, AUKUS nations will demonstrate the ability to remotely control Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (XL-UUVs) from a remote operating centre.

Through DSTL via the Resilience Autonomy and AI Technology collaboration, nations tested autonomy-enabled systems able to find and strike an advancing adversary. This experimentation provided a realistic combat environment for AUKUS to operate as an AI-enabled, integrated force, exploiting cutting-edge technology to ensure strategic advantage against a range of simulated adversaries.

The CSG25 deployment reinforces the government’s Plan for Change by strengthening international partnerships that underpin economic growth and national security, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Operation Highmast occurs against the backdrop of the government’s landmark commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP.

This historic investment underpins the government’s mission-led approach to securing Britain’s future, providing the economic stability necessary for growth whilst ensuring the UK maintains cutting-edge capabilities such as the Carrier Strike Group to meet emerging global threats.

July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes plan to address presence of chemicals from pet flea and tick treatments in UK waterways [July 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 July 2025.

New plans to address the presence of chemicals from flea and tick treatments in rivers and streams across the UK have been unveiled today.

The initiative by the Cross-Government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group focuses primarily on two chemicals – fipronil and imidacloprid – commonly used in topical parasite treatments for pets. These medicines play an essential role in protecting both animal and human health against fleas and ticks, however there are growing concerns around the amount of fipronil and imidacloprid finding its way into UK rivers and lakes .

The new roadmap outlines key actions to reduce levels of flea and tick treatments in the environment while protecting animal welfare – which includes commissioning research to better understand this issue and using this evidence to support an international review of environmental risk assessment guidelines . The three key stages of the roadmap are:
- Communication and Education (Short Term):
  The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) will collaborate with veterinary professionals and industry stakeholders to improve pet owner awareness about the appropriate use and disposal of flea and tick treatments.
- Evidence Gathering (Medium Term):
  The group will build a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts of these chemicals, alongside evaluating potential consequences of changing use patterns on animal and human health. The VMD has commissioned scientific research investigating how these substances enter rivers and streams and is working closely with the Environment Agency to assess the environmental risks they pose.
- Regulatory Actions (Long Term):
  Based on the evidence collected, the PiE Group will support a review of international environmental risk assessment guidelines and consider future regulatory approaches to mitigate environmental risks.
Defra Biosecurity Minister, Baroness Hayman said:

This Government is absolutely committed to restoring nature and reducing harms posed by chemicals in the environment.

Our new Roadmap will develop a better understanding of the impact of flea and tick treatments on the environment, while recognising these treatments play a vital role in pet and human health.

Abigail Seager, Chief Executive Officer of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), said:

This roadmap represents an important step forward in ensuring that the benefits of effective parasite control are maintained while taking necessary actions to reduce environmental risks.

It reflects our commitment to an evidence-based approach, working closely with partners across government to protect both animal health and the environment.

Kelly Short, Environment Agency Chemicals Manager said:

The launch of this roadmap is an important step in tackling the presence of harmful chemicals like fipronil and imidacloprid in our rivers and streams.

By improving public awareness, building the evidence base, and working together to assess environmental risks, we can take meaningful action to protect our water environment and the wildlife that depends on it.

The PiE Group brings together key government bodies, including the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Environment Agency (EA), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and representatives from devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

This collaborative initiative aims to develop a coordinated strategy to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals from human, veterinary, agricultural, and non-agricultural sources.
July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Nigel Topping CMG appointed Chair of the Climate Change Committee [July 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 22 July 2025.

Nigel Topping CMG has been appointed as Chair of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) by the UK and devolved governments today (22 July).

This follows the Secretary of State, Ed Miliband, and the Northern Irish, Welsh and Scottish devolved government Ministers selecting Nigel Topping as the preferred candidate for the role, as well as a successful pre-appointment hearing in front of the Energy Security and Net Zero and Environmental Audit Committees on Wednesday 16 July.

The Energy Secretary has written to Nigel Topping to confirm his appointment, welcoming him to the role and confirming his confidence in him to lead the Climate Change Committee. He has also written to Professor Piers Forster, to thank him for his leadership as interim Chair of the CCC following Lord Deben’s departure in 2023.

The Chair will play a key role in the committee’s work of advising government on the delivery of its carbon budgets, with a critical few years ahead as the government accelerates to net zero as part of its clean energy superpower mission.

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:

I want to congratulate Nigel Topping on his appointment as Chair of the Climate Change Committee.

We highly value the Climate Change Committee’s independent advice on how we can achieve net zero, so I am thrilled to have Nigel in this important role – as he brings extensive experience, including from his time serving as the UN High Level Climate Action Champion for COP26.

Net zero is the economic opportunity of the 21st century and Nigel’s business expertise will help us to maximise on this opportunity as we deliver our clean energy superpower mission – boosting energy security, creating good jobs, bringing down bills and tackling the climate crisis.

Nigel Topping, Chair of the Climate Change Committee, said:

It is an honour to be appointed Chair of the Climate Change Committee at this pivotal moment. The UK has an opportunity to deliver on its climate commitments in a way that reduces costs for households, powers our industries forward, and makes our economy more successful. It’s also important to ensure resilience against growing climate impacts and I look forward to working with Baroness Brown who leads our adaptation work.

I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to Professor Piers Forster, who has been our interim Chair since Lord Deben stepped down. He has led the Committee through an incredibly busy period overseeing advice on the UK’s Seventh Carbon Budget, three devolved carbon budgets, and a number of key progress reports to government.

I am committed to upholding the rigour and independent nature of the Committee’s advice, while harnessing our country’s wealth of scientific, financial and business talent.

Nigel Topping’s selection follows a competitive recruitment process in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

Notes to Editors

The UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Executive agreed to appoint Nigel Topping. The decision-making Ministers were:
- Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland Executive
- Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Scottish Government
- Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister of Wales and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government
Nigel Topping’s term as Chair will begin on Wednesday 23 July.
July 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : More infected blood victims set to receive compensation under changes to scheme [July 2025]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 July 2025.

The Government outlines changes to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in response to the Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report.
- Government makes changes to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in response to new recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry
- Changes include modifications for those who have endured treatments with adverse side effects, and chronic Hepatitis C individuals
- Further changes will address compensation for affected victims and their estates
More victims of the infected blood scandal will be able to claim compensation as the government proposes changes to the existing Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

Changes could result in over a thousand people receiving a higher amount of compensation than they would have under the existing scheme.

The proposed changes will ensure that those who endured treatments with adverse side effects, such as interferon, will receive higher compensation to what is currently provided.

The changes will also provide further compensation for the impacts currently recognised by the Infected Blood Support Scheme ‘Special Category Mechanism’, provided to chronic Hepatitis C individuals who have experienced a significant impact on their ability to carry out daily duties.

Further changes will address compensation for affected victims. Under the existing scheme, if an affected person – a spouse, partner, sibling, parent or unpaid carer of an infected person – passed away, their claim would die with them.

However, changes to the scheme will now mean that if the affected person has died or dies after May 21st 2024, their estate will be able to make a claim. While the total number of affected victims is not known, this could enable significantly more people to receive compensation.

These changes come in response to 16 new recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry, published in its Additional Report on Compensation on Wednesday 9th July.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Nick Thomas-Symonds, set out these changes today in Parliament.

He said:

When I appeared before the Inquiry in May, I said that I would take a constructive approach and – carefully – consider the issues that had been put to me.

I have concentrated on removing barriers to quicker compensation, working with IBCA, and am determined to deliver improvements based on this new report.

Our focus as we move forward must be working together to not only deliver justice to all those impacted, but also to restore trust in the state to people who have been let down too many times.

Today, the government has also announced that Clive Smith, President of the Haemophilia Society, will be the Chair of the Infected Blood Memorial Committee.

Mr Smith will lead the work to create a national memorial to the victims of the Infected Blood Scandal. This project will include plans for a UK memorial and support memorials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In line with the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendation, the Committee will also develop plans for commemorative events and is planning to hold the first by the end of 2025.

Incoming Chair of the Infected Blood Memorial Committee Clive Smith said:

A memorial to the thousands who have died from the contaminated blood scandal is long overdue. It is a great privilege to be asked to lead this important work on behalf of the community.

I am conscious that we are already behind in relation to implementing the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendation that community events be held on a 6-month basis post the Inquiry reporting. We intend to correct that by the end of this year.

I look forward to working with the whole community across the UK on building an appropriate memorial to those we have lost and to act as a lasting memorial to the Nation of what can happen when patient safety is not prioritised.
July 28, 2025