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  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointments to the Social Security Advisory Committee [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointments to the Social Security Advisory Committee [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 14 January 2026.

    The Social Security Advisory Committee welcomes 2 new members.

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has appointed the following new members to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC):

    Richard Machin
    Owen McCloskey

    Both have been appointed to serve a five-year term, starting on 1 January 2026.

    Confirming the appointments, DWP Minister of Lords, Baroness Sherlock OBE, said:

    Richard and Owen bring a wealth of expertise and fresh perspectives that will strengthen the Committee’s ability to provide insightful and balanced advice. Their experience will be invaluable as we continue to shape policies that make a real difference to people’s lives.

    Dr Stephen Brien, Chair of SSAC, added:

    I am delighted to welcome Richard and Owen to the Committee. Their impressive skills and diverse viewpoints will enrich our discussions and help us tackle the complex issues that affect so many in society. I look forward to working closely with them as we continue our important work.

    About the Committee

    Established in 1980, the Social Security Advisory Committee is an independent statutory body. It provides advice to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on proposals for the amendment of secondary legislation and on general social security matters.

    The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates all appointments made to SSAC by the Secretary of State. All such appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

    SSAC members receive a daily fee of £256.80, for a time commitment of 2 to 3 days a month.

    About the appointees

    Richard Machin

    Richard is an experienced social policy academic and Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University, with a background in welfare rights, social security, and policy research. He has extensive expertise in social welfare law, poverty, and the impact of social security reforms. His recent research has focused on the effects of COVID-19 on low-income households, leading to his appointment as an expert witness at the COVID-19 Inquiry.

    Richard has worked in local government, the voluntary and advice sectors. He is a Trustee for the Church Action on Poverty and actively contributes to national policy debates on social security and poverty combining academic insight with practical experience in welfare rights and money advice.

    Richard has been appointed from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

    Owen McCloskey

    Owen is a practicing solicitor who specialises in social security and is currently serving as the Head of Social Security at Law Centre NI. In this role Owen supervises a team that provides advice and representation in complex matters that help provide a wider understanding of the law. With extensive experience, including test case litigation, Owen has a background in the development of accessible training materials and supervising volunteer representatives in Social Security appeals.

    His academic qualifications include a law degree and a Master’s degree in criminology, and he has contributed to various forums and publications aimed at improving social security and benefits decision-making.

    Owen is a Justice First Fellow who is committed to using legal education to promote access to justice. He provides teaching at both universities in Northern Ireland supporting the clinical legal experience of law students. Owen is also an independent member of the Social Security Standards Committee in Northern Ireland.

    Owen has been appointed from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary to introduce power to sack chief constables [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary to introduce power to sack chief constables [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 January 2026.

    The Home Secretary will have the power to sack failing chief constables, under plans announced by Shabana Mahmood today.

    The new laws will hand Home Secretaries’ statutory powers to force the retirement, resignation or suspension of chief constables on performance grounds. 

    The previous administration removed the power in 2011 through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.  

    Currently, it is only police and crime commissioners who hold the power to dismiss a chief constable.  

    This comes after His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary found significant failings amongst the leadership of the West Midlands police after they recommended banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa.  

    In the statement, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 

    When a chief constable is responsible for a damaging failure of leadership, the public rightly expect the Home Secretary to act. And I intend to restore their ability to do so.  

    This government will soon reintroduce the Home Secretary’s power to dismiss chief constables.

    In her statement, Mahmood has pledged to make police leaders accountable to Parliament and the public ahead of sweeping police reforms to be announced later this month.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘We must strengthen Arctic defences to deter Putin’ Foreign Secretary says during Arctic visit [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘We must strengthen Arctic defences to deter Putin’ Foreign Secretary says during Arctic visit [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 January 2026.

    Travelling to Finland and Norway, the Foreign Secretary will call on NATO to step up its work in the Arctic to protect Euro-Atlantic interests in the region.

    • Foreign Secretary says “Arctic security is critical to protecting Britain and NATO” as she pledges support for allies on visit to High North   
    • Yvette Cooper to call for NATO to step up its work in the Arctic as she visits Finland and Norway 
    • UK at forefront of Arctic Security as climate change turns region into a hotspot for geopolitical competition and a critical flank for security 

    The Foreign Secretary is touring the Arctic Circle to see UK efforts to bolster regional security and to highlight the importance of stronger challenge against hostile states who seek to meddle in the High North. Travelling to Finland and Norway, she will call on NATO to step up its work in the Arctic to protect Euro-Atlantic interests in the region.    

    The High North is home to key shipping routes and vital critical national infrastructure such as undersea cables, is key to the UK’s security, prosperity and environment.  

    In Finland, the Foreign Secretary will meet Border Guards defending NATO’s eastern flank with Russia. In Norway, she will visit Royal Marines taking part in a live training demonstration at Camp Viking. The military base acts as the year-round operations hub for the UK Commando Force, providing essential cold weather training for up to 1500 personnel.   

    The UK and Norway share a determination to ensure Russia does not succeed in its illegal war of aggression. Sanctions against the Shadow Fleet by the UK and partners have anchored an estimated 200 ships. Norway recently selected the UK to supply them with Type 26 frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare in the deal worth £10 billion.   

    This Government is set to significantly increase defence spending to 2.6% from April 2027, with an ambition of 3% in the next parliament. This is a generational increase in defence and security spending, underlining the UK’s commitment to national security and honouring the UK’s commitment to be a leader in NATO.   

    The UK has also long been a leader in the Joint Expeditionary Force with 10 like-minded nations committed to security in the High North. The JEF recently conducted its largest military activity to date – Tarassis – which saw thousands of troops, including over 1,700 British personnel, dozens of ships, vehicles and aircraft deployed from the Baltics to Iceland.  

     Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  

    Britain is stepping up on Arctic security. With our allies we are working to strengthen Arctic defences and deter any attempts from the likes of Vladimir Putin to threaten our interests and our infrastructure. As climate change opens the Arctic, the region will become an ever more critical frontier for NATO.   

    The UK has a long and committed bond with our Allies in the Arctic Circle.  Our world class Royal Marine Commandos have been training alongside Nordic partners for over half a century. This government is reinforcing our diplomatic and security commitment to the region.  

    We see it as our responsibility and our duty to tackle these challenges head on, making us all safer in the process. Arctic security is a critical transatlantic partnership issue for the security of Britain and NATO. Coming together as an alliance allows us to unify and tackle this emerging threat.

    Russia’s actions pose the greatest threat to Arctic security, through efforts to militarise the region, continued threat to undersea infrastructure and using its reckless and illegal Shadow Fleet which pose a systemic threat to maritime security globally.

    As warming seas unlock the Northern Sea Route, other state actors are seeking to grow their sphere of influence further afield. Climate change developments are shaping the High North, creating new shipping routes and exposing resources, turning the region into a hotspot for geopolitical competition and a critical flank for European and UK security.  

    The visit comes as the Government has boosted its defences with Nordic partners.   

    Last month, the UK and Norway signed a defence agreement that will see British and Norwegian navies operating side-by-side in the North Atlantic to protect critical infrastructure from Russian submarines.  

    And last week, the UK provided support to the United States to interdict the vessel Bella 1, accused of Shadow Fleet activities. UK armed forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets interdicting the Bella 1 between the UK and Iceland.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Disunity in Southern Yemen is in no one’s interests and only undermines efforts towards lasting peace and prosperity for the Yemeni people – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Disunity in Southern Yemen is in no one’s interests and only undermines efforts towards lasting peace and prosperity for the Yemeni people – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 January 2026.

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

    First, I would like to start by reaffirming this Council’s strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as to the Presidential Leadership Council and the Government of Yemen, as outlined in our statement of 23 December.

    Disunity in Southern Yemen is in no one’s interests and only undermines efforts towards lasting peace and prosperity for the Yemeni people.

    Given recent events, our priority must now be stabilisation. After eleven years of conflict and insecurity, we must renew efforts towards dialogue and a comprehensive political settlement to give the Yemeni people the future they deserve.

    In this regard, we welcome the Southern Dialogue Conference announced by the Yemen Government and hosted by Saudi Arabia.

    Second, we reiterate this Council’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained by the Houthis. The UK strongly condemns the recent death sentences issued by the Houthi authorities and continued detention of aid workers. These actions flagrantly violate fundamental rights and due process.

    Finally, we must not lose sight of the fact that Yemen remains one of the most acute humanitarian crises in the world. The 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan projects 21 million people will be in need of assistance, an increase of 1.5 million since last year.

    Levels of food insecurity remain worryingly high, with pockets of famine in parts of the country and growing rates of malnutrition amongst children.

    With less funding available, the UN is rightly focussed on a global humanitarian reset to pursue greater localisation and prioritisation of humanitarian responses. If we act now, together with the UN, INGOs and Yemeni NGOs, we can reach the most vulnerable and limit already severe levels of suffering.

    President, we have heard from Special Envoy Grundberg that, despite the many challenges, there remains hope for Yemen. The UK is steadfast in its support to the role of the Special Envoy and an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices, to help build that more hopeful future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary wants UK to go ‘toe to toe’ with America on growth [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary wants UK to go ‘toe to toe’ with America on growth [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 January 2026.

    In a speech to top business leaders the Business Secretary will lay out how the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy will double down on the UK’s world-leading strengths in 2026 and not only scale up businesses, but keep them anchored in the UK.

    Business Secretary Peter Kyle will set out his ambition for the UK to go toe to toe on economic growth with the US economy to boost living standards today [Wednesday 14 January].

    In a speech to top business leaders including from Alphabet, Meta and Ford at Bloomberg’s London headquarters, he will lay out how the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy will double down on the UK’s world-leading strengths in 2026 and not only scale up businesses, but keep them anchored in the UK.

    He is expected to say:

    We stood on a manifesto commitment to be the fastest growing economy in the G7. And we absolutely meant it.  

    Now, in the first three quarters of last year, the UK achieved the second highest growth of that group. That is cause for optimism. 

    But contrast it to the United States. The US achieved 4.3% annualised growth over the last quarter. 

    I want to fight tooth and nail with you to get that extra growth. To compete with America.  

    I say this because I know what it would mean for families. The impact it would have on people’s wages. On their disposable income. On their living standards.

    He is expected to welcome the strong progress the Government has made so far in delivering its Modern Industrial Strategy, with a new quarterly update confirming £79bn of investment commitments and 50,000 well-paid jobs secured in just the last quarter.

    He will also confirm the names of three new business leaders to join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council: Amelia Gould (General Manager, Maritime at Helsing), Keith Anderson (CEO, Scottish Power) and Dana Strong (CEO, Sky).

    He is expected to say that whilst the Government has made important choices for the long term such as on rail, roads and runways, it must be just as bold at driving growth in the short term:

    That means injecting real urgency into delivering our Modern Industrial Strategy.  

    Taking risks. Placing the big bets on the industries that we know can win. And win big.

    Kyle will also set out the Government’s approach to regulation, such as accepting the findings of the Fingleton Review on nuclear and moving away from “pointless gold plating” of state projects.

    To help bring the UK into line with the US’s levels of growth, he will argue that British businesses need help in scaling up to encourage them to stay in Britain. This will include large new investments from the British Business Bank and more firepower for UK Export Finance.

    He is expected to say:

    Very soon, I will be setting out how we’ll go even further to reduce that regulatory burden and ensure our most promising start-ups don’t need to leave our shores to reach their full potential.

    Over the coming days and weeks, we will be doing more – a lot more – to move the dial. To go for growth at every opportunity.

    He will highlight the Government’s work to reduce burdens for business since his appointment, including a £230 million reduction in admin costs and energy price support such as the Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, slashing businesses’ energy costs.

    The reception comes ahead of the Business Secretary’s attendance at Davos next week where he will engage with business leaders and set out why the UK is truly the best place in the world to invest, with a culture of entrepreneurship, world-class education and certainty for business.

    Other attendees at the reception will include the Director Generals of the CBI and BCC, Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, and executives from Heathrow, Blackrock, McKinsey, BP and AstraZeneca.

    Industrial Strategy Council Appointments:

    • Keith Anderson has been CEO of ScottishPower since 2018. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, Keith was CEO of ScottishPower Renewables and led Iberdrola’s international offshore business. Before joining ScottishPower, Keith worked with some major financial institutions including The Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life, as well as working as a management consultant with E&Y. Keith has an Honorary Degree from Strathclyde University and is an Honorary Fellow of the Energy Institute.
    • Amelia Gould CEng FIET is the General Manager, Maritime for Helsing and leads the Group’s work in the maritime domain. Amelia has over 20 years of strategic and operational delivery experience in the global defence sector. She began her career as a Royal Navy Engineering Officer where she served for 11 years before moving into enterprise architecture and then joining BAE Systems, where she held senior technical and leadership roles. She became Managing Director of Helsing UK in 2023, helping build Europe’s leading defence tech company, and is now General Manager Maritime. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IET, she is committed to inspiring future talent through her STEM ambassador work and as Chair of Trustees for FirstUK. She was also a Non-Exec director at Maritime UK Solent for 5 years, promoting maritime innovation across the region.
    • Dana Strong is Group Chief Executive of Sky, one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies and part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology group. Dana has managed both cable and satellite businesses around the world and is recognised for her track record for accelerating growth. Before joining Sky, Dana led transformation and growth for many of the world’s largest media and telecommunication companies serving as President of Consumer Services for Comcast Cable, the largest broadband and PayTV operator in the United States; President and Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Media; and Chief Transformation Officer of Liberty Global.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Multi-billion-pound drive to transform rail and growth across Yorkshire and North East [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Multi-billion-pound drive to transform rail and growth across Yorkshire and North East [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 January 2026.

    Northern Powerhouse Rail plans announced to grow productivity, with faster rail commutes across Yorkshire, better journeys to the North East and route upgrades.

    • government launches new growth plan for the North to unlock the region’s economic potential and boost living standards – growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to the UK economy
    • faster frequent and reliable trains across Yorkshire, better journeys to the North East, and progressing Leamside Line proposals in plans to vastly improve travel and open up job opportunities
    • Northern Powerhouse Rail will see upgrades to lines between Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield first in the 2030s, with better connections to Manchester in later phases

    People across Yorkshire and the North East will benefit from faster commutes, greater job opportunities and increased investment as part of major Northern Powerhouse Rail plans launched today (14 January 2026).

    The new major government growth plans will boost economic potential and living standards across the North, with more reliable and more frequent trains across major cities in the regions. The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) plans unveiled today will drastically improve how people travel for work, education and leisure – growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to UK economy.

    The first phase will prioritise upgrades and electrification between Leeds-Sheffield, Leeds-York and Leeds-Bradford to transform commutes, set to be delivered in the 2030s. In the North East, work on the business case for the Leamside Line will be taken forward, as part of ensuring NPR services reach Newcastle.

    With £1.1 billion to progress planning and development work as soon as possible, plans include improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations – supporting significant regeneration plans to unlock tens of thousands of homes and jobs. The plan also includes pressing forward with work on Bradford Station, putting a young, dynamic city of 500,000 people at the heart of the northern network.

    Over £11 million of local transport funding has now been agreed for South Yorkshire to develop a new Rotherham Gateway station, which spells an end to slow journeys to Leeds and support the ambitious regeneration plans for the town.   

    The North East will also benefit from regular services onwards to Newcastle via Darlington and Durham. This follows recent investment of £4 billion in the East Coast Mainline which has seen 60,000 extra seats weekly through the new timetable.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

    This new era of investment will not just speed up journeys, it will mean new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.   

    The exciting improved stations across Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford will reflect the prestigious place rail holds in the northern economy, and regenerate vibrant, bustling districts in these cities.

    The first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail will prioritise upgrading rail connections across Yorkshire and progressing work on the business case for the Leamside Line as part of ensuring services reach Newcastle, improving opportunities across the region.

    Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council said:

    This is great news for Sheffield. Being included in the first phase of the Northern Powerhouse Rail plans means that the early stages of delivery will provide better, faster trains to Leeds and Manchester, upgrades to capacity at Sheffield station and an important commitment from government to work with us on our tram-train expansion.

    Outdated transport infrastructure has held Sheffield back for too long. Thanks to the Labour government this will change. This is a very positive announcement and a sign of the government’s commitment to the North.

    Faster, more reliable journeys will help businesses in Sheffield and give people access to more opportunities. The investment will help us unlock new opportunities for homes and jobs around Sheffield station and across our city.

    Sheffield or Bradford to Manchester can take up to 54 minutes, despite both cities being around 30 miles away – meanwhile Reading to London Paddington takes 22 minutes covering 35 miles. There also are only 2 fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester, which is a hugely popular route and suffers from severe overcrowding.

    It can take up to 1 hour 23 minutes to get to Manchester airport from Leeds or Sheffield, even though they are around 40 miles away.   

    The second phase of NPR will build a new route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington, following in the 2030s. The third phase will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds, and explore options for Manchester to Bradford.   

    This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a plan for the North – to be published in the spring. This will include plans for a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York via West and South Yorkshire and bespoke plans for the North-East to make the most of opportunities in clean energy, AI, innovation and city centre regeneration.

    Not only will plans improve travel connections, the redevelopment of stations and surrounding neighbourhoods will bring in new homes, jobs and local businesses. Regeneration of Leeds Station will include exciting plans for the South Bank, while development around the new Bradford Station and York Central will add new housing in the bustling city centres. The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District spans 2,000 acres along the Don Valley corridor, linking Rotherham and Sheffield, with the potential to enable thousands of new homes and jobs.

    Lord Blunkett said:

    I am very pleased that as a consequence of the White Rose Agreement, signed last March, and the Rail Plan for Yorkshire – which I was pleased to chair – an essential first step is now to be taken to recognise the critical importance of the cities and towns east of the Pennines.

    It is essential that following the initial investment, the Spending Review in 2028 accelerates the development of a rail system to be proud of, and the connectivity of cities across the North to unlock the talent and the growth fundamental to future success.

    Yorkshire, with a population greater than Scotland, has long been neglected and this announcement starts the process of putting right years of neglect.

    The NPR plans build on the £11 billion Transpennine route upgrade, between York and Manchester, via Leeds and Huddersfield, which is already delivering more efficient journeys for people across the north.

    A funding cap of £45 billion will be set for the programme, including £1.1 billion over the Spending Review period allocated from existing budgets first. Learning lessons from HS2, the government will work closely with local partners to ensure planning processes are carried out efficiently, and approvals are streamlined to reduce delays and prevent projects from going over budget.    

    The city regions of the North have huge untapped economic potential. Leeds and West Yorkshire are emerging as the ‘Northern square mile’ for financial services, while Sheffield and South Yorkshire are at the cutting edge on defence and advanced manufacturing, York’s thriving and dynamic cultural and visitor economy, and Newcastle’s growing research and innovation sector.

    The government is working with mayors, other local leaders, and businesses to announce a wider plan this spring for taking advantage of these strengths, firing up productivity and prosperity across the North.

    This plan brings in existing work to unlock immediate benefits for residents, including work to help fill local skills gaps across the country, and will build on this with further policies to improve connectivity, revitalise cities and towns, support people with the skills to access new opportunities, and support businesses to innovate and grow.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary bolsters advisory council to grow UK industry [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary bolsters advisory council to grow UK industry [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 January 2026.

    The Business Secretary has appointed three new business leaders to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.

    Today [14 January], Business Secretary Peter Kyle has appointed three new business leaders with a wealth of experience to support key UK sectors, as the government looks to ramp up economic growth and opportunities for people across the country. 

    Amelia Gould, Keith Anderson and Dana Strong will join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council – an independent body that advises the government on delivering the Industrial Strategy – to improve the Council’s range of perspectives and understanding of sectors across the UK.  

    This comes as the government looks to drive investment into key sectors and deliver the higher living standards and better public services the UK deserves. 

    Amelia Gould CEng FIET joins the Council with over 20 years’ experience in the global defence sector. A former Royal Navy Engineering Officer with 11 years’ service, she later moved into enterprise architecture and senior roles at BAE Systems. Amelia became Managing Director of Helsing UK in 2023 and is now General Manager, Maritime. 

    Keith Anderson has been CEO of ScottishPower since 2018. He previously led ScottishPower Renewables and Iberdrola’s international offshore business and earlier worked in financial services with RBS and Standard Life, as well as consulting with EY. 

    Dana Strong is Group CEO of Sky, one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies within Comcast. Previously, she held senior leadership roles driving growth and transformation at Comcast, Virgin Media, and Liberty Global. 

    Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    Amelia, Keith, and Dana bring extensive business expertise to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, helping strengthen our efforts to drive economic growth and raise living standards for people across the country. 

    This Council plays a key role in delivering our modern Industrial Strategy, which is vital in creating the long-term stability and growth we need by hardwiring stability for businesses – giving them the confidence to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond.

    The Government has also published the mandate letter setting out the Council’s work programme for 2026. The letter, issued jointly by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, commissions the Council to provide impactful advice and analysis on key delivery priorities over the year. These include driving dynamism in markets alongside boosting skills and access to high quality jobs. 

    Dame Clare Barclay DBE, Chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council said:

    I’m delighted to welcome Dana, Keith and Amelia to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. Their leadership across creative industries, energy and defence will strengthen our work. Their expertise will be invaluable as we drive forward an industrial strategy focused on growth, innovation and supporting businesses to scale, start and compete.

    Dana Strong, CEO of Sky Group said: 

    The UK has strong foundations for growth across the whole economy, and I am passionate about supporting UK businesses to scale, innovate and compete internationally. Creating the right conditions for long-term growth and productivity will be central to future prosperity, and I look forward to supporting the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to help secure the UK’s long-term competitiveness.

    Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower said:

    The UK’s industrial strategy is critical to unlocking investment, pushing productivity, and driving growth.  The Advisory Council has a vital role to play in helping realise that potential and make a long and lasting difference for people the length and breadth of the country. Working together, government and business can turbocharge economic growth and build a better future that offers opportunity, security and prosperity right across the country.

    Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing said: 

    I’m delighted to join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and draw on my experience across defence, engineering and advanced technology to support the Government’s growth mission. I look forward to supporting the UK’s industrial capability and long‑term resilience

    Notes to Editors:

    • You can read the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council Mandate letter here.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea – Paul Eastwood [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea – Paul Eastwood [January 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 January 2026.

    Mr Paul Eastwood has been appointed British High Commissioner to The Independent State of Papua New Guinea in succession to Ms Anne Macro. Mr Eastwood will take up his appointment during February 2026.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Paul David Eastwood

    YearRole
    2024 to 2025Ofgem, Deputy Director and Head of Energy System Planning
    2022 to 2024FCDO, Lead Energy Adviser
    2021 to 2022ScottishPower Renewables, Senior Environment Manager
    2020 to 2021FCDO, Head of Climate and Environment Profession
    2016 to 2020Jakarta, DFID, Lead Adviser for Sustainable Commodities and Trade
    2015 to 2016Dhaka, DFID, Head of Climate, Humanitarian, and Disaster Resilience
    2012 to 2015DFID, Head of Environment and Forestry
    2009 to 2012Wellington, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Principal Climate Advisor
    2007 to 2009Suva, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Regional Oceans Coordinator
    2003 to 2007UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Senior Marine Scientist
    1998 to 2002Masters and Doctoral Research
    1995 to 1997Kiribati, Marine Resource Development Adviser, Voluntary Service Overseas
  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Karol Nawrocki of Poland [January 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Karol Nawrocki of Poland [January 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 January 2026.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, for his first visit to Downing Street today.

    The leaders began by reflecting on the strength of the relationship between the UK and Poland. They agreed that both countries would deepen that relationship even further, from defence and security, to trade, commerce and education.

    The increasingly close cooperation on the defence projects was good for both the bilateral relationship and European security, the Prime Minister added.

    Thanking the President for hosting a UK squadron as part of forward land forces in Poland, the Prime Minister welcomed the agreement for Polish helicopter pilots to begin world-class helicopter training in the UK in the next few months, integrating the British and Polish Armed Forces even further.

    Turning to Ukraine, the leaders agreed on the importance of securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and that President Putin could not be trusted.

    The Prime Minister thanked President Nawrocki for Poland’s ongoing involvement in the Coalition of the Willing and discussions around security guarantees.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • NEWS STORY : UK and Poland strike new deal on missile defence and helicopter training

    NEWS STORY : UK and Poland strike new deal on missile defence and helicopter training

    STORY

    The UK and Poland have agreed to deepen cooperation on air and missile defence, with plans to explore new capabilities to counter airborne threats and encourage fresh manufacturing capacity in Europe, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

    The agreement includes expanded joint training in virtual environments aimed at improving coordination between the two countries’ air defences without the cost and risks associated with live exercises. The training will be delivered through a UK-led NATO initiative known as DIAMOND, designed to strengthen integrated air and missile operational defences across the alliance.

    Alongside the missile defence element, both countries have also signed up to enhanced helicopter training cooperation. From this summer, eight Polish military helicopter pilots are set to begin training in the UK under the NATO Flight Training Europe programme, joined by two experienced Polish instructors who will be stationed at RAF Shawbury for a rotational tour.

    The announcement was made as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted Polish President Karol Nawrocki in Downing Street, with Defence Secretary John Healey describing Poland as a crucial ally on NATO’s eastern flank at a time of rising security threats.