Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Russia is not serious about peace and its war against Ukraine is increasingly unsustainable – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2026.

Politico-Military Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, highlights E3 leaders’ reaffirmation of unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence, underscores the unsustainability of Russia’s war effort in the face of mounting casualties and minimal territorial gains, condemns continued Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, and calls on Russia to agree an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

On 7 June, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the President of France and the Chancellor of Germany met President Zelenskyy in London and reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and set out the conditions for a just and lasting peace. Ukraine’s is a State that is serious about ending this war. A war remember that it never wanted in the first place. It has consistently demonstrated its readiness to pursue peace through diplomatic means, including by agreeing to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Russia is not serious about peace, as has been the case throughout the war. Most recently, at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum last week, President Putin dismissed proposals for direct engagement. Russia continues to refuse a ceasefire and continues to call for Ukraine to withdraw from its own internationally-recognised territory. This land is Ukraine, not Russia. It is no coincidence that it contains the ‘Fortress Belt’ of cities vital for Ukraine’s defence; demands that they hand these over are effectively a demand for Ukraine’s surrender.

While Russia demands that Ukraine withdraws from its sovereign territory, it is facing increasing setbacks on the battlefield. Still suffering 30,000 casualties a month, up to half of which are fatalities, Russia’s battlefield advances have slowed to a crawl. And Ukraine has demonstrated its continued ability to counterattack, as we have seen recently in Stepnohirsk. Having suffered 420,000 casualties to only occupy an additional 0.8% of Ukraine in 2025, Russia is on track to match these record casualty rates for an even smaller gain in 2026. Occupying less than 19.5% of Ukraine at the cost of 1.3 million casualties so far, this rate of loss will become increasingly unsustainable the longer Putin pursues this illegal invasion. As the United Kingdom said at the Permanent Council a fortnight ago, this is not to gloat at such tragic figures, it is to point out the utter futility of continuing this war as if it can be won.

Russia has failed to take by force the Ukrainian land that it asks Ukraine to withdraw from through negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia continues to intensify its attacks, injuring and killing Ukrainian civilians. May saw the most drones fired into Ukraine since the invasion began, and the highest reported civilian casualty figures since April 2022. Regrettably, June looks set to continue this trend, with over 2,400 drones and 77 missiles fired between the 1st and 9th, killing 98 civilians and injuring over 680 more. The mass attack on the night of 1–2 June saw the largest ballistic and hypersonic missile strike of the entire war. The international community has condemned these attacks, including the repeated reckless use of Oreshnik nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missiles, on Ukrainian cities, as well as irresponsible and dangerous Russian drone incursions into NATO territory. This is the conduct of a state compensating for failure on the battlefield with violence against the people of Ukraine.

Russia’s maximalist demands, coupled with its rejection of a full and unconditional ceasefire and the intensifying violence that is harming civilians, stand in clear contradiction to its commitments under the Helsinki Final Act, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as to its broader obligations under international law. Russia is neither engaging seriously in negotiations nor acknowledging the hard realities on the ground.

The path to peace has been clearly set out, by Ukraine, by the E3 leaders in London, and by partners across the international community. Russia can choose to take it at any time, by agreeing to an immediate, unconditional and complete ceasefire and engaging meaningfully in negotiations. The United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence, to maintain pressure on the Kremlin, and to act in solidarity with Ukraine and with partners in this Forum.

13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Government welcomes hospitality and tourism sector plans to further strengthen its safety standards to prevent violence against women and girls [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 12 June 2026.

At a meeting of leading figures from the UK’s hospitality, tourism and night-time economy sectors, ministers heard the industry’s plans to further bolster safety standards across the industry.

UKHospitality and its members have driven forward a proactive programme of further work to promote the safety and security of women and girls, including enhancing guidance on guest safety.

Government and industry agreed to work together to build on existing partnership work at both national and local level to protect guests and teams, as well as share best practice to prevent any opportunities for perpetrators in or outside of venues.

An updated guest safety protocol, developed by UKHospitality, is currently out for consultation with the sector and will set out guidance covering room access procedures, protection of guest privacy and the responsibilities of staff.

The framework will also highlight additional vulnerability training and safety protocols available, in order to complement other safety procedures and support teams on the frontline.

Businesses will be supported by third-sector organisations including Rape Crisis and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust in how to identify and report abuse.

The roundtable, held at 11 Downing Street, was attended by representatives from across accommodation, short-term lets, bars, nightclubs, and charities dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls.

It was chaired by Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, and co-hosted by Kate Dearden, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection; Catherine Atkinson, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls; and Natalie Fleet, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.

Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

It is vital that everyone, whether a visitor, a guest or a member of staff, feels safe and secure.

I am encouraged by the ambition shown by businesses building on the work the sector is already doing to protect guests and visitors and look forward to seeing these further commitments translate into meaningful, measurable change.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, Natalie Fleet, said:

Women should be able to sleep at night knowing they are safe.

As Minister for Safeguarding – and as a Mum and Nana – I am excited about the work we are doing to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. We’re working cross-government to deliver our ambitious strategy, but we cannot keep women safe alone, that’s why this meeting was so important.

It was great to talk to representatives from across the hospitality sector to reflect on how we had got here, and what we can do to avoid this happening again.

I really did leave the meeting feeling optimistic about next steps. Violence against women and girls is a national emergency that every one of us has a responsibility to tackle.

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said:

The safety of our guests is our utmost priority, and it’s a responsibility that the entire hospitality sector takes incredibly seriously.

Together with our members, we have been enhancing existing guidance on guest safety and we’ve been pleased to share our plans with Ministers.

It’s positive to hear recognition of the sector’s ongoing work in this area and it’s critical we work together to support our teams on the frontline, including the need to expand protections for retail staff to hospitality.

Currently out for consultation with the sector, we look forward to finalising this in the coming weeks and continuing our dialogue with the Government on this issue.

Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Catherine Atkinson said:

Every woman should be able to check into a hotel, enjoy a night out or dinner, or book a short-term let without fear for her safety.

I am pleased to see major businesses stepping up alongside expert organisations to ensure that staff at every level are equipped to identify abuse and take action.

That kind of joined-up approach is exactly what tackling VAWG demands and this Government will pull every lever at its disposal.

Kate Dearden, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer protection, said:

We’re showing how government and the hospitality sector can work together so that everyone, including women and girls can enjoy the nighttime economy whilst feeling safe and supported. Working with our tourism and hospitality sector is essential in keeping our towns and cities safe.

Initiatives delivered by the sector include the Ask Angela, Best Bar None, Pubwatch and Purple Flag.

Businesses also agreed to continue to promote the government’s Enough campaign and to deepen existing co-operation with specialist third sector organisations.

In the year ending March 2025, around 5.1 million people experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking – approximately 10.6% of adults aged 16 and over.

The Government is treating tackling VAWG as a top priority, committing £550 million into victim support over the next three years and setting out its ambition to halve VAWG within a decade through its strategy published in December 2025.

The hospitality and tourism sector – which contributed £64.3 billion to the UK economy in 2024 and employs 1.3 million people, over half of whom are women – has a critical role to play in meeting that ambition.

The roundtable marks the beginning of an ongoing dialogue between government and the sector.

13/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE : Change of Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha: Belinda Lewis [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2026.

Ms Belinda Lewis has been selected to become the next Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in succession to Mr Nigel Phillips CBE, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Ms Lewis will take up her appointment during September 2026.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Belinda Lewis

2025 to 2026	FCDO, Director Special Projects and pre-posting preparation
2021 to 2025	Kuwait City, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2018 to 2021	FCO, Deputy Director, Human Resources (followed by maternity leave)
2016 to 2018	Karachi, Deputy High Commissioner and Trade Director for Pakistan (followed by maternity leave)
2014 to 2016	Baghdad, Deputy Head of Mission
2012 to 2014	Lashkar Gah, Director Rule of Law and Operations, later Head of Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team
2010 to 2012	MoJ, Deputy Director, International Justice Policy
2009 to 2010	MoJ, Deputy Director, Information Rights Policy
2008 to 2009	Immigration Service, Border Security and Visa Policy
2007	Washington, Secondment to US Department of Homeland Security
2006 to 2007	MoJ, Head of EU and International Data Policy
2005 to 2006	MoJ, Team Leader, Information Rights Department
2003 to 2005	DCMS, Fast Stream policy roles
2001 to 2003	Edinburgh, Milan and London, HSBC Bank

13/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE : Britain powers ahead on AI with billions of pounds of new investment and thousands of jobs secured as London Tech Week wraps up [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 12 June 2026.

More than £6 billion of new investment and around 8,000 new jobs have been announced this week, as companies from around the world choose to build, hire and scale here.

More than £6 billion of new investment and around 8,000 new jobs have been announced this week, as companies from around the world choose to build, hire and scale here – reinforcing Britain’s position as a global hub for AI.

From AMD’s £2 billion commitment for next generation AI compute, to Nebius investing £1.7 billion in new infrastructure, to homegrown companies like Oxford Quantum Circuits securing record funding – this is Britain’s AI leadership turning into real jobs, investment and opportunities across the country.

These deals span the full breadth of the AI economy – from chips and cloud infrastructure to autonomous vehicles and open-source development – showing the UK isn’t just keeping pace in the global AI race but helping to shape its direction.

The momentum has been matched by government action throughout the week to strengthen the UK’s tech sector – backing the skills, infrastructure and innovation needed to unlock growth. That includes new support for young people to seize the opportunities of AI, the first-ever AI Adoption Summit, a landmark £1.1 billion AI Hardware Plan, plus new backing for open-source AI builders, and a data centre design challenge – so Britain builds with taste.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

Britain is seizing the opportunities of tech and AI to create jobs, improve lives and grow businesses.

Companies from across the globe are choosing to invest here and hire here, bringing billions of pounds and thousands of new jobs with them.

And this Government is backing them with our £1.1billion hardware plan and our investment in skills and training.

We are rebuilding Britain for the modern age and creating a future that works for all.

A range of major investments have been announced, totalling over £6 billion of investment and around 8,000 new jobs – from global leaders and frontier companies choosing to grow here. This includes:
- AMD commits up to £2 billion of investment over five years to Accelerate AI Innovation and Research in the United Kingdom.
- Nebius, the AI cloud company, announced it is investing approximately £1.7 billion to build out capacity in the UK with three new deployments of advanced NVIDIA compute, as the company continues to expand its commercial and AI R&D hub in London.
- Amazon opened a new fulfilment centre in Northampton and announced plans for a second major site in Kettering, committing more than £1 billion and up to 4,000 jobs in a single county as part of its planned £40 billion UK investment.
- British unicorn Ark has announced an investment of £807m in the expansion of its Longcross Park campus. The expansion supports the deployment of leading AI cloud provider Nebius, which is also increasing its footprint in the UK as well as an additional data centre facility with 36MW of future capacity.
- Eros Innovation is investing £265m and establishing a sovereign British Cultural AI capability, supporting 3,000+ jobs across 15 productions over five-years (2 films shooting in the UK in 2026), licensing its $1.7bn cultural dataset to its UK operation and launching an AI Studio to develop Large Cultural Models trained on British creative heritage and governed by British law.
- Quantum computing scale-up Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) securing a £260 million investment – the largest quantum funding round in the UK, backed by the British Business Bank.
- Silicon Valley investors Playground Global are launching a new fund backed by up to £150 million from the British Business Bank – the largest fund investment the bank has ever made – to invest in UK-based hardware companies and help them scale. 
- Arlequin AI investing up to £45 million in the UK over the next 5 years with capital deployed across local hiring, UK R&D, and sovereign deployment capability for government and critical national infrastructure clients.
- Midlands Mindforge has now entered its active investing stage, thanks to the support of the Mayors of the East and West Midlands, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Rigby Group and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) via the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign. This will help to unlock an initial £30m of capital into the region making its first round of investments into spinout companies.
- Cosine announced the formation of a coalition of major UK institutions including, BAE Systems, BT, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, PwC and Leonardo UK, to co-design Lumen Sovereign, Britain’s first fully sovereign frontier AI model. Backed by the Government’s Sovereign AI Fund, Lumen Sovereign will be trained entirely on UK soil using Isambard-AI.
- AI coding startup Cursor announced plans to open its European headquarters in London.
- Fynd, the AI-native unified commerce platform serving brands and retailers across India, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, has opened its first UK office in London. This investment is projected to create 70 jobs across London, Manchester and the wider UK by 2028.
- General Intuition — the frontier research lab dedicated to foundation models for spatial and temporal reasoning — has opened a UK office in London King’s Cross. The lab will invest some of its recent $133M seed round into expanding its London-based research team, drawing on the UK’s strong talent base.
- Legora, the AI platform for legal professionals, is expanding its European footprint with a dedicated engineering hub in London in a major vote of confidence in the UK’s AI capabilities. 
- Multiverse announced the opening of a new technology hub in Edinburgh and plans to create 200 jobs in the next year across the new office and its London headquarters.
- German AI unicorn n8n will expand its investment into the UK by delivering up to 200 high-skilled jobs over the next three years, a strong endorsement of the UK’s AI talent ecosystem.
- PhysicsX secured a $300 million Series C investment, taking its valuation to approximately $2.4 billion. The funding will accelerate PhysicsX’s global expansion, platform development, and frontier physics AI research.
- Reflection, the US-based open-source AI lab founded by former Google DeepMind researchers Misha Laskin and Ioannis Antonoglou, is expanding its UK footprint with plans to hire more than 100 highly skilled employees within the next 12 months, growing to over 1,000 roles within three years.
- US tech company Replit will be opening up an office in London this year.
13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Tough US-style courts to crack down on repeat offenders [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 12 June 2026.

The public will be better protected from crime under a major expansion of tough Texas-style courts which will see thousands of offenders monitored by judges.
- New £9 million funding to more than double number of problem-solving courts
- Repeat offenders to be strictly monitored by one judge or risk time in prison
- World-recognised approach has been shown to reduce reoffending by a third
A £9 million funding boost announced today (12 June) will help to more than double the number of Intensive Supervision Courts, an innovative approach to sentencing which aims to cut reoffending by tackling the root causes of crime.

The model recognises that factors like addiction and trauma can be the root causes of repeat offending. It forces low-level offenders to attend weekly sessions and regularly appear before the same judge who will track their behaviour, reserving prison spaces for the dangerous criminals who need them.

Those who fail to attend hearings, continue to misuse substances or refuse to engage in mandatory treatment courses will face tough consequences such as tagging or even time in prison for breaching strict conditions.

These problem-solving courts have reduced reoffending across the world, with countries using this model seeing a reduction in further arrests of one third compared to offenders serving standard sentences – ending the revolving door of prison and cutting crime.

In Texas alone, the approach helped drive a significant reduction in the prison population and contributed to a 29 per cent drop in crime. 

The expansion will see the number of these pioneering courts rise from 5 to 11 sites across the country, with a specific focus on prolific offenders, women and those with substance misuse issues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, David Lammy said:

Prolific offending often goes hand in hand with addiction and trauma, and tackling that can help cut crime. 

These tough new courts ensure offenders are held to account while giving them the tools they need to turn their lives round for good, reducing reoffending and making our streets safer in the process.

Evidence shows offenders on probation are far more likely than the general public to experience addiction and mental health issues, which are proven to increase the likelihood of reoffending.

Further studies show how more than two thirds of women in custody report being victims of domestic abuse, a factor which is a known indicator of crimes. They also reveal how more than half of female offenders have sustained brain injuries while roughly the same percentage have drug addictions.

Tackling these underlying issues and addressing the root causes of crime helps to prevent more victims and reduce the £18 billion overall cost of reoffending to the taxpayer.

Baroness Gillian Merron Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s and Mental Health said:

We know that custody alone does little to rehabilitate offenders, particularly those whose crimes are driven by addiction or mental health issues.

This initiative will help them turn their lives around by unpacking these issues and giving them the support they need to turn their backs on crime for good.

Through this we can cut reoffending and make communities safer, while getting those often left behind back on their feet and contributing to society again.

The expansion builds on the success of four existing pilot courts in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Teesside which have seen hundreds of offenders receive tough supervision in a bid to help them leave behind a life of crime. A fifth court has been announced and is due to open in Liverpool later this year.

A recent evaluation of the pilot scheme showed two thirds of offenders did not breach their orders while those with significant addiction issues received a clean drug test two-thirds of the time, clear evidence that the model is working. 

Additionally, probation staff, the judiciary and local services like drug treatment providers have reported that offenders’ drug and alcohol use has reduced and those requiring help with their mental health were now receiving the right support to help cut their offending.

Dr Tom McNeil, CEO of The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls

Too many people are trapped in a revolving door of prison, at substantial cost to the taxpayer and public services. The system isn’t working for them, and it’s not working for society.

That’s why today’s announcement is a significant step in the right direction and follows the evidence on what works to divert women away from custody. In our work with partners across the justice system, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these courts have on tackling underlying issues.

Intensive Supervision Courts target prolific low-level offenders whose needs are better addressed in the community, helping to break the cycle of repeat offending. However, prison will continue to play an important role for serious offenders who pose the highest risk to the public.

The Government is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public.

This includes the biggest expansion of tagging in British history, with thousands more domestic abusers, thieves and burglars now subject to GPS and alcohol monitoring as part of a £100 million crackdown on crime.
13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : New CEO appointed to drive Greater Cambridge growth [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 12 June 2026.
- David Hill named as Chief Executive to lead Greater Cambridge Development Corporation
- Appointment confirms government’s infrastructure-first approach to accelerate economic growth in Greater Cambridge
- New body will bring land together for development, invest in key sites and unlock stalled land to realise Cambridge’s full economic potential
David has been appointed today (Friday 12 June) as the first Chief Executive of the proposed Greater Cambridge Development Corporation – a new regeneration body being designed to drive infrastructure-first growth at scale and deliver thousands of new homes and jobs across the region.

David brings extensive senior experience from central government, including as interim Permanent Secretary at DEFRA and Director General with national responsibility for water policy. He has also served in local government as Director of Strategic Commissioning and Policy at Essex County Council. He will take up the role in September 2026.

Subject to parliamentary process, the Development Corporation will coordinate strategic delivery across Greater Cambridge – from community facilities and utilities to housing – giving the region certainty and securing its status as an engine of national growth. The statutory instruments establishing the Development Corporation have been laid before Parliament.

This is another step in realising the government’s ambitions for Cambridge and the wider OxCam Growth Corridor, building on the announcements made by the Housing Minister and Chancellor last week.

Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:

“I am delighted that David has agreed to become the first Chief Executive of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation.

“Building on his strong track record in government, I know David will work closely with local partners to ensure the region is equipped with the powers and authority needed to deliver new housing, jobs and infrastructure at scale.”

Chief Executive of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation, David Hill said:

“I’m honoured and excited to be taking up this new role, and look forward to working with all our partners to deliver the jobs, infrastructure and homes needed to enable Cambridge to grow and to benefit local communities.”

Chair of the Cambridge Growth Company, Peter Freeman CBE said:

“I am delighted that David will become Chief Executive of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation in September. His experience will be invaluable in ensuring the Development Corporation is set up to succeed. Our overriding aim is to enable Greater Cambridge to deliver the economic growth the country needs by making it the most liveable city in Europe.”

The appointment supports the government’s mission to accelerate economic growth, ramp up housing supply and fast-track infrastructure delivery across England.

Further information

The Chief Executive appointment was made following a fair and open recruitment exercise carried out by Homes England and the Cambridge Growth Company.

Biography

David Hill has held Director General roles at Defra since 2019, leading on water, environment and strategy. He was interim Permanent Secretary from June to October 2025. Prior to joining Defra, David was Director of Strategic Commissioning and Policy at Essex County Council, leading a range of place-based initiatives. He has held senior roles across Government, including leading on apprenticeship reform at DfE, and served as Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and as Private Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister.
13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on Ukraine to IAEA Board of Governors [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 June 2026.

Delivered to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on June 2026.

I thank the Director General for his sobering report, and for the continued professionalism and courage of IAEA staff on the ground. Their presence remains indispensable in reducing risks and providing independent, credible reporting under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

The report points to a progressively degrading operating environment across Ukraine’s nuclear sites. However, developments since its issuance underscore that these risks are not static. They are worsening.

It is Russia’s illegal invasion and ongoing aggression against Ukraine that has created these conditions, forcing the Agency into the role of negotiating military pauses around nuclear facilities.

Chair, we are deeply alarmed by the recent drone strike against the Centralised Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility at Chornobyl. That a strike of this nature could occur without immediate radiological consequences should not reassure us; it underlines how narrow the safety margins have become, and how dependent they now are on circumstance rather than control.

This facility sits within a vast exclusion zone, well outside any immediate military necessity. Striking nuclear infrastructure in such an environment is not coincidence – it is reckless and wilful irresponsibility.

This is reinforced by the detail of the Director General’s report: persistent and widespread military activity across all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites, including ZNPP; ongoing grid instability; attacks on energy infrastructure; and repeated reliance on emergency systems to compensate for those failures.

The sheer volume of incidents is striking:
- One power line to Rivne NPP remained disconnected throughout the reporting period following earlier military damage;
- On 26 February, Chornobyl NPP lost off-site power, while Khmelnytskyy (and South Ukraine NPP each lost an off-site power line;
- On 14 March, Chornobyl experienced a prolonged disconnection requiring activation of emergency diesel generators;
- At ZNPP, continued reliance on a single power line and repeated losses of off-site power on 14, 16 and 26 April, and 28 May.
This brings the total number of LOOP events at ZNPP to sixteen since the start of the conflict.

Chair, these incidents do not need to result in an immediate radiological release to be serious: each loss of off-site power and each disruption to grid stability further erodes defence-in-depth and reduces the safety margins on which secure nuclear operations depend.

IAEA reports of a drone strike on the turbine hall at ZNPP further demonstrate how even incidents without immediate radiological impact contribute to worsening risk environment driven by Russia’s illegal invasion.

We commend the Director General for his sustained efforts to broker temporary ceasefire arrangements to enable critical repair work at ZNPP. These are important and necessary measures to reduce immediate nuclear risk.

However, let me be clear: we should not be in this position at all.

The simplest way to reduce nuclear risk is for Russia to cease its aggression and withdraw from Ukraine. Nothing less will deliver the conditions required for safe and secure nuclear operations.

Thank you.
13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : New natural history GCSE to grow next generation of green careers [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 12 June 2026.

Biodiversity, conservation and human influences on the natural world among the topics of study, as public encouraged to have their say on the new qualification.

In a landmark moment for education, young people will soon be able to grow the knowledge and skills they need for future careers shaped by science, technology and environmental change, as the new Natural History GCSE is one step closer to being taught in classrooms.

The new qualification will see pupils’ study three core areas: habitats and wildlife in the UK, human influence on the natural world, and will include the study of climate change, biodiversity loss and conservation. It will also include time outside of the classroom for fieldwork giving them an opportunity to get their hands dirty and apply their knowledge and skills by studying real habitats in their local area.

The government is seeking views from pupils, parents, teachers and the green industry, as it launches a 12-week consultation on the proposed subject content.

It comes as jobs in sustainable sectors and green careers continue to rise in demand, with around 900 UK businesses in nature-related sectors raising £2.8 billion in 2025, supporting 21,000 jobs.

With the UK’s natural capital asset value estimated at around £1.6 trillion, the new GCSE will ensure that children are equipped with the highly sought after skills for the workforce of a changing world and contributes to the wider commitment across government to cut the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

This forms part of the Education Secretary’s wider reforms to bring the national curriculum into the modern day and better prepare young people for life and work in today’s world and beyond.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

As we move into a world where careers are being increasingly shaped by science, technology and environmental change, it’s crucial young people have the skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

This new GCSE will help students build a strong understanding of the natural world, alongside the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to access careers in some of the UK’s fastest growing sectors.

With extensive fieldwork built in, the GCSE will also get young people out and about exploring local parks, rivers and more – a critical part of childhood as more and more of our worlds are taken up by screens.

At the heart of the new GCSE is a deep understanding of UK habitats and wildlife pupils will find around them – urban, freshwater, woodland, grassland, farmland and marine.

By learning to use scientific models such as taxonomic keys and food webs, the GCSE will ask students to understand how habitats form, and how changes on Earth affect forms of wildlife differently.

Pupils will also learn how the UK’s landscape has changed over time, giving young people the historical context to make sense of changes happening today, including shifts in migration patterns and species extinction.

Director of the Natural History Museum, Dr. Doug Gurr, said:

It was fantastic to welcome the Secretary of State to the Museum to mark the consultation launch of the proposed Natural History GCSE. We know there is strong demand from young people and educators to learn more about nature. Through the Museum-led National Education Nature Park (NENP), thousands of schools, nurseries and colleges across England are already taking practical action to boost biodiversity. Together, the proposed GCSE and the NENP can help equip a generation with the knowledge, skills and confidence to create a future in which people and planet thrive.

The subject content will also examine human influences on the natural world, such as urbanisation, fishing and deforestation, as well as conservation approaches, while exploring how everyday actions – from wildlife-friendly gardens to reduced mowing of roadside verges – can support biodiversity.

Naturalist, explorer, presenter and writer, Steve Backshall, added:

I’ve spent my life exploring the furthest reaches of the globe – from ocean depths to mountain summits – and the natural world never stops surprising me. That sense of discovery is something every young person deserves to feel, and this GCSE could be the thing that sparks it.

Getting students outside for real fieldwork – studying everything from urban parks to coastal salt marshes – is exactly how you build a genuine connection with nature. That hands-on experience isn’t just brilliant for the soul, it builds the kind of scientific and analytical skills that will serve them well in future life.

We’re asking this generation to confront some of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced – biodiversity loss, climate change, species extinction. This qualification gives them the knowledge and the tools to not just understand those challenges, but to be part of the solution.

Nature Minister, Mary Creagh said:

Our iconic British wildlife is under pressure from climate change, and this new Natural History GCSE will help reconnect our young people to the natural world.

As this Government steps up action to plant forests and reintroduce birds and wildflowers we are seeing a skills gap open up across the country. This new qualification will inspire our young people with the knowledge and skills they need to protect the world around them.

Young people will carry out a minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork – alongside building a connection with nature, this element will grow the scientific and analytical skills increasingly valued by employers in environmental sectors.

Similarly, the GCSE will develop practical skills in data collection, statistical analysis, and evidence recording – skills directly relevant to careers in environmental science, conservation, land management and data-driven green industries.

It follows the announcement of new V Levels, the biggest transformation to vocational education in a generation. From 2029, 16-19-year-olds will be able to study a V Level in Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care, giving them hands-on experience and providing an opportunity for further study of the natural world.

The qualification is expected to be first taught in schools at the same time as the teaching of the revised GCSEs following the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections of 7 June 2026 – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2026.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford welcomed ODIHR’s preliminary findings that Armenia’s parliamentary elections were orderly and professionally conducted, congratulated Prime Minister Pashinyan, and affirmed UK support for strengthening democratic resilience.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I thank our Armenian colleagues for their update on the outcome of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

The United Kingdom welcomes ODIHR’s preliminary findings, which note that election day was orderly and professionally conducted, with voting largely proceeding smoothly across polling stations. We commend Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission for administering the elections, and congratulate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory.

The UK values ODIHR’s important role in offering independent assessments of electoral processes and was proud to be among the 42 participating States that contributed observers to the mission in Armenia. We remain committed to supporting Armenia to strengthen its democratic resilience and trust that the authorities will engage constructively in addressing the areas identified by ODIHR for further strengthening electoral integrity for future elections.

The UK looks forward to working with the new, democratically elected Armenian government to deliver on our Strategic Partnership, strengthen regional stability and develop closer relations with European partners.

Thank you.

13/06/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Cycling and walking boom with £4.5 billion for thousands of new routes and safer crossings [June 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 12 June 2026.

Strategy aims to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings over the next 5 years.
- more than half (55%) of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2035 under ambitious new targets
- a record £4.5 billion is projected to be invested over next 5 years for thousands of new routes and safer crossings connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services
- new routes will save households money, improve public health, cut carbon emissions, reduce congestion and boost local economies
More than half of short journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035 under new national targets announced by the Department for Transport today (12 June 2026).

The new cycling and walking investment strategy sets a national target for people to hit the pavement or pedals for 55% of short trips in towns and for 60% of children aged 5 to 16 to travel actively to school by the same year.

The government is projected to invest over £4.5 billion in active travel over the next 5 years, and will work with Active Travel England and local authorities to deliver:
- 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes
- 10,000 safer crossings, connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services by 2030
This will also encourage people to walk or bike to public transport hubs, such as train stations, making them more achievable and in line with the way people travel every day.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don’t feel they have safe and convenient options to do so.

Our new cycling and walking investment strategy sets out how we will change that, with ambitious targets, record levels of investment and a clear plan to make active travel a practical choice for millions more journeys.

This is about creating healthier communities, helping households keep more money in their pockets and building a transport network that works better for everyone.

Secretary of State for Health, James Murray, said:

The benefits of walking and cycling for our physical health, mental wellbeing and our communities are clear, and even small increases in physical activity can make a big difference. This investment will help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS.

The cycling and walking investment strategy demonstrates how we’re working across government to deliver for our communities and reduce health inequalities, while helping fulfil our commitments as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan.

Published alongside Active Travel England’s Worth Every Step delivery plan, the strategy sets out how investment in active travel can save households money, improve public health, cut congestion, reduce carbon emissions and support local economies.

By getting more people adopting healthier lifestyles, it would free up around 1.7 million GP appointments every year and lead to 4.4 million fewer sick days.

If households give up a second car in favour of active short trips, it could save families around £1,700 per year on average – that’s more than £17,000 over 10 years.

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman said:

Every journey made on foot, wheeling or cycling, delivers value – to the person making it, to the community around them and to the economy. It keeps money in our pockets, makes us healthier and happier and boosts our local economy.  

Yet too many of our streets do not yet make those journeys feel safe, easy or inviting. Our Worth Every Step delivery plan will change that. And it starts with where we’ll get the biggest impact: a more active school run and simple zebra crossings to transform local trips.

It’s time to make the cheapest and healthiest way to travel, the easiest way to travel. When streets work for people, everything else follows.

The strategy marks a new cross-government approach to active travel, bringing together transport, health and investment while giving local leaders a greater role in shaping delivery to meet the needs of their communities.

This forms part of the government’s new Pride in Place programme, empowering communities to take greater control over the renewal of their neighbourhoods, including the introduction of 13 new bathing sites in England.

It also includes plans to develop a coherent transport network designed to make active travel a realistic option for more journeys across England.

Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer:

Increasing physical activity plays a key role in improving health. The greatest health gain from physical activity comes from those who do none starting to do some, and those who do some increasing their level of activity. Walking, wheeling and cycling are great ways to incorporate physical activity to everyday life, across the life course – to encourage this we must make routes practical, safe and equitable. Active Travel England’s work is important in delivering this, and it is encouraging to see this set out in Worth Every Step.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

I am delighted to support the launch of Worth Every Step and the cycling and walking investment strategy. We are working to double the number of School Streets in the West, so I am particularly pleased to see the national focus on greener travel to school.

The West of England is proud to now be a top-rated regional authority for active travel. Tens of millions of pounds of regional investment will mean almost 100 miles of new and improved routes, empowering more people to be able to walk, wheel, and cycle – which is better for our health and for our planet.

Active travel is an important part of getting the West moving. Working together, we can connect our schools and homes with jobs and transport hubs while we roll out better buses and more trains and develop our mass transit plans.

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester said:

This is a strong national commitment to invest in making walking and cycling safe, accessible and a realistic choice for everyday journeys, and I welcome the particular focus on ensuring safe journeys to school.

Across Greater Manchester, the focus is on enabling people to have more choice in how they travel – making sure all active modes work as part of a joined-up Bee Network. This integrated approach is already making a difference, with around a third of all journeys made actively and 90% of people walking as part of their public transport journeys.

Across the region, connected public transport and active travel journeys are now more cost effective and convenient than they’ve ever been and alongside work being done to reduce road danger, Greater Manchester’s ten local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester are enabling safer streets, including School Streets which help more children and families travel actively to and from school.

With this continued investment, I know even more can be done to help more people choose walking, wheeling and cycling every day.

Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:

This third strategy is bigger and braver than we’ve seen before. As the charity behind the country’s first-ever zebra crossings, we’re delighted there will be 10,000 more on our streets. Side road zebras and the commitment to deliver 5,000 safer routes to school will make healthier travel choices for families much easier.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said:

My ambition is for South Yorkshire to be the healthiest region in the country – that has to start in our neighbourhoods and around our schools. That’s why I made a commitment to make South Yorkshire the best place in the country for children to walk, wheel and cycle, starting with safer journeys to school.

We’re already delivering on that ambition, working with more than 170 primary schools this year alone through my Mayor’s Walk and Wheel Challenge. We’ll work with hundreds more in the years ahead to help build lifelong healthy habits.

I welcome the ambition set out in the government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy because it focuses us on something fundamental: quite simply, every parent should feel confident their child can get to school safely. And in South Yorkshire we’re getting on with making that vision a reality through investing tens of millions in safer crossings, safer routes to schools, school streets and trialling innovative simple zebra crossings.

Working with other Mayors and Active Travel England, we’re showing how devolution can deliver – creating safer neighbourhoods, healthier journeys, and better connections to jobs, opportunity and each other, so everyone in South Yorkshire can stay near and go far.

Steve Edgell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said:

The new cycling and walking investment strategy is a major vote of confidence in active travel and recognises the role cycling can play in creating healthier communities, reducing emissions and improving connectivity. The investment in safer routes and crossings is hugely welcome, particularly as we know many people are deterred from cycling because of safety concerns.

If we want more people choosing active travel, we need both safe infrastructure and affordable access, and this strategy is an important step towards delivering both. The Cycle to Work Scheme has already helped well over 2 million people access a bike, and with 38% of participants new to commuting by bike, it demonstrates that when barriers to cycling are removed, people are keen to make the switch.

By combining long-term investment in infrastructure with initiatives that make cycling more accessible, the government has an opportunity to drive lasting behaviour change and help more people choose healthier, more sustainable journeys.
12/06/2026