Press Releases

Statement on the latest Russian attacks against Ukraine

This statement is supported by the UK, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and 26 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden).

Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children

A free chickenpox vaccination will be offered for the first time to children across England on the NHS from January.

Government outlines action plan to improve Oakhill STC

A new leadership team, bolstered staff training and improved safeguarding have been put in place at Oakhill Secure Training Centre, following concerns raised by inspectors last month.

Riley Foods Limited sentenced for illegal water pollution

Riley Foods Ltd guilty of causing unlawful discharge in a Burnley watercourse. Investigations revealed blood entering the water, posing risk to aquatic life.

Ellen Thinnesen announced as new Further Education Commissioner

Ellen Thinnesen will lead work to boost college leadership and governance.

Daily bathing water testing expands across Shropshire

Pilot project tests water quality daily in Shrewsbury and Ludlow. Wild swimmers can access real-time water quality data through app launched last week.

E3 joint statement on Iran: Initiation of the snapback process

Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the UK on the initiation of the snapback process

24/7 GPS tags lead crackdown on burglary, theft and robbery

Reoffending by burglars, robbers and thieves has been cut by 20 percent thanks to the tracking of their movements with tags, a new report has found.

Regulator to investigate Sikh charities after failure to comply with Orders

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into two charities connected to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Wednesfield, which were set up for the advancement of the Sikh religion in the area.  

Rapists given more jail time after Solicitor General intervenes

Rapists and sex offenders saw their sentences increased under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme after the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP intervened

New EU deal to reduce pressure on food prices for supermarket shoppers

Shoppers in the North West to reap rewards of new UK/EU food deal which means supermarkets can slash costs – helping to keep the price of weekly shop down

Suffragan Bishop of Basingstoke: 28 August 2025

The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Kelly Anne Betteridge BA, MA, to the Suffragan See of Basingstoke, in the Diocese of Winchester.

Devon and Cornwall farmers need to cultivate and sow winter crops

With post-harvest fields vulnerable to heavy rainfall and run-off, farmers are urged to cultivate compacted soil and get winter crops established by 15 October.

Next-gen therapies for cancer, dementia and more fast-tracked with new facility

New facility based in Darlington to springboard novel RNA therapies – which could help tackle cancer, heart conditions, infectious diseases, and more.