LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Sohail Cheema fraudulently obtained £30,000 in Covid Bounce Back Loans by inflating his company's turnover and making two separate applications when businesses were only entitled to one * Both loans were transferred out of Cheema's business accounts on the day they were received, with none of the money used legitimately * Cheema was handed a suspended sentence and director disqualification after pleading g...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Thank you, Mr Vice President. The UK welcomes the Commission of Inquiry's initial deployments and thanks the Commissioners for their update. We underline the importance of the Commission's work continuing without further delay and welcome the Democratic Republic of Congo's engagement so far. We remain gravely concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in eastern DRC. Widespread violations and abuses contin...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Thank you Mr Vice President. The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update. We recognise the importance of his mandate and encourage the government of Burundi to grant the Special Rapporteur access. The UK is concerned by ongoing reports of shrinking civic space, and the suppression of opposition voices in Burundi. As we approach the 2027 election, we ask the government of Burundi to ensure al...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: In April this yearAndrew Leadbeater, 57, pleaded guilty to two charges relating to waste offences at the site in Wyke Lane, Wyke, Bradford and was ordered by West Yorkshire Magistrates' court to clear the siteof rubbish by 17 June. Complaints about fly tipping and burning at the site were first made to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council in 2023. During a visit by the council in June 2023, Leadbe...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Nationwide, HSBC UK, Sheffield Mutual and One Family among members of new taskforcemeeting for first timeas governmenttakes action to reuniteyoung people withunclaimedChildTrust Funds * The Taskforce will improve coordination across government and industry to encourage more young people to access their unclaimed maturedfunds * More than 750,000 young people have unclaimed accounts worth £2,200 on average ...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The projects at Haslar andCampsfieldImmigration Removal Centres (IRCs) will contribute to a 40% increase in the UK's detention capacity for those with no right to be here. These expansions will more than triple the cumulative capacity at these centres from 290 to 1,000 beds, with each additional detention space translating to more offenders and illegal migrants removed from our country. This se...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Largest ever drone investment in UK Armed Forces-more than£5billion over the next four years - to be included in the Defence Investment Plan. * Investment will drive a dronetransformation for theUK Armed Forces, withnew technologyand infrastructure to keep the nation at the leading edge of innovation,and back British jobs. * Prime Minister to launch Defence Investment Plan today (Tuesday 30 June), ...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Longer sentences for murders committed by partners or exes * DPM pays tribute to courageous campaigners who fought for historic change * Part of Government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls Heinous offenders who kill their partner, or ex, could face an additional 10 years in prison, under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister. Under the current law, most domestic murders h...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Resident doctors have voted to accept an offer from the government, bringing an end to a period of industrial action that has seen 21 daysof strikes bytheBritish Medical AssociationResident DoctorCommitteesince July 2025. The Government will continue to engage closely with the BMA and other stakeholders to implement this deal and establish a new working relationship, to ensure the NHS remains a place where docto...
LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * new Special Envoy for LGBT+ rights Lord Collins will champion UK efforts to protect LGBT+ people from violence, persecution and discrimination globally * appointment builds on the UK's commitment to international LGBT+ rights and role as host of the European IDAHOT+ Forum in 2027 * new Envoy will strengthen partnerships with civil society, governments, parliamentarians and business to defend human right...