Monday, July 20, 2026

PM call with the President of France: 20 July 2026

The Prime Minister had a call with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, this evening.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Emmanuel Macron of France this evening.

The Prime Minister began by setting out how he is looking forward to building on the strong UK-France relationship to deliver for people on both sides of the Channel.

Turning to Ukraine, the two leaders discussed the need to work together to continue

PM call with Chancellor Merz of Germany: 20 July 2026

The Prime Minister spoke to the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, this evening.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, this evening. 

It was clear the relationship between the UK and Germany was vital to delivering for people in both countries, the Prime Minister said. 

Both leaders underlined their ambition to increase cooperation under the Kensington Treaty,

PM call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 20 July 2026

The Prime Minister had a call with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by reaffirming his and the UK’s resolute commitment to the people of Ukraine and underscored that there would be absolutely no change in the UK’s approach, including when it came to bearing down on Russia.

Turning to the Prime Minister’s work with Ukrainian Mayors during his time as Mayor for

New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity

The Prime Minister used his first speech in office to launch an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, setting out a bold ambition to tackle one of the starkest injustices in the country. This will be backed from day one by an additional £340 million – taking overall funding to record levels.

  • In his speech on the steps of 10 Downing Street the Prime Minister announced a new national effort to end rough sleeping, backed by record investment
  • Prime Minister says government can bring back hope to Britain and rejects the claim that ending rough sleeping will take decades or that it can’t be done
  • Prime Minister says the crisis has been caused by years of national government failure and Westminster turning a blind eye
  • Mayors, councils, the NHS, public services and government departments will now be backed to provide urgent support for vulnerable people before the winter

The Prime Minister used his first speech in office to launch an urgent national drive to end

Andy Burnham's first speech as Prime Minister: 20 July 2026

Andy Burnham gave his first speech as Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street.

The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP

I have just come from Buckingham Palace, where I have accepted His Majesty the King’s invitation to form a government.

In doing so, I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up

UKHSA's Chief Scientist reminds families how to Beat the Heat as schools break for summer

UKHSA joins forces with leading water safety charities to highlight the risks of swimming in open water.

As schools begin breaking up for the summer holidays with a warmer than average summer forecasted by the Met Office, UKHSA is urging families to take simple steps to enjoy the summer break safely and protect their family’s health.

Further heat health alerts could be issued throughout the summer as temperatures rise.

Keir Starmer's final speech as Prime Minister: 20 July 2026

Keir Starmer gave his final speech as Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street.

The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Today I am here to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as Prime Minister. My work is done.

In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.

Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as Prime

UK Maritime Innovation Hub establishes role as focal point for maritime innovation

Central role of UK Maritime Innovation Hub set out during first three months of operation.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Spring Place HQ in Southampton

Since its formal showcase at the Flag Forum in London on 16 April 2026, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s UK Maritime Innovation Hub has provided a clear route for engagement between industry and the regulator. 

The UK Maritime Innovation Hub acts as a single point of entry for innovators seeking to

Stronger asbestos controls needed to keep kids safe

Government tells business.

Government has told businesses they must not rely on final product testing alone to assure the absence of asbestos in toys. 

Following a growing number of product recalls due to asbestos contamination, the Government is reminding businesses that they must be able to demonstrate that toys

UK invests in homegrown space tech to boost national resilience

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government
  • £62 million to develop homegrown satellite communications and space technologies  

  • Investment will strengthen the UK’s ability to monitor and protect assets in orbit and access space-based services we rely on, including broadband for remote communities and mobile connectivity on rail, in the air and at sea.  

  • New figures show the UK Space Agency’s Accelerator programme has already backed 289 founders and helped raise more than £102 million contributing to early-stage business growth

British businesses, universities and researchers will receive access to more than £62 million in government funding to develop homegrown space technologies, boosting the UK’s national resilience and helping protect its independence in a strategically vital sector.

The funding – unveiled on Monday 20 July at Farnborough International Airshow by

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Government secures the future of Dartmoor’s iconic ponies

New measures will protect Dartmoor ponies and support those who keep them on the moor.

The government has today (Wednesday 15 July) secured the long-term future of Dartmoor’s iconic pony populations through a package of new protections and financial support.

These heritage rare breeds and semi-wild hill ponies are a much-cherished part of Dartmoor’s landscape and cultural heritage. They also play an important role in conserving

War on waste crime: hefty new fines for fly-tippers and litter louts 

Waste criminals will face heftier fines as the government steps up its zero-tolerance approach to waste crime.

Waste criminals trashing high streets and the countryside will face tougher on-the-spot fines, the government has announced today (15 July 2026). 

As part of a major crackdown on waste crime, new legislation will increase the maximum fine for fly-tipping waste to £5,000 – a 400% uplift from the previous level of £1,000. The