• People around the world set to benefit from extra UK investment to develop innovative treatments for drug-resistant infections which cost millions of lives every year

• £4.5 million funding package for research and development group takes total UK investment to nearly £19 million

New treatments to tackle drug-resistant infections that pose the greatest threat to global health are to be developed following a multi-million-pound investment by the UK government.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – where serious infections have evolved so much that antibiotics and other current treatments are no longer effective – is a silent killer costing millions of lives across the world a year, with one in five of these deaths in children under the age of five.

The £4.5 million investment made by the government’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) will support the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) to develop new treatments for drug-resistant infections identified by the World Health Organization as the greatest threat to global health and development.

The UK has now invested £19 million in GARDP’s programmes, including developing new and improved treatments for neonatal sepsis – a leading cause of death in new-borns – hospital acquired bacterial infections, and pneumonia.

Recent data shows that around 1.3 million people died of resistant bacterial infections globally in 2019, more than HIV or malaria.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid said:

Antimicrobial resistance is the greatest threat to global health, tragically killing millions of people every year, but it isn’t widely known about.

The consequences of not addressing this silent pandemic now could be catastrophic and result in a future where we are unable to treat common illnesses such as pneumonia and infections in newborns with modern medicines.

The UK’s investment will develop vital treatments, protecting millions of people in low-and middle-income countries and around the world to bolster our global health security.

The funding will also help develop a novel treatment for gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection that has been identified by the World Health Organization as urgently requiring new antibiotics.

Today’s commitment forms part of the UK Government’s 20-year vision and five-year National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance – an investment that cements the UK’s leading role in tackling AMR across the world.

Manica Balasegaram, GARDP’s Executive Director, said:

The UK’s leadership in accelerating the development and access of treatments for drug-resistant infections is exemplary.

GAMRIF’s investment over the years has helped us build a robust late-stage clinical pipeline of new and improved treatments for gonorrhoea, newborns with sepsis, and serious bacterial infections in hospitalised adults.

We look forward to their continued support as we ramp up efforts to preserve the power of antibiotics.

In 2021, the UK Presidency of the G7 also maintained AMR as a multilateral priority and it was recognised as a key health issue by the G7 health and finance ministers.

Prof Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on AMR, said:

Collaboration with international partners is vital to tackle global challenges, as shown by the G7 Health Ministers reaffirming their support for GARDP this year.

I am thrilled that the UK will be working in partnership with GARDP to deliver crucial research as part of GAMRIF’s commitment to a One Health approach.

Together we are leading efforts to combat AMR where the burden of infection is greatest, and we will use this investment to develop new treatments for drug-resistant infections to protect the world’s most vulnerable.

The partnership between the UK and GARDP is based on the shared understanding that developing new treatments and ensuring responsible access for all in need are inseparable. Funded by UK aid, this work supports research and development to reduce the threat of antimicrobial

323,700 customers are yet to renew their tax credits ahead of the deadline, with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reminding them to do so by 31 July – or their payments will stop.

Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support – so it’s important that customers renew before the deadline to ensure they don’t miss out on money they’re entitled to.

Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of their renewal, be reassured it’s being processed and know when they’ll hear back from HMRC.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

There’s just one month to go for our tax credits customers to renew. It’s easy to do online or on the HMRC app – search ‘tax credits’ on GOV.UK.

Customers choosing to use the HMRC app on their smartphone can:

• renew their tax credits
• make changes to their claim
• check their tax credits payments schedule, and
• find out how much they have earned for the year

HMRC has released a video to explain how tax credits customers can use the HMRC app to view, manage and update their details.

How do I use the HMRC app to manage my tax credits?

If there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could affect their tax credits claims, they must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect tax credits payments include changes to:

• living arrangements
• childcare
• working hours, or
• income (increase or decrease)

The UK Government has recently announced a Cost of Living Payment of £650, payable in two separate lump sums of £326 and £324, for households receiving certain benefits or tax credits, to help with the cost of living. If tax credits only, they are eligible for each payment. HMRC will contact them and issue payments automatically, with the first being made by the autumn. Customers do not need to contact HMRC or apply for the payment.

Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit by the end of 2024. Many customers who move from tax credits to Universal Credit could be financially better off and can use an independent benefits calculator to check. If customers choose to apply sooner, it is important to get independent advice beforehand as they will not be able to go back to tax credits or any other benefits that Universal Credit replaces.

HMRC is urging customers never to share their HMRC login details. Someone using them could steal from the customer or make a fraudulent claim in their name. HMRC is also warning people that if someone contacts them saying that they are from HMRC and wants the customer to transfer money urgently or give personal information, they should never let themselves be rushed. The department urges people to take their time and check HMRC’s advice about scams on GOV.UK.

Find out more about renewing tax credits claims.

Customers can download the HMRC app for free from their smartphone app store.

Find out more about Universal Credit replacing tax credits.

To sign into HMRC’s tax credits service for the first time you’ll need to prove your identity using 2 evidence sources. You can find the full list and how to manage your tax credits on GOV.UK.

• UK continues to be a world leader in delivery of clinical research which is saving lives
• Second phase of government plan will build on work already done – including halving approval times for clinical trials
• Plan will enable innovative research to be carried out more quickly, helping to bust the Covid backlogs

Patients across the UK will benefit from a super-charged clinical research system, backed by £175 million of dedicated investment, which will save lives across the country.

The UK-wide plan published today (Thursday 30 June) will enable innovative research to be carried out more quickly, helping patients access cutting-edge treatments sooner, speeding up diagnosis and helping to bust the Covid backlogs. It will:

• Increase the amount of research and the size of the workforce putting the UK at the centre of cutting edge and global clinical studies
• Improve the quality of research by broadening responsibility and accountability for studies across the NHS
• Ensure studies address the needs and challenges facing the NHS, including improving inclusivity and accessibility
• Take advantage of opportunities outside the EU to reduce regulations allowing for safe, speedy and flexible research
• Improve participation in research across the UK by investment in digitally focused trials

This will further cement to UK’s position as a world leader in life sciences and the delivery of clinical research, and follows the country’s successful development and rollout out of Covid vaccinations.

The plan – which sets out the second phase of work through 2022-2025 to achieve the vision for The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery – includes £150 million of additional funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and £25 million additional funding from other delivery partners in the UK Clinical Research Recovery, Resilience and Growth Programme.

The second phase will build on work already done, including halving the approval times for new clinical trials.

The £175 million investment is on top of up to £200 million funding announced earlier this year to strengthen the data infrastructure in the devolved administrations to enable better research and cement the UK’s status as a global life sciences superpower.

The continued investment means clinical trials can take place more quickly with a strengthened workforce and improved technology, helping patients take part virtually, which is already benefiting the whole of the UK, with examples including the delivery of antiviral treatments to protect vulnerable people from Covid.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

We are bolstering clinical research to improve healthcare for patients across the UK, by providing our world-leading experts with the tools needed to deliver cutting edge scientific developments, grow the workforce and harness digital innovations.

As a global life sciences superpower, we have led the world on vaccines and antiviral treatments and today’s plan will ensure we continue to be at the forefront of clinical research to save lives and bust the Covid backlog.

Minister for Technology, Innovation and Life Sciences Lord Kamall said:

Our world leading scientists and clinicians proved time and again during the Covid pandemic they are at the cutting edge of innovation and scientific advancement.

We will continue to support them by providing the funding, infrastructure and workforce required for state-of-the-art clinical research which ultimately saves lives.

By working together we can protect the NHS, slash the backlog and ensure patients benefit from speedy and safe clinical research.

Significant strides to bolster research already include:

• Halving the approval times for new clinical trials, enabling them to start faster and innovative new research to be discovered more quickly
• Launching a new UK-wide professional accreditation scheme for Clinical Research Practitioners to help double the size of this important workforce and enable more research to take place
• Providing a £200 million investment in health data infrastructure in England to strengthen the data infrastructure in the devolved administrations to enable better research

Improving the UK’s ability to harness technology and conduct studies virtually and in the community, such as the PANORAMIC trial of antiviral treatments for Covid and the RELIEVE IBS-D virtual trial designed to help people with IBS-D manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR, said:

I am delighted to be working with such a strong and broad cross-sector partnership to transform the future of research delivery.

I know we all want to deliver real change for patients and researchers, and these plans mark our shared commitment to strengthen our drive for efficient, innovative and patient-centred research that meets the health and care challenges of the future.

Robin Swann, Minister for Health, Northern Ireland Executive, said:

The recommendations contained in this plan will build on and strengthen the important contribution that Northern Ireland has already made to local, UK and global research.

They will draw on local leadership, the commitment of our health and social care staff to ensuring that patients are offered participation in trials and are supported through them, and the willingness of the public to be part of, and partners in these studies. Research should be integral to practice in health and social care, and recovery, resilience and growth of this research is vital to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Northern Ireland. This new plan provides us with the foundations to achieve this.

Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Scottish Government said:

The UK clinical research strategy, published last year, set out an ambitious vision to realise the true potential of clinical research. Over the last year, we have worked with our partners across the research community, across nations and across sectors progressing our shared goal of a more innovative and resilient research system with clinical research embedded in the NHS.

This is vital to NHS recovery, and the phase 2 plan published today sets out key areas of focus for the next three years. Scotland is proud to be part of this work – by building on our combined research strengths across the UK we can make the vision a reality, help shape the future of healthcare and improve people’s lives for years to come.

Health and Social Services Minister Eluned Morgan, Welsh Government, said:

The UK clinical research strategy published last year was an important catalyst for a new way of working to drive the research agenda across the UK as we emerge from the pandemic.

Wales is proud to be a key partner in building increased resilience in the research sector, embedding research in the NHS and driving innovation that will improve care, wellbeing and treatments here in Wales and further afield.

I look forward to working with the other devolved nations and with Health and Care Research Wales to drive through these ambitious plans that will support the life sciences agenda, as well as tackle health inequalities and improve the health of people across the UK.

Joint Statement on Pride Month by the Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Charge d’ Affaires of Lithuania and the United States.

“We, the undersigned Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Charge d’ Affaires of Lithuania and the United States, celebrate Pride Month by affirming the inherent human rights of each individual as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. Unfortunately, LGBTQI+ individuals throughout the world continue to face violence, harassment, and discrimination simply because of who they are or whom they love.

This June, we celebrate Pride Month by applauding the accomplishments of LGBTQI+ activists and their allies, all of whom are working to ensure that every individual, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics, receives the full protection of the law. Human rights are universal and everyone, including LGBTQI+ persons, are entitled to their full enjoyment”.

Ambassador Graeme Meehan, Australia

Ambassador Alison LeClaire, Canada

Ambassador Árni Þór Sigurðsson, Iceland

Ambassador Brian McElduff, Ireland

Charge d’Affaires Virginija Umbrasienė, Lithuania

Ambassador Sarah Walsh, New Zealand

Ambassador Malena Mård, Sweden

Ambassador Deborah Bronnert, United Kingdom

Charge d’Affaires Elizabeth Rood, United States

The UK will provide another £1 billion of military support to Ukraine, the Prime Minister has announced at the NATO Leaders’ Summit today (Thursday 30th June).

This uplift to funding will herald a new phase in the international community’s support to Ukraine. It will go towards capabilities including sophisticated air defence systems, uncrewed aerial vehicles, innovative new electronic warfare equipment and thousands of pieces of vital kit for Ukrainian soldiers.

It represents the first step in enabling Ukraine to go beyond their valiant defence against the illegal Russian invasion to mounting offensive operations against Russian ground forces in order to restore Ukrainian sovereignty

The UK is leading the way in providing vital military assistance to Ukraine. Today’s announcement brings the total UK military support since the outbreak of war to £2.3 billion – more than any country other than the United States. Support so far includes more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank missiles made in Northern Ireland, long-range multiple launch rocket systems, artillery systems, including 155mm self propelled guns, and rapid design and production of short to medium range persistent loitering munitions by a UK start-up company.

Last week the Prime Minister also announced the UK was offering a comprehensive new training programme to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, helping them build long-term endurance in the face of continuing Russian barbarism.

The UK’s support to Ukraine represents the highest rate of UK military spending on a conflict since the height of the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Speaking at a special meeting of NATO leaders addressed by President Zelenskyy yesterday the Prime Minister called on allies to step up their support to provide the strategic resilience Ukraine needs.

The Prime Minister said:

Putin’s brutality continues to take Ukrainian lives and threaten peace and security across Europe.

As Putin fails to make the gains he had anticipated and hoped for and the futility of this war becomes clear to all, his attacks against the Ukrainian people are increasingly barbaric.

UK weapons, equipment and training are transforming Ukraine’s defences against this onslaught. And we will continue to stand squarely behind the Ukrainian people to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine.

As well as bolstering and sustaining the Ukrainian Armed Forces, UK military support is supporting the thriving UK defence industry. Last week the Defence Secretary gathered representatives of the UK defence sector in Downing Street to discuss how to boost production in response to the increased demand created by the conflict in Ukraine.

UK defence companies are stepping up to provide the vital support Ukraine needs. We have provided £100 million worth of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles through a company based in Berkshire. These orders have allowed the company to significantly upscale their production and have used the lessons from the conflict in Ukraine to inform development of their products, advancing several years of development which will directly benefit both the UK and the defence industry.

The MoD has also launched a £25 million innovation fund to harness niche technologies within UK small & medium size enterprises. The fund will accelerate the development of equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces with the competition focusing on bolstering the existing provision for artillery, coastal defence and aerial systems.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Britain’s commitment to Ukraine is real and constant and we will stand by them until Russia changes course. This military assistance will help them intensify their fight against Russian aggression and ensure they have the defence capabilities they need.

The UK’s military support for Ukraine is in addition to the £1.5billion of humanitarian and economic support provided to the country since February.

This support for Ukraine is in addition to the new commitments the Prime Minister announced to NATO’s collective defences at the Summit yesterday.