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PRESS RELEASE : UK and Singapore lead international action to support ransomware victims [October 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 2 October 2024.

Thirty-nine countries and global cyber insurance bodies have endorsed new guidance at the 2024 Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit.

The UK and 38 countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States and New Zealand have united with international cyber insurance bodies to back important new guidance supporting organisations experiencing ransomware attacks and to boost global resilience.

The new guidance – agreed yesterday (1 October 2024) at the Counter Ransomware Initiative – will encourage organisations to carefully consider their options instead of rushing to make payments to cyber criminals in an attempt to stop disruption and data loss. It makes clear that paying a ransom will often only embolden these criminals to target other victims, and there is no guarantee of data retrieval, malware removal or the end of a ransomware attack.

Instead, organisations are encouraged to report attacks to law enforcement authorities, check if data backups are available and get advice from recognised experts. They should also take action ahead of a possible attack by preparing policies, frameworks and communications plans as part of contingency planning.

The new guidance will ultimately help undermine the business model of ransomware criminals and take away the incentive to target other organisations elsewhere, preventing future attacks and boosting global resilience.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

Cyber criminality does not recognise borders.

That is why international co-operation is vital to tackle the shared threat of ransomware attacks.

This guidance will hit the wallets of cyber criminals, and ultimately help to protect businesses in the UK and around the world.

Ransomware is the biggest cyber threat to most UK businesses and organisations, as cyber criminals constantly evolve their tactics to increase efficiency and boost profits, and last year was the worst year on record for ransomware payments, with more than $1 billion lost to victims worldwide, according to industry estimates by Chainanalysis.

As part of a crackdown on cyber criminals, this week the UK sanctioned sixteen individuals linked to the Evil Corp cyber gang in joint action with the US and Australia.

The prolific, long-standing Russian cybercrime group, Evil Corp had previously conducted malware and ransomware attacks on UK health, government and public sector institutions, as well as private commercial technology companies.

It was also revealed that Evil Corp actors had links to ransomware group LockBit. The National Crime Agency’s infiltration of LockBit, earlier this year revealed that cyber criminals often retained data even after victims paid a ransom on the promise it would be deleted.

The UK has led the way in this collaborative approach with the cyber insurance industry, who can play a key role in supporting organisations before, during and after a ransomware incident.

In May, the National Cyber Security Centre and 3 major UK insurance bodies (the Association of British Insurers, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association and the International Underwriting Association) joined forces to launch co-sponsored guidance for UK organisations.

NCSC Director for National Resilience Jonathon Ellison said:

Ransomware remains an urgent threat and organisations should act now to boost resilience.

The endorsement of this best practice guidance by both nations and international cyber insurance bodies represents a powerful push for organisations to upgrade their defences and enhance their cyber readiness.

This collective approach, guided by last year’s CRI statement denouncing ransomware and built on guidelines from the NCSC and UK insurance associations earlier this year, reflects a growing global commitment to tackling the ransomware threat.

The CRI is the only dedicated multilateral forum for UK and international partners to come together to develop new policies and processes to combat ransomware.

Last year, the forum agreed a groundbreaking joint statement again led by the UK and Singapore denouncing ransomware payments and confirming, for the first time, that no central government funds should be used to pay demands.

The new guidance comes as Cyber Security Awareness Month begins, which this year focuses on the importance of businesses building their cyber resilience.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to hold talks with EU leaders in Brussels [October 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 October 2024.

The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels today [Wednesday 2 October] to continue his drive to improve the UK’s relationship with the European Union to bolster the security, safety and prosperity of the British people.

Building on the extensive and positive engagement which has taken place already, he will discuss his ambitions for the next few months with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

The Prime Minister has set out his determination to move beyond Brexit and make the UK’s relationship with the EU work for the British people, and he remains focused on delivering a broad-based security pact, securing our borders and tackling barriers to trade.

He will say that at a time of growing instability in the world – with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the rise of vile smuggling gangs trafficking people across Europe – it is increasingly important that like-minded countries co-operate more closely on areas of shared interest.

While he wants talks to deliver ambitious and improved co-operation with EU leaders, he has been clear there will be no return to the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The UK is undeniably stronger when it works in lockstep with its closest international partners. This has never been more important – with war, conflict and insecurity all knocking on Europe’s door.

We will only be able to tackle these challenges by putting our collective weight behind them, which is why I am so determined to put the Brexit years behind us and establish a more pragmatic and mature relationship with the European Union.

Better co-operation with the EU will deliver the benefits the British people deserve – securing our borders, keeping us safe and boosting economic growth.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Chancellor Scholz of Germany [October 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this evening.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor condemned Iran’s attack on Israel this evening, underscoring the importance of Israel’s security.

The leaders agreed that further escalation was in nobody’s interest and that all sides should show restraint.

On Lebanon, the Prime Minister underlined the urgent need for a ceasefire to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

They agreed to speak soon.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with President Macron of France [October 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron this evening.

The leaders began by condemning Iran’s attack on Israel this evening and acknowledged the serious risk of regional escalation.

The Prime Minister and President agreed that ensuring Israeli security was vital and that there was an urgent need for de-escalation, with all parties needing to show restraint.

Turning to Lebanon, they discussed the need for a ceasefire to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

They agreed to stay in touch over coming days.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel [October 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, and they discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East.

The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack on Israel today in the strongest terms, which began during the leaders’ conversation, and expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.

During the call, the Prime Minister also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

The Prime Minister also raised the situation in Gaza and the importance of a ceasefire and action to bring home the hostages.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New Towns Taskforce learn lessons from Cambridge developments [October 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 October 2024.

Our expert and independent New Towns Taskforce, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, met today (1 October 2024) in Cambridge.

Taskforce members took the opportunity to explore the ongoing work in Cambridge and learn lessons from the city. The Taskforce heard from key players in the city, including officials from the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and other officials from across the Greater Cambridge area. Greater Cambridge has a vital role in kickstarting economic growth across the country, and the Taskforce heard about award-winning developments in the local area plus the work to overcome key challenges, including water scarcity, to support future sustainable growth.

The Taskforce also discussed key workstreams related to the new towns programme, including developing its spatial mapping work.

Visits by the New Towns Taskforce are focused on learning lessons from places that are already delivering housing at scale. The Taskforce will present a final shortlist of recommendations on appropriate locations to ministers within the next year. No decisions have yet been made on the location of any new towns.

The meeting today comes 2 weeks after the Taskforce held their inaugural meeting in Milton Keynes on 17 September. Taskforce members have met again within the fortnight to continue their mission to address the national housing demand and to help boost economic growth, as outlined to the group by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Minister last month.

The Taskforce will meet again in early November.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Secretary makes new Boundary Commission appointment [October 2024]
The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 1 October 2024.

Gillian McGregor takes up position today with body that ensures Scotland’s Westminster constituencies are close to equal in voter number.

Respected former senior civil servant Gillian McGregor has been appointed to the Boundary Commission for Scotland.

She will replace Professor Ailsa Henderson, who has served her maximum term of almost 10 years, and begins her post today (Oct 1).

Alongside other members of the Commission, Ms McGregor will be involved in the body’s reviews of UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland – carried out every eight years – to ensure that each one has roughly the same number of voters.

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray announced the appointment, following a recruitment process.

He said:

It’s great news that Gillian has accepted the post as a member of the Boundary Commission for Scotland. She brings vast experience and invaluable specialist knowledge.

She will be an important part of the team and add significant strength to the work of the Commission. I thank Professor Ailsa Henderson who will leave her post at the end of September after serving for almost 10 years.

Ms McGregor has extensive experience of working with Ministers and politicians in both the UK and Scottish Governments on all aspects of policy. Previously Home Office Director for Immigration Enforcement in Scotland and Northern Ireland and Home Office Director of Immigration Operational Intelligence, she was awarded the CBE in 2016 for services to immigration management and counter terrorism.

Ms McGregor was Director of the Scotland Office from 2017-2020 before retiring from the Civil Service. She will serve on the Boundary Commission for Scotland for an initial period of four years.

Background
- The Boundary Commission for Scotland is an advisory non-departmental public body funded by the Scotland Office. It is independent and non-political, constituted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.
- The Commission is responsible for reviews of constituencies in Scotland for the Westminster Parliament.
- It is required by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (as amended) to review UK Parliament constituencies every eight years. The reviews ensure that each constituency has roughly the same number of electors.
24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New regulations come into force to improve accessibility on local buses and coaches [October 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 1 October 2024.

Local bus and coach services will have to provide real-time onboard route and stop information.
- improvements to make bus travel a better experience for disabled people
- regulations come into force today for newer local bus and coach vehicles to have audio and visual information
- part of government’s bold ambitions to improve transport accessibility
Passengers on local bus and coach services will have more accessible journeys, thanks to new regulations coming into force today (1 October 2024).

The Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 require operators of local bus and coach services to provide information on the route, direction of travel and each upcoming stop.

The regulations will boost confidence for travelling passengers, including those with sight and hearing impairments because route information will be clearly displayed and announced.

This government is committed to delivering improvements to transport accessibility and has an expectation that transport operators and local authorities play their part in making this possible.

Buses are the country’s most used form of public transport, and having audible and visual information available plays an important part in allowing people to use local transport to make the journeys they want, how they want.

Today’s regulatory deadline (1 October 2024) means newer vehicles (those first used on local services since 1 October 2019) must now be compliant. There is a staggered deadline for older vehicles through to 2026, with partially compliant status vehicles needing to be compliant by 2031.
24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK cocoa buyers complete trade mission to Solomon Islands [October 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2024.

The delegation arrived in the country on 20 September, to build partnerships, gain deeper understanding of the cocoa market and cocoa farmers across the country.

The UK government has supported 17 cocoa buyers to visit Solomon Islands to increase cocoa exports to the UK.

Supporting the cocoa trade between Solomon Islands and the UK is a win-win, driving growth and increasing incomes for Solomon Islands farmers whilst giving UK consumers access to the best quality Solomon cocoa.

The delegation arrived in the country on 20 September, to build partnerships and gain a deeper understanding of the cocoa market and cocoa farmers across the country.

Highlights from the mission included visiting Pilapaso Cocoa plantation and micro chocolate factories, Amazing Grace on Guadalcanal where they witnessed first-hand the harvesting and fermentation processes conducted by the farm owners, and two days in Malaita province where they visited cocoa farms across the northern region.

The UK cocoa buyers also worked with Solomon processors, visiting Cathliro’s café, processing and chocolate making facilities and the Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands’ (KPSI) shop, coconut oil and cocoa processing and chocolate making facility in East Honiara.

Their mission concluded with a regional cocoa workshop held at the Heritage Park Hotel at which cocoa producers and exporters from across the Pacific attended and discussed market requirements and sourcing opportunities.

Under the UK-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement that started in January 2021 goods from the Pacific can enter the UK market duty-free and quota-free.

Thanks to the deal, high-end UK chocolatiers are turning to Solomon Islands for their cocoa: boosting Solomon exports and incomes, whilst bringing quality products to the UK market.

24/10/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 2024 – UK opening statement [October 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2024.

Ambassador Neil Holland says that the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference symbolises our shared commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and thanks civil society organisations for their ongoing work.

Thank you Madam Chair and may I first thank the former and acting Directors of ODIHR for ODIHR’s support, assistance and expertise to participating States. ODIHR’s role is a manifestation of the principle that lasting security can only be achieved through respect for human rights and strong democratic institutions.

I would also like to thank the former Representative on Freedom of the Media and her team for their invaluable work, delivering on comprehensive security through media freedom.

And finally, I thank the Chair in Office and you Madam Chair, as well as Poland, our hosts, for their efforts and perseverance in arranging this Conference. These Conferences are the beating heart of the OSCE’s human dimension work in holding States to account.

The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference symbolises our shared commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Those values, agreed in the Helsinki Accords nearly 50 years ago, are as relevant as ever today, as one participating State – Russia – unleashes an all-out attack on the OSCE’s founding principles through its all-out attack on another participating State Ukraine.

At the forefront of our minds during this conference are the ongoing atrocities being committed by Russia in Ukraine where the human rights situation continues to deteriorate. Russia’s aggression shows no respect for the rights and dignity of the Ukrainian people, nor for the OSCE commitments which it contravenes. ODIHR’s recent Fifth Interim Report showed stark evidence of the grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law being committed by Russia. This is also demonstrated in the reports resulting from our invocations of the Moscow Mechanism, supported by Ukraine.

As we look forward to next year’s 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, it is shocking to see all of the founding principles in the Helsinki Decalogue being blatantly violated by Russia, including respect for human rights and the fundamental freedoms. A key Helsinki commitment was that the security of the state is inseparable from the safety of the citizens. I have yet to hear any explanation from Russia as to why their actions in Ukraine can be interpreted in any other way than blatant disregard and violation of those founding principles. They did not provide any explanation when I asked them directly at the Permanent Council and they have chosen to block the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting which was designed for States to hold each other to account for their actions.

We pay tribute to the brave human rights defenders and other members of civil society, many of whom operate in increasingly oppressive environments. The perspective of civil society is vital in building an understanding of the human rights situation at grassroots level. So we are pleased to see so many civil society representatives at this conference. You represent the spirit of Helsinki and we will continue to support you and amplify your voices.

Thank you.

24/10/2024