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  • Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it remains Government policy to introduce a two per cent social care precept on council tax and additional funding for the Better Care Fund in 2017-18.

    David Mowat

    Yes. Local authorities who are responsible for social care will still have the flexibility in 2017-18 to raise council tax in their area by up to 2% above the existing threshold. This new funding for adult social care will be pooled with additional funding from the Better Care Fund.

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the Government has made of the progress in implementing the commitment in the NHS Five Year Forward View to increase patient choice over where and how patients receive care; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The Mandate to NHS England, which sets the Government’s objectives for the provision of health services in England and any requirements for NHS England, includes an objective calling for the offer of meaningful choice in the National Health Service. This reflects the commitment in the Five Year Forward View. An assessment of the extent to which the Mandate objectives have been met is set out in my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State’s Annual Assessment of NHS England, which is published at the end of the financial year.

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of how much additional surgical and diagnostic capacity independent sector healthcare organisations are able to make available to NHS patients over the remainder of 2016-17; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    No assessment has been made. Decisions about whether to use independent sector capacity are generally made at local level. Use of the independent sector will depend on a range of factors including the needs of individual local health systems, patient choice and availability of suitable independent sector capacity.

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the Government has made of its progress in implementing the commitment in the 2015 Spending Review to encourage long-term partnerships between the NHS and the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    We will continue to encourage long term partnerships between the National Health Service and the private sector in order to deliver responsive and innovative healthcare services while ensuring better value for taxpayers. It is right that these decisions are made locally by the NHS and not politicians. We are clear that patients should be able to access the best possible providers based on quality not the sector.

    Commissioners can use a range of tools to secure services, including managing providers’ performance, extending and varying contracts, widening choice of qualified provider, and tendering. They will need to choose the right tools for different circumstances. Local conditions vary and there is no one-size-fits-all model for raising standards.

  • Keir Starmer – New Year Message for 2023

    Keir Starmer – New Year Message for 2023

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 31 December 2022.

    2023 is a new chapter for our country.
    This year, my Labour Party will set out the case for change and the case for a new Britain.
    Today, we look to the future with that hope together.
    Happy New Year to you and your family, from me and mine.
  • King Charles III – 2022 Statement Following the Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

    King Charles III – 2022 Statement Following the Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

    The statement made by King Charles III on 31 December 2022.

    Your Holiness, I received the news of the death of your predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, with deep sadness.
    I remember with fondness my meeting with His Holiness during my visit to the Vatican in 2009.
    His visit to the United Kingdom in 2010 was important in strengthening the relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom.
    I also recall his constant efforts to promote peace and goodwill to all people, and to strengthen the relationship between the global Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.
    My wife and I send you our continued good wishes for your own pontificate.
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  • PRESS RELEASE : Half-masting of flags following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Half-masting of flags following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 31 December 2022.

    It is with great regret that we learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

    Flags will be flown at half mast on UK Government Buildings today until 20.00hrs (Saturday 31 December).

    Other organisations and local authorities may follow suit.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Secretary celebrates 2023 New Year Honours achievements [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Secretary celebrates 2023 New Year Honours achievements [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Office on 31 December 2022.

    Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies has congratulated this year’s recipients from Wales of New Year Honours.

    The New Year Honours list recognises the accomplishments of extraordinary people from all backgrounds across the United Kingdom.

    Recipients from Wales in the 2023 list include Wales captain Sophie Ingle (OBE) for her services to football, founder of retailer Net World Sports Alex Loven (MBE) for services to the economy and to the community in Wrexham and Professor Colin Riordan (CBE), President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University for services to higher education.

    From the world of politics, there are Knighthoods for Rhondda MP Chris Bryant and Swansea-born New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, both for political and public service.

    Numerous other people from across Wales have been honoured including Bill Carne from Haverfordwest (BEM for services to sport and charity in Pembrokeshire), June Lovell from Mold (BEM for services to the NHS), Nancy Thomas from Monmouth (BEM for services to the NHS) and Major Derek Monroe from Brecon who receives an MBE for services to the Army Cadets.

    The Welsh Secretary thanked all those in Wales who have been honoured for their inspirational hard work and achievements.

    Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

    I am inspired by the invaluable work of the many people from across Wales who have deservedly been recognised on the New Year Honours List.

    It is fantastic to see Welsh recipients from a wide range of backgrounds being recognised. I am thrilled that their commitment to their field – whether it is community work, sport, education or health – has been commended.

    I would like to congratulate all recipients being honoured and thank them for their contribution.

  • PRESS RELEASE : British exporters, innovators and business leaders recognised in 2023 New Year Honours [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : British exporters, innovators and business leaders recognised in 2023 New Year Honours [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 31 December 2022.

    Trade Secretary congratulates British exporters, innovators and business leaders from across the UK who have been recognised with Honours in 2023 New Year list.

    Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch is today congratulating British business leaders, exporters and Department for International Trade staff who have been recognised with Honours for their exceptional service to international trade, investment and exporting.

    Those honoured represent a diverse range of businesses, from companies exporting technology that supports people with special educational needs and disabilities around the world to business leaders who have championed an array of sectors – from fintech to construction and maritime.

    Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    Trade drives economic growth, creates jobs and supports businesses and communities up and down the country. Our fantastic exporters and dedicated trade officials are the ones who make that a reality and it’s brilliant to see them get the recognition they deserve.

    2023 is full of opportunities as we continue to take advantage of our newfound freedoms, unlock new markets and help businesses to sell their products all around the world.

    Exporters and business leaders recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours list include:

    CMG

    • Richard Graham MP, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Indonesia, ASEAN economic community, Malaysia and Philippines, for services to trade and investment in South East Asia.

    OBE

    • John (‘Jack’) Gerard Averell Spencer Churchill, Co-founder and Executive Officer of Scanning Pens Ltd, for services to international trade and to the Dyslexia and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities community.
    • Toby Jonathan Sutton, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Scanning Pens Limited, for services to international trade and to the Dyslexia and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities community.
    • Sharon Kaur Jandu, Founder and Director of Yorkshire Asian Business Association, for services to international trade.
    • Alison Lyons, for services to the Department for International Trade and people with disabilities.
    • Stephen Leonard Ingledew, Executive Chair at Fintech Scotland, for services to establishing Financial Technology sector in Scotland.

    MBE

    • Julianne Ponan, Owner of Creative Nature, an allergen free food brand, for services to business, exports and people with allergies.
    • Iain Mackinnon, former Secretary of the Maritime Skills Alliance, for services to education and skills in the maritime sector.
    • Thomas Richard Chant, Chief Executive Officer of the Society of Maritime Industries, for services to the maritime industry.
    • Robert Geoffrey Oliver, lately Chief Executive Officer for Construction Equipment Association, for services to UK manufacturing sector, construction and UK exports.
    • Paula Boast, Vice Chair of Bahrain British Business Forum, for services to UK-Bahrain business relations.

    Staff from the Department for International Trade (DIT) recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours list include:

    OBE

    • Neil Feinson, Deputy Director for Trade in Goods, DIT, for services to international trade and diversity and inclusion in the Civil Service
    • Ilaria Regondi, Country Director, France and Deputy Trade Commissioner Europe, DIT, for being strategic in several billion pounds worth of exports and investment projects and securing vital healthcare supplies from France during the pandemic.

    MBE

    • Dr Joanne Lawson, Deputy Head in Procurement and Intellectual Property, DIT, for services to trade, by leading the UK’s accession to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement.
    • Dr Sian Thomas, Chief Data Officer, DIT, for services to international trade, investment and cross-government data standards

    In addition to recipients nominated by DIT, the following trade professionals have received honours:

    • Dr Linda Yi-Chuang Yueh, Fellow in Economics, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford and Adjunct Professor of Economics, London Business School, and member of the Board of Trade, for services to economics
    • Lesley Batchelor OBE, Export Champion and Entrepreneur, for services to international trade
    • William Alan Beckett, Chairman, International Trade Forum. For services to Manufacturing and to exports
    • Helen Grant MP, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald and Trade Envoy to Nigeria, for political and public service
    • Dr Graham Harold Gudgin, for services to economic development in Northern Ireland

    Recognised Recipients

    Exporters and business leaders recognised in this list include co-founders John (‘Jack’) Churchill and Toby Sutton, both awarded an OBE for services to international trade and to people with special educational needs and disabilities.

    Over the last 20 years, Jack Churchill – who himself is dyslexic – and Toby Sutton, have built an assistive technology powerhouse at the heart of the dyslexia and special needs communities. Scanning Pens is an organisation that provides portable text-to-speech pen scanners which empower young and adult readers by giving them the tool to instantly access printed text anywhere. This assistive technology is now used daily by thousands of schools, workplaces and in prisons. The organisation has for many years been active both in the UK and in more than 100 countries. More than 50% of the company’s business is attributed to international trade, and it now has offices in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and India.

    Jack Churchill and Toby Sutton, co-founders of Scanning Pens Ltd, said:

    To say we are honoured by this announcement is an understatement. When we first started this venture over 20 years ago, we saw the opportunity to establish a business that could help millions of individuals with their literacy needs. Looking back, it is fantastic to know that through our technology we have supported so many to succeed.

    The success of Scanning Pens has allowed us to establish a goodwill organisation, Succeed With Dyslexia, which has made a reality of our wish to spread awareness around dyslexia through positive stories within this often-forgotten community.

    Without the support of our families and the whole team, neither of us would be receiving an OBE today. We look forward to many years ahead as we drive our business forward, whilst at the same time helping even more individuals in their daily lives.

    Julianne Ponan – awarded an MBE for services to business, exports and people with allergies.

    Allergy campaigner and award-winning business woman Julianne Ponan received the honour for the work she has done to educate others about the risks, dangers and realities of living with allergies and anaphylaxis. This recognition is part of her ambition to run Creative Nature, a successful top 14 allergen free snack business in the competitive food and drink sector. Now in its 11th year, Creative Nature sells products online, through major retailers across the UK and exports to over 16 countries around the world. As an Export Champion for the Department for International Trade, Julianne helps other SMEs to explore exporting by sharing her skills and experience. Julianne is also an ambassador for the Anaphylaxis Campaign and MedicAlert where she raises awareness of medical jewellery to provide life-saving information to health professionals in an emergency.

    Julianne Ponan, Chief Executive Officer of Creative Nature, said:

    I am honoured and humbled to be recognised with the award of an MBE in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list. I’m so thrilled to be counted among so many who have been honoured for their positive work to make our lives and our society better.

    Living with allergies in our society is not easy. People like me can feel isolated, excluded and humiliated when we need to ensure that what we eat or drink is safe for us – and that can include what others eat or drink around us.

    My team and I create products that can be eaten safely, and I’m very passionate about that.

    Stephen Ingledew – awarded an OBE for services to establishing the Financial Technology Sector in Scotland.

    Spanning over four decades, Stephen’s career has enabled him to become an influential advocate to make the financial world more open, creative and inclusive through innovative initiatives and progressive ways of working. In 2018, he formed and led FinTech Scotland, which is recognised today as one of the top fintech cluster management organisations in the UK and Europe. FinTech Scotland published the ground breaking Research and Innovation Roadmap, and Stephen is one of the founders of the FinTech National Network which facilitates collaboration across all UK regional fintech clusters. He also sits on the UK Government’s Business Innovation Forum and Scottish Government’s Innovation Steering Group and is both Deputy Convenor of the University of Strathclyde Court and non-executive director of Smart Data Foundry.

    Stephen Ingledew, Chairman of FinTech Scotland, said:

    I am honoured to receive an OBE for services to financial technology. To be recognised for doing something I am passionate about is incredible and I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many people who have provided valuable support to me.

    It is a huge privilege to be at the heart of financial innovation leveraging expertise across all UK regions to grow the economy, attract inward investment and develop export opportunities, all of which further reinforces the UK’s role as global fintech leader.

    Sharon Jandu – awarded an OBE for services to international trade.

    Sharon is an advocate for both her community and international trade. She has put Asian owned Yorkshire businesses on the global map by creating the Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) in 2017, with the aim of educating and promoting Yorkshire based, Asian owned businesses at home and overseas. Due to her enthusiasm and experience, YABA has amassed over 3,500 corporate members which continues to grow. Sharon has driven joint trade opportunities between her membership and primarily the Indian Sub-continent, where she embraces the opportunity emerging from the UK’s free trade agreement with India. She continuously promotes Department for International Trade’s assistance, alongside collaborating on events to bring DIT to her membership’s attention.   She founded the charity Global Diversity Positive Action in 2015, after witnessing failures first hand as a Justice of the Peace.

    Sharon Jandu, Founder and Director of Yorkshire Asian Business Association, said:

    It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to receive such a prestigious award for my work educating and promoting Northern based and Asian owned businesses at home and overseas.

    I am grateful to the Department for International Trade for the recognition, and I am also really fortunate to be supported by an incredible team.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Armed Forces personnel awarded state honours for outstanding service in the New Year Honours List [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Armed Forces personnel awarded state honours for outstanding service in the New Year Honours List [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 31 December 2022.

    The military division of His Majesty The King’s first New Year Honours List has been published, granting state honours to personnel serving across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

    Recipients have been recognised for extraordinary contributions to their service and country, from leading mine hunting operations in the Gulf to developing a village in Tanzania.

    Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

    These brilliant service men and women have gone above and beyond in fulfilling their duties and are an inspiration to those who might be looking to join the UK Armed Forces.

    Congratulations to all those who have received an award and thank you for your exemplary service.

    From the Royal Air Force, Flight Sergeant Fiona Phillips has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for being an exceptional ambassador for the service and demonstrating selfless commitment to voluntary work and community development through helping to develop a Tanzanian village, alleviating poverty through health and education. Flight Sergeant Phillips has also cared for and taught English to over 70 children in a Cambodian orphanage, volunteered at an adults’ residential centre and supported staff at a school for those with disabilities. Outside of her work with the RAF, she co-ordinates children’s triathlons, coaches athletics and is the welfare and safeguarding lead for British Triathlon.

    Flight Sergeant Phillips said:

    I am extremely humbled to receive this award for the small contribution I have made towards raising funds and volunteering for many charities and community projects that are close to my heart.

    None of this would have been possible without the support of my family, friends and colleagues. Regular contact with many families from my charity work is very rewarding to me.

    Wing Commander Graham Percival has been awarded the Ordinary Associate of the Royal Red Cross, Second Class for his life’s work innovating critical care in the aeromedical environment as part of the Critical Care Air Support Team. During the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Wing Commander Percival led and supported the team through the busiest period in its history, and later played a leading role in the retrieval of the initial cruise ship patients in the Far East during the COVID-19 pandemic. His contribution to nursing in defence and the many patients under his care has been outstanding.

    From the Royal Navy, Commodore Donald Crosbie has been appointed as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his work pushing the boundaries of Anglo-American mine hunting operations in the Gulf. As Deputy Commander of Task Force 52 – the US Navy’s permanent mine warfare force deployed in Bahrain – Commodore Crosbie’s inspirational leadership, dedication and energy has driven ever closer relations between British and US minehunters, as both navies look to make use of autonomous systems, drones and crewless craft to hunt down and neutralise underwater devices.

    Chief Petty Officer Janine Potts has been appointed an MBE for her work as a champion of Commonwealth personnel, and determination to make the service a more inclusive place for all. Chief Petty Officer Potts has been at the forefront of driving policy to improve the experience of personnel from Commonwealth nations to address the unique challenges they face, establish the Royal Navy Commonwealth Network and support the service’s newly formed Race and Diversity Network.

    Corporal Hollie Davis of the Royal Army Medical Corps has been appointed an MBE for her determination to support and counsel soldiers going through difficult personal circumstances, as well as performing to the highest standards as a combat medical technician and making a huge contribution to the Royal Tank Regiment’s preparation for Operation Cabrit; the UK’s operational deployment to Estonia as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence to improve Euro-Atlantic security. Corporal Davis has raised over £20,000 for the Lullaby Trust; a charity which aims to support those who have lost a child to sudden infant death syndrome, and created the Army Child Bereavement Network to support soldiers who have suffered the loss of a child.

    Corporal Davis said:

    I’m so shocked I don’t have words. I’ve had lots of tears, but no words. It still hasn’t really sunk in.

    I’m proud to run the network. It’s a nice, safe space for people to be able to talk about the worst thing that could ever happen to you.

    Lieutenant Colonel Jeyasangar Jeyanathan of the British Army has been appointed as an OBE for his relentless work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care at a hospital, he has cared for critically unwell patients, while also working as a doctor for Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex. Lieutenant Colonel Jeyanathan has helped to maintain and innovate essential emergency services for communities across south-east England, at a time when the National Health Service was severely stretched. He notably developed transfer services for critically ill patients to manage bed shortages, which ensured availability for patients in the region who required the highest level of care.